Chapter 18: The Conflict on the Prehistoric Island (Part 2)
About two or three hundred meters away, two giants were locked in fierce battle. Their enormous figures were clearly visible even through the trees, and the shockwaves from their weapon clashes could be felt by Eric from afar.
"They're quite powerful even by giant standards," Chiron said, ever the master of knowledge.
"Definitely. They each had a bounty of 100 million Berries a hundred years ago," Eric replied, though his mind was elsewhere. 'How do I stop their duel? In the anime, it was MR. 3's scheme that got them to pause. Then they used "Sovereign Nation" to kill that island-eating goldfish, broke their weapons, and started fist-fighting again once the volcano erupted. Killing one of them technically ends the duel… but they didn't seem like bad guys when they met the Straw Hats. What should I do?' Eric 's conscience wouldn't allow random killing, but he had no clue how to stop the fight.
The giants' weapons flew out of their hands. They then used their heavy shields to pummel each other until both collapsed from exhaustion.
"Battle number 65,722."
"Draw number 65,722."
They declared it aloud before falling.
"Ohohohohoho!" — Dorry
"Ahahahahaha!" — Brogy
The two laughed heartily together. Shipmates once upon a time, now locked in a dispute for ninety years with no victor after tens of thousands of fights. Perhaps by now, they each knew the other was their greatest rival.
"Why are they even fighting? Weren't they captains of the same crew?" Akame, who deeply valued her companions, couldn't understand why their duel was so intense. She had seen it with her own eyes—they went for lethal strikes.
"They don't even remember anymore. It's been ninety years," Eric explained.
"A duel with no reason? What's the point?" Akame said, confused. In the past, she drew her blade for assassination. Now, she fought to protect her companions. She couldn't understand meaningless conflict and death.
"They're warriors, Akame. That's enough reason for them," said Chiron, the ever-wise mentor. "Someday, you too may encounter meaningless battles. What matters is holding firm to your heart and keeping your sword path true."
"Yes, sir." Akame felt like she had gained another layer of insight into swordsmanship. She would likely improve again in the days ahead.
"This probably all started with a hunt ninety years ago," Eric said, pointing at two massive skeletons on the island. "Each of them hunted one of those. Just by sight, you can't tell which is bigger. Then a little girl asked them who got the larger one. They both insisted theirs was bigger. So they followed the Elbaf tradition—duel. The winner would be right."
"And so they've fought ever since. The volcano at the center of the island erupts regularly—that's their signal to duel. Their endless argument even caused the disbanding of the Giant Warrior Pirates. Now they don't even remember why they're fighting. They're just warriors who want to win."
"I've decided—I'm going to end this duel!"
"They've fought for so long. Words won't change anything. What's the plan, Captain?" Chiron asked—he was the smartest of the group, after all.
"Shouldn't the chief strategist—Master Chiron—come up with the solution?" Eric replied slyly.
"You really love throwing problems at me," Chiron said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"Master Chiron, you figure it out. Akame and I are going hunting. Akame, what kind of dinosaur meat do you want to try?"
"I want to try every kind," Akame said, eyes gleaming, the picture of a glutton who never gains weight—every woman's dream.
"Haha, let's not go too crazy. Too much will spoil. We'll be here a few days anyway—no need to rush." Eric wisely reined her in, sparing countless prehistoric animals.
"Wow! A triceratops—wait, why is it charging us?" A normally herbivorous triceratops suddenly came barreling toward them.
"Execution." Akame sliced it clean in half with Murasame.
"Uh, should we keep hunting first or bring this one back?"
"Keep hunting." The unknown flavors of exotic meats called to her.
"Wait! Change your weapon! I don't feel comfortable eating something you killed with Murasame!"
...
"Okay, okay, Akame—enough already!" Despite usually being obedient, Akame went overboard. They dragged back three giant cats and two dinosaurs. (Hopefully no animal rights groups show up.)
"Hah, a true bounty," Chiron said with a smile as he received the catch, preparing to butcher the meat.
Boom... boom... The ground shook. A massive figure approached, and the round-faced giant Brogy laughed heartily. "Ahahaha! Visitors, huh? Do you have any alcohol?"
"We've got some," Eric replied.
"You do? Wonderful."
"A few barrels, but they're on the ship. I'll go get them."
"Ahahaha! Thanks!" Brogy picked them up in his hand, placing Akame, Chiron, and Eric in his palm, along with the freshly hunted meat in the other. "You've got some skill to take down beasts like this."
"You really couldn't wait, huh? How long's it been since your last drink?"
"A year or two, I think. About ten years ago, pirate crews used to pass by here asking for booze. But most of them got wiped out. I guess the others heard the rumors and stopped coming through. No more booze since."
'That was probably after Roger's execution, when news of the One Piece got out and everyone rushed to sea,' Eric thought.
"Giants are amazing. Carrying all this like nothing," Akame said, admiring the ease with which he lifted the load. Her own hands weren't nearly big enough—though she definitely had the appetite.
"Ahahaha! It's the right of giants!"
They returned to Brogy's dwelling with the alcohol and started cooking.
"Wait… Why are there so many human bones?" Akame asked, puzzled. The giant hadn't seemed like the type to eat people.
"Oh, those are from pirates. Some were eaten by dinosaurs, others died from the heat or hunger. Some even attacked us and got wiped out. It takes a full year to charge a Log Pose here—too long for most humans to survive."
...
"Ahahaha! Good, huh? Dinosaur meat!"
Akame, mouth full, could only nod.
'I'm just wondering which part this came from… That bone running through it looks weird.' Eric stared at the meat with a bone sticking out the middle. 'Whatever, just eat.'
"Didn't expect such delicate cooking from a giant. Delicious," said Chiron, who had taken over as chef in Akame's place.
"Ahahaha! It's a secret recipe from Elbaf!"
BOOM! The volcano roared again.
"Time for the duel signal!" Brogy dropped his meat, grabbed his weapon, and headed out.
Akame, now understanding the story, called after him, "Do you even remember why you're fighting?"
"The reason...? I forgot long ago!" he shouted back, as their weapons clashed again.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen10