Departure from Calm Waters
The Heaven's Embrace cut through the waves like a living blade, her dragon-woman figurehead gleaming in the sunlight. Above deck, the crew bustled — but this time it wasn't about battle readiness. It was about nesting.
Lilith and York were working in the inner dimension, expanding the safe sectors. Mink mothers-to-be were already decorating "nursery dens" with furs and carved charms. Even the hardened fighters like Kuina and Kalifa seemed softer in their movements.
Vegito stood at the bow, cape and tail swaying in the wind, watching the horizon.
Robin joined him, a thick leather-bound book under her arm. "Elbaf is… unlike any island we've visited. The giants' sense of honor is absolute. If you impress them, they'll fight for you until death. If you insult them, you might as well declare war."
"Good thing I'm charming," Vegito said with a smirk.
Robin arched a brow. "You will remember to avoid hitting on the wrong woman, right?"
Vegito's tail flicked. "I'll mostly remember."
Elbaf on the Horizon
Three days later, a wall appeared in the distance. Not a fortress wall — cliffs. Sheer, snow-dusted cliffs rising hundreds of meters from the sea, dotted with colossal pine trees the size of watchtowers.
Atop those cliffs… movement. Shapes that made the ship's massive sails look like child's toys.
"Giants," Nami whispered from the crow's nest. "Actual giants."
Bell-mère crossed her arms, grinning. "First time seeing one?"
"First time seeing one that could probably throw this ship like a dart," Nami muttered.
The First Encounter
A booming voice rolled over the sea. "SHIP APPROACHING! STATE YOUR PURPOSE OR BE SUNK!"
From the cliff edge, a giant with a beard like a snowy avalanche glared down at them, holding a spear longer than the Heaven's Embrace herself.
Vegito cupped his hands around his mouth. "NAME'S VEGITO! WE'RE HERE FOR TRADE, STORIES, AND MAYBE A DRINK OR TWELVE!"
There was a pause. Then the giant's deep laughter shook snow from the trees. "HOSPITALITY WE CAN DO! PREPARE TO LAND!"
Docking Elbaf-Style
The "dock" was a massive platform carved into the cliffside, with thick chains hanging down to the sea. Giants lowered enormous hooks, which latched into the ship's reinforced hull.
The Heaven's Embrace groaned as it was hauled upward, seawater streaming from her flanks, until she rested atop the cliff alongside the giants' own ships — each one looking like a floating fortress.
Carrot's ears quivered in excitement. "Everything's so big!"
Kuina gripped her sword, eyeing a nearby giant's blade. "That thing could cleave an island in half…"
The Feast of Welcome
Within the hour, the crew was seated at a banquet table the size of a parade ground. Whole roasted sea kings lay on platters the size of rooftops, alongside barrels of ale that could drown a small boat.
A female giant in a deep blue tunic approached Vegito, her braided hair swinging like ropes. "I am Gerda, captain of the Sea Fang fleet. Who are you to arrive in a flying ship and claim friendship?"
Vegito stood, meeting her gaze without flinching. "A man who doesn't care how tall his friends are, as long as they're worth drinking with."
Gerda studied him for a long moment, then threw back her head and laughed. "HA! I like you, small one."
A Challenge of Strength
No Elbaf welcome was complete without a test. Vegito was led to the center of the banquet hall, where a giant named Hrothgar — chest like a fortress wall, arms thicker than tree trunks — slammed his fist into the ground.
"Arm wrestling," he declared. "If you lose, you pay for the feast."
Vegito grinned, tail swishing. "If I win, you buy the first round for my entire crew."
They clasped hands. The room went silent.
Hrothgar strained, muscles bulging, the table creaking under the force. Vegito didn't move — not an inch. Then, with the barest push, he slammed the giant's hand into the table so hard the wood splintered.
The hall erupted in cheers.
Stories by Firelight
That night, the giants shared tales of the Old World — of battles fought alongside Roger, and of the day the World Government cut ties with Elbaf after a mysterious "betrayal."
Robin listened intently, piecing together fragments of history that matched the poneglyph records. "Vegito… I think there's a connection between the giants and the builders of the world-ship."
Vegito's grin turned sharper. "Then we just made the right friends."
Foreshadowing Trouble
While the feast continued, a scout ship returned to the Elbaf harbor. A younger giant rushed to Gerda's side. "Captain — there's a fleet approaching from the east. Beast Pirates colors."
Vegito's expression darkened. "Kaido's lapdogs."
Bell-mère cracked her knuckles. "Guess the party's about to get interesting."
Gerda smirked at him. "If you're as strong as you claim, small one… then tomorrow, you fight beside Elbaf."
Closing Scene
As the fires burned low, Vegito stood on the cliff edge, looking out over the moonlit sea where distant lanterns marked the enemy fleet. His tail lashed once, twice, and then stilled.
"Let's see how well they swim," he murmured.
Behind him, the crew prepared for battle, laughter and anticipation mixing with the salt air.
[Crew Status Updated]
New allies: Gerda and the Sea Fang fleet.
Intel gained: Giants' ties to ancient world-ship builders.
Incoming Threat: Beast Pirates' eastern fleet.
Next Chapter: Battle for Elbaf – cinematic, large-scale combat with comedy beats.