As Jack began to tell his story to his crewmates, everyone on board listened carefully, making sure not to miss even a single word.
Each member of the crew held Jack in the highest regard, not only as their captain but as someone they truly respected.
For them, it did not matter who Jack was or where he came from, as long as he was the man they chose to follow.
That kind of quiet acceptance made them all not just loyal subordinates, but genuine companions.
Jack continued to explain his origin, speaking about his father and his bloodline, which caused the crew to understand where Jack's immense strength came from despite his young age.
"So, you're saying that you're the son of Rocks D. Xebec, and a descendant of a race called the Davy Clan?" Aramaki asked, wanting to confirm that he had heard correctly.
"Yes, that's right," Jack replied plainly, his tone steady.
Aramaki frowned slightly, leaning back as he thought about what Jack had just revealed. "Why did you wait all these years to tell me?" he asked. Aramaki had known Jack the longest among the crew.
They had been through countless battles together, and although Aramaki never doubted Jack, he couldn't help but feel a small sting of resentment that his closest friend had kept something this significant from him.
Jack looked at him with calm eyes before answering, "It wasn't a secret I wanted to burden you with. If this secret leaks out, being close to someone like me could easily make you a target of the World Government. Even a simple association would put you under their watch."
Laffitte, who had been quietly listening while idly tapping his cane, then asked, "So why decide to tell us now, Captain?"
Jack paused for a moment, then said, "Maybe because of what I've seen from all of you. Your strength, your loyalty, your consistency. Over time, I realized that I've been sailing with the right people, and I trust you with things I wouldn't trust anyone else."
He gave a short chuckle before adding, "And besides, you've all been asking me why I never sleep. So, I guess it's about time I give you the real reason." His tone was casual, but his words carried a weight that made the crew exchange looks of curiosity. Jack's strange inability—or refusal—to sleep had always been something they wondered about.
"So, any abilities tied to your lineage that we should know about? Other than the ones you've mentioned before?" Aramaki asked, now calmer, accepting the explanation Jack had given for his secrecy and genuinely wanting to understand more.
Jack leaned back slightly. "My mother once told me that my father claimed to have the ability to eat two Devil Fruits, but I don't know if that's true. And honestly, I don't intend to find out anytime soon," he said. His voice was even, but his words immediately sent a ripple of shock across the table.
Aramaki's eyes widened. "Wait, are you serious?" he asked quickly.
Jack nodded. "As serious as I can be."
"That's insane," Club said, shaking his head in disbelief. "No wonder the World Government wanted your entire clan erased. Someone with two Devil Fruits would be almost impossible to stop." B and Cricket nodded quietly in agreement, while Issho simply listened, his calm demeanor unchanged.
"Hard to believe," Cricket said with a small laugh, "that my ancestor, who was branded a liar, doesn't even compare to yours."
The rest of the crew laughed lightly, easing the tension that had built up. Jack smiled faintly, glad to see them take it in stride.
"Still," Jack said, his tone becoming firm, "this is something I'm asking all of you to keep to yourselves. You've heard it, and I trust you, but it's not a story meant for others. Understood?" His words were calm, but every man in the room could feel the weight behind them. One by one, they all nodded in agreement, silently vowing to keep his secret safe.
Their conversation continued, with the crew asking smaller questions about Jack's childhood, about the Davy Clan, and about what he remembered.
Jack answered what he could, though much of it was unclear even to him. He had not grown up among his people, and many parts of his heritage were mysteries he was still trying to understand.
Later that day, when the ship had quieted down, Jack sat in his quarters, meditating in silence. A soft knock came from the door. Jack told the visitor to come in, and it turned out to be Aramaki. Without saying a word, Aramaki entered and sat beside him, also closing his eyes to meditate.
They remained there for a long time, not speaking, letting the silence fill the room. Jack knew exactly what this meant.
Aramaki wasn't someone good with words. He found it difficult to express himself directly, and usually avoided conversations about emotions or trust.
So when he chose to sit quietly beside someone, it was his way of saying what he couldn't say out loud. Jack understood that better than anyone.
After what felt like hours, Aramaki finally spoke, his voice low but firm. "Don't worry. I won't let your secret leak out."
Jack opened his eyes slightly, glancing at his friend. "I know," he said softly. "And… I'm sorry for not telling you earlier."
Aramaki smiled faintly, shaking his head. "It's fine. You did what you had to do. I get it."
The two of them fell back into silence, the kind of silence that didn't need to be broken, because it already said enough.
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Weeks had passed since Jack revealed his true nature to the crew, and life aboard the Wicked Wench gradually returned to its usual rhythm.
Yet, there was one clear difference that no one could miss. Every member of the crew had grown more eager to train, more determined to improve themselves than ever before.
What once felt like routine sparring now turned into a daily challenge, something that pushed them far beyond their previous limits.
Aramaki naturally took the lead in organizing these extra training sessions. His strong sense of discipline and familiarity with Jack's fighting style made him the most suitable to guide the others.
B, Laffitte, Club, Issho, and Cricket all followed him, each bringing their own energy and techniques into the mix.
The deck was filled with the sound of clashing weapons, grunts of effort, and bursts of laughter when someone was caught off guard.
No one complained about the added intensity. Even Issho, who had taken the role of their instructor, seemed more focused than usual.
His experience as a former soldier—and possibly even as a high-ranking officer—gave him a deep understanding of combat and endurance.
Under his direction, the crew moved with greater coordination and precision, learning how to balance raw strength with discipline.
From a short distance, Jack observed them quietly, leaning against the railing of the ship. A faint smile appeared on his face as he watched his crew push themselves harder each day.
In that moment, Jack was reminded once again that he had chosen the right people to stand beside him.
They weren't just followers—they were his comrades, his equals in spirit and resolve.
Eventually, Jack decided to join them. He stepped onto the training area, cracking his neck slightly as everyone turned to face him.
Without needing to say anything, the crew understood what was about to happen. They all charged at him together, forming a circle around their captain.
This time, however, things were different. Where Jack once easily overpowered them all, he now found himself being pushed back.
Their movements were sharper, their teamwork tighter, and their strikes carried real weight.
For the first time in a long while, Jack was the one under pressure, forced to block and counter against the combined strength of his crew.
As the spar continued, Jack couldn't help but grin. Every exchange, every clash of blades and fists, showed him how much they had grown.
Their efforts were genuine, their spirits unbroken.
And deep down, Jack knew that this was exactly what he had hoped for—the kind of growth that only true trust and camaraderie could bring.
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A/N: THANK YOU FOR RYAN AND WOLFTEAM THAT SUPPORTED ME ON KO-FI, IT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, AND FOR THOSE THAT WANTED TO SUPPORT ME JUST BECAUSE, HERE'S MY KO-FI ACCOUNT.
https://ko-fi.com/b0b0kaba
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN.