It was probably a similar technique.
Don knew that many races in this world had connections to the Celestials—perhaps the result of biological experiments from long ago. The Giants might very well be among them.
That might explain why the Giants struggled to awaken Haki—or why it was so difficult for them to master it at all.
But even without Haki, their naturally powerful bodies still granted them terrifying strength.
That energy he felt earlier… it must have come from their immense vitality itself.
Don reflected on the strike they had just exchanged, considering whether he could reproduce it.
Crack!
A sharp metallic sound rang out. Don looked up to see the weapons in both Giants' hands shatter simultaneously.
A hundred years of battle had long worn them down; they could no longer withstand such a blow. Their time had come.
The two Giants exchanged a look, then dropped the broken weapons and sat cross-legged on the spot, fixing their gaze on Don.
"We couldn't defeat you. Take our lives, then."
They spoke in unison.
"Huh? Why would I take your lives?"
Don blinked, giving them a strange look.
"The lives of the defeated belong to the victor."
One of them declared solemnly.
"I only wanted to witness your Elbaf Spear. I have no interest in your lives. If you don't mind, though—tell me how one learns that strike."
The Giants stared at him in disbelief.
"You don't want our lives?"
"I said it already. I came to see the power of the Giants, not to kill anyone."
Don waved his hand dismissively, turning toward the ship drifting toward the shore.
Moments later, the ship descended. Issho and Robin stepped off.
"You managed to block that technique."
"After you mentioned it, I thought it might not be that difficult."
Issho replied with calm modesty.
"That's a technique only Giants can perform," Dorry said, "but if you wish to understand it, we can tell you."
The moment Dorry finished speaking, his stomach let out a thunderous growl.
As if on cue, Brogy's stomach followed suit.
"We're hungry!"
The two Giants exchanged a look and stood up.
"Come! We'll treat you to a meal!"
With that, they headed deeper into Little Garden.
"Captain, you're far too reckless."
Robin walked beside Don, her eyes scanning him carefully. Seeing that he wasn't injured, she finally spoke up.
"No force in this world can kill me with a single blow."
Don grinned.
"Even so, that attack was too dangerous."
Robin glanced toward the sea, still turbulent from the clash. From the sky earlier, she had seen the two Giants' combined strike literally split the ocean in three.
"Alright, alright—you win."
Don patted her shoulder, but his tone was far too casual for Robin's liking.
She sighed in resignation.
Before long, three massive fires were crackling, roasting the meat of dinosaur-like creatures large enough to blot out the flames beneath them.
Fat dripped into the fire with a sizzling crackle-pop, filling the air with the rich scent of roasting meat.
"That's how it is. This technique can only be used by Giants," Brogy explained again, as if to make sure Don understood.
As expected.
It was the fusion of overwhelming vitality and presence—the very essence of will and body combined.
A technique not unlike Conqueror's Haki infusion.
Don pondered it silently but didn't attempt to replicate it yet.
On the other side, Dorry was already tearing into a massive roast, chewing noisily.
"We might not beat you at anything else, but when it comes to eating—we'll win for sure!"
Brogy declared with confidence, though his mouth was already watering.
"That's not a sure thing."
Don raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth curving upward.
Robin suddenly had a bad feeling. Her gaze darted between the roasting meat and Don's faint grin.
And just as she feared
Brogy's boast was taken as a challenge.
The next moment, the Giants and Don were locked in a full-blown eating contest.
Robin and Issho stood frozen, watching Don devour massive chunks of meat at a pace that matched the Giants themselves.
Even more absurdly—his stomach didn't bulge in the slightest.
Is his belly connected to another dimension?
Halfway through, the Giants both stopped eating, dumbfounded, staring at Don.
How could a human possibly eat more than them—and not even show it?
For Don, eating was no issue.
He could consume any amount, and each meal subtly strengthened his body.
Though the growth was usually negligible, the sheer amount and quality of this meat made a noticeable difference.
After all, these were prehistoric beasts—creatures with dense, powerful muscle.
[Constitution: 152]
Before coming to this island, his Constitution had just crossed 150.
After this feast, it had risen by two points—most of it early on.
He dropped the massive bone from his hand, glanced at the skeletal remains before him, then at the exhausted Giants.
"Seems you can't even win at eating, huh? What a waste of your size."
Don's words made both Giants flush bright red.
Among the Giants, appetite was a matter of pride
those who ate more were considered stronger.
And now they understood why Don's strength was so absurd.
He could eat enough for ten Giants and still stand tall.
Fueled by wounded pride, they resumed eating furiously.
By the end, both had turned pale, eyes rolling back as they fell onto their backs, snoring loudly.
"Are they… okay in the head?"
Robin whispered to Don, tapping a finger to her temple.
"What do you mean?"
"They seem… off."
"That's just the Giants. Or rather, most people on this sea are like that—not too concerned with thinking too deeply."
"Somehow, that doesn't sound like a compliment."
Robin sighed, unsure if he meant it kindly or not.
"We're leaving tomorrow. Get some rest early."
Don stood, sheathing his blade and walking off toward the shore.
Robin watched his back, then glanced at Issho.
"He's probably trying to replicate that Giant technique," Issho said after a pause, then followed after Don.
At the shore
Don drew his blade and closed his eyes, recalling every detail of the Giants' Elbaf Spear—their movements, their focus, the strange energy swirling around their weapons.
But their explanation had been too vague…
or perhaps that was simply how the Giants taught it.
Shhh!
The blade sliced through the air, sending a cutting wave flying.
END OF CHAPTER
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