After parting ways with Rossinante, Jack began rampaging through the nearby seas, launching a relentless purge of pirate crews. Hermi and the others, having experienced the incredible benefits of the Healing Seal, eagerly joined in, and the group went on a mad hunt across the surrounding waters.
In just a few days, they had already hunted down thirteen pirate crews, capturing three captains with bounties over 300 million, ten captains around 100 million, and over thirty other promising pirates.
Riding the high of their successive victories, they went so far as to set their sights on a formidable foe—a pirate with a 640 million bounty known as "Relman the Martyr."
Relman, the Martyr, was a user of the Explosion-Explosion Fruit, the same Devil Fruit used in later years by Mr. 5 from Baroque Works. Every part of his body could explode, and even his breath could turn into a bomb.
But compared to Mr. 5, Relman was on a completely different level.
He possessed formidable hand-to-hand combat skills and powerful Haki. Combined with his explosive abilities, he was an absolute beast—so powerful it was terrifying. Even with all four of them—Jack, Hermi, Bartley, and Bass—attacking him at once, they could barely fight him to a standstill.
Only by relying on the Healing Seal to hang on, wearing him down with their near-immortality, did they gradually start gaining the upper hand.
Just then, Rossinante's Den Den Mushi call came through. Hermi managed to pick it up amidst the intense battle.
"His Majesty is calling. He's ordering us to withdraw. He said war is coming." After finishing the call, Hermi relayed the message to the others in the middle of combat.
"An order from His Majesty? Then we have no choice," Bartley said.
"Let's go. If he's calling us back in such a hurry, something big must have happened," Bass added.
Jack gave Relman a dark glare, but ultimately, he too backed off, ready to retreat.
"You suddenly attack me for no reason, and now you think you can just walk away? Did you even ask me?" Relman sneered.
"Explosion Step—Three Thousand Divine Blasts!"
Just as Jack and the others tried to withdraw, Relman launched a brutal barrage. The air was filled with endless explosions.
Given his strength, if Relman didn't want them to leave, it would be nearly impossible. Jack and the others had no choice but to continue fighting him.
"I don't know why you're in such a hurry to run, but stopping you seems like the right thing to do! Hahaha!" Relman roared with laughter.
"Bastard!" the four roared, launching a furious counterattack.
At that point, they abandoned defense altogether, going all in with relentless offense. A new wave of fierce battle erupted once again.
New World — Kingdom of Joromia.
The next day, the BIG MOM Pirates' ship arrived as expected. Seeing the massive Jolly Roger of the BIG MOM Pirates fluttering atop the ship, Frost—who had been waiting at the port since early morning—was shaking so hard his knees nearly gave out.
When it was the Jack Pirates, Frost at least had a shred of courage to resist. But when it came to the BIG MOM Pirates, he didn't even have the will to try.
Bins, standing beside him, wore a face full of tension. As a pirate of the New World, Bince knew full well that the BIG MOM Pirates were a colossal force. If not for the fact that Rossinante controlled his life, he would've already fled.
"Fufufufufu... I don't recall the Kingdom of Jeromeo having any pirate guards with bounties over 100 million. Bins, since when did you become one of their royal guards?"
Walking down from the ship, Charlotte Perospero licked his massive lollipop, grinning darkly.
Among pirates with bounties around 100 million, Bins was considered to have solid potential and strength. The BIG MOM Pirates had even considered recruiting him before, so Perospero still recognized him.
"Lord Perospero, I now serve Lord Rossinante. He's been crowned king of this kingdom, so I've joined the Royal Guard under his reign," Bins said respectfully.
"Rossinante? Wasn't the king of this place named Joro III or something? When did that change?" Perospero asked, frowning.
"Lord Perospero, not long ago, the Kingdom of Joromia was attacked by the Jack Pirates. The former king and royal family were all killed. His Majesty Rossinante defeated Jack and saved the kingdom. The people unanimously crowned him as the new king," Frost explained respectfully.
"I see... Well, I don't care who the king is. Whoever sits on the throne, they must fulfill the promises made to Mama. Not even a sliver less, Perorin," Perospero said coldly.
"Of course... of course," Felost stammered, sweat pouring from his forehead.
"Hmm? Why are you sweating so much? Don't tell me you can't deliver the promised iron ore? Or worse—don't want to deliver it? Perorin..."
Perospero's tone turned menacing as he stared at Felost.
In fact, the BIG MOM Pirates had received intel the moment Jack attacked the Kingdom of Jeromeo. But they hadn't cared. From their perspective, whether or not Jack attacked was irrelevant—the promised iron ore must be delivered.
If the kingdom couldn't deliver, they'd simply be destroyed. There were plenty of Homies in Totto Land that could mine.
If Jack had taken over the kingdom, then he would be responsible for fulfilling the promise. If he refused, then the Jack Pirates would simply be wiped out. No exceptions.
"No, no! We would never go back on our word. The Kingdom of Joromia has every intention of handing over the ore!" Frost said hastily.
"So... you can't deliver it after all, huh? You know what that means, don't you?"
Perospero's voice turned icy.
Just as Frost's face went pale, Perospero suddenly paused and grinned.
"Well then... if you can deliver it, that makes you a friend of the BIG MOM Pirates! No need to be so nervous, Perorin!"
"Lord Perospero, this way, please. We've prepared the ore for your inspection," Frost said, gesturing the way.
Hearing this, Perospero nodded in satisfaction and followed him.
But the moment they arrived at the so-called "prepared" iron mine, Perospero's expression instantly darkened, his face twisted with fury as he stared at Frost and the mine behind him.
"Are you mocking me?"
"Mocking? We wouldn't dare. The iron mine of the Kingdom of Joromia is right here. Feel free to take what you need. This vein should be enough to meet your order. If there's extra, consider it a gift from me. No need to thank me."
Rossinante had appeared at some point, silently standing behind everyone, speaking in a calm, deliberate voice.