[TIOP] Chapter : 128

“Lena, prepare a small boat. I’m heading out,” Jack said, emerging from his secluded training. He’d exhausted his supply of diamonds—it was time to stock up again.

This time, Jack planned to directly enhance his overall base strengths and swordsmanship.

“Yes, sir. Shall I prepare the Pearl?” Lena asked.

“No need. A small boat will do. Just bring Kaku and a small escort team. Issho, the G1 base will be under your care,” Jack replied with a smile.

Issho nodded calmly. This life—this balance—was something he had come to treasure. All he hoped for now was peace in the world.

“Sir, why are you leaving us behind?” Jabra protested. “I feel like I’m going to rust if I don’t stretch my legs soon!”

“You want to come too?” Jack chuckled. “I was planning to leave you here. If I take everyone with me and pirates show up, Issho will be overwhelmed.”

“It’s alright,” Issho said with a reassuring smile. “With Vice Admirals Gion, Tokikake, and Momonga stationed here, there’s no need to worry about the G1 base’s safety.”

The G1 branch’s military strength was stronger than ever. Aside from Admiral Jack, the presence of four elite vice admirals—including Issho—meant that even if one of the Four Emperors showed up, they would have a serious fight on their hands.

—

"My lord, why are we keeping him alive? Scum like this who harm civilians should be executed on the spot!" Jabra growled, hefting the unconscious pirate over his shoulder.

He was speaking to his companions as they stood aboard their ship. They had set out to sea with Jack, and at Jabra’s insistence, he, Fukuro, and the Kumadori had joined the voyage. Kaku, meanwhile, had been left behind at the G1 branch. But Kaku didn’t mind—he wasn’t as restless as Jabra and didn’t mind the peace and order of G1.

On the fifth day of the journey, they came across a pirate crew raiding an island. Jabra, Fukuro, and Kumadori leapt into battle and quickly subdued the attackers. However, when it came time to deal with the pirate captain, Jack had given a surprising order—capture him alive.

The CP9 members had changed since their earlier days. Jabra, while still brash and impulsive, had fully embraced his identity as a Marine. No longer assassins in the shadows, they were now soldiers of justice, sworn to protect civilians. Their time at the G1 base had earned them the respect of the people—something they cherished deeply and strove to honor.

“Oh my, I believe His Excellency wants to interrogate him for information,” Kumadori said with a dramatic shake of his mane. “After all, a small-time crew like this shouldn’t be bold enough to raid an island in the New World.”

“Oh? That makes sense. In that case, I’ll go ahead and wake him up!” Jabra replied, flashing a bloodthirsty grin.

Without hesitation, he jammed his claws into the pirate’s thigh.

“AAAGGHHH!” A scream of agony pierced the air.

Moments later, Jabra marched up to Jack, proudly carrying the now-unconscious pirate captain like a sack of grain. “Sir!”

Jack frowned. “What happened?”

It wasn’t that he was upset with Jabra’s rough handling—he simply assumed from the captain’s condition that they had faced a much tougher fight.

Before he could question further, Jabra explained. The pirate crew were has-beens, driven out of the New World. They were looking to stage one last robbery before retreating to the Grand Line. Unfortunately for them, they had crossed paths with Jack’s team.

After hearing this, Jack kicked the unconscious pirate overboard without a word. A moment later, a system chime confirmed - Diamonds obtained.

He understood now—his men had misunderstood his intentions. He hadn’t spared the pirate for any moral reason. He just wanted the diamonds.

Still, watching how quickly and efficiently they extracted information reminded him of their origins—they were once elite agents of the World Government’s intelligence corps.

“Sir?” Jabra and the others asked, confused by Jack’s sudden action.

“For trash like him, the sea is the only fitting grave,” Jack said with a smile. “You all did well.”

At that, the tension melted away. The trio grinned and exchanged praise like children proud of a job well done.

A few days passed peacefully, until a violent storm completely threw them off course. Their navigator might have recalibrated their route—but Jack, in a carefree mood, had chosen not to bother. Let’s just drift for a while, he’d said.

As a result, they got completely lost.

When Jack finally realized the group was off track, he turned red with embarrassment. When did I start acting like Luffy?

Luckily, their strength and skills made up for the lack of direction. They fished their own meals from the sea and eventually stumbled upon an island. It was uninhabited, but it provided fresh water—enough to survive.

Once the immediate crisis passed, Jack stood before his team and bowed his head slightly.

“Sorry, everyone. I let my whims get the better of me this time.”

"It's alright, sir. Besides, we're all safe!"

The navy soldiers waved it off with easy smiles, trying to reassure Jack.

He had forgotten—this time, he wasn’t sailing alone. He couldn’t afford to be reckless anymore. Thankfully, there were no casualties. If anyone had been seriously hurt, Jack would never have forgiven himself.

Just as the crew was preparing to depart after a day of rest on the uninhabited island, Jabra, Fukuro, and Kumadori returned to the warship—battered and bruised.

Jack’s expression darkened. “What happened? Who did this to you?”

“Uh… we’re not really sure,” the three replied, looking sheepish.

“Chababa~ We went up the mountain to hunt some game,” Fukuro said, unzipping his mouth as he spoke. “There was a cave nearby, so we decided to check it out. At first, it looked normal. But the moment we stepped inside, it felt like something was watching us. Then… we got ambushed.”

“Oh? Jabra, you didn’t get a good look either?” Jack asked, intrigued.

“I caught the scent of a beast—but I didn’t see anything,” Jabra admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Alright, take me there. The rest of you stay here and hold your position,” Jack ordered, smiling faintly.

Although he had no shortage of powerful enemies, it wasn’t often that something mysterious crossed his path. His curiosity was piqued.

Jabra and the others led him to the cave. Standing at its entrance, Jack activated his Observation Haki, scanning for any hidden presence inside.

But whether it was due to his Haki not being sharp enough—or because the creature within was too strong—he sensed nothing.

“Wait here,” he said, stepping into the cave alone.

A few steps in, a faint breeze brushed past him, carrying the unmistakable stench of decay.

“There’s wind… and a rotting smell?” Jack frowned.

Now it made sense—Jabra hadn’t reported the whole truth. Maybe he didn’t want to seem weak. Still, it wasn’t a big deal.

Rip—

Jack froze.

Something had sliced through the fabric of his navy coat. It was subtle, precise—like a blade had just brushed past him.

“What the hell?” he muttered, narrowing his eyes. He hadn’t seen or sensed anything at all. If he hadn’t been constantly alert, he wouldn’t have noticed the cut.

He extended his senses again but still couldn’t detect a thing.

“Armament Haki.”

A black sheen spread across his body as he coated himself—and his clothes—in Haki. It was a precaution, but also a tactical move: when his clothes were imbued with Armament Haki, his perception sharpened even further.

He moved deeper into the cave. There was something off—some kind of suppressive force hanging in the air. The deeper he went, the stronger it got. And the reek of decay intensified, clawing at his senses and dulling his instincts.

Clang—!

A flash of energy—like a sword slash—struck him. It bounced harmlessly off his Haki-coated uniform, but he felt it clearly.