Mary Geoise, Pangea Castle.
The Five Elders sat across a massive sofa, their expressions stern as the discussion unfolded.
Saint Peter spoke first. "I didn't expect Vegapunk to be so cooperative, he doesn't seem to harbor any ill intent."
Saint Nasujuro shook his head. "You're only seeing the surface. That old man is cunning, and he definitely has his own schemes running in the background."
Saint Warcury leaned forward slightly. "Exactly. Don't underestimate him. He's been researching the Void Century. If he wasn't still useful for the Seed project, he would have been eliminated long ago."
Saint Saturn remained unfazed. "There's nothing to worry about. His six clones are under our control. No matter what he's planning, he won't dare act recklessly."
Saint Mars added, "Regardless, Vegapunk must remain under strict control. His technology is far too dangerous. If someone like Rolan were to rescue him, the consequences would be catastrophic. And the glass prison he's held in, even if he built it himself, needs stronger defenses."
A chorus of agreement followed.
"Agreed."
"Seconded."
"Agreed."
"Seconded."
---
Elsewhere, inside the Room of Flowers.
A plump butterfly drifted lazily through the air.
A tall figure moved back and forth, his steps slightly hurried, betraying his restless state despite the silence.
He raised a hand, fingers slender, and grasped at empty space.
Instantly, several photographs appeared in his grip.
His eyes, marked by concentric rings of yellow and black, fixed themselves on the images.
Without hesitation, he crushed them.
The torn fragments scattered across the floor.
The butterfly gently descended onto one of the pieces.
On that torn corner, a figure could still be made out.
Rolan.
---
Far out in the New World, a massive island stood surrounded by the sea.
One side of its coast was lined with towering rock formations, jagged stone mountains rising into the clouds. Deep gullies split the terrain, giving it a barren and unwelcoming appearance.
Yet beyond that harsh exterior, the island transformed.
Dense forests stretched across the land, filled with enormous trees whose branches intertwined to form a thick canopy. Sunlight filtered through in scattered beams, painting the ground in shifting patterns.
The air carried an ancient presence, heavy and timeless.
Within the forest, danger lurked.
Predators roamed freely, including massive carnivorous dinosaurs that ruled their territories with overwhelming force.
At the heart of the island flowed a wide river, its waters clear and alive with movement. Fish leapt from its surface, larger and more primitive than anything found elsewhere.
Along its banks stood enormous wooden structures.
There were just over a hundred houses, each built on a scale far beyond human standards. Doorways alone stretched over thirty meters high.
Giants, towering between ten and twenty meters, moved between them.
This was Elbaf, the homeland of the Giant Race.
There were no towering cities, no crowded marketplaces, no complex systems of power.
Only simplicity.
The population was small, fewer than a hundred giants.
Resources were abundant, with Sea Kings in the ocean and dinosaurs on land, making hunting their primary way of life.
At sunrise, the warriors ventured into the wild.
By sunset, they returned with their spoils.
Despite being called a kingdom, Elbaf felt more like a quiet village.
The Giants lived long lives, over three times that of humans, and their nature was straightforward and trusting. Strength came naturally to them, even their young could wield weapons and challenge wild beasts.
---
At the center of the village, a grand banquet was underway.
The focus of the celebration, however, was not the Giants.
It was three humans.
"Ka ba ba ba ba! Guests from afar, welcome to Elbaf!" Brogy roared, raising a massive wine glass.
"Gi ha ha ha ha! Yes, welcome, friends!" Dorry echoed, lifting his own.
Around them, the other Giants followed suit, raising their drinks in unison.
Seated at the enormous table were Issho, Robin, and Sabo.
Facing the overwhelming enthusiasm, the three exchanged glances before picking up the massive bowls placed before them.
Each bowl was larger than their entire bodies.
Saul scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry about this. Everything here is made for Giants, you'll have to make do."
Issho chuckled. "The size doesn't matter, nor does the amount. What matters is the sentiment. Thank you."
Without hesitation, he lifted the bowl and drank.
Sabo and Robin followed.
The Giants erupted in laughter.
"Hahahahaha! That's the spirit!"
"Straightforward, I like it!"
"Just like Shanks's friends should be!"
"Drink up!"
The sound of drinking echoed across the village.
Thud.
Issho set the empty bowl down and looked around, his expression thoughtful.
Before arriving, they had expected resistance.
The red poneglyph was something the Giants had protected for centuries.
Even with Saul present, there was no guarantee they would cooperate.
Yet things had gone far more smoothly than expected.
Not only were they allowed to take an imprint of the road poneglyph, they were welcomed with open arms afterward.
Robin felt it the most.
She had come to see Saul first, the poneglyph second.
But the warmth of the Giants exceeded anything she imagined.
Her gaze fell on Saul.
The scars across his body, remnants of the past, were impossible to ignore.
Her vision blurred as tears welled up.
Saul blinked, surprised, then laughed.
"Dele hihihi! Robin, why are you crying? I told you, someday you'd find people who would stand by your side."
Robin wiped her tears, nodding.
"I'm just glad… you're alive."
"Dele hihihihi!"
Their laughter blended into the lively noise of the banquet, carrying across the ancient land of Elbaf.
___
Happy New Month