Kapitel 129: Hidden Passage
As days turned into weeks, the tranquil surroundings of Spring Island became a new kind of home for Jack and his family. They thrived on the island's abundant resources, feasting on native fruits and freshly caught fish, and exploring the untouched expanse of forests and waterways.
On this particular day, they had returned to the very lake that welcomed them on their first visit to the island. Lysa, their local guide, accompanied them. Jack, his eyes a placid shade of blue, took the lead as they walked through the forest.
When they arrived at the waterfall, its cascading water as inviting as ever, they ventured behind it to the cave they had discovered earlier. While the others settled in, Jack separated himself for a moment.
"I'm going to train for a bit," he announced.
"You're always so diligent, aren't you?" Lysa noted, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to read him. His face remained inscrutable, but there was a hint of appreciation in his gaze.
Jack moved to an isolated corner of the cave, focusing his energy on mastering the art of Haki. Over the past few days, he'd begun to grasp the basics of flowing Haki. Although still far from mastery, he'd noticed some improvement. Standing there, eyes closed, he felt the energy coursing through him.
Suddenly, he felt a pull. Opening his eyes, they flashed a deeper blue, almost storm-like. His Haki was reacting to something. His eyes scanned the surroundings and then locked onto a peculiar stone formation within the cave. Walking over, he examined it closely.
Lysa noticed Jack's movements and floated over to him. "Something on your mind?"
"This rock formation—it's odd. It's almost as if it's resonating with my Haki," Jack mused, his eyes returning to their calm blue hue.
"Interesting. Could be worth investigating," she said.
"Another time," Jack replied. For now, he wanted to focus on his family, who were scattered around the cave, enjoying their peaceful day out.
Robin was gleefully floating over the shallow parts of the lake, her laughter filling the air.
"Little One, be careful," Jack called out to her, not able to conceal the subtle paternal tone in his voice.
Robin looked over and giggled, "I will, Daddy!"
Jack left the mystical allure of the stone formation behind and walked toward another scene that captured his heart in a different way: Aria was guiding Hancock through the water, teaching her the basics of swimming. Nearby, Maria and Sonia splashed around with their arm floats, their giggles creating a symphony of childhood joy.
Aria had her arm around Hancock, demonstrating the gentle motions needed to glide through the water. Her instructions were patient, and her eyes never left Hancock's face, ensuring she was comfortable and understood each step.
Jack couldn't help but feel proud. His six-year-old daughter had an innate sense of responsibility, always looking out for others. Her leadership was as natural as the lake's crystal-clear waters, and it made him feel that she was growing up too fast, yet wonderfully so.
"Aria, you're doing a great job," Jack called out, his eyes still the calm blue that often hid the complexities of his thoughts.
Aria looked over at him and beamed. "Thanks, Daddy!"
The others in the family were enjoying their day in their own ways. Liana, Luna, and Sophie were engrossed in a lively discussion as they watched the children play, while Ponis and Shakky sat at the edge of the lake, their feet playfully skimming the water's surface.
After a while, Jack felt a renewed pull from the enigmatic stone that seemed to beckon his Haki. The sensation was hard to ignore, even as he basked in the laughter and joy of his family around him. Giving them a final glance, he made his way back to the stone.
Shakky noticed his movement and rose to her feet, curiosity flashing in her eyes. Lysa, too, drifted close by, clearly interested. Jack reached out and touched the stone, focusing his mind on his flowing Haki as it surged toward his arm.
The moment his hand made contact, it was as though a vortex had formed beneath his skin, hungrily drawing in all his Haki. The speed at which this happened alarmed him. The stone wasn't just resonating; it was devouring his energy. Realizing that letting it continue could be dangerous, he acted swiftly.
Summoning his consciousness to the Bead inside him, he reached into the Pocket Space where he was keeping prisoners. Tapping into their life force, he began to replenish his own. He felt his strength grow incrementally, his Haki densifying in a way he had never experienced before.
The process took almost an hour, during which Jack had to replenish his energy at least twenty times the usual amount. If not for the Bead within him and the life force stored in its Pocket Space, the consequences would've been dire. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the stone started to hum to life and gears embedded within it began to move.
The rest of the family, noticing the commotion, approached the scene. Aria's eyes twinkled with pride as she exclaimed, "Daddy, you figured it out!"
Jack smiled and ruffled her hair, earning himself a playful slap on the arm. "Don't, Daddy, you're scattering the water."
Lysa floated over, her face a canvas of pure excitement. "For centuries, this cave was a mystery to our tribe. And now, it's finally opened."
Jack nodded, acknowledging her statement but his eyes were still on the now-active stone formation. His Haki seemed to have activated something ancient, something powerful.
Shakky drifted over, her curiosity palpable. "Seems like you've awakened something old and important," she mused, her eyes lingering on the humming stone.
The stone had stopped devouring energy and instead seemed to vibrate gently, as if breathing. Gears locked into place and suddenly a portion of the cave wall shifted, revealing a hidden passage.
Lysa's eyes widened. "A secret passage, in our own sacred cave! This is extraordinary!"
"Are we going in, Daddy?" Aria asked, her voice tinged with both anticipation and a hint of awe.
"In a moment, Princess," Jack responded, his eyes a calm blue but with an undertone that hinted at unspoken complexities. "First, we need to ensure it's safe."
With a wave of his hand, Jack sent a pulse of Haki into the passage. It traveled through the darkness, mapping out the contours of this newfound extension of the cave.
Satisfied that it was safe, at least for a short distance, he finally spoke. "Alright, let's go see what secrets this cave holds."
His family needed no further encouragement. Floating and splashing, they eagerly followed Jack as he led them into the unknown, their laughter and chatter filling the air, in stark contrast to the solemnity of the ancient passage that awaited them.
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