5 days later.
It's been five days since that incident.
Five days since the whirlpool.
Five days since Ripple almost disappeared.
Five days since Gray got hurt because of me.
Gray's injury is healing. Slowly. He says it's fine every time I ask, but I've noticed how he avoids using that arm when he thinks no one's watching.
Spruce has been… different.
Careful. Too careful.
Every time he uses mercury, he hesitates. Measures. Breathes. Like he's afraid of hurting someone again.
Ripple hasn't left the ship's side even once.
He swims close. Circles us. Jumps ahead to check waves. Comes back. Again and again.
Like he's scared the sea might steal us if he looks away.
We're still following Hajrudin's ship—Naglfar.
Morning comes quietly.
Sunlight spills over the sea, warm and blinding. I squint, rubbing my eyes, when something massive begins to take shape far ahead.
At first, it's just a blur.
Then a shadow.
Then—
"…No way," I mutter.
A shape so large it feels unreal.
The silhouette of Yggdrasil.
Even from this distance, it doesn't feel like a tree.
It feels like the world itself grew roots and decided to stay.
Spruce leans forward at the helm, mouth slightly open. "…That's big—resu."
Gray narrows his eyes. "That's not an island."
"Elbaf," I whisper.
From ahead, Hajrudin's voice booms across the waves. "OIIII—SOL PIRATES!
LOOK CLOSELY! WE'RE GETTING NEAR ELBAF!"
Ripple jumps high, splashing water everywhere.
I smile.
But—
Something feels wrong.
Not danger.
Not fear.
Just… a strange pressure in my chest.
"…I'm going to talk to Hajrudin," I say suddenly.
Gray looks at me. "Now?"
"Yeah."
I look up at Naglfar.
The ship is massive. Ridiculously massive.
"…Bruhh," I sigh. "How am I even supposed to climb that."
I turn to Spruce. "Oi. Ladder?"
Spruce stiffens, nervous. "I'll be careful—resu."
Liquid mercury flows from his hands, slowly shaping itself into a wide ladder connecting our ship to theirs.
The wind picks up.
The ladder sways.
"…Why is it moving like that—"
A massive hand grabs the top.
Hajrudin leans over. "I've got it. Come up."
"…Thanks, man."
Climbing feels endless. My arms burn. My legs shake. Giants really don't design things for humans.
When I finally reach the deck, Hajrudin gestures for me to sit.
"So," he says. "You wanted to talk."
"Yeah," I reply. "About your goal."
His expression shifts slightly.
"You're with Buggy's Pirate Dispatch Organization," I say.
"So… why Elbaf?"
He exhales. "Ash… we're not going to Elbaf."
I blink. "…Huh?"
"Our destination is Egghead."
He explains calmly.
Buggy believes the Government seized diaries and research from a captured giant.
Not just any giant—one connected to ancient giant lineage.
Vegapunk.
Experiments.
Artificial weapons.
"…We'll drop you and your crew at Elbaf," Hajrudin finishes.
"Then we turn."
I go quiet.
And I thought.
"He's telling the truth."
"And I hate that."
"Egghead exists."
"The giant exists."
"The Government taking research… yeah, that sounds real too."
"But Buggy doesn't move for people."
"He moves pieces."
"A giant walking into Egghead isn't a rescue plan."
"It's a distraction with legs."
"Hajrudin thinks this is duty."
"Buggy thinks this is profit."
"Same truth."
"Different intentions."
"…That's where the rot is."
Then my system screen flickers.
And a message popped
[It's ready to use.]
A small thought forms.
A bad idea.
I smile.
"…Time to try it."
I meet Hajrudin's eyes. "Your size makes you obvious."
The air tightens.
Hajrudin's eyes harden. "You think I'd hide behind a human?"
"Giants are proud. Strong. Honorable," I continue carefully.
"But Egghead isn't a battlefield. It's a cage."
He frowns. "You're saying we can't do it ourselves?"
I shake my head. "I'm saying I can go where you can't."
I lower my voice. "My power works on trust. On lies. On making people believe."
I take a breath. "Let me check if that giant child is really there.
If he is… I'll bring him out."
Silence.
Long silence.
"…And your crew?" Hajrudin asks.
"You take Gray safely to Elbaf," I say.
"And protect them."
We argue.
Honor.
Risk.
Responsibility.
In the end, neither of us is wrong.
That's what makes it heavy.
"…Fine," Hajrudin says.
I look down at my ship.
Gray lying in the sun.
Ripple swimming close.
Spruce quietly working.
"At night," Hajrudin says, "the Log Pose will split."
Road steps forward and started explaining me. "Left needle—Elbaf.
Middle needle—Egghead and Right one—forget it even exist."
"…Can I borrow it?" I ask.
He hands it over easily. "It's small for giants. Perfect for you."
"Thanks."
___
Night falls.
The needle shifts.
I tie ropes into a harness around Ripple. "…You look like a horse."
Ripple splashes me angrily.
"Sorry—sorry."
Giants line the railings. "Safe journey!"
Hajrudin smiles. "You're brave… like your far, far late brother."
I whisper, "…Or just a liar."
Road shouts, "NOW! If your sea cat keeps full speed, you'll reach Egghead in roughly two hours!"
I look back once at Gray. "Don't cause trouble in Elbaf."
I grab Spruce, jump onto Ripple's back.
Spruce opens his mouth like he wants to say something.
Then he closes it.
"Let's go."I said.
The sea opens.
And the needles— finally lean apart.
And somewhere ahead—
Egghead waits.
"...Bruhhh."