The clash between the two giants had reached a rhythm that felt older than memory itself. Each strike shook the island, each roar rolled through the forest like a storm given voice. Luffy stood still beside Vivi, eyes sharp, body relaxed—but his mind was anything but.
Then his Observation Haki prickled.
Not from the battlefield.
From the left.
Luffy didn't move his head right away. He shifted his awareness first, stretching his perception outward the way Rayleigh had drilled into him—quietly, patiently, without intent. A presence hovered above the treeline, light and unnatural.
An umbrella.
Floating.
Luffy's eyes slid sideways just enough to confirm it.
Ms. Valentine.
And where she was, Mr. 5 would not be far.
He said nothing to Vivi. Panic would only dull her senses, and right now, every second mattered. Instead, Luffy deepened his focus, tracking movements, intent, the faint distortions of will around him. He watched Ms. Valentine descend, her presence vanishing into the undergrowth. A second aura followed shortly after—familiar, volatile, sharp-edged.
Mr. 5.
They split up.
Good tactic. Sloppy execution.
Luffy expanded his awareness again, searching for his crew. Sanji—steady, alone. Johnny and Yosaku—together, alert. Zoro—off by himself, as expected. Nami, Usopp, and Nojiko—grouped, moving carefully.
Alive.
Luffy let out a slow breath.
The duel before him shifted. Dorry and Brogy staggered back from each other, bloodied and laughing, the sound deep and genuine. Warriors who had long since passed beyond hatred.
They separated briefly. Moments later, Dorry returned, carrying massive barrels tucked under one arm.
"Brogy had guests," Dorry said cheerfully, dropping the barrels beside them. "They brought this fine drink and insisted I share!"
Luffy's smile was faint but real. "Did he say who they were?"
"No," Dorry said, already cracking one open. "But I saw two young women and a fellow with a long nose."
Luffy chuckled. "That's my crew."
"Gegyagyagyagya! Then I drink in good company!"
Dorry tipped the barrel back.
The explosion was instantaneous.
Fire, smoke, and force ripped outward. The barrel disintegrated, and Dorry's massive frame crashed backward, eyes rolling, body slamming into the earth hard enough to crater stone.
"DORRY!" Vivi screamed.
Luffy was already moving, eyes burning.
"That was the same alcohol," Luffy muttered, staring at the wreckage. "The same kind used on the ship."
Vivi turned sharply. "Then Brogy—"
"Enough," Luffy said coldly. "No Elbaf warrior would do something so dishonorable. Pride like theirs doesn't bend that way."
Dorry stirred, forcing himself upright, sword driven into the ground to steady his weight. His eyes were sharp, suspicious.
"You," he rumbled at Luffy. "That drink wasn't from Brogy. No warrior of Elbaf would poison a duel."
Luffy stepped in front of Vivi without hesitation.
"My crew and I are not the only ones on this island," Luffy said evenly.
Dorry's gaze hardened. "Who else dares tread this battlefield?"
"Bounty hunters," Luffy replied. "Cowards who profit from dishonor."
Then he looked up, meeting the giant's eyes without flinching. "You are Dorry the Blue Ogre. Your rival is Brogy the Red Ogre. Former captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates."
Dorry's eyes widened—just slightly.
"Two hundred million berries each," Luffy continued. "Old bounties. From before the world changed."
Dorry exhaled slowly. "You know much, small pirate."
"I listen," Luffy said. "And I see."
Dorry studied him, then asked, "You spoke of sensing them. That power… is it Haki?"
Luffy nodded. "Yes."
"Hmph," Dorry grunted. "We know of it. Some Elbaf warriors use it. Others consider it… interference."
"That's fair," Luffy said. "Then let me handle the interference. You and Brogy finish what you started."
The sky darkened as his will pressed outward, thunderclouds swelling overhead.
"I guarantee this," Luffy said quietly. "Anyone who interrupts your duel again will answer to me."
The volcano erupted.
Dorry straightened despite the blood spilling from his chest. "I would fight even wounded."
"I know," Luffy said. "That's why I'm angry."
Dorry gave a grim smile. "I am Dorry of Elbaf. I will fight for our pride."
He turned and marched back toward the battlefield.
The ground shook again as steel met steel.
Then Usopp crashed into the clearing, tripping over his own feet, face pale, eyes wild.
"LUFFY!" he screamed. "Nami and Nojiko—they were chased by dinosaurs—and then they were gone!"
Vivi gasped. Karoo flapped frantically.
Luffy closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, reaching outward—
—and exhaled.
"They're alive," he said firmly. "I can feel them."
Usopp collapsed against Karoo in relief.
Vivi quickly explained about Baroque Works, the poison, the agents. Usopp barely processed it before a massive cry tore through the air.
Dorry faltered.
Brogy's blade came down.
Blood sprayed like a crimson tower.
"DORRY!" they shouted.
Two figures stepped from the trees, clapping slowly.
"Too bad," Mr. 5 said lazily. "A century-long duel, ended like that."
Ms. Valentine smiled, floating just above the ground. "So dishonorable."
Luffy's head lifted.
His expression was calm.
But the air screamed.
"You," he said, voice low, thunder rolling in answer. "Move."
He glanced back briefly. "Usopp. Vivi. Nami and Nojiko are that way. Go. Wait for me."
They didn't argue.
Luffy stepped forward, lightning crawling along his arms, the sky above splitting with light.
"I'll take care of them," he said.
The storm answered.
And Little Garden braced itself.