After confirming the city where King was located, Jack transformed into a small elephant and took to the skies, carrying Yamato—who insisted on tagging along—as well as the siblings Ulti and Page One, who clamored to join the trip.
The name "Revolutionary Army" was something Jack had first heard a few years ago from Master.
Dragon's name had also come up back then, along with that of the Okama King, Ivankov. The two had been together for years.
What exactly was their relationship? That was anyone's guess.
The Revolutionary Army had made headlines numerous times, liberating countless nations over the past two years.
As they helped commoners rise up against oppression, they had earned quite a reputation among the people.
But Jack scoffed at their so-called achievements. Overthrowing a regime didn't necessarily mean life would get better for the people. Once the monarchy was gone, the new ruling class would be no different—if not worse.
Power was an addiction. Once someone tasted its benefits, it was nearly impossible to remain unchanged.
No matter the era, social hierarchies would always exist. The only difference was the labels used to describe them.
Even in an age where slogans claimed that "everyone is their own master," in reality, they were just slaves struggling endlessly for survival.
Unlike Kaido, the Revolutionary Army had openly declared war against the World Government, making their intent to overthrow the Celestial Dragons crystal clear.
If not for their elusive nature, they would have been eradicated long ago.
Preaching equality and freedom while rallying the lowest of the low…
Naïve. Unrealistic.
They actually believed they could tear down the world and build a utopian kingdom?
Jack had lived through the rise and fall of countless dynasties in his past life. He already knew how this story ended.
Kaido saw it clearer than they did.
Though their goals might seem similar, their ideologies couldn't be more different.
Even if they succeeded, the so-called heroes who slew the dragon would one day become dragons themselves.
But before that happened, they really shouldn't have provoked the Beasts Pirates.
That was an unwise move!
Ulti, Page One, and Yamato lay on Jack's massive back, drifting off to sleep.
To prevent them from falling, Jack's elephant skin bulged slightly, forming a crater-like depression that cradled them securely.
The vast land of Ailen Island meant that even with Jack's speed, reaching Renske—where King was stationed—would take about a week.
Unfortunately, in their haste, they hadn't brought any food or water. By the time they neared their destination, Ulti and Page One were struggling.
With no choice, Jack landed in a nearby city to resupply.
As soon as he landed at the most lavish estate in town, a nobleman at the front recognized him and exclaimed in delight:
"Lord Jack!"
"Save the chatter. Get food and water—fast!"
After eating and drinking their fill, Jack finally got a clearer picture of the situation from the nobles.
The rebels had clearly planned their uprising well in advance, launching a coordinated attack that gave them the upper hand early on.
Although Hedarn had dispatched troops to suppress them and had wiped out some rebel forces, he had nearly lost his life to an army made entirely of commoners.
Many of his subordinates had been slaughtered, and even his own forces had defected.
If not for the retired Beasts Pirates stationed there, Hedarn would already be dead.
Now, the rebels had divided into two groups, both marching toward Renske.
King was holding the line at Renske, while this city had already been abandoned, as one of the rebel groups was advancing toward it.
Jack's arrival reassured the panicked nobles.
After all, according to the World Government's latest bounty update, Jack's bounty had soared to 4.5 billion berries—higher than even the newly crowned Emperor, Shanks!
After a brief moment of thought, Jack agreed to their plea for help.
King could hold out for now, but if both groups of revolutionaries merged, the situation would turn dire.
Cutting off one of the advancing forces here would ease the pressure on King.
And besides, Jack was curious.
Who exactly were these revolutionaries that dared to cause trouble on the Beasts Pirates' turf?
Two days later, while Jack and the others were still enjoying a feast, a soldier burst in, panicked:
"My lords! The rebel army has reached the city gates—we can't hold them off any longer!"
"Oh?"
"Boom! What rebels?! Let's go teach them a lesson!"
Before Jack could respond, Yamato and the siblings grabbed their weapons and charged out.
Jack made no move to stop them.
Yamato was a top-tier fighter, even by the Grand Line's standards. With advanced Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki infusion, she was so strong that Jack sometimes wondered if she had cheat codes.
As for Ulti and Page One, they were young, but already close in strength to top officers. Kaido had forced them to kill unruly slaves years ago, so they weren't lacking in combat experience.
Even if Jack didn't lift a finger, those three alone would be enough to give the revolutionaries hell.
"Phew…"
Jack concealed himself within flame clouds and drifted toward the battlefield, watching from above.
By the time Yamato and the others arrived, the gates had already fallen. Thousands of soldiers were being chased down by a ragged army of commoners.
Just as Yamato was about to scold the soldiers, Page One suddenly shouted:
"Yamato! Look at those people! Something's off!"
"Hm?"
Bulging muscles. Feverish expressions. Regardless of age or gender, every single one of them looked the same—manic and unnerving.
At the back of the crowd stood a woman with a revealing outfit, smoking a cigar, and holding a large flag. The sight made Yamato's instincts scream danger.
"Some kind of ability user?"
"Ulti! Page One! Help the soldiers!"
"I'll handle that woman!"
Yamato shifted into her hybrid form and charged forward. The siblings exchanged glances before transforming into their own beast forms and diving into the fray.
"That's…"
"A big shot's here!"
As Yamato closed in, the cigar-smoking woman remained unbothered, muttering to herself:
"Kaido's daughter… Yamato."
"Who are you?!"
"Stop! Don't interfere with Lady Betty!"
"Huff…"
A dozen frenzied rebels rushed Yamato, but she simply exhaled sharply, releasing a blast of icy breath that instantly froze them solid.
"Betty? Now I remember!"
"Belo Betty! A Revolutionary Army commander!"
"Hmph! Yamato, is it? I can't let you disrupt our leader's plans!"
The moment Betty finished speaking, an overwhelming aura burst forth from her body. In an instant, her figure expanded—her arms and legs swelling with grotesque muscle as she swung her massive flag straight at Yamato.
Watching from above, Jack nearly gagged.
What the hell?!
One moment, she was a sultry vixen, and the next… a muscle-bound freak?!
What was wrong with people these days?!
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg