Chapter 34: Chapter 34: The Mammoth's Second Docking
Jack stood at the port, gazing at the ferocious figurehead of the ship before him. He reached out to touch it, his expression a complicated mix of emotions.
"The Mammoth... with a mammoth figurehead," he murmured.
"Sounds like a tongue twister," came a quip from behind him.
"Jack-sama! Ahem…"
"Are we setting sail now?"
Jack turned to see Rim standing beside him, his expression growing even more conflicted. He patted Rim on the shoulder, who was only slightly shorter than him, and said, "Rim, the wind's strong out here. If there's nothing urgent, stay inside, okay?"
Before Rim could respond, Jack grabbed him and leaped onto the deck. He bellowed, "Alright, men! Set sail!"
"Aye, Jack-sama!"
Leaving the hidden port of Wano, their first destination was Onigashima. The trip wasn't just to grab his personal belongings, Jack had to bid farewell to Black Maria and Yamato. Teenage girls could be… sensitive, and who knew when he'd return this time? He had already refused their request to come along, and the last thing he wanted was to come back and face two furious women wielding kitchen knives.
Not to mention... Black Maria's figure. He had started to notice certain… things. If he were to seize the opportunity—
Beast! You absolute beast! Jack mentally berated himself. How could you have such shameless thoughts? No matter how mature they look, they're still underage kids!
Sigh… Maybe in a few years, he conceded.
When the Mammoth finally docked at the lone port of Onigashima, Jack's face fell.
The tearful goodbyes and anxious faces he had imagined—of Black Maria and Yamato waiting for him—were nowhere to be seen. Instead, a burly man dressed in all-black heavy metal attire stood with his hands in his pockets, staring at him.
"King? Why are you here? Weren't you off negotiating a deal? How'd you come back so fast?" Jack asked, surprised.
"Jack…" King's tone was calm as he gazed at him through the mask.
"Kaido said to quit fooling around and just get on with your mission. No need for goodbyes."
"And if you don't like that…"
King's hand slowly reached for the sword at his waist. Jack sighed in exasperation.
"Turn the ship around! Let's go!"
The Mammoth sped away from the port like an arrow. King watched the ship disappear into the distance and muttered under his breath, "Good luck, Jack."
"Hey, you two! Get back to training! Don't think I didn't notice you!" King barked suddenly.
"Boom!"
"Hmph!"
A massive snowman near the port shattered as Yamato and Black Maria jumped out. Yamato shot King a glare, then let out a frustrated grunt before dragging Black Maria away.
The Mammoth's luxurious features spoke volumes about the Beasts Pirates' growing wealth. From well-stocked freezers and spacious crew quarters to a recreation room with billiards and a greenhouse for growing fruits and vegetables, the ship was a marvel.
While many of these features were Jack's ideas, their realization required significant resources—proof of Kaido's investment in him. The amenities certainly helped alleviate the monotony of long sea voyages.
Standing on the deck with a thick fishing rod in hand, Jack stared intently at the ocean. Compared to gambling or billiards, he preferred fishing—it was a great way to hone his patience.
"Jack-sama, dinner's ready," a deep voice interrupted.
Jack turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man in a black bowler hat leading a group of crew members carrying enormous trays of food.
The man was Holdem, a boy who looked like a grown man despite being only fifteen. Jack sympathized, he, too, had the same problem.
"Damn it… I'm only thirteen," Jack thought bitterly as he recalled his reflection—his face resembling that of a thirty-year-old. "Guess I'll never make it as a heartthrob. No idols for me, just brute strength."
Despite his mature looks, Holdem was skilled. Trained by Rim, his technique with a mechanical sword was impressive, making him one of the ship's squad leaders.
Holdem admired Jack deeply, especially for the time Jack, in a drunken dare, tried to smack Kaido with a kanabo. Although Jack got beaten up by King, the act of defiance won over Holdem's admiration.
"Jack, we're approaching Renske Port," Rim said, coughing as he emerged from the cabin.
His striking features—blue eyes, high nose bridge, pale skin, and delicate lips—were offset by his garish green pants, floral shirt, and long hair that screamed delinquent.
Jack shook his head in exasperation. "What a waste of good looks," he thought. "If I had that face, I'd slick my hair back, throw on a white suit, and leave women swooning. Instead, you hang around courtesans…"
"Cough… What's the plan once we dock?" Rim asked.
"Plan? First, we eat!" Jack declared.
As the Mammoth neared Renske Port, smoke and chaotic shouts filled the air.
"Kill them!"
"Burn it all! Hahaha!"
"Where do these pirates think they're going?"
The port was under attack, with a pirate ship flying a skull flag in plain view.
"Jack-sama, what do we do?"
"What do we do? This is Beasts Pirates territory. No one causes trouble here. Get us closer!"
"Aye!"
As the Mammoth accelerated, the scene became clearer: desperate cries, marauding pirates, and brave fighters defending their home. Jack jumped off the deck, landing with a thud.
"This might be my second official docking…" he said with a smirk.
"You'd better make it count!"
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