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"When did you guys get here?!" Logan's voice came from behind.
Nami and Tashigi turned around at the same time, and both blinked when they saw Golden Week. But they quickly went back to normal.
They were used to this by now.
Every time Logan went out and didn't come back with a pretty girl, that was the real surprise.
After a brief nod of acknowledgment, Nami and Tashigi turned their attention back to the fight between Brogy and Dorry.
It was their first time seeing the true might of the giant race up close.
The shockwaves alone split the ground and flattened ancient trees, sending countless beasts fleeing in terror.
Within a few hundred meters around them, it was a dead zone.
"Logan, do you know why they're fighting?!" Nami asked curiously."They're both giants—why fight to the death?"
Logan looked toward the two giants and said calmly, "At this point, they're probably fighting for the pride of their kind."
Originally, Brogy and Dorry fought just to see who could hunt the bigger prey.But a hundred years had passed—they'd long forgotten why they started.
An hour slipped by, and their battle neared its end.
Boom! Boom!
With two thunderous crashes, both giants slammed their shields into each other's faces and collapsed at the same time.
The fight was over.
"Hahahaha! It's another draw!"
"Yeah, it's been a hundred years and we still haven't settled it!"
"Next time, I'll definitely win! I'll return to Elbaf with the glory of our people!"
"Bullshit! The winner next time'll be me!"
"…"
Logan couldn't help but shake his head. Another draw—figures.
More than a century ago, Brogy and Dorry had formed the Giant Warrior Pirates and left Elbaf.It didn't take long for them to make a name for themselves. Their first bounty reached a hundred million Berries—a massive sum back then. That was a hundred years ago, and a hundred million meant something.
Through years of adventure, they'd come to know each other better than anyone else. Every move, every feint—they could predict it.
So every fight between them ended the same way: a draw.
Logan had come to Little Garden for two reasons.
First and foremost—to recruit Golden Week.Second—to learn the giants' unique combat skill: Hakai.
When used, it unleashed a shockwave of devastating power.
Brogy and Dorry once used it to clear a path for the Straw Hats—a single strike wiped out a sea king the size of an island.
And when I say island-sized, I mean the thing's crap could literally form an island.
That's how strong Hakai was.
Now imagine that move infused with Haki. The power would be insane. Logan had to learn it.
He was in desperate need of a truly powerful sword technique.
After a round of good-natured bickering, the two giants finally stood up, ready to return to their sides of the island and wait for the next volcanic eruption—their usual signal to fight again.
But then Brogy spotted Logan in the distance.
"A human?!"
Both giants turned and looked toward Logan and the women, then burst out laughing.
"Gagagaga!"
"Kapapapa!"
"It's been ages since humans showed up here! You got any booze?!"
Brogy plopped down right in front of them, his massive frame like a mountain.Dorry looked equally expectant—he could barely remember what alcohol tasted like.
These folks had to be pirates, right? Pirates always had booze.
"Captain Brogy, Captain Dorry, it's an honor," Logan said with a grin. "We've got plenty of rum on our ship. If you want some, come along."
Makino had just brewed a new batch, and the hold was packed full.
The girls exchanged glances and looked the giants over. They actually seemed... friendly.
Impression score: +1.
"You know our names?!" Brogy asked in surprise.
They'd been stranded here for over a century—seeing humans again was shocking enough. But being recognized?
When Logan said his name, Brogy felt a warmth in his chest. No one besides Dorry had spoken his name in a hundred years.
"Of course I know. The legendary Captains Brogy and Dorry of the Giant Warrior Pirates! You two were famous across the seas. If you showed up today, plenty of people would still recognize you."
Dorry laughed heartily. "Gagagaga! You're not bad, human! What's your name?"
"I'm Logan, captain of the Logan Pirates. These are my crewmates."
Logan introduced everyone one by one.
"You're quite the lucky kid," Brogy said with a grin, his gaze sweeping over Nami, Tashigi, and Vivi.All of them stunning."Kapapapa... Logan, guests deserve proper hospitality! Come to my place tonight, I'll give you a real feast! The beasts here are delicious!"
Brogy's enthusiasm was infectious.
"Hey, why your place?!" Dorry snapped. "You think I can't host them myself?!""I saw them first!"
"Bullshit! I saw them too, just didn't say anything!"
"You wanna fight?!"
"Bring it on!"
"Let's settle next time's fight now!"
Logan sweatdropped.Weren't they supposed to wait for the volcano?
He quickly cut in, "How about we go to my place instead? I've got more than enough booze—you'll love it."
At the word booze, both giants froze mid-argument, turned toward Logan in unison, and licked their dry lips.
"Alright, your place it is."
The girls couldn't help giggling.These two were actually kind of cute in their own way.
By the time they reached the Merry, Kaya and the others nearly fainted when they saw the giants.
Once assured they meant no harm, they relaxed.
Logan hauled out all the rum from the ship's hold.In return, Brogy and Dorry went hunting—each dragging back a massive beast, bragging that theirs tasted better.
They almost fought again over it.
It took Logan's quick mediation to calm them down.
Then came the cooking—cleaning, butchering, and grilling, all done with practiced ease.
"Brogy, Dorry," Logan said between bites of juicy meat, "have you ever thought about leaving this island?"
The two paused, then nodded. "Of course. Once we settle who's stronger, we'll return to Elbaf."
Brogy scratched his head awkwardly. "The problem is... we've been fighting for a hundred years, and it's always a draw."
"But next time, I'll win!""Bullshit! You wish!"The girls: "…"
"My honor as an Elbaf warrior won't allow me to lose!" Dorry declared proudly."Oh yeah? You think you're the only one with honor?!"
The air between them tensed again, sparks practically flying.
Logan coughed. "Ahem, Brogy, Dorry—you remember Kashi and Oimo?"
That caught them off guard.Brogy frowned, thinking hard. "Those names... sound familiar. Weren't they part of our crew?"
Logan nodded. "That's right. They were. Fifty years ago, after you didn't return, the Giant Warrior Pirates disbanded. Kashi and Oimo left Elbaf to search for you."
His tone darkened. "But the World Government tricked them. They're now guarding the gates of Enies Lobby."
"What?!""They tricked giants?!"
The air trembled as fury surged from the two. The girls flinched—having seen what the giants' anger could do firsthand.
Logan just shrugged. "It's true. The Government told them you'd been captured. Promised to free you if they guarded Enies Lobby for a hundred years. They believed it—and they've already been there fifty."
"Those bastards!" Brogy roared, slamming his fist into the ground. "We have to save them!"
"But we still haven't settled our fight," Dorry said reluctantly.
Their battle wasn't just a rivalry—it was sacred. A test of honor.
Brogy sighed. Even the roasted meat didn't taste good anymore.
Logan chuckled. "I might have a solution that works for everyone. Want to hear it?"
Both giants leaned in. "We're listening."
"You two can keep fighting until you've decided the winner. Meanwhile, I'll go rescue Kashi and Oimo—and I'll bring them here myself. You'll reunite with them."
The giants' eyes lit up.
"Of course," Logan added, "I'll need a little something in return."
"Anything!" Brogy said instantly. "As long as you save them!"
Logan smiled. "Teach me the giants' technique—Hakai."
Brogy and Dorry exchanged looks, then burst out laughing.
"Kapapapa!""Gagagaga!"
"That's it?!" Brogy laughed so hard he teared up."Logan, after all that booze you shared, we're already friends. If you want to learn, we'll teach you!"
"By the way, who brewed that rum? It's amazing!"
Brogy reached for another jug and chugged it down.Makino blushed slightly at the praise, smiling softly.
"Then it's settled," Logan said."Starting tomorrow, we'll teach you Hakai until you've mastered it," Dorry promised proudly.When a giant gave his word, it meant something.
"Then let's drink to that!" Logan grinned, raising his cup.
"Kapapapa! Logan, you can really hold your liquor!""Gagagaga—hic!—and this rum's the best I've ever had!"
The women watched in awe as the mountain of empty barrels grew.
These two could really drink.
By the time Brogy and Dorry passed out snoring, the rum supply was nearly gone. Logan led the crew back to the ship. Makino's months of brewing were wiped out in one night.
While Logan and the others were busy drinking and laughing, Valentine told Golden Week about what had happened since joining the crew.
After all, they'd both worked under Baroque Works—it was only fair she give the new recruit a little heads-up about Logan's "habits."
Which led to… this.
Golden Week paced her room restlessly, unable to sleep.Despite looking like a kid, she was actually eighteen—and after Valentine's "detailed" explanation, she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of nerves, fear… and maybe a tiny bit of anticipation?
Apparently, this was a tradition for new members.
Her heart raced as the door suddenly swung open.
Logan stepped inside.
The moon hung high in the sky.The soft chirping of insects outside was nothing compared to the sounds that filled the room soon after.
Near dawn."Collect reward."
[Congratulations, Host! You've obtained the Four Emperors BIG MOM's talent: Steel Balloon Physique!]
For a moment, Logan almost burst out laughing.
Steel Balloon?!Now that's a hell of a reward.
One of the strongest physiques in the entire world of pirates.
Everyone knew—the stronger your body, the greater your potential.
Look at Whitebeard at Marineford. Akainu tore him open and he still kept fighting, wrecking everything in his path. That was the power of an indestructible body.
And BIG MOM's "Steel Balloon" was on another level entirely.Unmatched defense, monstrous strength.
At five years old, Linlin could kill a bear with a punch.She once tried to swat a mosquito for a giant friend—and shattered the poor guy's ribs instead.Then wiped out an entire giant village by accident.
By age ten, her bounty was already 500 million Berries.Between ages five and ten—pure destruction.
When it came to raw talent, "Steel Balloon" was in a league of its own.
As for why BIG MOM became what she is now… well, let's just say too many kids and not enough self-control.
What a waste of such an incredible gift.
A mechanical chime echoed as energy surged through Logan's body.He could feel it—his entire physique being reforged from the inside out. It didn't hurt at all; it just felt… powerful.
Minutes later, he opened his eyes, clenched his fist, and threw a punch.
The air itself exploded with a sonic boom.
"Damn… Steel Balloon really is insane."
He grinned. With this physique, his combat potential had skyrocketed.The possibilities were endless.
This day was full of surprises.
"....."