The next morning.
The Red Hair Pirates arrived at Elbaf.
"We're a step too late!"
Seeing the giant village reduced to ashes, the crew members felt immense pressure. The Earth Calamity's retaliation had come far quicker than expected.
What surprised them even more was that the giants weren't consumed by hatred. Instead, they were enthusiastically rebuilding their village.
At the village center, a structure noticeably grander than the others was under construction—it appeared to be an arena.
Shanks found Saul.
"Saul, what's going on here?"
"We're building an arena!"
"I can see that. I meant why build an arena?"
"Well..."
Saul scratched his head, unsure how to explain.
Elbaf had nearly been destroyed. Even the children were clamoring to become warriors, let alone the adults.
They never wanted to experience such a crisis again.
After discussions among the elders, the village decided not to completely abandon King Harald's policies, but they also couldn't ignore their traditional ways.
After learning the details, the Red Hair Pirates returned to their ship, their expressions grim.
"I never expected things to turn out like this."
"That Earth Calamity, Gurd, is even more troublesome than we thought!"
"And Loki—he'll definitely seek revenge on us next!"
Clearly, Gurd had earned the giants' respect through this war, with even Prince Hajrudin serving under him.
This was far from good news for them.
The violent ways of the Beasts Pirates were diametrically opposed to theirs, and a full-scale war between the two sides was inevitable.
And then there was the troublesome Loki.
Shanks frowned deeply. "Hongou, investigate Loki's whereabouts immediately. His power is too great to let him act freely!"
"Understood."
Hongou nodded, then pressed further.
"What about Gurd?"
"Just keep an eye on him for now."
Shanks shook his head.
Gurd was a member of the Beasts—that was the real problem. If they fought, it would mean an all-out war with the Beasts.
Now wasn't the time for that.
Meanwhile.
The Groudon Ship and the Giant Warrior Pirates were on their way to Wano Country.
On the deck, a small giant who had stowed away was tied beneath the mast, struggling fiercely without any sign of surrender.
"I won't say anything until I see Mr. Gurd!"
"So cute~"
Yamato poked the little giant's cheek. She had sensed something amiss and caught the stowaway hiding in the ship's hold.
The reason was simple—her hidden snacks had been stolen!
Soon, Gurd arrived on deck.
The little giant's eyes lit up at the sight of him.
"Boss Gurd!"
"Colon?"
Gurd was taken aback.
He remembered this kid—among the giant children, this one had the most backbone, leaving a deep impression on him.
"Yamato, untie him."
"Okay!"
Once freed, Colon immediately ran up to Gurd, brimming with excitement. "Boss Gurd, please let me serve under you!"
"You?"
Gurd nearly laughed.
"Sure!"
"Eh? Really?"
Colon's eyes widened in disbelief.
He had expected to be rejected—Shanks had turned him down more than once, and the crew members often teased him for being just a kid.
Gurd instinctively raised his hand to pat Colon's head but found he couldn't reach. Though still a child, the little giant stood nearly eight or nine meters tall.
"Colon, where are your parents? Do they know you've gone to sea?"
"I snuck onto the ship."
Colon replied sheepishly.
He had secretly climbed aboard the pirate ship while the adults were busy with the funeral, hiding in the cabin.
"Definitely a troublemaker."
Gurd nodded helplessly.
"You can stay on board as an apprentice."
"Yes, Captain!"
Colon was overjoyed.
Now he was a real warrior!
Gurd smiled and asked, "Colon, who are your parents? I should inform them, otherwise they'll worry about you."
"My mother is Ripley, and my father is a human. He used to be a pirate—his name is Gaban."
Colon didn't realize the implications.
Gaban?
Gurd blinked in shock.
Huh???
This kid was the half-human, half-giant hybrid, and that man was actually Gaban?!
Gurd was speechless.
He had wondered why Gaban appeared in Elbaf back then but never considered this possibility, especially since many humans lived in the Underworld below.
Damn, how did they even...?
Gurd glanced at Hajrudin's ship.
In his beast-man form, he stood about seven or eight meters tall—barely enough to manage, but Gaban wasn't particularly large, nor was he a Devil Fruit user. There were no rumors about him having size-changing abilities either.
Incredible!
That meant this kid had incredible potential, didn't it?
Gurd grinned encouragingly. "Colon, work hard. When you're stronger, I'll promote you to officer!"
"Really?! I'll do my best!"
The boy's eyes sparkled, thoroughly motivated by the promise.
After several more days of sailing, the Groudon Ship finally arrived in Wano Country. News of Gurd's return quickly spread across Oni Island.
"Hurry up!"
Pirates excitedly rushed to the harbor.
After months away, Lord Gurd had once again shaken the world. Even here on Oni Island, they couldn't help but puff out their chests with pride when reading the news.
Lord Gurd was their pride!
"Form ranks!!!"
Pirates lined both sides of the path, even laying out a red carpet—each welcome ceremony grander than the last.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
As the Groudon Ship docked, ceremonial cannons fired into the sky, bursting into dazzling fireworks.
Even Kaido didn't receive such fanfare when returning!
Gurd disembarked with his crew, staring at the exaggerated welcome party, unsure what to say.
Aside from the core officers, practically every pirate on Oni Island had come.
"Welcome back, Lord Gurd!"
Pirates on either side bent forward, forming an arch with their arms, their excitement resembling that of fans greeting an idol.
No—it was a greeting for an idol!
Among these brutes, Lord Gurd's status now rivaled Kaido's. Some even whispered about whether King or Gurd should be the Beasts Pirates' vice-captain.
In pirate culture, a crew's second-in-command was usually the one with the highest bounty after the captain.
Gurd's bounty far surpassed the other three All-Stars, making him the undisputed choice for vice-captain.
Tears streamed down the pirates' faces as they gazed at Gurd.
"Look at Lord Gurd's flawless muscles!"
"Ooooh, so dazzling!"
"My eyes—my eyes can't take it!"
"Being able to see Lord Gurd at such close distance is the honor of our lifetime! I want to join Lord Gurd's Fan Fitness Club!"
"Haha, I'm already a member!"
Gurd's face gradually darkened.
What the hell was this Fan Fitness Club?!
And could these bastards stop drooling while staring at him? It was disgusting—he only liked curvaceous, beautiful women!
"So amazing!"
Hajrudin and the others had also disembarked from the ship. Seeing Gurd's overwhelming popularity, they couldn't help but be startled, their perception of him rising yet again.
This was the stronghold of a Four Emperor, teeming with countless powerful figures!
"Eh? Giants?!"
Only now did the pirates notice the four towering giants, their jaws dropping in shock.
"Could it be... Lord Gurd has conquered the mighty giants?"
"I heard before that Lord Gurd went to Elbaf, but this is truly astonishing—even the giant race has fallen for Lord Gurd's charm!"
"Gurd! Gurd! Gurd!!!"
The cheers resounded across Oni Island!