The Hell Pirates' ship touched down right between two towering factions of giants: the Giant Warrior Pirates, led by Dorry and Brogy, and the rival Giant Pirates, led by Rocky.
The air crackled with tension. Rocky was one of Brook's loyal lieutenants, but Dorry and Brogy had a decent rapport with Brook too. So how was this powder keg of a situation going to play out?
"Yohohoho! Seems I've arrived at a rather awkward moment. How about doing me a favor, gentlemen? Call off this fight, and let my dear Linlin enjoy some of your famous giant caramel puffs. What do you say?"
Brook's Conqueror's Haki pulsed through the air, a subtle but undeniable pressure. With the key figures who knew Linlin's dark secret—her cannibalistic past—already dealt with, Brook needed to test the waters. He wanted Linlin to dine openly here, to see if any giants would react. If no one flinched, the matter could be laid to rest.
If rumors surfaced later, he'd handle them… slowly and surely.
"Brook-sama, you're too kind! We'll follow your lead. And, if you'll allow it, we'd like our Giant Pirates to officially join the Hell Pirates!"
Rocky had only recently formed his Giant Pirates to rival Dorry and Brogy's crew. Now, he saw a chance to bring his giants under Brook's banner, strengthening their claim in the New World.
Lately, Rocky had been hyping up the Hell Pirates in Giant Warrior Village, boasting that their might dwarfed even the legendary Ice Demon Pirates. As one of the New World's two reigning powers, the Hell Pirates' officers were forces of nature, a rock-solid backing for any crew!
"Brook, step aside! Rocky didn't just kill our elder—he ruined the Winter Solstice Festival! We can't let him live. Once we've crushed these traitors, we'll make amends to you properly!"
Dorry and Brogy caught wind of Rocky's plan to join the Hell Pirates and sensed trouble. They had to act now—once Rocky was under Brook's protection, their chance for vengeance would slip away.
"You're all brothers of the giant race. Why tear each other apart?"
Brook's skeletal grin faded, replaced by a blank stare. Dorry's refusal to give him respect, especially when they aimed to crush giants eager to join his crew, soured his mood.
Apparently, his reputation as a New World overlord didn't carry the same weight as, say, Red-Haired Shanks. How disappointing.
"Mama mama! Caramel puffs! It's been years since I tasted these!"
Charlotte Linlin, spotting the mountain of familiar sweets, dove in with gusto. The nostalgic flavor hit her hard, and she clutched her face, lost in memories. Where are you now, my old friends? Mother Carmel, where did you go?
Some giants in the village watched the pink-haired woman, their minds flashing back to that devilish little girl from years ago. Talk about a glow-up—she was stunning now!
But they hadn't forgotten Jarul's orders: stay clear of this demon, don't engage her, don't even speak to her. They glared at Linlin with disgust.
Brook, meanwhile, scanned the crowd, searching for any giants who might know Linlin's secret. Most wore expressions of loathing or resentment, but a few betrayed fear—raw, trembling dread.
Those fearful giants were as good as dead in Brook's eyes. Whether they knew the truth or not, he wasn't taking chances. Cruel? Maybe. But Linlin was family now, and for family, he'd bear any sin.
...
"Brook, are you really shielding Rocky?"
Dorry and Brogy brandished their weapons, ready for war. They wouldn't let Rocky, the murderer of their elder, walk free.
Brook ignored them, his gaze fixed on Linlin as she devoured caramel puffs. He cataloged every giant's reaction, locking in his targets for elimination.
With a subtle glance at Rocky, Brook gave the signal. Rocky grinned wickedly, leading his crew in a ferocious charge against Dorry and Brogy. The battlefield erupted into chaos.
With Brook's backing, Rocky fought without fear, aiming to seize control of Giant Warrior Village. Brook himself sprang into action, targeting the giants who'd shown fear. Spectral soul slashes flew from his blade, reaping their spirits in an instant.
As their souls were harvested, Brook's grin returned. No more giants know Linlin's secret… probably.
He pondered whether to halt the fighting. These giants were valuable warriors—losing them would be a waste.
"STOP FIGHTING!"
Before Brook could speak, Linlin's voice boomed across the village. The sheer force of her shout, rivaling Conqueror's Haki, sent weaker giants clutching their ears and collapsing.
Deep down, Linlin loved the giants and hated seeing them tear each other apart. What she didn't realize was that she was the spark igniting this conflict.
...
The fighting paused, but Brook noticed Dorry and Brogy glaring at Linlin with fury. That set him off. In a flash, he struck, his Shichiseiken carving a wound into each of them.
The sword's eerie aura seeped into their bodies, making them cry out in pain. Brook unleashed his full Conqueror's Haki, knocking out the weaker giants in an instant.
"You don't give me respect? Then I won't give you any!"
Did Dorry and Brogy really think they were Brook's equals? Time to show them the gap in strength and status.
Golden Lion Shiki and Whitebeard Newgate watched, baffled. Brook had been on good terms with Dorry and Brogy before—what was he playing at?
The Hell Pirates' Elbaf battle techniques came from those two, and Brook had even gifted them alloy weapons and supplies.
But Brook was done playing nice. To minimize losses, he'd force Dorry and Brogy to submit. Letting dozens of giants die in this brawl was a pointless waste.
The goal was clear: take Giant Warrior Village as a foothold, then spread influence across all of Elbaf, just like they'd conquered Kuri Province to topple Wano.
...
What was Elbaf's economy like? It seemed primitive, with bartering as the norm. Metal weapons, beast pelts, and fine liquor were the hard currency here.
Setting up a weapons market in Giant Warrior Village could draw giants like moths to a flame. Brook didn't yet know the full strength of Elbaf's royal capital, but a strategic approach was key.
If not for the big secret locked in Jarul's mind, Brook might've had Redfield probe his memories. For now, Jarul had to die.
"Rocky, you're in charge of Giant Warrior Village from now on. Clean this place up, count heads, and start building!"
With Dorry and Brogy subdued, Brook issued orders. A village that a five-year-old Linlin could topple didn't need a full-blown assault from an overlord crew like the Hell Pirates.
In the original story, Big Mom only failed to conquer Elbaf because she clashed with the royal capital's heavy hitters. This time, things would be different.
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+400 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg