One Piece: The Archangel's Guide

Chapter 311: The King of Giants

Flame Clouds enveloped the island, lifting it through the sky, weaving through the cloud layer as it headed straight for the endless continent and the giant tree connecting to the heavens.

On the island's edge, several figures stood behind giant, snake-like tree roots, gazing at the infinite land in the distance, their eyes filled with a shock that wouldn't fade.

"Is that... all land?"

"This is so many times bigger than the Holy Land and the Sea Clouds combined!"

"Is that... the land where we'll live from now on?"

At this moment, the people from the Skypiean village of Cloud End were utterly overwhelmed.

Farther away, Hajrudin, still in his dragon-man form, wiped the sweat from his brow, panting heavily. "After all this time... crossing sea after sea, traversing the Red Line... I'm finally back."

His gaze fell on the several Island Clouds that were following Upper Yard. "I really have to thank you all. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have even had a moment to breathe after pushing past my limits."

Ever since he'd obtained the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit, Hajrudin's strength had taken a qualitative leap. The potential of the mighty Harald's bloodline had been unlocked, and his already powerful giant's physique had been enhanced even further. Enemies who were once unbeatable fell before him one by one. His combat experience and Haki grew rapidly with each fight.

And as he began moving islands, he'd broken his limits time and time again.

Just recently, while moving this massive island, he had shattered his limits once more. After being healed by his Life Fixation Device, his strength had reached a level he'd never imagined.

"Now," Hajrudin mused, clenching his pink, scaled claws, "I've probably surpassed Captain Dorry and Captain Brogy. I must be among the strongest just beneath the top-tier."

"If I had Conqueror's Haki... I could probably even rival Loki."

"But... do I have the disposition of a king?"

Hajrudin's ambition was to unite all giants, to erase their conflicts and forge a single, mighty kingdom with himself as its king. Yet, he wasn't sure if he possessed that one, crucial talent.

True, the New World was full of Haki users. But his own first seventy years of life had been unremarkable. It was only after meeting Louis that he'd begun to grow. Even now, he showed no sign of having it.

As the island drew closer to Terra, the black line of the coast becoming clear, Hajrudin's doubts faded, replaced by an indescribable resolve.

"It doesn't matter. Nothing will stop my determination to become the King of Giants!"

Hajrudin stood tall, his arms crossed, and began to lower the island.

"BOOM!"

With a violent tremor, Upper Yard made landfall, officially connecting with the endless continent of Terra. The tremor was so massive that it was felt in the distant city.

People on the city's outskirts paused, looking toward the massive cloud of dust, and then... simply went back to what they were doing. A tremor like this meant one of two things: either Terra's powerhouses were sparring again, or Lord Hajrudin, the "Giant God Soldier," was back from moving another island.

They'd been through it many times. The first few times, they were curious and alarmed. Now, they were just used to it.

In a house near the edge of the city, a man wearing a crown and a red cape over his bare chest stepped out, his eyes wide. "What's going on? Is someone attacking?"

"Who would be so blind?" a voice asked from behind him.

"No. It's that 'Giant God Soldier.' He's just dropped another island onto Terra."

The crowned man's eyes went wide. "The Land-Mover Giant God? The one who's imitating the ancient giant Oars?"

"That's him." Riku Doldo III stepped out beside him, awed by the sheer scale of the dust cloud. "And... based on this tremor... the island he brought back this time must be astoundingly large."

The crowned man (Elizabello II) smiled, his fists clenching. "I wonder... how the legendary giants stack up against my King's Punch!"

Riku Doldo III just gave an awkward, pained smile, and chose not to answer his friend.

In the castle garden, Kuina, in her simple kimono, glanced at the giant figure landing in the courtyard. She then turned back to the pink-haired girl, Rebecca.

"That's enough for today, Rebecca."

"Hajrudin is back, which means our operation is about to begin. I won't have time to train you further. Besides, your style is gladiatorial. There's not much more I can teach you."

"That's not true!" Rebecca, 14, shook her head, bowing deeply. "Lady Kuina, you are the only female Sword Master in the world. Someday, you'll be the World's Strongest Swordswoman. I am just grateful for the time you've given me."

"It's nothing," Kuina smiled. "I train the kids in my dojo all the time. Keep it up, Rebecca."

She sheathed the Wado Ichimonji and walked away.

Rebecca watched her elegant back, her eyes shining with aspiration. "Will I... ever be as strong as Lady Kuina?"

Kuina met Hajrudin on the castle steps, and they walked in together.

"Long time no see, Kuina," Hajrudin rumbled, looking down at her. "It's rare to see you outside of a mission."

In his memory, Kuina was either on a mission, or locked in her dojo.

"That's probably because we're both rarely on Terra," she replied.

As they entered the main hall, a familiar, teasing voice called out.

"Yo! If it isn't the 'Giant God Soldier' himself!"

Road was lounging on a giant-sized sofa, waving. Beside him, Goldberg was half-asleep, and Gerd was sitting on the armrest, watching Hajrudin with a smirk.

"Even the King of Giants finds time to come home, eh?" Gerd teased.

Goldberg mumbled, "I bet the government officials who report here see this castle more often than Hajrudin does."

The dozens of young giant warriors drinking nearby burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! It's true, the chief is rarely around!"

"But he's working hard to get stronger!"

"So what! Prince Hajrudin is strong! And my grandpa told me King Harald was also a... uh... a real handful in his youth!"

Hajrudin was speechless. He couldn't even argue. He had been gone, constantly moving islands. He ignored his friends and their taunts, walking directly to Louis and sitting cross-legged before him.

"Captain," Hajrudin said, his voice low and serious. "Do you remember what I told you? About my dream to unite all the giants of the world?"

"I remember." Louis had never forgotten.

Louis looked into Hajrudin's eyes, which were burning with an intense will. "You want to use this opportunity to achieve your ideal."

"Yes." Hajrudin's voice was strong, confident. "Just defeating the World Government's fleet isn't enough. We can't protect those other kingdoms forever. The moment we leave, the government will just go back."

"To truly stop the World Government from getting its hands on the giants, there is only one way."

The hall fell silent.

"We bring them here. We make them our people!"

At his words, Road, Goldberg, and Gerd sat up, their faces serious. The young warriors behind them looked electrified.

Hajrudin, his gaze locked on Louis, declared, "I will become their king!"

Instantly, Road, Gerd, and all the young warriors leaped to their feet, raising their massive weapons in a deafening salute, as if anointing their new king.

"Let's show the world the power of the Land of Warriors!"

"OOOOOHH!!"

Hajrudin, surrounded by his loyal giants, looked at Louis with a confident smile. "Captain. The World Government is making a move on the giants. This time, let us, the giants, be the main force."

"Very well," Louis said, not refusing the request. "Then this matter is in your hands. I will have the other divisions move out to sea, to draw the World Government's forces, while you go to the West and South Blues."

Beside him, Kuina frowned. "Forgive me for being blunt, but the 2nd Division only has a few dozen members. You'll be facing an Admiral—Fujitora—plus multiple officers and CP agents. Your division is strong, but alone, you have no chance of victory."

"It won't be just the 2nd Division," Hajrudin said calmly. "The warriors of Elbaf will also join this fight. I've already calculated the timing. The government is still mobilizing. I have plenty of time to use the portal, go to Elbaf, and muster its armies."

"The warriors of Elbaf... are willing to mobilize?" Kuina was stunned. If Elbaf was joining, this was a different matter entirely. Elbaf, the former "World's Strongest Nation," the Land of Warriors.

"..."

"I, too, am a son of the former King Harald," Hajrudin said, his gaze distant, his voice full of absolute confidence.

"I am a Prince of the Land of Warriors, Elbaf."

"The throne of Elbaf has been empty for a long time. It's time to stop leaving it empty!"

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