Chapter 120: Just an Experiment

"Huff… huff…"

"Snore… snore…"

"Damn it!"

Jack glanced at the two snoring loudly—Yamato and the giant wolf—and then turned to Maria, who was holding Ulti like a teddy bear as she drifted off to sleep. With a resigned sigh, he stepped out of the brothel quarters and headed back to his own room.

"Jack, I told you! It's better for us guys not to share a room with women—it's too much trouble!"

Page One's serious tone made Jack's eye twitch. He stomped over to his bed, grabbed the younger man by the scruff, and dragged him off with an exasperated growl.

"Oi, don't make yourself at home on my bed! Do you even know how tall you are?!"

"Go crash with your sister or something! I'm not risking rolling over in my sleep and squashing you flat!"

Page One hugged his pillow, looking slightly put out.

"Jack, there's this thing called decency, you know. Men and women shouldn't—"

"Hah!" Jack snorted, cutting him off. "You're still a chick with barely any feathers, squawking about 'men and women.' The only difference between you and a girl right now is how you take a leak!"

"Don't wanna bunk with her? Fine! Take the other bed! Just don't stay here!" He bared his teeth in a wide grin. "When I dream about food, I might accidentally swallow you whole!"

Page One shivered as he glanced at Jack's massive jaws, bristling with sharp teeth, and quickly scrambled onto the other bed in the room. A few moments later, Jack's thunderous snores filled the room, forcing Page One to smother his ears with his pillow in despair.

...

At the duel arena, Fozu arrived with a few minutes to spare before three o'clock. Sasaki was already waiting for him, arms crossed, a cocky smirk tugging at his lips.

"I thought you'd chicken out," Sasaki sneered. "Didn't expect you to actually show up. Not that it matters. You're just here to lose anyway."

Fozu spared Sasaki a single, icy glance. His voice was calm but laced with scorn.

"You've been watching too many skits on Onigashima's entertainment stage, haven't you? There's no need to perform your second-rate stand-up comedy for me. I'm not a fan."

"You—!" Sasaki's hand shot to the hilt of his sword, but he stopped himself. After a moment of thought, his lips curled into a mocking grin. "Fine. Words are meaningless, after all. Once you're done embarrassing yourself against one of the All-Stars, it'll be my turn. Let's see if your mouth is as sharp when you're up against Jack-nii."

He chuckled darkly.

"Jack, the man who sent Red-Haired Shanks packing. Oh, and didn't Shanks beat you once before? Am I remembering that right?"

A vein throbbed in Fozu's temple as he glared at Sasaki. His voice dropped to a low growl.

"You'll see. After I defeat him, I'll deal with you."

"Ha! I'll be watching!"

Fozu stepped into the arena and leapt to the center of the dueling platform. Immediately, he noticed something odd—there was a small pirate ship sitting in the arena's central lagoon, which hadn't been there the day before. His brows furrowed.

The moment he appeared, the announcer on the high platform boomed excitedly:

"And here he is! The challenger, Fozu-sama, a rising star of the Beasts Pirates!"

"According to our sources, Fozu-sama and Sasaki-sama will be officially promoted to the rank of Tobiroppo at the Fire Festival in just a few days!"

"This duel could very well be their stepping stone to the top! A showdown between an aspiring Tobiroppo and an All-Star!"

"But… where is Jack-sama? The time's up, and yet he hasn't—"

Before the announcer could finish, Fozu's voice cut through the din. He ignored the cheers, his sharp gaze locked on the ship.

"Come out, Jack. Didn't think someone like you would enjoy playing hide-and-seek."

Laughter boomed across the arena as Jack emerged from the ship's cabin, eliciting roars of excitement from the onlookers.

"There he is! Jack-sama!"

"Jack-sama! Jack-sama!"

Though outwardly composed, Fozu stayed alert. His opinion of Jack was complicated—he often ridiculed the All-Star but knew better than to underestimate him. His own skirmish with Shanks had ended poorly, but Jack's strength was undeniable. This duel was his chance to prove himself.

Clenching his fists, Fozu fixed his sights on Jack. If I defeat him, it'll show everyone—including Shanks—that I'm stronger. His hand moved to his blade.

"Wait a second," Jack's gruff voice broke through.

Fozu paused, confused by the odd look Jack was giving him.

"What now? If you're afraid, just say so and I'll let you go."

Jack ignored the taunt, nodding toward the pink sheath at Fozu's hip and the short dagger in his hand.

"What's with the tiny blade in a long sheath? Ten centimeters in a thirty-centimeter holster? What kind of sense does that make?" He scoffed. "Your brain's not exactly firing on all cylinders, is it?"

Fozu flushed with anger. "Quit stalling! Let's fight already!"

"Hold up," Jack growled, raising his hands to signal a pause. "First, answer me this: do you just hate fishmen on principle, or did one of them steal your girlfriend?"

"Why, you—!"

In a flash, Fozu transformed into his hybrid form. His lithe frame bulked up, thick fur sprouted around his neck, and a powerful tail lashed behind him. His now-massive form radiated ferocity, though it was somewhat undercut by his flamboyant attire and philosophical mask.

"I'll show you the difference between us, Jack! The next All-Star will be me!"

He lunged, but Jack held up his hands again.

"Wait."

"What now?!" Fozu snarled. "If you're scared, just admit it! I'll let you go!"

Jack leapt onto the ship's deck, smirking. "Scared? Please. I just need to test something out first."

"What?"

Jack's grin widened. "Bring the ship closer. I'm doing an experiment."

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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg