The Going Merry glided through a strange fog the next morning. The sky was pale and heavy, the air thick with the scent of moss and old earth.
Nami frowned at the Log Pose. "It's pointing straight ahead, but… this place isn't even on the charts."
Kai leaned over her shoulder. "That's the Grand Line for you — full of places that shouldn't exist."
Usopp shivered. "I have a bad feeling about this. What if there are monsters?"
Luffy's grin was immediate. "Then we fight 'em!"
Kai sighed. "Of course that's your answer."
[Stream: LIVE — "Mystery Island Adventure!"]
[Viewers: 12.4M]
[Chat: "LITTLE GARDEN ARC LET'S GOO" / "Kai about to get eaten 💀" / "Zoro and Luffy will definitely get lost lol"]
As they dropped anchor, a thick jungle came into view — massive trees, strange calls echoing from deep inside.
Sanji sniffed the air. "Smells like danger and barbecue."
"Hopefully not at the same time," Kai muttered.
Luffy and Usopp were already running ahead, shouting something about hunting dinosaurs.
Kai groaned. "Why do I even bother saying 'be careful' anymore?"
Nami crossed her arms. "Because someone has to."
He smirked. "And here I thought you only liked me for my good looks."
She shot him a glare. "Keep talking, and I'll leave you here with the bugs."
[System: Nami Affection +1 (Amused Despite Herself)]
Moments later, the jungle roared. Something massive moved between the trees — each step shaking the ground.
Kai froze. "Tell me that's not what I think it is."
Usopp's scream echoed through the clearing. "D-DINOSAUR!"
[Stream Title Updated: "FIGHTING A REAL DINOSAUR!?"]
[Viewers: 14.2M]
[Chat: "THIS STREAM IS INSANE 💀" / "Luffy vs Jurassic Park incoming" / "Kai better run 😂"]
Luffy laughed like a maniac and charged straight at it.
"Gomu Gomu no… PISTOL!"
The dinosaur roared, snapping its massive jaws — but Kai darted in beside Luffy, using Momentum Burst Lv4 to propel him up its neck.
"Smile for the camera!" he shouted, slamming a kick into its eye.
The creature toppled, shaking the forest.
Kai landed, panting. "Okay… that's a clip."
[System: "Beast Battle" Completed. +800K Berries | Random Drop: "Dino Hide Fragment."]
As they celebrated, a thunderous laugh rolled through the air.
"BAHAHAHA! STRONG LITTLE ONES!"
The crew turned — and froze.
Two towering figures stood over the trees, their shadows massive against the sunlight. Giants. Actual giants.
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "WOAH! THEY'RE HUGE!"
Kai blinked. "No kidding."
The red-haired one leaned down, grinning. "Name's Dorry!"
The blue-haired one added, "And I'm Brogy! Welcome to Little Garden!"
Kai's jaw dropped. "Little Garden. Sure. Because irony."
[Chat: "THE GIANTS!!!" / "Dorry and Brogy finally here!!" / "Kai's sarcasm is peak 😂"]
Hours later, the Straw Hats were sitting around a bonfire the giants had made. Meat roasted on spits the size of tree trunks.
Luffy was in heaven. "Best. Day. Ever!"
Nami, still shaken, muttered, "You people are insane."
Vivi smiled softly. "They seem kind."
Kai nodded. "Kind and terrifying. Great combo."
Brogy's laughter boomed. "You have spirit, little man! Drink!"
Kai raised his mug. "If I die, tell my viewers I went viral."
[System: Achievement Unlocked — "Friend of Giants."]
[Temporary Buff: +15% Strength while near Large Allies.]
Later that night, while the others slept, Kai started a private stream — just the soft crackle of fire and stars above.
[Stream: LIVE — "Campfire in the Land of Giants"]
[Viewers: 9.9M]
He spoke quietly.
"You ever realize how small you are when you meet people like this? These guys have been fighting for a hundred years… and they're still smiling."
[Chat: "Kai dropping wisdom again 🥹" / "From streamer to philosopher fr" / "This world changed him 😭"]
He smiled faintly. "Yeah, it's crazy. But maybe that's what makes it beautiful."
The firelight flickered in his eyes.
Tomorrow would bring another fight, another story, another stream.
And he'd be ready for it.
[End of Chapter 23 — "Island of Giants."]