Chapter 67Brogy beat his sturdy chest forcefully, making a thumping sound. "A hundred years ago, we were the Captains of the world-renowned Giant Warrior Pirates."Dorry put down his wine glass, a look of reminiscence appearing on his giant face. "That was a long time ago. We led the Giant Warrior Pirates, galloping across the sea in search of opponents worthy of a fight and exciting adventures. I really miss those days."They missed it.But the people of that era might not necessarily feel the same way.The legends made the whole world tremble in fear, as they rampaged across the oceans and swept through towns.Of course, legends are just legends.When certain words come out of the World Government's mouth, the lies are almost indistinguishable from the truth.At least in Luffy's eyes, Dorry and Brogy's personalities and ways of doing things were very similar to his own.Chapter 88: Nika, Are You Free?Luffy listened with great interest and asked, "Is the Giant Race all as powerful as you?""Of course not."Dorry said proudly, "Brogy and I are among the strongest warriors of Elbaf! However, I hear Elbafhas changed a bit now.""Elbaf?"Vivi asked curiously, "Is that the kingdom of giants?""That's right! It's the most powerful giant kingdom in the world, located in the New World! Straw Hat, if you ever reach the New World, you must visit Elbaf!" Brogy invited warmly.Never mind Luffy, Usopp looked like he wanted to fly to the New World immediately."New World? We'll definitely go," Luffy said.He knew they had just entered the Grand Line, and there was still a long route to the so-called New World.Dorry seemed to remember something and added, "By the way, after our Giant Warrior Pirates went our separate ways, it seems some giants chose to join the Marines. In Marineford, there are many giant Vice Admirals; their strength is very formidable."This was something mentioned by pirates who had visited Small Garden."Giant Navy Vice Admirals? Sounds like good opponents." Zoro gripped his wado ichimonji, his battle intent soaring.Sanji mocked from the side, "Fight, fight, fight. You want to fight everyone you hear about. Marimo, is your brain made of muscle?""Huh? You want to go, Love Cook?"Merry brought skewers to the two of them, hoping they would stop fighting. Both Sanji and Zoro gave Merry face and stopped.But as soon as Merry returned, those two started arguing again with kicks and swords.Stop fighting already!Merry was so anxious he even waved his little hammer.The banquet atmosphere remained lively as always until late at night....[Warning, it is now bedtime...]As the saying goes, what goes around comes around.When Luffy woke up and saw he wasn't in Small Garden, he knew it was time to pay his debts.This time, the training partners were real giants.Namely, Brogy and Dorry.To be honest, Luffy was already used to it.Looking at the two giants standing tall nearby, holding new weapons, they looked like emotionless robots. Any movement they made shook the earth."Why are they so much harder to fight than the real Dorry and Brogy?"Luffy suspected plan had increased the difficulty for him.Luffy could barely withstand Dorry's Hegemonyalone, but these two had a Combined Ultimate Technique, as it was said, which sent him back to the starting point instantly.But as they fought, Luffy found a way to get intermittent rest.Entering his Consciousness Space, the so-called prison of Nika.Although the time spent going in and out didn't count, it at least allowed him to catch his breath.This seemed to be counted by plan as time for developing Devil Fruit abilities.True, Luffy now knew Nika's origins, and as more white gas gathered, he could clearly feel himself getting stronger.Why not do it?Drip.Drop.A pair of eyes opened in the darkness. Luffy met them and greeted familiarly, "Yo, Nika, I'm here again.""..."Nika stared at Luffy, fuming but silent.It didn't dare say, "You damn well better stay out of my house."The will of a Devil Fruit is just a will. It can influence the user to varying degrees.But Nika didn't know why Luffy could go back and forth between the two sides even though he hadn't reached the awakening stage.Oh, it was the one who actively pulled Luffy in at first, so never mind."Haven't you reflected properly yet?" Luffy looked up and asked."Humph, do you know who I am?" Nika tried to reclaim some dignity.Something about fighting for the liberation of enslaved people and being honored as the Sun God Nika.The legendary Warrior of Liberation from Elbaf.These were all achievements, and proof of Nika's resistance against the World Government and the Nefertari Family.Don't talk about whether the main goal was to liberate enslaved warriors or to overthrow the Nefertari Family's rule.Just say whether there was resistance or not."Do you know who I am?" Luffy asked back.Nika was suddenly choked up.It thought, "If I didn't know who you were, why would I choose you?" Joy Boy from eight hundred years ago failed; how many years has it been evading the World Government's pursuit?Decades ago at God Valley, Nika actually had a candidate, but that person was still dealt with. It continued its grand escape, only to be picked up by Shanks, who possessed divine bloodline.It was just then that Luffy appeared, and Nikamade its choice.It saw the kid was heartless and carefree from a young age; when the Devil Fruit ability awakened, Nika's will could interfere with him a bit. Who knew that now Luffy had not only become mindful but his power was also advancing by leaps and bounds.Nika couldn't beat him and couldn't leave.What do you call this?This was being stuck between a rock and a hard place."Give me your power," Luffy said. "You still have a lot of power in you, right?"Now Nika's recognition level was slightly stalled.But as power increased, even without doing that kind of thing to Vivi like before, the recognition would still increase.This showed it was related to one's own strength."You even said that's my power."Nika looked like a mistreated young wife, staring at Luffy warily.Luffy didn't mind and continued:"You will become my power sooner or later. What's the difference between sooner and later?""I have conditions. You must...""You've got it wrong," Luffy interrupted Nika. "I'm not trading with you, and what capital do you have to trade?"Luffy's fist bulged, his gaze fixed on Nika. The posture made Nika feel a chill all over. Hegemony—this move was the giants' signature skill.Joy Boy came from Elbaf, so Nika knew the power of this move very well."You are not worthy of being Joy Boy!" Nika's mentality completely collapsed.Luffy smiled brightly."I am me. I won't become anyone else.""If you want to make me someone else, then try my fist."Nika fell silent.Joy Boy seemed to have said this as well.History truly is a cycle."Besides, being locked in a place like this, don't you want to get out?"Luffy looked around and said, "How many years have you been here?""How many years?"Nika was stunned; it couldn't remember. It had been a long time, through many changes in the world.Moreover, it was the first time someone had ever asked it this.Can I get out of here?What exactly is the so-called will of a Devil Fruit? Even Nika couldn't say for sure. It had forgotten many things, with only one final pursuit remaining.To overthrow the rule of that family... liberating slaves and symbolizing freedom were just means to achieve the goal."Nika, are you free?" Luffy asked, looking at Nika.Nika had no answer.The so-called Warrior of Liberation is actually not free?It was laughable to think about.Chapter 89: The Early Bird Catches the WormA heavy blow left Nika speechless.Luffy missed Nika's former snarling appearance a bit.The freedom he offered wasn't just some empty promise. Luffy yearned for freedom; he wouldn't be able to stand being locked in a place like this.To be honest, he didn't know how Nika endured staying in this dark, sunless place for so long.But coming in here was just to catch a breath.After catching his breath, he still had to go out. He was a person who enjoyed fighting to his core.But this damned Plan wasn't human; it made even a fight-lover like Luffy feel a bit over-desensitized.That non-stop fighting was a form of torture.Even in a battle against an equal powerhouse for days and nights, there's at least a chance to breathe.And this ghost of a place had no food, so it couldn't support him in doing sit-up recoveries.Once he ran out of stamina, Luffy knew he was as good as dead.Even with the passive talent Rapid Recovery, there was no way to do sit-ups in this situation.He didn't know how many times he had died; certainly more times than Dorry and Brogy.As expected of giants!Luffy was flattened on the ground, out of strength. He looked up to see Dorry's sword piercing toward him."Heh, if you've got the guts, wait until I become the Pirate King..."Before he could finish, his consciousness gradually faded....
