Harald wanted to reconnect his people, who once waged war and plundered the world, with the world. Such a thing, besides the World Government and the Marine, pirates were completely unable to help him achieve.
This was something he was certain of in his heart. Pirates were just a bunch of villains; even happy fellows like the Roger Pirates were still villains who created fear among the common people of the sea at the kingdom level.
After drinking, Rune, slightly tipsy, walked out of Ida Tavern, intending to take a good look at this kingdom of giants.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw Loki and Haldin, who had been going in and out of the tavern for juice and food while he was drinking, staring at him from the side.
Rune turned his head and looked at the two of them. No matter how many times he saw those massive giant bodies, Rune still felt shocked.
"Can you really rival my father?!" Loki also stared at the exiting Rune. After hesitating for a moment, he plucked up the courage to ask him.
Hearing this, Rune was a bit surprised: "Rival your father? Hehe, where did you hear that from?"
"Rocks told me!" Seeing Rune's smiling face, Loki felt his personality was very easygoing and stopped being nervous, letting out a laugh.
Hearing Rocks' name made Rune feel a bit annoyed. However, he also knew that during this period, Rocks had been inviting Harald to join and making Elbaf his partner to destroy the Marine and attack the World Government together, in search of combat power to deal with the government.
However, Harald had rejected Rocks' invitation every time because... Harald did not believe Rocks had such capability.
"That bastard, what is he telling kids?" Rune cursed in a low voice. "Rival Harald? If you mean being able to trade a few blows, I can admit that, but your father is the King of Giants. I can't beat your father."
It was because he knew his own insignificance that Rune was searching for a Devil Fruit.
Just as he thought, he could rival the top powerhouses of the current era with his own talent and physique, but he could not yet surpass them.
Therefore, he needed a Devil Fruit that matched him.
Hearing Rune's words, an expression of disbelief appeared on Loki's face. His father was so powerful that it instilled awe in his heart.
Haldin, on the side, was the same, except his face was covered in injuries from being beaten by Loki, with a band-aid on his nose, so his expression wasn't as obvious.
"Um, Rune! In the news, what's with that look of your whole body being on fire?" Haldin took the opportunity to ask Rune what he had always wanted to know.
"A technique that consumes one's own energy to ignite the whole body." Rune didn't intend to hide it, thinking the two kids were quite interesting. He told them directly: "But don't let its cool appearance fool you; it's actually very painful. Whenever I take that form, my entire body is being scorched by intense heat."
"I see!"
"So it's painful?"
"Of course. You two brats, what's fun in Elbaf? Take me around to play."
"I have many partners in the Underworld. Do you want to go?"
"Let's go!"
Rune was very interested in Loki's suggestion because his partners in the Underworld were a group of fierce giant beasts.
"I'm not going." Haldin was very resistant. Except for when Harald was around and they would gather together, they were two people who completely didn't get along at other times.
Loki roared at Haldin: "Who cares about you! I'm taking Rune to see my partners!"
"..." After being roared at by Loki, Haldin clenched his teeth, wanting to fight him, but eventually held back because he couldn't beat Loki at all. If Harald hadn't been in the country, Loki would have let those giant beasts from the Underworld attack the village to scare the other giants.
Rune, as an outsider, had no right to get involved in a quarrel between brothers. He remained silent, yawning.
Not long after, he was taken by Loki to the Underworld. The climate there was very harsh. Loki took him riding on giant beasts to wander through various villages in Elbaf, causing panic in many of them.
Having arrived in Elbaf, Harald, as the King, treated them well.
Food, drink, and lodging were all free. In the kingdom of giants, their consumption was negligible.
After resting for several days, just as the Roger Pirates were preparing to leave Elbaf, a piece of news from the newspapers that shocked the world spread everywhere.
The news that the first mate of the Kuja Pirates, Shakky, had been kidnapped and gone missing shocked the entire world.
Since then, time flew by, and another year passed.
In the New World sea, on a sunny afternoon, a shout came from the lifeless oro jackson.
"What! Shakky has actually become a prize in the Celestial Dragons' hunting game?! Are you kidding me!"
A year ago, because of Shakky's kidnapping and disappearance, the atmosphere on the Roger Pirates' ship had become extremely gloomy. It could be said that they hadn't been happy for a whole year.
"The news came from Pirate Island. It seems to have been leaked by a guy named Morgans."
"Morgans?! Isn't that the president of the World Economic Journal! Where did he get the news from?"
Intelligence officer Spencer was reporting the situation to Roger, Rayleigh, and the others.
"Don't underestimate that guy, Roger. He often deals with the CP intelligence agencies under the World Government and is particularly good at manipulating information. The news is likely correct."
"Stop talking! Just tell me where that place is!" Roger didn't want to hear any more nonsense and went straight to the point. "We must hurry to rescue Shakky. It's been a year; she must be having a very hard time!"
"Um... in God Valley, Roger." Spencer said to Roger. "The Celestial Dragons have held the hunting game in that place."
Learning the location, Roger suddenly looked at Jabba: "Jabba, where on earth is God Valley!"
"In the West Blue, it's a very remote small country. Although the journey is long, we will move forward at full speed." Jabba told Roger the location.
The motivation of everyone on the ship was instantly maxed out.
The usually calm Rayleigh also shouted at this moment: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's set off immediately!"
Rune sat cross-legged on the balcony railing, holding a piece of roast meat and watching the people below getting fired up.
"Brothers! To the rescue!" Roger didn't care about any Celestial Dragons or whatever. His beloved idol was being treated as a prize by the Celestial Dragons; he couldn't stay calm at all.
Everyone was in high spirits, cheering on the deck.
After the sailing destination was determined, everyone went to their respective posts on the ship to work.
Roger walked behind Rune, gazing at the sea ahead: "It's been a year of suffering! I originally thought Rocks had kidnapped Shakky, but I didn't expect it to be the Celestial Dragons!"
Rune also gazed at the distant sea, his expression calm without much emotion.
He had known for a long time that Shakky was the fuse for the God Valley Incident, and the Celestial Dragons' hunting game was a grave specifically prepared for Rocks.
Because all of Rocks' family were in God Valley in the West Blue.
Rune stuffed the meat and bone into his mouth and ate them together, then clenched his right fist and looked at it: "Let's go."