"And so, we're set to duel the Giant Warrior Pirates—two giants strong."
Kiri stood before the gathered crew in the heart of the jungle, delivering the news with unshaken calm. Her explanation was concise: the contents of the letter Nami read, the conversation with the giants, the terms of the duel, and the stakes—if they won, the giants would join their crew. She laid it all bare, holding nothing back.
Reactions varied. Each face wore a different expression, but none radiated joy. Confusion and unease dominated the group.
Luffy, no exception, listened in silence, his brow furrowed. He showed no enthusiasm for Kiri's plan. Usopp and Nami, witnessing his reaction, shifted uncomfortably, their silence heavy with guilt. They stole glances at Kiri, who stood resolute, her demeanor unshaken. A tense air hung over the group, one so palpable it was hard to ignore. The thought of Luffy and Kiri at odds was unsettling, a possibility none had anticipated.
Surveying the bewildered crew, Kiri spoke. She had promised to convince them, and this was her moment. Despite the uneasy atmosphere, her expression was unusually serious.
"They're giants—Elbaf warriors who've been fighting to the death for a century. Honestly, they're tougher than your average giant, but that's exactly why they're worth fighting for. They'd be a massive asset."
"Sure, but can we even win?" Sanji asked skeptically.
"I managed to tilt the terms in our favor. Since we're fighting as a crew, our odds are solid," Kiri replied.
"Against that size?" Sanji pressed.
"Size doesn't matter. In fact, their bulk makes them bigger targets," Kiri said, her composure unshaken.
Luffy, arms crossed and head tilted, eyed Kiri with a hint of unease. Her calm felt off, unfamiliar.
"With a solid strategy and teamwork, they're not unbeatable," Kiri continued. "But going solo would be suicide. We need everyone's strength combined—"
"Hey, Kiri," Luffy interrupted, his tone heavy with doubt. "Do we really have to fight? Messing with those old guys' duel feels wrong."
Nami and Usopp flinched, a chill running through them. They bore some responsibility for not stopping Kiri earlier. Letting her push this far felt like a mistake, and the tension between Luffy and Kiri tightened their expressions.
The two locked eyes, Luffy's usual carefree attitude replaced by a rare intensity. The air crackled with a strange, unspoken strain as they faced each other, no trace of levity between them.
"Those guys are fighting for their pride," Luffy said. "I don't wanna get in the way."
"I get it," Kiri replied. "But we're at an impasse. The only way to resolve this is to follow Elbaf's code. They've agreed to it."
"Hmm…" Luffy grumbled, unconvinced.
"What, you wanna back out of a duel we've already agreed to?" Kiri asked pointedly.
"That's not it either," Luffy said, frowning. "But still—"
"I'm sorry for pushing this without you," Kiri admitted. "But there's no turning back now."
Luffy's face betrayed his dissatisfaction, a rare sight. His reluctance was clear, and though Kiri surely noticed, she showed no sign of backing down. The crew, caught in the awkward tension, exchanged complicated glances.
"This fight is necessary," Kiri pressed. "It's not just about getting them under our flag. It's about proving how far we can go in these seas. This duel will test us."
"What do you mean?" Luffy asked, his confusion evident.
Kiri met his gaze, then swept her eyes over the crew. "Let's be clear. Our goal is to reach Alabasta and take down Baroque Works. That's a criminal organization with two thousand agents—specialists in espionage and assassination, already one step away from toppling a kingdom. If we're going to face them, we need to pool our strength like never before."
Her words carried weight, especially for Vivi and Igaram, who listened intently. Nami, cautious but compelled, spoke up. "But do we have to fight here? Is this duel really necessary?"
"If we can't beat two giants who've been dueling on this near-deserted island for a century, we don't stand a chance against Crocodile," Kiri said. "They're just two. Baroque Works is two thousand, scheming to seize a nation. It's a different scale."
The crew's expressions shifted, Vivi's included. Her words hit hard, impossible to dismiss.
"Think of this as a fight that'll define our future," Kiri said. "If we can't win here, saving Alabasta—or becoming Pirate King—is just a pipe dream."
"Hmm… yeah, I get it," Luffy muttered, still deep in thought.
"The boss is tough," Kiri added. "I decided we can't head to Alabasta as we are. Ending up here was chance, but I think it's a stroke of luck."
Luffy fell silent, his face serious. Thinking wasn't his forte, yet he couldn't help but wrestle with the situation. To those watching, his hesitation felt out of place, amplifying their unease. The crew held their breath, the silence heavy with tension.
"If you really don't want to do this, we can call it off," Kiri said, her tone oddly clipped as she closed her mouth.
Zoro, who had been quiet, spoke up. "If we back out, what's your plan?"
Kiri turned to him, her smile deepening but offering no answer. The silence felt ominous, almost like a veiled threat.
Luffy groaned, tilting his head. He saw Kiri's point, but something still didn't sit right. After a few seconds of thought, he opened his eyes, his expression still conflicted. "But pirates are free," he said. "I don't care about having subordinates."
"I figured you'd say that," Kiri replied. "But if we don't do this, one of those two will die. They're too good to let that happen. The only way to stop them is to use their code."
"Is that how it is?" Luffy said, still unsure.
Kiri's voice softened. "Think of it this way: they're good people, and we want them as allies. But their size means they can't fit on the Merry. So they'll sail their own ship, flying our flag."
"What's that mean?" Luffy asked.
"They won't be subordinates. They'll be allies, sailing alongside us."
"Oh, got it," Luffy said, finally nodding with a look of understanding.
It was a matter of perspective. If Luffy didn't see them as subordinates, he could accept it. His love for freedom meant he cherished their pride, not wanting to bind it. The crew felt a lingering unease at how long it took him to agree, but the mood wasn't right to question it.
With Luffy's approval, the atmosphere shifted, though the tension lingered. Kiri, unfazed, scanned the crew. "The captain's on board. Anyone else object?"
No one spoke. With Luffy's consent, further debate seemed unnecessary. The crew's gazes turned serious, urging Kiri to continue.
The captain was the heart of the crew, the vice-captain its brain. Though they sometimes clashed, the crew had grown accustomed to following their lead.
Kiri nodded, sensing the shift. Now it was time for the real discussion: how to win the duel. Time was short, and preparation demanded swift action. With the crew's attention locked on her, she began.
Kiri's face showed no trace of doubt. Victory was a given, her confidence almost tangible. It steadied the crew, even calming Nami and Usopp's usual nerves as they focused on her words.
"This is a fight for all of us," Kiri said. "No one sits it out. We win together. Like I said, if we can't pull this off, stopping Baroque Works is impossible."
"It's about protecting Alabasta, isn't it?" Vivi said, her voice soft but resolute.
"We fight for our pride," Kiri said. "That Straw Hat isn't just for show."
Her words ignited a spark, aligning the crew's resolve.
"The Straw Hats versus the Giant Warrior Pirates," Kiri declared. "For our flag, we can't lose."
Her words unified the crew. It was a defining moment, their strength as a unit crystallized.
The strategy meeting continued, and the crew sprang into action. They raced through the jungle, preparing every possible advantage, moving tirelessly until the volcano's next eruption. Meals were eaten, plans were honed, and the few hours of reprieve were filled with urgency. The unpredictable eruption loomed, forcing them to endure prolonged tension.
As evening fell, Little Garden glowed under the sunset's amber light.
Bathed in that same sunset, two figures sat cross-legged, side by side. "Blue Ogre" Dorry and "Red Ogre" Broggy, once legendary pirates, now rested together, arms crossed, gazing in the same direction.
Memories of the past flickered in their minds. They used to sit like this as co-captains, but those days had faded into distant recollection.
The letter from their old friend had stirred a flood of memories—days of sailing as pirates, meeting her, her visits even after their duel began. Her pleas to stop their fighting were now fond memories. She was too old to come herself, but the thought that these newcomers might carry her will added an intriguing layer.
They had time to reflect, and smiles crept onto their faces as they spoke in quiet bursts, savoring the nostalgia, not just longing for it.
"Has it been a century since we came to this island?" Dorry asked.
"Aye," Broggy replied.
"A century of nothing but dueling," Dorry said.
"Pretty much all we've done," Broggy agreed.
"What do you think, Broggy? Fighting side by side after a hundred years?"
"Feels strange. Nostalgic, but… not bad."
Their conversation summoned memories of their younger selves, when they could laugh freely together. Living apart, meeting only to duel, the years had stretched endlessly. Sitting together now felt surreal, almost miraculous.
Yet there was joy in it. They had assumed their duel meant never fighting as allies again. They owed these challengers gratitude, for this might be their last chance to stand together.
"All those draws, and now this," Dorry said.
"Who'd have thought we'd fight a duel to end our duel?" Broggy chuckled.
"Maybe it's the will of Elbaf's gods," Dorry mused.
"What do you mean?" Broggy asked.
Dorry gazed at the sinking sun. "I've never held back in our duels, Broggy."
"Nor have I," Broggy said. "But I've never hated you."
"Same here," Dorry replied.
A silence fell, not heavy but warm, tinged with nostalgia and clarity. They lifted the tiny barrels of liquor, gifts from the Straw Hats, and raised them high.
"Calling it 'kin-killing' stung, even if it was just to provoke us," Dorry said.
"Humans and giants think differently. They won't always understand," Broggy replied.
"But in the end, this is the only way we know how to live."
The volcano erupted, a signal. Smiles spread across their faces as they clinked their barrels together.
"Here it comes," Dorry said.
"Time to go," Broggy agreed.
"This might be our last feast. The end of the Giant Warrior Pirates."
"Then let's make it a grand one."
They had no intention of losing. They'd win, resume their duel, and one would return to Elbaf victorious. This fight was a prelude, a banquet, a festival.
"To Elbaf's pride," Dorry said.
"Cheers," Broggy replied.
They slammed the tiny barrels together, downing them in a single gulp. The barrels shattered as they set them down, and the giants rose, grabbing their weapons and fixing their eyes on their destination.
With a strange mix of emotions, Dorry and Broggy strode forward, their resolve set.
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