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If you want to read advanced chapters and support me at the same time, you can join my p@treon. I'm going to start uploading chapters of my two stories again, and if you have doubts about joining, you can try the trial mode—it's seven days of free reading.
I would say that at the latest next Saturday, the new chapters will be uploaded to p@treon, this week I finished with the chapters that are left in the draft of this novel, the ones for DImensional Wanderer are already finished so it's time to go back to editing and I'll leave the chapters scheduled for both novels so you don't think I disappeared again.
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p@treon.com/TheAkashicRecords
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Without further ado, enjoy the chapter.
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Five hours later.
Leviathan Fang, inside the training room.
"I still don't know much about the structure and organization of the Marines," Carina said, lifting a barbell to strengthen her arms. "Can someone fill me in?"
Perona, floating in the air, laughed melodically. "The Marine organization is vast. It's hard to fully grasp."
Nami, studying a sea chart with crossed legs, added, "In the branches, colonels are the highest rank, and there aren't any generals."
Moodie, swinging a wooden sword vigorously, recalled, "It was mentioned that above the Admirals is the Marshal, and above the Marshal is Kong, the commander-in-chief."
"Beyond Kong are the Five Elders," Alvida said, setting down her iron bar. "But above them… well, that's still a mystery."
Robin's eyes widened in surprise. "Above the Five Elders? That's hard to believe. They're already at the top!"
Honey Queen, leaning against the table, reassured her, "Let's not dwell on it. If there's more to know, it'll come to light eventually."
Betty, taking a puff of her cigarette, remained composed. "There's likely something significant being kept under wraps, something that can't be disclosed easily."
Kaya, puzzled, questioned, "Perceiving someone just by mentioning their name? Sounds almost divine!"
Makino soothed her, "A figure above the Elders would indeed possess god-like abilities."
Carmen, sensing the shift in mood, changed the subject. "By the way, how long until the Deputy Captain battle? Has anyone been keeping track?"
Nojiko, brushing her blue hair, replied with a smile, "I believe it's been less than ten days."
Reiju, crossing her legs and resting her chin on her jade hands, spoke with gentle dignity, "We didn't pay much attention to the timing, so it's easy to miss."
"But don't worry," she added, "Lafitte is thorough. He'll make sure everything is in order."
Princess Vivi, her brow furrowed thoughtfully, smiled sweetly as she spoke, "This kind of team competition is inspiring. Everyone's training hard, aiming to improve their rankings and avoid falling behind."
Desire, seated on the deck, brought up the topic casually, "What are your thoughts on the captain's orders?"
Carina's eyes sparkled with mischief as she smiled, "There's no doubt about who the captain is. But as for the first mate, I think Van Augur is a strong contender."
"He's got a knack for surprise attacks, lying in wait with his concealed guns. Quite intimidating."
Alvida, elegantly wielding her large iron rod, added, "Van Augur has shown great interest in the vice-captain position. He's likely to lead the first team."
Nami, still focused on the chart, chimed in, "Speculating won't change anything. We'll find out soon enough."
"And with the captain overseeing everything, it's bound to be exciting."
Honey Queen, her pale golden hair shimmering, spoke with anticipation, "Once Crocodile is dealt with, the battle for positions will begin. It's inevitable."
"When the time comes, let's all witness the spectacle together."
Just then, the sound of the siren interrupted their conversation.
"Ahead is Little Garden! Ahead is..."
Upon hearing the announcement, the girls exchanged glances.
Nami grinned, "Finally, we're reaching the Prehistoric Island. One step closer to Alabasta."
Perona, floating in the air, added, "Vivi mentioned that after Little Garden, the next stop is Drum Kingdom, and then Alabasta."
Desire rose to her feet, smiling sweetly, "This island is home to two giants, Blue Ogre Dorry and Red Ogre Brogy. Each has a bounty of 100 million Berries, issued a hundred years ago. Quite impressive."
Betty, shouldering her banner, exhaled smoke. "A hundred million may seem low now, but given the time that's passed, their strength is undeniable. Today, they'd likely have bounties of at least 300 million."
Honey Queen nodded in agreement, "Indeed, giants are formidable."
"But," she added, "once they're on our radar, their fate is sealed."
At that moment, the crew's training halted, and they prepared to disembark.
Moodie set aside her wooden sword, dabbing her hands with a towel as she smiled, "I've never seen a giant before. I'm excited to see them up close."
Alvida hoisted her hefty iron rod onto her shoulder, remarking, "Giants were always just stories back in East Blue. This'll be interesting."
Carina's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she exclaimed, "Let's go! I can't wait to see these giants!"
Kaya smiled sweetly, expressing her anticipation, "They must be incredibly tall. I'm eager to see them with my own eyes."
---
With laughter and chatter, the girls exited the training room.
Meanwhile, on the deck, Burgess raised his arms excitedly, exclaiming, "I've never fought giants before! This'll be fun!"
Doc Q, with a strange smile, mused, "Poisoning giants won't be easy. They're so tall."
Gin, nonchalantly wielding his tonfas, observed, "With a bounty of 100 million Berries, they must be formidable opponents, especially with their size."
Law, holding his sword Kikoku, remarked coldly, "A century ago, such high bounties meant significant strength."
Hawkins, absorbed in his cards, reflected, "A hundred years ago, the era of great pirates hadn't dawned yet. A bounty of 100 million Berries was rare."
Van Augur, tapping his shoulder with Senriku, stated flatly, "Under the captain's gaze, they have no choice but to become subordinates. It's fate."
Kuro, adjusting his glasses, said calmly, "If they refuse, they'll likely face the captain's wrath. Joining is their best option."
Lafitte, twirling his cane, suggested, "After defeating Crocodile, we'll establish a branch in Alabasta. They can protect it while we recruit new members."
As Ethan approached the girls, Princess Vivi marveled at the dense island foliage, recalling its fearsome reputation.
Carina reassured her, "It's just an island. Don't let rumors scare you."
Nami, gazing at the island's ancient aura, remarked on the Grand Line's mystique.
Robin, with a knowing smile, emphasized the island's archaeological significance.
Moodie complimented Robin's expertise, acknowledging her interest in archaeology.
Burgess, ever eager for action, quipped to Ethan, "Wiiihahahaha....Any recruits joining, Captain?"
Doc Q cleared his throat and remarked, "Having the giants stay at the branch will undoubtedly slow down our speed."
Kuro pushed his glasses up, a glint of insight in his eyes. "The Prehistoric island is a remote place. How did the captain even know about the Giants? There are many aspects beyond his foresight. It's quite remarkable."
Lafitte leaned on his cane, a polite smile on his lips. "The captain's knowledge of the world is extensive. And for someone of his caliber, uncovering secrets isn't a daunting task."
Meanwhile, as Ethan's ship approached the Prehistoric island, sailing along the inland river, the scenery unfolded before them.
Kaya, an avid reader, pointed out a blue fruit tree on the shore, her astonishment evident. "I've read about this in a book. It's called Blue Kaffir, an extinct plant. To find it here... truly remarkable."
Alvida, carrying her hefty iron rod, furrowed her brow. "These plants are unlike any I've seen before. The dangers of this Prehistoric island are becoming apparent."
Reiju, with a gentle smile, remarked, "The flora and fauna here evoke a sense of ancient simplicity, a hint of primordial wilderness."
Suddenly, a massive creature burst from the jungle with a whoosh. All eyes turned to behold a red dinosaur, its imposing figure and gleaming teeth striking fear into their hearts.
The dinosaur fixed its cold gaze on Ethan's ship, regarding the crew as prey, and began its pursuit.
"Fufu, dinosaurs in the flesh. Quite intimidating," Carina remarked, her eyes gleaming with fascination and a hint of surprise gracing her features, lending her an adorable charm.
Nami, covering her mouth, shook her head in disbelief. "I used to think dinosaurs were just a myth from books. Who would've thought we'd encounter them today?"
Kaya, nodding enthusiastically, observed the dinosaur closely. "They're just like the ones in the books—enormous with razor-sharp teeth."
Alvida, her iron rod slung over her shoulder, chuckled. "Not very clever to mistake us for prey. Quite foolish."
Apis, standing by the railing, blinked innocently. "It's saying it's very hungry and wants to eat until it's full."
Pato, seated on the railing, scowled. "To think this brute sees us as snacks. What nerve."
Amidst the banter, hearty laughter echoed through the air, booming and infectious.
"It's been ages since we've had visitors. Today's truly a special occasion, Gababababababa..." With thunderous footsteps, a colossal figure approached.
It was none other than one of the Giant Pirates' captains, the Red Ogre Broggy!
With a whooshing sound, Broggy's booming laughter filled the air, causing the animals to scatter in fear as if they had encountered a formidable threat.
As the dinosaur roamed about, a massive axe suddenly descended, swiftly severing its head before it could even let out a cry.
"Little thing, consider yourself my appetizer," Brogy declared, grinning widely. Then, turning to their guests, he inquired with enthusiasm, "I smell wine aboard your ship. Care to share some with me? I can offer food in return. What say you, esteemed guests?"
Before anyone could respond, a hearty laugh echoed through the air.
"And me, welcome to all our distinguished guests," Dorry announced, brandishing his longsword as he approached with thunderous footsteps. "It's been ages since I've had a drink. Please, share some wine with me."
"I can provide a feast in return," he added with a hearty laugh.
Broggy shot him a disdainful look. "Your sense of smell is keen, like that of a dog."
Dorry returned the gaze, smiling contemptuously. "Indeed, your nose could put a bloodhound to shame."
Observing the banter between the towering figures, the crew exchanged nervous whispers.
Nami's eyes widened with disbelief. "This is the giant family? They're truly colossal."
Nojiko nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Indeed, perhaps twenty meters tall. It's quite daunting."
Carina shuddered and complained, "Their sheer size could crush countless people with a single step. It's overwhelming."
Perona, floating in the air, nodded eagerly. "This is my first encounter with humans of such stature. I'm curious to test my ghosts' abilities on them. It should be quite intriguing."
Alvida, her expression a mix of awe and amusement, commented as she hoisted her iron rod, "These giants are truly remarkable."
"This isn't just any human; they're as tall as several floors!"
Makino smiled gently. "To them, we must seem like ants—easily crushed."
Desire ran a hand through their hair, a puzzled expression on their face. "Despite their age, they don't show any signs of aging. It's rather peculiar."
"It appears that giants have remarkably long lifespans, far exceeding those of ordinary people," noted Princess Vivi with a smile. "Their immense size and destructive potential warrant such high bounties."
"Just like how easily that dinosaur was dispatched with a simple knife," she continued, "the combat prowess of giants is truly fearsome."
Meanwhile, Burgess raised his arms triumphantly, exclaiming, "The giants truly live up to their reputation—tall and powerful!"
Doc Q's eyes gleamed with malice as he remarked, "Their colossal bodies make for excellent experimental subjects."
Gin's expression turned serious. "Without Devil Fruit abilities, I wouldn't stand a chance against them. Their sheer size makes them easy targets."
Van Augur remained impassive. "Dealing with them is a simple matter—one shot at a time."
Kuro adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. "Their immense size likely grants them strong resistance to poisons and other hazards. It's no wonder they thrive here."
Lafitte nodded in agreement. "Their formidable strength and vitality make them valuable assets. Stationed in Alabasta, they serve as formidable guardians, keeping troublemakers at bay."
"Indeed," he concluded, "this is cause for celebration—a fortunate turn of events."
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Titles of the next chapters. (Spoilers)
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112-113: The Black Sun Pirates Arrive at Arabasta.
114-115: Black Sun Pirates vs Crocodile.
116-117: Black Sun Pirates vs Crocodile 2