Chapter 16: Elbaf

Elbaf

An orange-haired Giant boy noticed a massive turtle with a world on its back sink into the sea- only to emerge a massive ship with a tortoise figurehead as it arrived at the port. It managed to outsize the other ships by a significant margin.

The boy had to blink twice to understand what he was seeing.

Luffy looked at the giant tree as he said-

"Finally on Elbaf."

He then disembarked as he whispered-

"If things get bad. I'll call you."

The figurehead winked as Luffy went into town.

He then saw four familiar Giants.

"Dorry, Broggy, Oimo, and Kashii. It's been a while.," said the Straw Hat Captain.

"Gababababababa. You look like you've gotten stronger since we last saw each other.," said Broggy as he looked down.

"Where's the rest of your crew?" asked Dorry.

"They're close by.," Luffy said as he touched his chest.

"Ok.," said Oimo slightly confused.

"Shanks has been here for a week. Apparently, there's some tension between him and the Prince's advisor. Hopefully, it's not gonna lead to anything serious.," said Kashii.

"I'm well aware.," said Luffy which really bewildered the Giants.

"I'll be waiting at the bar.," said Luffy as he continued walking ahead.

Dorry and Broggy scratched their heads.

"Doesn't he seem taller?," asked Broggy as well as Dorry nodded.

Local Bar at an Inn

Shanks and his main crew went to the local bar with sullen faces as they saw an unexpected sight.

"Luffy, you're...um bigger than I last saw you.," noted Roux.

Luffy turned around to look down at Shanks.

"Hey Shanks. Don't worry. This look of mine is a part of my training.," said the young man.

"I see.," said Hongo.

"Where's your crew? Don't tell they're off somewhere.," said Beckman.

"They're very close.," said Luffy as he touched his chest.

"I see. Guess they're sight-seeing.," observed Rockstar.

What the hell with his Haki? It's like a combination of..., thought Beckman.

"You learned a lot at Laugh-Tale.," said Shanks.

Luffy nodded.

"I could show you but let's not do it right. I like to see if something's screwy going on. If there's not- let's celebrate with drinks, later.," said the young man.

He then went upstairs to one of the inn rooms.

"Hmm, he's grown up.," said Shanks.

"Do you think he knows about the situation with Prince Loki's concerning ideas...?," asked Beckman.

"Settling things before they escalate is what I hope for.," said Shanks.

Private Room

Luffy was in the shower as he uncharacteristically said in a feminine tone-

"This feels great."

He then rested on the bed.

"Training for nine days straight, made me sweaty.," he told himself.

He then asked-

"You ok?"

"This feels wonderous."

"Speak for yourself. Being with moss-head."

He suddenly pulled one cheek.

"Damn cook."

He then pulled another cheek as if fighting himself.

"Knock it off. We'd be letting them down if we're not able to do this."

"This isn't anything new. They've always been like this."

"Well, this is something they need to get over with. Doing this technique always has its blurring of identity. We've tested the limit. Just few more."

"Wait, seriously."

"Sounds very distressing."

"This is getting out of hand. Why not-"

"If we stop this now before the benefits happen. Then we're screwed."

"But..."

"Just a few more hours. Hopefully, next time you can resolve your issues."

"Elbaf is supposed to be fun...but being here...I'm getting some off vibes. It's subtle but its there..."

"We just see if it's nothing or not. If it's not, we kick the asses of the one that's making things feel weird."

Outside Rockstar was listening in and from his perspective, Luffy was having a conversation with himself.

A Few Hours Later...

Vahalla Palace

The Red Hair Pirates were approaching the massive castle.

"So what's going on with Luffy?," asked Shanks.

"I think he's gone...a little...," said the spiky-haired man.

"No, something else is going on.," said Beckman.

"Is there a problem?," asked a voice from above.

Shanks looked up to see a Giant. Unlike the more top-heavy or stout Giants, he was more well-proportioned with a long nose that ended in a beak-like point. He wore a brown bandana with a golden eagle symbol in front with a round disc with rectangular ornaments attached to the bottom on either side. He had a feathered headdress, brown armbands, brown pants with a brown belt that had a golden buckle with a tree symbol, brown leg-bands with brown shoes. He had a brown short goatee. His yellow iris eyes looked down at the pirates.

"Nothing. It's just that there's a kid that's come to fulfill a promise to me.," he said.

"Hraesvel. We're just here to talk to the king.," Beckman replied.

The large giant stared for a few moments before seemingly allowing them to pass.

"Don't be going too rough on him.," said the giant.

They then entered the palace, which was adorned with stone carvings and statues of old Giant warriors of the past. For some reason, the statue of the king before Loki was covered by cloth.

The crew then reached the main throne room where sat a Giant with curly brown hair, a green tunic, brown gloves, dark green boots, a red cape with fur trimmings, and a simple golden crown on his head. he was top heavy with his feet being much smaller than his upper torso. But the most notable feature was that he had cutesy eyes, large lips, and a runny nose.

Can't believe he's the King here., thought Rockstar.

Shanks looked up and asked-

"What's with this decision to join the World Government as one of its Kings? Elbaf has always maintained a state of independence. Sure, some Giants end up joining the Marines but they're the exception and not the norm. What's with this change of mind?"

"Elbaf...has the best army in the world...and countries under siege by criminals...would feel safe if we had more freedom to help with...the...the...aid of the World Government...," Loki spoke in a slow and sluggish tone that was also nasal due to his nose running.

"Are you making this decision out of your judgment or-," Beckman asked only for a figure to emerge from behind Loki- he was a well-proportioned Giant wearing a gray robe, he looked middle-aged with a pencil thin mustache of black matching his slicked back black hair

"You may be protecting us but you're only one man...well...a man with some crippling limitations.," said the man.

"Farbuit...," Shanks spoke with an angry vein on his forehead.

"That explains it.," said Roux.

"Not all Giants see the World Government as positive. If you intend to join out of a desire for peace between races, we'll help out. But if it's to aid in war-," said Yasopp.

"See my King, they're just like that one woman- Caramel. She offered peace but she was actually there to assassinate any competition to rule over the Giants- using Linlin as an assassin. Be careful, they might attempt to do the same as over 60 years ago.," interjected Farbuit.

"That's some nasty words you're using. Caramel might've been a child trafficker and Big Mom was too stubborn to see the truth but what you're suggesting is-," said Bonk.

"Would've...seen Big Mom...in better light...if her daughter...actually followed through...instead of marrying some nobody...now she's useless...and set for execution...Emperors are hyped up garbage...better side with the Marines and World Government...," said Loki.

"But, Linlin died in Wano.," said Limejuice before Farbuit pulled out a Vivre Card.

"We were always going to kill her- not for backing out of the wedding but due to her actions as a child. Her children are also just as guilty of this crime. So we're going to execute them as well.," said Farbuit.

"What the?!," shouted Gab.

"You can do what you want with Linlin and some of her children have committed crimes worthy of death. But don't do it to the ones who haven't done anything than being born her children.," said Shanks.

"Children should bare the sins of their parents if they're rotten. And children of high birth shouldn't sully their lineage with filth.," Farbuit replied as he pulled the mangled corpses of a young woman with dark-green hair and brown eyes- one dangling loosely out of the socket and a baby whose head was hanging loosely from its body from the inside of his cloak.

Shanks went from stoic to livid to infuriated.

"How did you...," asked Shanks as his crew prepared for battle.

"You should've stuck with nobility.," Farbuit answered as he waved his free hand over his face, changing his features to that a much more handsome man with slicked back purple hair with a strand of hair in the front. He was dressed inn a gray business suit with a gray admiral overcoat over it.

Loki was somehow not shocked by this sight.

"Impossible, you're...," said Yasopp.

Shanks didn't care as he used a Divine Departure on the giant. However, the man appeared behind Shanks.

"I used to think Haki was the pinnacle of strength until a certain whelp showed me otherwise. Now, I have the powers of a Daimon and Haki. Even your Observation Killing won't work if your senses are-," he said before being kicked to the side by a newly arrived individual.

"You're...," said Shanks.

"So that's why she was there when we left...," the young man said to himself as his crew arrived in turn.

"Y-you're...," said Loki.

It was the Straw Hat Pirates.

"I've come to challenge the Red Hair Pirates but it looks like something I don't like is happening. And I don't like what I heard. So I'm taking you guys out so the people don't have to be involved in that crap. If Elbaf sides with you and it wants me to be an enemy then bring it on!," Luffy said with calm confidence.

"D-don't think it'll be that easy.," said Loki as his eyes glowed as the room began to distort.

Next Chapter: Svatalfheim

Author Notes: The chapter was to introduce the conflict of the new Elbaf arc and the improvements of the Straw Hats post training.

Farbuit is named after the Jotunn- Fárbauti the father and Loki is not named after the famous trickster but rather the giant, Utgard-Loki, another giant that is good with trickery and illusions.