[Sponsored] Chapter 23: Elbaf Spear: Mighty Nation

[This chapter is proudly sponsored by "Godphaze." Please join me in expressing your thanks in the comments! If you're interested in sponsoring a chapter, consider joining the Patreon.]

"Woooo—woooo—"

Out on the ocean, the deep blare of war horns echoed across the waves as a fleet of massive warships surged forward. Leading the fleet was none other than the Giant Warrior Pirates' flagship—the 'Great Eirik'. The skull and crossbones of the Giant Warrior Pirates flew high, billowing in the wind.

On the other ships, however, were not the members of the Giant Warrior Pirates. Instead, they were warriors of the giant race, who had answered the call of "Mountain Beard" and "Waterfall Beard," the two former leaders of the Giant Warrior Pirates. Altogether, there were at least a hundred giants in the fleet—a force powerful enough to make most nations tremble in fear.

"Warriors of the giants!"

One of the giant warriors from the Giant Warrior Pirates raised his arm and shouted, his voice full of strength and resolve: "For the glory of the gods of Elbaf, unleash the fury of the giants upon the treacherous World Government and Navy! Let them feel the terror of the giant race!"

"Damn Carmel, damn the World Government…"

"Those bastards dared deceive the giants! Let's destroy them!"

"Send them to hell!"

"Kill them all!"

The massive, muscular giants raised their weapons and roared in unison, their voices booming like thunder. Their collective fury stirred the wind and clouds, their killing intent palpable.

"Huff… huff…"

Two thunderclouds flew over from the distance. It was El, Linlin, Gerd, and Hajrudin, along with their Homies, Zeus, Hera, and Prometheus.

"What's that?"

"Clouds that look like cotton candy?"

"And they have faces? That's strange…"

"El, Hajrudin, Gerd, Linlin… What are you doing here?"

The arrival of the anthropomorphic clouds puzzled many of the giant warriors. But soon, some of the warriors from Elbaf recognized El and the others. Leading them were Raideen, Kashii, and Oimo, members of the Giant Warrior Pirates. They called out loudly as El and his group landed on the deck of the 'Great Eirik'.

"So many giants…"

Linlin looked around in amazement. She had never seen so many giants before.

"El, take them back. This is not a battle for you," Raideen, towering over them with his giant sword and helmet, frowned and spoke sternly.

"Raideen-sensei, I am also a warrior of Elbaf! I'm much stronger than before! Let me fight with you!" Hajrudin shouted confidently, addressing his mentor.

"It's fine, Raideen. They're all Devil Fruit users now and can protect themselves. Let them see what real battle looks like!" El explained, his tone calm and assured. "How can a true warrior never taste blood?"

"Oh? Hajrudin, you've become a Devil Fruit user too?"

The giant warriors around them were all visibly surprised.

"Yes, El gave me a Devil Fruit!" Not wanting to be sent back, Hajrudin immediately displayed his ability by transforming his hands into sharp blades. "I can turn my whole body into blades, and I'm invulnerable!"

He swung his blade-like hands, which gleamed with sharp light, easily slicing through a nearby barrel, reducing it to splinters.

"Impressive ability!" Raideen remarked with admiration, nodding toward the others. "Very well, you can join us."

"And what about them?" Oimo asked, pointing at the anthropomorphic clouds—Zeus, Hera, and Prometheus—with curiosity.

"These are called Homies. I created them using the powers of the Soul-Soul Fruit," Gerd explained proudly. "They're very powerful!"

"Zeus, Hera, Prometheus, show them what you can do!"

At Gerd's command, the three Homies transformed into their battle forms. Prometheus blazed with fierce flames, while Zeus and Hera crackled with lightning. The sight left the giant warriors in awe.

"Amazing powers!"

"It looks like we've got some powerful new allies."

Hajrudin and Gerd's abilities, along with El's reputation, made the giants confident in their strength. They knew that Linlin was also a formidable fighter, with her immense strength and Devil Fruit powers. This was shaping up to be an impressive force.

"By the way, Kashii, where are we headed?" El asked with a smile.

Since arriving in Elbaf, El had spent most of his time training, honing his swordsmanship, strengthening his body, and mastering the three forms of Haki. Besides Dreamland Island, he hadn't explored much of the surrounding islands.

"We're heading to the G-12 branch, the closest Marine base to Elbaf. We're going to destroy it completely," Kashii growled, hefting his battle axe. "We'll make the Navy and the World Government's dogs understand that the giants are not to be trifled with!"

"I'm looking forward to that," El chuckled. If he remembered correctly, the G-12 base was directly under the jurisdiction of Marine Headquarters, likely guarded by a Vice Admiral. That would make for some high-quality souls, perfect for creating strong new Homies.

...

"Enemy attack!"

The sea voyage had been long and tedious. After a day and a night of sailing, they finally neared their destination. Two patrolling Marine ships spotted the approaching Elbaf fleet, and their crews reacted with alarm and panic. They immediately began to retreat and sent out distress calls.

The giants, however, had no intention of wasting time. They launched their attack without hesitation, opening fire.

"Boom! Boom!"

"Bang! Bang!"

Cannon fire roared as enormous shells exploded against the Marine ships. Though the Marines were startled, they quickly regrouped, responding with their own cannon fire. The two sides exchanged volleys, and soon, one of the Marine ships was engulfed in flames, heavily damaged by the giant cannons. The other ship, however, managed to retreat, gaining distance.

"There's no need to drag this out and give them time to prepare," El remarked calmly, standing up and drawing the long sword at his waist. His eyes locked onto the retreating ship, which was still several kilometers away.

"El, you're not…"

"That stance… Could it be…?"

The giant warriors looked at El in shock, their mouths agape.

"Elbaf's Spear—"

With his piercing gaze and overwhelming presence, El's Conqueror's Haki surged as he raised his sword. His weapon cut through the air, sending a terrifying cylindrical shockwave hurtling toward the distant Marine ship. "Elbaf's Spear: Mighty Nation!"

"Whoosh—"

The air itself seemed to collapse as the massive blast of sword energy tore across the ocean with unstoppable speed.

"Boom!"

In the blink of an eye, the shockwave struck the Marine ship, ripping it apart and reducing it to splinters scattered across the sea.