Luffy's eyes sparkled at the sight before him.
A dense jungle, where towering dinosaurs felled trees with each step. Everything—flora and fauna—boasted an extraordinary scale, captivating him. His body itched to move, barely restrained.
Ahead, a dinosaur slowly raised its head, munching treetop leaves. Massive, majestic, it embodied life's mystery.
Vivi, Karoo, and Igaram froze, awestruck. But Luffy, uncontainable, sprang into action, grabbing branches, stretching, and launching himself upward.
"Shishishi! Dinosaurs are huge!" he laughed, landing on the dinosaur's head, standing boldly as it ate, unfazed.
Onlookers screamed louder than him. The situation was perilous—other dinosaurs nearby noticed him, their herd evident. Vivi and Igaram shouted in panic.
"Get down, Luffy-san! Don't anger it! It's dangerous!" Vivi cried.
"Stop fooling around, Luffy-kun! This is life-or-death!" Igaram urged.
"Man, what a view! This is how they see things!" Luffy said, scanning the island.
"Not the time!" Vivi pleaded.
"Come up here!" Luffy called.
"No way!" they yelled in unison.
Luffy, undeterred, surveyed the island's volcanoes and a peculiar, hole-riddled mountain. "Weird island," he mused.
"Luffy-san, enough!" Vivi shouted.
"Other dinosaurs see you! Get away!" Igaram warned.
"Hey, buddy, skip the grass and take me there. Grass ain't tasty, right?" Luffy said, patting the dinosaur.
"Listen to us!" they begged.
Crouching, Luffy tapped its tough hide, casual as chatting with a friend. Though not painful, it could provoke a reaction. Ignoring their pleas, he continued, "How 'bout taking me there?"
Leaning forward, hat held, he peered into its eyes. The dinosaur, engrossed in eating, ignored him. Luffy groaned, pointing at the hole-filled mountain. "Don't be stingy. Take me there!"
It didn't respond, munching leaves. Frustrated, Luffy stretched his arms, wrapping them around its neck, pulling tight. The dinosaur choked, spitting leaves.
Vivi and Igaram, expecting docility, screamed in fury. "Not that way, this way!" Luffy said.
"Idiot!" Igaram roared.
Feeling bad, Luffy released it, but the dinosaur's eyes glared, enraged. Vivi, Igaram, and Karoo saw it shift.
"Sorry, but—" Luffy started.
"Run, Luffy-san!" Vivi shouted.
"Now, or you're dead!" Igaram yelled.
"Quack!" Karoo squawked.
As they panicked, the dinosaur flicked its head, tossing Luffy into the air. He laughed, thrilled, spinning as he fell—straight into its open jaws.
Swallowed in one bite, the sight froze Vivi and Igaram. Terror gripped them, believing Luffy was gone.
Before they could call out, a massive tremor shook the ground—not their own, but heavier, like a storm or worse. A giant appeared, closing the distance swiftly, swinging a massive sword with blinding speed, severing the dinosaur's neck.
Blood sprayed, the head spun, falling. From within, Luffy slid out, hat in hand, nonchalant, puzzled by the event.
A giant hand caught him. The figure dwarfed the dinosaur—a warrior in armor, blue cape, wielding sword and shield, radiating strength.
"Gegyagyagyagya! A lively human! Welcome, guest!" the giant boomed.
"Huge old man! Human?" Luffy asked.
"Human, eh? First one not scared of me!" the giant laughed.
His rugged, warrior-like presence and hearty laugh exuded power. Shouldering his sword, he eyed Luffy on his palm. "I'm Dorry, Elbaf's mightiest warrior!"
"I'm Luffy, a pirate."
"Pirate, huh? Only a pirate would challenge that long-neck. Tiny but bold!"
"Cool helmet, big guy!" Luffy grinned.
"Gegyagyagyagya! Honest kid, I like you! Fearless!"
Luffy stood tall on Dorry's palm, unphased. Dorry laughed heartily, and Luffy matched his energy.
Despite their calm, Vivi collapsed, Karoo nearly fainted, and Igaram, regaining composure, knelt by her. "Vivi-sama, stay strong!"
"Giants… I'd heard rumors, but seeing one…" Vivi gasped.
"Cutting a dinosaur in one strike…" Igaram marveled.
Relieved Luffy was safe, they couldn't shake their shock, worrying about Karoo while watching Dorry and Luffy chat casually, their laughter echoing. No immediate danger, but calming down was tough.
Elbaf warriors, with triple human lifespans and half the growth rate, towered over ten meters, capable of destroying landscapes. Their reputation as savage giants stemmed from their warriors' fame. If Dorry turned hostile, they'd be helpless. Luffy was their lifeline.
"Don't anger him," Vivi whispered, eyes anxious.
"Been a while since guests came. You're invited to my home!" Dorry said.
"Really? Let's eat dinosaur meat! Oh, wait, pirate bentos too," Luffy replied.
"Pirate bentos? Tasty?"
"My cook made 'em. Gotta be good!"
"Interesting. Trade my meat for your bentos?"
"Deal!" Luffy agreed.
"You lot, come too. Got more meat than humans can eat!" Dorry said, glancing at Vivi and Igaram.
Not just Luffy—Dorry included them. Vivi, anxious, clung to Karoo, still reeling, foaming at the mouth.
The giant bonfire felt like a wildfire to humans, highlighting their scale difference. Kiri, Nami, and Usopp, invited to a giant's home, were about to dine.
Brogy, another giant warrior, greeted them. Stout yet robust, he wore minimal armor, a horned helmet, and cape, with a shield and axe by a hole-filled mountain. His warrior aura mixed with charm. Nami and Usopp cowered, silent, while Kiri gazed at roasting dinosaur meat, unfazed.
"Ready, guests! Eat up!" Brogy said.
"Thanks, I'll dig in," Kiri replied.
"What about them?" Brogy asked, eyeing Nami and Usopp.
"Not eating?" Kiri asked.
"N-no appetite…" Nami stammered.
"Maybe later…" Usopp mumbled.
Pale, they stayed still. Kiri carved a huge chunk of meat, still massive, and bit in. Tough but juicy, he smiled, satisfied.
Nami and Usopp stared, incredulous, but Brogy grinned, lifting a wine barrel from the Merry, downing it. Too small for his size, yet the rare taste thrilled him.
"Pwah!" Brogy's face lit up. Not drunk, but elated by the first drink in years, he gazed fondly at his guests. Kiri, wiping grease, met his eyes.
The shared wine was worth it. Kiri spoke, pausing his meal. "Dinosaur meat's good. Never imagined it, but it works."
"Glad you like it. Plenty on this island. Eat up!" Brogy said.
"Too big, though. Our captain might manage, but we can't finish it," Kiri said.
"Gababababa, no surprise. You're tiny compared to us!"
"Feel bad. One barrel's enough for us," Kiri said.
"True. Haven't had wine in ages. Just tasting it's bliss," Brogy replied, grabbing another barrel, gazing afar.
"Just me and one other here. Humans rarely come—too harsh for them. Most die without leaving," he said.
"With dinosaurs, no wonder," Kiri nodded.
"Gets lonely. Wine's missed most. This cup's heaven," Brogy said.
"Why stay? Build a raft, leave," Kiri suggested.
Brogy's eyes met his. "Can't leave. I'm dueling here. A century, maybe."
"A century!?" Usopp gasped. "How long do giants live!?"
"Dueling for a century?" Nami asked.
"Yup. See that mountain?" Brogy pointed.
A massive mountain loomed, not huge to giants. Sitting cross-legged, Brogy spoke calmly. "Center Mountain."
"A volcano?" Kiri asked.
"It erupts often. That's our duel's signal. A century, 73,465 fights, all draws. Can't return to the village until it's settled."
"Why?" Nami asked.
"Rules," Brogy said.
"Rules?"
"Warrior's code."
Usopp and Nami listened intently, Kiri's expression shifting. Brogy explained, "In Elbaf, disputes are settled by the gods' judgment. The righteous get protection, survive."
"Gods' protection? How's that tied to dueling?" Nami asked.
"Duel to earn it. Simple," Brogy said.
Nami fell silent, uncomprehending. "What rule keeps you here a century over a fight?"
"You may not get it. It's how we're raised, how we die," Brogy said.
"Your opponent? Not a stranger, right?" Kiri asked.
"My friend, my greatest rival," Brogy replied.
"Why not stop? Friends killing each other…" Nami protested.
"I get it," Usopp murmured, sweating, emotions swirling.
Center Mountain erupted, signaling the duel. Brogy's demeanor sharpened, his gentle face turning fierce. Usopp trembled, watching.
"It's not about reasons," Usopp said.
"Pride," Brogy confirmed.
Rising, Brogy grabbed his axe and shield, each step shaking the ground, transforming the landscape. The trio watched, awestruck.
From the opposite side, Dorry approached Center Mountain, facing Brogy.
Two warriors, armed with pride, met at the island's heart. Never holding back, they fought to the death, yet every battle ended in a draw.
"The reason's long forgotten!" Brogy roared.
Both swung—Dorry's sword, Brogy's axe—clashing against shields, shaking the air. Another life-or-death duel began.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
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