Everyone on deck tensed to the extreme.
Without time to think, they instinctively followed Luo Yu's gaze.
But as far as the eye could see, there wasn't a single silhouette—no island, no figure, nothing.
Tashigi didn't hesitate. Cigarette in mouth, she scrambled up the mast and raised her binoculars.
"I see it! A massive island… with two enormous mountains. No—wait. Those mountains are moving."
Mountains… moving?
Doll froze, stunned. An island not recorded on any Navy chart was already shocking enough.
But two moving mountains?
Could those be the "special combatants" Luo Yu had mentioned?
As the ship surged forward at full speed, slicing through the waves, the mysterious island loomed closer.
Near the inlet, they spotted a merchant vessel with its flag lowered, anchored quietly.
Luo Yu looked at the island—known in legend as Little Garden—and felt a rare sense of relief.
Thank goodness this place was remote. Otherwise, the former captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates, once worth over 100 million Berries, wouldn't have remained hidden here for so long.
As for whether the two giants could be recruited as special combatants?
Absolutely.
Among the giants of Elbaf, strength was everything.
The ultimate test of a warrior's might was whether they could unleash Hakoku Sovereignty—a devastating technique capable of piercing an island in a single blow.
Even Yonko like Big Mom and Kaido had sought to learn this "couples' technique."
That alone spoke volumes.
These two giants had once shattered the sea with a single Hakoku. A century ago, they were each worth over 100 million Berries.
Adjusted for inflation, that'd be at least 300 to 500 million today—maybe even close to a billion.
And they didn't even know Haki yet.
If Luo Yu could teach them Armament and Observation Haki, their vast combat experience would make mastery inevitable.
Once they fused Flowing Sakura Haki into their Hakoku…
It'd be like a precision-guided missile—point and destroy.
Imagine the opening move of a battle: two giants unleashing Flowing Sakura-infused Hakoku Sovereignty.
Who could possibly withstand that?
But what Luo Yu hadn't expected… was that someone had beaten him to Little Garden.
He leapt ashore, instantly spreading his Observation Haki.
He located the intruders in a flash, glanced back at Doll, and said:
"I'll be right back."
And with that, Luo Yu vanished like a ghost.
Doll froze, then rushed after him.
If this was the first "special combatant" on his list, she had to see for herself whether they were truly qualified.
If even the first one didn't meet the standard, how could the rest be trusted?
At the center of Little Garden—
Two massive figures sat cross-legged, roasting meat and laughing heartily.
"Little lady, your name was Vivi, right? You've come seven or eight times now, always bringing us good booze. We really appreciate it. But asking us to be Alabasta's guardian gods? That's a no-go."
Blue Ogre Dorry tipped back a jug the size of a teacup (to him) and downed it in one gulp, laughing.
"Don't forget—we promised Lord Luffy we'd meet him in Elbaf. We're heroes of the giants. We can't just settle down in Alabasta."
Red Ogre Brogy didn't speak, but nodded vigorously.
Vivi wasn't discouraged. She tore off a chunk of unidentifiable meat and smiled as she chewed.
"Don't worry, sirs. You wouldn't need to stay long—just a year or two, until we rebuild."
"In the meantime, we'd be grateful if you could help fend off the pirates attacking our shores."
Behind her, Igaram and Chaka stood silently.
Crocodile had been defeated, yes.
But Alabasta was in ruins.
Its defenses were paper-thin.
Pirates saw it as easy prey and launched raids across the coastline.
With only Pell and Chaka—two underwhelming guardians—they couldn't hold the line.
That's why Vivi had come to Little Garden, hoping to recruit the two legendary giants.
"Princess Vivi! Trouble! A Marine warship has appeared offshore!"
A panicked attendant ran up.
Igaram and Chaka stiffened.
They knew this island was long forgotten—unmarked on any modern chart. Without special means, it was nearly impossible to find.
And now, not only had someone arrived—it was the Navy.
This couldn't be good.
"Heh. Just the Navy? We haven't fought them in a hundred years,"
Dorry said with a grin as he stood.
"Besides, this island's full of beasts. Without our help, they'll never make it through. You all go. We'll handle them."
But before he could finish, the attendant added nervously:
"No—it's not a regular warship. It's a specially built giant-class vessel. Big enough to carry giants. It's flying the Navy's Justice flag… and the banner of an Admiral."
An Admiral's banner?
Vivi's face went pale.
Her travels had taught her what that meant.
She believed the two giants could handle a Vice Admiral.
But an Admiral?
That was a different story.
"Sirs, you must flee! Admirals are the Navy's strongest force!"
Vivi pleaded.
Dorry and Brogy blinked.
As Elbaf's greatest warriors, they would never run from a fight.
And now this little girl was underestimating them?
Unacceptable.
"Hmph. You want us to be guardian gods, but now you think we should run?"
Dorry snorted, grabbing his newly forged weapon.
"Let me show you the glory of Elbaf's giants!"
BOOM!
A thunderous shockwave erupted at the island's inlet.
The very air seemed to freeze.
And then—
A tidal wave of Conqueror's Haki exploded across the island like a raging storm.