Clang, clang, clang...
The massive sword and battle axe, each nearly ten meters long, were locked tightly in the "skinny" arms of the Marine Vice Admiral, unable to move an inch. The sheer impact of the scene was overwhelming.
It was like a tiny ant struggling to lift a leaf ten times its size—a breathtaking, almost surreal sight.
Dorry and Brogy stared wide-eyed, completely in disbelief.
This guy who came out of nowhere... actually blocked their full-power strike so easily!?
"Who are you, little guy!?"
Brogy leaned in close to Daren, his eyes squinting suspiciously.
"He's a Marine... It's been years since a Marine showed up on this island," Dorry said in a low, rumbling voice.
"Hey, Marine brat, are you here to arrest us?" Brogy boomed.
Daren, his head throbbing from their thunderous voices, snapped irritably, "No. Even though you're the captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates, that crew disbanded and disappeared ages ago. The Marines don't even bother with you anymore."
"Besides, I'm not your typical Marine. I'm not interested in chasing pirates."
"Big guys, my name is Rogers Daren. I'm here just to spar with you."
Not here to arrest us?
Dorry and Brogy exchanged a glance, then slowly lowered their weapons and took a cautious step back.
Daren gently descended from the air, brushed the dust off his hands, looked up, and smiled.
"I've heard the legends of the two captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates for a long time. The 'Blue Ogre' Dorry and the 'Red Ogre' Brogy—both famed for their overwhelming strength, strong enough to destroy a country."
"Now that I've seen you with my own eyes, your reputations are clearly well-deserved."
Hearing Daren's unabashed praise, Dorry frowned, about to say something, but Brogy puffed up proudly and burst out laughing with his hands on his hips.
"Kabababa! You sure know how to talk! I like you!"
"Idiot!"
Several black lines popped up on Dorry's forehead. He slammed his fist onto Brogy's head, growling,
"He's trying to cozy up to us!"
"Don't forget, humans are sly! If he's praising us this much, he must be up to something!"
Brogy, now sporting a giant lump on his head, pointed at Daren indignantly.
"But he's just telling the truth!"
Dorry: "..."
He glared at the thick-headed Brogy, then crouched down slightly, his gaze sharp and wary as he coldly warned,
"Human, we're not interested in your games... If you don't want to die, get off this island. Otherwise, don't blame us for what happens!"
Daren sighed helplessly.
"I'm serious. With your size, you should be able to see all around the island, right?"
"Did you spot any warships? Not a single one. If I had any bad intentions toward you, wouldn't this island already be surrounded by Marine warships?"
Hearing that, Dorry and Brogy quickly scanned the horizon. Sure enough, there were no warships in sight.
"You... really just came here to spar? That's it?" Dorry frowned.
Brogy chimed in, "Didn't he already say so?"
"Shut up!" Dorry barked at him through gritted teeth.
Daren nodded with a smile.
"That's right. I admire strength and martial prowess. I've long been fascinated by the strongest race of giants in these seas."
Though Dorry and Brogy still looked wary, they couldn't help but puff out their chests a little.
Daren chuckled and continued,
"You saw it earlier, didn't you? My body has been trained to a very high level, but when it comes to raw strength, I'm still lacking."
"I want to grow stronger—by sparring with you!"
"Gyagagaga!"
"Kabababa!"
Hearing Daren's words, Dorry and Brogy burst into uproarious laughter, tears streaming from their eyes as they clutched their stomachs.
"You want to match strength with giants!?"
"Don't make us laugh!"
"Do you have any idea how powerful we are?"
"With just a twitch of a finger, we could crush a little human like you into paste!"
...
They laughed so hard they nearly fell over.
Daren simply shook his head.
He took two steps back and slowly raised his right foot.
His gaze sharpened. In the next instant, he slammed his right boot heavily into the ground.
Boom!!
The earth shook violently, and the ground within a kilometer radius jumped as if jolted by an earthquake.
Crack!
Rip!
A thick fissure erupted from under Daren's boot, snaking hundreds of meters outward and tearing through the forest, uprooting trees in its path.
Dust billowed into the air as the sounds of trees breaking and collapsing echoed around them.
The laughter on Dorry and Brogy's faces froze, stiffening in place, and their expressions turned wonderfully complicated.
"Well?"
Daren pulled out a cigar, bit it between his teeth, lit it, and asked with a smile.
Silence.
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
"You-you-you... you actually have the power of a giant!?"
Brogy stared at Daren in utter disbelief, stammering as he spoke.
Dorry was just as shaken, his heart pounding wildly.
The strength of the Giant Tribe... how could that exist in a human!?
"That's exactly why I came to see you two."
Daren exhaled a puff of smoke and smiled.
"I hope the two of you can help me fulfill a long-held wish."
Dorry and Brogy exchanged a glance. Then Dorry suddenly asked,
"Why should we help you, little guy?"
"Yeah, you're a human!" Brogy added.
Daren's expression grew serious, and he declared in a firm voice,
"Because it's the glory of a warrior!"
"As warriors of Elbaph, you can't refuse a fair and honorable challenge—can you?"
Dorry and Brogy fell silent.
"And besides..."
Daren suddenly gestured with his hand.
In the distant sky, several massive iron crates dropped down and landed with a heavy thud.
The crates slowly opened, releasing waves of rich, sweet liquor aroma that drifted toward them, making Dorry and Brogy's nostrils twitch uncontrollably.
"Famous wines from the East Blue, North Blue, South Blue, West Blue, and even the Grand Line. A gift from me to both of you."
Daren stepped forward, lifted a barrel of liquor taller than himself with one hand, and popped the seal.
The heady aroma poured out, and Dorry and Brogy were instantly captivated.
The Giant Tribe had always loved nothing more than strong drink and battle. Every one of them was practically born with a love of liquor.
But after decades stuck on this forsaken island, their tongues had forgotten the taste of good wine from the seas.
Brogy stepped in closer, taking a deep breath of the intoxicating scent, and drool began to drip from the corner of his mouth.
He casually elbowed Dorry in the ribs.
Dorry: ...
He swallowed with a loud gulp.
"This..."
"This is all for the glory of warriors! Long live Elbaph!" Daren raised the barrel high above his head.
Dorry froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"That's right! For the glory of warriors! Long live Elbaph!!"
Brogy cheered loudly,
"Same here!!"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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