14 Giant Body, Giant Heart
Two days passed aboard Kasper's ship as he made a leisurely voyage towards Little Garden. This island wasn't just any landmass; it was the stage for a legendary clash – a battlefield for two lifelong friends turned "enemies," Dorry and Brogy. Their epic grudge match, spanning nearly a century, had yet to produce a clear victor.
Little Garden itself was an anomaly. Shaped like a perfect circle, it boasted two colossal mountains at opposite ends. These weren't just any peaks – they were the petrified skulls of ancient Sea Kings, a testament to a bygone era. Lush prehistoric flora painted the island in a vibrant otherworldliness, while scattered volcanoes added a touch of fiery danger with their predictable eruptions.
As Kasper drew closer to the shore, anticipation crackled in the air. He yearned to meet these legendary giants. Stepping onto the land, he plunged into the dense forest, following a path that led towards the heart of the ongoing battle.
The booming of colossal weapons echoed through the trees, punctuated by hearty laughter that shook the very ground. Emerging from the foliage, Kasper found himself face-to-face with the towering figures of Dorry and Brogy, their latest duel nearing its conclusion.
"Hahaha! Another victory secured, Dorry! Look at that gash in your side – a clear mark of my dominance!" Brogy's voice boomed like thunder.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Brogy! See this tooth on the ground? It fell right out of your head during the fight! Victory is mine!" Dorry roared back, his voice equally powerful.
Suddenly, Dorry spotted Kasper emerging from the trees. "Well, well, well! What brings a tiny fella like you to our neck of the woods?" he boomed in a surprisingly friendly tone.
"Uh, hi there! I actually came here hunting for some food," Kasper stammered, feeling slightly intimidated by the giants' immense stature. "Turns out, all I have left is some pretty strong alcohol. Any chance you guys might be interested in a trade?"
The giants exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Then, a wave of laughter erupted, shaking the very trees. "Don't worry about a thing, little buddy!" Dorry bellowed, patting his chest with a hand the size of a small car. "We'll whip up a feast fit for a king! And in return, we'd be delighted to share a drink or two with you!"
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Crackling flames cast an orange glow on the scene - two giants, Dorry and Brogy, sharing hearty mugs with their unlikely companion, Kasper. A comfortable silence settled before Kasper spoke, his voice laced with a hint of regret, "I hate to disrupt the merriment, fellas, but some troublemakers are on their way. If you don't mind, I'd like to handle them myself."
Dorry boomed with laughter, a sound that shook the trees. "Haha! No need to fret, little buddy! If they prove too much for you, we'll happily show them the meaning of a brawl!"
A rustle in the bushes sent a flicker of amusement across Kasper's face. "Looks like our uninvited guests are early," he remarked, turning his head towards the sound. "Why don't you three join me for a little...social gathering?" He rose from his seat, his knuckles cracking ominously. A chilling grin, devoid of warmth, spread across his features as he addressed the darkness. "Ready or not, here I come!" With that, he vanished into the night, leaving his giant companions both intrigued and slightly concerned.
Kasper materialized before a bewildered Mr. 13, the diminutive otter agent. Mr. 13 yelped in surprise, his dark sunglasses failing to mask the terror in his eyes. Before the otter could react, Kasper's leg whipped through the air, a blur of deadly precision. A sickening crack echoed through the night as his heel connected with Mr. 13's head. The otter agent crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
The air crackled with raw power as Kasper propelled himself forward, leaving a crater in the earth. In a blink, he stood before Miss Friday, the imposing vulture agent. With a whirlwind motion, he unleashed a spinning back-kick, the heel of his foot finding its mark with a sickening snap. Miss Friday's eyes went vacant as her lifeless form hit the ground.
Mr. 3, the sole remaining agent, watched in horror as his comrades were dispatched with horrifying ease. His bravado shattered, he stammered, "Y-you monster! I'll turn you into the perfect living statue—"
"Break," Kasper interrupted, his voice a chilling whisper. He materialized before Mr. 3, an ominous aura swirling around him. A fist shot out, the impact resonating like a hammer blow. Mr. 3 let out a choked scream before collapsing like a puppet with its strings cut.
Kasper clenched his fists, a dark satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "This," he declared, his voice low and dangerous, "is the power of the Kowasu Kowasu no Mi, the Break-Break Fruit. Anything I touch, anything I deem an enemy, crumbles. Bones, weapons, dreams… all shattered."
He turned towards the darkness, his voice softening. "Girl, you can come out. No harm will come to you here." A small figure emerged hesitantly, her large, tearful eyes reflecting the terror of the scene. It was Miss Goldenweek, the Baroque Works artist.
Kasper knelt before her, his demeanor a stark contrast to the violence he had just unleashed. "There's no need to be afraid," he said gently. "Take your teammate and leave. Don't return to Baroque Works. Consider this a… parting gift."
Miss Goldenweek, speechless with fear, could only nod. She scooped up Mr. 3's broken form and scurried back towards the shore, leaving Kasper alone with the echoes of his power.
He turned and walked back towards the campfire, the flickering light illuminating the faces of his giant companions. Dorry boomed with laughter, a sound that seemed oddly comforting in the wake of the carnage. "Friend, that was a fearsome display! Never seen anything like it!"
Kasper offered a wry smile. "Just don't like people messing with my friends," he said simply. An unspoken understanding passed between them, forging a bond far stronger than their initial encounter.
The night wore on, filled with laughter, shared stories, and the comforting warmth of newfound friendship. What had begun as a chance meeting had blossomed into something far more meaningful, a testament to the unexpected connections forged on the unpredictable seas.
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A tinge of melancholy hung in the air as Dorry and Brogy watched their newfound friend prepare to set sail. "Leaving already, Kasper?" Dorry rumbled, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Kasper flashed a grin. "Gotta keep moving, big guys! So much world left to explore. But don't worry, I'll be back soon for another brawl and some of your legendary cooking!"
Brogy chuckled, tossing a hefty bottle towards Kasper. "Speaking of brawling, you mentioned wanting our giant blood to get stronger. Here! Don't quite understand the science behind it, but hey, you're practically a brother now. Besides," he boomed with laughter, "you did leave us a mountain of booze!"
Kasper snatched the bottle, his eyes gleaming with delight. "Giant DNA, you say? Thanks a bunch! Next time, I'll bring enough drinks to fill that ocean trench behind you!"
Just as he was about to cast off, Dorry's voice boomed like a foghorn, "KASPER, WAIT! THE ISLAND EATER'S NEARBY!"
A smirk played on Kasper's lips. "Island Eater? Isn't that just a giant goldfish? Looks like tonight's menu just got a whole lot tastier!"
As he turned towards the open sea, a colossal shadow, dwarfing anything he'd encountered before, emerged from the depths. The Island Eater, a monstrous hybrid of goldfish and apex predator, surfaced with a flourish. Its crimson and white body bulged with immense power, its bulging eyes fixated on the tiny ship. A cavernous maw lined with razor-sharp teeth gaped open, revealing a hunger that could swallow entire islands.
Kasper gripped his trusty blade, his expression hardening with resolve. Channeling his Devil Fruit power, he muttered under his breath, "{First Form: Thunderclap and Flash}!" With a burst of speed that mimicked a bolt of lightning, he left a shimmering trail as he materialized behind the gargantuan fish. His blade, a blur of lethal elegance, carved through the air, seemingly slicing through space itself. In a single, seamless movement, he reappeared on the opposite side of the Island Eater.
A deafening roar erupted as the colossal fish writhed in agony, a gaping wound stretching from its gaping maw to its tail fin. The beast thrashed violently, desperate to dislodge the impudent fly who dared to wound it.
"Shut up you pussy!" Kasper roared with laughter, his voice barely audible over the commotion.
Not wasting a moment, Kasper unleashed his next attack. "{First Form: Eightfold}!" He lunged forward, his blade weaving a deadly dance in the air. With lightning speed, the first slash tore through the creature's backside, a powerful arc carving through flesh and bone with ease. The follow-up strike was a swift upward sweep, bisecting the beast from its underside to its dorsal fin.
With a deft twist, Kasper pivoted and delivered a horizontal strike, cleanly slicing from left to right, leaving a deep gash in its side. He didn't stop there. Spinning on his heel, he mirrored the first attack with a reverse strike, completing a devastating diagonal cross.
A flurry of slashes followed, each one precise and merciless. The Island Eater, once a majestic predator, was now a mangled mess, its body crisscrossed with gaping wounds. With a final, resounding blow, the colossal fish shuddered one last time before succumbing to its injuries. Its lifeless form lay still.
"Whoa, that was a workout!" Kasper exclaimed, panting slightly as he stood atop the vanquished beast. With a touch, he activated his System, sending the entire Island Eater into his inventory. "Looks like dinner's served!" he chuckled to himself.
As he leapt onto the ship, he paused for a moment and addressed his system. 'Hey System, is there any item I can use to help with navigation? I really don't want to stop at so many islands.'
[Host, there is the map feature.]
'WHAT?! Why haven't I known about this?' Kasper screamed in his mind.
[The Host never asked. As System does not have autonomy, there was no prompt for the Host to receive.]
'You're fuckin' kidding me,' Kasper muttered, unsure whether to laugh or cry at his own oversight. 'Okay System, please find the position of the Alabasta Kingdom and inform me of the direction. I've got a Crocodile to tan and hide.'
