Chapter 108: The Duel of Giants and Unfolding Threats
The sounds of Little Garden's primeval jungle were replaced by the deafening roars of two towering warriors. Dorry and Brogy, the giants of Elbaf, stood a hundred paces apart, their weapons gleaming under the harsh sunlight. The forest around them fell silent as if the very island itself held its breath for the spectacle about to unfold.
Dorry tightened his grip on his massive battle-axe, the blade stained with years of wear but still sharp enough to cleave mountains. His crimson beard, braided and adorned with iron rings, swayed in the breeze. His eyes glinted with both respect and anticipation as he sized up his rival.
On the other side of the clearing, Brogy raised his broadsword, the enormous weapon balanced in one hand like it was a feather. His shield, almost the size of a small house, bore the scars of countless battles. The hulking blue-haired giant let out a booming laugh, his voice rich with camaraderie despite the tension.
"For the glory of Elbaf, Dorry!" Brogy roared, slamming his sword against his shield. The sound reverberated like thunder, startling nearby dinosaurs into scattering.
"And for our eternal duel, Brogy!" Dorry bellowed in reply, his voice a fierce echo of his friend's.
With no further warning, the two giants charged at each other, the ground shaking beneath their titanic strides.
Dorry swung his axe in a mighty arc, aiming directly for Brogy's shoulder. The wind howled with the force of the blow, but Brogy's shield rose just in time. The axe met steel, sending sparks flying in every direction as the clang of metal rang out like a battle horn. Brogy countered with a quick thrust of his sword, the blade streaking toward Dorry's midsection.
Dorry twisted his body with surprising agility, the sword missing him by inches. He retaliated immediately, stepping in close and bringing his axe down again, this time toward Brogy's legs. The blue-haired giant leaped back, his shield absorbing most of the strike, though the ground beneath him cracked under the force.
"You will have to do better than that, old friend!" Brogy taunted, grinning widely.
"You will see just how much better I have gotten!" Dorry retorted, his laughter echoing through the battlefield.
The duel continued with an almost rhythmical cadence. Each swing of a weapon, each clash of steel, each grunt of exertion was a symphony of power and skill. They moved like ancient dancers, each step precise, each strike calculated. Despite their massive size, both giants displayed a level of agility that defied expectations.
Dorry feinted to the left, drawing Brogy's shield up, only to spin and swing his axe low. Brogy barely managed to block with his sword, the impact sending vibrations through his arm. Seizing the moment, Brogy lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air toward Dorry's chest. The crimson giant ducked and rolled to the side, his axe already swinging upward in a powerful counterattack.
Brogy threw his shield into the path of the axe, the blade biting deep into the metal but failing to break through. With a roar, Brogy slammed his shield forward, forcing Dorry to stumble back. He followed up with a downward slash, but Dorry sidestepped at the last moment, the sword embedding itself into the ground.
"Still too slow!" Dorry taunted, bringing his axe down again. This time, Brogy yanked his sword free and parried the blow in a shower of sparks.
The next exchange began with both giants breathing heavily, their movements slowing but no less powerful. Dorry charged with a feral roar, his axe held high. Brogy braced himself, raising his shield and sword. Their weapons collided with such force that the ground beneath them caved, sending shockwaves rippling outward.
Dorry swung again, his axe carving through the air toward Brogy's neck. Brogy ducked and countered with a horizontal slash aimed at Dorry's side. The crimson giant twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the blade, and brought his axe down in a crushing overhand blow. Brogy raised his sword to block, the two weapons locking in a fierce contest of strength.
For a moment, it seemed as if the earth itself held its breath. Then, with a final burst of power, both giants pushed each other back. They staggered, their weapons falling to the ground as they collapsed onto their backs, utterly exhausted.
"Well fought," Brogy said between heavy breaths.
Dorry chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Aye, well fought indeed."
Brogy reached into his pack and pulled out two barrels of sake, handing one to Dorry. "Let us drink to another hundred years of battle!"
Dorry laughed as he accepted the barrel. "Not that I am complaining, but where did you get the sake?"
"A group of human pirates that arrived," Brogy answered.
"Oh really?" Dorry uttered. "I wonder if they are related to the group of pirates at my place?"
"Who cares? Let us drink to Elbaf!" Brogy said and raised his barrel for a toast. Dorry doing the same, they shook their barrels and drank the sake.
---
When Dorry returned to his camp, his eyes fell upon the unusual sight of the three strangers. Luffy sat cross-legged on a rock, his expression calm and knowing. He was not curious. He was waiting. Vivi stood nearby, nervously holding Karoo's reins as the duck squawked softly.
"So," Dorry rumbled, setting his axe aside, "you are pirates? How was the fight?"
Luffy stood, stretching as he grinned. "It was awesome. Every attack aimed at a vital spot."
Dorry squinted at him. "Aye, it be the way of Elbaf."
Vivi cleared her throat. "You are a unique crew," she said diplomatically.
Dorry's attention remained on Luffy. "You have a strong presence. Your Haki must be developed."
Luffy nodded. "I have been training it. Armament and Observation. Still learning, but I know what they are."
Dorry raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. Most humans your age do not even know Haki exists."
"I had good teachers," Luffy said. It was not entirely a lie.
Before the conversation could continue, a small transponder snail in Luffy's pocket began to ring. He pulled it out and answered. His face did not change. He already knew who it was. He already knew why she was calling.
"I need you to confirm your identity," a female voice said, nervous and quick.
"You already know who this is," Luffy said. "Report."
The voice on the other end steadied itself. "The agents are about to make their move. They are launching their plan now. They are not waiting any longer."
Luffy's expression did not shift. He had been expecting this. "All four of them?"
"All four. Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine. Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek. They are moving into position as we speak. Their main objective is the giants, but you and your crew are the priority. Mr. 0 wants you eliminated."
"What about the Eternal Pose?"
"The Unluckies are carrying it. They will reach the island soon. If you can take it, you will not have to wait a year for the Log Pose to reset."
Luffy was quiet for a moment. Then: "Good work. Keep feeding me information when you can."
The line went dead.
Vivi was staring at him, her expression tight. "Who was that?"
"Miss All Sunday."
Her hands clenched into fists. "The woman who killed Igaram?"
"Yes."
Her voice trembled with rage, but Luffy's calm gaze held her in place. There was no time for anger. There was no time for grief. There was only the mission.
"Miss All Sunday is working for us now," Luffy said. "She is our double agent. She feeds me information. I keep her alive. That is the arrangement."
Vivi wanted to argue. He could see it in her face. But she did not. She swallowed her fury and nodded.
Luffy pulled out the transponder snail again and dialed. Sanji answered on the second ring.
"Captain. What is going on?"
"Baroque Works agents are moving in. All four of them. They are on the island. They are coming for us."
Sanji's voice went low. "Where are they?"
"I do not know exactly. But they will find the giants first. That is their main target."
"What do you need me to do?"
"The Unluckies are bringing an Eternal Pose to Alabasta. It should be arriving soon. Find them. Take it. Stay hidden until the agents make their move. Do not engage until I give the signal."
"Understood."
Luffy ended the call and turned to Dorry. The giant had been listening, his expression unreadable.
"They are here now," Luffy said. "And they are coming for you."
Dorry's hand went to his axe. "Let them come."
Luffy shook his head. "Not yet. We need to regroup with my crew first. We need to be ready."
He strode off into the jungle. Vivi climbed onto Karoo and followed. Dorry brought up the rear, his massive footsteps shaking the earth.
The weight of what was coming pressed down on all of them. The agents were moving. The trap was springing. And somewhere on Little Garden, a duel between giants had just become the least dangerous thing on the island.