Several days had passed since the conversation with Dorry and Brogy.
After discussing matters with Brogy, it was agreed that the sacred duel would be postponed until the situation in Elbaf was fully resolved. With that settled, Dorry returned to Elbaf ahead of time, taking a Den Den Mushi with him.
Though Dorry was a mighty warrior even among giants, someone of true strength and repute, he was no match for Wright—but to everyone else, he was still a giant among giants.
Brogy, meanwhile, sought out the wandering giant mercenaries outside Elbaf—Hajruddin, Stansen, Road, Goldberg, and Gerd.
From them, Brogy confirmed that everything Wright had said was true. In fact, Hajruddin and Gerd had both been directly involved in the tragic incident that once befell Elbaf Village.
Overwhelmed with excitement, Hajruddin and the others wasted no time in reporting the news of Dorry's imminent return to Elbaf.
It didn't take long for Wright to receive a call—just one month later, Dorry contacted him.
"Fleet Admiral… His Majesty Ymir*, King of Elbaf, has agreed to your request. However, you must come alone."
Dorry's return to Elbaf sent shockwaves through the island, which had remained relatively peaceful for decades. The long-lost captains—both alive and well—and with Brogy's return imminent, the warriors of Elbaf were ecstatic.
Carrying out his mission, Dorry immediately verified the truth of Wright's claims, then went straight to King Ymir to report the matter concerning Fleet Admiral Wright.
As King of Elbaf, Ymir fully understood the weight of the title "Fleet Admiral of the Navy Headquarters."
Ever since the disappearance of Holy Mother Carmel over sixty years ago, the World Government had coveted the power of the giants.
But without Carmel—once their ideal saintly figure—the World Government had never found a second person capable of opening the gates to Elbaf.
Furthermore, the other giant kingdoms of the world clearly maintained close ties with Elbaf. When Elbaf turned its back on the human world, so did the others.
In other words—Elbaf's gates had only ever been opened to one person: Holy Mother Carmel. With her gone, the giants had nothing more to say to humanity.
In centuries past, the World Government and Navy had only managed to exploit one opportunity—the leaderless state of the Giant Warrior Pirates—and had only found one "reliable" figure in Carmel…
This grand deception, a performance by both the Government and the Navy, had never been exposed—until now.
But from Wright's perspective, he couldn't just reveal the truth to the Giant King.
After all… he was the Fleet Admiral now.
Still, if Shanks truly was allied with the giants, as suspected… there might be room to maneuver.
King Ymir insisting Wright come alone was not unexpected.
Over the decades, the World Government had never ceased trying to infiltrate and sway Elbaf.
King Ymir knew very well that the Navy, nominally a branch of the World Government, stood on the same side as CP—the same CP that had harassed Elbaf for decades.
Were it not for Wright's personal reputation, the promises he had made, and the trust of Dorry and Brogy… even coming alone would have been impossible.
"Understood."
Wright's reply was as simple as it was resolute. As one of the strongest individuals alive, even if all of Elbaf and Shanks' crew were waiting to ambush him, he would still go.
...
Elbaf, Royal Court.
Wright had become the first Marine in centuries—perhaps ever—to officially and openly enter Elbaf's royal court.
Elbaf was a land of immense strength and wealth. Though not a member nation of the World Government, even the Government had never dared to consider taking it by force.
Its natural resources were abundant. The island produced countless materials, and the surrounding seas teemed with large fish and Sea Kings, providing a nearly endless food supply.
Even with their massive size and appetite, the giants had no concern for scarcity—making Elbaf almost entirely self-sufficient and unbound to the outside world.
It was known across the globe that Elbaf's Treasure Tree Adam was the dream material for shipbuilding. But the supply was scarce—limited only to what the tree naturally shed.
The giants had never shown any intention to trade this resource with the outside world.
"The Treasure Tree Adam is not only a part of Elbaf's homeland, but also our spiritual symbol."
Wright now stood face-to-face with King Ymir.
An adult giant stood at least twelve meters tall. King Ymir towered even higher—nearly twenty meters in height. Next to him, Wright looked no bigger than a toddler beside a grown man.
Yet the palpable pressure emanating from Wright was impossible to ignore—he was, after all, the Fleet Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, one of the world's apex powers.
This was the man who, during the war at Marineford, had personally slain Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world.
What were even giants compared to that?
"We believe that atop the Treasure Tree, lies the divine realm. The gods gaze upon us from their heavenly kingdom."
Wright said nothing in response to Ymir's beliefs. Instead, he went straight to the point:
"Your Majesty Ymir, I trust you already understand the purpose of my visit. It concerns one of the Four Emperors. If Shanks truly possesses a secret route from the New World directly to Navy Headquarters, it would pose a grave threat to us."
"Therefore, I ask for your direct answer—is it possible for the Treasure Tree Adam to lead up to the White-White Sea, ten thousand meters above?"
Ymir locked eyes with Wright. He knew Wright's methods and reputation well. Still...
"Fleet Admiral, the giants value honor and our word more than our own lives."
The King finally responded:
"If this were any ordinary matter, I would tell you directly. But this… I cannot answer."
Wright pinched the bridge of his nose.
In other words, it was basically confirmed—such a path very likely existed.
"I see. Shanks really is a lucky bastard. How exactly did he forge an alliance with Elbaf?"
"That too… I cannot say."
The giants of Elbaf, under the watch of their gods, never lied.
That, at least, was a good habit.
And with that, most of Wright's suspicions were effectively confirmed.
"Come on out. You really thought that sorry excuse for concealment could hide you from my Observation Haki?"
Wright shook his head with a helpless sigh. King Ymir's expression changed slightly—just before a familiar voice echoed out from behind the massive throne.
"Ah… Your Majesty Ymir, I told you, your way of speaking is just too blunt."
"But oh well. The moment Wright set his sights on Elbaf, I knew there was no hiding from him."
Stepping out from behind King Ymir's throne… was none other than the Emperor of the Sea, Red-Haired Shanks!
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TL/N:
This fic is old. So, expect the canon slapping this fic hard.
The King of Elbaf in this fic is Ymir and not Harald.
And, I think the name Ymir came from the giant in Norse Mythology.
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Note: This fanfic has been completely translated and is available on my Patreon.