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

"Ice Time!"

The clash of cold and heat filled the island with dense steam, obscuring everyone's vision in an instant.

As the mist cleared, the crowd stood in stunned silence, their mouths agape. The imposing azure dragon soared into the distance, only to slowly change direction.

"Heat Breath!"

The ice-covered sea, frozen by Kuzan's powers, melted instantly under the searing heat. Wobbling slightly in the air, Kaido descended, shifting back into his human form as he landed heavily on the ground.

"Hic… Overshot that a bit..."

"Jack! Get over here! Let me have a look at you!"

"I'm not coming over! You're drunk!"

"Get over here, I said!"

Everyone stopped fighting, turning their eyes to the sight of Kaido, club in hand, chasing after Jack.

Kuzan leapt over to stand by Tsuru, sighing in exasperation. "What's the plan now? I didn't expect this monster to show up out of nowhere."

"That guy..." Tsuru frowned deeply as she stared at Kaido, her expression a mix of frustration and calculation. This was such a rare opportunity—why did Kaido have to appear now of all times?

Doflamingo, on the other hand, visibly relaxed the moment he saw Kaido. While he didn't know why Kaido had suddenly shown up, it had conveniently bailed him out of his current predicament.

"Fuffuffuffu! Lady Tsuru!" Doflamingo sneered, his fingers flexing as invisible threads danced around him. "It seems today is not the day the Donquixote family falls!"

With a maniacal laugh, he slid his hands through the air as if slicing invisible fabric.

"Fuffuffuffu! Looks like the roles of hunter and prey have switched, don't you think?"

"Lady Tsuru, do you think the Beasts Pirates' main force has arrived?"

Boom!

Ice shards exploded into the air as Tsuru glanced once more at Kaido, who was still chasing Jack. Gritting her teeth, she gave the reluctant order.

"All units, retreat!"

Under Kuzan's cover, the Marines began carrying their injured comrades and retrieving the bodies of the fallen, retreating to their ships.

Doflamingo gestured for his subordinates to stand down, while Rim called back the furious Fish-Men with a shout.

"Kaido-sama! They're running away!"

"Let them go! Stop chasing them!"

"If you keep chasing, we're going to have a problem!"

CLANG!

The clash of two kanabō echoed through the battlefield. Kaido blinked as if sobering up, taking in the weight of the strike. He shook his head, seemingly regaining his clarity, then swung his Hassaikai once more, sending Jack flying across the ground.

Watching from a distance, Doflamingo raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised by Jack's audacity. He'd never imagined anyone in the Beasts Pirates would dare strike back at a drunken Kaido.

He'd met both King and Queen before. Their respect for Kaido was absolute. For Jack to act like this... it suggested Kaido held him in far higher regard than Doflamingo had assumed.

In Jack's mind, a familiar voice echoed suddenly:

"Congratulations, host! As you've gone so long without choosing a draw, a random reward has been selected for you."

"Congratulations, host! You've received a shining reward: Swordsmanship Level +1. You've now become a Sword Master."

The system's unexpected announcement distracted Jack for a split second—just long enough for Kaido's Hassaikai to come crashing down on him, sending him flying again.

Kaido, entirely unfazed, hefted his club and marched forward.

"Hey, hey, Doffy. Are you sure this is okay?"

"That kind of strength…"

Before Trebol could finish his sentence, Jack suddenly leapt to his feet with a fluid kip-up, as if nothing had happened.

"Well, well, the Beasts Pirates' All-Star certainly lives up to his name," Doflamingo quipped dryly before strolling toward Kaido.

"Oi, Kaido-sama! I know you're sober now, so cut it out already!" Jack yelled, running to intercept him. "What are you even doing here?!"

Kaido blinked, his drunken haze now entirely gone. He lowered his club, looking almost disappointed.

"Jack! Not bad!" Kaido laughed, slinging his Hassaikai over his shoulder. "I take it that pigeon and that rooster are dealt with?"

"Of course! No problem at all!" Jack beamed, sliding his massive blades back into their holsters. Though, compared to Kaido and his Hassaikai, they didn't quite have the same imposing effect.

"Listen up, you lot!" Jack called to the surrounding Fish-Men. "Bow down before the Governor-General of the Beasts Pirates—Kaido-sama!"

The Fish-Men, undaunted by Kaido's intimidating presence, stepped forward and shouted in unison:

"Kaido-sama!"

"Wororororo! Not bad, you lot!" Kaido laughed, thoroughly pleased. Though King had mentioned Jack recruiting Fish-Men into the crew, Kaido hadn't had the chance to see them in action. Their fearless attitudes impressed him greatly.

Doflamingo and his officers approached next, with Doflamingo wearing a wide grin.

"Wororororo! Joker! Well done!" Kaido boomed. "Thanks to you, we managed to lure them out of the New World. All your doing!"

"Ha! Not at all. It's all thanks to your brilliant strategy, Kaido-sama," Doflamingo replied, bowing deeply.

Jack, watching Doflamingo's uncharacteristic display of reverence, couldn't help but wonder what terrifying memory Kaido must have left him with.

"Kaido-sama, how did you know the Marines had set a trap for us?" Doflamingo asked curiously.

"Huh? Trap?" Kaido tilted his head. "I didn't know. I came to the Grand Line for my own reasons and just followed Jack's Vivre Card."

As if reminded of something, Kaido suddenly smacked his forehead and barked, "Jack! You're coming with me now! Got your Vivre Card? I'll fly ahead—you all follow me!"

Without waiting for a response, Kaido transformed into his dragon form and soared into the sky. Jack, sighing in exasperation, signaled to Doflamingo before gathering his crew and boarding the Mammoth.

Though they followed Kaido tirelessly, day and night, his flight speed far outstripped the Mammoth. Jack couldn't shake his growing suspicion. Kaido seemed unusually urgent—what could possibly be so important?

After nearly a month of nonstop pursuit, they finally reached a secluded island. When Jack disembarked with Rim and Master, the sight in the island's center left them all frozen in place.

Two children, masked and nearly identical in height, were playing happily around a smiling Kaido.

Rim blinked in confusion. "Jack-sama, are those...?"

"Shh…" Jack raised a hand, silencing them. He pulled them back a few steps, frowning deeply.

Kaido, you might be having the time of your life, but what am I supposed to do with this?!

Am I supposed to go back and tell Yamato she has a little brother and sister now?!

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+140 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg