"Two Diamond Trophies? That's somewhat unexpected."
Storm gazed at the two six-star Grand Prize Trophies floating silently in the void, his eyes gleaming slightly.
"However, judging from their combat performance earlier, the strength of these two captains from the Giant Warrior Pirates is truly remarkable."
Although Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry had fallen before Storm's [Clay-Clay Fruit], his ability had genuinely reached the seven-star level!
The fact that the two giants could hold out for so long against a seven-star [Clay-Clay Fruit] was already impressive. But strictly speaking, there was a difference between the "six-star" level of Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry and Crocodile's "six-star."
If Crocodile's strength primarily relied on the [Sand-Sand Fruit], making him a "mechanic-type" opponent, then these two legendary giants, Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry, were undoubtedly "stat monsters."
Storm stored away the two [Diamond Trophies] and then commanded the dozen or so "Sword-Shield Giants" to return to the earth. Without the presence of the "Sword-Shield Giants," the scenery of Little Garden suddenly became much emptier.
Storm turned his gaze to the side, where the Clayified ground rippled like waves. A surge of clay resembling a giant wave pushed a figure toward him.
"White Dragon..."
Crocodile maintained a calm and composed expression on the surface, but inwardly, he was already preparing for a defensive counterattack. Although he had personally experienced the power of Storm's fists before, he never expected Storm's [Clay-Clay Fruit] to exhibit such overwhelming effects.
When he saw the dozen or so Clay Giants appear on the battlefield earlier, Crocodile couldn't help but feel despair for the two giants. Now, being brought before Storm by the "Giant Wave Clay," Sand Crocodile couldn't help but feel a bit tense.
Storm glanced at the visibly uneasy Sand Crocodile and couldn't resist teasing him. "Weren't these two giants stronger than you imagined?"
"Hmph!" Crocodile snorted coldly, maintaining his haughty demeanor as one of the "Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea." "I could have easily dealt with those two giants as well!"
Storm didn't disagree with Sand Crocodile's statement. There was no denying that Crocodile's [Sand-Sand Fruit] was quite formidable. In terms of Devil Fruit performance, Old Croc was leagues ahead of other Logia-types like the [Smoke-Smoke Fruit], [Swamp-Swamp Fruit], or [Snow-Snow Fruit].
On the other hand, Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry were only strong in terms of "stats" or "physical prowess." During the earlier battle, neither of them had displayed any use of [Haki]. Giants without [Haki] stood little chance against the [Sand-Sand Fruit]—unless they could somehow lock their health indefinitely and keep getting back up, like defeating Old Croc with bloodied fists or something equally dramatic.
"Even if you could handle those two giants in Little Garden..." Storm agreed, but he didn't hold back on the warning.
"But what about that ancient giant of the Whitebeard Pirates, Little Oars with a bounty exceeding 500 million Belly? And standing behind him—the 'World's Strongest Man,' Whitebeard Edward Newgate?"
Precise targeting.
A single strike to the heart.
To provoke Crocodile, nothing worked better than the name "Whitebeard."
Upon hearing Storm's words, Crocodile's expression immediately darkened.
How could he not know the terrifying strength of Whitebeard? If not for his crushing defeat at Whitebeard's hands back then, would Crocodile have hidden away in Alabasta, chasing the elusive Ancient Weapon [Pluton]?
"Whitebeard!!"
Seeing Crocodile on the verge of boiling over, Storm spoke up at just the right moment.
"Even with your [Sand-Sand Fruit], the New World is teeming with pirates who wield [Haki].
"Especially the Whitebeard Pirates!
"If we charge into the New World together, who exactly could your [Sand-Sand Fruit] handle then?
"Even setting Whitebeard aside—'Phoenix' Marco, 'Diamond' Jozu, 'Flower Sword' Vista.
"Which of these three commanders could you take on?"
A wave of intense shame surged through Crocodile.
Back in the day, when he had made his name on the seas, the so-called "Phoenix" Marco had been nothing more than a mere apprentice on the Whitebeard Pirates!
Yet now, Marco had become an example this White Dragon bastard used to warn him…
How could Crocodile not feel humiliated, not feel embarrassed? Storm figured the timing was about right—any more, and he worried Crocodile might just snap.
"That's all I'll say, Old Croc. Think it over—when exactly did you lose your [Haki]?"
After these words, Storm summoned a Blue-Eyed White Dragon and flew off toward the nearby waters of Little Garden.
Left behind, Crocodile slowly raised his right hand, trying to unleash his [Haki].
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't summon even a trace of its power.
All he held was slipping sand…
Storm's question echoed relentlessly in Crocodile's mind.
When had he lost his [Haki]?
Was it after his crushing defeat at Whitebeard's hands? When he became intoxicated with the prestige of being one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea? Or—
When he abandoned his past convictions entirely, pinning all his hopes for revenge on the illusory promise of an Ancient Weapon?
Like a statue, Crocodile stood motionless for a long time.
Meanwhile—
Storm, riding the Blue-Eyed White Dragon, transported the Baroque Gustaph directly onto the island of Little Garden.
Once the "drinks" were secured,
Storm used his [Clay-Clay Fruit] powers to capture some nearby dinosaurs.
"Food" was now ready too! Drawing his [Goethite Sabre] from his waist, Storm cleaned and prepared the meal, then lit a bonfire.
A simple yet hearty little feast began.
Storm summoned the two [Diamond Trophies] he had just acquired and poured them into his [Physique] attribute.
[Strength: ★★★★★★★]（Seven Stars）
[Speed: ★★★★★★☆] (Six and a half stars) 'Just one more Diamond Trophy, and the [Speed] attribute will reach seven stars.'
'Then, [Physique] will truly have all three attributes at seven stars!'
'As for [Haki], it can be honed through training or hunting trophies—no rush there...'
Storm stowed away his [Grand Prize Trophy] and threw himself into the battle against food and drink.
The aroma of roasted dinosaur meat spread endlessly across Little Garden.
Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry, who had lost consciousness during the battle, slowly awoke.
"Meat! I smell meat! Kabababa!"
"Booze! And booze too! Brogy! Yigagaga!"
The moment the two giants regained consciousness, they erupted with thunderous shouts.
Clearly, the earlier assault by the group of "Sword-Shield Giants" hadn't inflicted any serious injuries on them.
Storm's voice reached the ears of the two giants.
"Gentlemen, I acknowledge your strength."
With a wave of his right hand, Storm summoned barrels of alcohol from the Baroque Gustaph.
"Now, let the feast begin!"
Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry, taking Storm's cue, immediately rushed toward the mountain-like pile of barrels.
These two giants had fought and clashed on Little Garden for a hundred years.
In all that time, they had rarely even seen humans, let alone fine liquor! Red Ogre Brogy ignored the roasted meat that had roused him and instead grabbed a barrel.
A barrel as tall as an ordinary man looked like a wooden mug in Brogy's massive hands.
"Kabababa! Human! I like you! Cheers!"
Beside him, Blue Ogre Dorry eagerly snatched up another barrel, laughing heartily.
"Yigagaga! Me too, human! You're a great and generous warrior!"
After the pleasantries, the two giants immediately raised their barrels and began chugging.
"Generous?"
Crocodile, sitting around the bonfire, couldn't help but shoot a glance at Storm, who was devouring food nearby.
That bastard White Dragon, using my booze to play host! How generous indeed! With bellies full of food and drink, Storm had eaten more than both giants combined.
"Kabababa/Yigagaga!"
Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry slung their arms around each other, barrels raised, shoulders bumping.
"Eating your fill is happiness!"
"Human, how about some 'post-meal digestion'?"
"Post-meal digestion?"
Storm rinsed his mouth with alcohol—he didn't smoke, and his drinking was only ever light.
"You mean a fight?"
Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry burst into laughter together.
"Kabababa! Exactly! I like you even more now, human!"
"Battle and fine liquor—that's the life of a giant! Yigagaga!"
Storm never refused a fight, and right now, he also wanted to test his newly enhanced [Physique].
"Then let's go!"
Storm stood up, stretching his limbs.
"This time, I won't summon any giants."
Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry rose in unison.
They had been about to remind Storm not to pull any "gang-up tactics"...
A real man fights one-on-one!
Hmm...
Actually, it's two-on-one!
But since Storm voluntarily gave up the "Giant Summoning Strategy," then...
Let this great and generous human warrior witness the true power of Elbaf! Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry charged forward with full confidence.
And then...
BOOM! BOOM! The two giants provided Storm with two more five-star [Platinum Trophies].
A seven-star [Physique], combined with the "Hundredf
old Boost" effect of the [More-More Fruit].
At this moment.
Storm felt terrifyingly strong! Many thanks to "Heavenly Bestowed Equal Path" for the Qidian coin reward!!