With Dorry and Brogy, the leaders of the Giant Warrior Pirates, bowing to Brook's command, the other giants had little choice but to follow their bosses and join the Hell Pirates.
Giant Village housed over 300 giants, including more than 20 from other villages eager to sail the seas, all now under Rocky's banner. After accounting for the elderly, sick, women, and children, only 50 or 60 adult male warriors remained—a stark imbalance, with women outnumbering men.
The Giant Warrior Pirates, led by Dorry and Brogy, had disbanded after a brutal battle that left their losses heavier than ever. Fewer giants returned alive, which made it easy for Rocky to rally a new crew. The duo's reputation had taken a hit—only half the village's warriors still backed them.
Under the Hell Pirates' orders, the bodies of the dozen giants slain in the recent battle were collected. Brook directed his crew to transport them to a nearby winter island for burial, planning to use the Shadow-Shadow Fruit later to create an undead zombie giant army!
Despite the somber mood, Brook's iron grip ensured the Winter Solstice Festival went on as planned, a grand tradition steeped in giant culture.
The Hell Pirates joined the celebration, while the remnants of the Giant Warrior Pirates forced smiles, still reeling from the battle's toll. Rocky's Giant Pirate crew, however, reveled in their victory. With Giant Village now under their control and Brook's support, they set their sights on expanding toward Royal City!
The Hell Pirates gathered around a mountain of food, digging into the giants' hearty cuisine without hesitation.
"Brook, are we pulling a Wano move here? Set up a base, then take over Elbaf's economy?"
With Shakky absent, Stussy had taken over her role, managing the Hell Pirates' finances.
"Exactly," Brook replied. "Over the next few days, spruce up the village's port. We're establishing a branch here. Arrange for supplies to be shipped from Elan Island, too. And get Vegapunk to produce a batch of alloy weapons and armor tailored for giants. We're turning this place into a bustling giant port city!"
Brook aimed to make Giant Village a shining example in Elbaf, but these inland giants, accustomed to centuries of farming and hunting, might not be eager to sail and fight. Still, he figured some young, adventure-hungry giants would jump at the chance to explore the seas.
The real question was whether Elbaf's King would tolerate the Hell Pirates building a foothold. If they couldn't strike a deal, a fierce war loomed. Elbaf wasn't called the world's strongest nation for nothing!
A clash with thousands of giant warriors, many at the level of Marine Rear or Vice Admirals, could devastate the Hell Pirates. Even Brook, confident as he was, didn't think he and his four top fighters were invincible.
...
The day after the Winter Solstice Festival, Brook put the entire village to work. Every giant, from elders to children as young as their teens (by giant standards), was tasked with expanding and repairing the port, building an armory, and setting up weapon shops.
Golden Lion Shiki and Whitebeard Newgate harvested massive nearby trees for timber, constructing the Hell Pirates' branch headquarters and new buildings. Redfield, the Crimson Count, cleared the surrounding forests of ferocious beasts, providing extra meat for the giants. With Streusen's Cook-Cook Fruit, construction waste was transformed into edible meals, ensuring the hardworking giants never went hungry.
Using Gairam's Cube-Cube Fruit and Shiki's earth-manipulating powers, Brook erected a massive city wall around Giant Village. In record time, the village transformed into Giant City—a feat that left even the centuries-old giants in awe. Their humble village was now Elbaf's second city, rivaling Royal City!
Pride and belonging surged among the giants, cementing their loyalty to the Hell Pirates' "support." Rocky's Giant Pirates equipped dozens of warriors with alloy armor and weapons, forming the city's guard force. Dorry and Brogy's crew, humbled, worked manual labor for now, awaiting their chance to reclaim warrior status with alloy gear.
...
Weeks later, Brook surveyed the sprawling Giant City. New buildings stood in neat rows, with shops and taverns popping up. "Unity is strength!" he declared. "This city came together faster than I expected!"
The next step was awaiting the giants sent to spread word to other villages. Elbaf was vast, with villages often days apart to ensure enough resources for each. Brook hoped the news of Giant City would draw giants for trade.
"Brook, why not head straight to Royal City?" Shiki asked, restless. "They've got Elbaf's strongest warriors and elite troops!"
He was bored after weeks of construction. "We're pirates, not builders! Why not just raid and fight?"
"We've got a solid base now," Brook replied. "With Giant City, we can hold our own in a war of attrition against Elbaf's King. He can't just kick us out without talking first. We'll negotiate, see if we can work together."
If talks failed, Brook planned to turn Elbaf into a training ground. The Hell Pirates could send their affiliate crews and new recruits here for brutal battles, forging them in life-or-death combat to boost their strength.
"What about the giants we sent to spread the word?" Stussy asked. "Any luck drawing traders?"
She was pleased with her strategy but noted the giants lacked currency, relying on barter. It depended on what treasures they'd bring.
Elbaf was home to the legendary Adam Wood, the toughest shipbuilding material in the world. A single ship made from it could fetch one or two hundred million Belly, and demand always outstripped supply. Long ago, a devastating war had nearly destroyed Elbaf, but the giants rebuilt around these surviving trees, growing into the powerhouse nation they were today.
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+400 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg