October 1492, Sea Circle Calendar, Ancient Island.
Little Garden, one of the iconic islands in the first half of the Grand Line, Paradise.
The reason it's considered iconic isn't because of its location, but because of the giants who have been fighting on it for decades, as well as the prehistoric dinosaurs and giant plants that exist here.
This is one of the second stop for pirates from the Four Seas entering one of the sea routes into the Grand Line.
Dinosaur droppings and decaying bones together have earned Little Garden its reputation as a no-go zone for newcomers.
"This is the place."
The Babanuki anchored offshore. Kaido walked to the edge of the ship, a red light flashing in his eyes.
"Such vigorous life energy… it must be the giants. Bazel, let's go!"
Bazel picked up Toki, crouched slightly, and leaped onto the dragon's back.
"King, proceed according to the plan. We have plenty of time. We just need to reach the New World by the beginning of next year."
"If you run into that bastard Shiki, remember to contact us. Big Bro Kaido and I will hurry back as soon as possible."
King, standing at the edge of the ship, looked disgusted, "I know, you're as naggy as an old woman."
The blue dragon's body disappeared into the massive forest and King waved his hand.
"Babaanuki, let's go. Head to Drum Island to find the most famous doctor."
…
Little Garden.
Boom…
The volcano at the center of the island suddenly erupted. Even from half an island away, Bazel could feel the gentle breeze turn into a scorching wind.
"This island is truly amazing~"
Toki, who was following beside Bazel, was like a curious child, occasionally plucking leaves half the size of her body to play with.
"I never thought dinosaurs would still exist in this era. Even in the time I was born, such creatures were rarely seen."
"Speaking of which…" Kaido, leading the way ahead, slightly turned his face, glancing at Toki out of the corner of his eye, "You're a Time Human who ate the Toki Toki no Mi, right?"
"What exactly happened eight hundred years ago? Why was the World Government established? And what is this Warrior of Liberation that Arber keeps talking about?"
"I'm not really sure about the specifics."
Tucking the stray hair behind her ear, Toki recalled the past and said softly, "I was born in the year 672 of the Sea Circle Calendar. By the time I was old enough to remember things, the daimyos of Wano had already decided to close off the country and built high walls to isolate themselves from the world."
"As for the things you asked about… the elders in my family refused to talk about them, as if they were related to some kind of taboo."
"They just kept repeating one thing…"
"Toki, we lost. To survive, we must close off the country until the day the Warrior of Liberation returns."
"…After accidentally eating the Toki Toki no Mi, I had no choice but to bid farewell to my parents and choose to travel through time to the future."
"To find the legendary Warrior of Liberation and help open Wano's borders!!"
'Warrior of Liberation, opening the country…'
Countless elements flooded Kaido's mind, making his head itch as if something was growing.
"I've got it! Toki, if you're from Wano eight hundred years ago, you should be able to read the ancient script, right!?"
"Ah? Ancient script..."
Toki guiltily looked away, "That was the responsibility of the stonemason clan, the Kozuki Family, back then. I, I accidentally fell asleep during class at the private school."
"You're just too adorable, Toki, hahaha~~"
Bazel couldn't help but feel delighted, raising his hand to pat Toki's head.
"I really want to see what you looked like as a child~~"
"Stop patting me! If we go to Wano in the future, and if the Amatsuki Family still exists, I'll find a picture to show you."
Toki clasped her hands behind her back, her cheeks slightly red.
"I was super cute when I was little, you know! Lots of boys in the private school had a crush on me!"
"Then I'll be looking forward to it."
Even so, Bazel knew.
Right now, there was no Amatsuki Family in Wano.
Kozuki, Fugetsu, Uzuki, Shimotsuki.
These four great families divided Wano Country's six regions.
The ruling member of the Kozuki family controlled all of Wano as the shogun, while the other families governed their respective regions as daimyos.
Just like a certain Shinobi Village and their Kage next door.
Watching Toki enthusiastically share stories of her past, Bazel couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth.
'Forget it, let Toki find out on her own…'
'It would be too cruel if I said it.'
Just as the three of them were heading toward the center of the island, deafening laughter suddenly erupted from afar.
"Kabababa~~ Dorry, it's time for our decisive battle again. This time, I'll definitely defeat you!"
"Gyagagaga! Brogy, don't make me laugh so hard! I'll be too weak from laughing! There's no way you can beat me!"
Bang…!!
The power of the giants collided. A shockwave spread from the clashing weapons, flattening the surrounding grass.
"This time, I'll definitely win!"
Dorry raised his great sword and swung down with all his might, but it was blocked by Brogy's shield.
Just as they were about to continue their attack, two powerful auras emerged from the grass, impossible for even the giants to ignore.
"Wororororo~ I'm Kaido, Kaido of the Beasts!"
Kaido took the lead, pointing at Dorry, "Hey, you look stronger! You'll be my opponent!"
Before Dorry could even speak, Brogy furiously interjected, "Nonsense! Obviously, I look stronger! You should pick me as your opponent!!"
"Wait, Brogy."
Dorry pulled Brogy back, squinting at Kaido, "Humans, why are humans here? And you interrupted our sacred duel of Elbaf."
Bazel stopped Kaido, who was about to make a move, and warned in a low voice, "Kaido-san, we're not here to kill them."
Kaido obediently shut up.
"You are Dorry and Brogy, the strongest warriors of Elbaf, right?"
Bazel opened with a flattering remark that cost him nothing.
The two giants exchanged a glance, immediately straightened their backs, and puffed out their chests.
"Exactly! Brogy and I are the strongest warriors of Elbaf! Human, you have a good eye!"
Brogy was equally pleased with Bazel's words, "Although I don't want to be too proud, you're right! There are no giants stronger than the two of us in the entire giant race!"
"Ah, wait, that's not right. There might be one more... Dorry, I remember we haven't beaten that guy Harald yet, right?"
"You mean Harald~"
Ignoring the three of them, Dorry pulled Brogy aside, and they crouched down, whispering to each other.
"That's true. We've never beaten him since we were kids, but now's not the time to talk about that."
"That human is a very perceptive human. We just admitted we're the strongest, so we can't show weakness now."
"Besides, Harald is the Giant King."
"How could we go all out against the king? So all those past duels don't count."
Listening to the clear voices reaching their ears, Toki looked puzzled and tugged at Bazel's sleeve.
"Bazel-kun, what are they doing?"
"Probably..."
Bazel sighed, 'What might be a whisper to giants was, to humans, no different from shouting through a megaphone.'
"Having a secret conversation, I guess? Probably."
"Let's just do it my way! Settle this quickly!"
Boom…!!
Conqueror's Haki erupted.
The two giants instantly snapped to attention, gripping their weapons and staring at Kaido.
"Conqueror's Haki! Human, what are you trying to do?!"
Kaido transformed into his hybrid form, his original seven-meter height growing slightly taller.
"I'm here to fight! I heard you giants are strong! I want to challenge one of you!"
"Challenge a giant?"
The two giants burst into laughter first, "Humans can't defeat giants! You're too small!"
"And there's only one of you. We are both equally strong. Which one will you choose…"
"Wait a minute! And me!"
Bazel hurriedly cut into the conversation.
Giants have a natural respect for duels. Unless absolutely necessary, they would never gang up on a single opponent in a duel.
And Dorry and Brogy's combat abilities were basically identical.
If they let these two stubborn giants choose...
They would probably fall into another endless loop.
That is, Dorry and Brogy would have to finish their own fight first, and the winner would take on Kaido, who appeared stronger.
"We all want to know just how powerful the strongest giant of today is!"
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