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

The annual Fire Festival was always the grandest celebration for the Beasts Pirates. Even during the first year of its inception—when the crew was going through its toughest times—Kaido and King managed to fund it by secretly selling a massive stockpile of Eternal Poses on the black market.

Back then, the two of them grew gaunt from the effort, their skin so sunburned it resembled charcoal.

Now, with the Beasts Pirates at the height of their strength and wealth, Kaido spared no expense. Food and sake were provided in abundance, and even the entertainment had risen several notches in quality. Geishas performed mesmerizing dances one after another, leaving the pirates ecstatic as they guzzled sake like water.

"Jack-sama, congratulations on becoming one of the All-Stars."

The door creaked open, and Jack glanced up, raising his sake cup to toast the newcomer. A rare hint of cheer lit his voice as he spoke:

"Kyoshiro, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be groveling at your cowardly master's feet?"

Kyoshiro, with his slicked-back sky-blue pompadour and fox-like eyes, smirked at the remark but quickly feigned alarm.

"Jack-sama, please! You shouldn't say such things aloud! Words like that could cost me my head!"

Jack snorted dismissively, downing his drink in one gulp before replying.

"Bah, don't play the saint in front of me, Kyoshiro. I've heard you drunk, spewing far worse about Orochi than I ever could."

Kyoshiro scratched the back of his head awkwardly, letting out a sheepish laugh.

"Well, alcohol does loosen the tongue. But I respect Orochi-sama deeply... most of the time."

Before he could finish, Kyoshiro slumped over, sound asleep, snoring softly. Jack shook his head, unimpressed. He had met Kyoshiro two years ago and found him oddly entertaining—a rare officer in Orochi's faction that Jack could tolerate. Their "bond" had started at a Fire Festival, of all places, when Kyoshiro drunkenly cursed Orochi's cowardice, much to Jack's amusement. They'd shared a drink and swapped insults about Orochi's "art of cowardice."

Originally a prominent yakuza boss in the Flower Capital, Kyoshiro had been recruited by Orochi as a bodyguard. His habit of falling asleep at random still made Jack wonder if he was the reincarnation of some sleep-deprived.

SLAM!

The door burst open, and Yamato staggered in, clearly drunk. Her unsteady steps carried her to where Kyoshiro lay slumped. Her brow furrowed, and she stomped closer, her anger evident.

"Oi! You broom-headed idiot!" Yamato bellowed, smacking Kyoshiro across the face repeatedly.

"Wake up! You're in my spot, you idiot! Move!"

Jack winced at the loud smack, smack, smack of Yamato's palm connecting with Kyoshiro's face. Yet the latter continued to snore peacefully, even blowing a snot bubble in his sleep. Jack couldn't help but admire Kyoshiro's unshakable slumber.

"Yamato, knock it off!" Jack finally intervened, grabbing her wrist before she could deliver another slap.

Unfortunately, this only provoked her further.

"You big dumb elephant!" Yamato growled. "You dare stop me?! I'm already pissed because of my old man!"

She wobbled unsteadily, clearly still fuming.

"I asked him what an elephant's second trunk is, and he smacked me for it! Then he said, 'After the festival, go talk to Jack!'"

Jack froze, a chill running down his spine.

Damn it, Yamato! He could already picture Kaido's wrath after the festival.

Meanwhile, in another room, Orochi paced back and forth before turning to Kaido with a scowl.

"Kaido," Orochi began, trying to contain his rising anger, "I heard there's a part of Kuri where the environment has been purified by a Devil Fruit user's power. And your crew is planning to distribute that land to the peasants?"

Kaido didn't respond immediately, pouring himself another drink as Orochi's voice grew louder.

"Why wasn't I told about this?! Those wretched people don't deserve such charity!"

Kaido's golden eyes flicked toward Orochi, his expression utterly impassive.

"Kuri is under the Beasts Pirates' control," Kaido said flatly. "As per our agreement, I can do whatever I want there—even destroy it. You have no authority to interfere."

"But that's not what we agreed to!" Orochi roared. "You promised to ruin Kuri, not make it some utopia! Why would you stop tormenting those peasants and start purifying the land?!"

Kaido exhaled slowly, his tone like a low rumble of thunder.

"There are many ways to make people suffer, Orochi. Physical pain is fleeting. Mental suffering lasts far longer."

Orochi's face contorted in fury.

"Kaido, I won't allow this!" Orochi spat. "Those peasants deserve misery! They should drink polluted water, eat rotten food, and die in despair! That's the only reason I became shogun—to make those wretches pay a thousandfold for the pain I endured!"

Kaido stood up, his towering form casting an imposing shadow over Orochi.

"Orochi," he growled, "I'm not interested in your revenge fantasies. Kuri is mine to control, and I will handle it however I see fit. You focus on the Flower Capital. Leave Kuri to me."

Seeing the storm brewing in Kaido's eyes, Orochi bit back his retort, though his teeth clenched in frustration. He stormed out, his robes billowing behind him.

As the door slammed shut, Kaido tossed his cup aside and called out:

"You heard all that, didn't you?"

Jack stepped into the room, his expression grim. Orochi's venomous glare from earlier still lingered in his mind.

"Kaido-sama, the cracks in our alliance are showing. Why not just finish him off? We could take Wano for ourselves—you could become shogun!"

Kaido chuckled, shaking his head.

"Not yet, Jack. Orochi still has the Oniwabanshu and the Mimawarigumi—thousands of ninja and samurai loyal to him. We'll need time to infiltrate them before making our move."

Jack sighed, leaning against the doorframe.

"Fine. But I'll keep my distance for now. If you've got orders, just say them."

"Don't be ridiculous, Jack!" Kaido barked. "Get in here!"

Jack paled.

"I'd rather stay safe out here, thanks!"

"Get in here, now!"

"I refuse!"

SLAM!

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+165 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg