The Mark of the Ancient Giants

Smoke and chaos fill a wooden village pier as a strange creature thrashes in the water. A voice yells, "Y'ALL WAIT!! STOP!!" Narration box states, "A SNEAKY MOVE BY GOD'S KNIGHTS!! WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THE KIDSI!" Chapter title appears: "CHAPTER 1143: GOD'S KNIGHTS". Below, an elderly bearded man with a black cloak pants, "HUFF.. HUFF.." while calling out, "YLVA!! MAGUI!! RONJA!!" A small horned child stands nearby as the man shouts, "WHAT'S THIS WHITE CLOTHI! WHERE ARE YOU KIDS GOIN'I!" He adds, "THEY REALLY ARE SLEEPWALKIN'..." In lower panels a large hand reaches out while voices discuss, "AND WE CAN'T LET THEM KEEP WALKING LIKE THIS, IT'S DANGEROUS..." "IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THERE'S ANYTHING NEARBY..." "I KNOW, BUT.." A woman warns, "THAT TEACHER WARNED US NOT TO TOUCH THEM..." Another replies, "CAREFUL, SAUL!" "THE ONE THAT WAS COVERED IN BLOODI!"

A massive close-up shows the elderly bearded man lunging forward with a furious expression, mouth open wide, as impact lines and black crosses explode around the small horned child. The man yells, "LET'S JUST GET 'EM BACK TO THE SCH--" Sharp impact sounds "グッ!!" and "ググッ!!" ring out with "!!!" The child stands unfazed. In the next tier a distant view reveals the man collapsed on the ground, bloodied, shouting in agony, "GWAAHHH!!! IT HURTS!!" Panicked voices cry, "WHAT THE--I! SAULI!" "WHAT HAPPENEDI! DID SOMETHING STAB YOUI!" A speech bubble from off-panel declares, "I'M CALLING FROM THE WALRUS SCHOOL!"

Multiple villagers react in panic. A woman with glasses reports, "AND NINE OF THEM ARE WALKING AWAY... BUT THEY'RE STILL UNCONSCIOUS!!" Another adds, "ALL OUR STUDENTS JUST SUDDENLY FELL INTO A DEEP SLEEP...!!" A man exclaims, "THAT'S NOT ALL!! MYSTERIOUS BEASTS HAVE EMERGED FROM THE FOREST....!!" A parent cries, "MY KID IS THERE!!" "THE SCHOOL CHILDRENI!" "WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S CAUSING THIS!!" labeled "WESTERN VILLAGE". Monsters loom as people shout, "MONSTERSI! ARE THOSE TIKES GONNA BE OKAYI!" In the bottom tier a group stares toward smoke and fire; one asks, "WHAT'S GOING ON OVER THEREI!" Another says, "ALL THIS ON TOP OF A FIREI! THIS IS SO SUDDEN... THE KIDS ARE GONNA BE OKAYI" A final note reads, "THE KIDS WERE HEADING TOWARDS THE EIGHTH BRANCH..." A transponder snail box states, "TELEDICTION SNAIL (ONLY USED WITHIN ELBAF)".

High above the treetops of Elbaf, smoke and debris erupt from the distant Eighth Branch as a massive explosion tears through the foliage. A horned bull-like creature watches from a wooden perch and wonders aloud, "SO THEY MEAN BACK THERE, RIGHTI IS EVERYTHING OKAYI" Below, chaos erupts as bells ring wildly. "WOOOO!! DING DONG!! DING DONG!!" A skeleton-like warrior in a tall hat and cape shouts, "YOU CAN'T LOSE YOUR WITS AT A TIME LIKE THIS..." while nearby giants panic. "YOU'RE WAY TOO DRUNK!!" "GREAT-GREAT-GRANDCHILD!" "ARGH!! DIS ISH AWFUL, MY GREAT-GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER YLVA GOES DER!!!" One giant exclaims, "WOW! THAT WAS QUICK!" In the lower panel a massive, muscular giant with wild hair and a fur collar grips a steering wheel and yells, "WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU!!" as a fire-svalr vehicle launches forward. A voice commands, "A FIRE-SVALR HAS BEEN DISPATCHED! GO, FIRE BRIGADE!!"

Shocked faces fill the panels as the fire-svalr speeds away. The skeleton warrior's eyes bulge, "WHA--I!" while another giant cries, "WHAT'S THATI" A wide-eyed figure mutters, "HUUH..." as the vehicle crashes through clouds and branches with dramatic motion lines and impact sounds. The skeleton warrior lunges forward with sword drawn, cloak billowing, while the svalr tumbles through the air. In the bottom panel the entire group of giants reacts in unison with wide-open mouths and flailing arms, shouting a collective "WHAAATTTI!!" as realization hits.

A close-up reveals St. Summers, a long-haired man with glasses and a cruel grin, laughing as he smokes. "WHAT WAS THAT EXPRESSION AGAINI 'LOVE IS BOTH ROSES AND THORNS,' RIGHTI GIHA HA HA!! DID YA SEE THATI! THE LOOK ON THAT GIANT'S FACE WHEN THE THORNS GOT HIM—PRICELESS!" He continues, "IT'LL BE EVEN BETTER WHEN THEIR FOLKS SHOW UP, RIGHTI! I LOVE THIS GAME!!" while narrating the power of his fruit: "...THE DEEPER PASSION'S THORNS TAKE HOLD! THE MORE LOVE YOU HAVE... TCH! YOU'RE SUCH A STICK IN THE MUD, GUNKO! BEATS ME." In the background, small figures sit at a table with audible "CLICK" sounds as thorns begin to manifest. The page ends with St. Summers dramatically framed by enormous thorns, declaring, "EVEN MURDER CAN BE MOVING!!" A caption box reads, "ST. SUMMERS THORN-THORN FRUIT (A BRIAR MAN)".

St. Summers and his companions discuss routes through the massive tree branches. "THE CENTRAL PATH. THERE ARE OTHER THICK BRANCHES..." "GUNKO, WHAT ROUTE ARE YOU USINGI" "C'MON!! YOU'RE TOO SLOW!! IT'S PATHETIC!" St. Summers replies with a sinister smile, "IT'LL BE DEATH BY LOVE! THAT'S SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO, AM I RIGHTI!" A detailed map of Elbaf shows labeled locations: WESTERN VILLAGE, HARBOR, OWL LIBRARY, WALRUS SCHOOL. A hooded figure notes, "BUT MAKING THEM GO THAT WAY WILL GET THEM TO THE OCEAN CLOUDS I SAW BY THE VILLAGE." In the final panels St. Summers tastes something and reacts, "SALTI" while another character insists, "SUMMERS, THIS NEEDS SALT." St. Summers concludes, "TO BE IN THE CENTER IS TO BE VULNERABLE. THAT'S A HARSH REALITY TO FACE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE TOO HELPLESS TO MOVE."

St. Qilingam activates his Mythical Dragon-Dragon Fruit powers, materializing Asbach rock salt that strikes a sleeping giant. "YOU CAN WAKE UP NOW!" he commands as the giant jolts awake with a loud "RUSTLE" and "ZZZZZAAAH!" A panel labels the ability: "ST. QILINGAM MYTHICAL DRAGON-DRAGON FRUIT - MODEL: QILIN (A DREAM-MATERIALIZING MAN)". In the next scene, seated figures discuss the salt's properties while a small ship docks near a giant village. "I AGREE... THIS SALT IS PERFECT! OF COURSE, I CAN USE IT MULTIPLE TIMES SIMULTANEOUSLY. THAT'S THE ABILITY YOU USED TO PULL THOSE DREAM DEMONS OUT OF THE BRATS' HEADS, RIGHTI" One remarks, "THAT SHIP DOCKED AT THE VILLAGE IS MEANT FOR GIANTS, BUT..." The conversation continues: "SO WHEN WE'VE DONE THAT, WE JUST RETURN TO THE HOLY LAND, AND... WHAT A PECULIAR CULTURE... WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE OUR OWN RAINBOWS WITH A PAINTER... IT'S DELICIOUS!!"

Luffy, still eating the dream meal, complains, "HEY, IS THIS ZERO CALORIESI I'M STUFFED... THIS GAME WAS WAY TOO EASY!! WHATI THAT'S IT!" A voice warns, "SUMMERS, DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN..." Suddenly a close-up reveals a masked figure's shocked eyes as they declare, "EMPEROR STRAW HAT LUFFY IS ON ELBAF! I SAW A CERTAIN PIRATE SHIP ANCHORED AT THE VILLAGE... TROUBLE IS BREWING." The scene cuts to a burning mountainside where giants flee a spreading fire. "HUH!I HEY, AREN'T THE KIDS HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THE FIREI IT SPREAD FASTER THAN I EXPECTED, BUT NO MATTER. IF THEY DIE, WE'LL JUST HAVE THE NEXT BATCH MARCH OVER..."

Massive impact sounds "DOGA HA HA HA HA...!!" echo as Hajrudin swings Ragnir. "GO AHEAD AND TRY SOMETHING, HAJRUDIN! LOKI, YOU NO GOOD..." A monstrous giant engulfed in flames laughs, "THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN STOP ME... HUFF... NONE OF YOU CAN EVEN LIFT RAGNIR!" Smaller giants lie defeated on the ground. A woman shouts, "WE CAN'T LET YOU TURN ANYONE ELSE IN THE SUN REALM INTO A VICTIM! OH, THERE WILL BE VICTIMS! THE FLAMES ARE ALREADY SPREADING!! NOW CHOOSE...! SURRENDER YOUR WEAPONS AND LET ME GO, OR..."

The monstrous giant roars, "I'LL SLAUGHTER EVERY LAST WEAKLING IN THE SUN REALM... WILL YOU LET EVERYONE DIE!!!" Hajrudin yells back, "HEY, WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THIS MONSTROUS GIANTI! HE'S INJURED, IF WE DON'T HELP HE'LL..." Luffy intervenes, "WAIT!! WE GET IT!!!...IF YOU DON'T ANSWER!" He continues, "I GUESS THERE'S NO CHOICE... I PROMISED... IF YOU DID ANYTHING, I'D DROP YOU!" Zoro appears, prompting Hajrudin to shout, "RORONOA ZOROI! DON'T FALL FOR IT, HAJRUDIN!" A close-up shows a wide grin on a shadowed face.

Explosions rock the battlefield as Luffy stretches his arm into a massive balloon. "ARM BALLOON!!" he yells. A horned giant named Loki counters with a devastating strike, sending debris flying. "HEH HEH..." Loki chuckles while Luffy mutters, "DAMN... I GUESS I LOSE THIS ROUND... GUM-GUM..." A helmeted warrior warns, "HE'LL ZAP YOU IF YOU GET NEAR!! WAIT, STRAW HAT!" Loki declares, "SO THAT'S YOUR ANSWER!! I SEE!!" A braided woman shouts desperately, "JUST STOP, LOKI!! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!! THERE'S NO TURNING BACK FROM A CRIME LIKE THIS!!" The warrior presses on, "HIS WOUNDS ARE ABOUT TO OPEN UP AGAIN ANYWAY!! LUFFY!! ARE YOU GONNA LET HIM OFF EASYI!" Smoke, flames, and impact lines fill the chaotic scene as Luffy and Loki clash amid the ruins.

In the aftermath, a white creature reflects, "HE PROBABLY PLANNED ON FINDING SOMEWHERE TO PASS OUT SAFELY AFTER HE ESCAPED. IT WAS A NICE TRY. HE WAS ALREADY AT DEATH'S DOOR... JUST STANDING WAS TAKING ALL THE STRENGTH HE COULD MUSTER. I DOUBT HE'D HAVE MADE IT, GIVEN THE BLOOD LOSS..." A scarred man adds, "...ISSUE FROM HIS PRIOR CRIMES. IT CERTAINLY LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE TRIED TO KILL HIM, AND THAT'S A SEPARATE... IT'S JUST A HUNCH, BUT COULD IT BE...I" Loki roars, "I HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS WITH HIM!! BUT HE WAS COVERED IN BLOOD!! NOW IT'S UP TO YOU WHETHER YOU WANNA TREAT HIM OR LET HIM CROAK..." Luffy bursts forward, pleading, "PLEASE SAVE HIS LIFE!! I DON'T CARE WHAT KIND OF PERSON HE IS, I CAN'T JUST WATCH HIM DIE!! HAJRUDIN! I HAVE A REQUEST!"

A woman with earrings examines medical equipment and wonders, "HOW LONG FOR A FULL RECOVERY...I SEVERAL MONTHS AT THE LEAST." Loki lies injured on logs while the group debates. "THEY WON'T BE SO FORGIVING AT THE VILLAGE... IT'D BE A ONE WAY TICKET TO EXECUTION!!" one says. Another replies, "IF WE'RE ABOUT TREATING THESE WOUNDS... HE SHOULDN'T BE SLEEPING IN A PLACE LIKE THIS. I DON'T MIND STAYING HERE. THEIR HATRED REALLY RUNS DEEP BUT I GUESS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT UNFORGIVABLE GARBAGE." A close-up reveals the mark on Loki's chest. "IT'S THE MARK OF THE ANCIENT GIANTS," someone notes. "OUR FATHER HARALD WAS THE SAME," adds a horned figure. Luffy stares in surprise, "WOW, THOSE HORNS ARE THE REAL DEAL..."

A towering horned giant addresses his sons, "I WANT YOU TO GET ALONG WHEN I'M GONE... AND DO WHAT YOU CAN TO SUPPORT ELBAF. YOU ARE BOTH MY PRECIOUS SONS." The helmeted warrior remains silent with "..." A flashback shows young Loki attacking, "YOU'RE JUST A BASTARD! YOU'LL NEVER BE DAD'S TRUE HEIR!!" while another figure mocks, "HOW CAN I CALL SUCH A WEAK RUNT... MY BIG BROTHERI!" In the present, Hajrudin swings his massive axe with a fierce "HAJRUDIN!!" cry as a voice taunts, "EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR MOM'S GOT DIRTY BLOOD!!" Tension and motion lines capture the brothers' bitter confrontation.

In the snowy mountains of Elbaf, Hajrudin glares with fury, shouting, "...DO IT ALREADY. THIS WEEPING WARRIOR THING HAS GOTTEN OLD..." A second panel shows him raging, "HE INSULTED MY MOTHER AND KILLED OUR FATHER!! THERE'S NO WAY I CAN EVER FORGIVE HIM..." Nearby allies try to intervene, yelling "CALM DOWN, HAJRUDIN!! WHOA! HOLD IT!" with impact lines and motion effects. The scene shifts to a wide view of the forested mountain village where a massive, bandaged face—Loki—speaks from the snow, "DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE REALLY LIKE THE REST......THINKING I ACTUALLY KILLED OUR FATHER IN COLD BLOOD..." while another voice mocks, "YOU'RE SO DRUNK ON ALL THIS PERSONAL DRAMA......YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES!" Hajrudin freezes in shock, eyes wide with "II!" as bold text erupts: "WHAT'S LOKI SAYINGI!" Loki's enormous face looms closer, asking with a sly grin, "YOU DON'T REALLY BUY IT, DO YOUI" amid heavy sound effects and dramatic shading.

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