One Piece: The Saiyan Pirate

Chapter 70: The Red Ogre

The dense jungle of Little Garden loomed ahead, an untamed wilderness of gargantuan trees and thick, sprawling vines that formed a near-impenetrable canopy. Vivi sat atop Karoo, her royal composure slightly at odds with the awkwardness of balancing on her loyal steed as they trudged through the undergrowth. Goku strode ahead, his boundless energy almost palpable as he sliced through the dense vegetation with ease, the straw hat on his head bobbing with each step.

"Man, this place is wild," Goku muttered, his voice filled with excitement. "Feels like the jungle's alive or something. You feel that, Vivi?"

Vivi brushed a stray vine aside, her eyes scanning their surroundings with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "It does feel alive. Everything here is so... massive. Look at those roots—they're like tree trunks themselves."

Karoo quacked in agreement as he waddled cautiously behind Goku, who suddenly stopped in his tracks. Ahead of them lay ancient ruins, their weathered stone almost entirely engulfed by the jungle. Moss and ivy crept across broken pillars, and tree roots snaked through the crumbling walls, prying apart centuries-old stones.

"Whoa! Check this out!" Goku exclaimed, running forward to examine the ruins. He crouched beside a large stone block, his fingers tracing the faint carvings etched into its surface.

Vivi dismounted Karoo and joined him, her eyes wide as she took in the sight. "These ruins... they must be ancient. Look how the jungle's taken over. Who knows how long they've been here?"

Goku straightened up, his tail twitching as he glanced around. His eyes fell on a massive footprint embedded in the soft earth nearby—a perfect imprint, far larger than anything human. "Hey, Vivi," he called, pointing to the footprint. "What do you make of this? Looks like a giant was here."

Vivi gasped, stepping closer. The sheer size of the footprint made her shiver. "A giant? Do you think it's possible?"

Goku grinned. "Why not? This jungle's ancient, just like you said. Maybe giants lived here a long time ago—or still do. Who knows?"

Their exploration continued deeper into the jungle, the thick foliage giving way to an open clearing where towering creatures grazed peacefully. Long-necked dinosaurs—sauropods—moved gracefully, their massive forms casting long shadows across the ground. The sunlight dappled their leathery skin, and the sound of their deep, resonant calls filled the air.

"Holy shit," Goku whispered, his eyes wide with awe. "Dinosaurs. Real, live dinosaurs."

Vivi clutched Karoo's reins, her voice barely a whisper. "They're incredible. I never thought I'd see anything like this."

Goku stepped closer to the edge of the clearing, his curiosity outweighing any sense of caution. "Think about it. These guys must've survived because of how isolated this place is. It's like the islands create their own little worlds."

Vivi nodded, her gaze fixed on the majestic creatures. "You're probably right. It's amazing how nature adapts when left alone."

They watched in silence for a while, marveling at the scene before them. Then Goku turned to Vivi, his tone more serious. "Speaking of adapting... About the past two nights."

Vivi's cheeks turned a vivid shade of red, and she fidgeted with the hem of her cloak. "D-Do we really have to talk about that now?"

"Hell yeah, we do," Goku said bluntly. "Look, I'm not gonna pretend like I didn't enjoy it. But I need you to know something—I don't see this as part of our deal. I don't want you thinking you owe me anything."

Vivi's blush deepened, and she glanced away. "I... I don't know what to think. You're so direct about everything, and it's—"

"Hot?" Goku smirked.

"Annoying," Vivi shot back, though her small smile betrayed her true feelings.

Goku laughed, his tail swishing playfully. "Fair enough. But I mean it, Vivi. I've got plans—big ones. I'm gonna tear Baroque Works apart, starting with Crocodile."

Vivi stared at him, her eyes searching his face. "You'd do that for Alabasta?"

"Nah," Goku replied, his grin fading. "I'm doing it because Crocodile's a threat to my crew, and I don't leave loose ends. Your kingdom just happens to benefit."

Before Vivi could respond, a shadow fell across the clearing. A massive figure emerged from the jungle, its form shrouded in dappled light. Goku's eyes narrowed as he stepped in front of Vivi and Karoo, his muscles tensing.

"What the hell is that?" Vivi whispered, her voice trembling.

"I think it's one of those giants we were talking about," Goku said, his tone a mix of excitement and caution. "Stay close."

The figure stepped into full view—a towering man with a thick beard and wild hair. He wore crude armor made of animal hides and carried a massive sword slung over one shoulder. Beside him, a fire crackled, roasting an entire dinosaur carcass.

"Well, well," the giant rumbled, his voice like rolling thunder. "Visitors. Don't get many of those here."

Goku stepped forward, his grin returning. "Name's Goku. This is Vivi and Karoo. You?"

The giant chuckled, his laughter shaking the ground. "I am Dorry of Elbaf. Welcome to Little Garden."

Dorry's laughter echoed through the jungle, his massive hand gesturing toward the fire. "You've arrived at a strange and dangerous place, little ones. Little Garden isn't just any island—it's a relic of an ancient time."

Goku's grin widened, his Saiyan curiosity piqued. "Ancient time? You mean like a time when dinosaurs and giants roamed the world?"

"Exactly!" Dorry bellowed, nodding with enthusiasm. "This island is untouched by the world's changes. Time stands still here, preserving creatures and plants from ages long forgotten. The dinosaurs, the jungle… even giants like me and my brother."

"Brother?" Vivi asked, tilting her head.

"Brother in arms," Dorry said, a flicker of sadness crossing his rugged face. "Brogy and I are from Elbaf, the land of giants. We've been here for a hundred years, locked in battle to settle a dispute. It's our way—our pride."

Goku folded his arms, his expression serious for once. "A hundred years of fighting? Damn. That's some commitment."

Dorry chuckled, though his tone softened. "Commitment or foolishness—sometimes it's hard to tell. But enough talk of battles! You must be hungry after trekking through this jungle. Join me for lunch."

The aroma of roasting dinosaur meat wafted through the air, making Karoo quack excitedly. Vivi hesitated, glancing at Goku. "Do you think it's safe?"

Goku shrugged, already moving toward the fire. "If he wanted to squish us, he would've done it already. Besides, I'm starving!"

Vivi sighed and followed, sitting down cautiously near the edge of the enormous firepit. Dorry tore off a massive chunk of meat and placed it on a large, flat leaf, offering it to them like a platter. "Here you go! A little small for me, but it should fill your tiny stomachs."

Goku didn't hesitate, digging in with gusto. "This is awesome! You sure know how to cook, big guy."

Dorry beamed, clearly pleased with the compliment. Vivi took a more delicate bite, her royal upbringing evident even in the wilds of Little Garden. "It's… surprisingly good. Thank you, Dorry."

The giant leaned back, his laughter booming once again. "It's been ages since I've had company. The creatures here aren't much for conversation, and Brogy isn't exactly friendly these days."

As they ate, Dorry explained more about the island. "The reason this place is so unique is because it's trapped in a bubble of time. The log pose you carry will take a full year to reset because of the strange magnetic field. That's why few ever come here and even fewer leave."

"That explains why the dinosaurs are still around," Vivi said, her voice thoughtful. "It's like the island is its own little world, separate from everything else."

Goku nodded, his mouth full of meat. "Makes sense. But how'd you and your brother end up here?"

Dorry sighed, the firelight casting shadows across his weathered face. "A duel. A matter of pride between warriors. We landed here by chance, but it became the perfect battleground. We fight when the volcano erupts—that's our signal."

Vivi's brow furrowed. "But after a hundred years, don't you think it's time to let it go? What was the fight even about?"

Dorry scratched his beard, looking sheepish. "You know, I don't even remember! But pride is pride, and we giants never back down from a challenge."

Goku laughed, slapping his knee. "That's insane, but I kinda respect it. A hundred years of fighting, and you're still going strong? That's badass."

Vivi rolled her eyes. "Boys and their pride. It's ridiculous."

Dorry smiled kindly at her. "Perhaps it is, little one. But it's our way. Just as you humans have yours."

The conversation continued, shifting from tales of Elbaf's traditions to the island's ecosystem. Dorry explained how the dinosaurs thrived without human predators other than the giants themselves and how the dense jungle provided food and shelter for creatures thought long extinct.

As the meal wound down, Goku leaned back, patting his stomach. "Man, that was great. Thanks for the meal, Dorry."

The giant waved a massive hand dismissively. "Think nothing of it. You've brought me good company, and that's worth more than any meal."

Vivi smiled, though her gaze turned pensive. "Dorry, do you ever think about leaving this place? About going back to Elbaf?"

Dorry's expression grew somber. "Sometimes. But I can't leave without finishing the duel. And if I go back, what would I say? That I gave up? No, little one. I'll stay until the end, no matter how long it takes."

Goku stood, stretching. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm curious to meet this Brogy guy. Think he's as friendly as you?"

Dorry chuckled. "Friendly? Not exactly. But he's a warrior through and through. If you go to him, tread carefully."

The jungle rustled In the distance, and Goku's ears twitched. He glanced toward the sound, a grin spreading across his face. "Guess we'll find out soon enough."

[A/N: Can't wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers!]