Brogy shook his massive head slightly, refocusing on little Merry before him.
By now, Merry, noticing Brogy had momentarily zoned out again, began inching closer.
To see her whole form clearly, Brogy had to lock eyes with her terrifyingly intense little gaze.
…
"Hey, big guy, are you going to keep your word!?"
Seeing Brogy still hadn't answered, Merry slapped both of his massive cheeks, like using them to balance herself, and stared into his huge eyes.
"Ah…! Of course! My word counts!!!"
Though Brogy sensed this was not going to end well, as a warrior of Elbaph's honor, he would never break a promise, no matter the situation.
"Really!"
Merry arched in the air, performing a perfect backflip to put distance between herself and Brogy, grinning from ear to ear:
"Then… let's start right away!!!"
The thought of defeating this giant and making him her pet thrilled her.
Even though Merry still didn't fully understand what a pet could do, the idea seemed utterly fun.
Floating midair, she recalled Luffy's instructions: no matter the opponent, first create distance, observe carefully… then strike with lightning speed!
Boom!!!
A tremendous roar erupted. The air above visibly compressed, surging into a colossal wave of energy!
Merry's figure transformed into a streak of light, leaving a fiery trail as she dashed toward Brogy with her tiny fists flying.
However, being midair, she could not exert her full strength or speed.
And Brogy… was no ordinary opponent.
Seeing her rapid assault, he raised his massive battle axe without hesitation.
He would not underestimate her just because of her small size!
The giant axe descended with a thunderous strike, a full-power blow!
The air itself seemed to split like liquid, cascading to either side!
Boom…
Merry's fists collided with the massive axe.
Yet, this was not her full power, and Brogy's strength was naturally overwhelming.
The clash left her slightly outmatched.
Crack!
A fist-sized chip broke off Brogy's axe.
But such a small chip was nothing against the enormity of the weapon.
Wham!
The residual force transmitted through the axe sent Merry flying.
She streaked like a comet through the sky, crashing into the dense forest below, vanishing from sight.
"Merry!!!"
Sanji shouted in panic, seeing her thrown far away.
After all, she was the Starry Sky crew's little treasure, and second only to Luffy in his affections!
Luffy, however, calmly said:
"She'll be fine…"
Though his furrowed brows betrayed his worry, he stopped Sanji from rushing forward.
Even the crew's cherished pet must face some trials.
Within safe limits, a small setback was better than having her out of sight and at risk of harm.
If an accident happened, the one to suffer most would be Merry herself.
…
…
Just as everyone feared Merry would feel upset, a bell-like laugh rang out.
"Yahoo!!!"
Merry had stepped on a branch and used its springy rebound to catapult back into the air.
With another perfect backflip, she smiled wider than before, entirely undaunted by being struck down.
"You're amazing, big guy!"
Floating high above, she looked at Brogy without restraint, complimenting him sincerely.
Luffy and the others had always treated her as a newborn, innocent and inexperienced.
But they hadn't realized…
From the day Merry was formed, all the bumps and bruises she had endured over the years had shaped her.
Even before her vessel fully existed, the ship spirit, Merry herself, carried every bit of pain forward.
Moreover, the ship spirits possessed mysteries unknown even to Luffy and crew.
So, while they worried she might break under hardship…
These minor scratches were nothing for Merry!!!
…
Ahahaha!
Brogy laughed heartily.
Being acknowledged by a capable opponent was a warrior's pride.
He adjusted his hands slightly on the axe for stability, noting that Merry's earlier misstep hadn't harmed her.
The outcome of this battle had already become unpredictable.
But true Elbaph warriors never care about the result, they live for the thrill of combat!
…
Ah!!!
Excited, Brogy roared, taking the offensive.
The massive axe swung high, pausing at the apex, giving Merry no chance to dodge.
He brought the axe down in a wide arc, a silver moon slicing through the sky.
Whoosh!!!
A violent gust erupted, flattening nearby trees.
The silver arc shimmered as if alive, a deadly strike aimed straight at Merry!
Dodge if you can! Protect your body with your arms first!
Merry instantly recalled Luffy's teachings.
She crossed her little arms over her head, legs thrusting with force, generating a fierce wind midair.
Instead of retreating, she met the attack head-on.
Boom!!!
One side: Brogy's lethal silver slash.
The other: Merry's maximum strike, bursting with raw energy.
For a moment, the two forces froze midair, wind whirling violently, even reaching Luffy and the others.
Even strong Princess Vivi struggled under the pressure.
Sanji stepped forward, shielding her, eyes locked on the small, resolute figure in the sky.
…
The unstoppable force battered Merry, blowing her cloak wildly.
After a tense moment, the radiant clash finally dissipated.
Only a small slash marked her arm, crimson staining her clothes.
Yet her feet continued to kick midair, keeping her balance perfectly.
Compared to before, she hadn't wavered in the slightest.
Her steadfastness made Luffy and the others' hearts ache.
Merry, however, remained unfazed, gently patting the wound to minimize bleeding.
While Elbaph warriors might not be the most versatile fighters, the giants' raw strength was enough to intimidate most challengers.
Fortunately…
Merry was no ordinary child!!!!!!
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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