Chapter 304: A Vision
The giants were simple and direct—once they decided to join Rhodes, they wouldn't be coy.
They quickly cleaned up the battlefield and led Rhodes back to their ship.
Rhodes's first impression of the giants' pirate ship was its sheer size—enormous—followed by a raw, untamed feel, simple yet practical.
To be able to sail the New World, this giant pirate ship was technologically advanced—its load-bearing capacity and balance were excellent, ensuring it wouldn't capsize due to the giants' everyday movements.
Back on board, Hajrudin began introducing his companions to Rhodes:
"This is the ship's doctor, Gerd; this is the shipwright, Stansen; this is the cook, Goldberg..."
"And this one, the navigator Road, who shares your name, sir."
The giant Road scratched his head sheepishly.
There were probably many people with the same name worldwide, but to actually meet one was quite rare.
"It seems we are indeed quite fated,"
Rhodes smiled slightly and nodded to everyone.
During the conversation, Hajrudin took out a bottle of his treasured spirits.
"Oh my, Hajrudin, this is the last bottle of Warrior Wine!"
exclaimed the shipwright Stansen.
Warrior Wine was a specialty of Elbaf. They'd drunk quite a bit during their voyage, and this last bottle was a keepsake, as no one knew when they'd be able to return home.
Unexpectedly, Hajrudin had actually brought it out today.
"Today is an important day, of course we have to celebrate,"
Hajrudin grinned, then thought for a moment and said to Goldberg,
"Get a smaller drinking bowl."
As the leader, he was a little different from ordinary giants, a bit more thoughtful.
"No need,"
Rhodes stopped Goldberg, then picked up the wine bowl before him, which was larger than himself, and gulped down a large mouthful.
The spicy wine flowed from his throat into his stomach, making his blood feel like it was boiling, his fighting spirit surging. It truly lived up to its reputation as a specialty of Elbaf, the homeland of giants, upholding the warrior traditions of the giant race.
"That was refreshing!"
Hajrudin and the others held Rhodes in even higher esteem, and without any pretense, they raised their wine bowls and drank them down in one gulp.
Slightly tipsy, they also discovered that Rhodes wasn't as cold and aloof as they'd imagined.
So Hajrudin and the others opened up, chatting idly about their daily lives in Elbaf and the strange events they'd encountered while sailing the New World.
"..."
Rhodes could tell that Hajrudin and his group were having a very difficult time.
Giants were rare, and wherever they went, they were coveted by outsiders—like the Kurman family, whom they'd encountered countless times.
Moreover, while giants were stronger than ordinary warriors, they were far inferior to those at peak level, lacking any real deterrent, and their enormous size made them easy targets.
Therefore, since setting sail, Hajrudin and his group had struggled greatly—forget about restoring the Giant Warrior Pirates' prestige, even survival was a challenge.
The New World was never a peaceful place.
"Giants, giant warriors..."
"Since you've decided to join me..."
Rhodes's eyes flickered for a moment before he made a final decision.
"Of course, I also need to show my sincerity."
Before Hajrudin and the others could react, he took out two Devil Fruits from his dimensional storage.
"These two are a Special Paramecia-type Kinzoku Kinzoku no Mi and a Mythical Zoan-type Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Titan, which are very compatible with you."
Rhodes casually placed the two priceless Devil Fruits on the deck.
"..."
Looking at the two Devil Fruits on the deck, each smaller than a fingertip, Hajrudin and the others were stunned.
Giants are simple, they are straightforward—not foolish!
A Special Paramecia-type Kinzoku Kinzoku no Mi, Mythical Zoan-type Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Titan—just from the names, you knew these were extremely powerful abilities, no less than Logia-types.
Yet Rhodes just took them out like that after they joined...
A sudden feeling welled up in their hearts.
They knew this was recognition, this was trust.
Hajrudin refused, saying solemnly,
"We cannot accept this, Rhodes-sama. We have only recently joined your ranks and have done nothing for you—we cannot bear such a favor."
The other four giants nodded in agreement. Although the two Devil Fruits were priceless, representing immense power, they valued honor more.
Rhodes smiled:
"No, you have already given me what I value most.
Moreover, I believe that the most important thing in restoring the Giant Warrior Pirates' prestige is your own strength."
"..."
Hearing this, Hajrudin and the others remained unmoved—accepting undeserved rewards was a grave taboo.
A power at Yonko level must have rules and order.
Although Hajrudin and the others were simple and honest, they were actually quite perceptive.
"You..."
Looking at their unwavering expressions, Rhodes shook his head helplessly and said bluntly,
"Since you know me, you should also know that I am about to have a decisive battle with the Marines. In urgent situations, pragmatism is necessary. Your current combat strength will not be of much use on that battlefield."
"I need you to become stronger."
Upon hearing this, Hajrudin and the others hesitated.
Giants could also read newspapers—using magnifying glasses—so they also understood the situation in the New World and knew that a battle between the Thunder God Swordsman and the Marines was inevitable, sooner or later, but it would definitely erupt this year.
And with the current strength shown by the Thunder God Swordsman, he was far from being a match for Marine Headquarters. Many casinos had set up betting odds, and the odds for the Thunder God Swordsman remained consistently high.
Hajrudin had not considered this when he chose to join, but now that he had, he didn't regret it—giants never fear war.
"Although we only have two Devil Fruits now, believe me, I will find enough powerful ones. Five giant Devil Fruit users will definitely spread the giants' fame throughout the seas!"
Rhodes smiled faintly.
The giants' size makes them easy targets, but if they possess suitable Devil Fruit abilities, the outcome will be completely different!
Rhodes was eager to see what terrifying power the giants, already war machines, could unleash on the battlefield after consuming Devil Fruits.
Moreover, with Amazon Lily's legacy, the difficulty for giants to learn both types of Haki would be significantly reduced!
Giants with Haki and Devil Fruit powers—who could withstand that?
"..."
Having said that, it would be ungracious for Hajrudin to refuse any further.
He carefully picked up the two Devil Fruits. Although they were smaller than his fingers, they felt incredibly heavy, as if he were carrying two mountains!
Finally...
Hajrudin's eyes gleamed with unwavering resolve as he bowed solemnly to Rhodes, saying,
"Thank you for your trust, sir. We will never let you down!"
"We pledge upon Elbaf's name, and we will forever follow in your footsteps, without regret!"
Stansen and the others swore an unyielding oath, the heaviest vow of the giant race.
Rhodes smiled silently.
He knew these giants would become his strongest spear and shield.
Whether in the decisive battle against the Marines or in future conflicts between emperors, they would play a crucial role.
(End of Chapter)
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