Chapter 217: Do You Two Dare to Fight?
"Yohohoho—why is everyone silent? Too happy to see me?"
Brook landed gracefully, doffing his hat to the golden cloud beside him.
"Yeah yeah! I am indeed very happy! Brook!"
Luffy nodded vigorously, speaking sincerely.
"..." (xN)
But besides him, other Straw Hats clearly didn't think so.
"That mask..."
Now, Zoro, originally resting against a rock, straightened up.
Always the calmest in the team, his body tensed up after a long time, looking at the man wearing a monkey mask beside Brook with indescribably complex eyes.
He remembered the man named 'Inoshishi' (Boar) seen in Shimotsuki Village before setting sail.
That person truly showed him the vastness of the sea, the appearance of true powerhouses on the sea.
To be precise—after setting sail, whenever Zoro felt complacent about his strength, thinking of the power displayed by that person in Shimotsuki Village would make him restrain that bit of complacency.
Although the opponent wasn't a swordsman, he vaguely became a target for Zoro to chase in terms of strength.
"..."
Now, Sanji, having just finished reading the newspaper, also looked at the monkey mask with a complex expression, lips moving as if wanting to ask something.
As for Nami and Usopp...
"Ah... ah..."
As the cowardly duo and rare common sense possessors in the Straw Hat crew.
They also vaguely realized the man's identity now, but couldn't believe it no matter what.
"Br... Br... Brook, this guy... hiss, no! This gentleman..."
Usopp said half a sentence nervously, becoming submissive after being pinched hard by Nami.
"I have matters to attend to for now, you go freely."
While Usopp spoke, the man with the monkey mask patted the golden cloud behind him casually.
The latter soared into the sky instantly, disappearing into the clouds.
After the golden cloud flew away, the man turned around, speaking carelessly. "I dislike formalities, call me Saru (Monkey)."
He was thin and small, but his tone was high and enthusiastic.
"Sa... Saru!?"
Hearing this iconic codename, Nami and Usopp, finally confirming their guess, felt their legs go soft.
Just talked about The Zodiac, and now a Top Executive of The Zodiac really appeared before them?
Although a codename never heard before, Top Executives in that organization had average bounties exceeding 2 billion!
"Hahaha! Your name is really interesting—you are Brook's friend, right? Let's have a banquet together!"
"Luffy!!?" (x2)
The invitation from a certain dense captain made the two, already nervous to the extreme, glare angrily.
But now, Saru looked at Luffy.
"You kid are interesting."
Then, he laughed loudly. "I happen to be hungry too. Since there's a banquet, I won't miss it."
But after speaking, he scanned the messy surroundings. "However, as a banquet venue, this place is a bit too rough."
Saying this, he pointed his finger at the ground. "Change."
As words fell.
A wisp of golden light flew from his hand, scattering as light rain on the surrounding ground.
Next moment...
Step!
Click!
Rocks and stones on the ground grew hands and feet next moment, walking clatteringly to everyone. Moments later, they transformed into a round table and exquisite stools; one stool even added firewood to the barbecue fire smoothly.
Small grasses lifted the brush Sanji threw on the ground just now, mimicking Sanji brushing sauce on meat, serving dishes in batches.
"This looks more like it."
Saru said smiling, then sat on the chair before him on his own.
"Oh!!"
Seeing this, Luffy's eyes lit up instantly.
"GABABABABABA—Ability user."
"GEGYAGYAGYAGYA, even we have chairs?"
Dorry and Brogy, not knowing Saru, laughed loudly looking at the huge stone-transformed chairs beside them, sitting down too.
Straw Hats seeing this had different expressions.
Rumors on the sea long said—The Zodiac's Top Executives seemed to be very powerful ability users.
But hearing was one thing, seeing personally was another.
"Why suddenly having a banquet with someone from The Zodiac?"
Nami's voice trembled, speechless at Luffy's nonsense.
"Can't help it, after all it's Luffy."
But now, Zoro stood up instead.
He stretched, looked at Sanji, then both walked to the table and sat down.
"Hey! You guys... really... reckless guys!"
Nami and Usopp looked at each other, wanting to cry.
They just felt their brains must have malfunctioned back then to choose to sail with these guys.
But things came to this, fear was clearly useless now.
Now, the two could only walk helplessly to the table.
So, the interrupted banquet resumed.
But clearly—except heartless Luffy still saying "Brook, play a song later".
Others, even the two giants, looked curiously at the suddenly arrived Brook and Saru.
"Brook, you said Mr. Saru is your benefactor's colleague, doesn't that mean you are The Zodiac's..."
This was clearly the question normal people like Nami cared about most.
"Truly delicious food, almost making my tongue melt—oh, although I'm a skeleton, no tongue, Yohohoho~"
Hearing this, Brook became slightly serious after the usual skeleton joke.
"Yes... I didn't get permission before, so inconvenient to tell everyone."
He said sincerely. "My benefactor is one of The Zodiac's Top Executives, Mr. 'Tatsu' (Dragon)—he showed me kindness I can't repay in a lifetime."
"Ta... Tatsu?"
Hearing this codename, Usopp swallowed hard.
Compared to relatively unfamiliar 'Saru', this codename was obviously much more familiar on the sea—a top powerhouse who killed two Warlords, with a bounty reaching 2.5 billion.
The place they passed before was actually that guy's base?
Now, Brook clearly didn't pay much attention to Usopp's expression.
He just continued, "Although I didn't join The Zodiac, I count as a 'Guest' relying on the organization. But recently I informed Mr. Tatsu via Den Den Mushi about joining you guys, he agreed readily... Coincidentally, this Lord Saru was nearby too, so he brought me here."
Speaking here, he sighed. "Fate is truly coincidental, right—Lord Saru, Yohohoho!"
"Indeed."
Now, Saru eating dinosaur meat nodded too.
Worth mentioning, his way of eating was special—when bringing fragrant roasted meat to his mouth, the mask on his head seemed alive, opening a slit by itself; inside the slit, a thin veil seemed to cover.
However, Saru's words were indeed sincere now.
He didn't expect, just determined to find Luffy's whereabouts recently.
Result was Tatsu just left The Abyss, then received Brook's contact call, knowing Luffy already passed Whiskey Peak.
That led to this meeting on Little Garden now.
[Devil Fruit User 'Monkey D. Luffy' Discovered]
[Confirmed Devil Fruit: 'Zoan · Human-Human Fruit · Model: Nika' (Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika), analyzing...]
[Fruit Ability: Grant body rubber properties, and absolute freedom.]
[Effects by Level]
[LV3: Gain full fruit ability. Body rubberized, freely extend body and fight with rubber elasticity. Requires 300 Million Berries for Unlock.]
[LV4: Deep-Dive Development. Compress blood flow to stimulate organs for Gear 2. Blow air into body for 'Bone Balloon' Gear 3. Intensely infuse Armament Haki on Gear 3 body for 'Gear 4'. Requires 2 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
[LV5: Fruit Awakening · Nika Form. Activate fruit's true power, transform into legendary absolutely free Warrior of Liberation 'Nika'. Fruit ability fundamentally enhanced. Gain Zoan-specific flame clouds. Vitality and strength increased extremely significantly. Rubberize touched attacks and things. Freely transform into any desired posture and weapon. This state consumes stamina extremely significantly. Requires 80 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
[Wish · Freedom · Drums of Liberation]
[Beat Drums of Liberation through heart. Drum sound restores stamina and vitality to full from limit, but multiple beats in short term consume lifespan.]
[When Drums of Liberation beat, including self and surrounding allies gain 'Freedom', bodies unbound by things.]
[Analysis Progress: Completed]
Undoubtedly—now, Saru's goal here was achieved.
During the banquet, the Fruit Encyclopedia completed analysis of the Nika Fruit.
And more critically...
"Let everyone gain 'Freedom'..."
"Indeed it."
Information about Nika Fruit in the Encyclopedia allowed Saru to confirm his guess completely.
Nika Fruit was the 'Freedom of Body' mentioned in Davy Jones' dying words.
But now, before Saru thought deeply.
"Uncle Monkey."
He heard Luffy's voice beside him.
"Hm? What—kid?"
He turned to look at Luffy—what kind of address is Uncle Monkey?
"Sanji seems to want to ask you about that Geru-something."
Luffy chewed meat while saying, "Can you tell us the situation?"
"Pfft!" (xN)
As soon as he said this, other Straw Hats spat out meat instantly.
"Lu... Luffy!? What... what are you saying!?"
Even Sanji himself was stunned, too busy to retort Luffy's name for Germa.
Yes—he indeed wanted to ask about this.
But he hesitated whether to ask at this time.
After all, the opponent was The Zodiac; if his inquiry caused suspicion or dissatisfaction leading to war, it would be huge danger for partners.
"Gulp, Sanji—if you want to ask, just ask."
But now, Luffy swallowed the meat, grinning at Sanji.
Clearly.
Although usually unreliable.
On matters regarding partners, he had sensitivity far beyond ordinary people.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Saru looked at Sanji thoughtfully. "I recall now, that lazy tiger told me recently—you are the third prince Vinsmoke Sanji who defected from Germa, right?"
As soon as he said this, Sanji's expression stiffened instantly.
But Saru clearly didn't care, just picking his ear and blowing casually. "I guess you want to ask about your sister... she is still alive, might come to find you in a while."
Hearing Saru's words, Sanji's body relaxed visibly.
"Reiju is alive..."
He seemed relieved, taking a slow puff of cigarette. "That's good."
"Eh!?" (xN)
But now, Straw Hats were in an uproar.
"Prince!? Sanji!?"
Nami widened her eyes.
"That er-cook actually..."
Zoro was obviously surprised too.
"Wait, if Sanji is Germa Kingdom's prince, doesn't that mean The Zodiac destroyed his country? Wait, I remember Germa's king and princes died too, those are Sanji's father and brothers?"
Usopp reacted fast, realizing the key issue immediately.
"Hey hey, don't talk nonsense!"
But now, Sanji shook his head calmly. "I am Sanji, not 'Vinsmoke Sanji'."
Thinking of his so-called 'Father' and three 'Brothers', his words were cold.
So now, he looked at Saru actively. "I don't consider those guys my family."
This was clearly stating his attitude.
He had no interest or obligation to avenge those few.
"Hehe! Tiger told me you would likely choose this—but... if you want to fight, I don't mind. Rarely coming out, my hands are itching too."
Saru grinned hearing this.
Speaking here, he suddenly raised his head looking at Dorry and Brogy before him. "Hmm... speaking of which—those two big guys over there are Elbaf's 'Blue Ogre' and 'Red Ogre', right?"
"GABABABABABA!"
Hearing Saru's question, Brogy eating dinosaur meat peacefully laughed loudly. "You know me and Dorry?"
"Of course—besides sending the skeleton here, I came specifically to see you."
Saru grinned. "I have two things to ask of you two."
Hearing this, Dorry asked curiously, "What things?"
Not just him, Straw Hats were curious too.
They knew well—Brogy and Dorry hadn't appeared on the sea for over a hundred years.
But looking at today, The Zodiac not only knew they were on this island, but even had things to ask them?
"I have a colleague who might visit Elbaf in a while, hoping to meet your Elbaf's rulers to ask some things."
"I ask if convenient, could you introduce him then."
Saru said.
Hearing this, Dorry and Brogy looked at each other. "Rulers? You mean King Harald?"
"No, could it be Chief Jarl and Chief Yorl?"
Saru: "..."
He forgot—these two hadn't returned to Elbaf for over a hundred years, naturally unclear about specific situations.
But in fact, what he said was indeed another reason for coming to Little Garden.
Roy was very curious about Elbaf.
After all, according to the original story, Elbaf clearly held many secrets of the past—their inherited ancient history and that legendary Devil Fruit inherited by the Giant royal family, both attractive to Roy.
And now, Roy knew two pieces of news.
First, Rocks' whereabouts were uncertain after leaving God Valley.
But what was certain was his last appearance was in Elbaf, and he highly likely told someone in Elbaf some of his matters.
Second, content seen on the mural recently.
As one of the only two races granted 'Wishes' by Davy Jones during the Void Century.
Roy cared about both news.
But as mentioned before—Elbaf itself wasn't a World Government allied nation, and although not extremely isolated like Wano Country, didn't welcome outsiders much in recent years.
So Dorry and Brogy before him naturally became Roy's best bridge to contact Elbaf.
"GABABABABABA!"
"GEGYAGYAGYAGYA!"
"So it's this kind of thing." (x2)
After brief confusion, Brogy and Dorry laughed loudly together again.
"Whoever you look for, Elbaf is a bold country, naturally welcoming enthusiastic friends!" (x2)
Not knowing changes on the sea over past years, they said together, "We are naturally willing to introduce."
"But..."
Just as they spoke here...
RUMBLE!
The entire Little Garden ground began to shake violently.
So, the two stopped talking immediately.
Their gazes looked at the island center.
There—a huge volcano was erupting lava.
So, the two looked at each other; eyes became sharp instantly.
"Not now."
They said, picking up weapons respectively.
"Before our duel decides a winner, we can't return to Elbaf—this is warrior's honor."
Now, Straw Hats below naturally understood the giants' meaning.
Recently, the two giants already told them.
They stayed here to complete a duel.
And every eruption of the central volcano was the signal for the duel to start!
But...
"I know naturally."
Just then, they heard the man named 'Saru' speak again.
"This is the second thing I came for."
He raised his head, looking at the two giants turning around puzzledly.
"I heard two giants here are conducting a duel of warrior's honor lasting a hundred years."
He smiled. "I am very interested in this."
He wore a Sea Beast Mask; no one could see his expression under the mask.
But from his tone now, everyone could almost hear.
That excitement.
"You two are former captains of 'Giant Warrior Pirates', should be among the strongest warriors of contemporary Giants."
Saru said, fighting spirit in words becoming higher.
"I heard of Elbaf's tradition—when disputes or disagreements occur, warriors can use duels to conclude; winner's words are correct."
As mentioned before.
Giant Country Elbaf was 'Country of Warriors'.
"Coincidentally... in The Zodiac, I am also the strongest 'Warrior'."
Speaking, he raised his hand slowly, pointing at the two giants.
"So—do you two dare to fight me?"
"If I beat you, you return to Elbaf immediately, how about it?"
☆☆☆
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