"So loud!"
Nami couldn't help covering her ears.
"Listening to them talk, they seem like friends, even smiling. But when they fight, they aim for vital spots, each strike more vicious than the last." Vivi didn't quite understand the 'warrior's honor' they spoke of.
The massive sounds of battle had already attracted Usopp and the others back.
"Master Brogy is so cool!"
Usopp, who had met Brogy earlier and received a warm welcome, now stood at a safe distance, looking up at the spectacular fight, his face full of awe. He was trembling with excitement. For someone determined to become a brave warrior of the sea, this scene was like a legend come to life.
"So strong. Their power is on the level of a Warlord," Zoro, who had fought Hawk-Eyes, was qualified to judge. He said, "It's not just raw power. Their combat skills and willpower have been tempered over a century, becoming one. This level of duel isn't something you can achieve just by being big."
Two giants fighting for a hundred years over a silly reason—you could call them idiots. But this level of persistence was quite manly.
Passionate idiots were the easiest to understand and relate to.
Like Luffy, for example.
He unexpectedly found that watching a high-level battle was also quite rewarding.
[Through observational training, your Kenbunshoku Haki proficiency has increased...]
There's such a good thing?
How long had it been since he got something for free?
Luffy watched with great interest. "Maybe I should try inviting them onto the ship. Having two giant nakama would be so awesome to show off."
Nami vetoed the idea. "Don't even think about it. What kind of ship would they need at that size?"
She was more concerned with practical matters now. Looking down at the Log Pose on her wrist, its needle spinning slowly as if drunk, she couldn't help but sigh. At this rate, storing the magnetic field would take a considerable amount of time.
Did that mean they'd have to watch two giants fight every day?
Please, no.
However, Dorry, in the midst of the fight, gradually frowned.
After another clash of weapons, Dorry asked in confusion, "Hey, Brogy, what's wrong with your attacks? They feel weak. This isn't your usual level!"
Beads of sweat appeared on Brogy's forehead. "GYA-GYAGYAGYA! Dorry, it's your imagination! Watch me split you in two with my next axe swing!" He roared, trying to sound tough.
He raised his giant axe again, but his movements were clearly a fraction slower, and the force behind the swing was much weaker than before.
"Something's not right."
Luffy quickly sensed it. "The giant with the axe... his aura is weakening."
His Kenbunshoku Haki was becoming more proficient, nearly reaching Lv. 2. The increase in ability that came with leveling up was immense.
Just as Brogy tried to charge again, a sudden change occurred. A dull thump, like an explosion, abruptly came from within Brogy's massive body. Brogy let out a pained grunt, his huge frame staggering violently. The battle-axe slipped from his grasp and crashed to the ground. He fell to one knee, his face filled with pain and disbelief.
"Brogy?!"
Dorry's eyes widened in shock. "What happened?!"
Before Dorry could move forward to check, the ground beneath his feet suddenly softened, melting like wax and rapidly solidifying into hard, waxy shackles, instantly trapping his legs firmly!
Dorry struggled but couldn't break free from the sudden restraints. His massive body lost balance and crashed to the ground with a thunderous impact.
"Sishishishi! It seems the plan is proceeding quite smoothly."
A man with hair styled into the number '3' walked out from the forest shadows with a triumphant smile.
It was the Baroque Works senior agent, Mr. 3, Galdino.
Following him were Miss Valentine and Mr. 5, who had been sent flying by Luffy not long ago.
This was the so-called 'small investment, big crime'. Just like this.
Since a direct confrontation was unfavorable and waiting to be killed was not an option, they attacked from the side.
"It's you guys!"
Luffy's face instantly darkened. "How dare you interfere with their duel!"
Mr. 3 elegantly pushed up his glasses, speaking in a theatrical tone. "Interfere? No, no, no. We merely... cleverly seized an opportunity. The two giants were far too engrossed in their battle, neglecting a little 'gift'. Mr. 5's Booger Bombs, detonating from the inside... not a pleasant taste, was it? As for Mr. Dorry, the shackles made by my Doru Doru no Mi are harder than steel once they solidify."
"Damn it! Baroque Works again!"
Vivi was furious and also filled with guilt. Because of her, even the giants of Little Garden were being dragged into this.
"We were careless last time, Straw Hat brat! We won't let you act so cocky this time!" Mr. 5 said arrogantly, picking his nose as he stepped forward.
Miss Valentine floated into the air, giggling. "This time, I'll flatten you into a meat pie!"
"You bastards."
Luffy lowered the brim of his hat. Steam began to slowly waft from his body. "Do you have any idea how sacred a duel is?"
"Gear Second!"
Luffy's body instantly turned red, steam erupting around him. His figure blurred, almost vanishing on the spot.
"Gomu Gomu no Jet Pistol!"
"Gomu Gomu no Jet Bazooka!"
Two explosive impacts sounded almost as one.
Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine didn't even have time to react, their faces still frozen in bewilderment before they were struck hard by fists wrapped in Busoshoku Haki. They were sent flying like cannonballs, crashing through several large trees.
"Wha—What?!"
The triumphant smile on Mr. 3's face froze, cold sweat instantly breaking out.
No matter what, those were two Devil Fruit users! Taken out in a single encounter?!
Weren't they just swearing to redeem themselves?!
Was it just a case of 'one, two, three, four, let's try again'?
At that moment, Robin elegantly emerged from another part of the forest.
"My, my. It seems your plan has encountered a slight hiccup, Mr. 3."
Seeing Robin, Mr. 3 was first shocked, then seemed to grasp at a lifeline. "Miss All Sunday! You came at just the right time! Help me deal with this Straw Hat brat!"
Robin shook her head, calmly folding her arms across her chest and interrupting him. "I'm sorry. I am currently a prisoner of Straw Hat Luffy."
"P-Prisoner?"
Mr. 3 couldn't process it for a moment.
But looking at Robin's demeanor, she didn't look like a prisoner at all.
Robin was arguably one of the most core personnel in Baroque Works. Did she just switch sides on a whim?
Mr. 3's expression changed drastically. "You betrayed the boss?!"
Robin gave a slight smile, neither confirming nor denying. Instead, she turned to Luffy and began explaining Mr. 3's abilities.
She practically laid bare all of Mr. 3's secrets.
No one dared underestimate Robin's capabilities in the field of intelligence. She was responsible for about eighty percent of Baroque Works' initial establishment.
Crocodile was just the boss behind the scenes; very few knew his identity.
***
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