The Fire Festival concluded with the climactic event: "The Dragon Chasing the Elephant."
To be precise, it was Kaidou as a dragon, chasing Jack in his mammoth form.
Jack had never imagined that, despite his current defensive strength, a single blow from Kaido's kanabo could leave him almost incapacitated. It felt as if, for a fleeting moment, his internal organs had been stunned into silence. Though the sensation lasted less than a second, it was enough for Kaido to hammer a lesson into him.
"Old ginger is spicier," Jack muttered to himself, recalling an old proverb.
So this is the Conqueror's Haki infusion Kaido mentioned…
Jack's Conqueror's Haki had reached an intermediate level after defeating Shutenmaru, but he was still two ranks away from mastering the advanced infusion technique. Without setting sail for proper combat experience, who knew how long it would take to reach Kaido's level?
As Jack was lost in thought, Kaido carried him into the skies. The glowing lanterns released by the residents of Wano floated around them, climbing higher into the heavens. Looking down, Jack saw Wano ablaze with the colors of the festival, resembling a city set aflame.
When the Fire Festival ended, Jack officially took command of Kuri, accompanied by his loyal subordinates.
While Finder had been reassigned to Onigashima, Rim and Master had already begun initiating their plans in Kuri. Even Holdem had been busy these past few weeks, armed with village rosters and regulations drawn up by Jack. Unlike Rim, with his mastery of swordsmanship, or Master, blessed with the cleansing powers of the Purification Fruit, Holdem's potential was easy for Jack to discern.
Jack had no illusions about staying in Wano forever. After much thought, he decided that Holdem, who had consumed a SMILE fruit, was the ideal candidate to govern Kuri in his stead. Loyal to a fault, bold, and decisive, Holdem was far more reliable than the compassionate Master or the softer Rim.
Not to mention, Jack was eager to never again see the lion-headed chicken perched on Holdem's chest—it stirred an unexplainable, phantom pain within him.
Standing on the deck of his ship, Jack glanced at Holdem sprawled on the ground, then turned and made his way below deck.
"Jack-sama," one of his subordinates greeted. "As per your orders, we've completed the manor west of Kabuto Mura Village."
"This place has excellent surroundings—plenty of bamboo forests, wild beasts for hunting, and a prime location west of Udon. It'll be convenient for operations."
Jack nodded. Kabuto Mura had caught his eye long ago. Yamato had a soft spot for the villagers, charmed by their handwoven straw hats, and often came to aid them during difficult times.
The village itself was perfectly situated. Facing the sea with forests, lakes, and unspoiled land, its people were simple and hardworking. It was also strategically located near both Onigashima and Udon. Compared to the more developed Bakura Town, Jack preferred this rustic locale, which he believed could serve as the foundation for Kuri's transformation.
Years of Yamato's kindness had earned the villagers' goodwill. Many even approached Jack with friendly greetings upon recognizing him. Jack, ever pragmatic, acknowledged each with a nod.
He knew well that desperation often outweighed hatred.
When hunger gnaws at your belly, when you see your child's parched lips, or your parents' frail bodies on the brink of death, ideals and vengeance fade.
Not everyone is a hero. People are smart, they understand self-preservation.
Through the bamboo groves and across a trickling stream, a grand structure came into view—a towering, eight-story mansion overlooking the entire village.
Its golden rooftop glistened in the sunlight, with intricately carved stone walls. At its pinnacle, a lifelike mammoth sculpture reigned supreme, its raised trunk exuding an air of dominion, as if surveying its territory.
Above the tall entrance gates, the gleaming characters "Heaven and Earth" were boldly inscribed—a name Jack had chosen himself.
Jack ignored the out-of-place touches of pastel pink and the ominous spider and wolf motifs—design elements Yamato and Black Maria had insisted on adding during construction.
No harm done, he thought.
At the top floor, in a spacious meeting room, Jack seated himself at the head of the table. Master stepped forward with a stack of reports in hand, starting her update.
Jack listened impatiently, his fingers drumming the armrest of his chair. Finally, he issued his orders:
"Holdem, you'll be stationed in Bakura Town. The residents there were the first to submit to the Beast Pirates—they harbor no hostility toward us. Kaido-sama will soon send reinforcements. Those men will fall under your command."
"Yes, Jack-sama!" Holdem replied with a firm salute.
"Master!" Jack turned his attention. "Pause the water purification and land-clearing efforts for now. Assign more hands to the fertile lands and water sources. Kaido will dispatch 500 Fishmen to guard the water supply. We must ensure Wano's lifelines remain under our control."
Jack's gaze sharpened as he addressed Master:
"Save your pity. Remember—we are pirates. If I find out you've been secretly distributing food or water to the civilians again…"
He turned to Rim and said in a menacing tone:
"I'll have Rim neutered."
"Ah! No! Jack-sama, I won't do it again!" Master squeaked, panicked.
Rim, startled from his drowsiness, straightened up and plastered on a nervous smile.
Jack smirked. "Rim, enough with the creepy smiles. Save that for Master—it works better on her."
"Now listen carefully. Keep an eye on the samurai prisoners in Udon. Reward their good behavior by taking care of their families. Those who join the Beast Pirates should have their families oversee food and water distribution."
He paused, then continued, "Recruit the villagers. Offer food and water as payment to get them working the fields. And I've arranged with Queen to have King send us a batch of pirates to fill factory roles. Bring back the laborers from Kuri as well. We need every able body."
Finally, Jack addressed Master again. "Increase the rewards for informants. If anyone proves especially competent, give them authority to manage the other villagers. Keep them divided, suspicious of each other. They must never unite. Understood?"
"Yes, Jack-sama!"
"Good. Dismissed."
As the others left, Jack leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.
Management truly isn't my thing. Fighting suits me far better.
Still, once everything was in place, he could relax—just like Kaido.
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