Standing at the door, Jack's Observation Haki had already sensed the person behind it. However, his Haki was not fully activated, so he didn't detect Robin upstairs; otherwise, the sudden disappearance of a person in his Observation Haki would definitely have alerted him.
"Looks like they're trying to escape!"
Jack was about to break down the door but stopped because the person behind the door returned after a while.
Click...
James opened the door and looked at the huge man outside. Honestly, James had initially planned to escape, but he reconsidered. Knowing Jack's temper, if Jack wanted to harm him, James would have died in his sleep long ago. Why would he politely knock on the door then?
So after sending Robin away, James decided to stay and see why Jack wanted to find him.
"Hello, who are you? What do you want from me?"
James tried to hide his expression, showing the wary look a stranger should have. But Jack didn't care about his words and grabbed James, comparing him to a photo in his hand.
"That's right, it's you. Come with me to meet my captain!"
After saying that, Jack squeezed him hard, and James felt dizzy and fainted...
When James woke up, he found himself tightly bound. Not only his hands but also his feet were tied with multiple layers of ropes, leaving no chance to escape.
The sound of waves and occasional seagulls came to his ears, relaxing him a bit.
Looking around, it was a simple cabin with a bed, a table, and two chairs—nothing else. Where was Drought Jack? Why did he leave James here?
James decided to first understand the situation before making further plans. He wanted to know why Jack kidnapped him and who this "captain" was that wanted to meet him. Had Jack already joined Kaido in this era? Was it Kaido who wanted to see him? What connection did James have with Kaido?
During the journey, Jack showed no intention to give James any breaks—twenty-four hours a day, James was tied up. But aside from that, Jack didn't mistreat him. However, every mealtime felt strange to James...
For example, now, the big man was feeding James by blowing on the food with one hand holding a bowl and the other a spoon. James really wanted to complain: even if you're so gentle, I still can't eat! Find a normal girl to feed me!
But that was just wishful thinking. Jack was too cautious, leaving no room for escape. He personally fed James, and even when James needed to use the toilet, Jack pulled down his pants, grabbed him by the neck, and carried him outside the ship's railing to let him "freely fly" in the biting sea wind...
After a few times, James accepted his fate. Being tied up was one thing, but whenever Jack left his sight, he tied James to the mast. Outside on the deck, besides Jack, several crew members handled the ship. James didn't understand why Jack needed to watch him when using the bathroom. Oh well, on this ship, any man would be the same.
Being kidnapped meant the kidnappers didn't want to kill him, so James wasn't too panicked. After ten days of enduring, the ship passed through a coating and crossed Fishman Island, arriving at a small island in the New World.
James hadn't even gotten off the ship before he was shocked by a huge black figure outside.
Beast Kaido!
Drought Jack seemed tiny like a child before Kaido's towering, sky-shadowing body. James could only describe Kaido in two words: War God!
"Waffle James?" Kaido stood by the ship and looked at James tied to the mast.
"Captain Kaido, I'm James. May I ask what business you have with me?" James wasn't very familiar with Kaido since the anime didn't feature him much. As for Kaido jumping from Sky Island to commit suicide, James believed Kaido was testing his Haki strength. If he truly wanted to die, why not jump into volcanic lava? Drink molten lava, bury his nose in it, block his lungs—wouldn't that kill him?
The more ambitious a person is, the more they cherish their life!
This was James's life philosophy after many years.
Kaido didn't answer James but stared at him for a while and then told Jack: "Untie him."
Then Kaido turned to James: "Don't think about escaping, because you have only one chance! Either I kill you while you try to run or I will hunt you down later. So if you want to run, cherish this one chance!"
After the threat, Kaido continued: "There will be a banquet prepared for you tonight. Go to your room and get ready. We'll talk tonight!"
Damn! Why not just say everything at once? Teasing like this is really unethical!
After finishing, Kaido turned and left. Jack took a small curved knife and cut the ropes binding James.
"Come on, I'll arrange a room for you. From now on, I don't need to watch you to prevent escape. You're free to stay or leave."
James swallowed a curse and sadly said, "Fine, I won't run. I want to live a few more years."
Jack gave James a mysterious smile that left him puzzled. James didn't ask more and followed Jack into what seemed to be an island occupied by Kaido.
The island's scenery was a bit different from what James imagined. At the center was a medium-sized town, roughly the size of Nami's Windmill Village. There were vendors selling ocean specialties on the roadside and many restaurants emitting delicious smells. Children played and chased each other on the streets. Adults didn't hide from Jack but looked at him with admiration. The whole town felt—James chose a word—vibrant!
It seemed Kaido took good care of his territory!
James could leave anytime but considering Kaido's final threat, James didn't want to spend the rest of his life being targeted by such a madman. He needed to figure out Kaido's intentions first.
Jack led James to a huge building in the town center. James felt like he had entered a giant's kingdom! The giant door was ten meters tall, and inside, the buildings were even more exaggerated!