Beltz made his way to Elbaf. This wasn't his first time here; over the years, he had been the one to personally escort Harald back home. While he never stayed long, he had grown familiar with the land.
Upon arrival, he saw the giants across the massive island tensely preparing for battle. It seemed Harald had already informed them of the World Government's impending invasion. Elbaf was the strongest nation in the world; if they mobilized for total war, their potential was staggering. According to Imu's estimations, if Harald were to submit to the World Government, Elbaf alone could rival the combined might of Marine Headquarters—and that was without Imu even knowing about Loki.
Erensig headed straight toward Harald's aura, finding him in deep discussion with the giants' high command. Beside Harald were the legendary hero Jarul and his son Loki. These three represented the peak combat power currently in Elbaf.
"Erensig!" Harald stood up as he approached. "You've arrived early."
"I had to. The World Government is coming with everything they've got; we need to be fully prepared," Erensig replied. "I know where Dorry and Brogy are and have already sent a companion to fetch them. Once they hear Elbaf is in danger, they'll surely rush back."
"Dorry and Brogy..." Harald murmured with a hint of nostalgia. "It's been so long." They were Harald's childhood companions who had parted ways decades ago to lead the Giant Warrior Pirates, eventually vanishing from the world's stage. Hearing their names now made Harald realize how time spared no one; even for a giant, several decades was a vast span. Learning that his old friends from nearly eighty years ago were safe was a great relief.
"If those two come, it will be a massive help," Jarul added. Having heard of Erensig from Harald and knowing he was here to help, Jarul was quite hospitable. He continued, "Since the World Government dares to come, we must show them the price of provoking us."
"Hmph! I've wanted to wipe them out for a long time!" Loki snorted. "It's only because you all kept stopping me!"
"Stay calm, Loki," Harald told his son. "The World Government is unfathomable. Starting a war recklessly would only cost you your life."
"So we just wait for them to walk into our home?" Loki retorted indignantly. "By then, no matter the outcome, the Elbaf you care so much about will be in ruins."
Harald found himself speechless.
"Put aside these useless arguments. Since it's happening, there's no point in looking back," Erensig said coldly. "We must face the future, not reflect on the past. The enemy is coming in force. Besides a massive Navy fleet, we expect the Holy Knights and the Five Elders. Fortunately, Garp and Sengoku likely won't be coming."
Erensig had heard rumors that Garp adamantly opposed the invasion of Elbaf. The World Government couldn't do much to force him, so they didn't mandate his participation. With Garp absent, Sengoku would remain behind as well—as Fleet Admiral, he couldn't easily leave his post. This deprived the Navy of two massive pillars of strength.
However, the World Government's current forces were still terrifying.
"The Five Elders have received an incredible power-up; they are on a completely different level than before. And according to my intel, they have also created a terrifying giant."
"A giant?" Harald frowned. "What kind of giant?"
"His name is Chimera, and his strength is fearsome. Because the enemy is so formidable, I need to know your capabilities," Erensig continued, "so we can assign our opponents properly."
"Why should I listen to a human?!" Loki snapped, growing impatient. "I told you, if the World Government comes, I'll take them all down myself!"
"Loki!" Harald sighed, feeling a headache coming on. "I told you not to be careless."
"It's fine," Erensig looked at Loki. "Actually, I've always been interested in that Devil Fruit passed down through Elbaf's lineage. How about it? Interested in a fight?"
Loki had consumed the legendary fruit of the Elbaf royal line, but Erensig didn't yet know its nature. A duel would reveal just how strong he was. Loki was undoubtedly powerful; Harald claimed he inherited the legendary Tyrant's Blood of Elbaf and possessed innate Herculean strength. In many ways, he was a "high-spec" version of Harald. His only weakness was his youth; he hadn't reached his peak yet.
If Loki reached his prime, he would undoubtedly surpass Harald—and Harald was already equal to Rocks, who shared a tier with Roger and Whitebeard. In another decade or two, Loki could potentially stand above them all. But for now, Erensig believed Loki wasn't quite there yet.
Erensig was currently digesting the Music Demon King. While it might take months through passive absorption, fighting would accelerate the process—provided the opponent was a peer or a greater challenge.
"Be careful," Harald warned as Erensig stepped forward. "Loki ate the Nidhogg Fruit. You might not be his match."
Harald knew Erensig well; after all, he had essentially raised him in the Hueco Mundo, hunting Great Hollows to feed him and help him grow. He knew Erensig's strength, and in his eyes, he wasn't a match for Loki. But Harald didn't know that upon returning to One Piece, Erensig had devoured the Music Demon King.
"Nidhogg Fruit?" This was the first time Erensig had heard the name of Elbaf's heirloom fruit. "What are the abilities of this legendary fruit?"
"Hmph, you'll find out soon enough, won't you?" Loki challenged.
"It is the symbol of the God of War," Harald said seriously. "Long ago, Elbaf had a God of War who wielded the weapon 'Ragnir' and transformed into a giant dragon to battle the Sun God. The Nidhogg Fruit inherits that power. Whoever eats it can transform into the greatest of dragons. Furthermore, the larger the user's base form, the larger the dragon. Loki is not only a giant but possesses the bloodline of the Ancient Giants, allowing him to exert the fruit's maximum potential."
"God of War... Sun God..."
Erensig frowned at these titles. He had been in this world for a long time and understood its current era well, but his knowledge of the past—specifically the Great War of 800 years ago—was limited. He had even less interest in what happened 3,000 years prior.
Indeed, the history of this world wasn't just divided into the present and the 800-year-old conflict. There was a "First World" from over 3,000 years ago—a true Mythological Era. In that age, powerful entities like the Sun God, the Earth God, the Serpent of Hellfire, and the God of War existed. Elbaf housed a colossal robot left over from that time, though little else of that heritage remained.
While the "Second World" of 800 years ago left many records and descendants, the First World was reduced to scattered legends, robotic husks, and "God-tier" Devil Fruits—like Loki's Nidhogg Fruit or the Nika Fruit that Luffy would eventually find. Erensig suspected that all Mythical Zoans had actually existed as real creatures in that era. After the Mythological Era ended, humanity's collective imagination of those gods and beasts gave birth to the Devil Fruits.
If so, the One Piece world was far deeper than it appeared. But thousands of years had passed; the current era generally couldn't reach the power levels of the Mythological Era. (Though, following the laws of anime, the protagonist's generation would eventually rival or surpass the original Sun God.)
For now, he would test the inherited power of that God of War. He looked at Loki, who grinned.
"Let's go to the Underworld."
If they fought in the mortal realm, the destruction would be catastrophic. The Underworld was a safer bet.
"Sigh..." Seeing he couldn't stop them, Harald followed along with Jarul, determined to intervene if Erensig was in danger.
Once in the Underworld, Erensig took no chances. He immediately entered his Resurrección and Hybrid form! Crimson dragon scales covered his body, a massive tail and horns grew out, followed by a pair of gargantuan dragon wings.
"You're a dragon too?" Loki was intrigued. Even though Erensig had grown significantly in this form, he barely reached past Loki's ankles. Loki was more than ten times his height!
Yet, the power Erensig released was staggering.
Crackle!
He was actively digesting the Music Demon King's energy; releasing his aura without restraint instantly created physical bolts of black and red lightning!
"!" Harald was stunned by the intensity of the Haki. "Such powerful Haki... when did he become this strong?" Just a few days ago, he was different; had he undergone a total transformation in such a short time?
"Impressive, but not enough!" Loki was surprised but didn't take the "small" man seriously. He gripped his hammer, Iron Thunder, and shouted, "Don't go dying on me!"
Boom!
He swung a massive hammer blow, coated in powerful Haki and releasing a searing bolt of lightning! Despite his arrogant talk, Loki wasn't senseless; he knew Erensig was an ally, so he held back. In his mind, even a partial-strength strike should be more than enough.
However...
Boom!
The massive bolt of lightning slammed toward Erensig, but in an instant, a surge of power erupted from him as he swung his blade!
Gran Rey Cero!
Powerful energy condensed on the horns atop his head. As his blade swung, the Gran Rey Cero infused the strike, and then... it actually tore through the lightning! The energy sliced through Loki's lightning and kept going, manifesting as a crescent-shaped wave of energy flying toward Loki!
Loki finally turned serious, swinging his hammer again to shatter the black and red crescent.
Boom!
He gripped his hammer with both hands and launched a second attack!
"Kotodama: Bronze Throne!"
This was the Kotodama series developed by Beltz, and Erensig could use it as well! They were essentially the same person with the same configuration, both having eaten the Azure Dragon Fruit. While he lacked the Quincy Blut Vene, he possessed the Hierro (Steel Skin) of a Hollow. Combined with powerful Armament Haki, his surface defense was arguably even higher than Beltz's!
Boom!
With such terrifying durability, he didn't fear Loki and clashed with him head-on! Blade met hammer in a massive aerial collision!
Rumble! Crackle!
It was a mirror of the duel between Rocks and Harald in the Underworld years ago! Loki had witnessed that fight as a child and was nearly blown away by the Haki clash; now, he was one of the creators of that very same conflict!
Black lightning arced everywhere, piercing through the Underworld. This singular, powerful clash sent a shroud of Haki over the entirety of Elbaf!