PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

The ghastly scene before them made everyone's pupils contract sharply.

A chill surged down Ulti's spine.

She had been undercover within the Beasts Pirates for years, gathering intel for the World Government. Over time, she had developed a solid grasp of the power structure within the crew.

Jack—youngest of the Three Calamities—was indeed the weakest in raw combat power.

But his defense was something else entirely.

It was only because of his nigh-indestructible physique that he had earned the notorious title of Jack the Drought, feared even in the New World.

And yet, this same Jack had just been obliterated by a single blow.

A blow so utterly unsportsmanlike, so overwhelming, that Ulti couldn't help but question—

Was this even allowed?!

If she had taken that hit herself… would there even be scraps left of her body?

But just as that terrifying thought crossed her mind—Ulti's face lit up with sudden joy.

ROAR!!

"You little brat! I am Jack of the Beasts Pirates—one of the Three Calamities! A pirate worth a full billion! I'm going to kill you!!"

Jack's blood-soaked form reared up with a bestial howl.

From the scorched wounds all over his body, blood shimmered faintly with crimson light.

The rivers of blood that had gushed like a flood… were now slowing.

His charred flesh was visibly healing, scabbing over before their very eyes.

Even Tashigi, Ain, and Smoker, who had just returned to the battlefield, were stunned.

Had they not witnessed it themselves, they wouldn't have believed it—

After suffering such catastrophic damage, Jack was now regenerating at an inhuman rate.

"A Zoan-type Awakening?" Luo Yu raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

There were three known types of Devil Fruit Awakenings:

Vitality Reinforcement – unique to Zoan-types, granting extreme healing and life force. Often called the 'Blood-Lock Hack'.

Kaido's Azure Dragon form, for instance, relied on Awakening to tank endless punishment.

Environmental Assimilation – such as those of Doflamingo and Katakuri, who could transform their surroundings.

Power Bestowal – like Big Mom and Kid, who could imbue their powers into external objects.

In the Beasts Pirates—dubbed the Monster Zoo—seeing someone like Jack activate the Blood-Lock Hack wasn't a surprise.

"As expected of Lord Jack!" Ulti exclaimed excitedly.

"Admiral, that triple strike just now—surely that was your strongest move, right?"

"And yet Jack-sama is still standing. Let's see what you have left!"

Smoker and the others looked grim. Jack, who just moments ago seemed dead, now stood almost fully recovered—aside from some missing fur.

And they didn't know…

Could Luo Yu even pull off that attack a second time?

If not…

They'd have to be ready to intervene with everything they had.

But Luo Yu casually raised his gourd, took a sip of crude liquor, and said:

"Don't look at me. That move drained me dry."

"If he can still fight… I'll concede right now."

"Though… do any of you have a pair of Seastone cuffs? Go ahead and restrain him—he looks like he's about to fall asleep standing."

Fall asleep… standing?

The three of them froze.

Ulti's triumphant joy turned to confusion.

She stared at Jack—eyes still bulging in rage, poised to roar—

And then… she blinked.

"Jack-sama… stop joking around! That wasn't enough to take you down! Answer me!"

Her voice echoed across the ruined battlefield.

But Jack didn't move. Didn't speak.

He just stood there, still glaring, like a statue.

The flicker of hope that had sparked in Ulti's heart was already crumbling.

Was… was the Awakening draining what little strength he had left?

Even Smoker and the others were stunned.

But Smoker quickly recovered. His body turned to mist as he surged forward.

"Ain, get the fleet to bring Seastone cuffs—fast! This is a billion-berry pirate! Admiral Luo Yu just earned a huge merit!"

Ain and Tashigi snapped out of their daze and turned to run.

But—

Before they could move far, Ulti suddenly threw herself in front of Jack.

"I'm CP0! Codename Phantom Fox! I've been undercover in the Beasts Pirates to gather intel for the World Government!"

"You're not authorized to take Jack away—you'd be obstructing CP0 operations!"

CP0?! Again?!

Smoker froze.

The Jitte in his hand, mid-swing, suddenly hovered uncertainly.

Looking at the seductive woman before him, he couldn't bring himself to act.

Tashigi and Ain turned pale.

They hadn't expected a curveball like this right after a decisive victory.

But seeing Smoker hesitate, Tashigi clenched her fists and strode forward.

"Smoker! Why aren't you moving?! That's an order from Admiral Luo Yu!"

Smoker clenched his teeth around his cigar, sweat dripping from his brow.

His grip on his weapon tightened—then loosened.

"I want to move," he said quietly, "but every time I even think about attacking… some voice in my head tells me not to."

"Vice Admiral Smoker… I'm getting the same thing," Ain muttered, equally bewildered.

Tashigi blinked. Her gaze shot toward Ulti.

The moment their eyes met—

BOOM.

Her head buzzed. The thought of attacking evaporated instantly.

She stammered:

"I… I don't think I can either…"

Ulti chuckled behind her hand.

"Hehe~ You three are clever enough to understand how hard CP0's work is. Don't worry—I'll report your cooperation to the Five Elders. You'll be rewarded."

"Now, if you'll excuse me… I'll be taking Jack-sama with me."

She turned away, preparing to haul Jack off before her illusion broke. She knew her Phantom Fox charm wouldn't last long.

But just as she turned—

A figure stood directly in her path.

The voice that came with it sent a chill through her bones.

"Another fake CP0?"

"Why do I keep running into these back-alley phonies?"