One piece: The great Jack sparrow

Chapter 11: The Rising Island (Part 2)

As Jack, Elena, and the Marines ventured deeper into the dense jungle of Raiyō Island, the atmosphere grew tenser. The encounter with the stone golem had left them on edge, their nerves frayed and their eyes scanning the foliage for any further dangers. Jack, however, couldn't resist trying to lighten the mood.

"Y'know," Jack said, grinning, "I've always dreamed of walkin' around in a jungle full of creatures that want to kill me. Really, a lifelong dream come true."

None of the Marines responded, their focus entirely on the unknown dangers around them. Even Elena seemed lost in thought, her mind undoubtedly absorbed by the island's mysteries.

"Well, tough crowd," Jack muttered to himself, rolling his eyes.

Suddenly, they came upon a massive stone wall, its surface covered in intricate carvings. Elena immediately rushed toward it, her fingers brushing the ancient markings.

"This wall must be part of the island's main structure," she said, excitement in her voice. "If we follow it around, we might find the entrance."

Orion nodded. "Agreed. Men, move out! Keep your eyes peeled for any more surprises."

Jack sighed, shaking his head. "More walking, just what I needed." He muttered under his breath, "There better be a treasure behind all this, or I'm out."

Elena, overhearing him, turned and narrowed her eyes. "Is treasure all you care about, Jack?"

Jack's expression hardened, his patience thinning. "I'm a pirate, Elena. Riches and wealth—that's what I'm supposed to care about."

Elena stood her ground, unshaken. "You don't realize the importance of this place. Raiyō Island could be one of the few remaining structures from the Void Century. We could finally uncover the truth about that lost history. That's something worth far more than treasure."

Jack laughed, loud and sharp. "Old history? No one but you cares about that nonsense. Look around you, Elena," he said, gesturing to the Marines. "They're all here for the treasure or that so-called Black Pearl. Not for your history lessons."

Elena glanced around, noticing the greedy, hungry expressions on the Marines' faces. Her shoulders slumped slightly, but she kept her resolve. "Maybe you're right about them, but not everyone sees things the way you do, Jack."

Before Jack could respond, Orion suddenly held up his hand, signaling for everyone to stop. They had come upon a massive metal gate, towering over them with an ominous presence.

"Well, there it is," Jack said, sounding bored. "The entrance. Let's get this over with." Without waiting for anyone, he strode toward the gate, hand outstretched.

"Jack, wait!" Elena called out, her voice tinged with warning.

But it was too late—just as Jack's fingers were about to touch the gate, his Observation Haki flared, sensing immediate danger. His eyes widened, and in an instant, he leaped back just as a massive black snake lunged from above, its jaws snapping where he had stood moments earlier.

The Marines scrambled to react, drawing their muskets and firing at the creature, but the snake's scales were like iron, deflecting the bullets with ease.

Jack landed in a crouch, dusting himself off as his hat fell from his head. "Oh, you've done it now," he growled, grabbing his hat and carefully placing it back on. His face was set in a dangerous scowl as he drew his cutlass, the blade gleaming with Armament Haki.

"Hey, you oversized worm," Jack snarled, insult dripping from his words. "Take this!"

With a single powerful swing, Jack unleashed a flying slash infused with Haki—"Black Tempest Strike!" The wave of energy cleaved through the air, striking the serpent with immense force. The beast let out a deafening hiss as its body was sliced cleanly in half, collapsing to the ground in a lifeless heap. The same slash continued forward, hitting the massive metal gate and cutting it in two, the severed pieces crashing to the ground with a thunderous clang.

Elena and Orion stared, wide-eyed and speechless, as Jack casually sheathed his sword and strolled toward the now-open gate. "Well, look at that," he said with a grin. "Now, let's not waste time. We've got treasure to find."

Elena snapped out of her shock and hurried after him. "Jack, wait up!" she called, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

Behind them, Orion's expression shifted into something darker. As the others moved ahead, he hung back, his hand slipping into his coat. He glanced toward the gate and, with a subtle movement of his fingers, the metal dust from the shattered gate began to swirl through the air, dissolving into nothingness and disappearing inside his coat.

His lips curled into an evil smirk. "Almost there..." he whispered, before quickening his pace to catch up with the others.

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The party pressed deeper into the ruins, unaware of the storm brewing at sea. Jack led the way, his footsteps echoing through the ancient stone corridors. Elena followed close behind, her eyes scanning the carvings and relics around them, while Orion lingered at the back, his sinister intentions concealed behind a calm facade.

They had no idea that, far above, the island itself was beginning to stir.

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Meanwhile, Back at the Docks

Gibbs stood on the deck of The Mariner, his arms crossed and a deep scowl etched into his weathered face. He had returned from the market, the ship's supplies replenished and ready for the next leg of their journey. But something was off. Jack and Elena had been gone far too long.

"Where the hell are they?" he muttered, scanning the docked ships, his brow furrowed in concern. Jack's unpredictable nature didn't usually worry him—Jack was Jack, after all. But Elena was different. She was more grounded, more sensible, and they both should've returned by now.

Gibbs' thoughts grew darker. What if something had happened?

He made his way through the bustling town, his eyes sweeping the streets for any sign of the two. The crowded marketplaces, the quiet alleys, even the rowdy taverns yielded nothing. Every person he asked gave the same response—no, they hadn't seen them.

His frustration boiled over. Advanced Observation Haki pulsed from him like a wave, briefly silencing the bustling town as its people felt the pressure of his power. But still, there was no sign of Jack or Elena.

Gibbs clenched his fists, cursing under his breath. He took a deep breath, steadying his emotions, and then something clicked in his mind—Jack's vivre card. Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out the small piece of paper. It fluttered slightly before pointing north, its motion quick and determined.

"North…" Gibbs whispered. His shoulders sagged in momentary relief. Jack was alive, at least.

But the relief quickly evaporated. If the vivre card was pointing north, that meant Jack wasn't anywhere near town. He had gone off on some harebrained adventure, no doubt.

Gibbs cursed under his breath again as he hurried back to the ship. His steps were heavy, the weight of worry bearing down on him as he untied the ropes and hoisted the sails. The Mariner creaked as it began to move, cutting through the water toward the direction the vivre card pointed.

But it wasn't just worry now. As Gibbs gripped the wheel, his eyes narrowed with a burning intensity. Whoever—or whatever—had lured Jack and Elena into this mess had made a grave mistake. The calm, experienced pirate that Gibbs usually was had given way to something much darker.

"I hope you're fine, Jack," he muttered, his voice low and filled with steel. "But if you're in trouble..." He clenched his teeth, a storm brewing behind his eyes. "Then I hope the people causing you trouble are ready. Because they've got hell coming their way."

His hands tightened on the wheel as The Mariner sped across the waves. Gibbs was a man of patience and reason, but when it came to his captain, to Jack, there were no limits to what he was willing to do.

A murderous, serious look crossed his face as the ship cut through the sea. The wind howled around him, as if in response to his rising anger.

To be continued…