Yamato's loud voice momentarily silenced everyone around her.
But the silence was short-lived, replaced by a surge of anger as both sides clashed even more fiercely.
"That brat!"
Whitebeard's voice carried a tinge of frustration as he glared at Jack, who once again dodged his attack. He couldn't help but curse:
"One after another! Why are the brats from Kaido's crew always so underhanded and vile? What kind of lessons is Kaido teaching them?!"
"Don't get so worked up!"
Jack nodded seriously, a sly grin spreading across his face as he replied in a peculiar tone:
"Raising kids isn't Kaido's strong suit, that's for sure!"
"After all, Kaido-sama is an ambitious pirate. Even though he's called an Emperor of the Sea now, he's still not satisfied! A man like that, with such a relentless drive for success, naturally wouldn't focus on proper parenting!"
"Unlike you, going around adopting sons left and right… of course, Kaido-sama can't compare!"
Jack's tone shifted as he eyed Whitebeard with mock curiosity.
"But speaking of that… aren't we pirates? Where did you pick up this habit of adopting sons everywhere you go?"
"Could it be... you've been reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms? It's been circulating across the seas thanks to the merchant routes. There's a main character in it, you know?"
"Watch out! He betrayed everyone he swore loyalty to. What if one day you pick up a son like him? Wouldn't that be the end of you?"
"Bastard! Damn brat, shut your mouth!"
Romance of the Three Kingdoms was indeed a popular book, widely distributed thanks to the merchants. Even Kaido had made a fortune off it back when funds were tight. Of course, Whitebeard had read it.
Still, comparing his sons to a treacherous figure like him? That crossed a line. Whitebeard's sons weren't like that!
"I, Whitebeard, would never take in a son as dishonorable!"
With a sharp hum, Whitebeard swung his naginata at Jack. The blade's edge shimmered menacingly as it slashed forward. Jack raised his spiked club to block, but the impact forced him several steps back. He grinned through gritted teeth, flashing his sharp fangs.
"Keep it up!"
"This damn brat!"
Whitebeard's killing intent surged as he glanced around to confirm that his sons were holding their ground. He channeled more strength into his next strike, aiming to crush Jack once and for all.
Meanwhile, on another battlefield, Izou approached Yamato, his pistol gleaming in hand.
"I'll handle this. Thanks for holding her off earlier," Izou said, nodding to Fossa.
Fossa, wiping blood from his sword, nodded back. "Be careful. That brat's no pushover."
Izou turned to the others and barked orders. "No need to hold back. Once we're done with her, we'll help the others!"
"Ganging up on me, huh?" Yamato scoffed, glaring at them. "Pathetic!"
She shouted toward the distance, "Bring it here!"
At her call, her companion, the wolf, darted over with her kanabo clenched in its jaws. It tossed the weapon toward her before running off again.
"Useless mutt!" Yamato snarled. "Jack was right—I should cook you one day!"
The wolf paused, glancing back as if reconsidering. Under Yamato's hopeful gaze, it raised its hind leg and—
"...You filthy mongrel!"
Ignoring the exchange, Izou and the others refrained from attacking while Yamato retrieved her weapon. Once she had it in hand, they charged.
Planting the kanabo into the ground, Yamato began to transform. Her body grew fur, her muscles rippled, and her hybrid form emerged.
"You think I'm scared of you?" she roared. "My dream is to become the strongest woman in the world!"
With incredible speed, Yamato lunged toward Fossa, who had already sustained injuries. Her kanabo came crashing down, aiming to take him out first.
"What?!"
Clang! Clang!
To her shock, Speed Jiru, with his shield and lance, intercepted her attacks with perfect timing. His shield absorbed the strikes, holding firm even under her monstrous strength.
Bang! Bang!
Izou's bullets forced Yamato to retreat, giving Fossa the chance to strike. She narrowly dodged his blade, only to find Speed Jiru's lance thrusting toward her.
The coordinated assault left Yamato overwhelmed, struggling to keep up.
On another front, Kaido noticed Yamato's predicament and tried to break through to assist her. However, Jozu and the others blocked his path, relentlessly holding him back.
"Jack!" Kaido roared.
Hearing Kaido's shout, Jack furrowed his brow. He turned and dashed toward Yamato's location.
Soru!
Soru!
A precise strike cut into Jack's path, forcing him to halt. Whitebeard landed before him, laughing heartily.
"Gurararara! Trying to save her, are you, brat? Gurararara! Then get past me first!"
"You old geezer!"
Jack's eyes burned red as he swung his club at Whitebeard.
After a few exchanges, Jack realized the frustration Whitebeard had felt earlier. If someone was determined to stall you without attacking, they could drag out the fight indefinitely.
But Jack's desperation only made him calmer. His mind raced as he devised a plan.
Feigning recklessness, he let Whitebeard's blade graze him, drawing blood. He pretended to panic, frequently glancing toward Yamato. Whitebeard noticed the shift in his behavior.
"This brat… seems to care a lot about Kaido's daughter."
Sensing an opportunity, Whitebeard charged his blade with Conqueror's Haki, its black and purple aura radiating power.
"Now, die, brat!"
Catching Jack watching Yamato again, Whitebeard swung his naginata down with all his might.
But Jack suddenly smiled.
"Thanks for the assist!"
"What?!"
Boom!
Blood sprayed from Jack's body as he flew backward from the impact of Whitebeard's devastating blow. But his trajectory sent him hurtling directly toward Yamato's location.
The earth shook violently, cracks spreading from where Whitebeard's attack landed. Pirates nearby scrambled to avoid the destruction, a testament to the strike's power.
Whitebeard, however, wasn't celebrating. He had spent too much energy on that attack, and Jack, despite his injuries, was still in fighting shape. Worse, he was now dangerously close to Yamato.
Whitebeard's expression darkened. For the first time in a long while, he felt genuine concern for his sons' safety.
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg