CHAPTER 43:Hegemony!

Compared to the composed and quiet Blue Ogre Brogy, the Red Ogre Dorry was clearly more talkative.

Vivi didn't waste words and got straight to the point, relying on her "transmigrator's" charm to create connections out of thin air.

"I have a friend named Jaina," she began. "She once met two giants at Enies Lobby, the World Government's Judiciary Island. According to them, they were from Elbaf and had ventured out in search of the Blue Ogre Brogy and Red Ogre Dorry. The World Government claimed that you two had been captured, and as long as those two giants served as gatekeepers for a hundred years, you would be released."

Upon hearing this, Brogy was momentarily stunned, while Dorry reacted far more intensely. He raised his battle axe with a furious roar. "Nonsense! When were we ever captured by the World Government? Our Giant Warrior Pirates would never be defeated by puny humans!"

Vivi's expression remained calm. "But those two giants my friend met truly believed the Government's story. They've guarded the gates for fifty years already. Unless something changes, they'll continue guarding it for another fifty."

Brogy's face darkened, and Dorry's expression turned grim as both giants exchanged looks, their anger simmering just beneath the surface.

Giants have incredibly long lifespans. Dorry and Brogy had spent over a century dueling on that small, isolated island known as Little Garden, battling not out of hatred, but to determine who was stronger.

To hear that their fellow warriors were deceived and had wasted fifty years was infuriating—but such was the arrogance of giants. They cared more about the disgrace brought by deception than the time lost.

After a moment of silence, Dorry muttered thoughtfully, "Then pass our message to them—tell them we're still alive, and we'll return to Elbaf once we've settled our duel."

"For Elbaf's honor, let's finish this today, Dorry!" Brogy shouted as he slammed his shield with his axe, his fighting spirit surging.

"I'll be the one to win!" Dorry responded, swinging his massive sword as the battle reignited.

Seeing them clash again, Vivi quickly whistled to call over her pet duck Karoo and her little white dog, sprinting after them. This was the moment she'd waited for—time to reap the rewards!

"Duration: fifteen minutes," she noted to herself.

The fight between the Blue Ogre Brogy and Red Ogre Dorry was fierce, though not quite on the same level as the Golden Lion's legendary battles. Their techniques were excellent, but not at the pinnacle of the world.

Still, Karoo picked up some glowing skill drops: "Swordsmanship +7," "Battle Axe Mastery +9," "Strength +13," "Tenacity +12," "Reinforced Skin +29," and "Enhanced Strength +6."

"Strength" and "Tenacity" were common among elite pirates—good, but not rare. However, "Reinforced Skin" and "Enhanced Strength" made Vivi's eyes gleam with excitement.

"Strength" and "Tenacity" were like incremental training buffs—akin to exercising through Wuqinxi. They added small permanent increases to physical stats. But "Reinforced Skin" and "Enhanced Strength" were passive skills that offered constant boosts.

As the "Enhanced Strength" took effect, Vivi's bones cracked audibly. Her strength surged and her height increased from 169 cm to 171 cm. Her body stretched, her skin felt as if it were tearing, but thanks to "Reinforced Skin," the discomfort faded swiftly.

She clenched her fists, gauging a 10% power increase. Her skin, too, was visibly tougher. While her Armament Haki wasn't yet strong enough to coat her body, this passive defense was a welcome substitute.

Looking up the word "life" in a dictionary, she had once discovered it had no homophones in Chinese—highlighting the idea that each person has only one life to protect. She had always valued survivability and life-saving techniques above all else.

After the clash ended, Vivi offered drinks carried by bounty hunters, and everyone sat down to discuss the World Government again.

The longer they talked, the angrier they grew. Brogy slammed a nearby rock. "Those bastards are liars! Not a single decent soul among them—just a bunch of despicable cowards!"

"You should smash the gates of Enies Lobby with your strongest move!" Vivi added, eyes blazing. "Show them the true might of the giants!"

Then, as if casually recalling something, she asked, "Jaina mentioned hearing about a powerful technique from those two giants… something called the 'Magic Spear' of the giants. Do you know it?"

Dorry and Brogy burst out laughing. "Your friend misremembered!" Brogy chuckled. "It's not 'Magic Spear,' it's the Spear of Elbaf! And of course we know it—we're Elbaf's strongest warriors!"

It was clear these century-old warriors held deep resentment for the World Government. If not for their obsession with the outcome of their duel, they might have long since left Little Garden to bring chaos to the outside world.

Neither had tasted alcohol in decades, and the drinks soon rekindled their thirst. As their interest peaked, Dorry glanced at Brogy. "Hey Brogy, do you still remember how to unleash Elbaf's Spear?"

"Of course! I'm Elbaf's strongest warrior!"

"No, I am! Let's settle it now!"

The giants squared off again. Fifteen minutes later, they unleashed their famed finishing move—Elbaf's Spear, aimed at a distant target, for Vivi to witness.

The two stood 30 meters apart, channeling their energy in perfect synchronization.

Dorry raised his greatsword high. Brogy gripped his battle axe with both hands. Their muscles bulged as their spirits surged to their peak, their gazes locking onto a towering rock formation nearly 100 meters tall in the distance.

Without hesitation, they shouted in unison and brought their weapons down with all their might.

"Hegemony!"

"Hegemony!"

The dual roars converged. Their power combined into a dazzling white beam that blasted through the rock effortlessly, leaving a gaping hole over 100 meters wide. The energy continued beyond the island, streaking across the sky like a meteor before vanishing from sight.

Vivi was left stunned.

The raw power of "Hegemony" far exceeded her expectations. Then, Karoo picked up a new skill orb labeled: "Spear of Elbaf: Hegemony."

Through it, Vivi could view the technique's experience, execution, and energy structure, but frustratingly—it couldn't be added to her skill list. It was an unlearnable ability.

This had never happened before, not even with Shiki's "Lion Strike: Chikirigu." For the first time, she had encountered a move beyond her current limits.

Was it her swordsmanship level? Her physical strength? Or was it her size? Was it simply not meant for a single person to use?

Several possibilities rushed through her mind at once.