New World, Pandan Sea Area.
"Yamato, Vanilla Island is just ahead," Black Maria said, pointing toward the horizon. "This island is a bit special because it sits right on the edge of the Big Mom Pirates' territory. Although it hasn't been officially brought under their banner yet, there's no guarantee the Big Mom Pirates won't make a move to claim it."
Just like the Beasts Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates were aggressively expanding their influence, and their empire was already beginning to take a formidable shape. Yamato looked ahead and saw the silhouette of the island emerging from the mist.
"As long as their pirate flag hasn't been planted yet, there's no problem," Yamato said dominantly, her golden haori fluttering in the sea breeze. "If we happen to run into them, we'll just see whose fist is bigger. The one with the bigger fist calls the shots."
"Now that's more like it! What are the Big Mom Pirates anyway? We'll just beat them into submission," Jack added, clearly satisfied with Yamato's aggressive attitude.
Yamato glanced at Jack, noticing the simpleton was trying to act tough again. "Jack, don't forget that you are our vanguard. If Big Mom herself shows up, you should be the first one to charge."
"Are you kidding me? How could Big Mom possibly come all the way here in person?" Jack asked, rolling his eyes. He figured Yamato was just trying to scare him because she couldn't stand to see him in a good mood.
"Better safe than sorry. If Big Mom does come, you just rush up and fight her to buy us some time so we can retreat," Yamato said playfully.
Jack's eyes widened immediately. "You! What do you take me for? Letting me stall that crazy old hag... you just want me dead, don't you!" Despite his earlier arrogance, Jack knew that against someone like Big Mom, he wouldn't last against a single slap.
"Hahaha! 'Crazy old hag.' Jack, you really have a way with words," Yamato laughed. "Aren't you afraid it'll reach Big Mom's ears and she'll sail over just to hunt you down?"
Beside them, Maria and Haruko also laughed. They were used to this constant bickering.
"Is there proof? Do they have any proof that I said it?" Jack asked, defensive but not entirely stupid.
"Yes, we are the proof. We can all testify that you said it," Yamato said, directly pulling the rug out from under him.
Jack's eyes bulged. "Yamato, you're doing this on purpose! If you dare do that, Big Brother will give you a piece of his mind!"
"Here we go again. Jack, why do you always bring up that idiot old man of mine? It's so pathetic," Yamato said, rolling her eyes.
"Humph! You're practically trying to murder me! Am I not allowed to protect myself?" Jack snorted. He strongly suspected that Yamato truly would be daring enough to frame him.
"Pfft... Murder? You're such a simpleton, you can't take a joke at all," Yamato laughed, patting his shoulder. "Don't worry, Jack. I like you so much that I definitely won't let anything happen to you."
Jack got goosebumps all over his arms. "You... stop saying such disgusting things. I'm about to throw up."
"Try throwing up in front of me and see what happens! I'm as beautiful as a flower, and you actually call me disgusting?" Yamato arched an eyebrow, her aura becoming slightly more threatening.
Seeing Yamato's imposing appearance, Jack immediately shut his mouth. He muttered to himself in his head, Anyone who sees you as a woman must be blind. I'm definitely not blind.
Yamato didn't need to be a mind reader to know the simpleton was badmouthing her. "Jack doesn't seem that simple after all," Maria and Haruko noted, their eyes flickering with amusement. The vibe Yamato gave off certainly didn't match the traditional image of a delicate woman.
"Alright, prepare to land on Vanilla Island," Yamato said, glancing sideways at Jack.
As the Beasts Pirates' fleet arrived, the people on Vanilla Island grew incredibly nervous.
"Strange, it's not the Big Mom Pirates, but the Beasts Pirates. Could it be that they both have their eyes on this island?"
"No way... I heard the Big Mom Pirates are also on their way. Surely the two crews won't start a fight here?"
"Please, don't let a war break out..."
Meanwhile, as the fleet docked, Yamato and the others landed on the island with their forces. "The usual rules. Follow the previous protocol," Yamato commanded. Her subordinates immediately moved into action with practiced efficiency.
"Hey, listen up!" Jack announced loudly, standing in the center of the town plaza. "From today on, this island is the territory of the Beasts Pirates!"
The islanders trembled with fear, looking up at the massive man.
"As long as you pay your tribute on time every month, the Beasts Pirates will protect you. Also, no resistance is allowed. Those are our only conditions. If you dare to defy us, don't blame us for being ruthless. Did you all hear that?" Jack roared, transforming into his massive Mammoth form to intimidate the crowd.
Seeing the prehistoric beast, the islanders were completely terrified. "Um... My Lord," an old man stepped forward, his voice shaking. "It seems the Big Mom Pirates also intend to occupy this island. They might have already sent people."
"Huh? Big Mom Pirates? None of my business," Jack snorted, two jets of air blasting from his trunk. "They're too late. This island belongs to the Beasts Pirates now."
Hearing Jack's declaration, the islanders fell silent, too scared to argue further.
"Since the Big Mom Pirates are coming, let's meet them. We can't let them make the trip for nothing," Yamato said. She knew it was unlikely Big Mom would come in person; the Queen of Totto Land usually sent her sons and daughters for such tasks.
"The ones coming are likely to be the Four Sweet Commanders. Their strength isn't weak," Maria said, having gathered intelligence on their rivals. The Four Sweet Commanders were roughly equivalent to the All-Stars of the Beasts Pirates.
"Even better. Opponents like that are hard to come by. It would be a pity not to have a fight. Jack, don't you agree?" Yamato asked with a grin.
"Nonsense, of course we'll fight—provided that crazy old hag isn't with them," Jack added after a moment of thought.
"Haha!" Yamato burst into laughter. "This simpleton is finally starting to get smart."
"Then let's wait for them and see who it'll be," Yamato said. She secretly hoped for Charlotte Katakuri; she had always wanted to test her strength against him.
Yamato and the others began making arrangements on Vanilla Island while waiting for their guests. About two hours later, the subordinates monitoring the coast reported via Transponder Snail: "Spotted pirate ships from the Big Mom Pirates! There are three of them, heading straight for Vanilla Island!"
"They arrived quite quickly. Let's go and welcome our guests," Yamato said, finishing the black tea in her cup. She stood up and walked toward the coast, followed by Maria, Haruko, and Jack.
Soon, they reached the shore and saw the three colorful ships a few hundred meters away, flying the Big Mom Pirates' flag.
"Only three pirate ships? They're certainly taking it easy," Jack sneered, looking through his binoculars.
"They probably didn't expect us to arrive first," Maria noted. "However, the person leading them doesn't look like an easy target." She had already spotted a prominent figure standing on the middle ship.
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