Chapter 96: New Members
CLANG—
THUD...
The heavy greatsword and giant axe were plunged into the beach, making the entire coastline tremble and the massive bonfire sway. Dorry and Brogy knelt on the ground, lowering their massive bodies to look at Louis.
"Louis, could you do us one more favor?"
"Attack Enies Lobby?" Louis stood at the edge of the bonfire, the firelight illuminating his smiling face.
Brogy grinned, revealing two rows of large white teeth. "You don't have to fight. Just get us there, and then pick us up after we've got our men and are leaving!"
A heroic smile appeared on Dorry's face, but the words that came out of his mouth were chillingly cold. "Don't worry, we'll do our best to make sure there are no witnesses to see you!"
Louis waved his hand nonchalantly and laughed. "I'm already past the point of needing to hide from the World Government's sight to grow stronger." To this, Louis indicated that there was no need for concealment, because it was impossible to hide anyway. What happened on Geyr Island a short while ago couldn't be kept secret for long. As long as Louis and his group were active on the seas, they would eventually be identified as the culprits of that incident.
Everyone says the World Government is evil, but no one has ever said the World Government is weak. The fact that this regime could survive for eight hundred years under such high-pressure rule spoke for itself.
Louis looked up at the two giants with their complicated expressions and said with a smile, "Tonight, you two can get a good rest on Avant Heim."
"..."
Late at night, the two giant captains were already fast asleep in the cloud cave. But for the younger giants, the excitement and agitation in their hearts made it almost impossible for them to sleep.
The young giants, led by Hajrudin, couldn't contain their excitement. Worried about disturbing Louis and the others who had helped them, they all went outside Avant Heim and sat on the cloud, feeling the wisps of mist pass through their bodies. Whether it was the cold of the high altitude or their souls being cleansed by gazing at the starry sky, they gradually calmed down.
Having met the powerful Louis and his group, and having found the two legendary captains of Elbaf, the pressure that had long shrouded their hearts was relieved.
"The two captains are about to return, and the Giant Warrior Pirates will soon be revived. It seems the only dream I have left is to become the king of all giants..." Hajrudin looked up at the starry sky and muttered to himself.
Beside him, Gerd, with her blond hair, slender figure, and bold, revealing clothes, said with a smile, "It's precisely because you have such a dream that we were willing to come out into the world with you."
Goldberg, with his horned helmet and seemingly very stout figure, patted Hajrudin's shoulder. Everything was said without words.
The navigator, Road, also changed his usual style, a reminiscent look on his face. "I still remember, back then, I was isolated by the other children because I was obsessed with sea charts all day. But you praised the charts I drew and were willing to be my friend."
Hajrudin turned his head, a strange look on his face. "You still remember that?"
Road was taken aback, then became a little annoyed. "Hah? How could I forget something like that!"
Just then, Gerd tapped Road's head with the handle of her axe. "Be quiet," she said, annoyed. "Don't disturb Louis and the others!"
"Yesss~" Road held his head and whimpered softly.
Hajrudin ignored the scene before him and quietly watched the sun, which was gradually rising with the morning glow. He then thought of the golden figure he had seen flying in the sky on the battlefield and remarked with admiration, "Louis is dazzling and powerful."
"When I've grown to that level, I might be able to fulfill my dream, unite all the giant nations, and become the Giant King."
The others were taken aback, then nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Louis is much stronger than the two captains. That's something even they have admitted."
"Unimaginable power. There probably aren't many in the depths of the New World who can match him, right?"
Hajrudin felt the warmth of the morning sun on his body and slowly stood up, his gaze firm, his tone resolute. "One day, I too will possess such power. And with that power, I will become the king of all giants!"
Just then, Louis's voice suddenly sounded from behind the giants. "The King of Giants?"
"A very grand ideal."
The group was taken aback, then subconsciously turned to look. Louis, who had taken off his armor and changed into casual clothes, was walking slowly toward them on the Island Cloud. The morning sun shone on his body, dyeing him with a faint, holy glow.
Facing Louis's words, the warrior from Elbaf, Hajrudin, showed no embarrassment, but instead nodded with a solemn expression. "That's right. One day, it will become a reality!"
Louis's eyes swept over the faces of the other giants, taking in the approval on their faces. "You all think so too?"
The others nodded without hesitation.
"He will succeed."
"If I didn't think so, I wouldn't have left with him in the first place."
"I see." A flash of understanding crossed Louis's eyes. He then turned and looked meaningfully at Hajrudin. "In that case, would you like to join my crew and experience more battles?"
"Every step I take is accompanied by considerably tragic wars. If you can survive, I believe you will become stronger to a degree you can't even imagine now. And my ability can minimize the risk of my partners' deaths. If you want to become stronger, there is no place more suitable than here!"
Hajrudin heard this, and his expression became a little complicated. "An existence like you... would you even have a use for our relatively insignificant power?"
To this, Louis shook his head. "There are many strong people in the world, and there are countless who are stronger than you. But there are very few people who are as straightforward and good-hearted as you giants. No one is more suitable to be a friend and a partner than you giants."
"Besides, the King of Giants is no insignificant person!" Ten thousand meters in the sky, Louis was bathed in the morning sun, letting the cold wind lift the strands of his golden hair and the feathers of his flawless wings.
Facing the gazes of Hajrudin and the others, Louis held out his hand and, with a smile, conveyed his sincerity.
For a moment, Gerd, Goldberg, and Road all turned to look at Hajrudin, waiting for his decision.
Hajrudin looked at the dazzling Louis, a dazed feeling in his heart. It was as if a voice was telling him to accept his invitation.
"..."
In the end, Hajrudin followed the call of his heart. He knelt down, extended his giant hand, and clasped Louis's relatively small one.
"In that case, the four of us will entrust our lives to your hands."
"Welcome aboard, my partners."
Noon.
The sun shone down on Avant Heim. Its shadow fell straight down, enveloping Enies Lobby.
One by one, massive shadows descended from the sky. Aided by the wind, they landed steadily within the city on the main island of Enies Lobby.
BOOM—
Although they had the help of the wind, the heavy weight of the giants crashing to the ground still caused a considerable commotion on the island. In the smoke and dust generated by the impact, several figures, twice the height of the houses, stood with their weapons in hand.
In the rolling smoke, pairs of eyes, glowing with a chilling red light, flickered.
Cold and terrifying, as if heralding death.
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