Chapter 178: Conqueror's Kingdom

Li Yuan had always wanted to learn the strongest technique of the Elbaf Giants. Charlotte Linlin's "Ikoku," a modified version of the Conqueror's Kingdom technique, had caught his interest, and now he was eager to see the authentic version.

"Conqueror's Kingdom!!"

Dorry and Brogy brought their massive sword and axe together, channeling an invisible force into their weapons. As they swung down, a powerful shockwave surged forward.

"Trinity Unification: Conqueror's Cross of Evil Light!!"

Li Yuan drew the Butou Yusoul from his waist, slashing the air with a cross-shaped beam that spun rapidly, creating a force akin to a shockwave.

"Boom!!"

Even though it was a casual strike from Li Yuan, its power was overwhelming. The combined attack of Dorry and Brogy's Conqueror's Kingdom was instantly shattered.

Dorry and Brogy widened their eyes, raising their weapons in defense, but the evil light cross's force was incredibly potent. Their weapons and shields were destroyed, and their massive bodies, over 20 meters tall, were sent flying.

Had Li Yuan not held back, the giants would have been seriously injured.

"Friend, you're too strong for us!" Dorry and Brogy admitted, standing up despite their pain.

Giants respected strength, and having been defeated by Li Yuan, they acknowledged his power—a tradition among the giants.

"Hahaha, the giants' Conqueror's Kingdom is impressive. It's the first time I've seen such a perfect combination of penetration and impact," Li Yuan praised after sensing their sincerity through Observation Haki.

"Gababababa!!"

"Li Yuan, friend, Elbaf would gladly welcome you. Our elders would surely teach you the Conqueror's Kingdom!" Brogy said, delighted by the prospect of Li Yuan visiting Elbaf.

The Conqueror's Kingdom was a revered technique of the Elbaf Giants, taught only by their elders. Even if Li Yuan asked Dorry and Brogy, they couldn't teach him.

"We've become friends through battle. I have plenty of fine wine on my ship. Let's drink together!" Li Yuan invited, ordering the crew to bring down the ship's wine.

"Jajajajaja, thank you, friend Li Yuan. It's been ages since we've had good wine. As thanks, take these," Dorry offered the treasures he'd collected from defeated pirates.

"I'll gladly accept. Let's drink!" Li Yuan said, raising a barrel to toast with the giants.

"I've heard of the Giant Warrior Pirates, a crew of Elbaf Giants that once dominated the seas, symbolizing Elbaf's glory. It's a shame they disbanded," Li Yuan remarked as they drank.

"Eh? Those brats disbanded the Giant Warrior Pirates? A pity. We haven't settled our duel, or we'd go see them," Dorry and Brogy said, sharing tales of their sea adventures and the reason for their prolonged battle.

"You both seem evenly matched, having fought for decades without a clear winner. Continuing might not yield a result. Why not settle it another way?" Li Yuan suggested.

"Jajajaja, fighting is our highest honor. We can't think of another way," Dorry replied after a drink.

They cherished the battle and the honor of victory, a core value of the giants.

"Gababababa, indeed. We prove ourselves through battle; it's our honor!" Brogy agreed.

"As I understand, the Elbaf Giants are divided, with tribal conflicts preventing unity. Elbaf was once the world's strongest nation, but division weakened it."

"Imagine reuniting the Elbaf Giants, restoring their past glory. Wouldn't that be a greater victory?" Li Yuan proposed.

"Whoever contributes most to unifying Elbaf would be the winner!" he added.

The giants were once so powerful that the World Government feared them, orchestrating their division to weaken them.

A divided nation, plagued by internal strife, posed no threat to the World Government. This division had persisted for centuries, with no giant able to unite their people.

Witnessing Dorry and Brogy's strength, Li Yuan contemplated aiding the giants' reunification.

The giants and World Government were natural adversaries. For humans, 800 years was long, but for giants, with their 300-year lifespan, it spanned only three generations.

"Restoring Elbaf's glory would be a victory?" Li Yuan's words struck Dorry and Brogy, awakening their sense of purpose.

As Elbaf Giants, they valued their people's honor above all.

Li Yuan's words reminded them of the elders' tales of Elbaf's past splendor and current decline.

They never considered restoring Elbaf's glory, focusing instead on personal honor.

Now, they realized their personal honor paled in comparison to their people's legacy.

"Gababababa, Li Yuan, you're right. We should choose a new challenge!" Brogy laughed heartily.

"Dorry, do you dare accept my new challenge? I'll reunite the Elbaf Giants and make us the world's strongest nation again!" Brogy declared.

"Jajajaja, why wouldn't I? I'll never lose to you!" Dorry laughed, eager to restore their people's honor.

"Hahaha, I look forward to Elbaf's resurgence. Let's drink! I'll take you back to the New World, to Elbaf," Li Yuan laughed, pleased with the outcome.

He didn't know if Dorry and Brogy would succeed, but he was encouraged by their willingness.

"Li Yuan, thank you for your guidance. When you visit Elbaf, we'll welcome you with a feast!" Dorry and Brogy pledged, grateful for Li Yuan's direction.

As giants, their minds were straightforward, seeing friends as allies.

Yet, this simplicity made them vulnerable to the World Government's manipulations, leading to Elbaf's division.

Reuniting Elbaf would surely face World Government opposition, providing Li Yuan an opportunity to assist the giants.

After the feast, Li Yuan left Little Garden with Dorry and Brogy.

Instead of following the Grand Line through Fish-Man Island to the New World, Li Yuan chose the Calm Belt, returning to the New World from there. He dispatched a large ship to escort Dorry and Brogy back to Elbaf.

Upon returning to Wano Country, Li Yuan had Shakky return Abatt to Drum Kingdom.

Abatt, having been blindfolded the entire time, remained unaware of the mirror world.

Back in Wano, Lazuli focused on creating the longevity elixir.

"Li Yuan, I want to refine the elixir's formula. It might waste some Millennium Dragon bones," Lazuli proposed.

With the Medicine-Medicine Fruit and ample materials, crafting the elixir was straightforward for Lazuli.

But her ambition extended beyond this, seeking to enhance the elixir's effects beyond a single dose.

If not for the abundance of dragon bones, such an idea might not have occurred to her.

With sufficient bones, why not aim higher?

Her fruit could amplify the auxiliary ingredients' efficacy and enhance the dragon bones' potency.

Only experimentation would determine its feasibility.

"Go ahead, I trust you!" Li Yuan supported her ambition, seeing the elixir as just a starting point.

"Thank you!" Elated by his approval, Lazuli kissed him and immersed herself in her work.

"She's all for starting fires, not putting them out!" Li Yuan sighed, watching her dedication.

Suppressing his excitement through Life Return, he left to avoid acting impulsively.

In Wano's weapon factories, extensive renovations had established a fully functioning arms industry.

The factories operated like modern assembly lines, running non-stop, with pollution control perfected.

Beyond automated weapon production, there were dedicated areas for manual craftsmanship.

According to Wano's forging tradition, excellent-grade swords could be machine-made.

But the crafting of great-grade swords required manual artistry.

Thus, Li Yuan invested in training Wano's craftsmen.

"Clang, clang!"

In a factory, a bloodshot-eyed youth hammered a red-hot katana.

After countless strikes and quenching, the sword was complete!

"Hahaha, I did it! Another excellent-grade sword, and it's even better than the last!" Halls Niu Lishan exclaimed, admiring his work.

He'd started as an ordinary craftsman, barely making ends meet.

Recruited into the factory, he learned advanced techniques, honing his skills.

His talent earned him a comfortable life, far surpassing his past, elevating his family's status.

All thanks to his skill and General Li Yuan's generosity.

"Niu Lishan, you're amazing! Two excellent-grade swords now!" fellow craftsmen praised, envious of his success.

They all trained in advanced techniques but hadn't reached his level.

"Hahaha, it's all thanks to General Li Yuan's teachings. I couldn't have progressed so fast without them," Niu Lishan humbly credited.

"I only provided some guidance. Your achievements are your own," Li Yuan said, having observed the scene during a factory inspection.

"General!" The craftsmen saluted.

"I remember your name, Niu Lishan. You've done well. Your benefits will double!" Li Yuan praised, patting his shoulder. "And here's a Zoan Devil Fruit. I hope you'll forge a great-grade sword one day!"

Li Yuan's goal was for these craftsmen to produce great-grade swords and, eventually, supreme-grade swords.

While supreme-grade swords were distant, great-grade swords seemed achievable within years.

"Thank you, General! I'll work hard to meet your expectations!" Niu Lishan promised, thrilled by the reward.

He knew the value of a Devil Fruit, a priceless rarity granting monstrous power.

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