Sea Calendar 1460, June.
Elbaf.
This was the kingdom of giants, a legendary island located deep within the New World. For any adventurer arriving from a distant land, the first sight to greet them was the colossal tree that soared so high it seemed to prop up the very heavens.
The Treasure Tree, Adam.
"It's… so big!" Rocks breathed, his voice filled with awe.
He had originally thought it was just an ordinary, albeit very large, tree. It was only after sailing for a full day and night, drawing ever closer, that the true scale of the island began to dawn on him. You could only truly comprehend it once you were near enough to feel its shadow. Only then could you understand why the kingdom of Elbaf was called a country built upon a tree.
"Haha, you're stunned, aren't you? I was just as shocked the first time I came here," Silas said with a nostalgic smile.
The Rocks of today was still just a fledgling pirate, a kid whose perspective and strength were a far cry from what they would one day become. Gazing up at the towering tree, a hint of remembrance flashed in Silas's eyes. His last visit had been ten years ago.
"Let's go," Silas said, clapping Rocks on the back. "If we're lucky, the rainbow will form, and we can head straight to the giants' village. But if you want to grab a couple of drinks at the tavern on the coast first, I don't mind either."
In this world, countries generally fell into two categories: those affiliated with the World Government and those that were not. Affiliated nations paid a hefty "Heavenly Tribute" in exchange for the protection of the Marines. Non-affiliated nations were often lawless lands, a paradise for pirates and other outlaws.
There were, of course, exceptions. Elbaf was one of them.
The kingdom of giants was a non-affiliated nation and received no protection from the Marines, but its own immense strength was more than enough to deter anyone with ill intentions. Most pirates, after all, were bullies who preyed on the weak and feared the strong.
"Hey, is Balder around?"
After docking the Black Pearl, Silas led Rocks to a tavern on the coast. The main door alone was a full twenty meters high. In comparison, Silas and Rocks looked like little more than dwarves.
"Balder? You mean my dad?"
The voice that answered was not the gruff one Silas remembered, but that of a young girl. A giant girl with a round face, bright orange eyes, and light blonde hair pushed the massive door open. When she looked outside, however, she did not see anyone.
"Hey, down here, down here!"
It was only when Silas's voice called out from below that the girl finally noticed the two tiny figures waving at her feet.
"Oh," she realized, her voice booming. "You're people from the outside world?"
This "girl" was only a child by giant standards. To Silas and Rocks, the figure before them was an absolute titan, standing well over fifteen meters tall. The gust of wind from her opening the door had nearly blown them both off their feet.
Suddenly, a look of recognition flashed in Silas's eyes. "Hey, you're Mado, right? It's me, your Uncle Silas! Don't tell me you've forgotten me. If you have, this old man will be very sad!"
He remembered her now. This was Mado, the tavern owner's daughter. Ten years ago, she had only been twice his height, and he had spent many long nights in this very tavern, telling her stories of his adventures.
Finally, Mado's face lit up with pleasant surprise. "You're Uncle Silas? You look so different. I almost didn't recognize you."
"Pfft-hahaha! That's how people are," Silas laughed heartily. "The moment you let yourself go, you get old very quickly. If a few more years had passed, forget you, even I wouldn't be able to recognize myself."
This world had a strange phenomenon. People who held onto their dreams rarely seemed to change, but those who lost their way often found their appearance and spirit withering with time. It was as if a person's face was born from their heart. If not for the system, Silas knew he would have become a decrepit old man in just a few years. But now, though he was still old, his vitality was completely different.
"Uncle Silas, come in, quick!" Mado urged. "I'll mix you a 'Green Fairy,' our Elbaf specialty. I bet it's been a long time since you've had one, right?"
"Whoa there, little Mado. I just got here. Are you trying to make me lie on the floor for two days straight?" Silas chuckled, then pulled Rocks forward. "Let me introduce you. This is a new crewmate I just picked up. He's still a wet-behind-the-ears brat. We plan on staying in Elbaf for a while, so please bear with us."
"I'm not a brat!" Rocks protested.
"You haven't even mastered Haki. If you're not a brat, what are you?" Silas retorted, mercilessly smacking him on the head. To Mado, the gesture was clearly a sign of a close relationship.
"Hehe, if Dad finds out you're here, he'll be very happy," Mado smiled sweetly, then poked her head out to look around. "By the way, where are Sister Lili and the others?"
"Them…" Silas offered a helpless smile. "A while ago, I disbanded my pirate crew. Everyone has gone their separate ways. After all, compared to the lifespan of you giants, our lives are just too short. The time we have to fight is even shorter." He held up an arm, showing how his once-sturdy muscles had withered.
Hearing his words, Mado's expression fell. "I'm sorry."
"Haha, don't worry about it. Look at me, haven't I set sail again?" Silas said, flexing an arm that was already looking firmer than it had a month ago. This was likely one of the benefits of his increased cellular activity. "By the way," he said, looking around the empty tavern. He gestured for Mado to lean down and asked in a conspiratorial whisper, "Little Mado, have you guys cut down any branches from the Adam Tree recently?"
The giants considered the Adam Tree sacred and would never cut it down. But there were exceptions, like when lightning started a fire. If he was lucky, there might be some salvaged wood left over.
"Well, about that…" A troubled expression appeared on Mado's face, a perfect imitation of her father. "I wonder if I should tell you."
"Mado, you've learned some bad habits," Silas sighed with deep, mock distress. "Alright, name your price."
"Heehee, just tell me more stories about your adventures whenever you have time, Uncle Silas."
Silas pretended to hesitate for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Deal!"
He learned that there was indeed a recent batch of salvaged Adam Wood. These so-called "branches," of course, were thicker than most century-old trees. However, obtaining them would be another challenge entirely, as the giants never sold them. Stealing was out of the question. But Silas knew there was something the giants currently desired, and he just so happened to have a way to help them.
"Anyway," Silas said, settling in, "since I've come all this way, I have to drink to my heart's content. Little Mado, if the rainbow appears, be sure to remind me."
To get from the sunless Underworld where they were now to the Sunlit Realm where the giants lived, they would need to ride a special Rainbow Bridge. But he was in no hurry.
"Oh, right," Silas said, remembering his other reason for coming. "Little Mado, is Carmel still in Elbaf?"
He was referring to Mother Carmel, a woman who held considerable prestige among the giants. The proof that the future Emperor of the Seas was on this island was her presence. Silas, however, knew a different side of the sainted woman.
"You mean Sister Carmel? She's still…"
Mado was halfway through her answer when the tavern door was pushed open again with a loud bang. A heroic and wild-spirited giantess strode in.
"Mado, get me a Green Fairy!" she boomed.
"Okay," Mado nodded quickly. "Sister Ripley, be careful. We have two smaller guests here. And please don't smash things when you get drunk, or you'll get another earful from Dad."
Mado chattered on, not noticing that the "Sister Ripley" she was talking to had frozen solid upon seeing the small figure sitting on one of the tables.
Silas gave the newcomer a casual wave. "Yo, Ripley, long time no see!"
"Silas?" Ripley stared for a moment, her expression hardening. In the next second, she clenched a fist the size of a boulder.
"You rotten old man," she growled, her voice shaking with rage. "What do you mean, 'long time no see'!?"
"You promised you'd let me join your crew when I grew up, and it's been ten years!!!"
[Chapter Complete]
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