Vegapunk

Understanding Jack's train of thoughts, Lysander gasped. Jack was looking to temper himself through a trial of life and death. Before he could stop him, Jack took a step forward, then waited, seemingly expecting something to happen. But it didn't.

Lysander watched, his heart in his throat as Jack continued forward. With every step, he expected the ground to give way, but it remained solid beneath Jack's feet. He could see the concentration etched onto Jack's face, the slight furrow in his brow indicating the immense effort he was putting into honing his Haki.

After a few tense moments, Jack paused, his eyes closing as he took a deep breath. Lysander could tell he was trying to tap into that elusive level of Observation Haki, attempting to predict the location of the traps before he stepped on them.

As Jack continued forward, his steps grew more confident. Lysander watched, amazed at the transformation occurring before his eyes. It was clear that Jack was starting to get a feel for the traps, avoiding them with a precision that seemed almost supernatural.

But it wasn't without its close calls. Several times, Jack's foot hovered over a trap, only to pull back at the last moment, his face set in grim determination. Lysander could see the sweat forming on his forehead, a testament to the immense strain he was putting on his body.

"Be careful," Lysander called out, his voice tight with concern. He knew that one misstep could be fatal, and he couldn't help but worry for Jack's safety.

Jack nodded, acknowledging Lysander's warning without breaking his concentration. He continued forward, his senses heightened as he navigated through the minefield of traps.

As he made his way through the deadly terrain, Jack could feel something clicking into place within him. The whispers of the future were growing louder, clearer. He could sense the traps before he stepped on them, avoiding them with a grace that belied the danger surrounding him.

Lysander watched in awe as Jack moved through the Abyssal Traps with ease. It was as if he had tapped into a new level of Haki, predicting the future with an accuracy that was almost scary. He had heard tales of Haki masters who could see into the future, but to witness it firsthand was something else entirely.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Jack reached the other side of the field, his body trembling from the exertion. He had made it through unscathed, but the effort had taken its toll on him.

Following Jack's careful path, ensuring not to deviate a single step lest he activated any of the hidden traps, Lysander quickly made his way to Jack's side. He noticed Jack's body trembling from the exertion, evidence of the immense strain he had just put himself through.

"You made it," Lysander stated, his tone carrying a mix of relief and admiration. "But we're not out of the woods yet. We need to find a way out of here and fast."

Jack nodded, his breathing heavy as he tried to regain his composure. "I know," he said, his voice steady despite the fatigue. "But we've come too far to turn back now. We need to keep moving.

Lysander's gaze intensified, settling on a distant whirlwind that pierced the horizon. The sight of the Aether Vortex instilled a feeling of unease, its towering presence dominating the landscape. An enormous spiral of air, the vortex appeared as a translucent column reaching high into the sky. As they observed, debris and rubble were drawn towards it, ascending in a violent dance before being thrown outward with such force that even from this distance, the raw power was palpable.

"We can't beat that with sheer determination alone," Lysander said, his voice heavy with caution. "The Aether Vortex is the island's ultimate line of defense."

Jack's piercing blue eyes never wavered from the scene ahead. "Then why did you lead us here?" His tone was more inquisitive than confrontational.

Lysander's shoulders dropped slightly. "I'd hoped that Caesar wouldn't have the authority to set it in motion. Even I don't."

As Jack weighed the scene before him, a sudden voice interrupted their contemplation. "What's happening here?"

The man who now joined them was no ordinary individual. His head was disproportionately large, making up a significant portion of his height, yet it did nothing to diminish his imposing presence. Dark locks of hair spilled down, partially obscuring his face. Dressed in a worn leather jacket over a simple shirt, with dark pants and dress shoes completing his ensemble, he exuded an air of quiet authority. The presence of a belt around his waist suggested practicality, adding an extra layer to his enigmatic persona.

Lysander's reaction was immediate and far from welcoming. His eyebrows knit together in a frown as he recognized the man, "Vegapunk." His tone held a mix of surprise and caution, reflecting the uncertainty of the situation.

Vegapunk's gaze swiftly took in the scene, and within moments, his brilliant mind had pieced together the ongoing chaos. His eyes narrowed, and turning to Caesar, he demanded, "What is the meaning of this, Caesar?"

Caesar, caught off guard and clearly troubled, responded with defiance, "Shut up! I am done with you acting like you are better than me. Tonight, I will complete my experiment and become the best scientist in the world."

A hint of sadness flashed across Vegapunk's face, quickly replaced by determination. Without hesitation, he pressed a button, deactivating the Aether Vortex. The atmosphere around them changed instantly, the palpable tension from the vortex dissipating.

Jack and Lysander, seizing the opportunity, positioned themselves firmly beside Vegapunk, presenting a united front against Caesar. Jack's eyes, now a deep, angry blue, bore into Caesar, "You will not hurt any of those children," he hissed, his voice laced with an intensity that left no room for argument.

Vegapunk, assessing the situation, realized that Jack's presence here was not a mere coincidence. The young man's protective stance and the anger in his eyes were all the clues he needed to deduce that Caesar had indeed stooped to a new low – kidnapping children for his twisted experiments.

----

Read 45(15 chapters for each novel) advanced chapters in my Patreon!

patreon.com/IWriteFanfic