...
"You bastard..."
"You really seem to love this song of conquest, huh..."
Shanks pushed himself up from the ground, his face serious as he pointed Gryphon at the approaching Jack.
"Too bad—I don't know the lyrics. My bad!"
"Huh?"
Jack halted cautiously. Seeing Shanks' stern expression, he assumed another powerful attack was coming. That last move—Divine Departure—had left him with a serious wound. If he hadn't consumed the Suzaku Fruit, he might already be out of the fight.
Thanks to the Suzaku Fruit's insane regenerative abilities and enhanced durability, he had endured Shanks' strike and recovered fast enough to continue fighting. But if Shanks unleashed another attack like that... Jack wasn't sure he'd be able to keep going.
No wonder he's the protagonist of this world! The chosen one of fate!
Gripping his spiked club tightly, Jack locked eyes with Shanks. The air between them grew heavier, the tension thick with the clash of their wills.
Then, suddenly, Shanks' eyes widened in surprise as he glanced behind Jack.
"Hmm?"
Jack instinctively turned his head to check—nothing. Just empty space. He whipped back around—
...Shanks was gone.
...
"Bastard!!"
Watching Shanks sprint away faster than a rabbit, Jack's face twisted with rage.
"You shameless coward! You spineless scoundrel! Get back here and fight me like a man!"
"You—your children will be born with—"
"XXXXX!"
Ignoring Jack's furious cursing, Shanks bolted ahead, his crew close behind. Even Mihawk, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but comment.
"So this is how you choose to retreat?"
"Have you no pride?"
"Pride? I can't kill him!" Shanks shot back. "Didn't you see that last attack? I evaporated the seawater behind him in an instant, and he still walked away without a scratch!"
"If you think you can take him, be my guest. Otherwise, shut up!"
"Hmph..."
Recalling how Jack had shrugged off so many devastating attacks, Mihawk fell silent.
"Wait a minute...! I CAN FLY!"
After venting for a good while, Jack, now fully recovered, finally remembered a crucial fact—he had wings! Without hesitation, he transformed into his Suzaku form and shot into the sky, pursuing Shanks and his crew at full speed.
...
"Hahh... hahh..."
Shanks collapsed onto the ground, panting. "I think we lost him..."
"That guy's defense is even stronger than a few years ago," he muttered. "Honestly, even Kaido might not be this durable. I can't kill him. Next time, let's just avoid him altogether. It's exhausting."
"Yeah... about that..." Beckman and Yasopp exchanged looks before gazing into the sky. Yasopp sighed.
"If I remember correctly... that bastard can fly."
...
"WHAT ARE YOU ALL STANDING AROUND FOR? RUN!!"
"RED-HAIRED BASTARD! YOU WON'T ESCAPE!"
"BOOM!"
Jack, soaring at high speed, opened his beak and launched a fireball at them. He then used his superior mobility to cut ahead, blocking their path.
"Hahaha! So this is your escape route, Shanks?!" Jack sneered, sending another barrage of flames toward them.
"BOOM! BOOM!"
Dodging the attacks, Beckman grimaced. "This won't work. We can't outrun him."
"Then we fight!"
Lucky Roux and the others looked to Shanks for confirmation. Shanks waved them off.
"You guys handle it. I need a breather."
With their captain's approval, Yasopp lifted his rifle and fired at Jack. Beckman followed suit, aiming precise shots at their airborne opponent.
"BANG! BANG!"
"Tch..."
Feeling the stinging pain from the bullets, Jack shifted into his hybrid form, flapping his wings as he descended to the ground. A smirk stretched across his face as he looked at the gathered crew members.
"Hahahaha! Run! Run! I CAN FLY! Let's see how far you can go!"
Shanks stood before Jack, his voice sharp. "If we can't run, then we fight."
"Alright, boys! Get him!"
The moment he finished speaking, Shanks stepped aside. Before Jack could react, Lucky Roux transformed into a rolling ball of flesh and slammed into him.
"BAM!"
"What the hell—?!"
"WHAM!"
Before he could recover, another forceful impact struck his face. From a distance, Shanks cheered,
"Nice one, Gab!"
Benn Beckman drew his blades and dashed forward with swift, unpredictable footwork, slashing at Jack before kicking him square in the jaw. Ship doctor Hongo followed up with a downward strike of his own.
From behind, Limejuice lunged in, his electrified staff crackling with energy as he smashed it against Jack's shoulder, sending sparks flying.
As their attacks continued, Bonk Punch pounded his drum, signaling his trained monkey, Monster, to leap at Jack and scratch at his face wildly.
"BANG! BANG!"
"BOOM! CRACK!"
Gunfire, explosions, and war cries filled the battlefield, causing the nearby wildlife to scatter in fear.
"WATCH OUT!" Yasopp suddenly shouted.
"MAMMOTH IMPACT!"
"BOOM!"
Jack transformed into his full mammoth form, trampling everything in his path. His massive trunk swung wildly, nearly crushing Monster. Just as it was about to strike, Beckman appeared and kicked Jack square in the chest.
"BOOM!"
"Huh...?" Jack grunted. Beckman's attack had actually forced him back several steps.
Red eyes gleamed as Jack glared at the man, a grin spreading across his face.
"Not bad... you've got some power, huh?"
Despite their relentless attacks, Jack's monstrous endurance kept him standing. Even Beckman's strongest blows barely made a dent. Worse yet, after fighting for so long, Jack's hybrid form underwent another transformation—flames ignited across his wings as he prepared to charge again.
Shanks furrowed his brows and turned to Mihawk, who had been silently observing the battle.
"What?" Mihawk asked flatly. "I'm not your subordinate. I have no obligation to fight your battles."
"Oi, now that's just mean!" Shanks gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "You wound me! If I hadn't saved you last time, I wouldn't even have gotten on his bad side!"
"And while we're on the subject—where's that expensive wine you promised me? The one you said was 'specially crafted'?"
"The luxurious solo ship you bragged about—where is it?"
"..."
"Shut up, you idiot!" Mihawk growled, drawing his blade as he stepped onto the battlefield.
-----------
The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg