One Piece: My Name is Jack, I'm Very Resistant to Beating

Ostec was frantic. When he saw Jack clutching Lynstan' neck like a lifeless bird, Ostec's fury flared, and he struggled to break free from Rim's relentless attacks to come to the rescue.

But Rim was fighting with reckless abandon, trading blow for blow without a care for his own safety. It was a brutal and effective tactic that stalled Ostec's advance. Finally managing to knock back Rim, Ostec took a moment to catch his breath and turned his eyes to Lynstan.

What he saw chilled him to the core. Lynstan' prized multicolored coat was now in tatters, shredded by Jack. His body was pinned to the ground in a grotesque pose, skewered by a dozen massive ivory tusks. From the faint aura left around him and the unnatural angles of his limbs, Ostec knew it was only a matter of time before Lynstan succumbed.

Gritting his teeth and swallowing his grief, Ostec turned away.

"Goodbye, my beautiful rooster partner," he muttered under his breath. "I can't save you now. All I can do is try to save myself."

Taking advantage of a brief lull as Rim caught his breath, Ostec shot into the air. Razor-sharp slashes cascaded from his wings, bombarding the birdcage surrounding them. Unfortunately, Doflamingo's craftsmanship held firm, the birdcage didn't so much as shudder under the assault. Its quality was impeccable, as if it had passed the highest ISO certifications.

Realizing he couldn't outlast them in the air, Ostec's plans shifted. But then he saw Doflamingo, moving like a spider, weaving his way through the battlefield until he was directly in Ostec's path.

That's when it hit him: escape was unlikely today.

To his surprise, Doflamingo didn't attack but loomed menacingly. Seizing this moment of reprieve, Ostec steeled himself and set his sights on Rim.

"Jack seems to respect Rim a lot," he thought. "If I take Rim hostage, maybe I'll have a chance."

He landed and launched himself into another battle with Rim. Meanwhile, Doflamingo casually descended to Jack's side.

Jack raised a massive thumb in Doflamingo's direction, his tone dripping with begrudging admiration.

"Damn, Doffy. You turned a String-String Fruit into this? Gotta hand it to you—your talent and imagination are insane. If it were me, I'd probably end up running a textile factory back in the boonies!"

Doflamingo chuckled, shaking his head. Was this a compliment or an insult?

"I'll take that as praise," he muttered, deciding not to dwell on it. Then, turning to Jack, he asked, "When do we take down the birdcage? Looks like your guy's not holding up against Ostec."

Jack glanced at Rim, now bloodied but still fiercely fighting, and called out, "Rim! Need a hand?"

There was no response. Jack shrugged helplessly.

"Guess it's not time yet," he said, leaning back.

Moments later, as Rim took another vicious hit, Jack shouted again, "Rim! You sure you don't need me?"

Still no reply. Jack sighed and muttered to Doflamingo, "Looks like my subordinate's a bit too proud. Let's give it a bit more time."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Rim was sent flying, crashing at Jack's feet with a resounding thud.

"Rim… just stop already," Jack groaned. "Let me handle it. Why struggle when I can take him down and let you finish him off?"

"Cough…" Rim wheezed, glaring up at him. "Give me a chance to respond, damn it! You think I've had time to yell back while fighting for my life? One slip-up and I'm dead! You're—"

Jack's expression froze as he processed Rim's outburst. Doflamingo quietly deactivated the birdcage, though not without a knowing smirk. Ostec, stunned by the sudden disappearance of the cage, seized the moment and transformed into his pigeon form to flee.

But a chilling sense of danger halted him mid-air. Looking down, he noticed blood seeping from his chest. High above, razor-thin strings glistened with fresh crimson.

"Doflamingo! You bastard!" Ostec roared, fury and fear intertwining. "If outside find out we died here, they won't let you go!"

Doflamingo laughed his signature "Fuffuffuffu" laugh before sneering, "Fools like you are relics of a bygone era. Today, you die here. And as for Ostek and Linstan? Their fate will be no different from yours. Both nations are run by kings as clueless as you."

Ostec gritted his teeth. "You dare—"

"Fuffuffuffu! Standing at the Beast Pirates' doorstep and aligning with the World Government?" Doflamingo interrupted. "Pathetic. It's clear neither you nor your allies understand the game you're playing. You're like a whipped dog, howling at forces far beyond your reach."

From the harbor, Jack's voice boomed, "Bring the ship closer!"

Seeing this, Doflamingo flicked his fingers, sending strings flying to reassemble the birdcage over Twin Ridge Island.

"Damn it! You think you've cornered me?" Ostec growled, masking his dread with bluster. "I'll make you pay!"

Boom! Jack landed in front of Ostec, towering over him with his massive kanabo in hand. His face was an unreadable mask as he spoke.

"You're barking a lot for someone so outmatched," he said flatly. "What's the point of fighting if you don't have the power to back it up? Without strength, without allies, you're just noise. Two insignificant nations and your empty threats? Laughable."

Pointing the kanabo toward Lynstan' mangled body, Jack continued, "See that? That's your future."

Ostec followed the weapon's direction to see Rim hacking away at Lynstan' remains with wild ferocity, reducing him to a barely recognizable pulp. Lynstan' agonized cries grew weaker until they faded entirely.

Sweat poured down Ostec's face. After a moment of frantic thought, he forced a smile and turned to Jack.

"Jack, my friend! Kaido-sama has always wanted me to join the Beast Pirates. I… I've thought it over, and I'd like to accept his generous offer. No need for a high position. I'll gladly serve as your humble underling!"

"Huh?" Jack raised an eyebrow. "Idiot."

With a swift swing, he brought the kanabo crashing down on Ostec.

"Sorry, but I don't like pigeons," Jack growled. "And one more thing—I'm a stickler for promises. You said you'd make us pay. So let's see what you've got."

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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg