"Card, bar, bar, bar!"
"It would be really nice to have some wine. It's been so long since I've had a good drink."
When Broggy heard that, he burst out laughing, his deep, booming voice filled with joy.
He and Dorry had been dueling on this island for a full century. Occasionally, pirates or adventurers would stumble across the place. Sometimes they came for their bounties. Sometimes, he met a rare soul he could actually talk to—and in those rare moments, they'd share some wine. Even when the guests came with ill intent, if he dispatched them quickly enough, he'd toast alone.
But moments like that were few and far between. So anytime he had a chance to enjoy a good drink, it made him genuinely happy.
Kairos Flint reached into his dimensional storage space and pulled out several large barrels of wine—casually producing them as though they were nothing. In the blink of an eye, over a hundred bottles and casks of various vintages were stacked up.
To Broggy, the barrels looked pitifully small—but the gesture still warmed his heart.
"And here's some barbecue, too. By the way, human, I haven't even asked your name yet," Broggy said, placing a massive, bone-in roast in front of Kairos and spreading a broad leaf beneath it to keep it clean.
"Kairos Flint," he replied with a smile.
"I'm Broggy! The mightiest warrior of Elbaf Village! Let's eat!"
Broggy's laughter roared like thunder through the trees.
"Cheers to new friendship!" Kairos raised one of the bottles.
"Card, bar, bar, bar!"
"Well said! Cheers to our friendship!"
Without hesitation, Broggy opened one of the wine barrels, downing it with joy. It was a taste he hadn't experienced in decades. Small, yes—but satisfying.
Barbecue and wine: the perfect pairing.
The meal was a feast, both in food and in spirit. As they ate, Kairos and Broggy chatted away, quickly forming a camaraderie.
After the meal…
Kairos finally revealed his real reason for coming.
"Broggy, the truth is—I came to Little Garden specifically to find you."
"Find us?" Broggy blinked. "You mean me and Dorry? You're here for our heads, too?"
Broggy's tone had darkened slightly. Most who came here were after the bounties on him and Dorry. His guard naturally rose.
Kairos shook his head.
"No. It's true that the bounty on you both is sky-high, and yes, I am a bounty hunter—but that's not why I'm here."
"I came to Little Garden... to find a worthy opponent."
Broggy blinked, then burst into laughter.
"A worthy opponent, huh? I like the sound of that! But… I'm afraid I can't oblige. My duel with Dorry takes priority. We've been fighting for a hundred years, and I have to be ready when the volcano erupts—it's our signal for battle."
Kairos frowned slightly, but nodded. He'd learned a lot from their conversation already.
So the two giants only fought when the volcano erupted—sometimes once every few days, sometimes multiple times a day. The schedule was completely random.
But fortunately... Kairos had come prepared.
"Then how about we make a trade?" Kairos said calmly. "I'll give you and Dorry some valuable information—in exchange for a match."
Broggy's face turned serious. "If you're trying to offer us wine, treasure, or favors, forget it. Our duel is sacred. We won't trade it away."
"What if I told you that two members of the Giant Warrior Pirates—your crewmates—were deceived by the World Government and have been guarding a fortress for fifty years?"
Kairos's voice was low and firm.
Broggy froze. His eyes widened.
"What... did you just say?"
"You heard me. Their names are Kashii and Oimo. They were tricked into believing that you two had been captured. So they've been standing guard at Enies Lobby—Judiciary Island—for half a century."
Kairos spoke every word with precision.
"World Government... Those bastards!" Broggy roared, his face twisting with fury.
He stood up with a thunderous stomp that shook the ground.
"Kairos Flint! Thank you for telling me this. You are now an honored guest of the giants. Wait here—I must speak with Dorry right away."
With that, he strode off, each step a small earthquake.
Watching him leave, Kairos couldn't help but admire the raw, terrifying power of the giants.
"Is he really going to go right now?" Nami said beside him. "Shouldn't you have saved half the information and used it to negotiate after they agreed?"
"If it were anyone else, maybe," Kairos smiled and shook his head. "But not them. They'll help."
He pulled out a knife and began slicing the massive roast, plating pieces for everyone.
"Come on, Nami. Open up."
He gently fed her a bite, and Nami, smiling, obliged.
Beside them, Uta watched with admiration—and just a tinge of envy.
As for Vivi? She rolled her eyes, turned away, and went back to doing chores. She'd been worked hard during their journey—washing, cleaning, cooking, everything. It was exhausting. So she used the opportunity to eat as much as she could.
Food was energy, and she needed it. All she could think of was: Barbecue, barbecue, barbecue!
Soon after…
The ground trembled.
The thunderous sound of footsteps grew louder.
The two giants—Broggy and Dorry—were approaching. Even their slowest strides covered unimaginable distances.
Finally, they arrived and sat down.
"Giagiagiagiagia! So, you're the one Broggy told me about?" said Dorry, smiling warmly.
"I'm Dorry—the mightiest warrior of Elbaf!"
"What are you talking about? I am the mightiest warrior of Elbaf!" Broggy shot back, crossing his arms.
"Is that so? Then let's settle it with a fight!"
The tension immediately crackled between them.
"Can you two please stop for a second and just listen to me?" Kairos interrupted.
Both giants turned to him, momentarily silenced.
"I'll make this simple. Two members of your Giant Warrior Pirates—Kashii and Oimo—have been deceived by the World Government into serving as guards on Judiciary Island for fifty years. The Government told them they'd release you after a hundred. It's a lie. If you don't go save them, they'll never know the truth."
He looked at them, his voice dead serious.
"Broggy. Dorry. What matters more—your pride, or your comrades?"
It hit them hard.
They stared at each other.
"Dorry."
"Broggy."
"Let's call a truce."
"I was thinking the same thing…"
"Card, bar, bar, bar! The World Government dared to deceive giant warriors! Dorry, are you going to let that slide?"
"Giagiagiagiagia! Broggy, let's go. We'll tear down the World Government brick by brick and rescue our brothers!"
Their thunderous laughter rang through the air, echoing off the cliffs.
At that moment, they cast aside their century-old rivalry—for the sake of their crewmates.
"Kairos Flint! We owe you a great debt. As thanks, we'll grant your request. We'll be your opponents."
Broggy's voice boomed.
"I'll join too," Dorry nodded. "After a hundred years of fighting, what's a few more days?"
"Thank you. Truly." Kairos smiled.
This was exactly why he had come.
Two living legends—giants with strength surpassing even Marine Vice Admirals. In pure might, they could rival Admirals with their combination attacks. Against them, Kairos stood no chance.
And that's exactly what he wanted.
Because only through overwhelming pressure could he push himself beyond his limits.
That pressure… was the crucible he needed.
"Kairos Flint! We won't hold back!" Broggy laughed.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Kairos replied.
"You're confident, huh?" Dorry chuckled.
The next ten days were war.
On Little Garden, a brutal training battle began. Kairos fought with everything he had.
Against two giants, it was exhausting—excruciating. But with every clash, his strength rose. His Emperor-tier talent began to shine.
After every round, he got stronger—visibly so.
Of course, he was also badly wounded.
Fortunately, he had three Perfect Physique Crystals. Though rare, each one not only restored his stamina, but improved his body as well. He used them all up during those ten days.
But the gains… were worth it.
On the tenth night, when Nami and Uta had gone to sleep, a certain princess tiptoed into Kairos's room. The moment was quiet, the intent clear.
And Kairos? He wasn't about to turn away something offered so boldly.
The next morning…
Kairos and Vivi lay together.
She shyly clutched the sheets to cover herself.
"You were bold last night," Kairos said teasingly. "What happened to that courage?"
Vivi flushed red. "T-That was the wine talking…"
She had downed a full bottle just to muster the nerve. Now, sober again, her shyness returned.
"I won't tease you anymore," Kairos said, turning serious. "Whatever your reasons, from this moment on—you're my woman."
"…Mm." Vivi nodded, her voice soft as a whisper.
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