The monstrous purple-black flames spread across the sky, covering a vast portion of Elbaf. The weather shifted violently, and the once warm village was suddenly swept by chilling winds.
"Huh? This is strange… the weather doesn't change like this naturally!"
Nami stood atop Robin's enlarged hand, staring wide-eyed at the sky.
"Did something happen over there?!"
Robin gazed toward the source of the cold currents, her voice calm.
"It's likely a Devil Fruit ability… and it's probably connected to Shirogai and Prince Loki."
She glanced toward where Shirogai had been, only to realize he was no longer there.
"That man…"
Nami sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"Seriously, didn't we come here just to regroup? Why does he always get involved in things like this…"
The air felt heavy, like the world itself was nearing collapse.
"It's him… he's really come out…"
The Giants trembled as they felt the familiar aura spreading across Elbaf.
Haldin's expression darkened.
"That is Loki's Devil Fruit ability. If you want to face him, you must stay calm."
He clenched his fists slightly.
"If your emotions spiral into fear or chaos, it will only make him stronger. That power is the complete opposite of light."
The other Giants nodded, their faces solemn. If Shirogai failed, they would have to step in.
They needed to steady their hearts.
"Loki's ability is recorded in our history," Haldin continued, his voice low. "A power belonging to a monster… a demon king that devours all life."
He turned toward Luffy and the others.
"Do not approach carelessly…"
"Wahahaha! Shirogai is fighting their strongest guy?!"
Before he could finish, Luffy had already leaped into the air, stretching his arms between trees as he rushed toward the battlefield.
"Hehehe! I want to see it too!"
"Hey! Luffy, wait for us!"
Usopp followed immediately, while Chopper dashed below in his running form.
"…I haven't even finished speaking."
Haldin stood there, speechless.
"They'll be fine."
Zoro walked forward slowly, one hand resting on his sword.
"Shirogai won't lose."
He spoke calmly, as if stating a simple fact.
"If anything, your brother should be praying that Shirogai holds back enough to let him lose with dignity."
Haldin fell silent, watching Zoro's back.
Such confidence…
Not a trace of doubt.
"You don't understand Loki's power…"
He took a deep breath.
"That Devil Fruit is extremely special…"
"It doesn't matter."
Sanji flicked his lighter, igniting his cigarette as he spoke casually.
"What Loki's ability is doesn't change anything. Shirogai already understands it."
He exhaled slowly.
"No Devil Fruit can hide from him. There's no need to worry about the outcome, Loki has no chance."
Sanji had thought about it before.
What if Shirogai stood against them as an enemy?
There was no answer.
The more he understood Shirogai's abilities, the more hopeless it felt from the other side.
Perhaps the only way to win would be to exhaust him completely.
But…
When had Shirogai ever shown fatigue?
The last time was in Alabasta.
Since then, never again.
No matter the situation, he always wore that calm, unfathomable smile, as if everything was within his control.
"The reason for your confidence…"
Haldin looked at Sanji thoughtfully.
"Is it because of his Devil Fruit? The Talent Fruit… such an ability is unheard of."
Even as a member of the Giant royal family, he had never seen anything like it recorded.
"If such a power belonged to the Giants…"
His thoughts wandered.
A fruit that could replicate abilities.
That alone could shake the entire world.
Compared to that, even Loki's ability seemed inferior.
Haldin had once gone to Dressrosa to obtain the Flame-Flame Fruit, hoping to gain power like the Sun God, a force to counter the darkness they feared.
But Loki's power…
It was different.
The Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model Tricky Giant.
A terrifying ability.
It allowed the user to transform into a monstrous Giant with unpredictable forms and terrifying adaptability.
For Loki, a true Giant, there was no rejection at all.
He could draw out its full power.
Even worse, he could absorb negative emotions, anger, fear, resentment, and convert them into strength.
When he first gained this power, the rage of the Giants after King Harald's death had amplified him to an unstoppable level.
Even the entire Giant race could not suppress him.
He had escaped to sea, growing stronger.
If Red Hair had not encountered him back then, Loki would have already shaken the world.
…
On a ship
"Uta is safe now."
A Transponder Snail spoke coldly from the table.
"She loves singing. Even without her ability, her voice is still beautiful."
The figure standing in the darkness remained silent.
"The reason you hid her was simple," the voice continued. "You feared future complications."
The man slowly straightened, gripping the hilt of his sword.
"Greenwood… I thought your limits were already low."
His voice carried quiet contempt.
"But I didn't expect you to be worse than pirates."
The snail's expression did not change.
"You've been willful long enough. It's time to return and follow orders."
It paused briefly.
"Take your crew to Elbaf. Fight Shirogai of the Straw Hat Pirates."
Footsteps echoed.
The red-haired man walked toward the door, then stopped.
He turned slightly, his gaze sharp.
"Celestial Dragons… your end will come."
A brief silence followed.
"Ensure Uta's safety. I'll do this."
Boom!
The door opened, light flooding in.
A surge of Haki burst outward, shaking the sea.
"Ah… guys."
Shanks scratched his head, giving a helpless smile.
"Looks like we've been cornered. We're heading to Elbaf to meet Shirogai and Luffy."
"Captain, that's pathetic!"
His crew burst into laughter.
Shanks sighed.
"Enough. Set course for Elbaf. Luckily, we're not far."
…
Underworld
"Awooooo!!!"
The colossal one-eyed wolf burned with black-purple flames, radiating a terrifying aura as it charged forward like a force meant to end the world.
Its massive claws tore through the air, releasing sharp, corrosive sounds as they slashed toward Shirogai.
"What exactly is your ability?"
The wolf spoke, its voice distorted yet clear.
"How can you use multiple powers at once?"
Shirogai stood calmly, unmoved, his expression relaxed as always.
"Curious?"
He tilted his head slightly, a faint smile forming.
"Then survive long enough, and I might explain."