Auction House
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As the family revelled in the joys of Sabaody Park, a ripple of tension suddenly passed through Jack. His observant eyes narrowed slightly, the mirth in them evaporating to be replaced by a guarded intensity. His heart beat with a pulsing rhythm, resonating with the powerful pull of the Beads Sensing Enhancements amplifying his Observation Haki.
"Excuse me," he said, interrupting the conversation between Amelia and Liana. His voice was quiet, its serious tone immediately grabbing their attention.
"What is it, Jack?" Amelia asked, her smile faltering as she registered the change in his demeanor.
"Stay here. Keep the girls with you," he instructed firmly, his gaze now focused on a group of men loitering just outside the park. They were inconspicuous enough in their faded clothes and slouched postures, but their grins were too smug, their eyes lingering too long on Aria and Robin.
Jack didn't hesitate. "I'll be back soon." His words were a promise, his demeanor steady despite the situation. He moved to his family, whispering a few words of reassurance to each one of them before sending them into the safety of the bead. The only exception was Aria, who received a gentle kiss on the forehead and a whispered promise that everything would be alright.
Once his family was safely tucked away, Jack made his way towards the group of thugs. As he approached them, his presence was like the calm before a storm. The air grew thick with tension, the smiles on the men's faces faltering as they took in his serious expression and the steady rhythm of his approaching footsteps. He came to a stop a few feet away from the group, his calm blue eyes now a tempestuous deep blue.
"What do you want?" the leader of the group sneered, trying to assert some dominance over the situation.
"Nothing," Jack replied in a voice like quiet thunder. "I just want to enjoy a peaceful day with my family. You, however, seem to have other plans."
His words hung in the air between them, the underlying threat clear. The leader scoffed, his bravado not quite hiding the flicker of unease in his eyes.
"We just wanted to have a little fun with those cute kids of yours," the thug stated defiantly.
The storm in Jack's eyes grew, his calmness giving way to anger. "That," he said, his voice sharp, "will not be happening."
What followed was a blur of movement. Jack moved with lethal precision, his fists connecting with the thugs in rapid succession. The men didn't stand a chance. One by one, they crumpled to the ground, their smug smiles replaced with expressions of pain and surprise.
With each man incapacitated, Jack summoned the force of his Bodily Refinement Bead, banishing them to the secluded prison deep within the bead's forest. Each man fell onto the forest floor, groaning in pain and confusion. The low growls of the beasts prowling the woods seemed to swell with anticipation. Jack could hear their hunger, their instinctive thrill at the scent of new prey.
Leaving the park, he slipped into a narrow alleyway where he hoped his actions would remain unnoticed. The bustle of Sabaody, its shimmering bubbles and playful laughter, felt worlds away as he vanished from sight, reappearing within the tranquil Bead Space. The growls and roars of the animals within the forest had grown louder, the promise of a meal stirring their predatory instincts.
Walking into the open doors of the prison, Jack surveyed his captives. They were a motley crew, clad in faded clothes, and emanating an unpleasant odor. Their faces were contorted in pain, their bodies bruised and battered from his fists. Their postures reflected their confusion and fear; some trying to stand tall, but the majority had their heads bowed, avoiding his gaze.
"Tell me about the Golden Lions." His words were calm, his voice smooth, but the underlying intensity could not be mistaken.
The men shared uneasy glances. None spoke. The forest around them felt heavy with suspense, the animals' roars tapering off to a tense silence, as if they too were waiting for the answer.
"The... what?" One of the thugs finally stammered, a visible bead of sweat trailing down his cheek. The man was tall and lanky, his eyes darting nervously.
"Don't play dumb. The Golden Lions. I know you're connected to them," Jack replied, his calm demeanor unchanging.
Two years ago, Sophie was taken from them. The kidnappers were local thugs in the West Blue, but their actions were tied to a wider, nefarious organization – the Golden Lions. They operated mainly in the Grand Line, weaving a web of criminal activities that extended beyond human trafficking. Jack had spent two relentless years gathering funds, following leads, and finally purchasing Sophie's freedom. His search for the Golden Lions had led him to Sabaody, but the trail had grown cold. These men, he hoped, could provide the missing link.
"Why should we tell you anything?" One of the braver men sneered, his gaze defiant despite the bloodied state of his face. Jack's cold gaze met his, a spark of anger flickering in his deep blue eyes.
"Because I am your only chance at survival. If you refuse, I will leave you here, in this forest, to the mercy of the beasts," Jack replied, gesturing to the woods surrounding them. A deep growl echoed in the silence, emphasizing his point. "Your choice."
It didn't take long for the defiant man's bravery to crumble. He glanced around at his companions, at the encircling forest, and the lurking predators. His face paled, and he dropped his gaze. "Okay, okay. The Golden Lions, they're... they're a big group. We're just small fry, they use us to scout, collect information, sometimes to do their dirty work. They have bases all over Grand Line but their main headquarters..."
"It is on Island #1, where the Human Auctioning House is," another thug finally piped up, finishing the sentence his companion had started. His eyes were wide, his voice shaky. The severity of the situation was not lost on him.
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