Gerd took a deep breath.
Charlotte Linlin's address dragged time back over fifty years in an instant.
Back then, Gerd had been just an ordinary little girl in Elbaf.
And Charlotte Linlin, at only five years old, had been sent to the land of giants by her parents due to her extraordinary, inhuman physique.
There, she was taken in by Mother Carmel and sheltered in the "Sheep's House" alongside orphans of various races.
That was how Gerd and Charlotte Linlin met, becoming childhood playmates…
After all, it was rare for giants to encounter humans of such massive size.
But later…
Her hunger pangs triggered, she accidentally caused the death of Elder Jorul, and the Sheep's House relocated.
By the time her name reached Elbaf again, Charlotte Linlin was already the captain of the Big Mom Pirates.
Now, this woman, infamous across the world, stood once more upon the land of giants—Elbaf.
Her ten-meter height still stood out here...
"It's not about whether I hate you or not... but as an outsider, your actions led to Elder Jorul's death, making it impossible for you to stay in Elbaf anymore."
Gerd understood that pinning all the blame on Charlotte Linlin wasn't entirely fair.
However, given Elbaf's inherent xenophobia, the biggest issue was that Charlotte Linlin, as a human, had caused such a consequence, which particularly enraged the people of Elbaf.
In contrast, there was Loki.
Even after stirring up plenty of trouble in Elbaf during his youth and being rumored to have "killed" King Harald of Elbaf, he remained the revered prince of the land...
"But now, I'm no longer an outsider." Charlotte Linlin extended her hand toward her childhood friend.
"Look, I've grown taller and even younger... And according to Michael over there, through atavism, I've truly become a giant!"
Gerd's eyes had never widened so much before.
Charlotte Linlin's words left Gerd deep in thought, because she knew Linlin was already over sixty years old.
As a human, she should have shown signs of aging by now.
Yet, Charlotte Linlin looked decades younger than the face plastered on the infamous bounty posters circulating the seas!
Coupled with her exaggerated height among humans...
As one of the few doctors in Elbaf, Gerd had naturally noticed these peculiarities about Charlotte Linlin.
But she couldn't simply accept this so-called "atavism" based on Charlotte Linlin's word alone.
"Gerd."
At that moment, a hoarse voice called from afar.
A figure with a beard so long it brushed the ground and a sword embedded in his head appeared.
It was the other of the two legendary elders of the giants—Jarul, the one who had once sought to kill Charlotte Linlin but ultimately chose to spare her.
"Elder Jarul..."
All the giant warriors around, including Gerd, bowed their heads in respect for the elder.
Charlotte Linlin hesitated for a moment before nodding in acknowledgment as well.
Though she carried her own pride, she still held a measure of reverence for Jarul, who had spared her despite his fury all those years ago.
A five-year-old Charlotte Linlin may have possessed terrifying potential, but if the giants had truly wanted her dead, it would have been effortless.
"Charlotte Linlin..." Jarul studied the woman who looked nothing like the child he once knew and sighed.
"Gerd, take her to the Owl Library. There should be records there about giant atavism... Cross-referencing them should confirm whether Charlotte Linlin is truly a giant now."
"Elder Jarul!"
The surrounding giant warriors, especially those who had attended Jorul's funeral, began to protest, but a single glance from Jarul silenced them all.
"Brave warriors from beyond Elbaf... please follow me."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Rayleigh, Gaban, and Gloriosa exchanged a glance with Michael before quickly following.
Shanks glanced at Charlotte Linlin heading in the opposite direction of Gerd before catching up with Michael and the others.
Elbaf's "Land of the Sun" truly boasted a spectacle rarely seen even across the entire Grand Line.
"My, my, I must apologize for the embarrassing display, human warriors."
"Elder Jarul, there's no need for such words," Michael said with a smile. "Given Elbaf's current internal turmoil, your handling of the situation has been quite reasonable. Loki rebelled only to be captured by Red Hair, and now, at this critical juncture, Charlotte Linlin—once dubbed the 'Evil God' by the giants—has returned... No matter how you look at it, Elbaf is in a precarious state."
"Precarious... you say?" Jarul shook his head. "And yet, you chose this very moment to return Dorry and Brogy, those two troublemakers, to us... It's like giving Elbaf a much-needed reassurance."
"I won't beat around the bush with you. You're aware of my true nature, aren't you?"
"Are you referring to the former Grand Inspector of the Marines, now the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff... or the Six-Winged Angel mentioned in Joy Boy's logs?"
With a flap of his Wings, Michael swiftly ascended to Jarul's ear level.
As the world's oldest living giant warrior, Jarul towered even over Dorry and Brogy in their prime.
This only proved that the giant race, aside from their longevity, seemed to have no growth limit...
As long as they lived, they could keep growing.
"So, Dorry and Brogy have already spilled everything, huh? Those little rascals..." Jarul sighed in resignation.
"Very well. According to Elbaf's records, the Six-Winged Angel Michael is a being who carries immense secrets... but also the one destined to overthrow the World Government and usher in liberation once more."
Upon reaching the ancient house, Jarul turned back and addressed the others apologetically.
"Everyone, please wait here for now. There are some matters I need to discuss privately with Michael."
Michael nodded in understanding, then turned to Gaban with a grin.
"Didn't you say you'd take them to meet your wife and kids?"
"Alright, alright, who am I to argue with the boss?" Gaban shrugged before slinging an arm around Shanks' shoulders.
"Come on, Shanks, let's go see my wife! Fair warning—she's a rare beauty among giants... If anyone dares to stare too long, I won't hold back!"
"Don't worry," Michael chuckled. "Not everyone has the courage to fall for a giantess."