Chapter 33: Strongest Elbalf Giant?

"Kawahahaha! Got any alcohol?!"

A colossal figure burst through the jungle, looming beside the Going Merry. The Giant's booming voice echoed as he peered curiously at the three pirates aboard.

"G-G-Giant?!"

Usopp and Nami stared in shock at the grinning Giant on the shore. Frozen in place, neither could move a muscle.

"Oh, alcohol? We've got some," Shirogai replied calmly, smiling as he stepped in front of them. "Try the Straw Hat Pirates' specialty—Blade Burner."

Though Shirogai knew this particular Giant was friendly, that was only in the original anime. The butterfly effect of his presence could've changed anything.

Brogy laughed, throwing his head back. "Kawahahaha! Blade Burner? What a strange name! Sounds exciting!"

Shirogai tilted his head slightly. "You should watch your back."

"My back?"

Brogy turned around, puzzled—just in time to see a massive Tyrannosaurus lunging for him.

SWISH!

A flash of black light. The axe swung horizontally, slicing clean through the dinosaur's neck. The head flew into the air and landed in Brogy's palm.

The rest of the beast collapsed to the jungle floor with a dying groan.

"Kawahahaha!"

Brogy turned back, still gripping the bloody dinosaur head, and looked at Shirogai with a booming laugh.

"Thanks, little warrior! You've got sharp eyes! I'm Brogy—the strongest warrior of Elbaf!"

"Shirogai… he's a real Giant."

Usopp and Nami clung to Shirogai, pale and shaking.

"A pleasure to meet you, Brogy-san," Shirogai said politely, arms crossed. "I'm Shirogai Yamikuro. These two are my crewmates—long nose is Usopp, and the lady is Nami. We're part of the Straw Hat Pirates."

"Brogy-san, huh? Kawahaha! So, you're pirates too!"

Brogy grinned and lifted the dinosaur head like a trophy.

"You've got alcohol, and I've got meat! Come with me. I'll treat you all to a proper feast!"

"That head's still dripping…"

Usopp and Nami nearly fainted, dropping backward onto the deck, feigning unconsciousness.

Brogy scratched his head. "What's wrong with them?"

Shirogai chuckled, nudging Usopp's side with his foot. "They've got a condition. They pass out when stared at by Giants."

"Don't touch me!" Usopp whispered. "Shirogai, play dead! Giants don't eat corpses, right?"

Nami whispered back, "Maybe they only eat moving prey…"

Shirogai rolled his eyes and walked toward the ship's kitchen. "Brogy-san, I'll grab a few barrels of Blade Burner. It's something you'll want to savor."

Brogy roared with laughter. "Kawahahaha! It's been ages since I had good alcohol—I can't wait!"

His deep laugh echoed through the jungle, startling birds into the sky.

Meanwhile, Usopp and Nami lay completely still, pretending to have lost consciousness.

…

Elsewhere on the island—

Luffy, Vivi, and Karoo had already encountered Dorry, the second Giant.

"Nyahahaha!"

Dorry held Luffy in his palm and laughed. "You fought those long-necked beasts all by yourself? Impressive! It's been a long time since we had visitors—I'll treat you well!"

Luffy's mouth hung open. "Whoa! You're huge! Are you even human?"

Dorry roared with laughter. "Human? Nyahahaha! I'm Dorry—the strongest warrior of Elbaf! I'm a Giant, of course I'm human too!"

Vivi peeked out from behind a tree. "G-Giant Race… I've heard of them, but I never thought I'd actually see one in person!"

Luffy grinned, totally unbothered. "I'm Luffy, a pirate! Down there are Vivi and Karoo. Nice to meet you!"

"Luffy! Why are you introducing me?!" Vivi hissed, clutching her chest. Karoo had already fainted, eyes rolling into his head.

Luffy admired Dorry's size. "So cool. I've seen Shirogai's Smoke Giant form before, but it never felt this real."

"Smoke Giant?"

Dorry raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Luffy said. "When Shirogai uses his Smoke-Smoke Fruit, he can form a giant body out of compressed smoke. He's huge! Bigger than you, even. He once punched the sea so hard, it splashed up like a tidal wave. He even tossed a whale named Laboon!"

"Nyahahaha!"

Dorry clapped his sword against his shoulder. "That Shirogai sounds like a fun guy! Come on, I'll take you to my place—we'll feast like warriors!"

He gently scooped up Vivi and Karoo, then led the way home—his jungle dwelling of the past hundred years.

Thump… thump… thump…

…

Elsewhere again—

Zoro and Sanji emerged from the forest at the same time, each dragging a massive beast behind them.

"Zoro."

"Sanji."

They stared each other down.

"I won," both declared at once.

Their glares sharpened.

"You lost."

"Huh? You're the one who lost!"

"Not a chance. Let's settle this!"

And just like that, they clashed—comparing prey size as if their lives depended on it.

…

Under the ribcage of a massive beast skeleton—

The smell of roasting meat filled the air. If not for Brogy's intimidating presence, the jungle's creatures would have swarmed the area already.

"Ahhhhh!"

Brogy suddenly roared.

"It's so spicy I'm gonna explode!"

He'd just downed a full barrel of Blade Burner and was clutching his neck, face red and eyes wide.

"What's Shirogai doing?! Don't anger the Giant!"

Usopp and Nami, still "unconscious," trembled under the beast bones.

Shirogai sat across from Brogy, relaxed.

"I told you not to drink that much in one go, Brogy-san."

He downed a cup himself, flushed but calm.

"This is pure, undiluted stuff. The fermentation's strong, and I baked it over flame to concentrate the alcohol content."

BUUUURP!

Brogy let out a massive belch and burst into laughter.

"Kawahahaha! That stuff packs a punch! It's amazing! Shirogai, let's toast again!"

"Cheers."

Shirogai raised his cup and clinked it against Brogy's massive barrel.

Together, the Giant and the human gulped down the powerful brew in unison.

…

Deep within the jungle, outside a wax house—

Two figures pushed open a door, faces sour.

Mr. 3 looked up from his tea, a smug grin on his face.

"So. Mr. 5. Miss Valentine. I've already heard about your failure."

He sipped his tea and smirked.

"Quite the mess you've made."

Mr. 5 glared. "It's that monster's fault. If he hadn't shown up—"

Mr. 3 interrupted. "That's your problem. You rely too much on brute force, not enough on brains."

He set the cup down.

"I've already mapped it all out. Stick to my plan, and we'll manipulate those two Elbaf Giants into taking down that newcomer with the 100 million bounty.

If we play this right, we'll walk away with a haul of Berries."

---

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