Ameliorate ✦ One Piece

59

"My dearest friend, I thank the gods you're alive."

Akira wasn't sure what to think as she stood aboard the Merry, neck still straining and craning as she stared up at the two giants embracing each other in the shallow waters beside their ship. How does one miss giants on the islands? Who misses a... Giant?!

"And I thank the gods you're alive," the one who'd been waiting for them at the ship when they arrived, Broggy as Usopp had called him, returned his friend's jubilation. "But stop hugging me so tightly, or you'll open my wound."

"We're happy that you're both alive," Luffy yelled up to the both of them.

"We giants are a hearty lot," Dorry reassured him with a large smile. "After you freed me from the wax, I felt good as new."

"Oh yes, and one taste of his stew could bring anyone back from the dead." Broggy's massive hand came down onto Dorry's shoulder, the pair laughing together in amusement at whatever hidden meaning might've been behind the words and rooted in their history together.

"I'm sorry I missed it," Akira said. And out of all the things that had happened on the island, she was somewhat disappointed she didn't get a chance to talk to the giants more and get to know them better. After all, how many people can say they've met even one giant? Much less two.

"What about your duel?" Nami asked hesitantly. "You're not still..."

"After 100 years with no victor," Dorry shared a look with Broggy, the pair nodding their heads at each other as they seemed to come to the same agreement in that very moment. "We think the gods have made their judgement plain."

"I owe you!" Usopp called out from the upper deck where he'd been unfurling their sails so they could set off again. "For what you said back there."

"No, I owe you," Broggy smiled down at him. "Now we have a new tale to tell. The legend of the Brave Warrior Usopp!"

"Yeah!" Luffy cheered happily at the thought, throwing his arms up into the air and showing how supportive he was of the idea.

"And I have a new dream!" Usopp yelled back. "I'm gonna visit Elbaph one day."

"Oh, you'll fit right in," Broggy said only to hesitate a moment later as he thought of something else. "Well... Maybe you'll stand out a little." He held his fingers close, clearly referring to the size difference which would be rather obvious when they went to the land of giants, and making everyone laugh in amusement at the thought of it.

"Princess," Dorry spoke up next, making Vivi look up at the giant curiously. "I pray your country is safe."

"Thank you, Dorry." Vivi smiled up at him just as the ship began to move. The sails caught on to the wind, blowing and spreading wide as the current began to guide them away from the shallow shores of the island.

"When you sail away, trust in us," Broggy spoke up fast, having more to say before they got too far. "And sail straight ahead no matter what happens."

"What? No matter what happens?" Usopp turned to the giants in a panic. "Wait, what do you mean no matter what happens?"

"I cannot wait until we're off this island." Akira shook her head and sighed. She really hoped they didn't have to find out what it was that Broggy was talking about.

"I second that." Nami laughed beside her.

"See ya!" Luffy though, was too busy waving his hands high and wide as he bid farewell to his new friends. "Try not to die anymore!"

Akira waved too, as did everyone else, calling out their last goodbyes as the ship began to build more distance, the giants starting to grow smaller behind them. Soon enough, all of them scattered around the ship, Nami and Usopp finishing up the details so the ship was ready for the open sea ahead.