The clatter of heavy footsteps announced Broggy and Dorry's return, and Usopp greeted them with an enthusiastic wave, his grin wide enough to rival the giants' own.
Nami, though visibly exasperated, lingered nearby. Whether it was fear of wandering the dense jungle alone or sheer boredom, she watched the approaching giants with a mix of curiosity and impatience. Nearby, Kiri stood quietly, her gaze fixed on the duel-scarred titans, her expression unreadable.
"Oi, masters!" Usopp called out, his voice brimming with excitement. "After a battle like that, you're both still in one piece!"
"What's with you, Usopp? All fired up out of nowhere," Broggy said, raising an eyebrow. "Masters, huh? What's that about?"
"Gegyagyagyagya! Taken on a disciple, Broggy? And a human, no less!" Dorry roared with laughter.
"No, no!" Usopp waved his hands frantically. "You two are the masters I'm talking about!"
"Hm?" Both giants exchanged puzzled glances.
Usopp's exuberant gestures drew skeptical looks from the pair, but they settled onto the ground, their massive forms casting long shadows. They had intended to grab their drinks and head back to their dwellings, but Usopp's unexpected words piqued their curiosity. Even with guests around, a quick chat wouldn't hurt.
Still, they towered over him, even seated.
Usopp clenched his fists, his voice feverish with excitement. "I became a pirate to be a brave warrior of the sea—like you guys! Watching your fight, I realized I want to be like you someday!"
"A giant?" Broggy asked, tilting his head.
"No, that's not what I mean!" Usopp shouted, exasperated. "I'm saying I want to live with the same pride as an Elbaf warrior, no matter what!"
"Pride, huh?" Dorry's face softened, a smile tugging at his lips. "That's an interesting thing for a human to say."
Despite their differences in race and worldview, here was someone—on this remote, forgotten island—who understood their way of life. It was a heartwarming encounter. Dorry leaned forward, his voice calm but warm. "We live longer than you humans, so we think a lot about how we'll die."
"Aye," Broggy added. "Treasure, life—it all fades eventually. But to die as an Elbaf warrior, without ever losing your pride? That's an honor worth more than any treasure."
"To live without abandoning pride and to die with it intact," Dorry continued.
"That pride is passed down in Elbaf. It's an eternal treasure."
Usopp's eyes sparkled as he absorbed their words, etching them into his heart. "Pride as a treasure… That's awesome! Alright, it's settled—I'm calling you two my masters! I'll become a warrior of the sea you won't be ashamed of!"
"Gababababa! Alright, then!" Broggy laughed.
"Sounds like fun. Gegyagyagyagya!" Dorry joined in.
The giants' hearty laughter signaled an instant bond with Usopp. Despite their differences in race, they connected—a different scene from their encounter with the Fish-Men, but no less meaningful. Usopp silently vowed to become a man who never relinquished his pride, gripping his fist tightly with resolve.
But nearby, a sigh broke the moment. Nami, sensing the conversation had settled, approached the trio, a letter clutched in her hand. It was something an old woman on a pirate island had given her, passed along by Kiri, with instructions to deliver it to someone on this island. Handing it over meant they could leave without worry, and she suspected it was meant for the giants.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" Nami said, stepping forward.
"What's that, lass? Dinosaur meat not to your taste?" Broggy teased.
"No, it's a bit too intense for me, thanks," Nami replied with a wry smile. "But that's not it. Are you two the only ones on this island? No other humans around?"
"Just us," Dorry said.
"Sometimes outsiders show up, but it takes a year to store the log here. Most don't survive that long," Broggy added. "Nobody sticks around."
"Yeah, I figured. Saw a pile of human bones over there," Nami said, grimacing.
"So what's this about? Looking for someone?" Broggy asked, tilting his head.
Nami held up the letter. "I think it's for you two. An old woman on a pirate island asked me to deliver it. I didn't meet her myself—ring any bells?"
"Hm. Probably her," Broggy said, stroking his beard. "An old friend of ours."
"Still alive, despite a shorter lifespan than us. That's good news in itself," Dorry said, a nostalgic smile spreading across his face.
"We came to deliver this letter," Nami said. "But it's so small, it'll be tough for you to read."
The letter, sized for human hands, was impossibly tiny for the giants' massive fingers. Reading it themselves was out of the question. At their request, Nami agreed to read it aloud.
"Sorry, lass, but could you read it for us?" Dorry asked.
"It'd be a hassle with our hands," Broggy added.
"Free labor's not my thing, but fine," Nami muttered, ignoring Usopp's exasperated mumble about her priorities. She unfolded the letter and began reading.
The letter opened with fond reminiscences of their past friendship. Though their bond remained unchanged, it had been decades since they last met. The island's harsh environment made even sending a letter a challenge, and the writer apologized for the long silence. Yet, there was also a note of reproach: Stop this foolish fighting and go be pirates together.
The writer clearly disapproved of their ongoing duel. Comrades shouldn't kill each other, she wrote, echoing words she'd said in person long ago. The giants folded their arms, a mix of nostalgia and complex emotions crossing their faces. They knew their friend didn't understand their ways, but her desire to see them live was unmistakable.
As Nami finished reading, the giants sat in silence, absorbing the words. "Sounds like your pride isn't exactly understood," Nami said, lowering the letter.
"Hm. Can't be helped," Broggy said. "No matter how much we explained, she never agreed. Different upbringings, different values."
"We were born in a warrior's land. That's the biggest difference," Dorry added.
"Yeah, I don't really get it either," Kiri suddenly interjected, her voice cutting through the air.
All eyes turned to her. Her smile was calm, but her tone carried a cold edge—not outright hostility, but something unsettling. Nami and Usopp sensed the shift immediately, while the giants, still unfamiliar with Kiri, took her words at face value.
"You've been fighting to the death for a century, throwing away lives you could save. I can't wrap my head around that," Kiri said.
"Can't blame you for thinking that," Broggy replied evenly. "But this is our way."
"I'm with the old lady. You should stop this fight now," Kiri pressed.
"That we can't do," Dorry said firmly. "We've entrusted ourselves to Elbaf's judgment."
"So it's just a stubborn death wish? Sounds like a pointless fight to me," Kiri said, her tone dismissive.
The air grew heavy. The giants' expressions darkened, their pride stung by her words. "Are you mocking us?" Broggy growled.
"Watch your tongue," Dorry warned. "Insult Elbaf, and we won't hold back."
"I'm just saying what I think," Kiri replied coolly. "You call it pride, but it's just justifying killing your own kind with talk of longevity and honor."
"Kiri, what's gotten into you?" Nami snapped, alarmed by her sudden provocation. "Why pick a fight?"
"I've got a bad feeling about this…" Usopp muttered, his instincts kicking in.
Kiri's tone was unlike her usual self, and her behavior raised red flags. Usopp recalled how quiet she'd been since arriving, how she'd distanced herself from the group, and how she'd insisted they all leave the ship when Broggy appeared. Now, her words seemed deliberately provocative, as if she were testing the giants.
Nami and Usopp fell silent, unable to intervene as the giants' anger simmered. To them, Kiri's words were an unforgivable slight against their homeland's honor.
"Take it back," Broggy demanded. "We might overlook insults to us, but not to Elbaf."
"You can't let it go because you know it's not normal," Kiri shot back. "A culture that encourages killing your own kind instead of living out your life is insane. I agree with the old lady—end this duel before it's too late."
The giants' eyes blazed with fury, their teeth grinding audibly. Yet Kiri met their gaze unflinchingly. "We won't break our code," Dorry said, his voice low and resolute.
"When we leave this island, it'll be when one of us stands victorious," Broggy added.
"I'm against it. Stop the duel," Kiri insisted.
"That's not happening," Dorry said. "Our stance won't change until the fight's decided."
"Looks like we don't agree," Kiri said, her eyes flicking to Usopp with a faint smile. "So, how do Elbaf's rules settle disputes like this?"
"Huh? With a duel, to receive the gods' blessing—" Usopp started, then froze, a chill running through him. "Wait, Kiri, hold on! This is going somewhere bad!"
But Kiri, grinning now, ignored him. "Then let's do it. On behalf of our crew, I challenge you two, the Giant Warrior Pirates, to a duel."
"I knew it!" Usopp wailed.
The giants blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. They stood frozen, struggling to process the declaration. Nami and Usopp, however, rushed to Kiri's side, their voices a frantic chorus of protest.
"What's wrong with you?!" Usopp yelled. "You saw their fight! We can't take them on!"
"They're huge!" Nami added. "No sane person would pick a fight with them, you idiot!"
"Calm down, guys," Kiri said breezily, brushing them off.
"Don't just shrug it off!" Usopp screamed.
"Apologize right now! We're not doing this!" Nami demanded.
"Hold on, we're still negotiating," Kiri said, unfazed. "No need to shut me down so fast."
Her nonchalance only fueled their frustration. "Explain yourself!" Nami snapped. "Why are you picking a fight like this?"
"I'll explain," Kiri said, turning to the giants. "But I'd rather tell them directly. Mind stepping back?"
"No, you explain to us first!" Usopp shouted. "Whatever you're thinking, a duel with giants is insane!"
"I'm about to explain," Kiri said, slipping past their protests to face the giants again.
The giants, their anger momentarily forgotten, regarded Kiri with curiosity. "You said disputes are settled with duels under Elbaf's gods," Kiri began. "We're not Elbaf warriors, but if we're clashing with you, shouldn't we follow your rules and settle it with a duel?"
"Hm…" Broggy rumbled, considering her words.
"Our demand is that you stop your duel," Kiri continued. "That takes precedence over your fight, doesn't it? Or are you planning to ignore us and break your own code?"
The giants exchanged glances, Kiri's logic striking a chord. Could they call themselves Elbaf warriors if they refused a challenge? Their warrior instincts stirred, and they nodded, their anger giving way to intrigue.
Usopp lunged forward, clamping a hand over Kiri's mouth. "Sorry, masters!" he blurted. "She's a bit off, but she's not bad! She's just hyped up and doesn't know what she's saying!"
"Mmph mmph!" Kiri mumbled through his hand.
"Please, just forget everything she said!" Usopp begged.
"Let her speak," Broggy said, his tone calm but firm. "I'm interested."
"Huh?" Usopp stammered.
"In a hundred years, plenty have ambushed us, but none have challenged us head-on," Dorry said. "I want to hear her out."
The giants' curiosity was piqued. Kiri's words, they realized, were calculated provocation, meant to spark their anger. But why did she want a fight? As Usopp reluctantly released her, Dorry asked, "Your whole crew against the two of us?"
"Yup," Kiri said.
"Why? What's your goal?" Dorry pressed.
"I'm not interested in a deathmatch," Kiri replied. "But I want something. If we win, you do what we say. If that's fair, I'll tell you our terms."
"Go on," Broggy said.
"First, you stop your duel. Second, you restart the Giant Warrior Pirates—this time, under our Straw Hat flag. In other words, you join us."
Broggy stroked his beard, thoughtful. "Pirates again, huh?"
Kiri's smile widened. "It's a good deal, right? A duel's the perfect way to settle it."
The giants nodded, impressed by her audacity, while Nami and Usopp froze, too stunned to protest. Kiri's expression remained unchanged, her calm unshaken.
The giants found her proposal unexpectedly compelling. Nami and Usopp, however, were reeling. Unlike their decision to bring Arlong's crew into the Grand Line for safety, Kiri's plan was to recruit these giants by interrupting their century-long duel—a reckless move that left them dizzy with shock.
Did Luffy know about this? Before they could ask, the giants spoke, their mood shifting to excitement. "You're a bold one, wanting to fight us and make us your subordinates," Broggy said, a grin spreading across his face.
"But why do you need our strength?" Dorry asked.
"Our captain's going to be the Pirate King," Kiri said. "That means we can't be ordinary. We need warriors like you."
"I see," Dorry said, nodding.
"And if we're challenged under Elbaf's code, backing down would be a lifelong shame," Broggy added.
Usopp's eyes widened in panic, and Nami let out a small squeak. The giants stood, their towering forms casting a shadow like a roof over the group. The air grew heavy with their presence.
"This is our way," Broggy declared. "We don't run from a challenge."
"We won't take your lives," Dorry said. "But we won't hold back either."
"That's our line," Kiri shot back. "You really think you'll win?"
"Sounds like you're confident," Broggy said, amused.
"Almost feel bad for you," Kiri teased.
"Gababababa! That's the spirit!" Broggy roared.
"Alright, we're in," Dorry said, nodding.
"In the name of Elbaf's gods, we accept your challenge," Broggy declared. "If you defeat us, we'll join your crew as promised. But if we win, you'll stay on this island for a year to store your log—living with us."
"A year?!" Usopp yelped.
"A whole year on this island?!" Nami echoed, horrified.
"It's lonely with just the two of us," Broggy said, grinning. "New company would be a treat."
Kiri nodded without hesitation. "Deal."
"Kiri!" Nami snapped.
"At least think about it!" Usopp pleaded.
"I'll convince Luffy," Kiri said. "If we win, there's nothing to worry about."
"And if we lose?!" Usopp wailed.
"Who thinks about losing before a fight?" Kiri replied, shrugging.
"This guy's not thinking at all!" Usopp screamed.
Ignoring Usopp's panic, Kiri turned to the giants. "It's settled. No killing—just knockouts or surrender. The duel starts at the next volcano eruption. We'll meet at the island's center, like you do, and begin from there."
"Agreed," Dorry said. "No objections."
"Then at the next eruption," Broggy confirmed.
"Got it. We'll prep too," Kiri said, turning to her crewmates with a bright, disarming smile—a smile that, in this moment, felt unnervingly chilling.
"Usopp, signal the others. Time for a strategy meeting," Kiri said.
"Uh… right…" Usopp muttered, still dazed. He fired a special pellet skyward, releasing a plume of smoke—black or red, snaking upward like a serpent, a beacon for the crew.
As the signal rose, Kiri's mind was already racing, plotting their next move.
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