"What language were they shouting as they ran? I've never heard it before," Michael asked with keen interest, shading his eyes as he watched the Buccaneers flee into the distance.
"But whatever it was, it definitely wasn't anything nice."
"If you already know, why ask!" Joy Boy retorted irritably.
With the irrelevant people gone, the atmosphere instantly became harmonious.
After all, with Joy Boy present, the giants became as docile as lambs.
"I knew it! From the day you arrived in Elbaf, I knew you would choose this path!" King Tyr of Elbaf remained highly excited, continuously patting Joy Boy's shoulder.
"The Sun God... is destined to step onto that final battlefield!"
"Old man, don't you think this chuunibyou syndrome of yours needs treatment?" Michael looked up at Tyr, who towered over Joy Boy.
"What final battlefield? Are you so certain Joy Boy will move against the Ancient Kingdom?"
"You mean... you haven't told him yet?" Tyr looked at Joy Boy in surprise. "I thought Mr. Michael was your right-hand man..."
"No, Michael is more like my guiding light." Joy Boy sat cross-legged on the ground. "But it's true I haven't told Michael all the truths about myself yet."
Michael froze.
What the hell?
Truths about Joy Boy?
What truths?
"You two big idiots, what kind of riddles are you spouting here? Just say it straight if you have something to say! All this beating around the bush—is that any way for giants to act?"
Tyr glanced at Michael, then back at Joy Boy.
Seeing Joy Boy nod calmly, Tyr also sat down cross-legged and began explaining:
"Mr. Michael, you should know Joy Boy was once the king of the Ancient Kingdom, right?"
"Just an insignificant puppet, nothing more."
"No, no, you're mistaken—he was far from an insignificant puppet..." Tyr looked at Joy Boy with complicated eyes.
"His body contains the bloodlines of every race in the Celestial Council... He has no parents, no worries—he is the culmination of the Ancient Kingdom's research into ancient technology."
"What the hell!?" Michael suddenly pointed at Joy Boy. "You're saying this bastard is a manufactured clone!?"
"Are you sure you're not just insulting me?" Joy Boy seemed unamused by Michael's reaction.
"Though my origins sound tragic, it's precisely because of this bloodline that mastering and developing the Nika fruit's powers came exceptionally easily to me."
What could Michael even say?
Lunar Technology...
Truly mind-blowing!
But if Lunar Technology could already traverse time, creating a hybrid with dozens of racial bloodlines probably wasn't that difficult, right?
And Michael really didn't want to rant about this anymore.
In other worlds, technology advanced through progress and capital.
But in the Pirate King World, people were practically like goddamn Protoss?
Technological progress entirely dependent on archaeology?
Even that ancient robot from the original story that stored vast amounts of Joy Boy's Conqueror's Haki—that too was dug up through archaeology...
Absolute madness.
After digesting this explosive revelation, Michael's expression gradually turned serious.
Addressing Tyr, he said:
"Will everyone in Elbaf now stand firmly with Joy Boy without hesitation?"
"Though we're the rebellion army... if you try to stand in our way... I won't spare your lives."
"Don't worry about that." Tyr slapped his chest muscles, as robust as ancient Greek sculptures.
"All of Elbaf would never betray Joy Boy..."
"Never betray our Sun God Nika!"
...
Michael had to admit he'd underestimated Joy Boy's sheer charisma.
He didn't even need to mention leading his people back to their ancestral capital...
These giants, whose chuunibyou phase hadn't completely passed, were already clamoring to follow him!
"If Alabasta had this kind of unity, I'd thank my lucky stars."
"You're dreaming." Toki rested her hands on her twin swords, sneering at Lily beside her. "The giants joined willingly! Unlike you—you forced yours!"
"Hmph, I can't be bothered talking to an idiot who understands nothing."
"You think I want to talk to you?" Toki stuck out her tongue at Lily. "Really? Really really?"
"You... take this!"
"Hah! I could beat you with one hand tied!"
...
After Toki literally hung Lily from a streetlamp, the alliance between the rebel army and the giants was firmly established.
To put it simply...
Joy Boy's personal charm was a minor factor...
More importantly, King Tyr saw hope of crushing the Lunarian Race.
Generations of blood feuds might finally end during his reign.
So when he learned of Michael and Joy Boy's shared identity as rebels, Tyr pledged support without hesitation because...
He simply believed this side could win. That straightforward.
But the Buccaneer Tribe driven out by Michael thought differently.
Having escaped Michael's forces, they'd already boarded their return ship.
On deck, Heimdall panted heavily while organizing the intel they'd gathered.
"We must report this to our people when we return!"
"Who said anything about telling those useless fools?" Heimdall's lips curled into a cold smile.
"After what our Buccaneer Tribe suffered, should we let them off so easily? Not one word about Michael's rebel connections gets leaked—understand?"
His murderous gaze swept across everyone present.
"One slip of the tongue... and I'll make you wish you were dead."
Heimdall leaned against the railing, staring at the massive silhouette of Elbaf...
"Though the situation seems unfavorable now, we can still profit from the cracks..."
"And this might be..."
"The perfect chance to topple the Lunarian Race from their lofty throne."
Michael would've laughed himself sick hearing this.
For the Buccaneer Tribe of the Great Kingdom...
To still have energy for infighting...
Means the external threats aren't severe enough.
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