New World waters.
The Giant Kingdom warship slowly came to a stop.
Its massive hull rose and fell gently with the waves, while the tidal surge unleashed by that last blow still churned in the distance, refusing to subside.
On deck, a huge figure was surrounded by several Giants.
"Hold him down!"
"Put some strength into it!"
"His breathing hasn't stabilized yet, don't stop!"
Thick palms pressed down on his chest again and again, producing dull thuds.
The atmosphere was tense.
The next instant—
"Pffft—!!!"
A ridiculous column of water suddenly blasted out of Loki's mouth!
Like a fountain, it shot skyward and drenched half the deck.
"Cough... cough cough cough!!!"
He abruptly opened his eyes and coughed violently, his entire body springing upright in an instant!
"Ha—!"
His breathing was ragged, his chest heaving intensely.
An outrageously huge lump bulged from his head, bruised purple-blue and gleaming.
Loki froze, his unfocused gaze sweeping over his surroundings.
Deck.
Kin.
Sea.
"...?"
For a brief moment, his mind was blank, as though his consciousness had yet to fully return.
Then, a lazy voice came from ahead.
"Who are you looking for, you little brat~"
Loki paused, his gaze snapping toward the bow.
A figure sat casually atop the railing.
One leg hung loosely over the side, one hand braced against the rail.
Another figure stood behind him like an iron tower, ramrod straight, his presence as heavy as a volcano.
An invisible pressure naturally spread from the two of them.
Loki's pupils slightly contracted.
The seated figure gradually overlapped with the figure from his memories, standing amid Thunder.
Silence spread across the deck.
Loki slowly rose, his enormous frame casting a broad shadow.
Several giant guards instinctively stepped aside.
The sea breeze swept through his soaked long hair as he walked