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

Jack had no clue about Queen Otohime's ideals. Standing before a group of emotionally charged fishmen, he pounded his chest and pointed to a group of pirates beside him.

"Comrades! Right now, you have a chance to become strong!" he announced boldly.

"Follow me! To the surface!" Jack gestured dramatically.

"Join the Beasts Pirates! Be like them! Become my subordinates!"

"Forget your pointless worries! Leave your identities behind!"

"With me, there's no discrimination! No division by race! As long as you're strong, you can rise to become an officer in the Beasts Pirates!"

"If your strength surpasses mine, I'll follow you!" Jack bared his teeth in a fierce grin.

"There's no tolerance for prejudice among us! If anyone dares insult you because of your race, I'll kill them myself!"

He opened his arms wide. "Who wants to join me? Spots are limited! First come, first served!"

Jack's goal in coming to Fish-Man Island was clear: recruit fishmen as crew members. He had even sent half his pirates aboard the Mammoth to King to make space. The fishmen's natural physical superiority—especially in the water—made them invaluable assets. Even in the New World, they would hold their own against most pirate lackeys. With training, they'd be exceptional fighters. And, when it came to salvaging, they rendered submarines unnecessary.

Kaido had always wanted to recruit fishmen, but Fish-Man Island was under Whitebeard's protection. Even Kaido thought twice before provoking him. Jack, however, relied on his fishman heritage to enter the island, willing to risk a potential confrontation with Whitebeard. He figured that as long as he didn't cross any major lines, the Ryugu Kingdom wouldn't alert Whitebeard. And even if they did, would Whitebeard really start a war over a few fishmen?

These fishmen are mine, Jack resolved.

But to his frustration, the fishmen before him fell silent. Only one fishman rushed forward excitedly. The others hesitated, their expressions conflicted. After a long pause, a few of them clenched their jaws and said grimly:

"Apologies, Jack-sama."

"We have children. Families."

"We can't leave our homeland based on your words alone."

"The world outside... it's too dangerous for us."

What the hell? Jack thought, staring incredulously. Are you kidding me?

These towering, fearsome-looking fishmen were the same ones humans oppressed? In their own country, surrounded by millions of fellow fishmen, they were terrified of humans?

Cowards! No wonder humans walk all over you! Jack seethed internally. This won't do. I need at least a hundred recruits. Time to sweet-talk them some more.

Before Jack could speak again, a voice cut through the tension.

"Hmph! This lot is too spineless to follow you!"

The crowd turned toward the source, but no one was visible. Jack squinted, his Observation Haki picking up rapid movements approaching him.

What's going on? Jack frowned, sensing someone near his feet. He glanced down but saw nothing. Invisible? Transparent? Some kind of Devil Fruit user? Or maybe a unique fishman?

Guided by Observation Haki, Jack's gaze shifted until he spotted a fishman covered in black-and-white stripes, resembling a zebra. A tattoo with the number '02' adorned his chest. The fishman's face was partially obscured by stripes, but his twitching chin tendrils betrayed his surprise at being detected.

Taking a closer look, Jack realized the stripes weren't clothing but the fishman's natural skin pattern. Intrigued, Jack crouched down.

"What's your name? What kind of fishman are you?" Jack asked, his voice low.

The fishman hesitated, then spoke cautiously. "My name is Zeo. I'm a wobbegong fishman."

"Zeo, huh? A wobbegong fishman?" Jack grinned broadly and extended a hand.

"Hahaha, I'm Jack, you're Zeo—maybe we're related! So, what do you say? Will you join us? I'd be glad to have you!"

Zeo remained silent for a moment before replying softly. "Whether I join or not, I'll need to discuss it with my companions." He paused, then added, "But I can tell you a place where you'll find recruits."

Jack's eyes lit up. "Really? Where?"

"Fish-Man District," Zeo said.

Zeo led Jack and his crew to a coral reef before stopping abruptly. "Your human companions stay here. Humans aren't allowed in the Fish-Man District. Otherwise..." Zeo trailed off ominously.

"Understood," Jack said, nodding. Turning to his crew, he added, "Wait here."

After ensuring his crew stayed put, Jack glanced around. "Alright, where is it?"

"Follow me!" Zeo said before diving into the water.

Splash!

"Oi..." Jack muttered, closing his eyes in exasperation. "Could you let me finish talking?"

After a while, Zeo surfaced, confused. "What are you waiting for? Why aren't you following me?"

"I can't swim," Jack replied.

"What?! You're a fishman!" Zeo's disbelief was palpable.

"I'm a Devil Fruit user," Jack explained flatly.

"A fishman who ate a Devil Fruit?" Zeo's jaw dropped. He examined Jack's wanted poster, nodding slowly. "Ah, that explains it. No swimming for you, huh..."

Jack rubbed his temples. Was that in my bounty info? This guy's got a mouth on him. He'd survive a furnace with just his tongue intact.

Before long, several fishmen emerged from the water. Leading them was one wearing a Neptune Army uniform, which momentarily threw Jack off. The others included a squid-like fishman, one resembling a sloth, and a tiny fishman barely a meter tall. Zeo was among them, too.

From their youthful faces and auras, Jack guessed they were close to his age. The Neptune Army fishman seemed to be the leader. Jack studied him carefully, noting his thick black curls spilling out from beneath his regulation hat.

That hair... Programmers would cry with envy. Though, compressed under that hat, it's got a weird vibe. Kind of reminds me of... No, focus.

As Jack scrutinized him, the fishman grinned, revealing sharp teeth.

"Jack," he said, his voice confident. "Your speech had some valid points. But you're wrong about one thing."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"We fishmen are noble beings. Humans, on the other hand, are lowly, wicked creatures unworthy of the land they occupy," the fishman declared, his tone growing fervent.

"You, associating with these humans, disgrace your fishman heritage!" He gestured toward Jack's crew disdainfully.

"Have you heard of the Sun Pirates? Leave that Beasts Pirates nonsense and join us. Join a crew that truly represents fishmen!" The fishman puffed out his chest.

"I'll introduce you to Brother Arlong!"

"Arlong?" Jack blinked, bewildered. "Who's this 'Brother Arlong' you're talking about? Is he really that impressive?"

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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg