Promise is a Promise

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His words echoed through the room, resonating with the collective consciousness of those present. There was no rebuttal, no argument against his logic, as everyone quietly acknowledged the truth of his statement.

With a final look at the Rumble Rumble Fruit resting on the table, he left the bead's pocket space, stepping into the open sky of Birka. The golden clouds spread out beneath his feet, a vast expanse of radiant beauty that left one breathless.

Navigating through the sea of clouds, he made his way towards Haredas's workshop. He'd left instructions with the elderly man to work on his dials, promising in return to find the fruit. He hoped that Haredas had taken his words to heart.

As he entered the workshop, he found Haredas engrossed in his work. The elderly man was working meticulously on shell-like constructs, each piece a testament to his years of knowledge and experience. Perched next to him was a boy with golden hair, not much older than eleven, intently observing Haredas's movements. Like Haredas, the boy lacked wings, a trait that set them apart from the Birkans.

Upon noticing Jack, Haredas looked up, a welcoming smile gracing his face. "Jack, this is my grandson, Enel. A sharp lad, he is. He'll be something in the future, mark my words!"

Jack's gaze shifted to Enel, his calm cerulean eyes assessing the boy. There was something about him that stood out, a spark of intelligence that reflected in his eyes. "A pleasure," Jack greeted, offering a brief nod of acknowledgement. Enel returned the gesture, his young eyes showing a flash of interest.

"So, gave up already?" Haredas asked with a mirthful smile, turning from his work to face Jack. "Or have you found it already?" His tone was clearly mocking; he had spent years trying to decipher his own notes to no avail, and he didn't think, even for a second, that Jack would be successful where he had failed.

Jack's response was a simple, knowing smirk. His hand moved inside his shirt, reaching for the Bead's space. Pulling out the Rumble Rumble Fruit, he presented it to the stunned Haredas. For a moment, the old man seemed to forget how to breathe, his eyes bulging in disbelief as he beheld the legendary fruit in Jack's hand. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, a shocked gasp escaping his lips.

"But... how...?" he stammered, his gaze never leaving the fruit.

Jack shrugged, a hint of amusement dancing in his cerulean eyes. "Your notes were more helpful than you thought."

Recovering from his initial shock, Haredas took a step towards Jack, his eyes squinting as he examined the fruit from a safe distance. His hands shook slightly, a clear sign of his contained excitement. The look on his face was one of awe, respect, and a touch of fear, mixed with a sense of disbelief. "This... This is the Rumble Rumble Fruit," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

Beside him, Enel looked on in confusion. "What's the Rumble Rumble Fruit?" he piped up, his gaze shifting between his grandfather and Jack.

Before Haredas could respond, Jack beat him to it. "It's a powerful fruit, kid. One that can control the skies and land beneath."

A sense of wonder filled Enel's eyes as he looked at the fruit, clearly intrigued by its power.

Haredas couldn't believe his eyes. He blinked rapidly, as if to banish an illusion, but the Rumble Rumble Fruit remained firmly in Jack's hand. His gaze shifted from the fruit to Jack, and back to the fruit again, his mind racing to comprehend what was happening.

"You... you're giving this to me?" he stuttered, his eyes wide with disbelief. His hands, still slightly shaking, hovered uncertainly in the air, as if he were afraid to even touch the legendary fruit. "But, Jack, do you know what this is? This fruit... it has the power of a God!"

Jack's expression didn't falter. He merely nodded, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. "I'm aware, Haredas," he said in a calm tone. His gaze was steady, not betraying the gravity of what he was doing.

"But, Jack..." Haredas started again, his voice filled with confusion and disbelief. "Why would you...?"

Jack interrupted him gently. "Because I made a promise. Your notes led me to this. I wouldn't have found it without your help." His voice was firm, putting an end to any further questions. His cerulean eyes held a conviction that silenced the room.

Haredas was visibly moved by Jack's words. He glanced at the Rumble Rumble Fruit again, his mind still struggling to reconcile with the reality. The fruit was real, the power was real, and yet, here was Jack, handing it over as easily as if it were a simple trinket.

"Thank you, Jack," he finally said, his voice choked with emotion. "You truly are a man of your word."

The moment was interrupted by a small voice. "Grandpa, I want that fruit," Enel said, his golden eyes wide with wonder as he stared at the Rumble Rumble Fruit. There was a look of longing on his face, a desire for the unimaginable power it held.

Haredas turned to his grandson, his eyes softening at the innocent request. He knelt down, looking Enel in the eye. "Enel, this is not a fruit to be taken lightly," he said gently. "Its power is immense. It's not something one can simply 'want'."

Enel didn't seem convinced. He looked from his grandfather to Jack, his puppy eyes brimming with a silent plea. But before he could say anything further, Haredas spoke again. "The reason I searched for this fruit for years, my boy, was to use it for my research. The Weatheria needs this. I've been away from my work for too long, and it's time I return."

Enel's face fell at his grandfather's words, but he didn't protest. Jack watched the exchange quietly, a thoughtful expression on his face. He turned to leave, but not before he ruffled Enel's hair affectionately. "Take care, kid."

As Jack left the workshop, Haredas watched him go, his mind reeling from the events of the day. His gaze lingered on the spot where Jack had stood, a mixture of awe and respect filling his eyes. He turned to look at the Rumble Rumble Fruit again, its vibrant blue hue shimmering under the soft light of the workshop.

"You are a rare man, Jack," he muttered to himself, a wistful smile on his face. The weight of the fruit in his hands felt heavy, a physical representation of the trust that Jack had placed in him. He knew he wouldn't let him down.

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