[RLOP] Chapter : 13 - Komurasaki?

“Big Brother Lucci, Shogun's Castle lies just ahead.”

Jack bowed his head as he spoke, his eyes flicking to the palanquin that looked almost like a child’s toy cart compared to his massive frame. His tone carried nothing but respect.

“Sasaki should’ve already informed Orochi of Big Brother’s arrival.”

Ever since Jack had eaten the Mammoth Fruit, his growth had been astonishing. His body had stretched to nearly six meters, his muscles thickening like stone pillars. To the short-statured citizens of Wano, he no longer resembled a man at all—he was a walking mountain spirit with ivory tusks and braided hair swaying like the mane of some legendary beast.

“Hmm.” Lucci’s reply was little more than a hum. He didn’t look up from the book in his hands.

Jack, however, wore a troubled expression. “Big Brother Lucci, the samurai here are weak overall… but some of them are still formidable. I fear—” He bit down on his words, then forced them out, his voice rough with determination. “Yamato is Kaido-san’s daughter. If something happens, I beg you… put the blame on me. I’ll shoulder all punishment alone.”

Inside the palanquin, Lucci paused mid-page.

Huh?

This felt… off.

Are all the brats in this world so precocious?

Then he smirked inwardly. Ah, but I’m thirteen myself… fair enough.

Snapping back, he reassured Jack in a calm tone: “Don’t worry. She’ll find her own way back. Everything is within my plan.”

And he wasn’t just saying that. Keeping Yamato chained to his side had been deliberate—both to stop her from running and to prepare for contingencies.

Six days had passed—more than enough time for his Zoan-infused underlings to spread like wildfire across Wano. By now, his “informants” were everywhere.

If Yamato strayed from him, she’d only be guided where he wanted her to go. She would see exactly what he intended her to see.

Jack’s chest swelled at Lucci’s words. “As expected of Big Brother!”

He didn’t understand the plan, but it didn’t matter. That steady, composed voice was enough. It was like a child instinctively clinging to a father’s hand for safety.

But Big Brother’s only two years older than me, isn’t he?

Jack shook the thought away, though a faint blush crept beneath his mask.

If Lucci had noticed, he would’ve only smiled knowingly. After all, though his body was still that of a youth, his mind carried the weight of thirty-five years. He had more than earned the right to play the role of “father.”

Just as Jack prepared to heap more praise upon his Big Brother, commotion from up ahead drew his gaze.

The main road was blocked.

Jack scowled and hauled over a nearby pirate with one massive hand. “Oi. What’s happening up there? Who dares block Big Brother’s path?”

The pirate, caught in Jack’s iron grip, bristled at first—but when he saw who it was, his anger fizzled into nervous laughter. “B-Big Brother Jack… I’m not sure. But Big Sister Ulti and Big Brother Page One went shopping ahead. They should know.”

This pirate was one of the initial two hundred. Despite being older than Ulti and Page One, he still addressed them as senior.

And how could he not?

That brutal pirate melee—what some had called a feast of blood—had ended with Lucci gifting fifty Zoan fruits to the victors. The final four survivors were elevated into the Tobi Roppo: Sasaki, Jack, Ulti, and Page One. Each of them commanded their own Zoan users and oversaw the remaining hundred-odd men.

With Ancient Zoans, the outcome had almost been rigged. Even lying half-transformed, their bodies had been too tough for ordinary blades to pierce. Ulti and Page One had clawed their way into the top four through sheer durability—and perhaps with a little help.

After all, Sasaki and Jack knew how much Lucci valued the siblings. More than once, during heated clashes, they’d subtly cleared the field for them.

The eliminated pirates weren’t bitter. If anything, their loyalty to Lucci burned hotter. Who else would give away Ancient Zoans?

Now, every one of them would gladly bleed if it meant earning his favor.

“Jack!”

The sound of a boy’s voice broke through.

Page One bounded over, happily munching a candied haw, his mood bright. “There’s a huge float up ahead! And—there’s a really pretty big sister standing on it!”

His childish excitement lasted only a moment—before his smile faltered, his eyes catching something that soured his mood completely.

“Hah~! Stinky Page! What did you just say!?”

Ulti suddenly pounced from behind, cotton candy in one hand, the other locked tight around her brother’s neck. “Pretty sister!? I didn’t hear that clearly!”

“U-ugh…” Page One’s face flushed crimson as he flailed helplessly. “S-Sis, you… you misheard! I was talking about that… uh… ugly woman!”

“Hmph. Good. At least you know what’s good for you.”

With a satisfied grin, Ulti released him.

Page One gasped for air, face pale with lingering terror. He had survived another day at his sister’s hands—worthy of celebration in itself. Breathing deeply, the world suddenly seemed beautiful again.

“Isn’t this blocking the main road!” Jack snarled, glaring at the crowd clogging up the street. His hands itched to transform and charge straight through.

Damn it. Who dares block Big Brother’s path!? I’ll send you all flying!

“It’s the new Oiran,” Ulti chimed in, licking her cotton candy lazily. “I heard Orochi invited her. Komurasaki, or something like that.”

Her eyes narrowed as she remembered the glamorous woman on the float. Hmph

Page One glanced sidelong at his sister, watching her savor the candy with single-minded focus. His lips twitched, but he wisely said nothing.

“Let’s take the side road.”

The calm voice drew everyone’s attention.

Lucci leaned against the palanquin window, cheek propped on one hand, gaze fixed on the crowd with mild curiosity. From where he sat, he couldn’t see much—just noisy people and flashes of color.

Ulti puffed her cheeks, muttering, “Tch! I’m obviously prettier…”

She caught sight of Lucci’s faint smile, and, flustered, her hands flew to her small, pearl-white horns.

Meanwhile, Lucci was thinking something far less innocent: Wouldn’t it be amusing if Kozuki Hiyori and Momonosuke ended up fighting?

Jack, however, thought of none of that. His only thought was indignation—why should some courtesan make his Big Brother step aside? The center of the road belonged to Lucci, and no one else!

His resolve hardened. He’d flatten the nuisance himself if needed. But just as he was about to transform, Lucci’s voice cut him off.

“Isn’t the sidewalk wide enough? Take that way.”

With that, he returned to his book, as if the matter was already settled.

On the sidewalk.

Page One kept sneaking glances at the half-eaten cotton candy in his sister’s hand. At last, his eyes gleamed with mischief.

“Sis,” he said with feigned regret, clapping his hands together, “didn’t you say you bought that cotton candy for Big Brother Lucci?”

“Ah!”

Ulti froze, her mind short-circuiting. Without a second thought, she vaulted straight into the palanquin.

Holding up the chewed stick like a priceless treasure, she grinned at Lucci, who sat cross-legged and reading. “Here, Big Brother Lucci! The cotton candy I bought just for you! Don’t thank me all at once~”

“Thanks,” Lucci replied evenly, “but I don’t eat it.”

“Huh? Oh, don’t worry, I don’t mind you eating after me—” Ulti stopped mid-sentence, her cheeks heating up as she realized what she’d said.

Lucci raised his eyes slightly, studying the earnest, unmasked girl before him. Pretty, yes—but not exactly the brightest spark.

After a long pause, he returned to his book. “I don’t mind you either. But I truly don’t eat it.”

Ulti blinked, then indignantly jabbed the candy stick at him. “Hah! How dare you disrespect—” She froze, staring down at the stick. It was empty, covered only in her own saliva.

Her face went from pink to scarlet in an instant. With a squeak, she bolted from the palanquin as though running for her life.

Moments later, the street rang with familiar sibling chaos.

“You hateful Page! You set me up!”

“Ugh… Sis… I’m dying…”

A foul-mouthed, tsundere, airheaded sister—and her long-suffering brother. Quite entertaining.

Shaking his head faintly, Lucci turned another page.

Legends say giant anglerfish are drawn to dazzling light…