"Luffy, are you okay?"
Vivi appeared from behind, holding Luffy's straw hat. She handed it to him with concern written all over her face.
"I'm fine," Luffy replied, putting on his hat and shaking his head. "But I'm really angry right now!"
He glanced around, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "Uncle was right. It wasn't the other giant who tampered with the wine."
"My companions would never do something so disgraceful. Judging by the huge explosion and the tremors just now..." He narrowed his eyes. "There's only one possibility. Someone else must be on this island."
For once, the cheerful and carefree Luffy showed a rare hint of seriousness, his demeanor turning cold.
Leo stood nearby, surprised at Luffy's insight. He hadn't expected him to think that far ahead.
People often misunderstood Luffy as a fool, but Leo knew that Luffy was actually quite clever—he just didn't like overthinking things.
"Luffy, you're right," Leo suddenly said, interrupting Luffy's rare moment of deep thought.
"There are others on this island. They're agents from Baroque Works. But don't worry... I've already taken care of them."
Vivi froze for a moment. The peaceful days of their journey had lulled her into a false sense of safety. She thought they had shaken off their pursuers for good.
She never imagined they would catch up without her even noticing.
"What are you thinking about?" Leo asked as he turned to her, then added gently, "When I encountered them, the sand crocodile had already ordered them to retreat."
Seeing Vivi's troubled expression, Leo placed a comforting hand on her head and ruffled her hair. "Vilis and Ikalem have already made it back to Alabasta. That stupid crocodile is probably too busy and exhausted to even care about you anymore."
Vivi stared at Leo in a daze. His words were so gentle, so warm. She felt a lump in her throat, a sudden urge to cry.
"Huh?" Luffy, now sitting cross-legged on the ground, tilted his head and muttered, "I wanted to beat them up too…"
Leo couldn't help but sigh. He always ended up playing the caretaker, didn't he?
He had to make sure everyone got stronger while also managing their emotional wellbeing. Comfort one, reassure another... wasn't he supposed to be a free adventurer?
So how did he end up becoming the team's... mom?
BOOM!
Before Leo could finish his internal monologue, the island's volcano suddenly erupted.
A massive plume of smoke shot into the sky, and tremors spread rapidly through the ground.
"I'm sorry... I doubted you..." the giant Dorry said, shaking his buzzing head as he slowly stood up, supporting himself with his massive hands.
"Please allow me to apologize properly after the battle. But right now, I have to fight!"
"Mr. Dorry, you're in no condition to—" Vivi began anxiously.
But Dorry cut her off with a booming voice, "Say no more!"
"I am Dorry the warrior. I will return alive—on the honor of Elbaf!"
Despite being weak from hunger and injury, Dorry stood tall. In a duel of life and death, any excuse would dishonor him.
To flee from this battle would be to deny his identity as a warrior of Elbaf.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, the giant Brogy stood tall as Nami and Sanji watched.
For a hundred years, their battle had raged.
The original cause had long since been forgotten, but one truth remained—so long as their pride and the honor of Elbaf burned within them, this sacred duel would never end until one victor emerged.
Nami and Sanji exchanged glances, silently deciding to follow Brogy.
Later, after finishing their investigations, Nami gathered everyone and led them back toward the ship.
She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about the enormous explosion earlier. It was most likely caused by a huge cache of explosives—too powerful to be natural.
She also worried about Usopp. After she threw him off the boat earlier, the only update came from Brogy. But was that really enough?
Even though Usopp had gotten much stronger, there was always the chance something unexpected could happen.
Zoro didn't need much attention. Qing Ling had flown back and reported that he was joyfully riding a rhino.
But Leo… there was still no sign of him. Not even Qing Ling could locate his whereabouts.
No matter what, their first priority was to regroup. Vivi couldn't protect herself, and until they were all together again, they were vulnerable.
"Hahaha! Dorry! This wine tastes even better after all these years!" Brogy's booming laughter echoed across the island.
"Yes… it's the wine of the heavens!" Dorry replied, his heroic voice slightly weaker than usual.
He didn't understand why, but his stomach no longer hurt. Instead, he felt hungrier than ever.
So hungry, in fact, that Brogy's arm started to look like a giant chicken leg...
With a shared roar of battle cries, the two giants once again clashed.
Meanwhile, deep within the forest, Nami and Sanji spotted familiar figures through the trees.
"Luffy! We're here!" Nami called.
"And Leo! Didn't expect to see you too!" Sanji added, grinning.
After greeting everyone, Nami rushed to Vivi's side and examined her worriedly.
"Are you hurt? Are you alright?"
Vivi smiled and shook her head. "I'm okay, Nami. What about you two? I heard from Mr. Dorry that you left the ship."
"I didn't expect you to come find me. Did something happen?"
She'd seen all kinds of exotic plants and magical creatures during their journey—her curiosity had been satisfied, but now her thoughts turned to her companions' safety.
"Ohhh!! Miss Vivi, you're still so breathtakingly beautiful!" Sanji swooned, hearts practically floating around his head as he held a cigarette in his mouth.
"Nami said the island isn't safe right now," he said more seriously. "Once we're all back together, we should set sail immediately."
"Is it because of that explosion earlier?" Vivi asked.
She then remembered what Leo had told her.
"Don't worry. Leo already took care of the people who were chasing us."
She looked down and whispered, "I'm sorry. It's all my fault… I caused trouble for Leo and everyone…"
"Ow!"
Nami yanked on Vivi's cheek hard.
"Stop saying that kind of stuff! Leo and the rest of us like meddling in other people's business!"
"Yeah, Vivi, don't be so down," Luffy chimed in. He was lying on the ground, chomping lazily on a pancake from his backpack.
"Want some pancakes?" he mumbled, holding one out toward her.
Leo also took a pancake and stuffed it into Vivi's mouth before she could protest.
"No one's blaming you," he said, smiling warmly as he patted her on the shoulder.
Vivi clutched her cheeks with both hands, looking at the friends smiling around her.
She chewed slowly.
This pancake is so delicious.
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