Loki's Taunts

Kuraigana Island Castle

The night wind howled, waves crashed against the cliffs, Red-Hair ship in the distance gradually disappeared into the dark horizon.

High above the Castle, Mihawk's Hawk-Eye remained fixed on the distance, his expression cold and profound.

The fighting spirit from moments before was still there, but his state of mind was extremely complicated at this moment.

"... Even you have chosen to accept that power, Shanks?"

The whispers in my heart were drowned out by the sound of the wind.

Perona floated beside him, her pink hair fluttering in the wind, and couldn't help but complain aloud:

"Hey, hey--what kind of riddles were you two talking about? I couldn't understand a word you said!!"

Mihawk didn't answer immediately. After a moment, he spoke calmly, "Perona, you'll probably have to go back to the Florian Triangle."

Perona froze, her body rising halfway into the air, her eyes filled with confusion. "Huh? Why? I was having so much fun here!!"

Mihawk withdrew his gaze, turned and walked towards the Castle, his cloak Hunting Roar in the night wind.

Footsteps echoed on the stone steps, but his voice drifted over slowly. "Tell your idiot Moria —keep the door locked and don't run around."

Perona paused for a moment, then angrily chased after him, pouting, "Tch—I don't want to bother with that idiot! But, if that guy hadn't been so reckless, I wouldn't have drifted here."

She crossed her arms and, as she floated, began to berate him. "Back then, wasn't he researching that Shadow Fusion Oars? After the experiment yielded some small results, he started to get arrogant."

"Luckily, Kuma happened to be passing by. Annoyed by his yelling, he slapped him and Oars to the ground... and then sent me flying to this Onigashima. Later I heard that it was Roy's arrangement, I think."

At this point, she stuck out her tongue, looking helpless. "So, I just stuck with you~"

Mihawk paused slightly, but didn't turn around, simply saying, "That's why I asked you to go back and remind that idiot."

"Don't let yourself get too cocky one day and get killed by someone passing by."

Perona thrashed about in mid-air, her cheeks puffed out, stamping her feet in anger. "What the hell are you talking about! I hate riddle people like you the most!"

Inside the Castle, candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows.

Mihawk's figure was gradually swallowed by the darkness, leaving Perona flailing in the air, her cheeks puffed out, as she angrily chased after him.

The night grew deeper.

Meanwhile, Elbaf, the Elbaf

The heavy sound of war drums echoed, shaking the earth like thunder, making the entire stone wall of the royal capital tremble.

Inside the King of the Giants, flames blazed, illuminating the towering pillars that reached into the dome.

On the high Throne, Loki sat like a God of War draped in the fur of Beast, one hand resting on his massive warhammer, looking down at the two cloaked figures below.

A sinister smile curled at the corner of his lips, and his voice boomed like thunder. "Oh—where did this little Nezumi come from? You said you wanted to see me, but you don't even dare to show your face?"

As the words fell, the cloak slowly slid down, revealing two sharp figures.

--It was none other than Figarland Shamrock of the Holy Knights and the Maffey.

Saint Shamrock's expression was cold and arrogant, his aura as sharp as a sword. "I never expected... that the Elbaf would once again acknowledge you as king, Loki."

He took a step forward, his aura instantly enveloping the entire hall, his voice deep and carrying an undeniable, authoritative pressure:

"Join the Holy Knights, and I will give you everything you desire!"

The hall fell silent suddenly, so quiet that even the crackling of flames could be clearly heard.

Immediately--

"Ha ha ha!!"

Loki laughed wildly, his voice booming like thunder, shaking the stone walls of the great hall and causing dust to fall!

He suddenly stood up, his figure towering like a mountain, his imposing presence enveloping the entire room.

With a single step, the stone steps beneath the Throne shattered into dust with a deafening crash!

"What we Elbaf do is none of your business, Celestial Dragons!"

A faint crimson light shone from his bandaged eyes, his killing intent palpable.

As if staring intently at Saint Shamrock, his voice was as cold as a blade cutting through steel. "And... your face disgusts me utterly."

The air in the hall suddenly turned cold.

"... What exactly is your relationship with Shanks?"

The moment the name "Shanks" was uttered, Saint Shamrock's eyes suddenly darkened, and his aura spread out like a blade, as if to Sky Splitter.

The entire Royal Palace fell silent instantly. The giant warriors guarding the palace all paled, their Giant Axes and shields gripping tightly involuntarily. The atmosphere was as oppressive as if they were standing in an ice cave.

Maffey stood to the side, clicking his tongue slightly, a hint of mockery in his eyes, and a playful smile curving his lips.

"Tsk tsk tsk... You really know how to rub salt in the wound. Are you doing this on purpose?"

Loki grinned, revealing his fangs-like white teeth, his smile laced with cruelty and provocation, "I did it on purpose, so what?"

He gripped the massive warhammer tightly with both hands, his aura exploding like a hurricane and thunder, his voice deafening like the drums of war.

"Has everything that belonged to you been stolen by some random younger brother who appeared out of nowhere, so are you now looking for outside help?"

"Pity--"

He suddenly raised his Giant Axe horizontally, his aura surging like a monstrous wave, engulfing the two of them!

"I am Loki, the King of Giants!!"

"What I hate most is you self-righteous Celestial Dragons!"

Loki's murderous intent pressed down like a raging torrent, and the entire hall seemed to tremble incessantly at that moment.

Under this fierce aura, Saint Shamrock's face turned completely gloomy, and his hand unconsciously went to the Cane Sword at his waist.

Even before the sword was drawn, it already emanated a chilling gleam, as if it could cleave the hall in two at any moment.

Meanwhile, Maffey, standing nearby, seemed quite interested, hands in his pockets, a strange smile playing on his lips, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Yo yo-- Wanna fight? Wanna fight? This is going to be interesting!"

In an instant, Saint Shamrock and Loki's auras clashed violently!

"Boom!!"

The air exploded, the stone walls trembled, and the giant warriors around the hall were forced to retreat, their hands trembling as they gripped their weapons.

The entire land of Elbaf seemed to feel the Impact.

In a forest somewhere, a short, stocky figure raised his head, a serious expression on his face.

"This is... the aura of the Holy Knights?"

--It was none other than Gaban, the former veteran of the Roger Pirates and the man who conquered the female giant.

Inside the Library on the other side, Jaguar D. Saul stood before a tall bookshelf, Den Den Mushi to his ear, his expression unusually grave, his voice low:

"... Elbaf may be facing a storm."

Inside the Royal Palace, the atmosphere remained tense for a long time.

Finally, Saint Shamrock took a deep breath, coldly withdrew his sword, flicked his cloak, and turned to leave.

He didn't turn his head, leaving behind only a heavy and cold sentence that echoed in the hall:

"You'd better watch yourself."

Maffey shrugged, smirked, and followed after them. "Tsk, no fighting... how boring."

Two figures gradually disappeared outside the palace gate.

Silence returned to the main hall.

Loki gripped his massive warhammer tightly, staring intently at their departing figures, a crimson glint flashing in his bandaged eyes.

He scoffed inwardly, "He actually managed to hold back from attacking... It seems this guy isn't as ignorant and arrogant as the rumors say."

Then, he slammed his warhammer into the ground with a deafening roar, a smug smile spreading across his face:

"Boring--"

"When will we finally have a proper, cathartic rampage?!"