Charlotte Linlin bead at Dorry’s words, thrilled by the prospect of peace. But Golden Lion Shiki’s brows furrowed. By all rights, these two giants should’ve been itching to throw down with Linlin, not holding back. What gives?
Could these giants be that rare breed—brave and brainy?
Brook, less enthused than Linlin, kept his cool. He nudged Redfield with a glance, signaling him to peek into the giants’ minds. Were they lying to save face against the Hell Pirates’ overwhelming strength? Or did they genuinely see Jorul’s death at Linlin’s hands as a shaful incident.
After all, plenty of Elbaf giants road the seas as pirates. Did every fallen giant spark a vendetta for the whole race? The Ice Demon Pirates alone had lost countless Elbaf warriors in the War of the Overlords. Giants fought for the Navy, the Ice Demons, even the Rocks Pirates, but they avoided slaughtering their own kind, targeting other enemies instead.
Blaming Linlin for Jorul’s death and demanding vengeance seed a stretch, especially since Elbaf’s giant race weren’t limited to the village Linlin had wrecked. Still, Jorul’s influence as a forr Giant Warrior Pirates captain—bolstered by his buddy, Jarul’s propaganda—had clearly stirred the pot, turning the whole race against her.
"Brook," Redfield whispered, his eyes glinting red as he read the giants’ thoughts. "They’re serious about heading back to investigate. If Linlin really killed Jorul, no matter the reason, they’ll avenge him. But they want a duel to settle it fair and square. They’ll represent their village. If Linlin beats them, the grudge is wiped clean. If she loses, she’s gotta pay for Jorul’s death."
Brook nodded. "Good. There’s still a shot at patching things up with Elbaf. After we knock ’em out, dig through their heads for Elbaf’s combat techniques. We’re sparing them this ti."
If Dorry and Brogy were dead-set on a fight to the death, Brook wouldn’t hesitate to burn bridges with Elbaf. But a chance to nd ties? He’d take it, especially since Linlin wanted it too.
...
"Dorry, Brogy, your endless dueling here’s pointless," Brook said, stepping forward. "Head back to Elbaf and sort this out. Your inaction let the Giant Warrior Pirates fall apart. Your crew’s scattered—so joined the Navy, others jumped to rival pirate crews, and a few even got suckered into guarding Enies Lobby like watchdogs. Don’t you think it’s ti to step up?"
Dorry and Brogy’s faces darkened.
"Our crew... in the Navy? Guarding Enies Lobby?!" they roared, incredulous. Joining other pirate crews was one thing, but becoming Navy lapdogs or gatekeepers? Unthinkable!
"Believe it or not, it’s true," Brook pressed. "So here’s the deal: I’ll take you both on. Based on your strength, I’ll decide who’s the better warrior!"
Brook didn’t want their duel dragging on in Little Garden. He saw the bigger picture—resolving Linlin’s feud with the giants and tapping into Elbaf’s raw power. The Ice Demon Pirates wouldn’t last five years under the Rocks Pirates’ shadow, and when they crumbled, Brook planned to recruit a giant brigade of his own.
"What a drag," Shiki muttered, disappointed. "They’re actually buying this? And Brook’s hogging both toys!" He’d hoped the giants would lash out at Linlin, giving him an excuse to crush them. Still, he couldn’t help but envy the Ice Demons’ massive giant squads. Even in the War of the Best, the Navy only mustered a dozen giants, but those fearless brutes charged Whitebeard without flinching, even if they got flattened.
...
Brook led Dorry and Brogy to an open clearing, ready to throw down. To test his restored powers, he summoned his spectral generals, curious to see their effect.
If those spirits could rattle Dawei’s soul, they’d surely handle these giants. Plus, Shiki had already shattered Brogy’s weapon, giving Brook an edge.
But Brook wasn’t here to toy with them. He recalled his generals and went hands-on, snapping Dorry’s longsword with a single strike. Dorry winced, clutching his broken blade, as Brook swiftly knocked both giants out cold before they could unleash their signature Hakoku technique.
"Redfield, dig into their mories for Elbaf’s combat techniques," Brook ordered. "And soone gather their weapon fragnts. Vegapunk, whip up so alloy-enhanced replacents. Let’s call it a peace offering to show we’re serious about reconciliation. Jorul did die because of Linlin, after all."
If reconciliation failed, Brook wouldn’t sweat it. Linlin might sulk, but he’d have no qualms storming Elbaf to stir up trouble. Where there were people, there were factions. Giants in the Navy, giants as pirates—Elbaf was already split. Brook doubted every giant would cling to their grudge against Linlin and pick a fight with the Hell Pirates. He’d find a giant willing to ally with them. In this world, strength ruled.
...
True to his "help ’em all the way" philosophy, Brook rallied the Hell Pirates to build a massive raft for the giants. They had to get Dorry and Brogy back to Elbaf to plead Linlin’s case and avoid another pointless duel in Little Garden.
Redfield extracted Elbaf’s combat techniques from their minds, while Vegapunk worked overti forging new weapons. The crew felled giant trees, crafting a sturdy raft with Shiki’s Float-Float Fruit, Newgate’s brute strength, and Linlin’s raw power making the job a breeze.
By the next morning, the giants woke to find food, fresh water, and gleaming new weapons ready. Brook, sizing them up, declared Dorry the stronger of the two, then tossed them onto the raft. With a grin, Newgate summoned a small tsunami, sending the bewildered giants sailing off into the horizon.
Whether they had a Log Pose to find Elbaf was their problem now!
...
The Hell Pirates turned their sights to Reverse Mountain, bound for the West Blue.
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240 Chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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