บท 89: Not a Threat, But a Promise
With a firm nod, Jack moved to leap out of the ship, determination burning in his eyes. However, the Kuja Warriors who had accompanied Amelia and Shakky raised their bows. Their faces were steely as one of them declared, "No man is allowed on the island." The decree was final, their unyielding gaze matching their resolute words.
Jack's eyes met theirs, a storm brewing in the depths. "Move," he commanded, his voice thunderous. However, the warriors remained undeterred. "I said, no man is allowed," the woman repeated, her voice unwavering. Jack's gaze hardened further as he looked at her, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper, "I will find my Princess even if I have to raze this island to nothing. Move, or die." The threat hung in the air, chilling in its intensity.
One of the warriors scoffed, "Are you threatening us?" she asked, her voice incredulous. Jack's gaze was icy as he met hers, "I am promising you," he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Amelia stood behind Jack, her heart pounding in her chest. Her gaze darted between the immovable warriors and the unyielding man who stood his ground. She could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating.
Shakky watched the unfolding standoff with a practiced eye. The tension in the air was palpable, the looming confrontation a hair's breadth away from exploding. Her voice cut through the taut silence, a determined decree against the brewing storm. "Kuja Warriors," she began, her tone unwavering, "this is an extraordinary situation, and I decree that Jack is allowed on the island."
The warriors shifted, their gazes flickering to the aged pirate queen. With an almost reverent murmur, they knelt. "My Queen." Their conviction, however, was not easily swayed. "It is a tradition we have protected for centuries. How can we break it now?"
Shakky's expression hardened, her eyes flashing in annoyance. With a dismissive wave of her hand, she reiterated her command. "I said so, it will be so. Move." Bowing their heads in reluctant submission, the warriors shuffled aside, clearing the path.
Jack cast a brief glance of gratitude towards Shakky, his focus never straying far from his singular objective. With a swift movement, he leaped out of the ship, his figure a blur against the bright morning light. Hitting the sand, he barely paused to acknowledge his surroundings before releasing his Haki.
Yet the extended feelers of his consciousness returned nothing. Aria was not within his range. His heart clenched at the thought, but he quickly suppressed it. Now was not the time for panic. Emotions were hurdles, action would find Aria.
With a final glance at the ship, he started towards a direction, guided by an instinct honed over countless battles. He was no stranger to navigating his way through seemingly insurmountable odds. He was not a man who would be lost in emotions when he was needed. His steps were swift and purposeful, leaving no room for doubt or hesitation.
A rustle in the leaves overhead pulled Jack's attention upwards. Shakky descended gracefully from the treetops, landing with a lightness that belied her age. Her brows were furrowed, her lips a thin line, but she said nothing. She didn't need to. The two shared a mutual understanding, a silent conversation carried by their eyes alone. They were united in their mission, their concerns mirrored in each other's gaze.
Jack didn't pause in his search. His long legs moved swiftly, a blur as he leaped from one tree to the next. His keen eyes scanned the vast expanse, each small rustle or snap of twig drawing his attention. Even the gentlest brush of wind against leaf was not missed. Every few moments, he released pulses of his Haki, casting out an invisible net, hoping to catch any sign of his precious daughter.
Yet, with each failed attempt, the knot in his stomach grew tighter. An icy dread began to seep into his veins, slowly chipping away at his stony exterior. His heart pounded in his chest, each thud echoing Aria's name. He pushed away the creeping tendrils of despair, his gaze hardening. He wouldn't - couldn't - fail.
Ten agonizing minutes crawled by, and finally, a faint signature pinged in his Haki's range. Aria. Relief washed over him but it was short-lived as he sensed another presence. A boar, its malicious intent clear as it cornered his daughter. Panic welled up within him. He wasn't close enough. He needed to buy time.
Acting purely on instinct, he reached out to the bead's space, summoning Pacura. The giant panther materialized before him, a dark shadow under the dappled canopy. "Pacura, release your aura," he ordered, his voice low yet firm.
Without hesitation, Pacura complied. The air grew heavy as the panther exuded an aura so dreadful it was palpable. A wave of raw, primal fear washed over the island. Birds took flight in a flurry of feathers. Animals burrowed into their dens. The usual hum of the jungle was replaced by an eerie silence. The intimidating aura was like a dark cloud, casting a suffocating shroud over the island.
Caught in the direct path of Pacura's aura, the boar froze, its menacing demeanor wavering. Its bravado had dissipated, replaced by a primal fear. The carnivorous intent it held towards Aria was forgotten, replaced by a desperate need for self-preservation.
Shakky, who had been trailing Jack, found herself staring at Pacura in disbelief. She was no stranger to beasts, having lived a life on the seas and braved countless dangers. Yet, Pacura was different. Its aura was a crushing tide, a tempest of dread that demanded respect. A cold shiver ran down her spine. The panther was a terrifying creature, a beast that embodied raw, untamed power.
Meanwhile, Jack wasted no time. He was already on the move, his figure blurring as he sprinted through the dense undergrowth. The sight of the panther had rattled the boar, buying him precious time.
Shakky, shaken from her stupor, was quick to follow. Her heart pounded in sync with Jack's steady strides, the dreadful aura of the panther still prickling her senses.
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