"Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the sea,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream.
Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the sea,
If you see a Sea King, Don't forget to scream!"
"Aaagh!" Dora roared, her voice booming across the waves and scaring the massive Sea Kings pulling our makeshift raft. The raft, fashioned from a massive fallen Tree of Knowledge, rocked precariously with her enthusiasm. I couldn't help but slap my forehead, wondering what possessed me to recruit Dora into the family—and even worse, why I had taught her a children's rhyme from my old world, which I had slightly modified.
Dora was in her mid twenties, but I had forgotten that for a giant, twenty was akin to a child. She had been singing the song non-stop, her powerful voice echoing across the sea. Doffy was right; I did have a tendency to add more and more kids to the family. But this was honestly better because they would form a stronger attachment to the family.
"Ross, I am hungry!" Dora bellowed, standing up and causing the makeshift raft to rock even more. The Sea Kings driving the raft were unnerved; most of our meals included Sea King meat, and these Sea Kings had surrendered. Their fates were questionable if we couldn't find any other Sea Kings to hunt.
"Dora, sit down before you send us both into the sea," I said, trying to keep my balance. The ship I had originally intended to travel back to East Blue was tethered to the massive raft, bobbing along behind us.
"But I'm hungry!" Dora pouted, her voice loud enough to send ripples across the water. Her stomach growled, producing a sound that seemed to echo like thunder. The Sea Kings pulling the raft looked even more nervous, and I couldn't blame them. They had seen their kin end up on our dinner plates.
"Alright, alright, let's see what we have left," I said, rummaging through our supplies. The problem was, feeding a giant was no small task. "How about some dried Sea King jerky?"
Dora's eyes lit up, and she plopped back down, causing another wave to splash over the raft. "Yes, please!" she said eagerly, clapping her hands together.
I handed her a large piece of jerky, which looked like a tiny snack in her enormous hands. "Here you go, but try not to scare the Sea Kings too much, okay? They're already doing us a favor by pulling this raft."
Dora nodded enthusiastically, munching on the jerky. "Okay, Ross. I'll try to be quiet."
I sighed, a small smile tugging at my lips. Despite her giant form, there was something endearing about Dora's childlike innocence. Maybe Doffy was right about my tendency to gather kids, but seeing the joy on Dora's face made it all worth it.
As we sailed on, I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of our situation. Here we were, on a makeshift raft pulled by terrified Sea Kings, with a giant singing nursery rhymes at the top of her lungs. Life was indeed a dream—a strange, unpredictable, and utterly beautiful dream.
"Say, Ross! Was what you told me about Mother Carmel really true?" Dora asked, her brow furrowing as she recalled the many things I had shared with her during our journey back to East Blue. I could travel carrying her using my lightning powers, but it would be exhaustive, despite it being a quicker way to traverse.
Since there was no urgent matter to attend to, this journey provided Dora with a nice sense of adventure. I had also shared tidbits of detail regarding our family, especially the other kids back in Dressrosa. Robin, Lucci, and I couldn't wait to see Dora's reaction upon meeting Leo and Mansherry.
"Yeah, it's true. She was a child trafficker. She abducted quite a few children and sold them to the World Government for various purposes. The reason she helped the remnants of the Giant Pirates avoid execution was to create a connection with Elbaf. If not for that, Carmel would never have gotten permission to establish her orphanage in Elbaf back then," I explained, watching her reaction carefully.
"Damn that old hag! Someday, when I get my hands on her, I will squeeze the life out of her," Dora fumed, stuffing her mouth with Sea King meat.
"I'm afraid you might not get that chance, Dora. Big Mom beat you to it. She ate Carmel alive. Carmel didn't go missing; she's simply dead. How do you think Linlin ended up with Carmel's devil fruit powers?" I asked, making Dora realize the gravity of the events. These incidents had occurred before she was born, around the time her elder brother Loki was born. She had come to know of all these events from the elders of her clan.
"Ross, how do you know all these things about Elbaf? I'm sure even many giants in Elbaf aren't sure about what exactly happened back then. We were all taught from a young age to hate Linlin, who was responsible for a great tragedy. Many still believe Carmel was a saint within Elbaf," she added while munching on her meal.
"Carmel was someone that Cipher Pol planted in Elbaf to infiltrate your country. Even now, many parties are interested in artificially creating giants. So I suggest you keep your lineage as royalty a secret, understood?" I cautioned her.
Though Dora was strong, she wasn't at a level where she could roam the seas unchallenged. It was better to maintain secrecy about her lineage. Giants out at sea were already a rarity, and many parties were on the lookout for giants with royal bloodlines.
"Ross, is that why you recruited me into your family? Do the Donquixote family also want to create giants of their own?" She asked innocently, tilting her head.
I simply smirked and turned to look around, spotting a small, rocky island nearby. Before Dora could say anything, a massive black lightning spear descended from the skies, obliterating the island from existence.
"Whoa!" she bellowed in surprise. "What do you think? Does our family still need giants?" I smirked, but Dora's eyes twinkled with excitement.
"Teach me! Teach me how to sink islands!" she asked happily, her enthusiasm contagious. Dora was already proficient in Haki and much stronger than your average giant warrior.
"Patience, Dora. Power like that isn't something you can just learn overnight. It takes practice, control, and a deep understanding of your abilities," I said, my tone serious but encouraging. "But I promise, I'll teach you everything I know."
A dozen miles away, a massive Marine ship sliced through the waters, heading directly in the direction Ross and Dora were traveling. This formidable vessel belonged to the Giant Squadron of the Marines.
"Sir! That's definitely a giant on a raft!" A marine from the crow's nest bellowed down to the giant captain lounging on the deck.
Vice Admiral John Giant was a towering figure even among his kind, the first giant ever to enlist in the Marines. He was an imposing sight with a rugged, weathered face, a thick, grizzled beard, and sharp, intelligent eyes that missed nothing.
His broad shoulders and muscular frame were adorned with the distinct Marine uniform, custom-tailored to fit his massive size. A large tricorne hat sat atop his head, adding to his authoritative presence.
He had left Elbaf to make a name for himself, his ambition driving him to rise through the Marine ranks. His mission was to keep a lookout for any rogue giants who had left Elbaf, attempting to convince them to join the Marines. The thought of them joining any other faction was a disaster he intended to prevent. Since the day the Giant Squadron was established, he had successfully enlisted over forty giants into the Marines.
Just two days prior, he had received a message from the headquarters about a giant leisurely traveling on a raft pulled by Sea Kings. John immediately understood that this giant must be quite powerful to subdue the Sea Kings to do their bidding, and he was set to enlist this giant in the Marines.
"It's been close to four years since we managed to add a new brethren to our squadron. Today, I hope we can add another giant to our squad," Vice Admiral John said to Rear Admiral Lacroix, a fellow giant who stood on the deck of the massive ship, smoking a cigar.
"But what is a giant doing all the way in the West Blue? From the direction they're moving, they must be planning to crossover into one of the other Blues. Are they planning to scale the Red Line or something?" Lacroix asked, puzzled.
The way they were traveling didn't make sense. The direction meant they would end up in the East Blue. "Why the hell would any giant travel all the way from the New World to the East Blue?" he murmured.
"Even if the giant's idea was to traverse to the East Blue, I'm sure they can achieve that through the Calm Belt. With Sea Kings pulling the raft, there shouldn't be much difficulty," Lonz, who was wearing a medieval helmet, added, worry etched on his face.
If the giant's allegiance was not set yet, it would be easy to persuade them to join the Marines. Giants were simple-minded in that respect; a duel and victory in combat would earn their loyalty.
"I just hope the giant has not already affiliated with some pirate crew," he mused.
John was cunning and ambitious, his mind always working several steps ahead. He had left Elbaf close to a century ago, he was one of the first giants that Mother Carmel had convinced to enlist into the Marines.
He knew the importance of each giant recruit and the potential they held for the Marine Forces. His strategy was straightforward: win their respect through strength, then mold their loyalty to the World Government over time. The hostility most giants felt toward the World Government could be managed, given enough time and the right persuasion.
"Prepare to intercept," Vice Admiral John ordered, his voice booming with authority. "We must ensure this giant joins our ranks. It's not just about adding to our numbers; it's about ensuring they don't fall into the wrong hands."
The ship adjusted its course, and the regular Marines, in addition to the other giants on board, prepared themselves for the encounter. John's eyes gleamed with determination. He knew the significance of this moment, not just for the Giant Squadron but for his personal legacy.
On the raft, I was already aware of the rapidly approaching marine ship. With my proficiency in Observation Haki combined with my lightning Logia powers, I could detect movements hundreds of miles away and even eavesdrop on conversations aboard the Marine ship.
I had always wondered how giants ended up with the Marines. It seemed that the Marines and the World Government were constantly on the hunt for giants. Those who showed allegiance would serve them, while the others were likely sliced and diced as experimental subjects.
"Dora, it seems we will soon have visitors." I chuckled. Dora immediately started scanning the horizon for any ships, but all she could see was the open sea. I gestured in a specific direction, and squinting her eyes against the bright sunlight, she finally spotted a small speck on the horizon.
It was none other than the giant Marine ship, and with each passing second, it grew in size. If we wanted, we could easily outrun the ship; all I had to do was command the Sea Kings. But I was curious to see what these Marines wanted to achieve.
A few minutes later, a series of distant cannon shots rang out. "Boom...Boom!!" The massive shells landed in the waters near the raft, clearly intended as warning shots rather than direct attacks. I wondered how the giants would react if they knew I was on board as well.
"It looks like they mean business," I mused aloud, glancing at Dora, who was watching the approaching ship with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
As the Marine ship drew closer, its sheer size became more imposing. Vice Admiral John Giant stood at the bow, a towering figure among giants, his sharp eyes locked onto us. He was an imposing sight, his rugged, weathered face framed by a thick, grizzled beard. His broad shoulders and muscular frame were adorned with the distinct Marine uniform, and a large tricorne hat sat atop his head, adding to his authoritative presence.
"Dora, remember to keep your cool. These Marines are likely here to recruit you," I advised, my voice calm and steady. "Let's see what they have to say."
The Marine ship finally came to a halt a short distance from our raft. A group of Marines, led by Vice Admiral John Giant, prepared to board. Rear Admiral Lacroix, a sharp-eyed giant with a perpetual scowl, stood by John's side, puffing on a cigar.
"Ahoy there!" John called out, his voice booming across the water. "We mean you no harm. We're here to talk."
Dora glanced at me, and I gave her a reassuring nod. "Let's hear them out," I said.
As the Marines approached, John's eyes fell on Dora, his expression one of hopeful determination. "Greetings, young warrior. I am Vice Admiral John Giant of Marine Headquarters. We've been searching for fellow giants—"
Before he could continue, Rear Admiral Lacroix, standing beside him, abruptly interrupted. His massive cigar dropped from his mouth as his eyes locked on me. This was not our first encounter.
During my time serving under the Marines, I had regularly interacted with a few giants, pestering them for training, and Lacroix was one of them. His reaction was more than just surprise; it was pure shock and terror. The reason? My current identity is that of a pirate, a man with a bounty of over 2.5 billion berries, and the one who killed the last Chief Warden of Impel Down.
"What's gotten into you, Lacroix? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" John asked, still unaware of my presence next to Dora. His focus was entirely on recruiting the young giantess, estimating her as a juvenile who could be easily persuaded to join the Marines. But Lacroix's actions disrupted his flow.
"Donquixote..." Lacroix whispered, gesturing toward me. John turned to look at me, and I waved casually, as if greeting an old neighbor.
The entire marine ship fell silent. The tension was palpable, and every eye was now fixed on me.
"Hello, Vice Admiral," I said, my tone light but laced with underlying menace. "I see you're recruiting giants. How commendable."
John's face hardened as he realized who I was. "Donquixote Rosinante. What are you doing here?"
"I'm just enjoying a leisurely trip," I replied with a smirk. "Dora here was curious about the world outside, so I offered to show her around."
Dora, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, stood up, her towering presence adding to the tension. "I'm not interested in joining the Marines," she stated firmly. "I'm with the Donquixote family."
John's eyes narrowed. "You're making a mistake, young giantess. The Marines offer protection, honor, and a chance to make a difference; the Donquixote are simply pirate scum; they have no honor of warriors; as a giant, how can you side with such filthy beings?"
"Or a chance to be used as a pawn," I interjected, my gaze locked on John's. "Tell me, John, how many of your giants are truly free? How many serve willingly, and how many were coerced?"
John's jaw clenched. "We do what is necessary for justice. And I can assure you that none of the giants were forced to serve, they do it because they embody justice."
I chuckled, the sound echoing over the waves. "Hahaha! You sure know how to make a joke. Justice, you say? And what justice do you serve by hunting down giants who refuse to join you? By using them as experiments if they don't comply? Or did you really think that the world doesn't know about all those giants that vanish from around the world, especially the New World?"
Lacroix, regaining his composure, stepped forward. "You…How dare you tarnish the Marine prestige? This isn't a debate, Donquixote. You're a wanted man. Hand over the giantess, and we might consider leniency."
I stood up slowly, my eyes flashing with a mix of amusement and warning. "Leniency? You should be more concerned with your own safety, Rear Admiral. I have no intention of letting Dora be used by anyone. Did you think that just having a few gants aboard your ship was enough to confront someone like me? You sure have become dumb, Lacroix."
Dora nodded, her anger clearly radiating through her very being. Earlier, she was curious to meet her kin, but now knowing that this bunch caught giants who were not compliant and experimented on them made her furious and sick. "I will not be a pawn. Not for the Marines, not for anyone."
The Marines shifted uneasily, unsure of how to proceed. John, however, was not easily deterred. "We can't let you go, Donquixote. You're too dangerous. Walk away from the giant… This matter doesn't involve you."
I stepped to the edge of the raft, my eyes locked onto John's. "Then try to stop us, or is what you said earlier about being a warrior all but mere talk?" I challenged.
*********
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