Chapter 36: Merits of Strength
Eastern Village- Elbaf
"Those bugs don't seem friendly.," remarked Rockstar of the Red Hair Pirates as they arrived at the Eastern Village.
Compared to the Western counterpart, it was much more primitive with imagery of Ancient Giants and even older Giants painted on the walls. Additionally, there were Giants visibly eating Humans, stealing important artifacts, and some moving to the Heaven Realm while bossing around the Giants of the lower realm. And finally, there were images of Giants killing a smaller version of Giants but with long beards.
"It's ironic that the East is the most violent when it's the opposite in the Blues.," remarked Building Snake.
"W-what's with the drawings. Must be due to outside influence to slander the Giants? Right? Right?," asked Rockstar as he observed the drawings.
Yasopp sighed as he replied-
"Every society came out of initial bloodshed and eventually the following generations try to hide it to make their ancestors look nobler for doing so. Every evil action always comes back to bite those who try to deny the past and it's always unfortunate that kids who have nothing to do with it to pay for those actions."
"So-so it's true? Then who's right in this situation?," asked Rockstar.
"Hard to say, but the moment you start blaming children just because they're related to them- then any justification goes out the window and it's just petty grudges.," spoke Beckmann.
"Say I sense all of Luffy's crew down there except him and his Monster Trio...except they're all the way in Wano...No wait, he's down there too. Maybe he's learned to trust nations to fight their own fights until it's absolutely necessary.," spoke Lucky Roux.
Shanks focused on the arriving band of brutish Giants dressed much more primitively than their Western counterparts. Covered in scars, wearing helmets with horns, masked with animal skulls for some, and overall having an inherently violent nature and open bloodlust. He remained silent and composed.
The leader walked forward- a towering, balding male with bushy sideburns of dull green, shirtless to expose his stout but muscular gut. He wore brown armbands, orange pants, brown legbands, and brown shoes.
Ortor- Leader of the Eastern Village Rebels
"You're slightly older than Harjudin. You've managed to make yourself quite the boss in a short time.," spoke Hongo.
Ortori snarled, "You know nothing about me, 'False Pirates'. I am the true embodiment of Elbafian spirit!"
"What're you planning to do, Ortor?," asked Punch with Monster scowling.
"Want to know? We plan on freeing our idol, Loki from his prison! Our liege of violence!," the bald giant remarked with a smug grin.
"You know he's too busy doing role play to really be a threat.," remarked Beckmann.
"He escaped his chains? He's truly a sorcerer!," shouted Ortor.
"He's talking about the other Loki.," spoke Beckmann with subtle exasperation of the Giant's stupidity.
"How far do you think you'd make it? Do you least know how to sail? How to navigate the New World? If you get past those dangers- there's three other pirates of equal influence, raw power, and loyal subordinates to get past even if you manage to take me down. And there's the Marines and the World Government who will immediately see you as a threat the moment you manage to take them down...and OLD WORLD...even I find it ominous...are you even wondering about how those seas might be more dangerous...and who might live on those seas?," asked the Emperor.
"You mean those tiny things that talk the West into giving them their kiddies to play peacemakers...and worship a demon? Tree is sick and they don't even care- planning to live as Human Thingies- wearing face masks of being nice guys before they stab-stab you in the back and call it right because demon says so? You've done nothing but watch as we rot. So Ortor will kill green snake on tree to free Yggdrasil-Adam. Ortor will be hated but he will be the leader to take down Human thingies. Ortor knows that phony nun, Caramel is fake and planted green snake that made tree sick. Killing tree would be safe option but Human Thingies don't know- end of world happens soon now that Tree of Know-Stuff burnt down with no seed to replace it. Human Thingies need to be under Giant rule so they don't control Giants. Giants know better because we Giants bigger.," replied the giant.
"Human Thingies have tricked themselves into believing they're top of food chain. They're just cattle.," answered Ortor.
Shanks immediately dashed and struck Ortor with a Divine Departure, sending him flying into the sky with a bewildered expression before he collided to the ground. The impact was tremendous, creating a crater in the earth. The surrounding Giants of the Eastern Village looked on with astonishment, their eyes wide at the sudden display of power.
"You are absolutely right about the situation but you're wrong about how to solve it. Not that I'm better. The person who has the answer is underneath the tree. You should-," spoke Shanks before seeing Ortor get up, unharmed.
"That Noble technique. Like one with false nun and hypno-guy during burn-burn caused phony nun and hypno-guy making Linlin crazy. Same technique that took down Queenie during burn-burn! Queenie helped Kingie better. Don't know Kingie's name but West's peace isn't like Kingie's dream of peace! Kingie wanted peace but not be like nasty Human Thingies but Giants less easily tricked. Kingie Brother took Kingie out to become Kingie but that not Kingie Brother. Kingie Brother killed by Black Ape who used Daemon Plant to become Kingie Brother. When fake Kingie Brother acts more like Black Ape- Harald take over. Demon has to rethink plan now that Black Ape's plans failed.," spoke Ortor as he cried, not from the attack but due to recognizing the attack to be one from his past.
"He's just making excuses now that he's lost his cool.," Limejuice remarked.
"Why would you say that? He's too dumb to lie! From being around him! He's clearly a dumbass!," retorted Rockstar.
"You can be the most intelligent and technologically advanced civilization but without wisdom, you'll just collapse on your own short-sightedness compared to a less advanced and smart but wiser nation that knows its limits.," spoke Gab.
Ortor bowed to Shanks.
"Ortor know that Shanks not like fake family. He more like real dad Roger. Roger while he not say it- he in too deep with Demon who has ways to make Roger do what Demon wants. Shanks is following Roger's footsteps. Sensed Roger 24 years ago...but it was Black Ape and Mask Ambition Monster's Will on fake Roger. Roger not die in Logue Town. Roger lost dream 20 years ago and died. Roger reborn into uglier Roger. Oden not die on Wano- also Black Ape and Mask Ambition Monster doing. Oden die to White Nasty Cat who can turn into Bony Horse and Fish Dragon with Nine Heads.," spoke the giant.
"Ortor! No talk no more! We trap Elders for trying to be like West. South too preoccupied with being fake Joyboy but they just harmless. North is best. Heaven Realm- Gray and Messy to explain. Ortor might go to Sacred Line if he-," spoke one of the humanoid-skull-wearing Giants.
"Ortor don't care if he not even allowed to pass on! And become nothing! No one listen to East because East no talk and think like other Villages. But East is strongest! Strongest in whole Elbaf! We know Tree needs Joka and Nika! If they not here! We try to go to sea to find way to be like Joka and Nika! Carry on will! Even if we bones in end," Ortor roared, his face reddening with rage and reddened eyes with tears and snot/
Shanks continued to look at Ortor but then noticed a cyan flash in the sky.
"Ortor say too much. Ortor might take long path to get to Vahalla.," spoke the giant as the beam fired.
Suddenly, out from the sea, emerged a ship as a massive giant punched the beam away-
An abnormally large giant, standing at around 60 meters tall, which is about three times the size of a typical grown giant. His nickname is a tribute to his ancestor Oars who was taller. His overall shape and silhouette resemble his ancestor greatly - large forearms and hands, small lower body, and barrel-like gut. His skin is yellow-green and he has orange hair reaching down to his legs, which are quite small in comparison to his large belly and hairy forearms. He has large fangs and horns pointing upward, black triangle-like marks just above his eyes, and some stubble on his chin. He also wears three skulls on a beaded necklace rather than a belt, but the most notable item among his effects is a gigantic kasa hat that Ace made for him, which is usually seen resting on his back similarly to Luffy.
He also sports a black, open indument that looks like a jacket, samurai-like armor plates protecting his chest and back, linked together by chains, and a loincloth with a mimetic pattern on it that looks like the Marine's battleship's hull, which is held up by a fur-lined belt. He carries around a gigantic sword fitting his size, with a large blade and a long hilt. He now wore a peg leg due to the events of Marineford.
Oars III "Little Oars Jr"- Captain of the Oars Pirates/Former Subordinate Captain of Whitebeard.
The originator of the beam emerged as they took on a hybrid form of a feminine figure made of metal with panels acting as "wings" to resemble an angel of steel.
"Doflamingo. Kuma. Moria. Inefficient in Task. Talos- commencing execution of lesser Giant.," spoke the CP0 Agent as they attempted to fire again.
Shanks looked in surprise to see the Giant alive and well after his assumed death at Marineford. He knew Little Oars Jr. had a strong will, but he never expected to be able to live through his seemingly fatal wounds. The giant's eyes narrowed as he recognized the New World pirate.
"I'm alive thanks to the Dwarfs living under there. When my crew took me to Elbaf, the vast majority rejected me, but thanks to those guys, I was able to come back.," he explained.
He then looked at the Fair Folk with Pan Bell joining them.
"You are right! This should've been something either Roger or Shanks to solve but they had reasons to not do so that would be devastating if the world knew. However, the ones to claim Elbaf after Shanks...will be the Straw Hat Pirates led by Ace's brother. If you still want to challenge him- do with a Davey Back fight after we solve everything. If you're really pirates.," spoke the Ancient Giant.
Pan Bell then smirked as he replied, "The line of Ten remains alive even if one of the two branches is ignorant. We'll be waiting on Vira!- No not Bira, that's the other nation. To challenge and see his answer."
With that, the Fair Folk retreated to the sword-shaped island.
"Unlike with Big Mom, Mare...is...willing to keep her word unless you break it.," spoke Little Oars Jr. He then leaped from his ship onto the Eastern Village.
Ortor looked at the Ancient Giant with awe.
"I overheard from the water. It's clear you're just really, really dumb," Little Oars Jr. said to Ortor, his deep voice causing the very ground to tremble beneath their feet. "But that doesn't mean you can't learn. Our long lifespans give the blessing of retaining knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom to those human guys. I once met an Elbaf King I can't remember whose dream was like Harald, but I don't know what happened to him. But the way this country is going, is something he wouldn't want.," spoke the Ancient Giant.
"T-take Ortor and others as flunkies. We no smart like you!" spoke the bald giant as the other bowed.
"P-please. I'm not a smart fella. That'd be-," Little Oars Jr realized as did Shanks.
Beckmann then saw Talos' eyes upturn as if indicating a smirk.
"Oars. Can I ask you to take care of things?," asked Shanks as he placed his hand on the ground. The green giant nodded.
"I'm not gonna let Ace's brother or his dreams go out in smoke.," he replied as the Eastern Giants all cheered under their sworn leader.
The Red Hair Pirates all proceeded to vanish in a red light as Ortor noticed a red circle.
"He's allied with them but he's not their friend. Not everything has to be clear-cut even if it's better to be simple.," spoke another voice as a silver light emerged.
Little Oars Jr and Ortur looked in shock.
It was Silvers Rayleigh.
"Yo. Ortor. Before I go on a rampage on a certain high place...I want to confirm with your elders...if what I overheard on the Transponder Snail we implanted in your village the last time we were here when you ran amock.," he said to the now humbled brute Giant.
"How'd you-?," asked Little Oars Jr.
"Good work in de-escalating the conflict. Things are definitely gonna get hectic, but the lesser of two evils. I'll talk it about it later...about truths, I've drunk my ass off to hide and others need to know.," spoke the Vice Captain of the Marines.
Ortor was suddenly slashed from behind as Rayleigh saw a figure warp all the way from Mary Geoise to instantly wipe out the giant.
"Lady Umi is enjoying her freedom, but she wants her fans to remain devoted. The words of a charismatic dolt need to be silenced before anyone believes him.," spoke the "Elder"- Crowley Alister.
"You haven't aged even compared to Peter...or is it Germain now...you must be a really haggard corpse under that glamor.," Rayleigh noted.
"Being on the same island as your former friend? After that incident...how will you react upon seeing him?" spoke Alister.
"Lord Elder! I can finish off the target-," Talos spoke to her superior.
"You just follow orders. I've not been in the mortal world since I visited an island of little renown.," the purple-haired man replied initially to Talos before focusing on Rayleigh.
"I take it was a small village you went to try and murder a helpless b-," noted Rayleigh.
"Even if you were in your prime, our Power Levels mean your words would be buzzing to be silenced with a swat, Insect.," spoke Alister as he drew a katana.
"I don't believe you...especially since we drove you out of here the first time.," spoke Rayleigh.
In a moment, the two men clashed blades as the skies split.
Myrkheim
Everyone was adjusting to the randomness of Luffy's appearance along with several others.
"What's the mole? Did Ms. Merry Christmas eat Mr. 4 and his dog?," asked Usopp.
"N-no! It doesn't look anything like that fattie jerk! He looks like he's wearing armor that's really not like anything society can make right now...and he's finally awake after a long time...," spoke Chopper.
Franky, Vega 40, and the Vegapunks Satellites recognized this for what the mole was.
"PLUTON?!," they shouted.
"Wait...the battleship capable of sinking islands?," asked Robin, being baffled over the identity of the mole.
"No. No. It's the counter..."ship"...to that weapon.," spoke Vega 40.
"Oi, what're you're doing stuck in the ground? Trying to be flowers?," Luffy inquired.
"Luffy! Weren't you in Wano?," asked Nami.
"Oh, about that...," spoke Luffy.
Wano Earlier...
Teach was still flying around as an owl much to Yamato and Luffy's annoyance, managing to evade their attacks when he decided to land and prepare for another transformation.
Suddenly, he was hit by a Bolo Breath through the gut as he rolled around in pain.
"D-Damnit! I was about to use Gear 5!," Teach cursed.
"Huh? Don't be stealin' my moves!," Luffy shouted.
He then looked at the sky to see the pink dragon Momonosuke in the air.
"Luffytaro!," he shouted as he flew down to greet him. Luffy jumped up...and punched him much to Yamato and the Beast Pirates' bewilderment.
"Guess he got sick of him...," spoke Sasaki.
"Luffy why?! My son!," Yamato cried.
"You're not Oden!," both Momonosuke and Luffy shouted.
"What're you doin' He's missin' with my turf!," Luffy yelled before Momonosuke headbutted him.
"This is my country as well! I'm not sure how you got here! But go back to your crew! Yamato! You go as well!," shouted the Shogun.
"This is Blackbeard! He's got weirder powers than last time!," Luffy argued. "And what's with you? Did you swipe my Gear 5?"
"I didn't steal it...yet...but it comes with being the counterpart to Nika, Madden is the moon and darkness-," spoke Teach.
"All the more reason to not let a mere pirate possess it.," spoke a voice as it appeared behind Teach to stab him from behind as the latter screamed.
"K-Katana?," the Emperor asked as he swiped at the figure who dodged in time, the figure was cloaked with the W.G. symbol.
"Luffytaro! This is my fight! I can't always rely on you if I'm to surpass my father!," spoke Momonosuke. Luffy grinned in response.
"Also, that mole was something important sleeping underneath Wano. Don't let bad guys get it.," he added as he saw Kuzan and Shot cling onto it.
"I'll be hanging around the Captain! You bastards make sure to get something of value! You're heading to Elbaf after all!," Burgess noted as he landed next to Teach.
"Now let's-," Teach said before noticing Luffy accidentally grabbing Shot's nose as the mole lunged out of the hole.
"Luffy!," Yamato shouted as he grabbed onto him. The mole would dive in and out of Wano. Each time, others grabbed onto it- Jinbe, Sanji with Zoro being dragged along, and finally Tama as it looped around before heading to Elbaf.
"Oi, don't be wimping out! Men keep their word!," shouted Luffy as he vanished into the hole.
Momonosuke smiled but then he saw a massive ship fall down from the sky with an equally massive figure falling down. Both landed, creating craters as the horned giant figure emerged.
"Kaido?...No you're someone else!," spoke Black Maria.
"Nyayayayayayayaya. So True PLUTON is away. Now I have to eliminate the phony one under Elbaf.," spoke the obscured figure.
"Pretty self-assured to say it when I plan to take it!," shouted Teach as he rushed to clash with the figure.
Their attacks split the sky.
Myrkheim
Luffy turned into a Giant and blew into the ground to cause the others to plop out of the holes.
"Momo said he's got this and men don't break their word. But he really needs help, I'll come helping out instead of rushing in.," Luffy spoke before seeing Saul bleed out.
"T-turn...," spoke Kuma.
Stella was surprised.
"Turn him into a cyborg like me...you can do it...right?," Kuma spoke much to Bonney's shock.
"T-to do that on short notice. That's gonna take too much re...," Atlas noted.
The Dwarfs nodded as the mechanics immediately rushed and in moments Saul was now alive with organic-mechanical parts.
"sources...," concluded the red-white-haired girl in disbelief.
"They must be the greatest mechanics of the New World! To think they were hiding all this time.," spoke Edison.
Luffy then saw Usopp painfully bite them through the ice and begin to chew on the pops.
"Luffy...Don't worry...I...I...got this...," Usopp spoke before he vomited and fell much to the concern of the others.
Luffy caught him as Usopp cried-
"Sorry. I made you come back for me. I...I didn't run this time...Seems like Momo said something to make you go back...he's stopped being a whiner..."
"Usopp...I got the rest...thanks for making sure the crew all made it in one piece...," spoke the Captain before seeing the CP0 Agents and marching towards them.
"It really sucks to be weak...even if you have the guts...," Usopp spoke as he then fell on his back with Chopper rushing towards him.
"No, you're strong...," Luffy spoke as he looked back at Usopp before glaring at Cortez and the others.
"You should be grateful I made you that much more identical to him. At least you're not a defunct waste of sperm impregnation like he was," spoke the dreadlocks warrior.
Luffy released an intense Conquerors Haki as Nami, Shoujo, Chopper, Kalifa, Fukurou, and especially Spandam felt the pressure.
"We're taking to somewhere else where you can't target those who can't fight. You got a power that can take us right?," asked Luffy. "And that's not a suggestion. You're doing it now!"
"Showing concern for the meek is what makes you weak.," Cortez spoke. Lucci and Kaku seemed not as convinced as they would've been two years prior or even a day ago.
Suddenly, a red flash appeared in the room as Luffy's eyes widened to see a familiar shade of red.
"You've become a great pirate...Luffy!," spoke the voice.
Next Chapter: Elbaf is Fable
Author Notes: This chapter refers to what means to deserve strength- using it for the sake of using it to protect and guide those weaker than yourself rather than use it to dominate others in addition to staying true to your beliefs.
Next time a major reveal occurs