The horrifying sight made everyone's pupils contract sharply.
A chill ran down Ulti's spine.
She had spent years undercover in the Beasts Pirates, gathering intel for the World Government.
She knew the strength of the Three Calamities well.
Jack was the youngest and weakest among them—
But his durability was second to none.
That's how he earned the name "Jack the Drought" in the New World, where monsters roamed.
—
And yet, he'd been crushed by a single blow from the new Marine Admiral.
—
That strike was absolutely ruthless.
Unfair, even.
If it had landed on her—
There wouldn't be enough left to scrape into a body bag.
—
But just as that thought crossed her mind—
Ulti's face lit up with joy.
—
"RAAARGH!"
"Brat! I'm Jack the Drought of the Beasts Pirates! A billion-berry pirate! I'll kill you!"
—
Jack, drenched in blood, roared at the sky.
His charred wounds glowed faintly.
The blood that had poured like a flood began to stop—visibly.
The burns began to scab over.
—
Even Tashigi and the others, who had just arrived, were stunned.
If they hadn't seen it themselves, they wouldn't believe someone could recover from such devastation.
—
"Awakened Zoan powers?" Luoyu raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
—
Devil Fruit awakenings came in three types:
Vitality Boost — unique to Zoan types. Enhanced healing and near-immortality. The so-called "blood-lock cheat."
Kaido's Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon form, was awakened—giving him the confidence to rampage freely.
Environmental Assimilation — like Doflamingo and Katakuri, who could turn surroundings into their element.
Ability Bestowal — like Big Mom and Kid, who could imbue objects with their powers.
—
In the "zoo" that was the Beasts Pirates, Jack unlocking blood-lock wasn't surprising.
—
"As expected of Lord Jack!" Ulti cried, thrilled.
"Admiral, that last move must've been your strongest, right?"
"But Lord Jack's still standing. Let's see what else you've got!"
—
Smoker and the others looked grim.
Jack, aside from losing some fur, looked almost fully healed—his eyes burning with rage.
They gripped their weapons tighter.
—
Luoyu's triple finisher had felt like the sky collapsing.
But could he do it again?
If that was all he had…
They might have to step in.
—
"Don't look at me," Luoyu said, taking a swig from his gourd. "That move drained me."
"If he's still standing, I'll just surrender."
"But hey—anyone got Seastone cuffs? Go slap them on him."
"Otherwise, he's gonna start snoring on his feet."
—
Snoring… on his feet?
The trio froze.
Ulti's joy turned to stone.
—
She looked at Jack—still glaring, still furious—
But unmoving.
—
"Lord Jack! Stop joking around! That little move couldn't have taken you down! Answer me!"
—
Her voice echoed across the ruins.
But Jack didn't respond.
He stood there like a statue.
—
The flicker of hope in her eyes died.
—
Was… was his awakening the only thing keeping him upright?
—
Smoker blinked.
Then dashed forward in a burst of smoke.
"Ain! Get the fleet to send Seastone cuffs! This is a billion-berry pirate—Admiral Luoyu just scored big!"
—
Ain and Tashigi snapped out of it and turned to run.
—
But before they could move far—
Ulti stepped in front of Jack.
"I'm CP0. Codename: Phantom Fox. I've been undercover in the Beasts Pirates collecting intel for the World Government."
"You can't take Jack. You'd be interfering with CP0 operations."
—
CP0 again?
Smoker froze.
His jitte hovered mid-air.
—
He stared at the seductive woman before him, unable to strike.
—
Tashigi and Ain looked equally stunned.
They hadn't expected a curveball like this.
—
But Tashigi stepped forward, gritting her teeth.
"Smoker! Why aren't you moving? That's an order from Admiral Luoyu!"
—
Smoker clenched his cigar, sweat beading on his brow.
He tightened his grip—
Then let go.
"I want to move. But every time I try, another voice in my head stops me."
—
"Me too…" Ain said, dazed.
—
Tashigi blinked, then looked at Ulti.
—
Their eyes met.
And in that instant, Tashigi's mind buzzed.
Her will to act vanished.
"I… I don't think I can either…"
—
Ulti smiled sweetly, covering her lips.
"Hehe. You're all smart people. You know how hard CP0's job is."
"Don't worry—I'll report this to the Five Elders. You'll be rewarded."
"Now, if there's nothing else, I'll be taking him with me."
—
She turned to drag Jack away.
She knew her charm wouldn't last long.
But with her CP0 identity, she could bluff her way through.
—
Or so she thought.
—
Because the moment she turned—
A figure stepped into view.
—
And a voice rang out beside her:
"Another fake CP0?"
"Why do I keep running into these knockoff clowns?"
—