Arrival at the Isle of Legends
The Heaven's Embrace descended through a break in the clouds, revealing the vast island of Elbaf sprawled below like a painting from another age. Towering mountains shaped like blades and axes jutted into the sky. The coastline was lined with longships large enough to carry entire forests.
From above, the crew could already see giant warriors in full armor sparring on beaches the size of cities.
Carrot practically bounced on her toes. "They're HUGE!"
Bell-mère flicked her cigarette ash. "Careful, furball, they might think you're an appetizer."
Shirahoshi clasped her hands. "They look… amazing."
Robin smiled faintly. "Elbaf is one of the oldest kingdoms still standing — older than the World Government itself."
Vegito's tail swayed. "And from today… they're going to remember us."
The Docking Spectacle
When the Heaven's Embrace touched down in Elbaf's main harbor, it caused a commotion. Not just because of the ship's futuristic design and dragon-woman figurehead — but because it was flying.
Dozens of giants gathered, murmuring in voices that rumbled like thunder. Many knelt to inspect the ship as if it were a living creature.
A towering female warrior with braided gold hair and a fur cloak stepped forward. She was easily twice the size of the tallest mast on the harbor's longships.
"I am Queen Gerda of Elbaf," she declared. "What brings the Sky-ship and its… smallfolk crew to our shores?"
Vegito floated up until he was level with her face, grinning. "Name's Vegito. We're here to eat, drink, trade stories… and maybe make a few friends."
The Queen's booming laugh shook the harbor. "Then you are welcome! Feast with us tonight!"
The Feast of Giants
By nightfall, the crew was seated at a banquet table the size of a football field. Roasted sea kings, barrels the size of houses, bread loaves big enough to use as furniture — everything was scaled for giants, and the crew needed ladders just to reach their seats.
Vegito, of course, took this as a challenge.
By the second course, he was holding an entire sea king steak in one hand, drinking from a barrel in the other, and trading arm-wrestling matches with giant warriors in between bites. He'd already beaten eight of them without spilling his drink.
Carrot was literally bouncing from table to table, sneaking bites of everything. Wanda and Tristan followed in a mix of exasperation and poorly hidden curiosity.
Boa, normally regal and composed, sat beside Vegito looking almost shy — until a particularly bold giantess tried to flirt with him. The empress' glare alone made the woman back off, muttering about "the little one's scary eyes."
Stories and Politics
After the initial chaos, Robin sat with Queen Gerda and a group of elder warriors, recording ancient oral histories. They spoke of a time before the Void Century when Elbaf fleets sailed to every corner of the world, and of a "world-ship" that once carried an entire civilization between seas.
When Robin asked what happened to it, an elder simply said: "The kings of the empty throne feared it."
Meanwhile, Bell-mère and Reiju were in quiet talks with Elbaf's war council, trading information about Marine movements in the New World. The giants had no love for the World Government, but they also weren't eager to provoke them — until Vegito's presence stirred the idea that maybe the Government wasn't as untouchable as they thought.
Harem Comedy in a Giant's Hall
The Minks caused a minor scene when Carrot, in Sulong form, leapt onto a giant's shoulder to "get a better view" and accidentally kicked over a vat of honey-mead the size of a pool. The liquid cascaded across the table, soaking Nojiko, Mikita, and — unfortunately for the noise level — Nami.
Nami slowly turned her dripping head toward Carrot. "Run."
Carrot ran. Vegito laughed so hard he almost dropped a sea king bone the size of a ship's mast.
Meanwhile, Shirahoshi shyly joined a group of giant children playing a game similar to hopscotch — except each "square" was big enough to be a garden.
A Giant's Challenge
As the night wore on, a booming voice cut through the hall.
"I am Skarn, champion of Elbaf!" The speaker was a massive warrior with a beard like a snowstorm and an axe taller than the Embrace. "I challenge the small man who eats like ten giants!"
The hall erupted in cheers.
Vegito set down his drink and floated into the ring. "Rules?"
Skarn grinned. "First to yield loses."
The fight lasted all of fifteen seconds. Skarn swung — Vegito caught the axe head between two fingers, spun it, and sent the giant tumbling backward into a snowbank outside the hall.
The crowd roared. Skarn got up laughing. "You fight like the storm itself, little one!"
A Promise for the Future
Later, as the feast wound down, Queen Gerda pulled Vegito aside.
"Elbaf remembers those who bring strength without arrogance. You and your crew have our friendship."
Vegito's grin widened. "Good to know. I may need giant friends sooner than you think."
Robin's eyes met his from across the hall — they both knew what the Empty Throne clue meant, and that when the time came to face the World Government directly, having Elbaf at their side would change everything.
Setting Sail
At dawn, the Heaven's Embrace rose into the sky once more. Giants lined the cliffs, raising weapons in salute. Carrot, still waving wildly, had to be dragged aboard by Wanda before she leapt into another giant's pocket for "one last ride."
Vegito stood at the bow, watching the island shrink behind them. "Alright… giants are on our side. Next stop… the Empty Throne."
Bell-mère blew smoke into the wind. "You're gonna wake the whole damn world with this one, Captain."
Vegito's grin was pure mischief. "Good. I like it when they're awake enough to be scared."
[World State Updated]
Allies: Elbaf officially allied with Vegito's crew.
Lore Unlocked: Confirmation of the world-ship's existence before the Void Century.
Next Arc: Preparations for the Empty Throne infiltration begin.