I knew I was taking a huge gamble with Vegapunk by revealing sensitive information, but it was better than disclosing my true secret: that I was a transmigrator from another world where our current reality was merely fiction.
"So, tell me, Ross," Vegapunk countered, "if what you're saying is true, what stops me from disclosing to the Elders that you can see into the future? I'm sure the World Government would be very interested in knowing how you managed this."
His question showed he wasn't yet convinced I had leverage over him. He believed I must have an ulterior motive and wanted to understand why I needed him specifically. Despite the Donquixote family's advanced technology, especially in weapons, which even he found intriguing, he was skeptical.
"You asking me that question means you have no intention of disclosing what we spoke about to the Elders," I replied, chuckling. "And have you forgotten, Vegapunk? Unlike you, I am not under their thumb. Do you think I wouldn't know if you ratted me out?"
I could see he was probing, trying to determine if I could truly carry through with my plans. Taking over the world wasn't a simple matter, and many had tried and vanished from history in the last eight centuries. He needed to be convinced that I could achieve what no one else had.
I tossed a transponder snail to Vegapunk. "Take your time to think it over. You have until you leave Punk Hazard." I turned to leave, giving him space to consider his options.
I had a wealth of information I could share, but I wasn't going to help him until I was sure he was on my side. Though he had no combat potential, his mind was the most dangerous in the world, something I had to be wary of.
One of the main reasons, other than for Pluton, I desperately needed Vegapunk, or at least one of his satellites, was to help us research Pure Gold and modify Doffy's physique. As someone who had extensively worked on Kaido's physiology, he surely had methods to enhance physiques.
While I was developing a monstrous physique, the same couldn't be said for Doffy, which was a weakness. If he had consumed a mythical Zoan fruit or the lightning logia, we wouldn't need to find a roundabout way. But what was done was done, so we could only find alternatives, and Vegapunk was the best alternative.
Having Vegapunk on our side would bolster our ranks to unimaginable levels. If Vegapunk agreed to my conditions and created a seventh satellite to join the family, its identity would have to remain a secret, even from the core members of the family. Only Doffy and I would know.
I walked away, leaving Vegapunk to his thoughts, knowing that the future of our plans now hinged on the decision of the man with the most brilliant mind in the world.
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles away from Ohara, the ship that Vegapunk had arrived on was under siege by a dozen Sea Kings. The agents aboard were fighting desperately to fend off the colossal sea creatures.
"Dammit, how did we not realize we drifted so far from the island?" one of the lead agents bellowed, frustration etched into his features. "The higher-ups are going to have our heads if they find out we left Dr. Vegapunk alone on Ohara. We should never have let him go onto the island by himself. There's nothing left on Ohara!" With a furious cry, he unleashed a Haki-infused Rankyaku, leaving a deep gash on one of the Sea Kings' necks. The beast roared in anger before diving back into the sea.
What the agents didn't know was that Ross had knocked them all out with his Conqueror's Haki and severed the ship's anchor, causing them to drift aimlessly. He didn't want the agents to discover that Vegapunk had made contact with people on the island.
"Quit whining! Since when did you outrank Dr. Vegapunk?" The leader of the CP group snapped, his voice cutting through the chaos.
"He asked us to stay on the ship, and we followed orders as to how we fell unconscious and how the ship drifted so far out; we can discuss that later. Finish off the Sea Kings if you have energy to spare. I've already reached out to Dr. Vegapunk—he's safe on the island and said he'd wait for us. We need to return as soon as possible." He punctuated his orders by punching through the eye of a sea king, sending it thrashing in pain.
Back on the island, I was engrossed in a lively conversation with the giants. Having saved Saul, I had earned their warm regard, and their boisterous company was a welcome change.
"And then... and then, the whole world trembled under the name of the Giant Warrior Pirates!" Dora laughed heartily, embellishing tales of the legendary Giant Pirates crew, whose exploits were still celebrated in Elbaf, despite their disbandment nearly eighty years ago.
"Were Dorry and Brogy really that strong?" I asked with genuine curiosity. Though I had plans to recruit them, my knowledge of Dory and Brogy came from Canon alone. I wanted to understand more, and Dora, who almost worshiped the pair, seemed the right person to ask.
"Strong? No, they weren't just strong; they were among the strongest giants in the history of Elbaf," she declared with pride. Just then, another giant muttered his doubts about her claim.
"They are simply ghosts of the past...."
Without hesitation, Dora pounced on him, demanding a brawl. It took Saul's intervention to separate them. I realized not everyone shared Dora's reverence for Dorry and Brogy. The giant who spoke against her was seething with barely controlled anger, an emotion my observation Haki picked up on.
"Why the hostility towards Dorry and Brogy?" I asked, trying to understand the undercurrents of dissent.
The giant, still fuming, glanced at me before speaking. "Not everyone believes in their so-called legends. Some of us think they brought more trouble than glory to Elbaf."
I couldn't help but raise my brows at the sour comment and turn to Saul, who sat back down with a sigh. "Bjorn here is the younger brother of Oimo, who was once part of the Giant Warrior Pirates," Saul began, his voice tinged with the weight of old memories. "Nearly three decades ago, Oimo and another giant embarked on a venture to find Dorry and Brogy, but they never returned."
Saul's revelation cast a somber shadow over the lively conversation, and the other giants grew quiet. Bjorn's eyes were dark with the pain of old wounds, and I could sense the depth of his resentment.
"Tell me more about what happened," I urged, wanting to understand the full story.
Saul nodded, his expression grave. "Oimo and his companion, Kashii, believed that their captains, Dorry and Brogy, were still locked in an endless duel to find out who is the stronger one amongst them, just like many on Elbaf do even to date.
They set sail, driven by their belief that their captains were still alive, but as the years passed with no word from them, hope turned into sorrow, and sorrow into anger. Bjorn was just a young giant back then, and he idolized his brother. The disappearance of Oimo left a deep scar."
Bjorn clenched his fists, his voice tight with emotion. "They chased after ghosts. The legends of Dorry and Brogy are just that—legends. Real or not, they brought nothing but heartache to our family. While everyone else sang praises of their might and valor, we lived with the uncertainty of not knowing what happened to Oimo."
The other giants exchanged uneasy glances; the tension was palpable. It was clear that the legacy of the Giant Warrior Pirates was a double-edged sword—one that inspired some while leaving others wounded.
Dora, her earlier exuberance dampened, spoke up softly, "I understand your pain, Bjorn. But the legends of Dorry and Brogy also inspire us to strive for greatness. They remind us of what it means to be a giant of Elbaf."
Bjorn shook his head. "Inspiration? Is that what you call it? My brother was inspired to leave his home in order to find his captain and never come back. For what? For a dream that wasn't even his."
I could feel the weight of his words, the raw honesty cutting through the romanticized tales of heroism. It was a reminder that legends, while powerful, could also have unintended consequences.
Saul placed a comforting hand on Bjorn's shoulder. "We all have our paths to follow, Bjorn. Oimo made his choice, just as you must make yours. But don't let anger cloud your judgment. We are giants, and our strength lies not just in our size but in our spirit and unity."
Then it struck me: these giants had no idea that Dorry and Brogy were still alive, locked in an endless battle just like some giants believed, and that Oimo and Kashii had been tricked by the World Government into serving as gatekeepers in Enies Lobby after they were captured by the Marines.
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. While I couldn't reveal Dorry and Brogy's location just yet—I needed to speak with them first—sharing information about Oimo and Kashii could earn me the giants' favor.
"Wait, did you just say Oimo and Kashii?" I asked, feigning a look of surprise as if I had heard those names before but couldn't quite place them.
Bjorn and the other giants turned their attention to me, curiosity and a glimmer of hope lighting up their faces.
"I think I've heard those names before," I continued, carefully crafting my words to make it seem like a chance discovery. "And I don't think they've perished, as you believe."
Their eyes widened in shock, and Bjorn rose to his feet with surprising agility, causing the ground to tremble. "What do you mean, Ross? What did you mean when you said Oimo wasn't dead? Is that really true? If so, where have you heard that name? Please recall it! I will be eternally grateful if you can give any information about my brother."
I scratched my head, pretending to think hard. After a few moments, I spoke again as if I had just remembered. "Yeah, now I remember. Enies Lobby! I recall that Enies Lobby is being guarded by two giants named Oimo and Kashii. I'm not sure if they are the same giants, but from what I know, they entered the service of the World Government close to three decades ago."
The reaction was immediate. The giants erupted in a mix of disbelief and hope. Dora's eyes sparkled with excitement, while Bjorn's face was a mixture of shock and cautious optimism.
"Enies Lobby?" Bjorn repeated, his voice trembling with emotion. "Are you certain? Could it really be Oimo and Kashii? Alive and in service to the World Government all these years?"
"They must have been tricked… Yes, tricked by the World Government somehow; if not, there is no way Oimo and Kashii would serve the World Government, those bastards!" One of the giants roared in anger.
Saul stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Bjorn's shoulder. "If what Ross says is true, then there is hope after all these years. We need to confirm this information immediately, but if it's true, that could mean that Oimo and Kashii are alive, even if they've been deceived."
Bjorn's eyes were filled with determination. "We must find out the truth. Ross, you have given me a sliver of hope, and for that, I am grateful. If Oimo and Kashii are truly at Enies Lobby, we need to rescue them."
The other giants nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere was charged with a renewed sense of purpose. Dora looked at me with admiration. "Ross, you've done more than you realize. This information is invaluable to us."
"Say, Dora," I began, turning to the young giantess, who seemed to be the strongest and most spirited among the group. "What if I told you that I believe Dorry and Brogy are still alive out there somewhere? Would you believe me?"
Dora's eyes sparkled with interest. She was clearly a devoted fan of the legendary warriors, and her enthusiasm was contagious.
" If you're as passionate about finding them as I think you are, then perhaps you'd be willing to join me on a quest to find them. Because unlike others, I believe they are somewhere out there."
I added that it made Dora's eyes glow dangerously.
All these years, it was not like many others like Oimo and Kashii hadn't embarked from Elbaf on a quest to find them; even the original crew members under Dorry and Brogy had tried many times, but ultimately none could locate the island where their duel began.
Little Garden is notoriously difficult to find—almost as if luck itself guards its location. After decades of fruitless searching, many have come to believe that Dorry and Brogy perished fighting each other.
Dora's eyes lit up like Christmas. "Really? You want me to join you? Will you really be able to help me find Dorry and Broggy…."
Before she could complete her queries, the other giants looked at each other in shock. Saul, visibly alarmed, interjected. "Dora, you can't! Prince Loki will have our hides. You already left Elbaf without informing anyone, and we're already worried about how we're going to explain this to him. Please don't cause us any more trouble, princess."
My eyes narrowed at Saul's last word. Princess? If Dora was indeed the princess of the giants, this was a golden opportunity. I could sense her thirst for adventure and the chance to find her idols. If I could persuade her to join my family, it would be like gaining the support of Elbaf itself. However, I needed to approach this delicately.
"Hmph!" Dora scoffed, folding her arms defiantly. "Big brother Loki is a mean bully. He never lets me go anywhere! This is my chance, after so many years, to finally leave Elbaf and find my idols. I'm not going to give up now. It's too boring to go back. I might as well follow Ross. From what you said, Saul, he's trustworthy, right?" She turned to Saul with a wide grin.
Saul was caught in a bind. He couldn't use force on the princess, and she was no weakling. With the bloodline of the giant royalty flowing through her veins, she was much stronger than the other giants. He sighed heavily, clearly conflicted.
"Dora, it's not about trust, you were not even supposed to leave Elbaf," Saul began cautiously.
"It's about responsibility and duty to our people. If something happens to you, it could cause a lot of trouble for Elbaf."
Dora rolled her eyes. "Saul, I'm not a child anymore. I can take care of myself. And besides, this is something I've dreamed of my whole life. You know how much Dorry and Brogy mean to me. If there's even a chance that they're alive, I have to take it. And I am not going to fall for your tricks; if I come back to Elbaf with you all, then I don't know when I will be able to leave Elbaf again."
Seeing the determination in her eyes, I decided to solidify my offer. "Dora, if you come with me, I promise we'll find them. And not only that, but you'll have the adventure you've always dreamed of. We'll uncover the truth behind the legends and perhaps even create new ones."
Dora beamed, her excitement palpable. "Then it's settled. I'm going with you, Ross."
The other giants looked uneasy, but the decision was made. Dora's resolve was unshakeable.
Saul, the leader of the expedition, couldn't accept Dora's decision so easily. He turned to me with pleading eyes. "Ross-kun, please help me persuade Dora. If she truly follows you, it will cause quite a commotion back at home. She is of royal bloodline, and if anything were to happen to her under your watch, the wrath of all Elbaf would follow. Please reconsider," he said earnestly.
I understood Saul's concerns, but the opportunity was too valuable to pass up. I glanced at Dora to see if she had any doubts, but her tearful eyes were fixed on me, filled with determination. She was barely a young teen, brimming with a thirst for adventure.
"I'm sorry, Saul," I said gently. "I don't think your princess is in the mood to listen to anyone. But don't worry; she will be safe. I can promise you that much."
"But... but Ross, she is..." Saul started, but Dora interrupted, throwing a tantrum like a child.
"No! I'm not going back! I'm going on an adventure, and nobody will stop me! If you try, I'll venture out to sea alone," she huffed and puffed, her determination unwavering.
Saul sighed again, resigned to the inevitable. "Just promise me one thing, Dora. Be careful. And Ross, you'd better keep your word and protect her."
"I promise," I said firmly. To reassure him, I retrieved a special transponder snail and handed it to Saul. He took it gratefully, relief evident in his eyes.
"We'll look out for each other, right, Dora?" I added, turning to the newest addition to the Donquixote family.
"Absolutely!" Dora exclaimed, her tears turning into a wide, excited grin.
*********
Dear Readers,
I want to express my deepest gratitude for the constant support you have given my work. Your encouragement and feedback have been invaluable, and I am truly thankful for each one of you.
If possible, I would love to garner even more support through power stones and reviews. Each additional review helps my work reach more readers, and even a single review can make a significant difference. Your support means the world to me, and I am deeply appreciative of every effort you make to help my work grow.
For those who would like to support me further and gain access to more than 55 additional chapters, you can do so on Patreon. Your support there is crucial and greatly appreciated, as it allows me to continue creating and sharing my work with you.
Thank you for your understanding and for being an integral part of this journey. Your presence and support are what make this all possible.
With heartfelt thanks,
[Silent_stiele]
Patreon : www.patreon.com/Silent_stiele