Elbaf, West Village.
The tremor rising from beneath the Treasure Tree Adam briefly disrupted the ongoing banquet.
"Wow, even a tree this massive can feel an earthquake?"
Usopp paused mid boast to his giant admirers and glanced around in surprise.
In the past, he would have already been hiding in fear. Now, with the power of the Mori Mori Fruit, he felt completely at ease.
If a real disaster struck, he could simply turn into vines and burrow underground. No collapsing terrain would threaten him.
"Treasure Tree Adam… what a massive tree!"
Ever since Franky realized he was standing on the legendary wood used for the greatest ships, his eyes had been shining with excitement.
He ran his hands along the surface, unable to contain himself.
"If I could just take a piece… no, not just one… I could double, triple the size of the Thousand Sunny!"
Standing on such a treasure yet unable to use it was torture for him.
"If this whole tree became a ship," he muttered, "it would be the strongest ship in the world. I'd surpass even Tom-san's legacy!"
"Ah…"
The giant women nearby showed faint unease from the tremor.
"Wah, giant beauties are incredible!"
Sanji darted between them, hearts practically spilling from his eyes.
"Don't worry, ladies, I'll protect you! Giant beauties!"
"Hehehe, that was a strong one."
Luffy continued stuffing his mouth, barely reacting, then turned to the giant child beside him.
"Hey Koron, do earthquakes like this happen often here?"
"No…"
Koron shook his head, confused.
"Elbaf rarely gets earthquakes, especially not like that. I don't remember any… maybe when I was really little?"
He scratched his head, uncertain.
Some, however, already had their suspicions.
Zoro finished an entire giant sized bowl of alcohol in one go, set it down, and looked toward Shirogai.
"Shirogai, we just arrived, and suddenly there's an earthquake. That's a bit too convenient."
Shirogai met his gaze with a faint smile.
"Heh, yeah… quite the coincidence."
"… "
Zoro stared at him, suspicion obvious in his eyes.
It's him.
It has to be him.
There is no way this has nothing to do with him.
For all anyone knew, the one standing here could even be a clone.
People always say Luffy causes trouble, but Zoro knew better.
Shirogai, the vice captain, operated on an entirely different level.
When he caused trouble, it never backfired on the crew. It always became someone else's nightmare.
And if he took interest in an enemy, then that enemy's fate was already sealed.
"This tremor… it feels familiar, and not in a good way."
Hajrudin frowned, staring toward the depths beneath Adam.
"Could it be…"
Gerd spoke with unease.
"The one behind that quake… is it Loki?"
"No way."
Goldberg paused mid bite, looking at them in disbelief.
"He's been chained with Seastone for years. How could he suddenly break free?"
Before anyone could respond…
Boom!!
A far more violent tremor shook the entire Treasure Tree Adam.
Tables rattled violently, fruits rolled across the ground, and the entire village wavered.
"Ah!"
The giant children lost their footing and fell, staring around in confusion.
This was no ordinary quake.
Something had gone terribly wrong.
And the most likely cause…
Loki, the one eyed cursed prince, had escaped.
"So it really is the underworld."
Hajrudin stood up, his expression turning serious.
"Rod, Gerd, Goldberg, come with me. We're going down to investigate."
As the son of King Harald and Loki's half brother, Hajrudin carried a heavy sense of responsibility.
In his heart, protecting Elbaf was not optional.
Even if it cost him his life, he would not hesitate.
And if the threat came from his own blood…
Then he would deal with it himself.
"Wait, Hajrudin."
Elder Jarul's hoarse voice cut through the tension.
"The God King has already informed me of the situation below. Loki's release was permitted… by me."
The entire gathering froze.
"What?! Loki is free?!"
"That lunatic who destroys everything is out again?!"
"Our homes just stabilized, are we going to lose everything again?!"
"Silence!"
Jarul's voice thundered, forcing the village into quiet.
"You all know Loki is a danger to Elbaf."
He looked at them gravely.
"But because of his identity, and the Devil Fruit he carries, we cannot kill him. Nor can we allow that power to fall into the outside world."
His gaze sharpened.
"Do you intend to keep him imprisoned forever? That was never a real solution."
He gestured toward Shirogai.
"Now, someone capable of resolving this problem has come. I believe the God King will not bring harm to Elbaf."
The giants fell silent, glancing between Shirogai and Jarul.
Still, doubt remained.
They knew Shirogai was powerful.
But Loki was not someone who could be dismissed.
It took the strength of the entire Giant race, along with the Red Hair Pirates, just to subdue him.
A one on one battle?
They could not imagine it ending easily.
…
Underworld.
"… "
Loki lay in the center of the massive crater, motionless.
His single eye slowly regained focus as he stared into the sky.
A rare expression appeared on his face.
Confusion.
Doubt.
"…Am I really… this weak?"