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

"They're here! They've caught up!"

Hedarn was still clutching Jack's leg, crying pitifully, when the clamor reached them. A squad of royal guards, clad in armor and wielding spears, appeared at the alley's entrance.

The mercenaries quickly split into two groups—one hastily driving the carriage forward, while the other moved to block the royal guards' advance. The narrow alley gave the royal forces no room to exploit their numbers, and Hedarn's men had some capable fighters among them, holding the guards at bay for the moment.

But their advantage evaporated when another squad of royal soldiers, armed with flintlock rifles, arrived. Panic surged through the mercenaries, who fled toward Jack, not forgetting to drag the still-wailing Hedarn along.

Jack's eyes darkened as he spotted the firearms in the soldiers' hands. With measured steps, he walked forward.

"Hey! You bunch of thieves! Using our weapons—did you pay for those?!"

"Fire!"

Clang! Clang! BOOM!

"What… what kind of monster is that?!"

The sight froze Hedarn and his guards in their tracks. A massive mammoth had charged into the midst of the royal guards, wreaking havoc. Their once-impenetrable armor crumpled like paper under its assault. In moments, the narrow alley was transformed into an open expanse littered with flesh and shattered bodies.

The reinforcements, who had been rushing toward the scene, immediately turned and fled upon witnessing the carnage. Hedarn, overwhelmed by the gruesome sight, fainted on the spot.

"Ugh…"

Even the hardened mercenaries, veterans of many battles, couldn't suppress their nausea.

Jack reverted to his human form, glanced at the ostrich-drawn carriage, and beckoned. The ostrich gave a startled squawk, its movements causing Rim to tumble off. The bird trotted forward with an innocent look, only for Jack to wipe the gore from his boots on its feathers.

"Cluck-cluck…"

"..."

The ostrich glanced at the mess on its wings, then batted its long eyelashes at Jack in an attempt to look cute.

Its efforts earned it a swift smack from Jack.

"Scram, you overgrown chicken! What's with the cutesy act?"

Hedarn woke to a sharp, stinging pain. As his eyes fluttered open, he was met with a hand as large as a fan descending toward his face.

"Help!" he shrieked.

"Oh, you're awake?" Jack pulled his hand back, ending his unique wake-up service.

"Let's continue our conversation," Jack said flatly. "You were saying—this woman, Master, is she a Devil Fruit user? What kind of ability does she have? And why are the kings so obedient to her?"

"Don't tell me it's just because she saved some prince or princess. If that's the case, you'd be insulting my intelligence."

"Master? Master? More like… Mess-ter, huh?" Hedarn muttered, licking the gap in his teeth and covering his face. "That woman's definitely a Devil Fruit user, but I don't know exactly what her powers are."

"As for why the kings listen to her…" Hedarn hesitated, then waved his guards away. Once they moved out of earshot, he glanced at Jack's crew. Jack frowned and said coldly, "Say it. These are my trusted people."

Hedarn ignored him, his gaze landing on Rim. He asked softly, "Mr. Rim, may I ask—what is this man's position in the Beasts Pirates?"

Rim coughed and stammered, "He's… my captain! Just… speak plainly!"

"Oh, is that so?" Hedarn visibly relaxed. He turned to Jack with a more respectful tone. "Please forgive my caution—this matter is no small thing. It concerns… an immortality ritual."

"Immortality?" Jack's crew collectively stiffened at the word.

The lure of immortality needed no explanation. For ordinary people struggling to survive, the concept might be irrelevant. But for pirates like Jack and his crew—well-fed and living freely—it was nothing short of tantalizing.

Among them, Rim's reaction was the most extreme. His eyes, bloodshot from excitement, betrayed the desperation of someone fighting a lifelong genetic illness.

"You said… cough…" Rim's coughing overtook him. Jack, growing impatient, finished his sentence for him. "Is it true?" he demanded, leveling a glare at Hedarn. "If you're lying, your fate…" He glanced at the blood-soaked alley, sending a clear message.

Hedarn trembled and blurted out, "I don't know if it's true, but I swear this is what I've seen!"

He took a deep breath before continuing, "Master's powers are extraordinary. I once saw her save a life with my own eyes. King Henry VI had fallen gravely ill, and even with a massive bounty, none of the nation's doctors could help him.

"Then Master walked into the palace with the bounty notice. She simply placed her hand on the king's forehead, and he opened his eyes and got out of bed! It was… like a miracle."

Hedarn lowered his voice. "The immortality ritual is Master's idea. She claims her powers require vast amounts of gold and jewels to activate. If there's enough wealth, she says she can make someone immortal."

"Because everyone she's healed has recovered fully, the kings believe her without question. They've halted their wars and pooled their treasures to build her a castle and gather the resources she demanded."

"My own fortune was—" Hedarn's face twisted with resentment. "The ritual's requirements are complete. King Henry VI is already en route to Master's castle with an escort. The ritual is set to take place in two weeks!"

Jack's expression turned serious. If Hedarn's story was true, this was no small matter. Even if immortality turned out to be a sham, Master's abilities might still save Rim.

"Cough… Jack… cough…" Rim's rasping voice broke the silence.

"Shut up," Jack snapped. "I know what you're thinking. Let's go."

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