"Run! Run, Sabo! Betty!"
"Morley! Get out of here! Find the Leader!"
"We can't win against them!"
After just a few exchanges, Lindbergh knew that they were no match for Jack.
His most advanced technological weapon, powerful enough to obliterate a mountain, had struck Jack directly—yet all it did was make him sway slightly. Meanwhile, a single casual strike from Jack was enough to leave Lindbergh injured.
A 4.5 billion bounty—no exaggeration whatsoever!
Lindbergh shot into the sky, trying to gain distance and attack from above, but the moment he saw Jack also take flight, his heart turned ice-cold.
"Boom!"
Glancing at the three still locked in battle with Yamato, Lindbergh used the force of Jack's attack to propel himself downward like a missile, crashing beside them.
"Bang!"
"Pfft!"
Coughing up blood, Lindbergh shouted urgently, "Run! Get out of here—run on the ground! That bastard can fly!"
"We're completely outmatched! The World Government's been hiding information!"
"Only the Leader can handle him!"
"I'll distract him—just go!"
Before Lindbergh could say more, a brilliant white light flared from Belo Betty's body. Growing even larger, she forced Yamato back, then chuckled softly.
"Don't be ridiculous. With his speed, how exactly do you plan to shake him off?"
"Morley, take Sabo and Lindbergh with you—go!"
"Betty!"
"Now! Don't let your pride get in the way!"
"None of you can hold him back but me!"
"Betty!"
"Go!"
Morley hesitated for only a second before glancing at Betty, then at Jack closing in fast with Yamato right behind him. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed Sabo and Lindbergh, then sank into the earth with them.
Jack narrowed his eyes. "Oh? A Devil Fruit user?"
"Rare ability—burrowing, huh?"
"But… hiding your presence won't save you."
"Swish!"
Just as Jack prepared to pursue, a massive flagpole whizzed past his face and stabbed into the ground behind him.
Turning his gaze, Jack eyed Betty's exaggeratedly muscular frame and sneered.
"You know, that face with those muscles… it's making me feel a little sick."
"Shut up!"
"Boom!"
A few minutes later, Belo Betty lay unconscious on the ground.
Even with her fruit ability enhancing her strength, the sheer gap in Haki was impossible to overcome. And facing both Jack and Yamato at once? It was a miracle she was still breathing.
Jack, having deemed her powers somewhat useful, had stopped Yamato from finishing her off.
After binding Betty, he didn't bother chasing Lindbergh and the others. He had already learned from their conversation where they were headed.
They were going to find their leader.
Dragon.
The Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army.
Jack smirked. "The so-called 'most dangerous criminal in the world'… let's see what he's really made of."
"Betty! Damn it—damn it—DAMN IT!"
Sabo clutched his head in frustration.
"Why the hell did Jack show up so soon?! If we had just a few more days, we would've taken over the entire Ailen Island!"
His voice was hoarse as he punched the ground, furious at himself.
"This is my fault. If I were stronger, this wouldn't have happened!"
"Now the mission's failed… and Betty's been captured!"
"Sabo, don't blame yourself. This isn't on you," Lindbergh said, shaking his head.
"Betty might not even be captured yet," he added, though his tone wasn't confident.
"Dragon wants us to meet him first. We'll decide our next move then."
"But now that Jack's arrived, we have to prepare for the worst…"
Lindbergh's expression was grim.
He had been the one to propose this mission—to take action against Ailen Island.
Two years ago, a group of refugees from Ailen Island had joined the Revolutionary Army. From their accounts, Lindbergh had learned just how wealthy the island was.
Its abundant mineral resources immediately reminded him of the Revolutionary Army's dire financial situation.
After discussing with Dragon, despite knowing the island was under Kaido's control, they had decided to move forward with the plan.
They had rallied the people, incited rebellion, and aimed to seize the wealth of the island before Kaido could intervene. As long as they could wrap things up within a month, even the Beasts Pirates wouldn't have been able to react in time.
But no one expected Jack to arrive—with Kaido's daughter, Yamato, no less.
To ensure success, nearly all of the Revolutionary Army's top commanders had come. Even Dragon himself had taken action.
If they failed despite all this, it would be a massive blow to the cause.
The civilians? Collateral damage. Sacrifices were inevitable in revolution.
But Betty—she was different.
Her Devil Fruit ability was crucial to their cause.
...
Renske, Capital of the Kingdom of Wetna
Inside the royal palace, King Hedarn stood anxiously beside King, his arm freshly bandaged.
Across from them, Enel sat wrapped in bandages, his expression dark.
"Pathetic," King snarled. "A Logia user—yet you couldn't even utilize your own fruit's natural advantage!"
"Ugh…!"
"Shut up! I know what you're about to say!"
"This isn't Skypiea. This is the New World!"
"Here, Haki users are everywhere! I told you that already!"
"Your arrogance—if you don't fix that, you'll always be nothing but a clown!"
After tearing into Enel, King turned toward the worried-looking King Hedarn.
"King Hedarn, no need to be concerned. If the Revolutionary Army is retreating, that means our reinforcements are close."
"They know what it means to make enemies of the Beasts Pirates."
...
Outside Renske
A makeshift military camp had been set up.
Dragon, draped in his dark green coat, sat waiting with Northern Army Commander Karasu. Their faces were grim.
When news arrived of Jack's sudden appearance and Betty's uncertain fate, Dragon had immediately abandoned his fight with King and ordered a full retreat.
Karasu closed his eyes, contemplating the situation before speaking.
"Chief, if Lindbergh's report is accurate, then Betty has likely fallen into Jack's hands."
"Whether she's still alive… we don't know."
"Should we call off the operation? Abandon Betty?"
"If we hesitate any longer and the Beasts Pirates' main force arrives, we'll be in serious trouble."
"No need."
Dragon's voice was resolute.
"We launched this operation only two weeks ago—Kaido won't be here yet."
His eyes gleamed with determination.
"Whether Betty is alive or dead—we will not abandon her."
"And Jack—"
Dragon exhaled slowly, then clenched his fists.
"—he's coming for us. For me."
"Fine."
"Let's see what the world's strongest fish-man is really capable of."
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg