Chapter 10:The Rescue

Jason and Shakuyaku moved cautiously through the darkened warehouse, their hearts racing as they approached the source of the faint cries they had been following. Deep in the shadows, they found a cage filled with young girls, all huddled together in fear. The sight tugged at Jason's heart, but his focus was drawn to the three girls at the center, who, despite their fear, had a strength in their eyes that stood out.

"There they are," Jason whispered to Shakuyaku, recognizing the girls as the future Boa sisters from Amazon Lily.

Shakuyaku approached the cage, her face softening as she knelt down in front of the trembling girls. "Don't be afraid. We're here to help you," she said in a soothing tone, her hands reaching through the bars to offer comfort.

The girls looked up at her, wide-eyed and unsure at first. But something in Shakuyaku's voice and her presence calmed them, and slowly, the fear in their eyes began to fade. The oldest girl, Boa Hancock, glanced cautiously between Shakuyaku and Jason, sensing that they weren't like the cruel slavers who had captured them.

Shakuyaku's voice softened further. "We're going to get you out of here. You don't need to be afraid anymore."

Jason, meanwhile, noticed a small chest sitting in the corner of the warehouse. His curiosity piqued, he moved toward it, silently opening the lid. His breath caught as he saw what lay inside—three Devil Fruits, each one radiating an aura of power. Even without touching them, Jason knew what they were: the Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Anaconda, the Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: King Cobra, and the Mero Mero no Mi, the Love-Love Fruit.

He paused, weighing his options. His system suddenly sprang to life with a notification:

[System Notification]: Treasures Detected!

Do you want to store the following items in your System Treasury?

Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: AnacondaHebi Hebi no Mi, Model: King CobraMero Mero no MiJason quickly clicked "Store," and the fruits vanished from the chest, disappearing into his system's treasury. He gave a small sigh of relief, knowing the fruits were now safely hidden away. He turned back to Shakuyaku and the girls, keeping this discovery to himself. There were more pressing matters at hand.

Walking over to the cage, Jason gave the girls a warm smile, hoping to reassure them. The youngest, Sandersonia, peered at him curiously, while the oldest, Hancock, blushed slightly when their eyes met. Jason's heart stirred with compassion for the three sisters, knowing what they had gone through but also aware of the strength they would develop in the future.

"We'll get you out of here," Jason said gently, his voice steady despite the chaos they were in. "You're going to be safe now."

Shakuyaku use Haki on her, using it to cut through the collars that had bound the girls in captivity. One by one, the collars fell away, clattering to the floor as the girls rubbed their necks, finally free from the oppressive restraints.

Shakuyaku stood up, her eyes scanning the warehouse warily. "We need to move fast," she said urgently. "The guards will be back any minute."

Jason nodded, stepping forward to help the girls out of the cage. Hancock, Marigold, and Sandersonia stood shakily but managed to follow Shakuyaku and Jason toward the exit. Their steps were unsteady, but there was a growing determination in their eyes, especially in Hancock's. She looked back briefly at the cage that had confined them, then forward, toward freedom.

As they hurried toward the door, Jason's mind raced. They had to get out of here quickly before anyone noticed. Once they reached the exit, Shakuyaku paused, scanning the area outside for any signs of danger. The night was quiet, but tension hung in the air like a heavy mist.

"We'll go back to the bar," Shakuyaku said firmly. "It's the safest place for now."

Jason kept a close eye on the surroundings as they hurried through the shadows, his senses heightened. The girls followed closely, their eyes darting nervously at every sound. Jason felt a deep sense of responsibility for them, and he knew they couldn't afford any mistakes.

As they approached Shakuyaku's bar, the familiar sight of the warm lights glowing through the windows brought a sense of relief. It was a stark contrast to the cold, dark warehouse they had just escaped. For the first time since they started the rescue, Jason allowed himself to relax just a little.

They entered the bar, and Shakuyaku quickly locked the door behind them. The girls looked around the room with wide eyes, taking in the strange new environment. For now, they were safe.

"You're safe here," Shakuyaku reassured them, guiding them toward a seat. "You can rest now."

Jason stood by, watching as the tension in the girls' faces slowly melted away. They were free, but he knew their journey was far from over. He gave them a reassuring smile, and Hancock, still blushing slightly, met his gaze with a look of gratitude.

The sense of accomplishment filled Jason, knowing that they had succeeded in rescuing the girls from a terrible fate. Yet, deep inside, he knew that this was just the beginning. There were more dangers ahead, and as long as he was with Shakuyaku and Rayleigh, and now the Boa sisters, he was determined to protect those he cared about.

Shakuyaku stood beside him, her eyes softened as she looked at the girls. "We did well today," she said quietly to Jason, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. "But we should prepare. This world isn't going to get any easier."

Jason nodded, understanding her words. He knew the weight of the journey that lay ahead, but he also knew that with the bonds they were forming, they could face whatever challenges the future held. Together.