Chapter 106: The Red Ogre
The dense jungle of Little Garden loomed ahead, an untamed wilderness of gargantuan trees and thick, sprawling vines that formed a near-impenetrable canopy. Vivi sat atop Karoo, her royal composure slightly at odds with the awkwardness of balancing on her loyal steed as they trudged through the undergrowth. Luffy strode ahead, his boundless energy almost palpable as he sliced through the dense vegetation with ease, the straw hat on his head bobbing with each step.
"Man, this place is wild," Luffy muttered, his voice filled with excitement. "Feels like the jungle is alive or something. You feel that, Vivi?"
Vivi brushed a stray vine aside, her eyes scanning their surroundings with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "It does feel alive. Everything here is so... massive. Look at those roots. They are like tree trunks themselves."
Karoo quacked in agreement as he waddled cautiously behind Luffy, who suddenly stopped in his tracks. Ahead of them lay ancient ruins, their weathered stone almost entirely engulfed by the jungle. Moss and ivy crept across broken pillars, and tree roots snaked through the crumbling walls, prying apart centuries-old stones.
"Whoa! Check this out!" Luffy exclaimed, running forward to examine the ruins. He crouched beside a large stone block, his fingers tracing the faint carvings etched into its surface.
Vivi dismounted Karoo and joined him, her eyes wide as she took in the sight. "These ruins... they must be ancient. Look how the jungle has taken over. Who knows how long they have been here?"
Luffy straightened up, glancing around. His eyes fell on a massive footprint embedded in the soft earth nearby. A perfect imprint, far larger than anything human. "Hey, Vivi," he called, pointing to the footprint. "What do you make of this? Looks like a giant was here."
Vivi gasped, stepping closer. The sheer size of the footprint made her shiver. "A giant? Do you think it is possible?"
Luffy grinned. "Why not? This jungle is ancient, just like you said. Maybe giants lived here a long time ago. Or still do. Who knows?"
Their exploration continued deeper into the jungle, the thick foliage giving way to an open clearing where towering creatures grazed peacefully. Long-necked dinosaurs moved gracefully, their massive forms casting long shadows across the ground. The sunlight dappled their leathery skin, and the sound of their deep, resonant calls filled the air.
"Holy shit," Luffy whispered, his eyes wide with awe. "Dinosaurs. Real, live dinosaurs."
Vivi clutched Karoo's reins, her voice barely a whisper. "They are incredible. I never thought I would see anything like this."
Luffy stepped closer to the edge of the clearing, his curiosity outweighing any sense of caution. "Think about it. These guys must have survived because of how isolated this place is. It is like the islands create their own little worlds."
Vivi nodded, her gaze fixed on the majestic creatures. "You are probably right. It is amazing how nature adapts when left alone."
They watched in silence for a while, marveling at the scene before them. Then Luffy turned to Vivi, his tone more serious. "Speaking of adapting... about the past two nights."
Vivi's cheeks turned a vivid shade of red, and she fidgeted with the hem of her cloak. "D-Do we really have to talk about that now?"
"Hell yeah, we do," Luffy said bluntly. "Look, I am not going to pretend like I did not enjoy it. But I need you to know something. I do not see this as part of our deal. I do not want you thinking you owe me anything."
Vivi's blush deepened, and she glanced away. "I... I do not know what to think. You are so direct about everything, and it is..."
"Hot?" Luffy smirked.
"Annoying," Vivi shot back, though her small smile betrayed her true feelings.
Luffy laughed. "Fair enough. But I mean it, Vivi. I have got plans. Big ones. I am going to tear Baroque Works apart, starting with Crocodile."
Vivi stared at him, her eyes searching his face. "You would do that for Alabasta?"
"Nah," Luffy replied, his grin fading. "I am doing it because Crocodile is a threat to my crew, and I do not leave loose ends. Your kingdom just happens to benefit."
Before Vivi could respond, a shadow fell across the clearing. A massive figure emerged from the jungle, its form shrouded in dappled light. Luffy's eyes narrowed as he stepped in front of Vivi and Karoo, his muscles tensing.
"What the hell is that?" Vivi whispered, her voice trembling.
"I think it is one of those giants we were talking about," Luffy said, his tone a mix of excitement and caution. "Stay close."
The figure stepped into full view. A towering man with a thick beard and wild hair. He wore crude armor made of animal hides and carried a massive sword slung over one shoulder. Beside him, a fire crackled, roasting an entire dinosaur carcass.
"Well, well," the giant rumbled, his voice like rolling thunder. "Visitors. Do not get many of those here."
Luffy stepped forward, his grin returning. "Name is Luffy. This is Vivi and Karoo. You?"
The giant chuckled, his laughter shaking the ground. "I am Dorry of Elbaf. Welcome to Little Garden."
Dorry's laughter echoed through the jungle, his massive hand gesturing toward the fire. "You have arrived at a strange and dangerous place, little ones. Little Garden is not just any island. It is a relic of an ancient time."
Luffy's grin widened. "Ancient time? You mean like a time when dinosaurs and giants roamed the world?"
"Exactly!" Dorry bellowed, nodding with enthusiasm. "This island is untouched by the world's changes. Time stands still here, preserving creatures and plants from ages long forgotten. The dinosaurs, the jungle... even giants like me and my brother."
"Brother?" Vivi asked, tilting her head.
"Brother in arms," Dorry said, a flicker of sadness crossing his rugged face. "Brogy and I are from Elbaf, the land of giants. We have been here for a hundred years, locked in battle to settle a dispute. It is our way. Our pride."
Luffy folded his arms, his expression serious for once. "A hundred years of fighting? Damn. That is some commitment."
Dorry chuckled, though his tone softened. "Commitment or foolishness. Sometimes it is hard to tell. But enough talk of battles! You must be hungry after trekking through this jungle. Join me for lunch."
The aroma of roasting dinosaur meat wafted through the air, making Karoo quack excitedly. Vivi hesitated, glancing at Luffy. "Do you think it is safe?"
Luffy shrugged, already moving toward the fire. "If he wanted to squish us, he would have done it already. Besides, I am starving!"
Vivi sighed and followed, sitting down cautiously near the edge of the enormous firepit. Dorry tore off a massive chunk of meat and placed it on a large, flat leaf, offering it to them like a platter. "Here you go! A little small for me, but it should fill your tiny stomachs."
Luffy did not hesitate, digging in with gusto. "This is awesome! You sure know how to cook, big guy."
Dorry beamed, clearly pleased with the compliment. Vivi took a more delicate bite, her royal upbringing evident even in the wilds of Little Garden. "It is... surprisingly good. Thank you, Dorry."
The giant leaned back, his laughter booming once again. "It has been ages since I have had company. The creatures here are not much for conversation, and Brogy is not exactly friendly these days."
As they ate, Dorry explained more about the island. "The reason this place is so unique is because it is trapped in a bubble of time. The Log Pose you carry will take a full year to reset because of the strange magnetic field. That is why few ever come here and even fewer leave."
"That explains why the dinosaurs are still around," Vivi said, her voice thoughtful. "It is like the island is its own little world, separate from everything else."
Luffy nodded, his mouth full of meat. "Makes sense. But how did you and your brother end up here?"
Dorry sighed, the firelight casting shadows across his weathered face. "A duel. A matter of pride between warriors. We landed here by chance, but it became the perfect battleground. We fight when the volcano erupts. That is our signal."
Vivi's brow furrowed. "But after a hundred years, do not you think it is time to let it go? What was the fight even about?"
Dorry scratched his beard, looking sheepish. "You know, I do not even remember! But pride is pride, and we giants never back down from a challenge."
Luffy laughed, slapping his knee. "That is insane, but I kind of respect it. A hundred years of fighting, and you are still going strong? That is badass."
Vivi rolled her eyes. "Boys and their pride. It is ridiculous."
Dorry smiled kindly at her. "Perhaps it is, little one. But it is our way. Just as you humans have yours."
The conversation continued, shifting from tales of Elbaf's traditions to the island's ecosystem. Dorry explained how the dinosaurs thrived without human predators other than the giants themselves and how the dense jungle provided food and shelter for creatures thought long extinct.
As the meal wound down, Luffy leaned back, patting his stomach. "Man, that was great. Thanks for the meal, Dorry."
The giant waved a massive hand dismissively. "Think nothing of it. You have brought me good company, and that is worth more than any meal."
Vivi smiled, though her gaze turned pensive. "Dorry, do you ever think about leaving this place? About going back to Elbaf?"
Dorry's expression grew somber. "Sometimes. But I cannot leave without finishing the duel. And if I go back, what would I say? That I gave up? No, little one. I will stay until the end, no matter how long it takes."
Luffy stood, stretching. "Well, I do not know about you, but I am curious to meet this Brogy guy. Think he is as friendly as you?"
Dorry chuckled. "Friendly? Not exactly. But he is a warrior through and through. If you go to him, tread carefully."
The jungle rustled in the distance, and Luffy's ears twitched. He glanced toward the sound, a grin spreading across his face.
"Guess we will find out soon enough."