Giyu's words immediately drew a disapproving look from Nami.
Vivi picked up the Log Pose she had been clutching tightly, her brows furrowed deeply as she spoke in a grave tone:
"No, Mr. Giyu, that's exactly the problem. Recording magnetic force takes time, but currently, storing enough magnetic force here in Little Garden... will take a full year."
"A year?!" Nami's voice became resolute and slightly raised: "That's too long! Absolutely not! Vivi's country can't wait that long! We must find a way to get to Alabasta as soon as possible!"
Hearing Nami's words, Vivi raised the Eternal Pose that Luffy had obtained from Robin and said seriously:
"Right now, we can only rely on this! First, we'll go to the island this pointer indicates - the island where Ms. All Sunday said there are doctors! On one hand, we can treat Mr. Giyu's injuries; on the other hand, we can also look for a way to quickly reach Alabasta there!"
Luffy nodded vigorously, supporting the plan without hesitation: "Yeah! You're right! First, let's find a doctor for Giyu! Then we'll help Vivi punch that Crocodile guy into the sky!"
Zoro stood nearby with his arms crossed, "No problem."
Usopp walked over to Giyu's side, holding his slingshot as he said: "Giyu! Trust us this time!"
Nami also nodded, a determined smile appearing on her face: "Leave it to us!"
Hearing everyone's unwavering words and feeling their unreserved support, Vivi's eyes grew slightly warm. She nodded firmly: "Thank you... thank you, everyone!"
Only Sanji remained somewhat silent, different from his usual self, as he looked at the pointer in his pocket that he had picked up in the candle house, blowing smoke rings.
Giyu, whom everyone had decided to prioritize for treatment, was momentarily stunned, seemingly unaccustomed to being the center of such concern and protection.
He slightly lowered his gaze and said quietly: "...Thank you."
Then Luffy, seeing that everyone had made their decision, said to Dorry and Brogy: "Well then, fat uncle and giant uncle!! We're leaving!!"
"Is that so? Then go properly treat your companion's injuries."
Brogy's booming voice rang out as he and Dorry sat side by side, both like small mountains. "May you have smooth sailing! The warriors of Elbaf bless you!"
Dorry, who had bandaged himself up, also said with a laugh: "After you've resolved everything, we'll definitely meet again somewhere! When that time comes, let's have another grand feast!"
"Oh!!! We definitely will!"
Luffy responded with great excitement, always full of anticipation for feasts. "When that time comes, we'll eat lots and lots of meat!"
After bidding farewell to the two respectable giant warriors, the Straw Hat Pirates began packing up to leave.
Nami carefully confirmed the direction indicated by the Eternal Pose, took a deep breath, and pointed toward where the Merry was docked: "Alright! Let's set off!!"
Luffy and Usopp rushed ahead with cheers, Sanji reminded Vivi to watch her step, Zoro glanced back in the direction they came from to confirm something, then followed as well.
Nami and Vivi carefully supported Giyu, who was still weak and coughing occasionally.
"Take it slow, no need to rush." Nami's voice was uncharacteristically gentle.
"Mhm..." Giyu responded softly, struggling to regulate his breathing as he matched their pace, step by step, walking resolutely toward the Golden Merry. Squelch—
"This place is so annoying... Why are there so many bugs here..."
......
The Golden Merry slowly sailed away from Little Garden's shore. Just then, everyone on board spotted Dorry and Brogy! They hadn't remained at the island's center but had somehow made their way to Little Garden's coastline.
"Uncles?" Luffy stopped waving, his eyes widening with curiosity. "You're so polite, coming all the way here to see us off?"
Brogy's voice reached them first from the shore, "There's another reason we couldn't let you little ones proceed to the next island earlier—it lies directly ahead of you!"
"Ahead?"
Nami, who had been observing the coastline, felt her heart drop. Her recently relaxed nerves immediately tensed again, her voice carrying a hint of panic, "What is it?! What's ahead?"
"Hohohoho!"
Dorry's hearty laughter followed, carrying a reassuring strength, "There's nothing for you to worry about! You only need to do one thing!!"
"Go straight ahead!! Just trust us!"
"That's right!" Brogy chimed in, his voice filled with determination as he shouted to the Straw Hat Pirates, "No matter what happens or what you see, don't change course! Just keep going straight! Leave the rest to us!"
This unreserved trust instantly ignited Luffy's enthusiasm. He immediately jumped onto the ship's bow, excitedly waving toward the giants before shouting with all his might: "YEAH!!! STRAIGHT AHEAD!!!"
Right at that moment!!
The sea directly ahead began churning without warning, a massive shadow rapidly rising from the depths!
Splash—!!!
An enormous goldfish-shaped Sea King burst through the ocean's surface, appearing directly in front of the Merry! Its gaping mouth resembled a bottomless, terrifying cavern large enough to swallow the entire Merry.
"Wh-what kind of monster is that?!!" Usopp stared at the goldfish creature, his voice trembling with shock, eyes nearly popping out of his head.
"Nami! Should we turn?!" Sanji immediately shouted toward Nami.
"Don't turn the helm!" Luffy stood firm at the bow, his voice unusually resolute as he shouted without looking back, "Trust the giant uncles! Go straight ahead!"
Usopp's voice wavered slightly, but he gritted his teeth and yelled: "That's right! Trust the uncles! Straight ahead! Go straight ahead, Nami!"
The Merry began charging directly toward that abyssal mouth!!
At that very moment, furious roars echoed from the distant shoreline as Dorry and Brogy's voices merged into one:
"The one who tried to stop us from passing here was nothing but that bloodstained serpent."
"Watch closely—this is the strongest spear of the Giant race from the warrior nation of Elbaf!!!"
Every member of the Straw Hat Pirates, including the weakened Giyu, felt stirred by this overwhelming momentum and shouted in unison, their voices converging into a single, unshakable conviction.
"STRAIGHT AHEAD!!!"
In the next instant, the world seemed to fall silent.
Dorry swung his long-blunted greatsword, Brogy hefted his equally dulled battle-axe.
Two shockwaves condensed from a century of combat will, two heaven-rending slashes erupted from the giants' weapons!!
"Hakoku!!!!"
The shockwave pierced straight through the super-giant goldfish Sea King!
Immediately after, the colossal Sea King didn't even have time to let out a final cry before its massive body was instantly cleaved in two by the shockwave containing ultimate power and will!
BOOM!!!
Simultaneously, two crisp snapping sounds echoed clearly from the distance almost at the same time.
CRACK! CLANG—!
Having fulfilled their final mission, bearing witness to a century of fierce battles and ultimate glory, the greatsword and battle-axe could no longer withstand Hakoku's recoil and shattered violently!
Dorry and Brogy looked at the remaining weapon hilts in their hands and burst into even more hearty, exhilarated laughter! With all their strength, they shouted their final farewell toward the small ship that had stabilized in the waves:
"Go!!!!"
The Merry rode the path cleared by Hakoku, propelled by the giant waves, charging out of this sea area and sailing toward the next unknown leg of the journey.