Aboard the Merry...
After everyone finished gathering their supplies, they were surprised to find Zoro casually riding back on a rhino-like creature, looking completely unfazed.
With provisions restocked and spirits high, the Straw Hat crew quickly set sail from the river exit of Little Garden, leaving the prehistoric island behind. The wind filled the sails, and the Merry creaked happily as it moved forward into the vast ocean.
Behind them, on the towering cliffs of Little Garden, Brogy stood watching the ship disappear into the horizon.
"Their ship has finally departed…" he muttered, arms crossed, his expression thoughtful.
Beside him, Dorry let out a hearty laugh, patting his belly, which was still full from their feast.
"Yes, they've got that look—those eyes filled with fire. They'll definitely shake the world someday," Dorry said with a grin. "We can't just let such an interesting group of people go without some backup. There are monsters hiding in the sea beyond!"
Brogy nodded in agreement. "That's true. But there's someone unusual among them…"
He turned his gaze toward the direction of the retreating ship, narrowing his eyes.
"I saw it earlier. That movement—when the island shifted—it wasn't something just anyone could do."
Dorry's expression changed. "You mean that guy… Leo?"
"Yes," Brogy said slowly, his tone serious. "What he did earlier wasn't ordinary. He didn't even seem tired after shifting that chunk of land."
Dorry rubbed his chin, thinking deeply. "So what should we do? Should we intervene?"
"Let's at least send them off properly. If they need help, we'll step in."
"I agree," Dorry replied firmly.
Far ahead, Leo, sensing the two giants' gazes lingering behind them, smiled calmly.
Suddenly, Nami, who had been watching the Log Pose closely, tensed.
"Everyone—be on alert!" she shouted, her voice sharp.
"Huh?" The rest of the crew turned to her in surprise.
"What's wrong?" Luffy asked, confused.
"The ocean current is acting weird… something's off!"
Before anyone could react, the sea ahead began to rise—an unnatural bulge forming beneath the water. Two enormous, glowing eyes appeared below the surface.
A towering wave followed, crashing toward the Merry like a watery wall.
It was like a creature from the abyss had awakened.
The sea roared as a gigantic shape burst from the depths—a colossal goldfish, easily bigger than an island, emerged with a thunderous splash. Its mouth opened wide, dark as a void, and it lunged toward the Merry.
"What the heck? That's huge!" Usopp screamed, eyes bulging. "That fish could swallow us whole!"
Luffy, however, looked ecstatic.
"WOW!! Look at that meat! That's enough food for a month!" he shouted, drooling as he leaned over the side.
Usopp clutched the railing, his knees shaking. "What am I supposed to tell Kaya next time? That we were almost eaten by an island-sized goldfish?!"
Zoro gritted his teeth, his hand gripping his sword tightly. He stared at the massive creature, a cold sweat running down his back. The feeling of powerlessness was overwhelming—but surrender? Never.
Meanwhile, Vivi and Karoo froze in terror, collapsing to the deck in a heap.
Even the usually brave duck looked like he might pass out.
But Nami quickly regained her composure. She leapt onto the mid-deck and drew her Clima-Tact.
She was ready to lift the ship into the air if needed.
"This thing… even if we could beat it, it's not worth the risk!"
But just as she prepared to act, Leo gently grabbed her wrist, halting her.
"Don't worry," he said calmly. "Our friends are still behind us."
He pointed toward the island, where Dorry and Brogy stood, massive and unwavering.
"The true strength of Elbaf… isn't something ordinary. Trust them."
Leo gave her a reassuring smile.
Nami blinked, still tense, but nodded slowly.
"Just leave it to them," Leo continued. "You trust me, right, Luffy?"
"Yeah! Of course!" Luffy beamed.
"Then we go straight ahead."
With that, Leo stood tall on the deck, facing the massive goldfish without fear.
Behind them, Brogy laughed heartily. "Dorry! Looks like they believe in us!"
Dorry nodded, his expression serious. "Then we can't let them down!"
He drew his massive sword and took a stance.
"In the name of Elbaf, my friends—prepare to set sail!!"
"Hakoku!"
Both giants roared in unison.
Their combined battle cries shook the air. From their weapons, streams of green and red energy surged forward. The air currents twisted together, forming a massive beam of power that exploded through the air like a divine spear.
It tore through the sea, evaporating water in its path.
The beam struck the goldfish with such force that it blew a gaping hole clean through its body.
The beast let out a dying roar before collapsing into the sea with a titanic splash.
The impact caused the Merry to be launched into the sky, soaring above the battlefield like a feather caught in the wind.
In mere moments, the ship had vanished over the horizon.
Usopp was left speechless, snot and tears streaming down his face.
"That power… splitting the sea… the strength of a warrior… Is that… Elbaf?"
He collapsed in awe.
Luffy, thrilled by the high-speed flight, held onto his straw hat and whooped with excitement.
"Haha! It's so high!"
He leaned over the railing and shouted back at the giants.
"Fat uncle! Giant uncle! Let's drink again next time!"
As the Merry gently landed back on the water, the Straw Hats resumed their journey.
Days passed, and the crew adjusted to their new surroundings and quiet time at sea.
Luffy, of course, never stopped talking about the giants.
"Those guys were so strong! And loud!" he said excitedly, rushing over to where Usopp was bragging once again about their time in Little Garden.
On the upper deck, Vivi walked over to Nami, carrying two glasses of juice.
"Here," she said kindly, offering one.
"Thanks," Nami murmured, taking it distractedly.
"You okay? You've been looking… kinda tired lately."
Nami gave a weak smile, her eyes flicking over to the side of the ship.
The truth was, ever since they left Little Garden, Leo had been acting strange.
He wasn't behaving openly—rather, he kept observing her from a distance, his gaze lingering just a little too long.
Every time she looked up, he seemed to quickly look away.
It was starting to get under her skin. She hadn't been able to sleep properly for the past few days.
Meanwhile, Leo finally looked away from her and sighed with relief.
Seeing Nami chatting and laughing with Vivi, he finally relaxed.
He had been worried ever since Luffy chose to explore Little Garden.
In the original timeline, Nami had gotten a mysterious and deadly illness there.
But this time, thanks to the magical pattern engraved on her body, her constitution had changed—she was healthy.
"Thank goodness…" Leo muttered.
Just then, Vivi let out a loud gasp.
"No way! Nami, are you serious?"
Realizing they were drawing attention, Vivi quickly clamped a hand over her mouth and pulled Nami into the cabin.
"Wow… so it's really true!"
Her voice echoed inside the cabin.
Luffy and the others, curious as ever, ran after them.
When they entered, they saw Vivi holding up a newspaper with wide eyes.
"What's going on?" Luffy asked.
Sanji narrowed his eyes. "Is it about Alabasta?"
He stepped forward and looked at the headline.
"The strongest princess in history, as powerful as the Shichibukai!"
"Will Crocodile be expelled from the Warlords?"
"Shocking news: What turned the fragile princess into a warrior?"
The headlines were wild.
The article described a shocking event that had taken place in Alabasta's capital, Albania.
Princess Vivi, previously believed to be missing, had reappeared.
Not only that, but she had taken command of both the rebel forces and the king's army—bringing both sides to a truce through sheer force and diplomacy.
During the peace talks, a massive sandstorm interrupted the negotiations.
Amid the chaos, Princess Vivi reportedly confronted none other than Crocodile—the Shichibukai known as the Sand Crocodile—and defeated him in combat.
Though she disappeared after the battle, the act alone had shaken the country.
The rebels began to question the king's alleged use of dancing powder. The war had paused.
"She… fought Crocodile?!" Sanji gasped.
"She's incredible…" whispered Usopp, eyes full of admiration.
Vivi lowered the paper and stared at the floor.
"It was necessary," she whispered. "But I worry about Kosa…"
Silence filled the cabin.
Then Luffy smiled brightly. "It's okay. If anyone else causes trouble, we'll go help her again!"
Vivi looked up, surprised.
"Yeah!" Usopp chimed in. "We've already got giants backing us—what's a Shichibukai?"
The room filled with laughter again.
The crew, now even more united, braced for whatever adventure lay ahead.
They had faced giants, monsters, and the wrath of nature—and now, their friend Vivi had become a legend herself.
And Leo… quietly observed it all, his resolve stronger than ever.
This journey had only just begun.
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