Just as I thought...
As long as it originates from my own body, even a flying slash can carry the Bomb-Bomb Fruit's explosive properties.
Watching the devastating explosion triggered by the flying slash, Kaito's eyes lit up with satisfaction.
Even though he had only just obtained the Bomb-Bomb Fruit and hadn't truly begun developing its abilities...
His current use of the fruit had already surpassed that of Mr. 5, who remained stored within the alternate space inside his body.
Or rather...
This wasn't some advanced application at all.
It was simply one of the most basic ways the Bomb-Bomb Fruit could be used.
Mr. 5 had simply never thought of applying it that way.
Little Garden wasn't particularly far from Alabasta.
The voyage was only slightly longer than sailing to Drum Island.
After less than two days at sea...
By afternoon, the War Pirates' fleet finally reached the shores of Little Garden.
"Look!"
"There really are dinosaurs here!"
"So this is the Island of Prehistory?"
"The Grand Line really is nothing like the East Blue or West Blue."
"Ancient creatures that should've gone extinct still exist here!"
"That one is huge!"
"It looks like a Brachiosaurus!"
As the ships anchored along the coastline, Kaito, Robin, and the others stood on deck, gazing toward the island ahead.
Towering trees stretched across the landscape.
Even near the shore, countless ancient trees rose hundreds of meters into the sky.
Groups of pterosaurs circled overhead above the dense jungle.
While everyone observed the scenery...
Several enormous Brachiosauruses, each over twenty meters long, slowly wandered through the forest not far away.
Watching the gigantic dinosaurs shake the ground with every step...
Not only the ordinary crew members...
Even officers like Sandy widened their eyes in amazement.
After surveying Little Garden's environment, Kaito turned toward Robin, Neferpitou, and the others behind him.
"Robin."
"Proceed according to the plan."
"Capture the beasts on this island."
"No problem."
Robin smiled and nodded.
"Leave it to us."
Neferpitou stretched lazily before grinning.
"Captain..."
"You can focus on recruiting those two giants."
"We'll handle everything else."
Lafayette adjusted his cane with an elegant smile.
"I'm rather looking forward to this 'modification' you mentioned."
"We'll gather all the materials you need."
Law nodded as well.
"Leave it to us."
During the voyage to Little Garden, Kaito had already explained his purpose for coming here.
He had also laid out the crew's entire plan.
Their primary objective was to capture as many prehistoric beasts as possible.
Including the dinosaurs.
As for why...
That related directly to Kaito's earlier statement about increasing the overall strength of the War Pirates.
Seeing that everyone understood their assignments, Kaito wasted no more time.
Turning around...
He leaped over the side of the ship.
Stepping through the air, he shot toward the island's interior.
"Everyone except the crews staying behind!"
"Disembark immediately!"
Robin quickly assumed command.
"First Squad, Second Squad, Third Squad!"
"Follow me!"
"Capture every beast you encounter!"
"Lafayette!"
"Lead the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Squads from the other direction!"
"Understood."
The officers immediately began moving.
With Kaito already gone...
Robin, Lafayette, Law, Smoker, Zoro, Sandy, Neferpitou, and the others directed the crew with practiced efficiency.
The pirates gathered onshore before splitting into multiple groups.
Under their respective officers, the War Pirates advanced from different directions into the depths of Little Garden.
Their mission was simple.
Capture every prehistoric beast they found.
Including every dinosaur they encountered.
Boom!!
Deep within Little Garden...
Beyond its endless forests...
Rose an enormous volcano.
Almost the very moment the War Pirates arrived...
The volcano erupted.
Molten lava burst violently into the sky amidst deafening explosions.
Its eruption seemed almost like a signal.
Soon afterward...
At the center of the island...
Two gigantic figures appeared.
Each carried a massive weapon.
"Gababababa!"
Brogy laughed heartily.
His enormous shield rested upon his left arm.
In his right hand...
He gripped a gigantic battle axe.
"Dorry!"
"This duel won't end like all the others!"
"This time..."
"I'll definitely beat you!"
Across from him stood Dorry.
Like Brogy, he carried a huge shield on his left arm.
Instead of an axe, however...
He wielded an enormous sword.
"Gababababa!"
He laughed just as boldly.
"Stop bragging, Brogy!"
"The winner today..."
"...will be me!"
"No!"
"I'll win!"
"I'll be the victor!"
The familiar exchange had long since become tradition between the two ancient Giant Warriors.
After finishing their customary challenge...
Both giants roared simultaneously.
They charged toward one another.
Their gigantic axe and sword swung down together.
Boom!!
A thunderous collision erupted.
The impact was even louder than the volcanic eruption itself.
The giant axe and colossal sword crashed together with overwhelming force.
An enormous shockwave exploded outward.
The surrounding earth was blasted apart.
Hundreds of meters away...
Towering trees bent violently beneath the pressure.
Boom!!
Another deafening collision followed.
Neither giant managed to overpower the other.
Without hesitation...
They immediately slammed their enormous shields into each other.
A second tremendous impact echoed across the island.
The axe swung again.
The sword answered immediately.
Their feet shattered the earth beneath them.
Neither remained stationary for more than an instant.
They quickly separated before charging back together once again.
Clang!
Boom!
Clang!
Boom!!
Sparks flew endlessly.
Violent shockwaves swept through the surrounding forest.
Within only a short time...
Brogy and Dorry had already exchanged dozens of blows.
Exactly like every duel they had fought over the past century...
Neither gained any advantage.
Neither could suppress the other.
If nothing unexpected happened...
Today's battle would almost certainly end in another draw.
Boom!!
Boom!!
Almost simultaneously...
Two piercing roars echoed through the air.
Just as Brogy and Dorry's weapons collided once again...
Both giants suddenly sensed something.
A crimson gleam flashed across their eyes.
At the same time...
They instinctively turned toward the distant horizon.
Far away...
A brilliant beam-like shockwave was racing directly toward them.
Its terrifying power ripped through the air.
Violent pressure rolled outward in wave after wave.
Every tree standing in its path shattered apart beneath the overwhelming force.
Their pupils instantly contracted.
There wasn't even time to think.
Brogy and Dorry immediately raised the massive shields on their left arms.
The two enormous shields overlapped as they defended together.
Boom!!
The incoming shockwave slammed directly into the paired shields.
An earth-shaking explosion erupted.
Violent shockwaves spread across the battlefield.
The ground beneath both giants instantly collapsed.
Their feet sank deep into the earth.
Even while desperately resisting...
The overwhelming force continued pushing them backward.
The two giants carved deep trenches across the ground as they slid dozens of meters in reverse.
Only after being forced back that far...
Did the shockwave finally dissipate.
As the remaining energy scattered...
One detail became immediately apparent.
Both Brogy and Dorry had coated their shields with Armament Haki.
That...
Was precisely why they had managed to withstand the tremendous power of the shockwave.
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