Jixo

238 One Piece: My Name is Jack

Added 2025-04-21 13:32:00 +0000 UTC

The Whitebeard Pirates had summoned all their allied fleets, and such a massive mobilization couldn't possibly go unnoticed.

The New World was instantly on high alert. Pirates who usually ran amok now kept to their islands, lying low in fear of running into an enraged Whitebeard and his crew.

With all their forces gathered, there wasn't much time left before Ace's execution.

Kaido had little interest in Whitebeard's territories. Most of them were impoverished lands, and while Whitebeard controlled the largest domain among the Four Emperors, only a handful of places were truly worth Kaido's attention.

Considering the logistical routes to his current holdings, Kaido estimated that only one or two locations were worth seizing. For this, he simply ordered the Ulti siblings and Sasaki to lead the charge. The takeover would be so effortless that he wouldn't even need to step in himself.

As for Fish-Man Island, the Beasts Pirates had already marked it as a must-have. Even if Kaido had no personal interest, many fish-men hoped to come under his protection once Whitebeard fell. Aladine even volunteered to lead a delegation to negotiate with King Neptune.

No one had any hope for Whitebeard. Despite his title as the World's Strongest Man, he alone couldn't stand against the overwhelming force of the Marines. A single Emperor's crew wasn't enough.

Only ignorant civilians still held doubts about the war's outcome, living in constant fear.

Perhaps, given Whitebeard's strength, he had a chance to rescue Ace—but there was no way the Marines would let either of them walk away alive.

By deciding to wage war against the World Government for Ace's sake, Whitebeard had likely accepted his own fate.

Jack, watching this unfold, found himself marveling at Whitebeard's loyalty. At the same time, he couldn't help but question Ace's true identity. Could the kid really be Whitebeard's illegitimate son?

A mere few years in the Whitebeard Pirates, and Whitebeard was willing to stake his life to save him? If it were the Beasts Pirates, Kaido would never sacrifice years of planning for a mere officer. At most, he might provide a decent coffin before storming Marineford for revenge. That would be the extent of his generosity.

Jack had originally wanted to go to Fish-Man Island himself, but Kaido insisted he come along to retrieve the Road Poneglyph. With no choice, Jack followed his captain toward Rhoda Town.

...

Not far from Rhoda Town's port, the Red Force, flagship of the Red-Haired Pirates, was approaching at full speed.

With a cigarette between his lips, Benn Beckman looked at Shanks, his face serious.

"You sure Kaido will show up?"

Shanks shook his head. "I can't say for certain. But you know my connections… and you also know that someone told me the Whitebeard Pirates' Road Poneglyph is hidden here. If Kaido knows too, he won't pass up this chance."

"I won't let him take it."

Seeing Shanks' unwavering resolve, Beckman sighed and shook his head.

"Damn… sometimes, I really wonder if Luffy is your kid."

"Pfft—hahaha! No way, I—"

Shanks' laughter suddenly faded. He looked up at the sky, his expression turning solemn.

"Looks like we won't be able to protect that Poneglyph after all."

Jack landed on the ground beside Kaido, eyeing the familiar ship in the distance with confusion.

"Shanks? You here for the Road Poneglyph too?"

"Hahaha…"

"I'll take a break from all this. I'm heading to Marineford to try and put an end to this war."

"I won't get in your way. See you around."

Shanks glanced at Jack standing beside Kaido, rubbing his temple as if he had a headache.

"You're going to Marineford too?"

Hearing that, Jack's eyes lit up. The Red-Haired Pirates had multiple powerhouses, and if he joined them—plus the Seven Warlords—this war would definitely be something worth watching!

Kaido, realizing Shanks wasn't here for the Poneglyph, immediately flew into town to retrieve it.

Jack, still eyeing Shanks, suddenly shouted, "What are you waiting for? If you show up too late, everyone will already be dead!"

"Relax, I won't slow you down. Tell you what—I'll go with you."

"I'm gonna stop this war too."

"…What?"

"Not buying it? If you don't believe me, we can fight right now!"

Surprisingly, Jack didn't pick fights along the way. This both relieved and puzzled Shanks. Knowing Jack's usual behavior, he should've been indifferent to this war. As for his claim of wanting to stop it—Shanks didn't believe it for a second.

But for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what Jack was really after. Did he have someone important to him at Marineford?

After failing to come up with an answer, Shanks decided to stop overthinking it.

Due to Jack's absurd appetite, they had to make a brief stop on a deserted island to restock their supplies before finally setting sail again. With its coating already complete, the Red Force swiftly submerged, heading toward Marineford.

Meanwhile, Kaido smashed through the guards protecting the Poneglyph, grinning wildly as he emerged victorious.

"Hahaha! It was real! They didn't lie to me!"

"Jack! Jack!"

"Where'd you go?! We're leaving! Jack!"

After a few unanswered shouts, Kaido activated his Observation Haki—and fell silent.

...

"Captain! We're surfacing!"

"Looks like the battle's already in full swing!"

With a loud splash, the Red Force emerged from the depths. Shanks immediately leaped into the air.

Sakazuki sneered as he glanced at a trembling young Marine, vaguely recalling that he was under Garp's command.

Thinking of Dragon and that brat Luffy, Sakazuki raised his magma-covered fist, ready to strike.

Clang!