85. Nord-style Brawl Part 3

The Navy Vice Admiral, seeing that the government agent had given him an out, nodded. The short-stubbled agent pointed behind him.

"Spandine-sama is stationed at Enies Lobby, while my colleagues and I happened to be on shift training new recruits. This batch of fresh spies is decent. Rob Lucci, Kaku, and Jabra have all grasped and become roughly proficient in Soru, the easiest of the Rokushiki techniques to learn. Lucci, at just eight years old, has already begun to master Tekkai and Rankyaku."

"Eight years old, huh… That's certainly genius-level," Sakazuki remarked, glancing at the porthole where Robin was.

"Manpower is tight on the training island, so I had no choice but to bring them along to help," the elite government agent in black admitted, looking troubled. "The Gorosei demanded that we deliver the necessary supplies to the Ancient Island today, no matter the cost."

"Almost all of our island's stored provisions and food are here," a blonde-haired little girl standing behind Lucci puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

Sakazuki had figured it out. He understood now. Sengoku must have immediately contacted the Gorosei the moment he hung up on Sakazuki. After all, it was the World Government—not the Navy Headquarters—that had originally signed the agreement with Elbaf.

When it came to the finer details of the agreement and the handling of the giant leaders, even an admiral had to submit it for the Gorosei's approval.

And so, the conclusion was obvious. The Gorosei had determined that these two giants held enough influence over the World Government's position in Elbaf—and potentially with other New World nations they hoped to cooperate with in the future—that it was worth pulling intelligence trainees away from their isolated training to assist in Sakazuki's operation.

Sakazuki looked at the CP recruits, the future stars of the government's intelligence agency, and suddenly realized—these were the first people to be affected by his presence in this world.

The butterfly's wings had begun to stir. And from now on, he would continue to change things.

"My plan requires a group of exploration and research personnel," Sakazuki's deep, magnetic voice carried authority. His calm demeanor and the commanding presence of a general earned the young spies' respect.

Kaku, with his rectangular nose, glanced at their leader. Seeing Lucci's slight nod of excitement, they all responded in unison, "We await your orders!"

"Good," Sakazuki nodded. "Justice needs responses like this." He patted his subordinate on the shoulder, signaling Lindemann to assist the government personnel in setting up the banquet venue.

The Vice Admiral's gaze landed on a stack of barrels near the recruits. Inside one, he spotted an eye peeking out.

"Robin, come out and meet your little companions."

"You all, follow me. Our adventure begins now, little expedition team!"

Sakazuki hadn't forgotten the reconnaissance trio's encounter with the giants or the information they had shared. If they were to pose as a naval scientific expedition, what better way to lower the giants' guard than with a group of curious children?

"Ahahaha! Sakazuki!! I could smell the beer from a mile away! HAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Dorry, carrying his enormous shield on his back, sheathed his sword and freed both hands—each holding the corpse of a serpentine dragon, its blood leaving a trail behind him.

So, uh… how exactly were they supposed to eat this?

The Navy soldiers exchanged looks, wide-eyed, as they stared at the two mountains of meat before them.

Sakazuki said nothing, simply tossing a massive beer mug toward the giant.

Dorry caught the airborne mug in one hand and began guzzling the refreshing beer in huge gulps.

"Hic—"

A single gulp had emptied a mug containing as much beer as dozens of regular naval wooden barrels. He let out a satisfied burp. Fortunately, the navy had brought enough beer and food for the giants to enjoy themselves tonight. Otherwise, Sakazuki wouldn't have dared to let Dorry drink so freely.

Dorry ran his massive fingers over the wooden mug, grinning at the stunned crowd. Embarrassed, he explained, "I haven't had a drink in decades! This is amazing!"

Sakazuki looked at the navy and government personnel gathered around the towering bonfire.

"Drink freely tonight. I've arranged for guards to be posted overnight."

The men's cheers erupted instantly.

"Long live!!!"

"Yooohooo!!"

"Kanpai!!"

"Davay, bratya!! Bottoms up!!"

Sometimes, a man's happiness was just that simple. And for soldiers, even more so. Gulping down a cold beer in the sweltering jungle—damn, this was paradise!

The giants laughed at the soldiers' antics.

"Hahahaha! Sakazuki, your men are really something!"

"Cheers! That was a good fight today!"

Sakazuki raised his frothy beer mug first in a toast to Dorry.

"Cheers! For glory!"

Dorry watched a young human skillfully pop open beer barrels, standing on a raised platform to refill his mug.

Without a word, Sakazuki downed his drink in one go, then turned the empty mug over, locking eyes with the leader of the Giant Warrior Pirates.

For a moment, Dorry almost felt like he was back home in Elbaf. Only there would the battle-hardened brutes fight to their heart's content on the battlefield, then head to the taverns for a night of drinking.

Feeling nostalgic, Dorry lifted his mug again and took a huge swig. Beer foam dripped down his long beard.

"Ha! You're really something!" Lindemann, holding his own beer, climbed onto the giant's folded legs.

"Cheers! To this wonderful encounter!!!"

Dorry roared with laughter as he downed his third mug.

"Damn! I'm starting to like you navy folks. You're not bad at all!"

He playfully poked at the little ones pouring his drinks, then turned to the Vice Admiral.

"Speaking of which, why did you bring kids to a jungle that's way too dangerous for them?"

Ah, finally. The real conversation begins.

Sakazuki's eyes glinted with amusement.

"Lindemann already told you, didn't he? We're a scientific exploration team. Future warriors of the sea shouldn't fear something as small as a jungle!"

The Vice Admiral pointed at the wooden beer mug in Dorry's massive hand.

"That mug, sized just right for you, was crafted by them! They love this jungle."

Dorry examined the well-made oak mug, momentarily like an oversized child. He turned to the little ones pouring his drinks.

"Hahahaha! You kids are thoughtful!"

"Hey, hey! That dinosaur you killed just now—it was this big!"

A blonde-haired little girl, like a curious kitten, tugged at one of Dorry's beard hairs.

The giant flexed his mountainous arm muscles proudly.

"Of course! I'm the strongest warrior on this island! Uh… aside from your Vice Admiral." He quickly corrected himself, looking at Sakazuki.

The kids sipped their juice and continued bombarding him with questions.

"Were you born on this island?"

Before Dorry could answer, the boy feeding a pigeon cut in.

"No, judging by his outfit, he's from Elbaf."

Dorry squinted at the black-haired boy, who was far calmer than his peers.

"That's right! I'm Dorry, the Blue Ogre—the strongest warrior of Elbaf!"

"Blue Ogre? Chababa, what's that?"

A chubby boy with a zipper mouth looked at his companions in confusion.

"You idiot! It's a nickname!" The black-haired boy pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Eh? But isn't 'strongest warrior' the real nickname, Lucci?"

A scar-faced boy pried open another barrel and prepared to pour Dorry another drink. He frowned.

"Hahahaha! Both are correct, both are correct!" Dorry chuckled, remembering childhood debates with Brogy and Jorul over which warrior was stronger.

"I think the strongest warrior is Vice Admiral Sakazuki!"

The boy with the bull-horn hairstyle suddenly spoke up.

"Oi, Bruno, Sakazuki isn't even a giant!"

"Yeah, but isn't a warrior someone who protects their people and homeland?"

Sakazuki suddenly barked, "Lucci!"

The beer mug slipped from Dorry's grasp, drenching him in golden beer.

But the giant didn't seem to notice.

"You… what did you say happened to Elbaf…?"

A tiny smirk played at Sakazuki's lips as he downed his drink.

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