An ancient forest of pine trees, towering giants stretching into the sky, wild overgrowth, and volcanoes that looked ready to erupt at any moment.
Pterosaurs soared overhead, their massive wings slicing through the air as piercing screeches echoed across the island.
In the distance, colossal Triceratops grazed, their thick, horned skulls rugged and fearsome.
Daren even spotted a towering beast that resembled a Tyrannosaurus, viciously tearing into a Brachiosaurus. Blood and rotting flesh dripped from its jagged teeth.
This was the prehistoric island—Little Garden!
Thanks to its unique terrain and climate, the island had preserved an environment straight out of the ancient past.
"This is definitely the place."
The moment he saw the dinosaurs, Daren knew he hadn't come to the wrong spot.
He immediately activated his Observation Haki.
Boosted by the electromagnetic sensing of the Jiki Jiki no Mi, his perception expanded like a vast, transparent dome centered on his position. In an instant, it engulfed the entire island.
"Found you."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Within the range of his Observation Haki, Daren quickly located two enormous life forces slumbering deep within the island.
But just as he was preparing to move, a volcano at the island's center suddenly rumbled and let out a deep hum.
A surge of thick white smoke exploded from the crater, the scorching air casting an ominous red glow across the sky above.
The volcano was about to erupt!
Boom!!
A jet of molten lava shot skyward like a fountain, erupting from the massive crater in a blazing pillar of crimson, cascading through the sky like a hellish waterfall.
Daren felt a disturbing tremor ripple through the ground beneath his feet and frowned.
Even from this distance, the searing heat from the eruption was tangible. The vegetation near the crater was already igniting under the molten surge, setting off a blazing wildfire.
Thick black smoke blanketed the sky.
Just then, two booming laughs echoed from deep within the island. Like peals of thunder, the sound blasted through the trees, shaking the forest and forcing the trunks to bend under the pressure.
"Gyagagaga! It's time for our duel again!!"
A towering figure stood up from the jungle, like a mountain rising from the earth, casting a massive shadow across the land.
Trees snapped under the weight of his awakening, unable to withstand the force of his limbs. The over-twenty-meter-tall giant warrior let out a thundering laugh, one hand gripping a weathered greatsword, the other holding a cracked round shield.
The soundwaves swept outward, kicking up fierce gusts of wind.
He wore an iron helmet with a faceguard, a dark blue cloak billowing from his shoulders. Beneath that, warrior's armor, a white fur-lined waistguard, and brown trousers.
Most striking of all was the long beard that made him look like a giant version of Guan Yu—imposing and valiant.
An Elbaph warrior and one of the captains of the Giant Pirate Crew—"Blue Ogre" Dorry!
"Kabababa! That's right, my battle axe's thirst can't be held back any longer!!"
Hot on his heels, another massive figure stirred in the jungle, ripping through trees as he stood tall.
His frame was nearly identical to Dorry's, the two resembling twin mountains from afar.
This giant wore a horned iron helmet, had a thick yellow beard, and sported the same dark blue cloak. His brows were heavy, his eyes wide and fierce—he looked like a super-sized Zhang Fei!
Bulkier than Dorry, he had a more imposing visual presence. In each hand, he wielded a similarly aged battle axe and shield.
Another Elbaph warrior and co-captain of the Giant Warrior Pirates—"Red Ogre" Brogy!
Once fearsome captains who shook the world under the name of the Giant Warrior Pirates, these two had remained stranded on the island for decades—all because of a petty argument. Every time the volcano erupted, they would duel, refusing to leave until one finally claimed victory.
Now, their eyes locked, flames of battle flared between them. With a roar, they charged, weapons swinging.
It was like two stone fortresses collapsing. Their massive frames barreled through everything—trees, beasts, boulders—annihilated in their wake as swords and axes came crashing down!
Clang!!
A deafening crash exploded outward, sharp enough to tear eardrums. Amplified by their monstrous power, shockwaves blasted in every direction, rippling out in rings of dust and pressure that forced the surrounding forest to bend beneath the force.
Such overwhelming might!
From a distance, Daren's expression shifted, a flicker of excitement igniting in his eyes.
He had thought this trip might be a waste. After all, in the original storyline, "Blue Ogre" Dorry and "Red Ogre" Brogy had been portrayed as pretty unimpressive—easily toyed with by Crocodile's underling, "Mr. 3" Galdino.
But this scene in front of him completely flipped that notion on its head.
Forget everything else—the sheer level of strength these two were displaying right now was absolutely on par with his own!
In terms of raw physical power, they might even surpass him.
"Gyagagaga! This level isn't enough to beat me, Brogy!!"
As their sword and axe clashed, Dorry burst into loud laughter, slamming his round shield fiercely toward Brogy.
"Don't underestimate me!"
Brogy bared his teeth in a wide grin and swung his shield right back.
Both were warriors born of Elbaph, and after countless years of dueling, they knew each other's moves inside and out!
Bang!
Bang!
Their faces snapped back from the collision, blood trickling from their mouths and noses as their massive bodies staggered backward, shaking the ground beneath them.
Yet their eyes only burned hotter, thunderous laughter booming from their chests.
"Come on!"
"Come on!"
"Dorry!"
"Brogy!"
Their beards bristled, muscles swelling as they summoned every ounce of strength.
Four sturdy legs stomped down with force, causing the earth to groan under the pressure, and their massive figures shot forward like meteorites.
The long sword and great axe, carrying the sheer force to cleave mountains and split valleys, slashed toward each other with unstoppable momentum!
Closer!
Closer!
Just moments before sword and axe collided, a figure suddenly appeared between them in a flash, arms spread wide.
Dorry and Brogy froze, their faces twisting in shock—but at full strength, it was far too late to pull back.
They could only watch as their weapons hurtled straight toward the tiny figure standing between them.
Clang!!
A deafening, sharp explosion split the air.
Dorry and Brogy's eyes widened so much they looked ready to pop from their sockets, their faces filled with disbelief.
"What!?"
They cried out in unison.
The unassuming "little one" had simply spread his arms—yet stopped both of their ferocious attacks at once!
It felt less like they had struck a man and more like they had slammed into an unbreakable, diamond-forged wall, sending a jolt of numbness and pain shooting up their arms.
Sparks flew, casting wild reflections across the Vice Admiral's wind-tossed black hair and fierce, defiant face.
He lifted his head, the cloak behind him whipping violently in the gale, and smiled slightly.
"Big guys... how about I play with you two?"