Chapter Ten: The Bifrost! And Loki!

The locals were indeed unfriendly. Giants armed with swords, axes, and shields anxiously watched the approaching sea vessel. “Rocks Pirates! What business do you have in this country?”

Even the proud warrior giants of Elbaf had to tread carefully when facing the Rocks Pirates.

Rocks strode to the bow of the ship. “Harald, lower the Rainbow Bridge for me!”

Buzz!!

A jet-black lightning bolt surged from Rocks’ body into the sky, causing the atmosphere to tremble violently.

The enormous Adam Tree seemed to shudder as if struck by a fierce wind.

The giants on the shore instantly began foaming at the mouth and collapsed unconscious one after another.

The lightning of the Conqueror’s Haki streaked across the sky, striking a castle in the second tier of Elbaf’s Upper Realm.

Boom!!

The entire castle shook violently, and the giant guards inside screamed in agony.

After a long pause, a sigh echoed from deep within the castle. “Lower the Rainbow Bridge.”

Outside the harbor—

“Whoa! That’s intense!”

Roya looked up in awe. “This level of Conqueror’s Haki—there’s no other like it on the Blue Sea.”

A single man’s presence could shake an entire nation. This was a man standing at the pinnacle of the seas!

Roger himself might pale in comparison.

Could Im, who had been psychologically shaken by Joy Boy, reach such a level?

So when would his own Conqueror’s Haki awaken?

Since the latest update, Haki had gained the strength to resist and even nullify Devil Fruit powers, making Conqueror’s Haki even more coveted.

Conqueror’s Haki—yes, one must master it!

Whitebeard’s eyes behind Rocks also held a trace of admiration. Rocks was stronger than anyone, and it was this unrivaled might that caused these rebellious monsters to follow him.

Yet—

That power was no longer distant; it was within reach.

Therefore, the fall of the Rocks Pirates was imminent, if not for the upcoming great war.

War—Rocks, what heights will you reach?

Whitebeard looked forward to this.

“It’s coming,”

Rocks reined in his Conqueror’s Haki and calmly tilted his head back. “Wait a little longer.”

And they waited.

Something was descending from the sky.

“Oh! A rainbow!”

Roya’s eyes lit up.

He saw a rainbow falling from the sky.

A dreamlike bridge of seven-colored light extended from the Upper Realm of Elbaf’s second tier, ending perfectly in the harbor.

“This is the Rainbow Bridge?”

Roya’s face was full of astonishment. “This world really never fails to amaze!”

“Let’s go.”

—

At Rocks’ command, the pirate ship headed straight for the Rainbow Bridge.

It was remarkable.

The rainbow’s slope was steep to the point of being sheer, yet the ship glided smoothly from the sea onto the rainbow, ascending without any hindrance—surpassing even the logic of the Reverse Mountain canals.

Roya transformed into a Flying Tiger and leapt onto the rainbow, running alongside the ship.

“Fascinating!”

This marvel was drawn by a mysterious stone called Sun Stone—a genuine painted rainbow.

Elbaf was indeed a wondrous place.

Ascending the rainbow swiftly brought them above Elbaf’s Upper Realm. Below lay the middle tier canopy, where a small village rested on the thick branches of the Adam Tree.

Of course, “small” was relative to giants—each house was akin to a mountain in size to Roya.

This was Elbaf.

The world’s mightiest warrior nation.

The rainbow ended outside a colossal castle.

The pirate ship gently touched down on an open space before the castle, where giants awaited.

“Rocks!”

A giant clad in heavy armor, wielding a battle axe and greatsword—apparently a castle guard—shouted hoarsely, “King Harald has us waiting here for you!”

“Let’s go. Time for these fools to face reality.”

Rocks leapt from the bow.

Roya and Whitebeard followed closely.

“Lead the way.”

The captain’s tone was cool.

The giants, though reluctant upon seeing Roya and his companions, still turned and said, “Follow us.”

But at that moment—

“You must be Rocks!”

A figure hurriedly dashed out from behind the castle gates. “You’re the one who caused that ruckus, aren’t you?”

“Oh?”

Roya raised an eyebrow.

Certainly a giant—but a small one.

About fourteen or fifteen meters tall; taller than Aunt Lili by a good margin, but considered short among giants.

Notably, this small giant had a pair of horns on his forehead.

“Ancient Giant bloodline?”

Whitebeard whispered.

Giants with ancient bloodlines were usually taller than their kin.

“Harald’s eldest son,”

Rocks responded coldly.

Loki?

Roya scrutinized the little giant blocking their path.

At a young age, he already wrapped his eyes in bandages and dragged a massive black spiked club.

The cursed prince, regicide of the giants, the shame of Elbaf. He was about twenty-five this year. Giants lived over three times as long as humans, and their growth period was likewise thrice as long.

Converted to human years, this guy was about the same age as Roya.

“Prince Loki! What are you doing here?”

The giant guards were uneasy.

The cursed prince usually dwelled in the Underworld, battling ferocious beasts called Mountain Lords. Disliked by all, he rarely returned to the castle.

Why today of all days...

Loki ignored the guards, dragging his spiked club forward to stand before Rocks, looking down at the man.

“I know you! Everyone says you’re the world’s most terrifying pirate, commanding the most fearsome crew! Even here in Elbaf, your reputation is unmatched!”

“Hey! Rocks! Let me join your crew! I’m Loki! The Sun God of Elbaf! The warrior destined to lead Elbaf in conquering the world!”

“Sun God?”

Rocks sneered, “I have no interest in childish games, brat. Get lost.”

“You’re rejecting me?”

Loki was shocked. “You’re rejecting Loki?”

“My ship doesn’t need brats. Don’t make me say it a third time.”

Rocks’ gaze turned dangerous.

Roya grinned. This captain was a true egalitarian—whether elder or child, man or woman, if they pissed him off, he’d strike them down all the same.

“Brat?”

Loki instantly glanced at Roya—though his eyes were bandaged, the gesture was clear. “Isn’t this guy a brat too?”

Rocks paused, then curled his lips into a strange smile. “Interesting. Fine, if you can defeat this brat, I’ll let you join.”

“Deal!”

With a triumphant laugh, the huge spiked club swung directly toward Roya.

“What about my opinion?”

Roya swiftly leapt back, becoming a shadow and creating distance. “Captain, what does this have to do with me?”

Boom!

The heavy iron club smashed into the wooden ground, leaving a huge crater.

“Kid, if you lose, I’m taking you out.”

Rocks said calmly.

“Such a hassle!”

Roya hadn’t expected to get involved.

“Don’t run!”

Loki excitedly pursued.

“Really,”

Roya sighed. “Just fought the Navy yesterday, now I have to fight again?”

“Forget it, come guard me.”

From the deck of the pirate ship behind them, several shadows launched forward.