Yamato raised her head in shock.
That voice, and that massive mammoth body—there was no doubt…
It was Jack!
As the user of the Ancient Model: Mammoth, combined with his absurd physical talent, Jack was definitely the most durable person present.
The enormous mammoth fell from the sky and landed directly in front of Yamato.
Completely blocking the view of the entire Beasts Pirates.
Yamato let out a long breath, then—
Although he had once been a member of the SWORD Secret Special Force, Jack and Yamato didn't have much attachment to the Marines. Otherwise, they wouldn't have run away with Michael without hesitation.
So their relationship with the other SWORD members naturally couldn't compare to Yamato, whom they had lived with day and night.
…
While Jack and Yamato bickered, X Drake abruptly straightened and looked up at Jack's towering back.
Sure enough, the current commander of the SWORD Secret Special Force—Rosinante—had just jumped down from the mammoth's back.
Right behind him were the other members of the SWORD Secret Special Force.
"Sir, mission accomplished."
"Good. Once we return, you'll officially become a member of the SWORD Secret Special Force."
Rosinante had long grown accustomed to the role of a major leader. He gave X Drake an encouraging pat on the shoulder, then lowered his head to look at Yamato, who was sitting on the deck.
"You really are reckless! Charging into your hometown alone? Got yourself surrounded, didn't you?"
Yamato gave Rosinante an awkward glance.
"This… absolutely do NOT tell Father."
"No room for negotiation, Yamato." Rosinante sighed, then flicked his coat. "The other Beasts Pirates submarines are being handled by the samurai of Wano! As for us… we'll clean up the Beasts Pirates' main force!"
Rosinante spoke lightly, but this massive flagship—large enough to be a small island—held the core strength of the Beasts Pirates.
Otherwise, with Yamato already capable of infusing Conqueror's Haki Infusion into her weapon, there was no way she would have lost…
One person holding back an enhanced Yonko crew really was a bit unrealistic.
Of course, that applied to anyone else.
If that "person" were Michael, the statement would be perfectly valid.
"Enough talk, Rosinante!" Marigold was already cracking her knuckles. "I can't wait any longer… I need to vent after getting humiliated by that giant monster earlier!"
"I agree with my idiot little sister." Sandersonia nodded, already holding her pair of daggers. "The Beasts Pirates must be dealt with quickly… so we can gather all our strength to deal with that out-of-spec monster!"
"Since you all agree…"
Just as Rosinante was about to give the order, a voice sounded beside him.
"Well, uh… good luck."
He turned around and saw Hawk Eyes sitting in the same posture as before, not far from Yamato.
"What are you doing…"
"Do you really think that Gecko Moria is some random small fry?" A rare trace of irritation appeared on Hawk Eyes' face. "That guy's Devil Fruit ability is way too strong."
He then pointed at Gecko Moria, who lay on the ground half-dead after being dropped there by Smoker.
"Even though I cut him down to half a life, my body has also reached its limit… Besides, if you people need to rely on me just to deal with the Beasts Pirates without Kaido… then you might as well retire."
"Hey… show at least a little respect to your commander!?" Rosinante twitched at the contemptuous look on Hawk Eyes' face.
His temperament was simply too gentle, causing this group to never treat him like a leader!
Could this be… why he valued X Drake so much!?
"All right. In that case, Hawk Eyes rests. Everyone else… begin."
At Rosinante's command, the massive mammoth shrank and shifted into hybrid form.
Without that enormous shield, the Beasts Pirates and the SWORD Secret Special Force finally faced each other head-on.
"Ahh… quite a crowd now."
Black Maria tapped one of her spider legs, then smiled as she put away her knuckle guards.
Her spider lower body spat out webbing and pulled over the "streetlight" burning fiercely nearby.
It was in fact a long staff with a huge wheel embedded in it, wreathed in flames, topped with a giant human head.
This was the weapon Black Maria only used when she fought seriously.
Then—
She threw a flirtatious wink at the tallest, most heavily-built man present: Jack.
"What a magnificent man… no less impressive than Kaido-sama!" Black Maria licked her lips lightly, the enchanting beauty under her shimada hairstyle wearing a teasing expression. "Don't worry, I will take good care of you~"
"Tch, women are really annoying…" Jack clicked his tongue, unimpressed. He always despised frivolous women like her…
Women should be like the ones on Amazon Lily!
Brave! Swift! Strong! Decisive!
Not a pretty face who gets arrogant because of it!
"You bastard! Apologize to all women right now!!"
Jack shouted the absurd declaration at the top of his lungs, then—under everyone's utterly confused stares—charged straight toward Black Maria.
And that charge marked the beginning of the second battle!
SWORD Secret Special Force VS the Beasts Pirates!
Among the Beasts Pirates, Blackbeard's eyes locked tightly onto the SWORD members.
He had been the friendly old-timer in the Whitebeard Pirates for many years, and he was very familiar with this Marine force that frequently clashed with them.
And because he understood them…
Right now, more than ever—
He wanted to run!
The Beasts Pirates might look large in number…
But without Kaido holding the line, and without Bullet, Red the Aloof, and the World Destroyer supporting them—
Things would look…
Extremely grim!
No way! He was a man destined to become the strongest!
Running away…
Was absolutely necessary!
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Fanfic is finished. 583 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg