MTLNOVEL Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Do It Yourself
"Jack-sama, Kaido-sama has decreed that, due to your negligence resulting in the loss of a Devil Fruit, you are to be sent to Udon Prison. Please put on these Seastone shackles."
"???"
What?! Jack, who was casually having breakfast with Yamato, stared at Rim in utter disbelief.
"What?! Did the old man lose his mind? I'm going to confront him right now!"
Before Jack could say anything, Yamato grabbed her spiked club and stormed off, brimming with fury. Jack watched her go with a satisfied smile.
That's my girl! Yamato, you've never let me down. But honestly, why the hell are you still such a late bloomer?
Now standing at the entrance to Udon Prison, Jack wore a deadpan expression, mirrored by Yamato beside him. Both had Seastone cuffs on their wrists, with Jack further restrained by heavy Seastone chains coiled around his neck and waist.
This is outrageous! Shameless! Completely underhanded!
Kaido, you bastard! Where's your conscience? Was this really necessary? Your pettiness could rival a needle's eye!
Do you even know what the laws on child labor are? This is abuse! Exploitation! I'm going to file a complaint!
"Jack-sama," Rim cleared his throat awkwardly, sensing Jack's growing rage. "I have some good news for you."
Jack's glare shifted to Rim, who nervously adjusted his posture before continuing:
"Kaido-sama has officially announced your promotion to All-Star. There's no need for you to challenge the Tobiroppo. I heard two of them strongly opposed this, but Kaido-sama personally shut them down."
Rim hesitated for a moment, then added cautiously, "However, during this year's Fire Festival, if they return, there might be some...trouble."
"Rim," Jack turned to him with a blank expression, holding his gaze until Rim started sweating.
After a tense silence, Jack finally spoke in a low voice, "What papers did you deliver to Kaido-sama early this morning?"
Rim, after a brief pause to collect himself, replied, "It was your latest bounty poster, along with a newspaper article."
He continued, "The paper reported your battle with Red-Haired Shanks. Your real age was revealed, and your bounty has increased to one billion belly! If you keep sailing alone, it'll be too easy for the World Government to track you. So…"
"So you convinced Kaido-sama to keep me in Wano instead of letting me set sail again?"
Jack sighed deeply, placing a heavy hand on Rim's shoulder.
"I know you mean well, but I need you to understand something: you are my subordinate!"
"If you want to leave, you're strong enough now to challenge for a spot among the Tobiroppo."
"But as long as you choose to stay by my side, I expect this to be the last time you make such decisions behind my back. Understood, Rim?"
Jack's voice carried a chilling undertone. Rim nodded vigorously, his face serious as he responded,
"Yes! I promise never to overstep again!"
Seeing the sweat trickling down Rim's forehead, Jack's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Rim, I know you had a proper upbringing, but we're pirates. You don't need to use honorifics with me."
"Also, spend some time drilling those fishmen. Don't let them sit around causing trouble."
As they spoke, Udon Prison's heavy gates creaked open. A group of lackey pirates greeted them without much fuss. After confirming their identities with posters, they grabbed Jack and Yamato, leading them inside, leaving a bewildered Rim behind.
The sounds of chaos immediately flooded Jack's ears: crying, scolding, mocking, and the familiar crack of whips striking flesh. Occasionally, agonized groans punctuated the din, dredging up memories Jack would rather forget.
"Hey, Jack," Yamato remarked with unflinching seriousness as she glanced at a prisoner being flogged. "That guy isn't screaming half as loud as you did that night."
The lackeys escorting them froze, exchanging awkward glances.
Are you serious?! You're the one who smashed me with that damn spiked club!
Jack coughed, attempting to shift the focus. "Let's just get this over with."
The lead lackey decided it was safer to keep his mouth shut and focus on finishing the job quickly.
Seastone—Wano's infamous specialty—was something Jack, Yamato, and Maria had grown uncomfortably familiar with. Why? Because their ever-so-kind friend, King, had frequently used it to discipline them.
Thanks to those experiences, Jack and Yamato could still move normally with Seastone shackles, while most others would be incapacitated.
As they ventured deeper into the quarry, more prisoners came into view. Most wore expressions of utter apathy, though a few still had a spark of defiance in their eyes.
The so-called "prisoners" were, in truth, more like slaves—comprised of Wano's samurai and captured pirates. Their sturdy physiques ensured they could endure grueling labor without succumbing to sickness or death.
When they spotted Jack and Yamato, a ripple of curiosity broke through their numbness. Women were a rare sight here, and Jack couldn't help but wonder what Kaido was thinking.
Did he throw Yamato in here to keep me company? Or is this his way of trying to play matchmaker?
Sorry, Kaido. Yamato's development… well, let's just say it's lagging behind.
Meanwhile, Kaido was lounging in his chambers, downing sake with a satisfied grin. A group of sultry women surrounded him, one of whom—a voluptuous beauty with long hair—teased, "Kaido-sama, are you sure Yamato won't bother you again anytime soon?"
"Wohohohohoho! Don't worry, she's out of my hair for a while!" Kaido laughed, tossing his sake bottle aside before sprawling on the floor. "Now, let's pick up the pace!"
...
Back in Udon, Yamato stared at Jack in disbelief.
"What did you just say? You want me to carry my own weight?!"
"Obviously. I'm already chained up. If you don't work, are you expecting me to haul bricks for you?" Jack replied bluntly.
"We're all laborers here, Yamato. Everyone pulls their weight. No free rides. Now get off that rock and get to work!"
Yamato pouted, hopping down from her perch. "But I'm a girl! How can you treat me like this?"
Jack scoffed, letting his gaze drop pointedly to Yamato's flat chest before flexing his own bulging pecs.
Crushed, Yamato lowered her head and sulked away.
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