The morning sun bathed Little Garden in light, signaling the time to depart. As the sky brightened, the Straw Hat Pirates prepared to leave the island behind.
Their preparations were simple: carve up the felled dinosaur meat and load it onto the ship. Despite the early bustle, the tasks were few, and they were soon aboard. But, as expected, trouble brewed even at the last moment. Zoro and Sanji, bickering as usual, traded barbs so routine that the crew barely batted an eye, leaving the two to their squabble.
"Guess I win," Zoro said.
"Don't mess with me, you bastard," Sanji snapped. "The duel interrupted our hunt. It's void."
"Fact is, I took down one beast," Zoro said. "You didn't even get a shot."
"That was to protect the ship!" Sanji shot back. "In a fair hunt, I'd bag a bigger one."
"Oh? Wanna go now? I'd still win," Zoro taunted.
"Bring it on. No way I'm losing to you," Sanji growled.
Faces inches apart, their voices dripped with irritation. The argument? A hunting contest cut short by the duel with the Giant Warrior Pirates. Zoro claimed victory for slaying a dinosaur at the ship's bow, while Sanji, who hadn't even encountered prey, called it invalid. Obsessed with winning, they ignored their exasperated crewmates.
They were set to sail, yet here they were, arguing. Fresh off a battle with giants, their energy was almost admirable. Only Luffy and Kiri watched from the deck, amused.
Nami, fed up with their endless spat, finally intervened with a sigh. "Enough, you two! We've got food. That's what matters. Get on the ship—we're leaving!"
"Hold on," Zoro said. "This idiot's picking a fight."
"Picking a fight?" Sanji retorted. "Nami-san, give me a sec. This mosshead's got no sense."
"Curly-brow," Zoro sneered.
"Lost bastard," Sanji fired back.
"Perverted kappa."
"Cactus head."
"Shiruku, cool them off," Nami said.
"Got it," Shiruku replied.
"Whoa, wait, Shiruku-chan!" Sanji yelped. "Fine, we'll drop it, you dumb swordsman!"
"Tch, running away?" Zoro muttered.
"Huh? Who's running—!" Sanji started.
"Here we go!" Shiruku called.
Shiruku's whirlwind blasted them both, sending them tumbling with shallow cuts. She sheathed her blade with a casual smile, unfazed. "Time to use the other Eternal Pose," she said. "Where to next?"
"It says 'Drum,'" Nami replied. "Wonder what kind of place it is."
"You guys just blew them away like it's nothing," Usopp muttered, sweating. The crew's nonchalance was almost terrifying—nobody questioned it anymore.
Nami held the second Eternal Pose, obtained on Pirate Island to reach Alabasta. But was Drum really a step closer? They lacked details. With the journey ahead in mind, Nami turned to Vivi, an Alabasta native who might know the region.
"Hey, Vivi, know anything about Drum?" Nami asked. "Is it close to Alabasta?"
"Drum Kingdom? I know of it," Vivi said. "But not its exact location or distance."
"What's it like?" Shiruku asked.
"It's a winter island, always freezing," Vivi explained. "Famous for top-notch medical tech. But since the new king took over, I've heard bad rumors."
"We've met King Wapol," Igaram added. "Arrogant and rude. The rumors seem credible."
"Stop, Igaram," Vivi said. "It's not right to badmouth someone absent."
"My apologies," Igaram said, bowing.
Vivi's gaze dropped, her expression clouded. Bad memories, perhaps. The island's reputation was troubling—a place with issues. Nami sighed, staring at the Eternal Pose. "Sounds like bad news," she said. "Not thrilled about this."
"But the log here takes a year," Shiruku noted.
"No choice then," Nami said. "We have to go. Hope nothing goes wrong."
"Yeah," Shiruku agreed. "With Luffy, though, that's a long shot."
"Ugh, so depressing," Nami groaned. "More danger awaits…"
"It's fine, Nami," Shiruku said, patting her shoulder. "We've gotten through worse. We'll be okay."
Trouble followed Luffy like a shadow, but Nami shook off her gloom, straightened up, and faced forward. It was time to go. "No use moping," she said. "Sanji, food loaded?"
"All set, Nami-swaaan!" Sanji called.
"Usopp, nothing forgotten?" Nami asked.
"All good!" Usopp replied.
"Kiri, anything to add?" Nami asked.
"Nope," Kiri said.
"Prep's done," Nami said. "Luffy, we're ready to sail!"
"Right!" Luffy shouted.
Zoro and Sanji, back from their tumble, joined the crew. Everything was ready. On the deck, Luffy raised both arms and bellowed, "Alright, you bastards! Let's sail!"
With Luffy's cry, the Going Merry set off, navigating the narrow river, pushing forward as Dorry and Broggy had urged.
Just before heading to the Merry, the giants had said they'd see them off and left early. Usopp brought it up. "Where'd the masters go? They're coming to see us off, right?"
"Yeah, they said so," Luffy replied.
"Probably waiting at the island's edge," Shiruku suggested.
Usopp peered ahead, but the giants' massive forms weren't yet visible. As the Merry neared the river's end, approaching the open sea, they finally spotted them—two towering backs waiting for the ship. Smiles spread across Usopp and Luffy's faces, struck by their majestic presence.
But the air felt tense for a send-off. The giants stood rigid, staring straight ahead, unmoving even as the Merry drew near.
"Hey, old men!" Luffy shouted.
"Masters!" Usopp called.
"You made it, friends," Dorry said.
"Today, you're our captains," Broggy added. "Our great leaders."
As the Merry sailed toward the sea, the giants spoke to the crew. "The biggest reason ships from this island never reach the next lies ahead," Dorry said.
"We're grateful for our fateful meeting," Broggy continued. "So we stake our pride…"
"We won't let our friends' flag fall," Dorry vowed.
"Trust us and go straight ahead," Broggy said. "No matter what happens, straight ahead."
Their voices, quiet but resolute, carried unshakable conviction. Casting aside doubt, confusion, anger, and sorrow, they stood as warriors, honoring their new allies with unyielding pride. Luffy, awed, swallowed hard, touched his hat, and nodded. "Got it," he said.
"Wait for us," Dorry said. "We'll leave this island soon."
"We'll rebuild the Giant Warrior Pirates," Broggy swore. "We'll join you under your command."
The Merry pressed on, leaving the river for the open sea, moving relentlessly forward. The giants watched, ready to see them off.
A strange calm settled over them. Broggy spoke to Dorry, eyes fixed ahead. "We've shared a long journey," he said. "This axe, your sword—they're done."
"Any regrets?" Dorry asked.
"Plenty," Broggy said. "Over a century of battles. Best partners we could ask for."
"True," Dorry said. "But I'm not sorry now."
"No," Broggy agreed. "It's time for our new voyage."
They raised their sword and axe, readying themselves. On the Merry, some tilted their heads, puzzled by the giants' battle-ready stance. Eyes began turning forward, sensing something was coming.
The sea surged, something massive rising from the depths—larger than even the giants, shaking the ship with waves. Panic spread across the deck. They had to steer, or they'd capsize. A colossal creature blocked their path.
"What the hell is that?!" Usopp screamed.
"There it is—the Island Eater," Dorry said.
"We'll clear the way," Broggy declared. "In Elbaf's name."
A gigantic goldfish emerged, its size dwarfing islands. It loomed, capable of swallowing the Merry whole. Screams erupted from the crew.
"What's that thing?!" Luffy shouted.
"What is it? A Sea King?!" Nami cried.
"It's huge," Luffy said, tilting his head. "A goldfish?"
"A giant goldfish?" Usopp stammered. "Heard of it somewhere…"
As the goldfish opened its maw, the sea roiled, waves forgetting their calm, threatening to suck the Merry in. It meant to devour ship and crew alike. Nami, frantic, made a snap judgment. "Usopp, turn the ship!" she shouted. "We'll be eaten!"
"N-No way!" Usopp yelled. "We go straight ahead…!"
"Are you crazy?! That'll get us eaten!" Nami screamed.
"Straight ahead, right, Luffy?!" Usopp said.
"Yup, no question," Luffy replied.
The crisis loomed, but Luffy grinned. This was what they meant. He wouldn't break their promise. Trusting them, he chose to go straight. Usopp, trembling, managed a shaky smile.
The crew wasn't unified. Panicked voices rose, pleading with Luffy's unwavering resolve. "Don't be stupid!" Nami shouted. "Move the ship, or we're done!"
"Calm down," Luffy said. "Want a cracker?"
"Not the time!" Nami snapped.
"Give it up, Nami," Zoro said.
"Luffy, you sure about them?!" Sanji yelled. "No turning back!"
"Yeah!" Luffy shouted. "Keep going straight!"
"You're insane!" Vivi cried. "Straight into that monster?!"
"Vivi-sama, fear not!" Igaram said. "I'll protect you!"
"Quack?!" Karoo squawked.
"No point struggling now," Kiri said, deadpan. "Too late."
The Merry plunged into the goldfish's mouth, which closed silently. The giants remained calm, smirking as they lowered their weapons.
The moment had come. Their pride was on the line. Their allies trusted them, charging straight ahead. They had to answer that faith. Speaking softly, they focused on the strike.
"What a beast, this Island Eater," Dorry said.
"It's not just its size," Broggy said. "It devours islands, leaving massive dung—those barren islands."
"Gegyagyagya! Remember when we mistook one for a continent?" Dorry laughed.
"Brings back old adventures," Broggy said. "Seeing them reminds me of those days."
"We're part of their crew now," Dorry said.
"Right," Broggy said. "This might be our first adventure."
Slowly, deliberately, they readied their weapons, exuding a fearsome aura. "Nothing withstands us but the 'blood-soaked serpent,'" Dorry said.
"Behold Elbaf's mightiest spear!" Broggy roared.
They were ready. The Merry surged through the goldfish's body, unwavering, trusting their allies' words. Usopp, eyes shut, muttered to himself, "Straight… straight…!"
"We're already eaten!" Nami screamed.
Luffy stared ahead, shouting, "Straight! Straight!"
Fear, panic, terror—some held calm or composure, but all awaited salvation. As screams echoed inside the goldfish, a sudden breeze pushed the Merry, guiding it toward an exit.
Outside, Dorry and Broggy swung their weapons. An invisible slash, born of unimaginable force, tore through the Island Eater's body, piercing it in an instant.
The view cleared. Their strike carved a path, revealing the open sea beyond the beast's flesh. Riding the wind, the Merry soared out, flying through the air.
"Hakoku!" they roared.
Elbaf's mightiest spear felled the island-devouring creature in one blow, splitting the sea itself. The crew, awestruck by the sheer power, grinned at the transformed landscape, reveling in the moment. The Merry flew, a simple joy worth celebrating.
Their all-out strike shattered their weapons. Dorry's sword snapped, Broggy's axe lost its blade. But it was enough. They were satisfied. Their "spear" had pierced the enemy for their allies, for their pride.
Pointing their broken weapons forward, they shouted, "Go!"
The blades fell, and the Merry splashed into the sea, pressing forward without looking back—straight ahead. Relieved, the giants tossed their broken handles, watching their allies' backs.
They'd meet again. For now, a brief farewell.
Their task done, they stood until the Merry vanished, then sat, speaking earnestly. "Hey, Broggy," Dorry said. "Something's bugging me."
"Funny, me too," Broggy said.
"That hunting contest they mentioned…" Dorry said.
"Something about it," Broggy said. "What was it?"
They racked their brains but couldn't recall. The reason for their duel—a hunting contest sparked by a girl—eluded them. The Giant Warrior Pirates' captains, Dorry and Broggy, had bagged two massive Sea Kings, arguing over whose was bigger. That simple dispute, fueled by pride, led to their century-long duel.
Only one remembered the truth: the girl who pulled the trigger, sending them that letter.
As they pondered, the central volcano erupted, belching smoke. Habitually, they turned to check, exchanging smirks. Then they realized their mistake.
"The volcano," Dorry said.
"No, wait," Broggy said. "Today's not—right, our duel's over."
"Yeah," Dorry said. "Settled by another duel."
Their weapons broken, their fighting spirit burned. They'd nearly started brawling again, but their duel was done—ended by outsiders. Though hard to accept at times, they now felt gratitude and joy at leaving the island.
For a century, they'd known only battle. Now, side by side, it felt right. Proud to stand without shame, they turned from the volcano's call, gazing at the sea, recalling distant memories.
"No one in Elbaf's history faced a stranger judgment," Dorry said.
"Gods have a way of being poetic," Broggy said.
"Where do we start?" Dorry asked. "It's been so long, I don't know where to begin."
"A ship," Broggy said. "We need to leave this island."
"A raft might do," Dorry suggested.
"Or Pirate Island," Broggy said. "Our friends are there, and we could get a ship built—one worthy of us."
"Gababababa, good idea," Dorry said.
"Let's get to it," Broggy said.
After calm discussion, they moved together. Life would change today. They had much to do—return home, reunite with friends, and, above all, aid their new captain. The small but brave crew had bested them, earning their loyalty. No time to linger in their familiar garden. Like their allies, they had to decide and take a courageous step.
First, a ship—or a raft—to leave the island. Sailing as pirates after a century thrilled them, hearts racing like children's. Inspired by their allies' raw passion—living freely, laughing, fighting—they stepped forward, hearts ablaze.
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