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Many dismissed the eyewitness's description as nonsense born of excessive fright, or fabricated sensationalism to attract attention.
Similar rumors of a "Phantom Giant" or "Mist Monster" began circulating in certain seas with complex conditions and frequent fog…
The versions varied, but the core was always the same: enormous, humanoid, emerging from mist, attacking pirate ships, then mysteriously vanishing.
Even in the deep-sea prison Impel Down, where news was relatively isolated, the vicious inmates discussed the rumor during yard time or through secret channels.
"Heard about it? They're saying something like a 'Mist Demon' out there specializes in messing with pirates."
An old toothless pirate grinned.
"Tch, probably some new Navy trick, or maybe an unseen Sea King." Another prisoner scoffed.
"Sea King? Since when do Sea Kings look humanoid? I heard… it's more like a ghost! The vengeful spirits of those Rocks killed, gathered together!"
A creepy prisoner whispered.
"Whatever it is, it doesn't concern us. In this hellhole, everything's the same anyway."
Most people remained indifferent to the appearance of the mist monster.
For a time, the "Monster in the Mist" became a terrifying legend in certain parts of the Grand Line.
Pirates grew even more nervous when passing through those waters; ordinary merchants sailed with mixed feelings…
They hoped the "monster" truly only targeted pirates, yet feared encountering it themselves.
The light curtain's perspective finally revealed the truth.
The scene returned to a fog-shrouded sea. A pirate ship flying a skull flag—clearly fresh from plundering—sailed smugly along.
Suddenly, the thick fog ahead churned violently. An incomparably tall, heaven-piercing black silhouette slowly "emerged" from the fog wall.
The camera zoomed in, piercing the mist.
It was no Sea King, no ghost.
It was the Giant King, Harald!
He appeared even more composed than five years ago. The outward majesty of a king had lessened somewhat; in its place was a restrained vicissitude and firmness.
Where his twin horns once stood, there were now two hideous, healed-yet-still-glaring scars—like silent shackles.
Harald's gaze was calm and unwavering. He tightened his grip on his long sword.
"Crack... boom!"
The sturdy pirate ship groaned under unbearable strain. The hull was severed by his gigantic weapon, then shattered into several pieces, slowly sinking into the sea.
The pirates screamed as they fell into the water. Harald did not pursue them to the end—he merely watched indifferently as they struggled on the surface. Soon, nearby patrolling Marine warships would arrive to clean up the remnants.
It looked exactly like a prearranged cooperation!
Having finished, Harald slowly straightened up and retreated once more into the thick fog, as if he had never appeared.
The dense mist swallowed his colossal figure and the ship, leaving only floating debris and terrified swimmers on the sea.
The truth was laid bare.
The so-called "Monster in the Mist," the "Phantom Giant," was none other than the Giant King Harald—after joining the World Government!
Many pirates in ordinary seas had never seen a real giant in their lives.
When Harald's mountain-like figure emerged from the fog, it exceeded their frame of reference. Combined with the distorting effect of the mist on perception and the innate fear of the unknown, it naturally became rendered as a "monster" or "ghost."
Yet everything Harald did was not to instill terror, nor mere slaughter.
He was fulfilling his vow—to atone for the giant race's past wrongs.
In this covert yet efficient way, he assisted the Marines in suppressing pirates, easing pressure in certain seas, and—through concrete actions—proving to the world
That giants possessed not only destructive power; they could also become guardians of "order," restrain themselves for the sake of peace and coexistence, and make contributions.
He chose targets that were notoriously evil—pirate crews the Marines struggled to reach in time—acting cleanly and decisively while minimizing collateral damage.
This was a path of silent, even somewhat tragic atonement.
He hid in the mist, concealed his identity, and bore the infamy of being mistaken for a "monster"!
All for the faint hope in his heart: that the children of Elbaf could live peacefully under the sun, that the giant race could be accepted by the world.
Inside and outside the light curtain, people watched Harald's back disappear into the fog, watched the pirate ship wreckage gradually taken over by the Marines, and remained speechless for a long time.
Respect, sympathy, emotion, reflection… all kinds of emotions intertwined.
A king who—for his race—could sever his own horns and spill blood at Marineford,
Could also become a "phantom," hide in the mist, and silently fulfill the hardest vow.
This promise and sacrifice—weighty as a mountain—carried more power than any grand words.
Could it truly break through a thousand years of prejudice? No one knew.
But at least in this moment, in many hearts, Harald's figure…
Was no longer merely a "terrifying giant," but a king worthy of awe—one who had bet everything on peace.
The light curtain's scene faded from the misty seas. Rocks' remnants had branched out, steadily developing their own forces and—more than a decade later—reaching their respective peaks!
While those pirates thought about seizing territory and building strength, one group accomplished an unprecedented feat…
The Roger Pirates successfully circumnavigated the world, completing every loop.
They discovered the secret left by Joy Boy. In the end, the crew disbanded, and Roger's execution day ushered in the Great Pirate Era!
What was meant to be an execution to intimidate pirates ultimately subverted everyone's expectations completely.
And the giants seen at Marineford earlier originated from this. No one expected Roger to ignite such an era, so the Marines recruited dozens of giant soldiers from around the world.
They were no longer monsters reviled by all; after becoming part of the Marines, their monstrous strength earned the respect of the people and instilled fear in pirates!
From then on, the giants became partners of justice.
At this moment, outside the light curtain, Harald—seeing that the giants could be accepted—had an extremely complex expression. He had heard every word of the earlier conversation between Imu and Rocks clearly!
The World Government only wanted to use the giants as excellent combat power—there was never any true acceptance. Yet his "future self" had been completely unaware…
The more Harald thought, the more terrified he became. He himself didn't mind, but Elbaf absolutely could not become a tool in others' wars. If things developed to that point, it would undoubtedly be his sin!
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