Jack initially fired his Hyper Beam from a distance, but unfortunately, it missed, not achieving Jack's desired effect. Often, Jack is a stubborn person. To achieve his goal, he decided to try again.
The energy of the Hyper Beam gathered once more at the tip of his nose, locking onto the area where pirates were densest. Those pirates didn't just stand by idly; while Jack was charging up, they were also attacking Jack.
Explosion sounds echoed continuously, but the outcome was the same: crossbow bolts and solid bullets bounced off, and bullets just weakly fell to the ground. Ordinary shrapnel couldn't damage Jack's body, at most leaving a few unnoticeable marks.
Forget about causing any effective harm; they couldn't even interrupt Jack's charge. Before the pirates could get close to Jack, his Hyper Beam was already fully charged.
This time, Jack didn't miss. The Hyper Beam precisely hit the high platform in front of the square.
Boom!
Upon hitting the target, the Hyper Beam created a destructive explosion, with the explosion smoke engulfing many pirates. But at the same time, another pirate jumped down from the high platform, appearing in front of Jack.
He was wearing just a simple tight tank top, his bulging muscles accentuated by his clothing. His violent gaze revealed a menacing aura from his eyes.
Drunkard Gust, bounty 859,000,000 Belly, currently Hive Island's highest bounty pirate and the most powerful pirate overall. Though Hive Island gathered several pirate crews, Gust held the highest authority.
"Even if you're a cadre of Kaidou, can you just bully us like that?!"
"Bully? In the pirate world, there's only strength and weakness. If you don't even understand that, why become a pirate?"
Among the Hundred Beasts' cadres, Jack is the most immune to verbal attacks. If others ignore interference, Jack simply doesn't think about it—whatever the enemy says, orders from Arceus and Kaidou are absolute.
No matter weak or strong, he doesn't care; as long as they're confirmed as the enemy, he will go all out.
"You must be the leader here, then let's start with you."
At this moment, Jack was still in Beast Form. His forelimbs raised high, then heavily smashed the ground in front of him. A powerful energy was infused into the ground, causing the entire square to begin shaking.
Under the influence of the quake, the ground cracked, and rocks rolled over, burying many pirates directly into the crevices.
"Damn... even a Mythical Zoan can do this?"
Earthquakes always instilled fear among pirates. Although a year had passed since Whitebeard died, the world-destroying ability was etched in their memories.
If Jack didn't clearly show he was a Zoan-type ability user, Gust might have suspected he had eaten the Quake-Quake Fruit.
In reality, the impact of earthquakes isn't as terrifying as in games; hurting a strong individual isn't easy. But Jack's attack sparked panic.
With incredibly robust defense power and the earlier Hyper Beam, Jack had demonstrated an intimidating deterrence. Coupled with the quake's effect, the morale Gust stirred up was quickly dispersed.
Trying to make pirates attack such a monster was difficult in the first place. Pirates aren't a disciplined army; forcing them into a suicide mission means being prepared for them to defect.
Without absolute strength suppression or charismatic influence, pirate crews are always extremely unstable.
"Bastard! Keep attacking! No running away!"
Gust angrily shouted at his subordinates trying to escape. Seeing them ignore his orders, Gust nonchalantly swung his hand, splattering purple liquid which directly enveloped the fleeing pirates.
If Whitebeard could lead his underlings to attack Navy Headquarters, relying on his strength and position within the Whitebeard Pirates, Gust relied purely on physical intimidation.
After being covered by the liquid, the pirates' expressions suddenly changed dramatically.
Their faces reddened deeply, eyes turned dim, and they even started hiccupping. Their bodies stopped fleeing and instead looked back at Jack again.
"Liquor brings drunkenness; it's a wonderful thing. Once drunk, the brain is controlled by alcohol, and fear vanishes.
Follow my orders! Take down this guy in front of you, don't make me help you build up courage!"
Gust loudly threatened his other subordinates, causing those attempting to escape to halt.
"Hic~ Take down that guy..."
The drunk man turned and picked up the weapon he had just discarded, gazing at Jack with a dazed look.
"Attack! Whatever it takes!"
Gust cruelly ordered.
"Yes! Hic..."
The man hiccuped as he responded to Gust's command.
His steps wobbled and staggered as if he could barely walk straight; his right foot tripping over his left, demonstrating what it meant to fall flat on the ground.
But this didn't stop him, unlike his previous fear; now, he was striving to execute Gust's orders.
During his initial fall, the weapon in his hand accidentally dropped, but although his "drunkenness" rendered him unable to stand, he didn't give up.