Chapter 556 - 396

Chapter 397: Adventure in Zou (Part 9)Time, rewind back about an hour.In the sea dozens of nautical miles away from Zunesha, a massive ship with an incredibly menacing style and a figurehead like a pair of giant Mammoth tusks was cutting through the waves, sailing arrogantly.This was the flagship of Jack "drought," one of the "Three Disasters" of the Beasts Pirates — the Mammoth.At this moment, the atmosphere on the ship was incredibly oppressive, like the sea before a storm.An officer with sheep horns on his head was kneeling on one knee on the deck, holding the latest newspaper and several bounty posters in his hands, his body shaking like a sieve.Before him, a shadow as massive as a mountain sat upon a throne made of giant beast bones, nonchalantly picking his teeth.He was Jack "drought," a man with a bounty as high as one billion Berries, world-renowned for his brutality and destructive power."Lord Jack..."Sheepshead's voice carried a hint of a sob."According... according to the latest intelligence, the Straw Hat crew we've been pursuing has been confirmed to have entered Zou... and... and...""And what?!!"Jack roared impatiently, his voice like muffled thunder, making the entire deck vibrate."Speak up or shut up! If you keep dawdling and delay Lord Kaido's business, I'll throw you overboard to feed the Sea Kings!!!""Yes!!!"Sheepshead flinched in terror and quickly held the newspaper a bit higher."And the newspaper says... that Straw Hat Luffyfellow, after Dressrosa, has gotten involved with the Big Mom Pirates!"After speaking, he immediately buried his head low, waiting for a storm of rage.However, the expected outburst of fury did not come immediately.There was a deathly silence on the deck.Jack lowered his hand from his teeth and took the newspaper.His eyes, mostly obscured by a metal mask, stared intently at the grinning face of Luffy on the front page."Big Mom, that old hag...?"Sheepshead's heart was in his throat as he tremulously added:"Lord Jack... the opponent... the opponent is now an Emperor as well. Should we... reconsider? What if...""Ha."A short, disdainful sneer interrupted him."Hahahaha... Hahahahahahaha!!!"Jack suddenly burst into a thunderous laughter filled with absurdity and contempt, as if he had heard the funniest joke of the century.He stood up abruptly, crumpling the newspaper in his hand. His terrifying figure cast a massive shadow that covered the entire deck."An Emperor? Based on this wet-behind-the-ears brat?!!"His voice rose sharply, filled with tyrannical fury!!"Listen up! On this sea, the only King is Lord Kaido!!!""The so-called 'Emperors' are just a game Lord Kaido plays with those old fogies on a whim!""Now, even a little fry like this who popped out of nowhere dares to call himself an Emperor? It's absolutely hilarious!!!"Jack's logic was very simple and crude:My boss Kaido is the greatest, the other Four Emperors are just foils, and as for this new Emperor?What kind of thing is that supposed to be?Trash!"Full speed ahead!!!"He ordered roughly, his massive finger pointing directly at Zunesha, who looked like a giant beast in the distant mist."Pull us alongside! I want to see for myself just how much this newly minted 'Emperor' is worth!!!""But, Lord Jack!"A helmsman shouted tremulously."The currents around Zunesha are a total mess, and it's constantly moving. Our ship... we can't get close!""Can't get close?"Hearing this, Jack broke into a hideous grin.Without a word, he strode to the bow and, under the jaw-dropping gazes of the crew, performed a move no one could have imagined.He took a deep breath, and his massive body instantly began to swell and transform!"Awoooo—!!!"With a world-shaking roar, he actually transformed right there on the ship into his sky-blotting Ancient Type Mammoth Form!Then, his massive trunk, like a battering ram, coiled around a spare giant anchor on the deck and hurled it fiercely at the giant elephant ahead!"Swoosh—Boom!!!"The anchor, trailing its chain like a cannonball, accurately embedded itself into the cliff-like skin of Zunesha's hind leg!"Men! Swing over with me!!!"Jack wrapped his trunk around the chain and leaped. His massive body swung across the turbulent sea, boarding Zou in a manner that could only be described as barbaric!...Back to the main storyline.Outside Kraud, Jack's massive Mammoth body landed with a crash, kicking up dust like a small sandstorm.He reverted to human form, shook the dust off himself, and scanned the area, immediately locking onto the uniquely designed "thousand sunny" parked at the edge of the forest not far away."Hmph, as expected, it's here."He gave a sinister laugh and took a large stride, preparing to head over and dismantle the ship.However, he had only taken a few steps before being blocked by a group of people.Leading them was the King of the Day, Duke Inaran, who had just finished his morning patrol.Behind him followed the canine Mink Tribeswordswoman Wanda, looking vigilant with her longsword, and a nimble rabbit Mink Tribe girl, Carrot, whose ears and tail were perked up in excitement."Who goes there?"Duke Inaran leaned on his ornate scepter, his tone calm but carrying the natural majesty of a king."Why have you trespassed into the kingdom of our Mink Tribe?"Jack glanced at him as if looking at a stone by the road, his face full of impatience."Move aside, old dog."He said rudely."I am Jack of the Beasts Pirates, and I'm here to settle a score with the Straw Hat crew.""If you know what's good for you, hand them over. Otherwise, I'll level this pathetic country of yours along with them!"There wasn't a hint of diplomacy in his words; it was purely a blatant threat."Jack?!"Hearing this, Wanda's and Carrot's expressions changed.To them, who had been closely following the developments in Wano Country, this name was thunderous.However, there wasn't a trace of fear on Duke Inaran's face.His eyes calmly watched the violent man before him as he shook his head."I'm afraid that's not possible."His voice remained steady."Straw Hat Luffy is our friend and our honored guest. We in Zou do not have a tradition of betraying our guests."These words were spoken with righteous conviction, full of chivalry.But in Jack's ears, these words were automatically translated into another meaning."Oh?"The corners of Jack's mouth curled into a more hideous grin."So, you Mink Tribe people intend to harbor them and make an enemy of our Beasts Pirates?"In his mind, there was no room for complex things like "gratitude" or "tradition." To him, those who didn't obey were enemies."You furry bastards really can't be trusted!"He seemed to have lost the patience for further talk, as a surging killing intent erupted from him!"I'll ask one last time!!!"Jack took a step forward, his immense pressure causing the ground to vibrate slightly."Will you hand them over, or not?!!"Duke Inaran tapped his scepter lightly on the ground, producing a crisp "clang.""Zou's answer will always be the same."He looked up, his gaze firm."Never!!!""Good... very good!!!"Jack laughed out of extreme anger."Awoooo—!!!"His body once again began to swell, twist, and transform violently!Muscles tore through the air, and bones made a tooth-gritting sound. In just a few seconds, he reverted back into that mountain-like ancient Mammoth!"Since you refuse the easy way and insist on the hard way, then burn to ashes along with this country!!!"His massive trunk, like a giant black python, coiled up sand and stones, sweeping toward Duke Inaranand his group with a terrifying force capable of destroying a small town!The battle was on the verge of breaking out!!!