Blue flames seeped from Liner's entire body. He was just about to enter his half-beast form when a thunderous boom echoed from afar.
BOOM!!
The sound was deafening, like a thunderclap, and the ground shook violently. It felt as if the entire island were a slumbering beast suddenly awakening.
Everyone staggered from the tremors, and Liner stopped his transformation.
"What's going on?!"
"What happened?!"
Nami dropped to her knees, pressing her hands to the ground to steady herself.
"Gahaha! Looks like this time's eruption is a big one."
Brogy laughed heartily, standing up as his sharp gaze fixed on the volcano in the distance, now spewing lava into the sky. "Sorry, Liner boy. I've got something to take care of. When I get back, we can continue."
"Ah, no problem."
Liner nodded simply. He could already guess what was happening—if both giants were involved, this would actually make things more convenient for him. "Where are you going? Can we come along?"
"Of course!"
Brogy crouched down and extended his massive palm, gesturing for them to climb on.
"I'm going to meet an old friend for a duel we've been fighting for the past hundred years."
"A hundred years?!" Usopp cried out as he clambered into Brogy's palm.
The giant only laughed, giving a simple explanation: "Gahaha! Nothing strange about it. We giants live far longer than your kind."
"That's not the point!!"
Nami shouted, unable to contain herself. "Why?! What kind of grudge could make you fight for a hundred years?!"
"Why? …I forgot. Gahaha!"
With Liner, Nami, and Usopp in his palm, Brogy carried them toward another massive skeleton in the distance. On the way, he made sure to grab the remaining barrels of wine.
From his words, they learned there was another Giant warrior on this island. Long ago, the two had begun their duel here, and every eruption of the central volcano signaled the beginning of another round.
"But if you don't even remember the reason anymore, isn't there no point in fighting?"
Nami still couldn't understand. "Didn't you just say he's your friend?"
Even for giants, a hundred years was an incredibly long time.
As Brogy carried them into the dueling grounds, another massive figure came into view.
"Even if we've forgotten the reason," Brogy said, "we've never forgotten Elbaf's creed. We'll keep fighting until a victor is decided. Because…"
As if in perfect sync, the two giants met eyes, grinned, and raised their weapons high into the air, shouting together:
"…the God of Elbaf will always favor the righteous!"
"Waaahhh~~ Elbaf!!" Usopp bawled, tears streaming down his face.
"Wahahaha~ Elbaf!!"
A familiar voice rang out from the other giant's shoulder. Liner looked and saw Luffy and Vivi standing proudly on Dorry's massive frame.
"Hey, Luffy!"
Hearing his name, Luffy turned toward the shout. Spotting a golden-haired figure in blue, he waved excitedly.
"Vivi, look! It's Liner and the others!"
He leapt from Dorry's shoulder with Vivi in tow, landing cheerfully. "Heyyy, Liner, Nami, Usopp!"
Seeing his crewmates rush over, Liner and the others hopped down to meet them.
"Liner, what are you doing here?"
Vivi asked in surprise. "Weren't you still competing with Zoro and Sanji in that hunting contest?"
"Eh, doesn't matter. With me around, the crew won't ever lack food." Liner brushed it off casually.
Thanks to his Fishman undead, who could swim at incredible speeds, the Merry never lacked a fresh catch during voyages. Whenever needed, he sent them into the sea to hunt. The only downside was that too much seafood got dull, so the occasional taste of land game made for a nice change.
"But didn't you guys make a bet on the hunt?" Nami suddenly remembered.
Liner froze for a second. "A measly five hundred thousand beli? Just consider it pocket money for them."
"Oh, really? Are you sure the bet was only five hundred thousand?"
"…Huh?"
Liner glanced sideways at Usopp, who was looking at him with a strange expression.
"…"
"Shit!!"
Liner's face went dark. He'd completely forgotten the amount he'd blurted out before. Damn it!
"Pfft—hahaha!"
"Looks like someone's going to have to show us how to wash their hair upside-down tonight."
"Too soon to be saying that."
Scowling, Liner waved a hand, summoning dozens of Fishman undead and sending them into the jungle to hunt. He himself turned back toward the giants.
He wasn't leaving yet—not with the duel about to begin. Something more important was coming.
BOOM!
"Gahaha, Dorry! Haven't you eaten enough?!"
BOOM!
"Gahaha, what's wrong, Brogy? You've gotten slow!"
The two giants clashed with sword and axe, their battle as raw and primal as wild beasts. Words like savage, brutal, and violent couldn't fully capture the ferocity of their fight.
Each strike carried its full strength; each swing of their weapons generated crushing wind pressure.
The deafening clangs of their weapons echoed, shockwaves spreading outward from the battlefield and flattening the surrounding trees as though they were mere weeds.
"What terrifying power…"
Liner couldn't help but feel awe—and it wasn't just him. Everyone watching was struck silent by the sheer brutality of the battle.
The simplest swings of a sword and axe became displays of pure bloodlust and skill honed over countless years. Every seemingly basic strike stirred the blood of those watching.
…Though not the two women in the group.
"Honestly. Fighting this hard when they don't even remember the reason."
"Exactly. I don't get it at all."
Their complaints only made Luffy and Usopp flare up like indignant fanboys.
"Hey! Don't say things like that!"
The fight raged on for a while—
"Gahaha… No strength left, eh?"
"Looks like another draw."
Exhausted, the two giants collapsed flat on their backs, gazing up at the sky.
"By the way, Dorry—take a look at this."
Brogy sat up and tossed him a barrel of wine, laughing. "A gift from some guests."
"Walala! Booze!"
Dorry pried the lid open, chugging a great mouthful. "Gahaha! Nothing beats a drink after battle!"
With the duel over, Liner and the others approached, sitting together on a nearby boulder.
"Cheers!"
"Thanks, little guests. Never thought we'd meet such bold ones among the 'small folk.'"
To the giants, the Straw Hats were indeed little more than "smallfolk."
Luffy grinned happily. "Shishishi, don't mention it, old man. Too bad Zoro and Sanji aren't here, though."
As Liner watched the two giants drink, an image of Zhang Fei and Guan Yu popped into his mind. Then a thought struck him, and he set his cup down suddenly.
"Right, Brogy… Do you guys know how to use Haki?"
"Haki, eh? Haven't heard that word in many years." Brogy's grin widened. "What, you want to learn it?"
Hell yes, I do. If Haki were a dog, I'd be ready to fetch it, Liner grumbled inwardly. But hearing Brogy's words, his heart leapt.
Could it be… there's a chance?!
Ah, of course, we Giants know Haki.
(Author's Note: In this story, the leaders of Elbaf are Haki users.)