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Ten days later, the Munch-Munch Fruit had refined nearly fifty thousand tons of steel and other metals, all of which were now stored in its sub-space. It was more than enough. The next upgrade only required two thousand tons. The rest was for reserves.
Jin had other uses for it. He wanted to try his hand at weapons manufacturing. Modern firearms would undoubtedly be far superior to the flintlocks and smoothbore cannons of this world. As a military enthusiast who had built his own model aircraft carrier, given enough time, he was confident he could even build an AK-47.
But the AK was a bullet-hose. Jin figured a modern sniper rifle would be more effective against stronger opponents.
After another three days, they had finished refining the other minerals.
Jin checked the stats.
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[Next Evolution Requirements: Soul Crystals (1345/2000) | Refined Steel (50,000/2000 tons) | Gold (12/10 tons) | Silver (35/30 tons) | Rare Earth Metals (300/300 tons) | Biological Matter (1/10)!]
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He had also collected a good amount of copper, lead, and aluminum. He was going to try and use the Munch-Munch Fruit to create some valuable new alloys. If Wapol could do it, so could he.
"That's enough," he said. "Let's go."
The demonic carrier crossed the northern part of the island and arrived at the western coast, where Mr. 1 was waiting. He handed Jin a box containing a Devil Fruit and a Log Pose for Little Garden.
When Crocodile had mentioned the Bomb-Bomb Fruit, Jin had remembered the two giant powerhouses on that island. They would make perfect gatekeepers. And Baroque Works just happened to have a Log Pose for Little Garden.
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Three days later.
The demonic carrier was anchored at the mouth of a river.
Jin, Maya, and Robin were preparing to go ashore. The island was a jungle of ancient, towering trees and climbing vines. The roars of giant beasts could be heard from within the forest.
A giant "bird" swooped low over the trees, the wind from its wings bending the forest below.
"Is that... a dinosaur?" Maya gasped. "This is Little Garden? What's so little about it?"
"There's an injured tiger over there," she said, pointing. "It's as big as a ship! It's in a lot of pain. King Jin, can I go bandage it?"
After getting Jin's nod, Maya leaped from the ship and bounded through the trees, landing in the grass in front of a giant, white-furred sabertooth.
The sabertooth bared its fangs, its expression ferocious.
'Isn't she afraid of getting hurt?' Robin wondered.
But then Maya clasped her hands to her chest, as if in prayer, and began to speak in a low, soothing voice.
The tiger's expression softened, and it let out a gentle purr, allowing Maya to approach.
Robin was amazed. Maya could tame beasts?
"She is a shamaness," Jin said. "She has a connection with nature. And everything in nature has a connection with her."
He looked around at the primeval forest, at the giant ferns and other prehistoric plants. Predators were lurking in the shadows.
Little Garden wasn't a garden for humans. It was a garden for the giant creatures that had survived since the prehistoric age.
The age of dinosaurs had been preserved on this island.
"There are prehistoric creatures here," Jin mused. "There must be some unique fungi. I should have Kuma collect some samples for the gene bank. And some ingredients. If I ever get a craving for dinosaur meat, Kuma can just 'paw' himself over here."
He called for Kuma.
When Robin saw the man who had been cooking their meals emerge from the cabin, without his bear costume, she was speechless.
Kuma the Tyrant.
She shot a look at Jin. Are you really the king of a nation affiliated with the World Government? Because everything you do screams 'traitor'.
Kuma slung a large basket over his back and went ashore.
Robin, shaking off her surprise, realized that she needed to show her own value.
"The various islands of the Grand Line have all developed different civilizations due to the difficulty of travel," she began, her scholarly nature coming to the fore. "Some are prosperous, some have been isolated for years, some are highly advanced, and some are primitive."
"Louis Arnote's book, Brag Men, tells the story of Little Garden," she continued.
"This place was originally called 'Giant Island'," Jin said with a smile. "It was because of him that it came to be known as 'Little Garden'."
"Giant Island?" Robin said, surprised. She hadn't known that. She was a little annoyed. She'd been trying to show off her knowledge, and he'd interrupted her. "So there are giants on this island?"
Jin's gaze shifted to the jungle.
"There are," he said. "And he's coming this way."
The trees splintered, and the ground trembled, the sound growing closer.
"ROARRRRRRRRRR!" The sabertooth struggled to its feet and stood protectively in front of Maya, its body low to the ground, letting out a warning roar at the jungle.
Robin was on alert.
A pair of trees was pushed apart, and a giant head, wearing a horned helmet, peered out at them.
"A giant!" Maya gasped.
He had a bushy beard and a stocky build. He wore a fur tunic and a dark green cloak.
"Hello, Mr. Giant!" Maya said, calming the sabertooth. After awakening her Observation Haki, she could not only hear the "Voice of All Things," but she could also sense the good or ill will of others. This giant meant them no harm.
The giant grinned, a friendly, simple smile. "Hello, friends from afar. It's been a long time since anyone has come to this island. Do you have any booze? I'll trade you for information, food..."
"Booze?" Jin said. "We have..."
"GAHAHAHA! WONDERFUL!" the giant boomed, dancing with joy. "I am the strongest warrior of Elbaf, Brogy! Welcome!"
"Brogy?" Robin, who had a soft spot for giants because of a friend she had made in her childhood, was surprised to hear the name. "Could he be... one of the captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates from a hundred years ago, Brogy the Red Ogre? Bounty: 100,000,000 Berries. The other captain was Dorry the Blue Ogre."
"That's us!" Brogy laughed. "We were arguing about whose catch was bigger, so we decided to settle it with a 'glorious duel'. We've been fighting here on this island for a hundred years. The winner gets to go home."
BOOM!
Suddenly, the volcano in the distance erupted, spewing a plume of smoke into the sky.
Brogy turned. "GAHAHAHA! I'll have to get that booze later. The volcano is the signal for my duel with Dorry. A warrior's honor is more important than booze."
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