Hachinosu Island, Harbor.
The Groudon Ship docked.
"Gu Jiang!"
Just as Gurd was about to disembark, a figure shot toward him like a cannonball, slamming straight into his chest.
"Boom!"
The deck trembled violently!
"Who the hell—so reckless!"
Gurd lay sprawled on the deck, lifting his head in annoyance, only to see Ulti straddling him, excitedly pounding his chest with her tiny fists.
The entire deck shook!
"Gu Jiang, I missed you so much, fa!"
"I get it. Get off me first."
Gurd sighed and pushed himself up.
After just a short time apart, the girl's speech quirks had changed again—who knew where she picked up these trendy phrases?
Page One was there too.
The siblings had arrived at Hachinosu two days early.
Ulti was brimming with energy. "Gu Jiang, what's the mission this time, fa?"
"No mission."
Gurd shook his head slightly, giving the siblings a deep look.
No mission, but there was something else.
As his right-hand duo, the siblings' strength was still lacking—understandable given their age, but that wasn't an excuse to stay weak.
The Straw Hat became one of the Four Emperors at 19. Zoro and Sanji were only two years older. The Worst Generation was full of young fighters.
To grow, they had to throw themselves into danger.
Gurd grinned.
"I'm taking you two somewhere special."
"Somewhere special, fa?"
"It's a secret for now."
"Huh?!"
Ulti clenched her fists in frustration. "Teasing us like this is so annoying, fa! Did you learn to be this mean outside, fa?!"
"Shut up, sis!"
"Page One, why are you taking his side, fa?!"
"He's my brother-in-law!"
"You jerk, I'm your sister!!!"
The siblings tussled—or rather, Page One got beaten up one-sidedly.
"..."
Gurd's face darkened as he turned and walked away.
Fortuna Community, Main Gate.
The giants stood guard at the entrance, sighing in boredom.
"Has it been three months yet?"
"Still a few days short."
Three months was nothing to a giant, but to Hajrudin, it felt agonizingly long.
Of the four, only Gerd and Bagu weren't bothered—in fact, they were quite content. Unlike Hajrudin, they weren't obsessed with fighting.
Guarding the gate was dull, but observing humans was interesting. At least Gerd loved her current life.
Gerd scanned the street and was the first to spot Gurd approaching.
"Look, it's Mr. Gurd!"
"Gurd?"
Hajrudin's eyes burned with rage.
That bastard had tricked him into guarding this gate for three months.
As Gurd neared, he saw Gerd beaming at him, bending down and cupping her hands in front of him.
Gurd stepped onto her palms.
Gerd lifted him to chest level, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling as if he were her favorite toy.
So cute!
The giantess smiled sweetly.
"Welcome back, Mr. Gurd!"
"Long time no see, Gerd."
Gurd greeted her warmly.
At nearly three meters tall, he was a giant among humans—but compared to the giants, he was tiny, small enough to stand in Gerd's palm.
This girl was massive!
"Hey, Gurd!"
Hajrudin stomped over, glaring furiously. "In a few days, our deal expires! I'm not staying here a second longer!"
"Relax, I'll keep my word."
Gurd met Hajrudin's gaze, pausing briefly before speaking. "Actually, Hajrudin, there's something I'd like to ask of you."
"What's the matter?"
Hajrudin looked wary.
Having been tricked once before, he wasn't about to make any promises lightly.
Gurd curled his lips into a bright, cheerful smile. "I want to visit Elbaf!"
"What?!"
Hajrudin froze.
The other three were equally shocked.
Gurd scratched his head.
"What, not welcome?"
"Not welcome!"
All four shook their heads in unison.
Elbaf didn't welcome humans—for a simple reason. Most humans who reached Elbaf were Pirates, and they always caused trouble.
Over time, the giants developed a prejudice against humans. It wasn't until the last couple of years, thanks to a certain man, that things had eased slightly.
Gurd sighed helplessly. "No need to be so distant, right? We're friends. Shouldn't friends be hospitable?"
"Who's friends with you?!"
Hajrudin exploded in anger.
What kind of friend would trick someone like that?!
As the Prince of the Giant Kingdom, he had guarded the gate for a human for three whole months.
Three months!
"Fine, fine. If that's how you feel."
Gurd shrugged.
"I'll go by myself."
"Didn't we just say you're not welcome?!"
Except for Gerd, Hajrudin and the other two lost their tempers again. This guy completely ignored their warnings.
"Hahaha, don't be mad."
Gurd laughed heartily, winking at Gerd before hopping down from her hand and walking into Fortuna Community.
"I've got things to do. See you later."
"..."
The giants watched as Gurd left.
"Hajrudin, what do we do?"
"I don't know."
Hajrudin's face was clouded with worry.
If any other Pirate wanted to go to Elbaf, he'd scoff—ordinary humans couldn't survive there anyway.
But Gurd was different.
He had witnessed Gurd's strength firsthand!
If Gurd caused trouble in Elbaf, the consequences would be unthinkable. Who knew what sinister plans he had?
The man's reputation wasn't exactly clean.
Inside Fortuna Community.
Gurd arrived at the central garden.
After several months, the community had clearly grown livelier. Residents strolled about everywhere, all wearing bright smiles.
The chaos outside seemed to have no connection to this place.
Not just Pirates—many women wanted to move in too, making male residents highly sought after by ladies outside.
Couples were everywhere in the garden.
Like a certain pineapple-headed guy, reeking of the cloying stench of love.
"Gurd?"
Marco froze for several seconds upon seeing him, his face instantly heating up as he quickly let go of the girl's hand.
"Long time no see, Marco."
Gurd grinned, then glanced at the girl and asked knowingly,
"Oh? Who's this beauty?"
"She's—she's just a friend."
Marco introduced her awkwardly.
The girl was understanding. She smiled at Marco and excused herself.
Gurd watched her leave, then nudged Marco with his elbow teasingly. "When did you manage to charm her?"
"J-Just a regular friend!"
Marco stuttered nervously.
"Regular friend?"
Gurd smirked. "I could tell she's into you. If you like her, make a move. Don't keep her waiting."
"I—I—"
Marco's head felt like it was about to steam.
It wasn't like he'd never seen women before. Though he spent most of his time on ships, he occasionally went ashore to drink.
But he really didn't interact with women much—and he'd never been in a situation like this before.
Since the Fortuna Community opened, Old Man Whitebeard hadn't left Hachinosu Island for the past two or three months, occasionally coming to the community to rest.
They had settled in comfortably.
After spending so much time in the community, they naturally made some new friends. The girl from earlier was a staff member of the property management who often helped them with issues.
Over time, they grew familiar.
The girl treated him well—he could sense her feelings, and he liked her too. But deep down, he kept wrestling with doubts.
Marco looked dejected. "Gurd, do you think someone like us—unwelcome people—can really give her a future?"
"Don't underestimate yourself!"
Gurd patted Marco on the shoulder.
From what he knew, most members of the Whitebeard Pirates were war orphans who had grown up facing discrimination.
Even after becoming influential figures, they couldn't shake off that lingering sense of inferiority—especially when it came to matters of the heart.
"Marco."
"Yeah?"
"I have two beautiful wives and several lovers!"
"..."
Bastard, go die!
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