Chapter 26: Uninvited Guests

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Uninvited Guests Chapter 26: Uninvited Guests "ROOOOAR!!!" Just as Reiner’s warning left his lips, a massive dinosaur charged out from behind Broggy, sinking its teeth into his rear end. Even Nami and Usopp couldn’t help but cry out in concern upon seeing this. "Hey, Mister!" "Are you okay!?" However, Broggy remained laughing merrily. He turned, and with a swift rise and fall of his axe, casually chopped off the dinosaur’s head. He then grinned and said: "Gahahahaha! Perfect timing, food’s arrived too! Let me treat you guys to a meal. Do you have any booze?" "We... actually do have some." Reiner was stunned, not just by the giant’s strength. More so, Broggy exuded a heroic, unrestrained aura that Reiner hadn’t witnessed in anyone besides Luffy since arriving in this world. "Quite the magnanimous spirit, Mister," Reiner switched to a smile. "Gahahahaha! I am a warrior of Elbaf, after all!" Broggy laughed boisterously, thumping the shield hanging at his waist with his axe. Reiner enjoyed interacting with people like this; it was easy and straightforward. He smiled brightly. "Let us treat you to drinks then, Mister." "Huh?" Nami, although letting her guard down somewhat, wasn’t quite ready to make friends immediately upon meeting someone. Usopp, conversely, seemed to have inexplicably found courage, asking timidly, "M-Mister, are you from the legendary giant race?" "Ah, that’s right! You know about us?" "I’ve read about you in storybooks! I just never thought you really existed." Usopp’s voice gradually became smoother, a hint of excitement on his face. "Legends say the giant race is bold and unrestrained! Those are the kind of warriors I admire most!" "Since that’s the case, let’s go back to the ship and get the booze. Nami, Usopp." Reiner led the two back to the Going Merry and carried out several large wooden barrels of alcohol. Reiner hadn’t bought this much back in Loguetown; Zoro, having luckily obtained two fine swords for free, had saved the money Reiner gave him and spent it all on booze instead. "Let’s leave these few barrels for that drunkard. Let’s go." Leaving three barrels behind, Reiner and the others followed Broggy back to his base deep in the forest. Not long after the Straw Hat crew landed, Little Garden received two more uninvited guests. "Damn it! We actually grabbed the wrong person!" A dark-skinned man with an afro hairstyle cursed resentfully. "And now we have to come all the way out to this shithole island." "Heeheehee, no need to be so angry, Mr. 5," Miss Valentine, wearing a short, hip-hugging skirt and sporting golden hair, giggled lightly. "They’re just a few small-time pirates with a thirty million bounty. We’ll clean them up quickly and head back." In the primeval forest, Mr. 5 strode forward in his black overcoat, while the skirt-clad woman behind him held a parasol with both hands behind her back, following closely with swaying hips. Soon, the two arrived leisurely at a house made of white wax, walking straight inside where someone was already waiting. "Mr. 3, you certainly seem relaxed." "Yo, isn’t it the failed-mission duo?" The man with a ’3’ shaped into his topknot hairstyle leisurely sipped his coffee and spoke coolly. "This is my break time. We can discuss work matters after I finish this cup of coffee." Such a relaxed vibe, Reiner would surely have remarked, truly shows the bearing of a Vice-Commander, had he been present. Mr. 5 didn’t speak, waiting quietly until the other man finished his coffee before hearing Mr. 3 finally speak again. "I’m aware of the mission details. However, the Straw Hat crew isn’t the main problem right now." Mr. 3 pulled out bounty posters from his coat, showing the faces of two giants. He continued: "Straw Hat Luffy and his crew, with a highest bounty of merely thirty million, have already made contact with Blue Ogre Dorry and Red Ogre Broggy. That is the biggest problem." "Bounties over a hundred million!!" Miss Valentine slammed her hands on the table with a gasp. Mr. 5’s brow furrowed deeply as well. Only Mr. 3, the wax man, remained completely unruffled, slowly dropping an even more shocking statement: "And these bounty posters... were issued a hundred years ago." Silence fell in the wax-constructed room for a moment before Mr. 5’s frown finally smoothed out. "It’s not like they’re staying forever. Can’t we just wait for them to leave before making our move?" "That’s precisely the problem." Mr. 3 stood up from his chair and addressed the afro-haired man. "The magnetic field on Little Garden takes one year for a Log Pose to set for the next island." The wax man paused, then added, "I have two Eternal Poses on hand. Later, I will attempt to lure them into the forest and kill them. If they don’t follow, I’ll attack directly, then feign defeat and leave behind an Eternal Pose." "I understand your meaning." A smirk appeared on Mr. 5’s lips. "As long as we don’t involve those two giants, it’s much easier to handle. Shall we set up an ambush in the forest?" "Do whatever you want. I can handle the Straw Hat crew myself." "Tch! Arrogant bastard," the afro-haired man scoffed, then left with the skirt-clad woman. Returning to Reiner’s group, at the center of Little Garden island... Two giant skeletons lay here, sparsely covered with moss and weeds, clearly having rested here for many long years. Below the massive white bones, Broggy grinned widely, holding a large wooden barrel of booze like a cup, downing half of it in one gulp. Reiner and the others had followed him here. Broggy roasted the dinosaur meat he had hunted upon meeting them, and they offered fine wine in return. They ate and chatted, Usopp listening with rapt attention to Broggy’s tales of past adventures. "Gahahahaha! It’s been too long since I had a drink! This is great!" "Hahaha, as long as you’re happy, Mister." Reiner raised his cup and took a hearty drink. "This way, when I ask for your help later, I won’t feel too awkward about it." "Gahahaha, no problem! Tell me what you need. If I can help a friend, I’ll naturally do my best." "Then thank you in advance, Mister." Reiner didn’t beat around the bush. Dealing with straightforward people like Broggy, directness was the best approach; being roundabout would only backfire. He simply explained his ability to Broggy and stated his request to collect the giant’s physical template. "Gahahahaha! Just that little thing? Nothing to be embarrassed about! Doesn’t even require me to do anything." Broggy grinned, gulped down the remaining half barrel of wine, and extended his hand towards Reiner. "Go right ahead!" "Then I won’t stand on ceremony, Mister." Reiner immediately conjured the azure flame from his hand and placed it on Broggy’s. Soon, the flame began to slowly creep up the giant’s massive arm. Nami and Usopp watched with anticipation. They knew about and had witnessed Reiner’s ability. If he could create such a powerful undead, the crew’s combat strength would increase significantly. "Ooh? This flame of yours is interesting! It’s not hot at all, gahahaha!" However, contrary to Broggy’s laughter, Reiner’s expression wasn’t optimistic. "Collection failed." Reiner frowned, looking at Broggy’s enormous body. He could collect templates from those stronger than himself, but only up to a certain limit, not exceeding his own capabilities by too much. Yet, his current physical condition was already extraordinary. Although still considerably weaker than Broggy, it should have been barely sufficient. Why does it still feel like something’s lacking? Thinking this, Reiner directly retracted the azure flame. "What’s wrong, kid Reiner?" "Ah, no, it’s nothing. Let me just try one more time." He prepared to directly activate his transformation state and try again. With the attribute boosts granted from his existing undead, it should be enough. ♧♧♧ -> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE -> FOR EVERY 100 PS = BOUNS Chapter ♧♧♧ -> 15 Advanced Chapters Now Available on Patreon!! -> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais (Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally) If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that’s help the story a lot Thank you