Boom… boom…
Brogy staggered backward two steps, dazed from Merry's strike. His massive feet crushed another swath of forest underfoot.
From his thick, rugged neck, bulging muscles and prominent blue veins strained outward like serpents winding over a mountain peak, sending a jolt of fear to anyone's heart.
The Elbaph warrior, Brogy, relying on his iron will, forcibly wrested himself free from the momentum of being knocked back by Merry's punch.
He stabilized himself, he did not fall!
His huge head snapped around, eyes widening as he noticed…
A faint, unusual sound.
…
Swoosh!!!
Merry transformed again into a streak of lightning, hurtling toward Brogy's chest, emitting a piercing hum as she cut through the air.
Seeing this, Brogy immediately released his tightly gripped battle axe.
At Merry's current speed, no one carrying a heavy giant axe could possibly keep up.
Clang!
The massive axe hit the ground. Free of its weight, Brogy's movements became slightly more agile.
One arm swung sideways like a shield, blocking Merry's path.
The other hand shot upward attempting to snatch the little girl from midair.
The usually cheerful Merry remained silent. Her feet unleashed a torrent of force.
Boom!
Another deafening sound of slicing air.
Sensing Brogy's intent, Merry activated her Moon Step at full power mid-flight.
The force generated a violent gust, instantly altering her trajectory in the sky.
Speed alone is not everything…!
Yet Brogy, having lost his chance to catch her, hesitated not at all.
With a rough roar, his legs, thick as stone pillars, bent and propelled him into the air.
The sheer weight of his body seemed to press down on the entire island as he crashed toward Merry once more.
Surrounded from all sides, Merry had no room to dodge and was sent flying by Brogy's massive belly.
Helpless, she spiraled through the air, crashing into the ground like a falling meteor.
Victorious for the moment, Brogy split his lips in a wide grin, utterly shameless about bullying a little girl.
Instead, he laughed wildly, rejoicing in regaining the advantage:
"Ahahaha!!!"
"It's been ages since I've had a fight like this! Ahahaha…"
For an Elbaph warrior, nothing compares to the joy of battle!
Though it was unclear whether he meant the thrill of danger itself or the thrill of fighting a "little human"…
While Brogy reveled in his moment, a commotion arose in the forest where Merry had fallen.
Ancient giant birds suddenly took flight, scattering in all directions, as if their home had been destroyed.
Among them, a small girl clung to one bird's neck, hidden behind its massive body.
No matter how the bird shook, it could not throw the human off.
After a moment, the flock seemed to accept her presence. Merry, in perfect sync with her mount, flew straight above Brogy.
Brogy, still in battle stance, stared toward the forest, unaware that Merry was no longer there.
…
Hehe…
Beneath her shadowed hood, Merry's smile glimmered like a silver flash, breaking through the darkness.
Having absorbed all residual power and regained full control of her body, she patted the bird's head and said:
"You're really good. Today, you'll come with me!"
Without waiting for any response, Merry leapt, aiming straight at Brogy below.
She revealed herself deliberately, shouting:
"Hey! Big guy! I'm here!!!"
Her silver-bell voice instantly drew his attention.
Brogy's massive head swiveled, spotting her descending figure, and he grinned widely:
"Wahaha!!!"
"Now that is an unexpected entrance!"
Though Luffy had taught her to use all means during a battle, including sneak attacks, Merry this time chose not to.
In her mind, this was not a mere fight, it was a taming.
This giant will be my pet. Today, I must beat him so thoroughly that he obeys without complaint!
Below, Brogy, having spotted her, braced himself.
His fists, like falling mountain ridges, gathered strength for a crushing counterstrike the moment Merry landed.
"Hey!"
Merry laughed softly again.
Falling at high speed, the wind flung her cloak around violently.
The hood covering her face was lifted by the wind, revealing her happy smile.
Perhaps she had never realized when it started, but she now longed for combat like she watched others train.
Perhaps it was her way of joining them, or perhaps a fierce streak had always existed deep in her soul.
It didn't matter anymore.
I enjoy battle!
Boom!
From behind, an overwhelming force surged.
Time seemed to freeze, and even the air could not react!
Merry's figure streaked like a burning missile toward the ground.
And this… was only the beginning!
Boom! Boom! Boom! …
Above, terrifying high-pressure storms formed continuously, dividing the sky into sections.
Even the clouds dispersed under the immense force.
The blazing light reflected off Merry's dark gray cloak.
Her incredible speed caused her body to appear wreathed in intense flames, hotter than the sun itself!
The brilliant blaze forced Brogy to shield his eyes with his massive arm, using the shadow beneath the sunlight to track her position.
"Yahaha!"
Merry relished the sharp wind cutting across her face, laughing with joy and satisfaction.
Her forward-reaching arm became wreathed in flames, controlled instinctively, even though she didn't know how.
Completely letting go of herself, she shouted her proudest declaration toward Brogy:
"Going Merry Ship!!! Charge!!!"
Boom!!!
Flames, like a comet's tail, erupted around her, bathing the entire Little Garden Island in red light.
Like a meteor that destroyed ancient life a billion years ago, today's Merry was about to descend as a living meteor, reliving that prehistoric spectacle.
"Ugh!!!"
Feeling the immense wind pressure, Brogy gritted his courage, drawing on the name of Elbaph to steady himself.
He unleashed his accumulated heavy punch toward the descending Merry:
"Elbaph Glory!!!"
"Merry! Charge! Go! Big Blast!"
=============
100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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