Thick smoke billowed from the central volcano, a persistent haze that hadn't shifted since the first eruption. It signaled the next was near, hanging over the island like a restless omen.
At the island's heart, two pirate crews faced off. The air crackled with tension, the silence before battle almost tangible. The Giant Warrior Pirates—Dorry and Broggy—stood relaxed, weapons in hand, their massive forms exuding calm confidence. Opposite them, the Straw Hat Pirates formed a line, with Luffy at the forefront, Kiri a few steps behind, and the rest of the crew fanned out in the rear. Each face bore a mix of determination and nerves, their eyes fixed on the giants. Including Karoo, ten Straw Hats stood against two giants. Numbers favored the Straw Hats, but the giants' sheer size leveled the playing field.
Neither side knew how the fight would unfold, yet both radiated unwavering belief in their victory. After a moment of silent standoff, words broke the stillness.
"This duel is held under the name of Elbaf's gods," Dorry declared. "Are you ready?"
"Once you've challenged us, there's no backing down," Broggy added.
"Yeah," Luffy replied, snapping his fingers. "We're ready."
His face, once uncertain, now burned with resolve, a stark contrast to his earlier hesitation. He met the giants' gaze unflinchingly, and Dorry and Broggy nodded, satisfied their opponents were worthy.
"Good," Dorry said. "Come at us with everything you've got."
"No holding back," Broggy warned.
"Alright!" Luffy grinned. "We're not losing. You old guys ready?"
"Gababababa! Full of spirit, huh?" Broggy laughed.
"As I said, this kid's no coward," Dorry said, smirking.
They knew what needed to be done. Words were brief. The giants braced themselves, and the air grew heavy with anticipation.
With a sudden bend of their knees, the giants coiled their strength. At that moment, the volcano erupted, its deafening roar splitting the air like a starting bell. Though consecutive eruptions were rare, this one seemed to herald their battle, as if the island itself watched. The giants leaped, weapons raised high, swinging down with earth-shaking force.
Below, the Straw Hats stared up as a massive sword and axe descended from the sky. Most froze, their spines chilled, but a few held steady, eyes locked on the giants.
"Let's go!" Luffy shouted.
"Scatter! Dodge!" Kiri yelled, thrusting her arm forward.
The crew sprang into action, reflexively dodging the colossal blades. The giants' weapons, though massive, struggled to target the smaller humans. Their size, both a strength and a weakness, gave the Straw Hats an edge in evasion. The blades slammed into the ground, missing their mark but unleashing a shockwave that tore up the earth, sending a gust of wind ripping through the clearing.
The Straw Hats were flung like leaves, tumbling across the ground, unable to land cleanly.
"Waaah!" Usopp wailed.
"Gababababa! Light as feathers, aren't you?" Broggy roared.
"Skill aside, you can't match our size," Dorry taunted. "What's your move?"
Miraculously, no one took a direct hit—perhaps the giants had held back. Still, the blast scattered the crew, shifting the battlefield's dynamic.
Raising their weapons, Dorry and Broggy scanned the area, strategizing their next move. Dorry's eyes caught a flicker of movement. Luffy, using the blast to propel himself into the jungle, gripped two trees with stretched arms, coiling them like a slingshot. His gaze locked onto Dorry, fearless and piercing. The look alone spoke volumes: Luffy wouldn't run. Dorry shifted into a defensive stance.
"Gomu Gomu no Rocket!" Luffy shouted, launching himself forward.
He hurtled toward Dorry's stomach, head poised for impact. Dorry braced himself calmly.
"Hmph!" Dorry grunted.
"Wah!" Luffy yelped.
To Dorry, Luffy was a bullet—small, fast, and direct. But Dorry's warrior instincts held firm. His left arm snapped up, shield raised, and smashed Luffy aside with a brutal swing. Luffy crashed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust with a bone-rattling thud.
Meanwhile, the crew stuck to their plan, moving as rehearsed. The sound of Luffy's impact drew worried glances—Vivi's face twisted with concern, her focus wavering as she ran.
"Luffy-san?!" she cried. "No…"
"Don't stop, Vivi!" Nami snapped. "We've got our roles to play!"
"Indeed, Princess!" Igaram shouted. "We must win this fight!"
The group sprinted toward the jungle, where cover awaited. Usopp led, followed by Shiruku, Nami, Vivi, Karoo, and Igaram, who bellowed with fierce determination. "I may not understand their warrior code, but Kiri's right! To fulfill our dream, we need their strength. We must unite to defeat Baroque Works!"
They plunged into the trees, faces set with resolve. "We'll survive!" Igaram roared. "We'll return to our homeland and save it. Only we can!"
"I know," Vivi said, nodding. "I know."
"Don't worry," Nami added. "Those idiots are stupidly strong. We'll get you to Alabasta. And we've got our own reasons to take down a Warlord."
The group vanished into the jungle. Shiruku glanced back, unease flickering across her face—not for those left behind, but for the crew's changing dynamic, a shift she couldn't quite name. Usopp, sensing her hesitation, called out, "Listen up! Luffy said we're doing this. No time to overthink. Follow Kiri's plan and win!"
"But Luffy—" Shiruku started.
"Don't," Usopp cut her off sharply. "A man's word is final. No takebacks."
His tone carried a rare resolve, no longer just following orders. Shiruku bit her lip, silencing her doubts, and focused forward, leaving the others behind.
Back in the clearing, four remained: Luffy, already back on his feet, Kiri soaring on a paper bird, and Zoro and Sanji eyeing Broggy, their fighting spirit unshaken. Luffy charged Dorry again, undeterred.
The giants noticed the reduced numbers but didn't pursue. Fleeing and strategy were distinct, and they focused only on the enemies before them, wary of underestimating the four.
Luffy leaped, using trees to gain height, aiming for Dorry's eye level. As he clenched his fist, Dorry reacted instantly. "Gomu Gomu no Pistol!" Luffy shouted, stretching his arm.
"No chance!" Dorry roared, raising his shield to block the punch. In a split second, he countered, swinging his sword's flat side like a wall. Luffy braced, curling up, but the impact sent him flying like a bullet.
A paper bird swooped in, catching Luffy mid-air, deftly balancing him on its back. The bird rocked but held firm, steadying Luffy.
Dorry's eyes widened. He'd noticed the odd human earlier, but now she was undeniable. It took seconds to realize the bird was her ability, and even less to spot Kiri circling above. Grinning, he shifted his sword's aim, recognizing her as a real threat.
"Flying without wings, huh?" Dorry said. "Not a living thing, but it soars."
"Luffy, I'll handle your footing," Kiri called. "Fight without worry."
"Got it!" Luffy replied, kicking off the bird and launching at Dorry again, fist first, determined to fight fair.
While they drew Dorry's attention, Zoro and Sanji closed in on Broggy, watching his movements, calculating their strike. "Hurry up, mosshead!" Sanji snapped.
"You're the one dragging your feet!" Zoro shot back.
Zoro, black bandana tied, gripped two swords, the third ready in his mouth. Sanji slowed, turning to face Zoro, then stopped, raising his leg. Zoro leaped onto Sanji's foot, using his momentum. Sanji coiled his strength and kicked.
"Air Force Armée de l'Air Power Shoot!" Sanji shouted.
Zoro soared, drawing his third sword mid-air, assuming his three-sword stance. He aimed for Broggy's face, but the giant reacted instantly.
"Gababababa! You've got guts!" Broggy roared, swinging his axe.
Despite his size, Broggy's speed rivaled a human's, amplified by his weight. Zoro met the axe head-on, his three swords clashing against it. Unable to brace mid-air, he was overpowered, sent crashing to the ground, sliding through dirt and kicking up dust.
Broggy grinned, proud of his strength. A duel demanded no mercy. But in that moment, Sanji sprinted, slipping between Broggy's legs to his rear. The giant's focus on Zoro left him open. Sanji targeted Broggy's knee joint.
"Part of the plan!" Sanji yelled. "Jigoro Shoot!"
"Guh?!" Broggy grunted.
The kick struck the back of Broggy's knee, forcing it to buckle. No bones broke, but the joint gave way, dropping him to one knee. The brief opening was all they needed.
Zoro burst from the dust, his eyes blazing. He leaped onto Broggy's knee, using it as a springboard to jump higher, aiming for the giant's torso or neck. Broggy, sensing danger, raised his shield instinctively.
"Oni Giri!" Zoro roared, slashing.
"Not so fast!" Broggy countered, blocking.
A metallic clang echoed. The strike shook Broggy but didn't falter him. Zoro flipped backward, landing to regroup. Broggy raised his axe, ready to strike, but Sanji attacked again.
"Anti-Manner Kick Course!" Sanji shouted.
"Gah?!" Broggy yelped.
Sanji's kick lifted Broggy's seated body, a barrage of blows striking his rear. The giant crashed face-first, clutching his backside, unable to brace his fall. The pain was excruciating.
Dorry, catching the scene, burst into laughter. A human toppling a giant? Broggy's comical pose, hands on his rear, was absurd. "Gegyagyagyagya! Looking pathetic, Broggy! Getting careless?" Dorry teased.
"Shut it!" Broggy groaned, rubbing his rear. "Just got a bit too excited!"
Sanji, catching his breath, glared coldly. "Don't forget I'm here," he muttered.
Broggy, still wincing, stood, his pride stung. The fight was just beginning. "Impressive," he said. "You've got the spirit to challenge us. Makes this worth it."
"That kick might rival my punch," Dorry said, grinning.
"What? Don't be ridiculous," Broggy snapped, turning to Dorry.
Kiri seized the moment, her paper bird diving as Luffy leaped again. "My punch lose?" Dorry laughed. "You're just sore from that pathetic fall!"
Luffy closed in, landing a punch on Dorry's cheek. The giant staggered, nearly falling, but regained his footing with a thunderous step. Shaking off the pain, he faced Kiri's next move—a massive paper-armored fist slamming into his face, hard as iron. Dorry reeled, teetering backward.
Luffy leaped again, using Kiri's birds for footing, stretching both arms back. "Gomu Gomu no Bazooka!" he shouted.
"Ngh!" Dorry grunted, raising his shield just in time.
Luffy's attack was blocked, and he landed on a bird, retreating with a scowl. The giants weren't easy prey. Kiri, Zoro, and Sanji regrouped, facing the giants, who seemed to be enjoying themselves.
"Gababababa! What's wrong, Dorry? Slipping?" Broggy teased.
"Those hits pack a punch," Dorry admitted. "Might be heavier than yours."
"No way," Broggy scoffed. "I'm not losing to humans in strength."
"We've been careless," Dorry said. "They're tougher than we thought."
The giants tightened their grips, their eyes sharpening. They hadn't held back, but now they'd fight with full focus. "We apologize for underestimating you," Dorry said. "Now we get serious."
"This is getting fun," Broggy added. "What's next?"
Against lesser foes, the Straw Hats' surprise tactics might have won, but the giants' ability to shrug off hesitation made them formidable. Their size, skill, and honed instincts rendered them near-invincible.
Broggy swung his axe, carving a trench through the ground, kicking up dust. Not a smokescreen, but a tactic to counter the humans' agility. Zoro and Sanji dodged, cursing the altered terrain. Dorry, meanwhile, swung at Luffy and Kiri, struggling to hit the airborne duo.
The size difference shaped the fight. The Straw Hats were hard to hit, but the giants were hard to fell. It was a stalemate, both sides probing for a decisive blow.
The turning point came when Usopp, riding Karoo, burst back into the clearing. "Kiri! We're ready!" he shouted.
"Quack!" Karoo echoed.
Kiri, weaving through the air, assessed the situation. Both sides had energy left, but the timing was perfect for a gamble. She glanced at Luffy. "That's the signal," she said. "Usopp's joining. Any issues?"
"None!" Luffy replied.
"Stick to the plan," Kiri said. "I'll be back soon."
"Got it, Kiri!" Luffy called, his voice fierce with resolve.
They dove, Luffy jumping off as Kiri dismantled her bird, reclaiming the paper and soaring toward Usopp. "Zoro! Sanji!" she shouted.
"On it!" Zoro replied.
"Don't lag behind!" Sanji added.
Kiri veered toward Broggy, locking eyes at his level, baiting an attack. Broggy raised his shield, sensing a trap. As he swung his axe, Kiri dodged by a hair, passing his face. Caught off guard, Broggy froze—then felt Zoro and Sanji's attacks on his shins.
"Boar Pot Shoot!" Sanji yelled.
"Tornado!" Zoro roared.
"Ngh!" Broggy groaned, pain searing through him. The kick and slashing shockwave overwhelmed him, forcing him to leap back. The trio turned, sprinting toward Usopp's direction.
"Ow!" Broggy bellowed.
"Usopp, cover Luffy!" Kiri shouted.
"On it!" Usopp replied, riding Karoo toward Dorry, where Luffy fought alone. Undaunted, Usopp fired his slingshot, joining the fray.
Zoro and Sanji dove into the jungle, while Kiri ascended, locking eyes with Broggy. Come on, her gaze taunted. Stung by the counterattack, Broggy chased, his footsteps thundering.
Kiri turned, flying ahead, a grin spreading. She'd read him perfectly. The giants' pride made their moves predictable, easy to lure. Her cold gaze met Broggy's as she halted, hovering.
Broggy braced his axe, ready to strike. But the jungle's dense cover hid a trap. As his foot landed, the ground collapsed—a massive pitfall designed for a giant. Broggy stumbled, stunned, his right leg trapped. He sank to his knees, disbelief clouding his face. A century of life, and he'd never fallen into a pit.
Zoro and Sanji emerged, seizing the moment. "Mutton Shot!" Sanji shouted, unleashing a flurry of kicks to Broggy's back. The giant collapsed forward, hands bracing his fall.
Zoro leaped onto Broggy's back, then jumped higher, targeting his helmet. "Tiger Hunt!" he roared, slashing with all three swords. The blow struck, and Broggy crashed face-first, his hands slipping.
Kiri swooped in, binding Broggy's neck and wrists with hardened paper, pinning the ends to the ground. The rest of the crew—minus Usopp and Karoo—emerged, hauling logs and vines. They bound Broggy's body, securing joints with stakes, turning the scene into a construction site. The trap was complete.
Broggy's face pressed into the dirt, his expression twisting with frustration. Kiri's voice cut through. "The stronger someone thinks they are, the easier it is to trip them up," she said. "Your mistake was not fearing us—and fighting alone, too used to one-on-one duels."
"Damn it!" Broggy growled. "This is an insult! If you've won, at least take my head!"
"Don't get cocky," Kiri snapped. "Ideals are only 'reality' for those with the strength to back them. Want to boast about warrior pride? Win first."
"Guh!" Broggy groaned.
"Losers don't get to preach justice," Kiri said coldly. "That's how it works out here."
Her voice, flat and chilling, contrasted her calm smile. "This is the truth right now. You've lost."
Broggy clenched his fists, fully bound by vines and paper, immobilized. The Straw Hats had won. No matter his protests, the rules forbade killing, rendering his pleas futile. The crew prepared to leave, the proud duel reduced to a bitter defeat.
Broggy's strength had failed him. The taste of loss silenced him, leaving only regret as he lay pinned.
Kiri strode forward, her smile enigmatic, unreadable. The crew followed, some hesitant, others resolute. Zoro and Sanji trailed closest.
"One down," Kiri said, her voice brimming with certainty. "Let's take the other. This fight's ours."
Her confidence sent shivers through the crew. How far did she see? Some faces twisted with unease, but others followed without hesitation. The group raced back to Dorry, where Luffy, Usopp, and Karoo fought, determined to secure victory.
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