The rumbling of deep laughter resonated through the towering pine trees swaying gently in the icy forest breeze, struggling to conceal monumental houses with heights rivaling city buildings.
The chill of the coniferous forest was offset by a massive campfire situated in a central area, surrounded by bushes bearing enormous berries capable of sating the hunger of Straw Hat.
The forest floor was unlike anything on the surface, covered in thin, tall grasses with muted colors and an abundance of scattered moss, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. The scent of the kingdom combined with the cool sensations, engulfing those present in a surreal ambiance.
In a rural corner of the forest, set apart from the towering residences, there were two old giants sharing their time and food with a group of dwarves and humans. The giants warmly welcomed the students and invited them to join in a familial gathering.
Kirishima, full of enthusiasm, chatted incessantly while rested on the shoulder of a robust elderly giant with fiery red hair, gray locks cascading down his back, a beard that reached his waist, and rugged features. Even tho the giant appeareance seemed terrifying, he jovially answered every question the energetic boy fired at him.
The remaining heroes listened intently as the giant regaled them with stories of ancient Elbaf warriors and their rich traditions. His storytelling was occasionally interrupted by his companion, another burly giant with a flattened nose, long ashy hair, a braided beard, and walrus mustache.
Unlike the younger heroes, Aizawa wore a worried expression as he held a small paper in his hands, which had not changed since he first acquired it. However, his concern was alleviated knowing that his fellow partner was safe.
Small beings emerged from the hero's scarf; their curiosity piqued by the small paper he held between his fingers. "That's a Vibre Card! Who does it belong to?"
"Hahaha, they already settled in just like Nezu." Ojiro quietly mocked the dwarves who had settled on his teacher's cloth.
"It's very warm... Is there any problem if we stay here Shoulando?"
"It's all right... I don't mind." He replied peacefully, wrapping the little dwarves who had settled around the neck of the black-haired hero.
Aizawa continued to hold the Vibre Card in his hand, his thoughts filled with concern. "It belongs to a partner who went to hell just now."
"HE WENT, WHERE?!"
The announcement sent shockwaves through the giants and dwarves in the vicinity, prompting them to yell in surprise.
"Please refrain from shouting so close to my ears." Aizawa, couldn't help but complain
"WE'RE SORRY!" The little creatures shouted again in embarrassment.
One of the giants, with fiery red hair, inquired further, "YOUR FRIEND IS SUICIDAL. WHY DID HE DO THAT?"
"Maybe he wanted to get his wish granted." A huge kid who ran into the mustachioed giant's arms, said.
"Wish?" Todoroki couldn't help but be curious, hearing it mentioned in connection with the underworld once again.
"Yes! Right, grandfather?
"DURARARA... HOW BRAVE YOUR FRIEND IS... HE'S ADMIRABLE," the mustachioed giant responded.
"THE WRITINGS ON THE ENTRANCE TO THE UNDERWORLD TELLS THAT A SACRIFICE IS EQUIVALENT TO A WISH... ONLY THAT THEY CAN BE FULFILLED IN AN INDEFINITE TIME," the elder giant explained.
"Indefinite time..." Todoroki repeated thoughtfully.
"FOR EXAMPLE... IF YOUR FRIEND GIVES UP HIS LIFE FOR A WISH... IT COULD BE FULFILLED IN A COUPLE OF HUNDRED YEARS."
"WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR THE ONE WE MADE THREE THOUSAND YEARS AGO TO BE FULFILLED," The ashy-haired giant added.
"WHAT, THREE THOUSAND YEARS?!" The heroes reacted in surprise.
"What's the use of it being fulfilled at this point?" Bakugo questioned, keeping his explosive temper in check.
"A GROUP OF WARRIORS AND RESEARCHERS VENTURED INTO THE HELL TO UNDERSTAND IT AND SEEK FOR THE ANSWER, IF WE COULD LIVE ON THE SURFACE AGAIN," explained the red-haired giant.
"WE HOPE THAT SOMEDAY, FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL ENJOY THE FREEDOM OUR ANCESTORS HAD, BEFORE THE GRE...," The ashen giant explained, but was abruptly interrupted.
"JÖRGEN, BE MORE CAUTIOUS WITH THE INFORMATION YOU SHARE. DON'T REVEAL TOO MUCH," SAID THE OLDER MAN, EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR DISCRETION." Admonished the red-haired man. "I APOLOGIZE; WE CAN'T DIVULGE TOO MANY DETAILS."
"Living on the surface in peace, just as the Poneglyph said," Kirishima commented quietly near Ivar's ear, who managed to overheard.
"YOU READ THE PONEGLYPH?!"
"Yes, it mentioned something about someone who will attain peace, leading the nations by example," Shoji explained.
"AND CREATE A NEW WORLD," the dwarves enthusiastically added, nearly deafening Aizawa.
"Yes, that's the one!"
"Our ancestors received that message from hell... Once they had it, they transcribed it into Poneglyphs and scattered them across the seven seas to spread the message," explained a Tontatta hidden in Shota's tousled hair.
Their conversation was abruptly halted by a blaring alarm from the Mermen lands.
"What's that noise?" Kirishima asked, climbing onto Ivar's shoulder and up his tousled hair to get a better view.
"Kirishima, don't be so trusting. Don't climb without asking permission first," scolded Shoji.
"Ah, I'm sorry, Ivar-sama..."
"NO PROBLEM, LITTLE ONE," Ivar replied, lifting him up in his palm.
"HOW STRANGE, IT'S AN ALARM FROM THE OTOHIME KINGDOM... THEY MUST HAVE ENCOUNTERED SOME SEA KING. THEY'RE USUALLY TAKEN CARE OF BY THE WARDENS," COMMENTED the ashen elder.
"Wardens?"
"THEY ARE THREE MERMAIDS OF THE DEPTHS THAT ELIMINATE ANY THREAT THAT APPROACHES LEMURIA... YOU MUST HAVE ENCOUNTERED THEM ON THE WAY."
"Nothing enters without authorization from the Wardens." A giant kid celebrated, fighting the air with a piece of log.
"Nice girls, they guided us to the entrance." Sato mentioned from below, sharing pieces of meat with Ojiro, Shoji, Todoroki, Tokoyami and Bakugo.
"You mean before they lost control and wanted to overturn us?" Katsuki mumbled.
Childish shouts in the distance drew the group's attention.
"FarFarFar Jörgen! Raven boy! I found it!" shouted a giant gray-haired infant running with a huge axe.
"Don't run with that! It's dangerous!" The heroes yelled.
"BODIL... POINT THE BLADE SOMEWHERE ELSE; YOU MIGHT HURT SOMEONE," laughed the red-haired elder.
"YOU SHOULDN'T RUN WITH WEAPONS; YOU COULD BE DECAPITATED!" Scolded Tokoyami.
"A SCAR AT YOUR AGE... YOU SHOULD WEAR IT WITH PRIDE!" Applauded Jörgen.
"WHAT AN IRRESPONSIBLE GRANDFATHER!" The heroes exclaimed in unison.
"Yes, FarFar!" The little boy cheerfully replied.
Amidst the cheerfulness of the little boy, a sudden stumble led to the accidental hurling of the colossal axe toward the heroes, casting an ominous shadow of a potentially fatal accident.
"THIS KID IS GOING TO KILL US!"
In a desperate reaction to the impending peril, the young hero with two-colored hair created a thick barrier of ice. However, the ice proved to be no match, shattering effortlessly under the relentless force of the weapon. In a quick response, Fumikage sprang into action; he harnessed the inky darkness of the forest's depths, summoning Dark Shadow. Emerging just in the nick of time, this entity intercepted the weapon, protecting over the heroes and averting a catastrophic outcome.
"DURARARARARA"
"GAHOHOHOHOHOHOHO"
"Why are you laughing? He could have hurt someone or himself," remarked the tailed hero
"He'd have his first scar... Maybe another time," quipped another, joining in the lightheartedness.
"They're insane!" Sato chimed in, still baffled by the near-death experience.
The little klutz Bodil, displayed genuine curiosity. He lay down on the ground to get a better view of Todoroki and his powers. "Hey, that was amazing! You can create ice," Bodil exclaimed, intrigued by the young hero's abilities.
"TRY TO MAKE AN ICE SCULPTURE, MY SLEM LITEN GUTT," Ivar invited his grandson.
"Don't let your grandson use the axe!"
"HOW NERVOUS HUMANS ARE... IN OUR CULTURE, WE TRAIN FROM A YOUNG AGE TO BE GREAT WARRIORS," JÖRGEN remarked, highlighting the vast differences in their upbringing.
"Isn't it dangerous because of the state of the continent?" Tokoyami inquired, drawing attention to the perilous conditions. "I mean... It is underwater, the bubble could burst, and only the merpeople would survive."
"WE DON´T NEED TO FIGHT... BUT IT'S A TRADITION FROM THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO THAT WE RESPECT. IT'S PART OF US AND OUR HERITAGE. EVERY YEAR, WE GATHER ON THE SURFACE TO ENGAGE IN BATTLES TO CELEBRATE," Ivar emotionally expressed, his words earning applause and tears from the little red-haired boy on his shoulder.
"THE YOUNGSTERS ARE VERY STRONG. WE HAD TO CHANGE THE LOCATION BECAUSE THE SHOCK OF THEIR ATTACKS USED TO CREATE EARTHQUAKES AND TSUNAMIS," Jörgen stated
"GAHOHOHOHOHOHO!"
"It's always a spectacle to see them fight, it's a pity it's only once a year," Mentioned one of the sleepy Tontattas.
The heroes couldn't help but connect these giant battles to the seismic activity in their homeland.
"Japan has always been a highly seismic country... And it's right near Lemuria... Just a day and a half away," the professor theorized aloud, drawing surprised reactions from his students.
"Could it be that they are the cause of the earthquakes?" Shoji wondered aloud.
"Japan?" The term was unfamiliar to the dwarves, who were emerging like curious little flowers from the hero's scarf. "What is that?"
"It's a country near here," the jet-haired explained calmly.
"How do you know about earthquakes in Japan?" wondered another dwarf, sharing an amused snicker with his companions.
"DURARARA! IT SEEMS THEY HAD SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE SURFACE TO KNOW THAT."
"How long did you hang around with the humans of the present?" asked one dwarf, sliding down the tousled hero's hair until landing on his nose.
"It must have been years... The last battle in the territories of Lemuria was twelve years ago... The rest has been in Valhalla," replied another sleepy Tontatta.
"How long have they been stuck there? They must have arrived as children," said a tearful Tontatta, who emerged from the explosive young man's hair and hugged him, offering comfort.
"Let go of me, you tick! What are you talking about?" grumbled the ashen, holding her like a stuffed animal.
"Hehe... I think you all are confused... We don't come from the past," clarified Ojiro, looking bewildered yet managing a slight smile while wiping away a bead of sweat.
"Wait... You are surface dwellers... CURRENT INHABITANTS?!"
"Please keep your voice down," Aizawa requested disheveled.
"That's right... We are inhabitants of Japan! Students of the acclaimed hero school UA! Alma mater of number one hero All Might," Kirishima proudly proclaimed, raising his arms in triumph.
The group's confession cast a heavy burden over the previously convivial atmosphere. Silence descended, extinguishing the bright smiles of the giants, who rose to their feet; their expressions were obscured by the dense shadows created by their towering figures.
"SO, YOU ARE HEROES FROM THE OUTSIDE?" THE red-haired giant's voice lost its playful tone and adopted a serious one. "PERHAPS THEY INTENDED TO INFILTRATE TO GATHER INFORMATION FOR THEIR RULERS?"
Todoroki, Kirishima, Aizawa, and Bakugo suddenly felt an unsettling presence, a hostile aura that sent icy chills racing down their spines and congealed their blood. It was a terrifying sensation, as if an invisible hand had reached into the core of their beings and gripped them, rendering them frozen and unable to move. It was a paralyzing fear that coursed through their bodies, leaving them vulnerable and on edge in the face of the giants' wrath.
"Bodil... Alvis, go to your parents and call the old witch!" the Tontatta ordered over Bakugo to the young ones.
"DURARARA... IT WON'T BE NECESSARY... WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THESE INTRUDERS," Ivar, who still had Kirishima atop him, said solemnly, his stern expression shifting to a frown and a forced smile.
"Hey, Shoulando, is it true? Are you from the surface?"
The hero was at a loss for words. The giants had become menacing upon learning that they were contemporaries.
"That's true," he admitted, unable to hide the truth after everyone had revealed their backgrounds.
"Are you here to harm us?"
"What? No!" Shoji protested, using his many arms to deny any malicious intent.
"Our arrival was accidental. We only accompanied a teacher to heal his friend and bring them back to the past! We are heroes, and our job is to help!" Kirishima tried to reassure his newfound friends, who seemed unmoved by his words.
"YOU HEARD THEM? IVAR, JORGEN! THEY HAVE NO BAD INTENTIONS!"
"How easily they believed us!" the heroes thought to themselves.
"STOP BEING SO NAIVE; THEY COULD BE LYING!" the ashen giant exclaimed.
"Are you lying to us?" they questioned with their eyes filled with tears.
"No," replied the jet-haired, still surrounded by dwarves.
"THEY SAID NO!" the tiny creatures cheered.
"I CAN'T REASON WITH THESE FOOLISH DWARVES!"
"WHAT'S YOUR CONNECTION TO THE STRAW HATS?" the ashen giant demanded, picking up the axe Bodil had thrown earlier.
"We are friends; we travel together!" Kirishima insisted.
"BULLSHIT!" The giant struck the tree trunk, causing a loud thud. "WHY WOULD HEROES BE FRIENDS WITH PIRATES?" he demanded, his defiant gaze marked by raised eyebrows.
The red-haired joined the conflict, as his friend handed him the gavel he had just made, inviting him to engage in a fight with the small humans.
"GAHOHOHOHO" Jörgen's smile widened, as he delivered a powerful blow, aided by Ivar's improvised club, landing dangerously close to the heroes, who barely managed to evade it.
The area where they had been sitting was now obliterated, and the force of the blow had sent them away, aided by the gust of wind caused by the impact.
"Are they serious?! They want to kill us!" Sato hardly shouted; his shock evident as he witnessed the incredible strength of these colossal beings who have sent them flying away.
The wind from Ivar's blow lifted Kirishima into the air, struggled to hold onto the giant's cloak. Despite his strength, his efforts were futile. With nothing to grasp onto, Kirishima found himself at the mercy of gravity, bracing for an inevitable fall.
In the distance, a series of explosions approached rapidly, intercepting Kirishima's fall.
"Thank you, Bakugo!"
"Don't thank me until we're out of here," Bakugo replied, leading Kirishima to regroup with their classmates, who were now hiding amidst the debris of rocks.
The dust from the recent clash had not yet settled, providing some cover for the heroes, concealing their presence from the giants who posed a clear threat.
In the shadows, they could see the silhouettes of Shoji and Sato, using their strength to lift debris and assist Ojiro and Todoroki, both of whom were unharmed thanks to the quick reflexes of the two-colored-haired hero.
Tremors rumbled through the ground, signaling the giants' approach. Fear gripped the hearts of the heroes as they realized the perilous proximity of these formidable warriors.
Without warning, a massive crack tore through the ground, splitting their path and sending rocks in various directions. The heroes felt like cornered rats, having to move by jumping between debris to get away from the attack; being Sato, Shoji and Kirishima assisted since their specialties were strength and not agility.
A path of ice was created in the direction of the river where they could have an advantage with a combined attack between Todoroki and Bakugo in order to momentarily incapacitate the giants and be able to escape by the Milky Road air route.
The 8 heroes reunited, all hold to Tentacle's multiple arms, while using Bakugo's explosive charges to propel them down the icy road that suddenly began to crackle, breaking their escape route and changing it from a smooth surface to a series of dangerous jagged spikes that threatened to impale them, but thanks to Eraserhead's quick reasoning he managed to catch one of the more receding ridges with his scarf to divert them from danger, dropping them all to the side of the deadly area.
"Kirishima... I don't think it's was a good idea to meet the giants anymore." The young raven voice trembling with agitation.
"Neither do I..."
"Those bastards... So, they really want a fight" Bakugo mused with a sadistic grin on his face as he catapulted himself into the air in front of the giants.
"Wait, don't provoke them further!" Aizawa tried to reason with his student, but his words fell on deaf ears.
"It's okay, Shoulando... Only by accepting their challenge will they be willing to listen," one of the Tontattas whispered from their hiding place within Eraser's clothing.
"Are you all right?" Kirishima's voice wavered as he worried about his little friends.
"Hehehe! Thank you so much for your concern for us," said the blushing adorable creatures in unison, invading the jet's garments.
"You guys go ahead! Bakugo and I will handle this!" Shoto declared as he made his way towards the impending battle.
"WAIT TODOROKI!"
"Damn it, I can't leave them alone... But my Quirk doesn't work on them since they lack any abilities," Eraserhead lamented.
"HOWITZER IMPACT!" Bakugo unleashed a striking and powerful attack that bursted into the giant's face, sending him crashing to the ground as the frozen surface created by Todoroki contributed to the giant's downfall.
"IVAR!" Jörgen shouted in concern as he saw his friend fall to the ground.
"That's gonna leave a mark," the red-haired commented, covering half of his face.
"I'm sorry... My friend can be a bit explosive."
"WE'RE NOT FUCKING FRIENDS, HALF AND HALF!"
"Jorgen, we don't want to fight. Just let us explain what's going on," Todoroki said cautiously, keeping his distance from the warrior with the axe.
Ivar's red hair combined with the liquid gushing from his forehead, running his hand over his face, noticing that part of his mustache had disappeared, leaving an unpleasant smell of burnt hair.
"AND I THOUGHT THAT AT MY AGE I WOULD NEVER GET ANOTHER SCAR OF THIS SIZE," Ivar groaned, peeling his hand away to reveal it covered in blood.
"Oh no... Look at him suffering," Bakugo mocked the bloodied giant.
"GAHOHOHOHOHO!" The giant laughed heartily, taking up the club that had rested between the rocks, his smile wide and gleeful.
"Oh fuck! he's enjoying this... What a bitch!" Katsuki grumbled, changing his sneer for an irritated expression.
"DURARARARARA!"
From their point below, both heroes could only appreciate the monumental silhouettes of their towering foes, as their faces were obscured. However, they could clearly see the brightness in their eyes and the broadness of their smiles. These giants, a proud warrior race, reveled in the thrill of battle and would not listen to reason until the heroes had proven themselves.
"LITTLE WARRIORS..."
"WE WILL ENJOY THIS LIKE YOU HAVE NO IDEA!"
"SHOW US YOUR POTENTIAL, HEROES! SHOW WHAT HUMANS HAVE TO OFFER!" The ashen giant's words wiped away the heroes' smiles, leaving them concerned and uncertain.
Todoroki realized that his friend's most potent attack had caused minimal damage to his opponent. For the first time, someone had willingly accepted the attack to test the young hero's potential.
Bakugo felt a sense of intimidation but tried to hide his fear with a forced smile. He understood that they were no match for both warriors, who were merely testing them without going all out. He couldn't help but wonder if their classmates had managed to escape safely from this looming danger.
Both colossal figures assumed attack positions, signaling their intent to unleash a combined assault. With their fearsome weapons raised, they struck the air, releasing a devastating shockwave that swept through everything in its path, piercing a section of the fault wall wiping out everything in its reach.
The path cleared, revealing the destruction left in the wake of the attack. The giants' feet were anchored to the ground by a fresh path of ice that continued to grow until it completely trapped the bodies of both giants in a thick iceberg.
"Darn it, we couldn't help at all..." Sato complained, watching as the surroundings cleared in front of him and his group.
"Our quirks are not suitable to confront them... We need a strategy with the others," Shoji attempted to calm his frustrated partner.
"We won't always be able to pick our battles... Let that be a lesson," the professor advised, glancing around as Todoroki assumed command of the situation, while everyone emerged from their hiding spots.
"Whoa, they managed to stop Ivar and Jorgen? They're amazing," the Tontattas cheered. "They should listen to them now."
"Wouldn't it be better to leave?" Ojiro inquired.
"That's considered desertion from combat, it's dishonorable... Not only would it tarnish their pride, but you would also have to face the consequences," the dwarf explained.
"What are the consequences?"
"What you have just experienced... But with the entire village."
Silence fell over the group as they absorbed the severity of the consequences.
"Tokoyami-kun... Take me to Ivar's shoulder," Kirishima requested.
"Are you sure, Kirishima?" Tokoyami asked, to which the red-haired nodded resolutely. Tokoyami carried him through the air to the frozen giant, ready to convey his message.
Approaching the old man's ear, the young hero hoped his voice would reach him. "WE ARE NOT A THREAT! WE DO NOT BELONG TO THE PEOPLE YOU HATE! WE ARE HEROES WHO WANT TO PROTECT EVERYONE! INCLUDING YOU! JUST LISTEN TO US!"
Kirishima's words began to have an effect on the giant, who started to shiver breaking free from the ice. He turned to look directly at Kirishima, attempting to swat him like a mosquito.
Anticipating the giant's movements, Kirishima leaped off his shoulder and into the air, caught by Tokoyami, leaving both vulnerable due to the slow speed of the hero's flight.
"Unbreakable!" Kirishima called out as his body stiffened, letting go of Tokoyami and throwing his friend away from the incoming blow.
"RED RIOT!" Tokoyami shouted in desperation as he watched Kirishima take a full blow from the giant, sending him crashing into the ground.
"KIRISHIMA!" Bakugo shouted angrily, finally calling him by his last name due to his concern.
Trembling and with unresponsive legs, Bakugo's desire for revenge provided him with the strength he needed.
"DIE!" He yelled with a couple of tears emerging, charging straight at the red-haired giant's face, hoping to burn his retinas.
"BAKUGO WATCH OUT!" Aizawa warned, unable to reach him in time no matter how fast he ran.
As Bakugo's instincts took over, an overwhelming sense of impotence and fear washed over him emanating from one of his sides. Despite his intense focus on the impending danger in front of him, he felt an ominous and colossal presence closing in from the side. It was as if the very essence of his life was draining away in that moment. In a heart-pounding instant, he turned his head and saw the massive axe hurtling toward him, making seemed the world terrifyingly slow.
None of the students, despite their formidable abilities, could reach Bakugo's location in time. Todoroki's attacks proved futile against the giants, who easily withstood the onslaught of fire and ice.
Eraserhead felt his heart skip a beat as he watched helplessly, knowing his skills and speed were insufficient to aid his student. He had no choice but to advance and witness the ashen giant's imminent, life-threatening blow to Bakugo.
"STOP! MY LIFE FOR THE BOYS'!" Aizawa shouted in desperation, catching the attention of his students.
Bakugo concentrated his glycerin in his palms for one last effort, managing to propel himself away from the impending attack. He hurtled toward the ground, but his teacher intercepted him just before he could crash into the debris.
Dark Shadow emerged from the towering pine trees, trapping the ashen giant who had pursued Bakugo. "I'LL TAKE CARE OF THIS ONE, YOU GUYS GET THEM OUT OF HERE."
Todoroki attempted to increase the temperature of his body to burn Ivar but was met with an air stomp that quenched his flames, making his attacks completely useless.
While the half-and-half hero tried to buy some time, Aizawa, along with Bakugo, rushed to Kirishima's unconscious body. The impact had left him out cold, though his Quirk had protected his bones from harm.
Ivar extended his hand towards the fallen hero, but Katsuki stepped forward and unleashed explosions at the giant's limb, hoping to deter his intentions. To his disbelief, the giant's arm was coated in a heated dark skin, that effortlessly deflected the attack, leaving him completely unharmed.
"YOU HAVE TO BE SHITTING ME! BESIDES BEING A GIANT THAT THING CAN USE THAT DAMNED HAKI!" He couldn't believe his eyes, realizing they didn't stand a chance.
Ivar used his other hand to gently lift the debris containing Kirishima, taking care not to harm the unconscious young hero for then handing the body to the teacher.
"THIS YOUNG WARRIOR IS NO LONGER IN THE FIGHT... PLEASE TAKE HIM AWAY." The red-haired giant said quietly.
Aizawa asked no questions, just gently took his student' body, lifting him up and bringing his head to his shoulder so he could lean back... He felt his heart beating and placed his hand on the young man's hair looking for skull fractures, exhaling in relief when he found none... Hugging warmly the boy who was only asleep because the exhaustion from overusing his Quirk
A colossal shadow descended upon everyone; thus, focusing on the ashen giant. A terrifying, burly giantess with long gray braids, even larger than the other two warriors, landed on top of him. The imposing landing created a ten-meter-deep pit, burying the aggressive giant beneath her.
"THE WITCH!" exclaimed the dwarves with their eye orbs bulging in astonishment.
"That... That's the witch?" the heroes muttered in terror. They gaped at the fearsome woman; her muscular body even more imposing than the male giants. Her legs were as hard as mountains, and every step she took caused the earth to creak beneath her colossal weight.
"The witch of my wife," Ivar, who had resigned from the battle after knocking out the youngster he considered a friend, said with an air of panic. "She's as terrifying as the day I met her." Ivar chimed in with an oddly smitten tone.
"YOU'RE CRAZY!" shouted the young heroes in unison.
"I JUST LOVE HOW SHE DOMINATES ME!" the red-haired man's tone took a degenerate turn, sending shivers down their spines.
"AND SICK TOO!" The professor chimed in, joining the chorus of complaints about the giants' behavior.
The fearsome elderly woman raised the club striking her husband embedding his head in the floor.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!"
"WITCH~WITCH~EVIL WITCH!" The dwarves booed
"STOP ACTING SO VIOLENT" The giantess grumbled
"YOU TOO!" chorused the Tontattas.
The colossal old woman lowered her gaze and bent her body as formally as possible toward the wounded humans.
"EXCUSE MY HUSBAND... HE JUST WANTED TO TEST HIS STRENGTH; I HOPE HE DIDN'T CAUSE TOO MUCH TROUBLE." She spoke softly, getting up to lean the club on her shoulder and lowering her hand for them to climb up, to which they all refused.
"WELL THEN…" She said, sitting on her husband's back with an unladylike pose.
"You're not going to attack us?" Shoji asked nervously.
"LITTLE RASCALS... YOU ARE AT A CLEAR DISADVANTAGE. EVEN IF YOU MANAGE TO DEFEAT THEM, WHAT CHANCE DO YOU HAVE AGAINST THE REST OF US? WILL YOU FIGHT UNTIL YOU DIE? OR WILL YOU SEND REINFORCEMENTS? EITHER WAY, WE DON'T INTEND TO LEVERAGE OF YOUR DISADVANTAGE."
"No reinforcements! We're here on our own."
"WITH WHAT OBJECTIVE?"
"We are heroes from the surface who want to help the Straw Hats return to the past. We believe they can find the answer here." Explained Aizawa, understanding that the old woman did not plan to take advantage of the vulnerable state of the group.
"OH MY GODS... DOES THE OUTSIDE WORLD KNOW OF OUR EXISTENCE?"
"No... If you allow us to explain, we will gladly do so... You must only promise not to harm my students."
"SEEMS FAIR… ARE YOU WILLING TO TALK TO THE LEADERS OF THE KINGDOMS IN COURT TO HEAR YOUR SIDE AND MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT TO DO WITH YOU?"
Listening 'Court' made the hero, who hated speaking in public nervous, but it seemed the best and most peaceful option to clear up any conflict.
"What if we refuse?" Tokoyami asked
"WE WILL TAKE IT AS A THREAT AND CRUSH YOU LIKE INSECTS OF COURSE."
"Aizawa sensei... I'm scared." Ojiro confessed, causing the teacher to turn around with the rest of the students who looked almost frozen with the fear they were trying to hide.
"Don't worry... We haven't done anything wrong... They just need to understand it."
"I hope the others are all right." The jet-haired thought worriedly, taking the paper out of his pocket, hoping to be sure that one of the other two groups was safe, freezing his blood when he noticed how the Vibre Card was almost completely consumed.
Sundancer here:
Since I had the freedom to choose the order of events, I decided to go with Eraserhead group for this chapter.
The following can be either about the Straw hat crew or Nerumi's group.
Kasania11: I didn't know this arc was your favorite ToT Thanks. This one always made me anxious because it's where the story's conflicts begin to unfold. I'll put in my utmost effort for the translation.
Strlo: Thank you so much! The journey of improving while translating has been challenging and time-consuming. There were moments when I contemplated giving up on the fanfic due to the extensive effort as a non-native language. However, knowing that its been enjoyable makes all the struggles worthwhile. Thank you very much!
