Beltz's words were entirely accurate.
Generally speaking, humans like Rocks, Roger, and Whitebeard are incredibly powerful, but their strength is essentially a flash in the pan. Each rules for maybe ten to twenty years. Before forty is their growth period, they hit their peak in their late forties or fifties, and by sixty, they begin to decline due to old age. This is a limitation of human lifespan itself, regardless of what Devil Fruit they eat. This applies even more to powerhouses without fruit abilities.
But Giants are different. Their lifespans are vast; they can live for nearly three hundred years. This means that even if Harald reached his peak in his hundreds, he could maintain that peak for over a century!
Think of how terrifying that is. With a peak lasting over a hundred years, Harald could outlast generations: Rocks, Roger, Whitebeard, Kaido, Shanks, and even the future Luffy!
Even scarier is the stability of the Giant Race in producing powerhouses. Because they pass down the bloodline of the Ancient Giants—like Harald marrying a pure-blooded Giant to give birth to a "freak" like Loki—it is the most effective way for the Land of Giants to preserve its strength. Due to this stable succession, Elbaf holds the title of the World's Strongest Nation. Great pirates take advantage of this country or that, but no one ever dares to run wild in Elbaf!
Of course, since Beltz is from Bleach world, his lifespan is also extremely long—far longer than a Giant's—so he didn't particularly envy their longevity.
Currently, he and Shiki had successfully infiltrated Elbaf. Beltz activated Psychological Invisibility, masking not only himself but Shiki as well so that no one noticed them.
"What kind of ability is this now?" Shiki was stunned. He watched as he and Beltz strolled openly through Elbaf while the tall, brawny Giants completely ignored them! Is this also an Azure Dragon Fruit ability? I've never heard of an Azure Dragon having invisibility!
"Why else do you think the Azure Dragon Fruit is considered top-tier?" Beltz, naturally, wouldn't mention his Schrift, so he just laughed it off and credited the fruit. Shiki was a bit envious; his Float-Float Fruit was broken enough, but compared to Beltz, it seemed almost meager.
Soon, they reached the Giant King's castle, Aurust Castle. Shiki had been here before with Rocks, so he knew the way.
"Wait..." Just as they were about to enter, Beltz reached out to stop Shiki.
"Huh?" Shiki already had his twin swords out. Being stopped like this made him grunt in confusion.
"Going in now will only trigger Harald's vigilance. Wait a little longer..."
Although Beltz hadn't seen the later chapters, in the beginning of Loki's flashback, Harald is shown being pierced by a multitude of guards. He suspected that was an order Harald gave using his own consciousness before being fully controlled. If Harald already had the intent to die at that moment, appearing then would be best.
At this moment, Harald had indeed finished arranging the Pentagram magic circle according to Imu's orders. This established the connection between Elbaf and the World Government. But just as he thought this would allow Elbaf to join the World Government as an equal, Imu's voice rang in his ears.
"Harald, I want you to build Elbaf into a military group that surpasses the Navy."
Harald was shocked. He hurriedly said, "Wait, wait a minute! I wanted Elbaf to join the World Government so the world would accept Giants! Elbaf finally transitioned from a military group to a normal member nation; we shouldn't turn back!"
"If you need combat power, I will let Giants who desire battle join the Navy!"
Imu's voice continued: "You said with your own mouth that you would atone for history, even saying you were willing to become a slave...!"
"That referred to myself!" Harald shouted. He had indeed said he would become a slave if it meant atoning for Elbaf's past. But he never intended for all of Elbaf to become slaves with him!
"This is not a history that can be repaid by you alone. Do not talk back... you cannot resist Mu."
"Those who sign the 'Depths Contract' obtain immortality and power, but the price is absolute obedience. Regardless of your own thoughts, you must execute Imu's orders."
No! I can't let Elbaf be stolen away! That cursed Imu never intended to let us join the world circle!
Harald's pupils dilated. The past warnings from Rocks and Beltz flooded his mind, filling him with endless regret! But it was too late! Regret changed nothing now! He had to... he had to die!
Harald gritted his teeth and suddenly roared: "Guards, come quickly!"
!
The sound was so thunderous that Beltz and Shiki, standing outside Warland Castle, heard it clearly. The two exchanged a look, knowing the time had come. They charged into the castle!
The castle was massive. While everything in Elbaf was large, even in a land of Giants, this castle was disproportionately huge. This was natural, as the Giant race included Ancient Giants who were twice as tall and strong as normal Giants. Beltz and Shiki moved quickly, weaving through the halls.
Soon, they saw Harald in the royal hall, frantically ordering the guards to bind him.
"Calm down, Harald." Beltz deactivated his Psychological Invisibility and spoke directly to the King. "You should know they can't hold you."
Harald was struggling desperately against Imu's consciousness. Hearing Beltz's voice, he looked over instantly. Seeing Beltz, he remembered the warning given back on the Grand Line—a warning he had completely ignored.
"It... it's you..." Harald was consumed by regret. "I am sorry. I did not listen to your counsel. I am the sinner of Elbaf!"
"It's too late for that now, Harald. You must die! Imu's mark can only be erased by death!"
"Eh?" The guards were bewildered. Their King had suddenly called them in to bind him and even kill him. Now a group appears saying Harald must die?
"Exactly!" Harald realized this too. Control over his body was being slowly stripped away by Imu, and his awareness was blurring. He said in a deep voice: "I must be killed! Guards, strike now!"
"They can't kill you! On the contrary, once Imu takes control, you will kill them all!"
Beltz looked at the Giant guards; they were formidable. In the original timeline, it seemed Elbaf was left with only a few survivors because Elbaf's elite died right here. These guards were strong; any one of them would be a "Great Pirate" level powerhouse in the outside world. Many had Ancient Giant blood, signified by the horns on their heads!
In the original history of this day, the Land of Giants didn't just lose a top-tier combatant like Harald; they lost a massive number of elite guards! It would be a tragedy if they died here.
Beltz immediately shouted: "Tell them to leave! We will finish you!"
!
Harald's eyes shook. He looked deeply at Beltz but realized he had no time left. He had no choice!
"Obey his command! Leave this place!" Harald roared. "Go protect Loki! After I die, the Land of Giants must not view these two as enemies!"
"But, but King..."
"Go!" Harald roared again. Already bound, he began to struggle violently, and a surge of intense Conqueror's Haki erupted from in front of him!
Psh! Shiki didn't waste time on talk. He slashed forward with his twin swords coated in Conqueror's Haki! Black lightning flickered on the blades, striking Harald even from a distance! The strike was aimed at a vital spot—the neck!
Normally, a strike to the neck would be fatal. But Harald's body immediately began to repair itself!
"What?!" Shiki was shocked. "What's going on? Didn't you say Conqueror's Haki can slow the regeneration of an immortal body?"
Beltz had explained the traits of immortality to Shiki on the way, including how Haki could delay it. Yet Harald's wounds were regenerating at a visible speed!
Beltz was also surprised, but then realized: "Right, it's Harald's own Conqueror's Haki! Even though Haki slows regeneration, Harald has coated his own body in Haki, neutralizing yours!"
"Hey! You idiot, if you want to die, stop using Haki to defend!" Shiki shouted.
Harald's face twisted in a grimace. Gritting his teeth, he said: "I am... doing my best to reduce my defense!"
He was indeed trying, or else Shiki's strike might not have dealt damage at all. Beltz saw that this was Harald's limit. He turned to Shiki: "Let's team up!"
"You won't get the chance."
Just as he finished speaking, Saint Ju Peter of the Five Elders stepped out from behind Harald—this was Liltotto in disguise! She had received Imu's order to eliminate these two meddlers.
"Hmm? The Five Elders are here too?" Shiki didn't take it seriously; he never thought the Celestial Dragons were truly impressive.
"Be careful, something is wrong with this one..." Beltz warned. "I've fought him before. He's completely different from the one at the Holy Land. He's several times stronger than before!"
"So what?" Shiki laughed his trademark Ji-ha-ha-ha. "You took all the spotlight last time. This time it's my turn—Guh!"
Before he could finish his sentence, Liltotto was suddenly in front of him, slamming a fist into his body!
CRACK!!! BOOM!
Liltotto's fist was covered in terrifying black flash. Combined with Ju Peter's Conqueror's Haki and her own power, it produced a dense, web-like pattern of black lightning! The punch sent Shiki flying out of the room, crashing through the wall into another hall!
"Why are you still here!" Beltz barked at the hesitating guards. "Leave this to me!"
His black blade appeared again, and he slashed hard toward Harald!
"Don't leave!" But at that moment, Harald instantly snapped his chains and swung his own blade at Beltz, roaring: "Guards! Kill this human!"
"Huh?" The guards who were about to leave were thrown into confusion again. Why did the King suddenly issue the opposite command?
"Idiots! Can't you see? Your King is being controlled! Get the hell out of here!"
Beltz and Harald locked blades. The moment their weapons clashed, another massive surge of Conqueror's Haki exploded! The pressure pierced through the massive castle and erupted outward!
Psh!
Beltz's strike pushed back Harald's greatsword, and another slash hit Harald's head! Beltz knew it wasn't that his strength had overwhelmed Harald, but that he had activated his Subconscious ability to help Harald's own subconscious fight back. Although Harald's will was being rewritten by Imu, under Beltz's influence, Imu couldn't exert Harald's full strength!
After that strike, Harald's consciousness cleared slightly. He struggled: "Go... leave quickly!"
The guards finally realized the King was being controlled. Combined with the shockwaves of the Haki clashing that sent them tumbling, they didn't care about anything else—they turned and ran for the door!
"Bastards...!" Harald suddenly roared again with rage. "You dare ignore my orders! No one shall speak of today's events! You all must die!"
CRACKLE!
The Pentagram in the palace hall suddenly erupted with bursts of black lightning! Beltz's pupils shrank. In the next instant, within that terrifying black lightning, four more horrifying monsters appeared!
The Five Elders had teleported to Elbaf via the Abyssal Magic Circle!