"Well then, I'm off, brothers!"
Daren smiled and waved at the two giants.
This trip to the ancient island of Little Garden had been nothing short of rewarding.
Not only had he achieved his original goal of pushing his Strength attribute past 90, but he'd also gained the formidable ability "Giant's Body."
And through a twist of fate, he'd even become sworn brothers with Dorry and Brogy—the two captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates—in a tale worthy of legend: the "Little Garden Brotherhood Oath."
A huge win.
In terms of strength, this journey had been a clear breakthrough.
With his current physique and Strength now exceeding 90, Daren felt confident he could go head-to-head with Kaidou in Wano without being overwhelmed.
On top of that, the power of gigantification seemed to have even more potential to unlock.
With further training and increases in his Strength stat, his giant form might grow even larger—perhaps 30 meters, maybe even 50!
At that size, he might even be able to replicate the legendary feat of Oars from 500 years ago—lifting and carrying an entire continent with brute force alone.
Still, Daren estimated that reaching Oars' monstrous proportions would require his Strength to hit at least 95, maybe even a full 100.
At that point, "Giant's Body" might evolve into the mythic ability "Devil's Body," a power said to appear only once in centuries—turning him into the strongest evil giant warrior on the seas.
Of course, that all sounded easier than it was. The reality? Near impossible.
Ever since his Strength stat broke past 90, he'd noticed that even sparring with Dorry and Brogy barely boosted his growth anymore.
The gains were minuscule. His progress had practically hit another wall.
"If I want to keep getting stronger, I'll need to find a different approach..."
Daren thought to himself.
"Gyagagaga! Go get 'em, aniki!!"
Dorry laughed, waving at him while chomping on roasted meat.
"Kabababa!"
Brogy chuckled and flexed his massive biceps, showing off his bulging muscles.
"Go win over that woman! Show her the might of us giants!"
...
New World.
Pleasure District.
Night was falling.
As the lights came on, the island didn't settle into silence—instead, it erupted into a sea of neon and indulgence.
Tourists flowed endlessly through the streets. Caravans unloaded crates of wine, cigars, and exotic goods from their ships. Every road sparkled with vibrant lights, and the air was thick with the scent of perfume and strong liquor.
As the world's largest, most extravagant, and most decadent lawless zone, the Pleasure District glowed as brightly at night as it did during the day—perhaps even more so.
Casinos, brothels, clubs, gladiator pits, taverns, gambling dens... Anything and everything a pleasure-seeker could want was here. Like a seasoned courtesan, the island sought to drain every last coin from anyone who set foot ashore.
But in stark contrast to the rowdy indulgence elsewhere, a refined calm radiated from the luxury hotel at the center of the island.
The top-floor banquet hall had been sealed off—no longer open to the public.
Under the gleam of crystal chandeliers, men and women in tailored tuxedos and gowns bustled about, carrying fine wines and gourmet dishes. They were making preparations for a private banquet, meticulously arranged by none other than their esteemed queen.
A white silk cloth draped the long banquet table, dotted with fresh flowers.
Every staff member focused intently on their duties, not daring to be careless.
They didn't know who the guest of honor was tonight—but they remembered one thing clearly: even when the district had hosted a Celestial Dragon, the queen hadn't been nearly this serious.
Delicacies from across the Four Seas, premium wines and tobaccos from every Grand Line region, antiques, calligraphy, artwork... It was rumored that the cost of this one dinner rivaled the annual budget of a small country.
While preparations for the banquet were underway, many young singers, dancers, and maids exchanged glances and whispered in hushed tones:
"Did you hear? The Queen went to the salon early just to get her hair done for tonight!"
"Not just her hair—she even got a full facial at the spa."
"They say the island's top couture boutique got completely cleaned out of evening gowns…"
"Looks like Her Majesty is taking this banquet very seriously…"
"Still, no one knows who the honored guest is this time…"
"..."
"Quiet down!"
A cold, commanding voice cut through the chatter, making everyone stiffen and fall silent as they turned respectfully toward the source.
A man in a sharp black suit strode into the room, his gaze severe.
"How's the preparation coming?"
"All ready, sir," a staff member replied respectfully.
The man glanced around the hall, then nodded in approval.
"Good. The guest will arrive shortly. Remember—absolute confidentiality."
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone bowed in unison, tense and reverent.
At that moment, the clear and graceful sound of high heels echoed from the entrance of the banquet hall.
Each step landed lightly on the polished marble floor, like raindrops tapping glass, crisp and arresting.
All eyes instinctively turned toward the doorway.
And then, breath caught in every throat as the scene unfolded.
Bathed in radiant light, a slender, delicate foot stepped into the hall.
Her fair, flawless skin glowed like polished jade, framed by black-strapped peep-toe heels that accentuated her elegance.
A regal, violet mermaid gown trailed behind her, fanning out across the floor. The sleek curves of the dress hugged her narrow waist, so delicate it looked like it could be held in one hand. Her golden hair rippled in waves down her back, perfectly complementing the soft shimmer of the evening gown.
The hem swayed gently with each step, catching the warm lamplight like water rippling under moonlight.
A glimpse of her full, sculpted cleavage and subtly exposed collarbones added to her allure. Her skin, framed by the fine fabric, gleamed with a purity like an angel's, and a refined diamond necklace shimmered at her throat, like dew glinting at dawn.
With poise and grace, Stussy walked into the hall. A faint, unreadable smile played on her crimson lips.
Every step, every glance radiated breathtaking beauty and a dangerously seductive charm. Her presence exuded an air of mystery and untouchable nobility.
Everyone in the hall—men and women alike—stared, stunned.
Several of the maids and dancers even blushed, lips parted as they exhaled trembling breaths.
"So beautiful…"
Someone murmured under their breath, voicing what everyone else was thinking.
Pleased by the reaction, Stussy's smile deepened, her mood lifting even further.
Perfect.
This was exactly the effect she wanted.
With this flawless, radiant appearance... she would greet that ridiculous loser.