The moment the Caribbean Pirates stepped off the Black Pearl and into the forest, the ground seemed to rumble.
It wasn't just the thickness of the trees or the way the sunlight struggled to pierce the canopy throught the tall trees which was menancing, it was also the fact that there was a potential very powerful being waiting for them.
Pintel shivered.
"I don't like this," he muttered, clutching his coat tighter. "This island's got that… you know… stab-you-in-your-sleep vibe."
Ragetti nodded vigorously. "Aye. The kind of place where skeletons pop out to scare you."
Jack Sparrow, naturally, was unaffected.
He strode at the front, hands clasped behind his back, boots crunching leaves with theatrical confidence. He leaned sideways toward Crocodile as they walked.
"So," Jack began cheerfully, "what do you reckon? Ancient ruins? Lost civilization? Maybe a forgotten temple filled with gold, cursed idols, and the occasional death trap?"
Crocodile exhaled smoke slowly.
"Jack," she said flatly, "if you say the word treasure one more time, I will personally turn into sand and bury you up to your neck."
Jack blinked. "Bit extreme and kinky."
"I am exercising restraint."
Behind them, Gibbs walked with one hand resting on his flintlock, eyes constantly scanning the undergrowth. Augur moved beside him, Senriku balanced on his shoulder, gaze sharp and distant.
They hadn't gone far when the ground trembled.
A deep, thunderous boom echoed through the forest.
Pintel yelped. "That was definitely not a friendly noise!"
Another crash followed—trees swaying violently, birds erupting into the sky.
Jack slowed, frown finally creeping onto his face. "Right. That's… new."
As they pushed forward, the sounds became clearer. Not random destruction.
Combat.
Heavy, rhythmic impacts. The clash of metal on metal. Shouts that shook the air itself.
Crocodile stopped.
Her eyes narrowed.
"…Giants," she said.
Jack turned. "Beg pardon?"
"Giants," she repeated, tone serious now. "Two of them."
Augur stiffened. "What would Giants be doing in Paradise?"
Crocodile didn't answer. She didn't know.
They emerged into a massive clearing—and the sight before them stole every word from their mouths.
Two colossal figures dominated the field.
One had a long beard and a horned helmet, wielding a gigantic sword scarred from countless battles.
The other carried a massive axe, his mustache braided thick, armor bearing the marks of age and pride.
They clashed again—steel meeting steel—sending shockwaves across the clearing.
Pintel's jaw dropped. "We're… we're ants."
Ragetti took a step back. "I vote we return to the ship. Immediately. Quietly."
Augur instinctively raised Senriku—then froze.
"…A bullet wouldn't even scratch them."
For the first time in a short while, Augur felt weak, again.
Gibbs watched in silence. He had seen giants before—back in his merchant days, chained and broken at Sabaody. But this…
These giants stood free. Proud. Warriors.
The two titans roared and unleashed their final blows simultaneously.
The clash echoed like thunder.
Then—silence.
The fight ended in a draw.
Neither giant looked exhausted.
Instead, they straightened… and noticed the newcomers.
One of them waved.
"Ho!" boomed Brogy.
Jack hesitated—then waved back enthusiastically. "Hello!"
Dorry leaned down slightly. "Who are you, little folk?"
Jack cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Captain Jack Sparrow of the Caribbean Pirates!"
Pintel groaned. "Why are you shouting?!"
Dorry blinked. "You needn't shout. We can hear you just fine."
"…Right," Jack muttered.
Despite Crocodile's and Augur's obvious suspicion, the giants welcomed them with booming laughter.
Soon enough, the crew found themselves seated among enormous tree stumps, eating slabs of roasted meat the size of small boats and drinking from barrels that would've drowned a man.
Jack was in his element.
"And then," he slurred proudly, "I single-handedly wrestled a Sea King twice the size of my ship!"
Gibbs leaned in. "Captain. Please stop."
Dorry laughed heartily. "You are a bold one!"
Pintel, chewing furiously, turned to Brogy. "Uh… how long have you two been… here?"
Brogy took a long drink of sake. "We are captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates of Elbaph."
Dorry interrupted, "One of us is."
Brogy ignored him. "We have been here for… quite some time."
Crocodile's eyes widened.
"…The Giant Warrior Pirates disbanded nearly a century ago."
The table went quiet.
Jack slowly lowered his cup. "You're joking."
Dorry scratched his chin. "Is that so?"
Brogy shrugged. "Then it has been… eighty years."
Pintel nearly choked. "EIGHTY?!"
Ragetti stared. "They're… older than uncle Gibbs."
Gibbs had a tic mark on his head, "If you call me uncle or old one more time, I swear upon the Four seas I-"
Augur put a hand in his mouth before he could complete his sentence.
The giants, unfazed, continued eating.
Jack's thoughts drifted—back to burning arms, blackened flesh, and a woman's voice whispering in his dreams.
Meet the giants.
He swallowed and cleared his throat.
"Er… Brogy?" Jack asked carefully. "You ever heard of… haki reflux?"
The giants stopped eating.
Their expressions turned serious.
Dorry leaned forward. "That is not a thing to joke about."
Jack nodded quickly. "Wasn't planning to."
Brogy studied him. "Is one of your crew afflicted?"
Jack hesitated—then gestured awkwardly at himself. "That'd be me."
Brogy frowned. "It can destroy your body if ignored."
"I know," Jack said quietly. "Which is why I'm not ignoring it."
Dorry and Brogy exchanged a look.
Then Brogy smiled—a massive, proud grin.
"If you are willing," he said, "we can make you strong."
"Strong enough," Dorry added, "to master your power instead of being crushed by it."
Jack leaned back, staring up at the giants.
For once, he didn't joke.
"…I'll take that deal."