"Sakazuki! What are you doing here?"
"Vice Admiral Garp, this is a direct order from Marine Headquarters. I'm here to assist you in capturing Jack."
Hearing Sakazuki's response, Garp was momentarily stunned before shaking his head with a sigh.
"Headquarters, huh?"
"That damn Sengoku... I knew he wouldn't just let this go. He doesn't trust the reports, does he?"
"So, he wants us to confirm firsthand whether this Jack really has a body as resilient as Kaido's?"
"Tch. That's on me. I was in such a rush to take my vacation that I didn't explain things properly."
"Forget capturing him, Sakazuki. I've already confirmed it myself—Jack's body isn't just as tough as Kaido's. It's even stronger."
"Hmph! Vice Admiral Garp, no matter how strong he is, he's still just a pirate!"
"An evil pirate who dares to provoke the Marines?"
"Even Kaido isn't invincible—we've fought and defeated him before!"
"Upholding justice is my duty!"
Without wasting another word, Sakazuki lunged at Jack. Garp, meanwhile, remained where he was, observing their battle intently in an attempt to identify Jack's weaknesses.
Sakazuki's fist, wreathed in thick, black smoke and blazing with molten magma, shot toward Jack. Yet Jack didn't move an inch. Seeing this, Sakazuki's lips curled into a smirk.
Boom!
His flaming fist landed squarely on Jack's face. However, the smirk on Sakazuki's face quickly vanished. The moment of impact felt off.
What is this...?
Suddenly, Jack's head ignited in flames, the searing heat causing Sakazuki to hesitate for the first time.
"Oh, right. Forgot to tell you something," Garp muttered, casually picking his nose before flicking the debris away. "Sakazuki! That guy's flames burn hotter than anything you've faced before. Your magma might be able to wound Kaido, but it won't do much against him."
"What?!"
Sakazuki's eyes widened in shock. But before he could react, Jack had already raised his massive weapon and swung it down with terrifying force.
"One Strikes!"
Jack roared his attack's name just as his strike sent Sakazuki flying, blood spurting from the Marine's mouth.
"Tch!"
Boom!
Despite the powerful blow, Sakazuki shot back toward Jack, still shrouded in thick, black smoke. Jack was surprised—his previous attack had incorporated both Advanced Armament Haki (Ryuo) and Conqueror's Haki infusion. And yet, Sakazuki had merely coughed up blood?
This guy's endurance is no joke. His raw power isn't lacking either...
Jack respected strength, and he had to admit that Sakazuki had earned his acknowledgment. Blocking another magma-coated punch, Jack grinned and shouted:
"Not bad! That bite packs a punch!"
"Looks like your head's living up to that nickname!"
(T/N: Akainu literally meaning "Red Dog")
"Hellhound!"
Boom!
Sakazuki's anger flared as his attack once again failed to deal significant damage.
"You lowly pirate! Stop being so cocky!"
"Great Eruption!"
As molten magma surged and wrapped around Sakazuki's arm, Jack could feel the sheer force radiating from it.
Boom!
Like a volcanic eruption, Sakazuki launched a devastating magma punch at Jack. The sheer impact sent Jack skidding backward, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Boom!
The moment his attack landed, the magma fist exploded, scattering countless searing magma fragments in all directions. Like an apocalyptic meteor shower, the entire island, already ravaged by Garp and Jack's earlier battle, was torn apart, breaking into several chunks.
"Cough... cough..."
As the smoke cleared, Garp squinted toward Jack's position, while Sakazuki's furious roar echoed through the battlefield.
"Impossible! He's just a pirate!"
"Heh..."
Jack let out a low chuckle, gritting his teeth as he pulled several magma-infused shrapnel pieces from his body. He sneered at Sakazuki and mocked:
"I'll admit, your attack was strong. You even made me cough up a couple of mouthfuls of blood."
"But do you know what they call me? I'm a walking blood bank! If there's one thing I've got plenty of, it's blood!"
"And as for your flames... too weak."
"Magma? Please. I soak in that stuff for fun."
"You arrogant little brat!"
Realizing that his magma attacks were ineffective, Sakazuki shifted tactics. He infused his next strike with advanced Armament Haki, relying on raw brute force rather than just his Devil Fruit's abilities.
Jack might have been mocking him, but he wasn't underestimating him. Sakazuki's attack style was unique—he combined searing flames with explosive impact, a technique that would devastate most opponents. Against anyone else, even a seasoned warrior, it would be difficult to come out unscathed.
Sakazuki's Devil Fruit was undoubtedly the most destructive among the three admirals. Unfortunately for him, his opponent was Jack.
Jack's innate Suzaku abilities rendered him practically immune to flames. His own fire burned hotter than any magma Sakazuki could produce. The only real threat was the sheer impact of the attacks themselves.
Sakazuki's proficiency in Advanced Armament Haki (Ryuo) was impressive, and his Observation Haki was honed to near perfection—perhaps even surpassing Jack's. His resilience was beyond expectation, too. He had taken a direct Conqueror's Haki-infused attack to the face and was still standing. That alone proved why he was one of the Marine Admirals.
Compared to that lazy Aokiji, or that slippery, insincere Kizaru, Akainu was the most aggressive, the most relentless.
His eyes burned with an overwhelming killing intent, as if he bore some deep personal grudge against Jack. The way he kept shouting about "justice" and "filthy pirates" made it clear—Sakazuki was a hardliner through and through.
Boom!
No matter how much Sakazuki wanted to kill Jack, the fact remained—he wasn't strong enough to do it alone.
Blocking another strike, Jack shook his head and said flatly:
"Akainu! Stop spouting nonsense about justice."
"If you really want to take me down, you should know by now... you can't do it alone."
Jack had expected Sakazuki to snap back in anger and charge at him again.
Instead, Sakazuki did something unexpected.
"Hmph. You're right."
Nodding seriously, he suddenly turned and shouted:
"Vice Admiral Garp! How much longer are you going to stand there watching?"
"Surely you've rested enough by now!"
As Garp leisurely stepped forward, Jack's expression darkened.
Oh, come on. Seriously?!
I was just taunting you! Why are you just as shameless as me?!
Jack clenched his fists in frustration.
Damn it, Akainu! You really are a ...!
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg