BOOM!
The violent wave of Conqueror’s Haki exploded like a thunderclap, transforming into a hurricane of overwhelming force that instantly swept across the entirety of Little Garden.
The immense shockwave caused Blue Ogre Dorry and Red Ogre Brogy, who had just begun moving forward, to change expressions drastically.
Their enormous bodies staggered backward under the pressure.
Bang! Bang!
The two giants crashed heavily into the rocky mountains behind them before finally coming to a stop.
After Dorry and Brogy recovered from the impact and managed to steady themselves, they suddenly realized that the normally lively island had fallen completely silent.
The roars of beasts...
The cries of insects and birds...
All of them had vanished without a trace.
Everywhere they looked, enormous dinosaurs and other ferocious beasts lay sprawled across the ground, their eyes rolled back and white foam spilling from their mouths.
Even the Alabasta soldier who had rushed over to deliver the warning had collapsed and was lying unconscious.
As for Vivi, Igaram, and the others, they were clearly struggling as well.
If the mental shock had not appeared so suddenly and disappeared just as quickly, they might not even have been able to remain standing.
"What kind of power was that?"
Dorry tightened his grip around his greatsword and quickly stood upright.
For the first time, a solemn expression appeared on his face.
At least, as far as the two giants were concerned, they could never have accomplished something like this.
"That’s Conqueror’s Haki."
"A kingly disposition possessed by one in a million."
"Looks like the two of you really have been isolated from the outside world for too long."
Lucas slowly emerged from the dense forest.
Behind him came Doll, panting heavily but wearing an expression of complete shock.
Doll had naturally witnessed Conqueror’s Haki before.
But she had never imagined that Lucas could casually release enough Conqueror’s Haki to sweep across the entire Little Garden.
The sheer amount of Haki he possessed was practically monstrous.
"This... This is the Marine’s fourth Admiral, Glutton Lucas!"
"How could he possibly have appeared in Paradise?"
Chaka’s expression changed dramatically.
The emergence of the fourth Marine Admiral had caused an enormous stir throughout the sea in recent days.
As Alabasta was one of the world’s great kingdoms, they naturally knew about him.
"Is he that newly appointed Marine Admiral who’s obsessed with money?"
Igaram’s expression immediately became tense.
"Wasn’t he supposedly being hunted and denounced by the Beasts Pirates?"
"There’s also a rumor that Marine Headquarters is preparing for war against two Four Emperors."
"As one of Marine Headquarters’ strongest combatants, why would an Admiral appear in a place like this?"
"Princess Vivi, be careful. Don’t do anything rash."
However, just as he finished speaking, Vivi gritted her teeth and stepped forward.
"I am Nefertari Vivi, princess of the Kingdom of Alabasta."
"These two giants, Dorry and Brogy, are guardians of our kingdom."
"May I ask why a Marine Admiral has come here?"
"Princess of the Kingdom of Alabasta?"
Doll’s expression changed slightly.
"Are you referring to the princess of the great kingdom whose royal family abandoned its status among the World Nobles?"
Within the World Government’s hierarchy, there were naturally different levels of nobility.
The Celestial Dragons, known as the World Nobles, stood at the very top.
Below them were the nobles of the world’s great kingdoms.
Below them were the nobles of smaller kingdoms.
The Nefertari Family, which had once been among the founders of the World Government but had refused to move to Mary Geoise and abandon Alabasta, was therefore an exceptionally significant royal family.
They were a lineage that had once possessed knowledge concerning the history of eight hundred years ago.
Even among the world’s nobility, they were a family that had to be treated with considerable caution.
Noticing the change in Doll’s expression, Vivi’s eyes flashed with determination.
She bit her red lips and spoke again.
"This Little Garden was discovered by Alabasta and is considered territory under our kingdom’s jurisdiction."
"I hope the Marines will withdraw immediately."
"Otherwise, we’ll have no choice but to lodge a formal complaint with Marine Headquarters."
As she spoke, Vivi boldly walked toward Lucas.
But after only a few steps, a cloud of white smoke suddenly shot through the air from a distance.
It stopped directly in front of Vivi before condensing into the figure of Smoker.
"Princess Vivi, it’s been a long time."
"Although I admire your courage, as an old acquaintance, I’d advise you to step aside."
"The royal family of a great kingdom certainly carries considerable weight. If you encountered another Marine officer, they might give you some face."
"But don’t forget... Admiral Lucas is someone who has actually sent a Celestial Dragon flying and is still standing here without consequence."
"I don’t want you to end up like those Celestial Dragons."
"Sent a Celestial Dragon flying?"
Igaram and Chaka’s expressions instantly turned ashen.
Without wasting another second, they rushed forward and pulled Vivi back.
They didn’t believe that even the royal family of a great kingdom could possibly compare with the Celestial Dragons.
If this newly appointed Admiral lost his temper and simply blasted Vivi away, they probably wouldn’t even have anywhere to go and cry afterward.
"Smoker, there’s no need to be so nervous."
"Don’t make it sound as though I deliberately went after the Celestial Dragons."
Lucas smiled as he took a gulp of liquor and glanced at Vivi.
"All right. We’ve wasted enough time."
"I’m in a bit of a hurry."
He turned his attention toward Dorry and Brogy.
"You two former captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates have two choices."
"First, accept my personal recruitment and temporarily serve as combatants for the Marines."
"Afterward, I’ll see if I can arrange a Warlord of the Sea position for you."
"You’ll also have the opportunity to return to Elbaf and avenge the destruction of your homeland."
"Second, refuse me."
"But don’t doubt that I have the ability to send you both to Impel Down."
"Or kill you."
His voice wasn’t particularly loud.
Yet it echoed across the island with an almost demonic resonance, carrying an unquestionable authority.
Dorry and Brogy’s expressions changed dramatically.
They roared furiously.
"You bastard Marine!"
"You said that our homeland, Elbaf—the land of heroes of the giant race—was destroyed?"
"That’s impossible!"
"How dare you deceive giants!"
"We’ll show you the wrath of the giants!"
BOOM!
The two giants moved first.
Their greatsword and axe tore through the air as they simultaneously brought their weapons crashing down toward Lucas.
The giants had always been a source of immense interest to the various powers of the world because of their tremendous physical strength.
Within the Marines, virtually any fully grown giant could attain an officer-level position.
Marine Headquarters even possessed numerous giant Vice Admirals who served as important combat forces at various branches.
However, their enormous physiques also placed obvious limitations on their potential.
The vast majority of giants possessed significant limits to their strength.
Most couldn’t even master Giant’s Spear, a simplified version of Hakoku.
And giants capable of mastering both Armament and Observation Haki were exceedingly rare.
Now, looking at these two giants whom Lucas had selected as his special combatants, Doll’s eyes flashed with determination.
They had attacked without even saying another word.
She stepped forward first.
"Admiral Lucas."
"Then let me see exactly what makes the special combatants you’ve chosen so special."
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