"That... is your real name!?"
Heimdall looked up in shock.
This revelation...
was even more staggering than the Conqueror's Haki.
The initial "D" was, in fact, a symbol adopted by all families of the Divine Council.
Families bearing this mark represented those who held countless honors and privileges within the Great Kingdom!
Yet this man before him not only claimed an unheard-of surname but also said his name contained a "D"!?
So...
the intelligence brought back by the battalion commander was actually true!?
Heimdall wiped cold sweat from his brow.
When the battalion commander had reported this, they had all laughed.
Laughed at what?
Laughed at the battalion commander for being fooled.
But... this man who called himself "Angel D. Michael" seemed to genuinely go by that name...
"Could it be... you truly are a mixed-blood descendant of the Lunarian Race?" Heimdall's expression darkened to the extreme, then he voiced the most probable—and most displeasing—possibility.
Frankly, from his perspective, he'd rather Michael be an audacious madman who feared nothing than someone potentially related by blood to the Lunarian Race.
"That head of yours looks rather large," Michael raised his gaze to Heimdall's massive skull, "Could it be filled with nothing but water? Why would you assume anyone with wings must be from their Lunarian Race? I told you—I ate a Devil Fruit! A Devil Fruit! Are you deaf or something?!"
Michael's voice boomed.
The sound reverberated through the entire castle with each echoing vibration.
After his outburst, Michael glanced around and noticed many of the weaker Giants and Buccaneer Tribesmen had already collapsed on the ground.
This display of power made Michael nod approvingly to himself.
His current Conqueror's Haki was indeed somewhat excessive.
With this... the intimidation should suffice, no?
Surveying the Giants and Buccaneer Tribesmen, Michael's lips curled slightly before his attention shifted toward the castle gates.
He'd already detected the clamor of approaching footsteps outside...
The castle doors burst open as Joy Boy strode in.
Behind him stood a multitude of Giants who revered and willingly followed Joy Boy.
Among them were several formidable figures bearing ancient Giant bloodlines.
"Good afternoon, everyone! Have you all been waiting here for me?"
"Waiting for you?"
Heimdall turned with visible irritation.
This Michael character throwing his weight around with overwhelming strength was one thing...
After all, he genuinely couldn't defeat him and knew better than to provoke such a person's limits.
But... this newcomer being escorted like a celestial body by the Giants made his identity unmistakable.
"If not me, then who?" Joy Boy said with a playful grin, "Could it be... you still haven't recognized me? My dear Heimdall?"
Joy Boy's ambiguous remark instantly froze Heimdall in place.
Only after a prolonged silence did Heimdall gradually process the implication.
Then...
He actually knelt on one knee, lowering his proud head slightly toward Joy Boy.
Of course, this was merely Heimdall's final courtesy.
When he raised his head again, all traces of respect had vanished from his gaze toward Joy Boy.
In stark contrast stood Tyr, who sprang to his feet the moment he saw Joy Boy.
His eyes...
Burned with fanatical devotion.
"I never imagined encountering you here of all places, my dear King," Heimdall narrowed his eyes, glancing between Michael and Joy Boy.
"So... this man is your trump card then?"
"Heimdall, haven't you realized yet? My strength has always been my own," Joy Boy scoffed, "And frankly, I find your cousin far more endearing than you."
With that, Joy Boy walked to Tyr's side and gave him an acknowledging nod.
"Sun God Joy Boy... Have you made your choice by appearing here now?" Tyr stared intently into Joy Boy's eyes.
"Do you intend to... purify this world?"
"Purify what world... I just want to overthrow the Great Kingdom and let everyone live good lives." Joy Boy waved his hand dismissively.
Truth be told, the only thing he disliked about Elbaf was its overwhelmingly religious atmosphere.
And the more absurd part was...
These giants worshipped none other than himself.
When he had retreated into the forests of West Village to live in seclusion, this was partly why... These fervent giants would literally kneel at the drop of a hat!
"So you're saying... you're prepared for the full-scale war between the Great Kingdom and the Divine Council?"
"But hasn't our all-out war... already begun?"
As Michael finished speaking, the two girls who had entered with Joy Boy took positions on either side of Michael.
Heimdall rubbed his eyes...
He thought he saw the Queen of Alabasta who had restored order in the rebuilt Alabasta?
She seemed to be the one bearing the Nefertari bloodline under the name of Nerona.
Raised by that Imu, yet now aligned with the Revolutionary Army...
At this thought, Heimdall sharply refocused his gaze on Michael.
Which meant...
"So all of you... have been in league from the very beginning?"
"Whether it's the newly established Alabasta, the defections led by the Nerona family, or the wounds continuously inflicted on the Great Kingdom by the End..."
"All were the Revolutionary Army?"
"Well... you only realized this now?" Michael smirked. "I thought... you knew?"
...
After everyone had unreservedly revealed their identities, Heimdall wordlessly led the Bakanian tribe out of the castle.
Toki had actually been waiting for Michael's order the whole time—she would've been the first to charge and cut down these Bakanians!
But Michael ultimately chose to let them leave unhindered.
Not out of fear or inability to act, but simply because he didn't want to.
After all...
He still needed the full cooperation of the Giant Tribe...
If he killed their dear cousin at such a time, wouldn't they turn against him?
And if they didn't turn against him, that would be even more terrifying.
It would mean they could turn at any moment.
So Michael merely waved cheerfully at the departing Bakanians with a broad smile.
And then...
He casually flicked a few strands of Holy Flame, which had already clung to Heimdall's magnificent oversized coat.
Instantly...
Smoke curled upward.