[Chapter Size: 2734 Words.]
Third Person POV
Little Garden, First Half of Grandline.
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Hours unfolded under Luffy’s tireless command, with him intensely training each crew member. Chouchou, still exhausted, rested while Nojiko honed her skills with the explosive fruit, and Luffy assessed the physical training of the rest of the group, actively participating to push them to their limits.
After four intensive hours, Zoro, Usopp, Lami, Bepo, Alvida, Kuina, and Reiju arrived at the location where Luffy was conducting the training. The giants watched the entire time, making cheerful comments and showing contagious excitement as they saw these humans train to become strong, as they admired strength.
“Hey, what were those explosions all afternoon?” Zoro questioned, alongside Usopp, examining the fallen group on the ground and the area devastated by Luffy and Chouchou’s fight, or by Nojiko’s ability.
“I think they’re not in a condition to answer…” Lami murmured, while Bepo remained wide-eyed, trying to comprehend what had happened here.
“Come on, I brought plenty of food for us. You’re not going to sleep there now, are you?” Reiju said, casting a somewhat disappointed look at the exhausted group while many cried.
Everyone was sprawled on the ground at that moment. Luffy, driven by his team’s determination and the opportunity to train two new users of Akuma no Mi, had demanded a lot from everyone during these last four hours with his enthusiasm.
“They’ll be fine. Just start roasting the dinosaurs you caught. They need a lot of food to replenish their energy, and we have two giants for the feast too,” Luffy said calmly, looking at the dinosaurs Alvida was dragging across the ground.
“Food, Broggy!”
“Looks delicious, Dorry. These little guys are so cool!”
“So, these are the giants you mentioned before? They seem quite friendly…” Kuina commented, surprised, watching the colossal inhabitants of the island.
“You guys put on quite a show here…” Alvida couldn’t help but say, looking around the area marked by the traces of the battle.
“You had to see Chouchou and the captain fight, it was pretty amazing…” Hugo added, getting up from the ground after the training.
“Seriously, did Cerberus’ fruit do that? Mythical Zoans are so cool…” Bepo commented, expressing his admiration.
“I know you want one too, Bepo, but I have another fruit planned for you.” Luffy spoke at that moment, teasing the bear’s curiosity.
“Really? Which one, Captain?” Bepo was surprised.
“You’ll find out in the future, but don’t worry, you’ll be a legend with it. For now, let’s strengthen your body, got it?”
“I guess so, Captain!” Bepo replied a bit disappointed but nodded, confident in Luffy’s leadership.
“Now, let’s prepare a feast. Tomorrow, I intend to train those who were exploring the island a lot since they’re now behind those who were with me,” Luffy announced, and everyone hurried to organize the place for the feast between the crew and the giants, despite feeling a foreboding about the second part of Luffy’s statement.
The tempting aroma of food already spread in the area after Reiju seasoned and cut the meat of the captured dinosaurs, while laughter and stories filled the air as the starry night took shape.
Broggy and Dorry, the giants, joined in the festive event, enchanted by the hospitality and camaraderie of the human crew. Tables in the area were filled with delicacies, from the succulent meat of the island’s animals to exotic dishes the island could offer in its fauna. Laughter echoed through the place, mixed with expressions of satisfaction as everyone enjoyed the well-deserved feast.
In the midst of animated conversations, Luffy proposed a toast, raising his mug in honor of everyone’s growth and strengthened bonds. The giants, Broggy and Dorry, joined the celebration, toasting to friendship and the promise of an epic duel the next day with joy.
The night advanced, but the infectious energy of the feast persisted. Satisfied faces, full stomachs, and a spirit of unity marked the end of this memorable day on the island full of mysteries and challenges.
The next day, Luffy found a moment of tranquility for himself. He pulled out a peculiar book from his attire, a thick-covered volume radiating an aura of importance. This was no ordinary book; it was the world’s largest Haki manual, an incredibly valuable treasure that only the elite of the world government could normally acquire.
With a determined look, Luffy opened the book, its pages unfolding before him like a map to an unknown realm. The content was vast and detailed, covering every facet of the three types of Haki in theoretical chapters: Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation), Busoshoku Haki (Armament), and Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror).
As he immersed himself in the printed words, expressions of concentration and understanding crossed his face. Luffy’s eyes reflected the seriousness with which he absorbed every piece of knowledge contained in the golden pages of the manual. It was a rare scene, witnessing the Straw Hat Captain devoting himself so deeply to reading outside his cabin, but he was dedicated to exploring new horizons here.
The manual revealed ancient secrets and enhanced techniques since the lost century, showing how to unlock the latent potentials Luffy could hardly wait to explore. As he progressed through the pages, a gleam of excitement appeared in his eyes, anticipating the possibilities that complete mastery of Haki could offer.
While others continued their activities on the island or prepared for the day, Luffy remained absorbed in the knowledge of the manual. The gentle island breeze turned the pages as he delved into the mysteries and hidden arts of Haki.
Throughout the morning, Luffy read the theories and concepts repeatedly in an attempt to understand them. However, the abstract and complex nature of Haki presented significant challenges for the Straw Hat Captain. Each page contained words and ideas that initially seemed distant from his understanding.
Luffy’s furrowed brow evidenced the intensity of his concentration. He faced the theoretical challenges of Haki, mentally exploring the fundamental aspects of the two Hakis. Even without Yamato’s presence to assist him in practical understanding, Luffy persisted, determined to unravel the secrets of these transcendental abilities.
Whenever he encountered a particularly challenging passage, Luffy reflected on it, murmuring to himself in an attempt to internalize the concepts. Although he didn’t physically practice the movements, his mind sought to understand the essence of Haki, theoretically refining himself to unlock its true potential when he practiced for real. The tranquil setting of the island witnessed Luffy’s mental effort.
Thus, as he instructed his crew to train again this morning while he continued studying the manual, he only stopped at lunchtime with everyone present. After eating and resting for a while, as the afternoon approached, all eyes turned to the giants in the same training area as yesterday, standing before Luffy at a considerable distance. This was the moment of the eagerly awaited duel.
“We may not beat them after what we saw yesterday, but still, our pride won’t allow us to give up without a fight, so we want to see your strength with our own swords and shields!” Broggy declared with determination.
“That’s right, we’ll fight with you, little one!” Dorry added, adopting a defiant stance.
Luffy sighed, realizing they would still fight, as this was an opportunity to use his true powers. Although he could have Nojiko and Chouchou face them, he was in a recruitment process, and Luffy didn’t want to miss the chance to showcase his own strength and show off a bit.
“Let’s do this, then!” Luffy responded, accepting the giants’ challenge.
The giants, wielding their imposing swords and shields, prepared for the confrontation. Luffy, with a serious expression, assumed a combat stance, focusing on his Mythical Zoan after leaping backward and positioning himself 100 meters away from the giants.
Preparing for the imminent battle, Luffy decided to enter the final phase of his Mythical Zoan, which he now had a bit more control over. His eyes intensified their red hue, while fiery flames danced around him, growing furiously in a violent swirl. The flames erupted from him, forming a fiery pillar that rose from Ifrit’s domain towards the sky, surprising everyone, even those who were witnessing this scene for the second time.
When the flaming display subsided, the colossal form of Luffy transformed into Ifrit was revealed. A drake with burnt skin, amethyst armor, curved horns, and vibrant flames across its 50-meter-tall body.
*ROOOOOOOOOOARRRRRRRRR!* Ifrit roared with overwhelming ferocity, making all of Little Garden tremble before its imposing presence.
Trees quickly came to life with hundreds of birds emerging and fleeing from them. Even the once calm dinosaurs quickly became alarmed at the threat of Luffy standing in the middle of the island, causing even the most carnivorous animals to flee upon seeing the 50-meter Drake and its roaring didn’t help.
The transformation was truly monumental, exceeding the expectations even of those who thought they knew Luffy deeply. The air trembled with Ifrit’s presence, rising over Little Garden like an almost mythical entity.
“With this power, the captain can challenge anything!”
“This form again…”
“Luffy can transform into this giant monster!?”
“Wait, are you saying that’s Luffy, are we safe?”
“Karoo!”
“I’m scared too, Karoo!” Vivi cried.
“He’s like a force of nature…”
“I’ve never seen anything like this in the Grand Line!”
“Is that really our captain?”
“Luffy… you’re amazing!”
*GRRRR*
“If only I could have half of that power…”
“Look at those flames… they’re mesmerizing.”
“My husband is powerful.” Alvida paid little attention to Luffy’s colossal form.
“This is truly unbelievable…” Robin had to admit. Now she realized that 200 million couldn’t do justice to Luffy’s powers. It was beyond anything she had ever seen in her life. A simple step from Luffy, and an area of the forest completely changed. What kind of power is this?
Various expressions and comments echoed among the crew members and the giants, all trying to process the magnitude of the phenomenon before them. Ifrit was not just a transformation but a manifestation of power beyond conventional understanding.
“The little one has grown, Broggy!”
“We are now the little ones here, Dorry!”
The giants had to tilt their heads to look at the fiery monster, even from a distance, as Luffy was now twice their size. The perspective had completely changed, turning Luffy into an unmatched force in front of the colossi that were once seen as imposing. The vibrant fire of Ifrit reflected in the eyes of the giants, blending with a mix of awe and admiration.
“Even so, let’s fight, Broggy.”
“Yes, Dorry. Let’s show how a proud Elbaf warrior can fight!”
“That’s good… Let’s begin…” Luffy’s voice thundered, not needing to move his mouth to convey his words, further enhancing his presence as a mythical being.
The confrontation began with a resounding roar as Ifrit advanced toward the giants. Its colossal size and imposing presence triggered a shockwave that even the most experienced giants couldn’t help but tremble at.
“Get ready, little one!” Broggy roared, wielding his enormous sword.
Dorry raised his massive shield, prepared for the imminent impact. However, Ifrit’s surprising agility contradicted its massive appearance. Luffy moved with an unusual grace for someone of his size, evading the giants’ blows as if dancing among them, despite his towering stature.
With a swift motion, Ifrit delivered a powerful blow, hitting both Broggy and Dorry in a single move. The impact was overwhelming, sending the giants backward and creating a crater in the landscape of Little Garden.
“How can he be so fast!” Dorry exclaimed, struggling to get up.
While the giants tried to rise, Ifrit demonstrated his enhanced control over fire. Amethyst flames surrounded his hands as he prepared his next attack. A massive fire blast was launched towards the giants, engulfing them in an intense blaze.
“This isn’t fair! We fight head-on!” Broggy shouted, trying to extinguish the flames consuming his attire.
Luffy, or rather Ifrit, advanced once again. His movements were a dance of destruction as he struck the giants with a combination of rapid blows and devastating flame attacks. In no time, Broggy and Dorry were completely overwhelmed by Ifrit’s overwhelming force.
“I can’t believe we’re losing to this little one in such a pathetic way, as all we can do is raise our shields to protect ourselves…” Dorry muttered, falling to his knees.
“He’s like a true monster!” Broggy admitted, trying to resist the torrent of blows.
Ifrit advanced with surprising speed, its amethyst flames dancing around as it moved. Dorry and Broggy tried to react, but Luffy’s unusual agility in Ifrit’s form made it difficult to keep up with his movements. With a quick and powerful strike, Luffy hit Dorry and Broggy simultaneously, sending both giants flying.
The thunderous impact echoed through Little Garden as the giants fell, knocked out by Luffy’s overwhelming strength. The earth shook with the magnitude of the blow, creating a crater in the landscape. Ifrit, with its imposing form, stood tall, facing the fallen giants.
“That was amazing!” Hugo exclaimed, impressed with Luffy’s display of power.
“He knocked out the giants with a single blow!” Usopp was wide-eyed, watching the scene.
Even Lami, usually more laid-back, couldn’t help expressing her surprise. “Luffy is truly on another level now.”
With a sigh of smoke and flames, Luffy returned to his normal form, satisfied with the outcome of the fight. He approached the fallen giants, offering a friendly hand to help them up.
Finally, Luffy, back in his normal form, faced the fallen giants as he walked again at just 2 meters in his human form. The smoke from the flames dissipated around him, revealing a confident smile.
“You were good opponents; I hope you’re okay. But I have my own goals to achieve, and you’ll be part of them, so this victory is mine,” Luffy declared, offering a small friendly hand to help the giants up, effortlessly lifting them.
Broggy and Dorry, still surprised by their defeat, accepted Luffy’s hand. They looked at the Straw Hat Captain with a mix of respect and disbelief after the little one practically tossed them while extending his hand to catch them.
“You are truly formidable, little one,” Broggy acknowledged.
Luffy laughed, “And I still have much more to learn and conquer. This is just a glimpse of what’s to come; I’m sure you’ll become powerful warriors too!”
“We didn’t expect to find someone as powerful as you around here,” Dorry added, showing respect for Luffy’s skill.
Luffy, always with his friendly nature, responded, “You’re strong, but I believe you can get even stronger. How about joining my fleet? Let’s grow together and face even greater challenges; your names will be in history!”
The giants exchanged glances, pondering the proposal. After a brief silence, Broggy broke the deadlock.
“We agree to join you, little one! But only if you help us get stronger too. We accept your offer on the condition that you train us like you did with the other little ones!”
Excited with the response, Luffy immediately agreed. “That’s great! Let’s train together and become even more powerful. Welcome to the Straw Hat Fleet, Broggy and Dorry!”
The news of Broggy and Dorry’s addition to the crew quickly spread among the team members, raising some doubts, including the one expressed by Reiju. She approached Luffy with curious eyes and questioned, “Luffy, why not add the giants directly to the main crew? What is the purpose of this Straw Hat Fleet?”
Luffy, with a determined smile, explained, “Reiju, it’s not just about increasing the numbers of the main crew. We are building a strategic force to dominate the seas. This Fleet is the manifestation of our desire for conquest. Each member, whether in the main crew or the Fleet, will contribute uniquely to achieving our goals.”
His tone became more serious as he continued, “Broggy, Dorry, and everyone else in the Fleet are here to grow stronger and to strengthen our alliance. By empowering everyone, we will be ready to take on anyone who tries to stop our path. It’s not just a matter of numbers; it’s a strategy. We will maintain the autonomy of each group but unite our forces when necessary.”
Luffy concluded, with serious eyes, conveying deep determination, “This Fleet is the key to facing the New World with confidence and conquering every challenge that comes our way. We are shaping the future of the seas!”
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Raccoon here:
“Stone Stone!”
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