One Piece: My Name is Jack, I'm Very Resistant to Beating

The moment Rim saw Jack collapse through the telescope, his heart clenched.

He hadn't anticipated Shanks' strength to be so overwhelming, nor that he'd ruthlessly go for the kill against Jack. Rim hesitated, unsure whether to flee immediately or notify Kaido first.

But then Jack transformed into his mammoth form and stood up again. Despite his severe injuries, Jack chased after Shanks relentlessly. Seeing this, Rim felt a small sense of relief—Jack seemed to be hanging in there, at least for now.

Perched on Master's shoulder with a telescope in hand, Runty watched Jack's chest wound, the gruesome gash revealing bone, and the crazed expression on his face. A deep-seated fear took root in her heart.

Meanwhile, aboard the Red-Haired Pirates' ship, the Red Force, Benn Beckman lowered his own telescope with a resigned sigh after witnessing Shanks' strike send Jack sprawling.

"Alright, everyone, get ready to retreat. Our captain's stirred up trouble again."

"Taking out one of the Beast Pirates' new All-Stars here is no small matter," he continued. "With our current strength, it'll be tough to gain the upper hand against that monster."

"Hahaha! It's been ages since we've had to run. Let's see if Kaido's speed in flying matches ours in fleeing!" someone joked as the crew laughed and started preparing to pick Shanks up.

Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed from the island. Benn Beckman quickly raised his telescope again.

"Unbelievable," he muttered. "That attack didn't kill him?"

Hearing this, the rest of the crew grabbed their telescopes. When they saw Jack, still chasing Shanks despite his wounds exposing his ribs, they couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

Beckman took another drag from his cigar, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

"Well, this might be a blessing in disguise. At least we won't have Kaido hunting us down." He paused, smirking. "Jack the Drought… truly an impressive beast."

Jack had reverted to his regular form, gripping his massive tusks as he doggedly pursued Shanks. The pain in his chest kept him sharp despite his anger, though a trace of fear lingered in his heart. Without his near-immortal endurance strengthening his internal organs, Shanks' strike would've critically damaged his lungs or even his heart. Such an injury could cripple his strength, leaving him useless to Kaido.

"Reckless arrogance will be the death of me," Jack muttered to himself, gritting his teeth. "But that red-haired bastard! He's really asking for it. There's no way he has enough Haki left for another attack like that. I'll smash him to pieces!"

"Stop chasing me already! You're not dead, are you?" Shanks yelled over his shoulder. "Look at you! Your wound's already starting to heal! You damn awakened Zoan users are insane!"

"Shut up!" Jack roared back. "Stop running, and I'll stop chasing!"

"Fine! If you promise to stop, I'll stop first!" Shanks shouted, his voice dripping with mockery.

"You arrogant bastard! Have some dignity, will you?" Jack bellowed, his frustration mounting. "And stop talking so much! Are you a monk or something?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Shanks quipped, not sounding sorry at all. "Does my talking bother you? Should I be more like you—all brute strength, no brains?"

Jack's fury surged as he pushed himself harder, but his lack of speed frustrated him.

"Damn it, if I were faster, I'd have caught this red-haired pest by now!"

The chase dragged on for hours. Just as Jack thought he was gaining ground, Shanks abruptly stopped and drew his saber, Gryphon.

"You fool!" Jack growled, skidding to a halt. Shanks' blade glowed ominously as Haki coated its edge.

"I'll say it one last time," Shanks said, his voice low but firm. "Let it go. I don't want to kill you."

Jack's bloodshot eyes narrowed. "Like hell, I'll believe you!"

With a roar, he charged, fully transforming into his hybrid form. His own Haki surged to shield his body, ready to clash. But before he could strike, Shanks leaped into the air and slashed downwards. Jack barely blocked the attack, the force sending him staggering.

When he looked up, Shanks had used the momentum to leap into the sea, vanishing beneath the waves.

"What the—?!" Jack sputtered, his rage boiling over. "You coward! You miserable son of a—!"

On the Red Force, the crew didn't even look back as they hoisted the sails and made their escape. It was clear they'd seen this act before.

Jack stomped back to shore, livid. When he saw Rim and the others waiting by the dock, he exploded in fury.

"What were you idiots doing? You should've gone after them! What's the point of chasing now? They're long gone, you fools!"

After venting his anger for a while, Jack finally calmed down. But his gritted teeth and trembling fists betrayed his seething emotions.

"That red-haired bastard," he muttered. "Next time I see him, I'll kill him."

Suddenly, a system notification rang in his mind.

"Congratulations, Host, for completing the ship pursuit. Due to a long period without drawing rewards, the system has auto-drawn for you."

"Congratulations! You've obtained a rare reward: Armament Haki upgraded to Advanced Level (Ryuo)."

"What the…?! I actually got lucky?" Jack exclaimed, momentarily stunned. "This Shanks guy… not bad! He gave me Conqueror's Haki and Advanced Armament Haki?"

Before he could revel in his good fortune, a sharp pain shot through his chest. Jack coughed violently, spitting out blood as his vision blurred. The last thing he heard was Rim's panicked shout:

"Jack-sama!"

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+140 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg