The battle between Brogy and Dorry ended, as always, in a draw. Lying on the ground, they gazed at the endless, starry, diamond-studded sky.
"Broughy, how much longer do you think we'll be fighting?" Dorry asked, his voice as quiet as the whisper of the wind.
"A hundred years?" Brogy chuckled. "After so many years, we always end up like this. But in the future, everything will be different. Kababa, Dorry, you really are my best friend!"
"Gya-ga-ga, of course!" Dorry laughed.
The two giants lay on the ground like children, their eternal rivalry forgotten. Meanwhile, Rodney and Crocus were dragging a Tyrannosaurus rex, a Triceratops, and an Ankylosaurus ashore—a rich dinner for Laboon.
"Brogue, what if..." Dorry turned his gaze to Rodney and Crocus, a new thought lighting up in his eyes.
Brogie, who knew his friend like the back of his hand, understood him without words.
"Well, let's do it this way, Brother Rodney," he nodded.
Rodney, who had been watching the giants with curiosity, turned around.
"Can I help you with something?" he asked.
"We have a favor to ask of you," Dorry said.
"About what? Please tell me," Rodney bowed his head eagerly.
"We'd like you to help us get to Elbaf and find out how things are there. It would put our hearts at ease," Brogy explained.
"If I ever happen to be passing by, I'll definitely do it," Rodney replied, not committing himself.
"Then please accept our gratitude," Brogy stood up, his gaze full of sincerity. "As a token of our appreciation, we will give you a gift."
"Your gifts may be too much for me, so let's forget about it," Rodney said, embarrassed.
"No, it's not a physical item," Dorry smiled. "We currently have no valuable items to offer. Instead, we can provide you with Elbaf's Log Pose. However, we can teach you the combat skills associated with it."
"Giant fighting skills? Could it be..." Rodney raised his eyebrows curiously.
"I'm not sure you can master the technique we giants call 'Giant Combat.' After all, no one outside the giant race has ever mastered it," Brogy shook his head doubtfully.
Together with Dorry, they stood up, their figures towering over Rodney like rocks.
"Giant Technique, Hakoku!" they proclaimed in unison.
"Hakoku?" Rodney's eyes gleamed, knowing the power of this technique. Big Mama's ability was incredibly destructive, but it was likely only available to the Rocks Pirates. The giants considered them enemies, so it was unlikely that anyone other than the Rocks Pirates could master Hakoku.
"The main question is, can I learn it myself?" Rodney asked the question that worried him most. The physical disparity between giants and humans was enormous. Mastering Hakoku was not easy, and even among giants, not everyone could do it.
"Perhaps," Dorry looked hopefully at Rodney. "I'll modify Hakoku to make it easier for you to learn. Then, when you go to Elbaf, you can learn it again."
"I understand. Please teach me, masters," Rodney bowed his head, expressing his willingness to learn.
"Come on, come on! Look here, Rodney! First, I'll demonstrate the full version of Hakoku!" Brogy swung his axe, as if preparing for battle. "The most important aspect is the weapon you wield. Using only your body for this technique will strain you greatly. It requires excellent weapons. Our weapons have been used in combat for a hundred years. After performing this technique, they will most likely break."
Brogy raised his axe and brought it down with force towards the empty sea.
"Hakoku!" he roared, his voice like thunder.
The axe unleashed a colossal spiral shockwave, compressing its mighty force into a sharp spear that seemed capable of piercing everything. It carved a vast cavity in the sea until the force dissipated and the hole was swallowed by the water.
Click! The blow shattered the old weapon in his hand, signaling the end of its lifespan.
Rodney's Sharingan registered Brogy's actions in his mind, and he used his quest points to obtain a standard fixed blade from the Kumogakure market. By mimicking Brogy's actions, he gathered a significant amount of chakra into his hands and the blade.
"Hakoku!" Rodney shouted, trying to imitate the technique.
Boom! The energy of the spiral blade compressed into a spear, but before reaching its target, it dissipated into the air.
'Hm?' Rodney frowned, disappointed with his failure.
"Not bad, even very good! Your talent for teaching is simply astounding! You're an excellent fighter!" Dorry exclaimed, his eyes shining with amazement. Even after so much study of Hakoku, they couldn't generate such sword energy the first time they used the technique.
"Of course! You're a natural-born fighter! With time, you'll undoubtedly master this technique!" Brogy added, his voice full of approval.
"Brogue just performed the full version of Hakoku. Now I'll teach you a simplified version. While it may seem unnecessary, it will help you master the technique." Dorry stood up and swung the large sword in his hand. "Hakoku!"
This strike was significantly weaker than the one Brogy had used previously, but its power was not to be underestimated. The weapon in his hand was also covered in cracks, indicating that repeated use of this attack would eventually break it. Using Hakoku places significant strain on even a gigantic weapon. This is one of the reasons why they rarely use this technique.
Dorry and Brogy began teaching Rodney the intricacies of Hakoku, enlightening him on various aspects he hadn't previously understood. Using the simplified version, the success rate increased significantly, and the destructive power remained impressive. The attack range extended up to 40 meters in front of him.
As for performing a real Hakoku... that might be beyond his powers.
"Hakoku!" Rodney concentrated and activated the technique again.
The spiral blade energy pierced through the large tree in front of him, demonstrating its enormous power.
Snap! The straight blade in his hand cracked and shattered, leaving only the hilt. The immense power of Hakoku significantly shortened the weapon's lifespan. To use the blade, Rodney needed to master the concept of Haki. Until then, he'd have to either change weapons frequently or find a quality one.
"Ah, if only I had taken Sandai Kitetsu from Loguetown," Rodney sighed, remembering the legendary sword. "Then I wouldn't be left without a weapon."
Shaking his head, he suddenly remembered that Ryuma, the Sword God of Wano Country, had dug up his body in Moria, finding a large, sharp sword within. He remembered that the sword was of excellent quality. With these thoughts, he turned to Crocus, who stood nearby.
"Old man, I have a favor to ask of you," Rodney looked at Crocus, who was tending to Brogy and Dorry's wounds.
"Oh? About what?" Crocus turned, looking at Rodney curiously.
"I noticed Moria was holding a remarkable sword. I'd like you to ask your friend to bring it to Sabaody Archipelago, where I'll pick it up."
"Oh? Are you interested in this sword? Very well, I'll inform the deputy captain. When the time comes, you can take it from him as a token of his gratitude for finding Laboon a friend." Crocus hadn't originally planned a specific gift for Rodney, but now he'd found one. However, he'll first evaluate the sword's quality. If it doesn't meet his expectations, he'll prepare an alternative.
"Well, I apologize for the disturbance, old man," Crocus waved his hand and returned to his duties.
Brogy and Dorry, two giants, suffered new and old injuries daily. Their physical wounds were deep, testament to the strength with which they fought the giants. Without their exceptional resilience, most humans would have perished long ago.
"It's best not to engage in combat for a few days. It won't do your health any good. Listen to the doctor!" Crocus advised.
Brogy laughed: "Oh, come on, Doctor, that won't do. Our battles happen every day, and when the volcano erupts in the middle, it means our battle has begun."
"You must take a day off for the sake of your health," Crocus insisted.
"Ha-ha, doctor, that's not about us," the giants answered in unison.
The giants' responses left Crocus feeling helpless. It was as if the crew on a ship had been forbidden to drink, but they still wanted to. No matter how much he tried to dissuade them, he couldn't stop it.
"Forget it, no fighting today," Crocus waved his hand, jumped off Dorry's shoulder, and decided to rest. Old people shouldn't stay awake all night; it's not good for their health. "It's time for us to rest too," he muttered under his breath.
Brogy and Dorry lay down and dozed off. Boom-boom-boom! Their snoring sounded like thunder. The noise kept Rodney awake, so he decided to give up on it. Finding a free spot, he used his Shadow Clone technique to continue studying Hakoku and Rokushiki. And as for rest? That could wait until tomorrow; after all, he was looking forward to a restful night's sleep.