Phantom Blade Zephyr: One Piece

As far as I remember, Dorry and Broggy lived on the two opposite sides of the island with sea king carcasses. So, I must not be in their hideouts. I didn't remember which side had which giant. So, I just followed one of their footsteps.

After a while and a few close calls with some particularly aggressive dinosaurs, I found a clearing. There, seated by a roaring fire and cooking a massive slab of meat, was Dorry. He looked up, a wide grin spreading across his face as his deep laughter echoed around me.

"Gegyagyagyagya! Our guest has finally woken up! Thought you were done for!"

I brought a T-Rex that I hunted down on the way here to give it as a present to the giant. I heard that they were tasty. I rehearsed what I was going to say beforehand.

But seeing Dorry, my mouth moved before I could even think properly.

"You are strong! I want to fight you one day."

Well, there goes my good first impression. But instead of being offended, Dorry burst into his unique, hearty laughter.

"Gegyagyagyagya! I was right—you truly are a warrior at heart," he said approvingly.

"Thank you," I replied, feeling both relieved and a bit sheepish. "I didn't really have anything else to give, so I brought you the biggest T-Rex I could find."

"T-Rex?"

"It's the name of this type of dinosaur."

"What's the name of the long-necks?"

I gave an awkward smile and replied, "I don't know. Honestly, I only know what T-Rex looks like. Oh, yes. How rude of me! I haven't introduced myself properly. My name is Zephyr. I'm a swordsman. You could also say that I'm a pirate."

"Pirate, huh? We used to be pirates too. Let's call Broggy and have a feast."

Dorry let out a booming call that soon echoed through the jungle. Not long after, Broggy arrived, his hearty laugh joining Dorry's. Together, the giants made short work of the T-Rex as we talked, swapping stories. They told me about their endless duel, and I recounted the crazy plan that had me stabbed through the heart and left to the mercy of the sea.

As the day wore on, Broggy leaned in, a curious look in his eyes. "So, you possess Supreme King Haki?"

"Yes, although I can't properly control it yet. Have you encountered anyone else with this kind of Haki?"

Dorry thought for a moment, then nodded. "Aye, there was one. Bright red hair. Came to the island once."

Shanks. Well, that's not surprising considering later in the story Dorry and Broggy considered Shanks as their brother. But...

"How strong was he?"

"Gababababababa! He was strong. Even stronger than us."

If Shanks was this strong back then, how strong is he now? That guy is seriously a monster. I mean, he is so strong that even Gorosei are wary of him.

I want that. That kind of overwhelming strength.

Dorry spoke, breaking my trance.

"So, what're you going to do now?"

"I don't really have any ship, so I'll stay in this island for now. If someone comes here in the future, then I might consider leaving."

"Young lad, this island is full of danger, and we aren't going to protect you. We took care of you before because of the warrior's spirit we've seen before. We fulfilled our duty as the warriors of Elbaph, but from now onwards, your survival is your own duty."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, I need to become stronger. And training on an island where anything can kill you at a moment's notice seems like the best place."

"Gababababababa! Well said, lad. Well said."

I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly, trying to form my next request. "There's, uh… one more thing. Could you teach me a bit about Armament Haki? Just some pointers?"