Chapter 9: Overdosed on Heroism

Jack's storytelling was in full swing, his rendition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms leaving his mouth dry while the crowd below listened, utterly enthralled.

It wasn't until the growling of their stomachs broke the spell that everyone realized Jack had been talking non-stop all day.

After a rushed dinner, Jack turned to Yamato with a smug grin.

"Well? This is what it means to be a hero. Kozuki Oden? Hah! That guy's not even in the same league."

"Hmph!" Yamato crossed her arms defiantly. "Kozuki Oden was absolutely a hero! He's every bit as great as the ones in your stories!"

Seeing her stubborn expression, Jack smirked inwardly.

With thoughts of triumphant storytelling fueling his plans, Jack envisioned the day when he could finally return to the seas.

Meanwhile, King had returned from another successful voyage, his presence reestablishing the Beasts Pirates' dominance. As he ascended the stairs, he paused outside Yamato's room. Seeing it empty, he frowned.

"Where's Yamato? And what happened here?"

A subordinate stepped forward. "King-sama, Yamato is with Jack-sama in the kitchen. The room was just recently repaired after their... uh... fight."

King's eyes narrowed.

"Fight? Yamato isn't hurt, is she? Jack's as stubborn as an ox. He didn't go too far, did he?"

"No. In fact, Jack-sma and Yamato have become... quite close."

Suspicious, King made his way toward the dining hall. As he entered, a deep, magnetic voice reached his ears.

"And there stood he, perched on the edge of the cliff..."

Jack's narration ebbed and flowed with passion, his voice alternating between fiery conviction and mournful despair. Before he knew it, even King found himself drawn in.

It wasn't until Jack's tale reached Liu Bei's death that King snapped out of it, discreetly wiping at the corner of his eye as he left the room.

"Bang!" Jack slapped the table dramatically with his hand. "If you want to know what happens next, tune in for the next episode!"

As King exited, Jack quickly jumped up to follow.

"Sniff... sniff..."

"Brotherhood, bound by blood! If not born on the same day, then let us die together on the same day! Tragic... truly tragic!"

"The Five Generals... three gone already..."

Around the room, pirates were sprawled across tables, sobbing uncontrollably. Yamato, in particular, was inconsolable, tears streaming down her face. As soon as Jack left, she chased after him.

"Hey! You jerk! Why did you have to kill him? And why did they all have to die?!"

"Hey, don't pin this on me! I didn't write it!"

"Then who did? I'll kill whoever it is!"

"Fine, fine. Go cry somewhere else! Let go of me—I've got stuff to do!"

When Jack returned to his room, he found King lounging on the sofa, his eyes closed as if deep in thought.

"Hey, King! Next time you're going to barge into my room, at least let me know. I've been looking for you all day!"

King opened one eye lazily, his expression unreadable.

"Jack, where did you even hear those stories? Last I checked, you weren't exactly the scholarly type. Queen had to beat the lessons into you—literally."

Jack grabbed a water cup from the table, downing it in one gulp.

"Yeah, yeah. I've turned over a new leaf! Nowadays, when I'm not telling stories, I'm brushing up on culture. Pirates need to be cultured too, y'know. As for the stories... I dreamt them. Just made them up, really. I'm a kid! Kids have wild imaginations!"

King raised an eyebrow.

"Storytelling, huh?"

"Yeah! I call it 'commentary performance.' Anyway, King, if I manage to straighten out Yamato, can I join you on your next voyage? I'm going stir-crazy here!"

Jack clasped his hands together in mock pleading, his hulking frame utterly at odds with the cutesy gesture.

King stared at him, unimpressed, before standing up and planting a firm fist on Jack's head.

"OW! That hurts! King, you're bullying an eight-year-old! Do you even have a conscience?!"

"Eight?!" King snorted, digging his knuckles in harder. "You think an eight-year-old spends his days whining about wanting to go raiding? Finish 'straightening out' Yamato first. Then we'll talk."

As King turned to leave, he paused at the door.

"And Jack? Don't ever pull that childish crap on me again. It's... unsettling."

"Unsettling?!" Jack shouted after him. "Do you even realize how hurtful that is? I'm a kid! It's called being cute!"

Grumbling, Jack turned to the mirror, tried his "cute" pose one more time, and promptly gagged.

"Ugh, never mind. Guess I'll stick to educating Yamato. Once I'm done, it'll be smooth sailing!"

The next morning, Jack was rudely awakened by a commotion outside. Throwing open his door, he bellowed,

"Don't you people have any decency?! I'm dreaming about repairing pipes with Master...—!"

CLANG!

A spear zipped past his head, embedding itself in the doorframe.

"Name yourself!" Yamato bellowed, her eyes alight with fervor. "I do not kill the nameless!"

Jack stared at her—and the crying, bruised pirates scattered behind her—and muttered to himself:

"Yeah... I might've overdone it..."

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