Chapter 34: The Burden of a Prince
The shattered throne hall of Elbaf remained heavy with silence after the death of King Harald. The towering stone walls bore deep scars from the clash of Conqueror's Haki, and half the ceiling had collapsed from the force of the final strike. Dust drifted slowly through shafts of sunlight while the gathered giants stood in uneasy stillness.
Loki stood before the fallen body of his father, his massive hammer Ragnir resting on his shoulder. His expression was calm, but the tension in his grip revealed the storm beneath the surface. Kai stood a short distance away with Akatsuki planted beside him, one hand resting on the hilt while his golden wings slowly faded back into his body.
Loki looked around at the assembled giants—Jarul, Gaban, Shanks, and the soldiers who had survived the chaos. His voice carried clearly through the broken hall.
"I was the one who killed the old man. What happened here remains between us."
The statement struck the room like a thunderclap. Murmurs rippled through the gathered warriors, and several giants exchanged uneasy glances. Elder Jarul stepped forward, his towering frame casting a long shadow across the cracked floor.
"You would claim that burden alone?" Jarul asked, his voice stern but not angry. "Do you think we are children that we must hide the truth from the world?"
Loki met his gaze without flinching. "The world does not need to know what truly happened here. If they learn the truth… they will not stop until Elbaf burns."
Jarul frowned deeply. "You believe lying will protect us?"
"I believe controlling the story will," Loki replied bluntly.
Gaban crossed his arms thoughtfully, his expression grim. "The boy is thinking ahead. The World Government will react no matter what. But if they think this was merely internal conflict…"
"They might hesitate," Shanks finished quietly.
All eyes turned toward the red-haired knight. Though he still wore the uniform of a Holy Knight, the weight in his voice suggested he understood the danger better than most.
Jarul's brows furrowed. "And what of honor? Giants do not hide behind lies."
Loki's grip tightened around Ragnir. "Giants also protect their people. If carrying this blame keeps the war away from Elbaf… then I will carry it."
The hall fell silent again.
After a long moment, Jarul sighed heavily, leaning on his sword. "Very well. If this is the decision of the prince, then it will stand."
Gaban nodded slowly. "The story will remain within these walls."
Shanks glanced between them before finally speaking. "Then it is settled. Loki will take the blame for Harald's death."
Loki nodded once in acknowledgement. "Good."
The tension eased slightly, though the grief still lingered like fog in the ruined hall.
Kai, who had been quietly observing the entire exchange, suddenly spoke up.
"Hay you joining my crews?"
The abrupt question caught several giants off guard.
Loki turned his head slowly and looked down at the much smaller warrior. His expression remained neutral.
"Nope."
Kai shrugged casually. "Fine. I'm done preparing. I will be going back to Wano. It's time to take it back."
He lifted Akatsuki from the ground and rested it against his shoulder as if the conversation meant little to him. Loki raised an eyebrow.
"You're not going to ask more?"
Kai stopped mid-step and turned back slowly, irritation flashing across his face.
"You basterd," he snapped. "I have been asking you for four fucking years. Who do you think you are? If you don't want to join then fine."
Several giants blinked in surprise at the sudden outburst.
Loki, however, seemed oddly satisfied. A faint smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Kai sheathed Akatsuki with a sharp motion.
"I have waited for far too long," he said quietly. "I want to end it soon. I don't have much time to waste."
The tone of his voice changed the atmosphere immediately. Even the giants sensed the seriousness behind those words.
Shanks studied him carefully. "You sure you are ready? He is Kaido after all."
Kai looked up at him and grinned, the confident expression returning instantly.
"100%."
Gaban let out a long sigh and shook his head.
"Shanks," he said, "that kid is a monster. Don't use your common sense on him."
Shanks scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Well then… best of luck."
Kai gave him a relaxed salute. "Thanks."
But before leaving, he turned back toward Loki one last time.
"You sure you don't want to come?" Kai asked. "Wano is going to be fun."
Loki folded his arms.
"You want me to help you fight Kaido?"
Kai tilted his head. "Why not?"
"You are insane."
"Maybe," Kai admitted.
A brief silence followed as the two stared at each other.
Loki finally snorted. "You really plan to walk into Kaido's territory and defeat him?"
Kai's grin widened.
"No," he said.
"I plan to break him."
Gaban chuckled quietly at that.
Shanks, however, frowned slightly.
"You're serious," he muttered.
Kai rolled his shoulders casually.
"Four years of training in Elbaf," he said. "Four years of fighting giants, learning their techniques, pushing my Haki past its limits."
His eyes gleamed faintly.
"I didn't come here to play."
He turned toward the shattered entrance of the throne hall where sunlight spilled across the ruined floor.
Outside, the wind of Elbaf carried the scent of the sea and distant storms.
Kai unfurled his massive golden wings, flames flickering along their edges as his power gathered.
With a powerful beat of his wings, he launched himself into the sky. The shockwave of air blasted dust and loose stone across the courtyard as he shot upward like a blazing comet.
The giants watched his figure grow smaller against the vast sky.
Shanks let out a low whistle.
"That kid really is something else."
Gaban laughed softly.
"Rayleigh told me about him," he said. "But seeing it firsthand… that's a different story."
Jarul stared toward the horizon where Kai had vanished.
"The world is changing," the old giant muttered.
Loki remained silent for several moments.
Then he looked down at Ragnir in his hand and let out a quiet breath.
"Kaido, huh…"
A faint grin slowly spread across his face.
"Try not to die before I get my rematch, kai."
High above the clouds, Kai flew toward Wano at full speed.
The wind roared in his ears, and the sea stretched endlessly beneath him.
His thoughts were calm.
Fourteen years.
Fourteen years in this world.
Training, planning, preparing.
Now it was time.
He looked toward the distant horizon where Wano lay waiting.
"Kaido," he murmured.
His grip tightened on Akatsuki.
"I'm coming."