Paradise, the First Half of the Grand Line — Little Garden, "Prehistoric Island."
A golden flash streaked through the sky as Wright appeared between two massive Sea King skeletons at the heart of the island.
"I've heard tales about this place for years… but this is the first time I've set foot on it."
"Everything really is enormous here… I suppose to giants, this island could actually pass as a 'garden.'"
What was massive to giants was even more vast for ordinary people. Wright activated his Observation Haki to locate the two targets he was searching for.
Near the coast, two massive figures—both giants—were locked in a fierce, barehanded brawl.
No weapons, no ceasefire? That was merely temporary. For warriors of Elbaf, nothing could halt a sacred duel—not even wounds or broken arms. Let alone something as trivial as losing their weapons.
"Hah! Hah! Brogy, your fists are as soft as a feather tickling me now that you've lost your axe!"
"Hmph! You're in no place to talk when I just had you coughing up blood!"
"Yeah? You were the one coughing it up first!"
"Lies!"
Wright frowned as he watched the two giants hurl punches and trade childish taunts at the same time. He had to interject:
"Um… excuse me, you two. Would you mind taking a break?"
Though not loud, Wright's voice rang clearly in Dorry and Brogy's ears. Both of them paused mid-punch and looked down at the human below.
"Oh? A human? Are you the one interrupting the sacred duel of Elbaf warriors?!"
Dorry scowled. "Didn't we just see a human not too long ago?"
"Isn't this island supposed to be uninhabited for most of the year?"
"Your uniform… I've seen it before…"
Brogy scratched his chin in thought—until his expression changed drastically.
"Dorry! He's a Marine! And… a high-ranking one at that!"
"A Marine?!"
Dorry's eyes narrowed. Memories from a century ago surfaced. "So, after all these years… the Marines finally found us."
The two giants quickly shifted into combat stances. As former captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates, they knew full well—power couldn't be judged by size alone.
A hundred years ago, their crew had clashed with the Navy time and again. They understood exactly how dangerous a high-ranking Marine officer could be.
"Relax. If I were here to capture you, I would've brought a warship," Wright said casually, raising a hand.
"You really don't know me? Don't you read the newspapers?"
"Uh…"
Dorry and Brogy exchanged a sheepish glance.
"The News Coo does pass by here," Dorry admitted, "but we're usually too busy dueling to bother with it."
"And newspapers cost money! It's been over a hundred years—do you think we still have any berries on us?!"
"…"
Wright looked at the two completely isolated ancient relics of an era long past and shook his head.
"Well then, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Wright, Fleet Admiral of the Navy Headquarters."
"!!"
The two giants flinched. Fleet Admiral? So the top dog of the Navy changed? And this young man—how could the Fleet Admiral be running around outside Marineford like this?
"Young man! Lies are punished under the eyes of the gods of Elbaf!"
Dorry crossed his arms, unconvinced. "Back in our day, the Fleet Admiral would never leave Marineford!"
"Hahahaha! Now, Admiral, I might've bought that," Brogy added with a booming laugh. "But regardless of your rank, what do you want with the two of us?"
"A different era, old relics," Wright replied with a smirk. "Believe me or don't—it's up to you. But as someone strong enough to stand here before you, I've got no reason to lie about who I am."
He narrowed his eyes at the two giants. "If you can't take one of my blows… you'll have no reason to doubt me, right?"
"Well said!"
Dorry laughed heartily. "By the name of the gods of Elbaf—defeat us! And prove your claim!"
"Alright, then."
Wright's figure vanished—disappearing instantly.
"Guh…"
"Ugh…"
Before Dorry and Brogy could even register what had happened, their massive bodies were sent flying backward, coughing up blood mid-air.
"Convinced now?"
"…Fleet Admiral, sir."
Neither of the giants were fools. For someone to down both of them in an instant—and look like he hadn't even broken a sweat—there was no point in doubting his identity any longer.
They'd fought each other for a hundred years, yet this single blow hit harder than all of that combined.
"I came here today to ask you something—about Elbaf."
Wright watched as the two giants groaned and stood back up, faces solemn. Good, they still had their wits about them.
"I want to know the current situation in Elbaf."
"What do you intend to do to Elbaf?!"
The two giants tensed up. Why would the Navy's top officer suddenly take interest in their homeland? Were they planning to invade Elbaf?
"We'll die before we let you lay a single finger on Elbaf!"
Brogy leapt forward, throwing a punch toward Wright—but was held back by Dorry.
"Hold it, Brogy!"
"Let's hear him out first! We've been here for a hundred years—if the Navy wanted to attack Elbaf, they wouldn't have waited this long!"
"Huff… huff…"
Brogy panted, slowly regaining composure. He had to admit… he stood no chance against this man.
"Fleet Admiral… we've been away from Elbaf for over a century. We don't know what it's like now."
Dorry's tone was calm and measured—the voice of a true former captain.
"Besides, the Navy already has Vice Admirals from the Giant race. Why come all the way here for us?"
"Elbaf went through a major upheaval," Wright said. "Right after the Giant Warrior Pirates disbanded."
Their expressions darkened.
Despite being out of touch for so long, they'd still heard of world-shaking events now and then—like the fall of their own crew.
"Back then, some of your crewmates returned to Elbaf. But a few… were careless, and got captured by the Marines. They were to be executed."
The giants' eyes widened.
"But someone stepped forward—called for peace. And became a bridge between the Giants and humanity."
"You mean… Carmel-neesan, the 'Holy Mother'?"
Both of them stood at attention, their expressions filled with reverence.
"Yes… we heard about that… albeit a few years late. But it was thanks to Mother that we could keep dueling in peace all these years."
"She… was our greatest benefactor."
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