SWNOVELXO Chapter 56: Chapter 56: King's Warning
Holdem struggled to his feet, furious, and immediately started wrestling with the lion growing from his waist. Despite the lion's lack of a neck, it could swivel its head 360 degrees. With its claws helping out, it managed to put up a fight, though it was still no match for Holdem. Somehow, it held its ground.
As the lion grew increasingly frantic, it resorted to its favorite dirty trick—targeting Holdem's sensitive parts. Jack, who had been watching the spectacle with great amusement, finally stepped in to separate the two. While the lion was feisty, one slap on its nose from Jack subdued it immediately.
The lion whimpered, clutching its nose in pain. Tears welled up in its eyes, but Holdem, curiously, was completely unscathed. Jack couldn't help but marvel at the strange powers of the artificial Devil Fruit.
"I'm sorry, Jack-sama! I just wanted to help you..." Holdem stammered nervously. "Jack-sama, I..."
Jack placed a heavy hand on Holdem's shoulder and said, "Relax. I'm not your father. Your life is your responsibility." He shrugged. "Besides, things turned out okay, didn't they?"
He glanced down at the lion, who now wore an unmistakable look of mischief. Shaking his head, Jack continued, "But you should treat it better from now on. Otherwise, even with your 'iron groin,' you might end up regretting it for the rest of your life."
Jack smirked. "Or maybe... you should let it help you out? What's its name again? Oh, yeah, Holdem, if you keep this attitude, I can only wish you a happy wedding night… to yourself."
Hearing Jack's words, Holdem froze, his face a mix of realization and horror. He slowly looked down at Kamijiro, who was grinning mischievously. Jack sighed, shaking his head. From the look on the lion's face, it was clear it had a sharp mind.
"Holdem, you fool. Didn't I promise to get you a proper Devil Fruit someday? You could've been a 'Super Poop Man' or something. Imagine—every time you show up, people would flee in terror! Why bother with this nonsense? And now? You're stuck. Either you make peace with that lion or practice celibacy for life."
This New Year's celebration was a quiet one for King and Jack. Both had stayed on Ailen Island, even skipping the grand Fire Festival. With the mines rapidly being constructed and waves of slaves continuously arriving, there was no time for leisure.
Although Ailen Island wasn't as resource-rich as the world's superpowers, the recent wars had left plenty of captives. Thousands of slaves had been sent to the Beasts Pirates. Many were hot-blooded men with dreams of restoring their fallen nations, forming resistance groups that became a headache for Hedarn. Desperate, Hedarn pleaded with Jack and King, who managed to secure over ten thousand more slaves.
With nearly twenty thousand slaves now in their grasp, along with the complex mine terrain and the need for trained operators for the equipment, they required at least three thousand guards. Yet, the Beasts Pirates themselves only numbered a few thousand—even with Kaido's support, only around a thousand had been sent to the island. Controlling this "juicy meat" was proving difficult.
Kaido had poured most of his resources into the isolated, heavily fortified Wano Country. Yet Ailen Island's similar terrain and mineral wealth meant Kaido wouldn't abandon it. Thankfully, Hedarn dispatched his royal guard to maintain order. Though laughably weak compared to even the lowest-ranking pirates, they sufficed for keeping the slaves in check.
To ensure Ailen Island's safety, both King and Jack were stationed there permanently by Kaido's orders. As the mines began yielding profits, the Beasts Pirates ramped up their recruitment efforts.
Once the last shipment of supplies was unloaded, Hedarn bowed deeply to King and Jack.
"King-sama, Jack-sama, I'll take my leave now. Should the Beasts Pirates need anything, don't hesitate to ask. If it's within my power—even if it means offering my wife—I'll do it without a second thought!"
Jack scowled. "Hedarn, your wife's gotta be at least fifty, right? Keep her for yourself." He waved dismissively. "We'll call if we need anything."
"Understood, Jack-sama! I won't disturb you further!"
As Hedarn departed, smiling and bidding farewell to the crew, King murmured, "This Hedarn seems to know his place. Hanging the Beasts Pirates' flag across the kingdom and groveling like this… He truly seems to have submitted to us."
Jack sneered. "Smart guy. He handed over the only port on Ailen Island to us—that's like giving us the island's lifeline. He knows we can crush him anytime we want. Compared to Orochi, Hedarn's almost pitiful."
"Still, countries like Wano, strong in martial arts and filled with skilled warriors, are rare. I can't wait to see Orochi burned to ash one day."
As Hedarn's carriage disappeared into the distance, King patted Jack's shoulder.
"Leave that to Kaido. In a few days, you'll be heading out to find those two. Let me warn you—they're nothing like your usual enemies."
Jack's brow furrowed. "Those two?"
King nodded. "They're both Zoan-type Devil Fruit users, and their abilities have awakened."
"Awakened?" Jack echoed, confused.
"When Zoan fruits awaken, the user gains incredible endurance, enhanced recovery, and immense toughness," King explained. "Each of them is as strong as you. And because they're close, their crews often act as one. Be careful. If you want to be the Beasts Pirates' third All-Stars, you'll have to handle them yourself."
Jack smirked confidently. "Don't worry, King. They're just a couple of nobodies. I'll show them the meaning of true cruelty. Besides, Rim's sword has been waiting for action." He looked up at the sky.
King followed his gaze, his expression unreadable.
"What are you looking at? It's cloudy today," Jack said.
King turned and walked away. "Idiot."
"Hey! What's with the insults?" Jack called after him.
-----------
+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg