The earth-shattering explosion flattened the forest for hundreds of meters, the sheer force of the impact gouging out a massive crater five or six meters deep.
The giants, Dorry and Brogy, were likewise blasted dozens of meters away by the shockwave. Jagged rents tore across their bodies, and the blood pooling beneath them formed small rivers on the ravaged ground.
Just then, a figure shot towards them from the distance – it was Bege. The shockwave had sent him flying too, but he had managed to block the brunt of it, escaping with only minor injuries.
Dorry and Brogy, sprawled on the ground, struggled back to their feet. Grabbing the giant sword and axe lying nearby, they defiantly charged towards Bege once more, ferocious despite their wounds.
They were the strongest warriors of Elbaf; unless utterly broken and unable to fight, they would never lie down and admit defeat.
"Now that's what I expect from Elbaf's warriors!"
Bege's form flickered through the air, instantly closing the distance with Brogy. Flames erupted over ten meters high from the Fire Cloud Sword in his hand as he brought it slashing down.
Unwilling to show weakness, Brogy swung his giant axe up to meet the attack. The axe shattered on impact with the Fire Cloud Sword. A devastating blade of energy instantly struck Brogy's chest, carving a long, deep gash across it.
Brogy's colossal body crashed heavily to the ground.
At that moment, Dorry attacked, his giant sword slicing through the air, whipping up a hurricane. Bege met the giant sword with his own blade, blocking it before unleashing another Fire Demon Ape Slash. Dorry's sword shattered, and a massive wound opened on his chest as he, too, collapsed to the ground.
This time, neither giant could get back up. Blood flowed freely, merging into a sizeable stream on the earth beneath them.
Bege landed beside them. Both giants wore expressions of deep frustration.
"We lost… Even fighting together, we still lost."
Bege's chest split open, revealing his castle gates, and he began pulling out barrel after barrel of fine booze.
"Here," Bege offered, tossing barrels towards the giants. "Try some of Skypiea's best. This stuff is practically a sacred healing tonic!"
Hearing the word "booze," the giants' gloom immediately lessened. They struggled to grab the barrels – comically small in their massive hands – brought them to their lips, and simply crushed the wood, pouring the contents straight down their throats.
Their eyes lit up. "Good booze!" they exclaimed. They eagerly grabbed the remaining barrels on the ground, finishing off two or three more each. In mere moments, twenty full barrels were gone.
"Got any more?" Dorry asked hopefully, looking at Bege.
Bege burst out laughing. "Yeah, plenty more! Enough to go around!"
He opened his castle gates again, and more barrels were brought out. He had hundreds stored within his body-fortress.
Dorry and Brogy didn't stop until they had downed eighty or ninety barrels between them. Finally satisfied, they collapsed back onto the ground and fell into a deep, snoring sleep.
Bege summoned medical personnel from within his castle to begin treating the giants' wounds.
By the time the sun began to set, the battlefield had transformed slightly. Bege had instructed Moria and the others to capture two dinosaurs, each over ten meters tall. A large fire was crackling, roasting the massive beasts. Perhaps drawn by the smell of cooking meat, Dorry and Brogy slowly stirred awake. Seeing the fresh bandages covering their wounds and Bege nearby, they naturally understood he had treated them.
Just as they were about to offer thanks, Bege grabbed enormous roasted dinosaur legs and tossed one to each giant.
"You must be hungry. Go on, eat up," Bege said with a smile.
The giants were indeed starving. They tore into the dinosaur legs like ravenous wolves. A meter-long leg was devoured in just two bites, bones crunched and marrow sucked dry. Their eyes then drifted towards the glistening dinosaur carcasses still roasting over the fire.
Bege laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Quite the appetite! Don't be shy; it's all for you."
Ignoring the heat, Dorry and Brogy reached directly into the flames, grabbed the scorching hot roast dinosaurs, and began tearing off huge mouthfuls.
Suddenly, Brogy looked at Bege and grinned his strange laugh, "Bababababa! Any more booze?"
Bege chuckled. "Of course," he said, tossing out more barrels.
Dorry and Brogy's eyes gleamed as they snatched the barrels, settling down to eat and drink heartily.
Taking the opportunity, Bege spoke. "Dorry, Brogy, allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Capone Bege, captain of the Fire Tank Pirates."
"Capone Bege," Dorry repeated gravely. "I understand now. You are a powerful warrior. Thank you for treating our injuries, Brogy's and mine. And thank you for the fine booze."
"Bege," Brogy added, "one day, I'll treat you to our Elbaf warrior brew! It's just as good as yours!"
Bege smiled and nodded in acceptance. He then continued, "So, what happens next? Are you going to continue your duel?"
Dorry and Brogy paused slightly, exchanging glances. A spark of fighting spirit flashed between them, but it quickly faded into thoughtful silence.
Bege pressed on. "As former captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates, the strongest warriors of Elbaf village, it seems like such a waste to spend your days on this deserted island. I believe you should return to the sea, rebuild the Giant Warrior Pirates, show the world the strength of Elbaf, and restore its fearsome reputation."
Dorry picked up another barrel, draining it before speaking in a low voice. "Once we determine a winner, the victor will naturally leave this island and bring glory back to Elbaf."
Bege shook his head. "Your strength is evenly matched. You've been fighting for over eighty years without a clear winner. If you keep dueling like this, you'll never get a result. Can't you find another way to settle it?"
Both Dorry and Brogy turned to look at Bege, fierce determination burning in their eyes.
"Like you suggested before?" Dorry asked. "Whoever lands the first blow on you wins?"
Bege immediately roared with laughter. "That's one way! I'd gladly accept that challenge!"
Dorry studied Bege intently for a moment, then said gravely, "You didn't just stumble upon this island by chance. You came here looking for us specifically, didn't you?"
Brogy stopped eating, turning his attention to Bege as well. Despite their rough appearances, they weren't fools.
Bege's expression turned serious. He nodded. "Yes, I came here specifically for you. I want to recruit you. Dorry, Brogy, I am now formally extending an invitation: will you join my crew?"
Dorry and Brogy remained silent, contemplating his offer.
Bege continued, his voice earnest. "Dorry, Brogy, I can tell you with absolute certainty: these seas are dangerous, and they are only going to become more so in the future. Even if you were to set sail again on your own, it's highly likely you'd eventually be overwhelmed. But if you join my ship, I can teach you Haki, train you in advanced martial arts, help you rebuild the Giant Warrior Pirates, and even, once my own power is established, offer protection to the entire Giant race."
Brogy was the first to break the heavy silence.
"Bababababa! I think Bege seems like a good friend! What do you think, Dorry?"
Dorry glanced at Brogy, then snorted. "Then it's decided. Whoever takes down Bege first wins."
"Bababababa! It's a deal!" Brogy laughed strangely, draining another barrel of booze. Suddenly, he looked at Bege. "Bege! If we join your crew… is the booze supply guaranteed?"
Success!
Bege waved his hand magnanimously. "Guaranteed! Plenty of booze, plenty of food – everything is guaranteed!"
"Gegyagyagyagya! Now that's more like it… Captain Bege!" Dorry let out his unique laugh, addressing Bege as 'Captain' and thus confirming that the legendary giants had officially joined the Fire Tank Pirates.
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