Chapter 114: An Uninvited Guest

The volcanic eruption signaled yet another duel between Broggy and Donly.

Amid the earth-shaking tremors, Rowan rose and followed closely behind Broggy, heading toward the site of their combat.

Rowan was quite eager to witness the strength of these two giants.

Despite their poor performance in the original story—except for that one moment when they used the Elbaf Royal Command to cleave a gigantic goldfish in two, and how even someone like Mr. 3 easily toyed with them—Rowan found it baffling.

After all, these were men who had bounties exceeding one hundred million a century ago. How could they be so weak?

Especially since, over the past hundred years, both had been constantly fighting, maintaining excellent condition.

So Oda’s portrayal of those early powerful characters was truly disappointing.

It wasn’t just Broggy and Donly; even Crocodile and Enel, formidable figures—one a natural-type Shichibukai and the other the strongest natural-type—were defeated by Luffy without even using Haki.

That wasn’t just a plot convenience; it was a collapse of combat power.

What Rowan didn’t notice, however, was that while he followed Broggy to the battlefield, a few sneaky figures had suddenly appeared at Broggy’s home.

After some rummaging, the intruders pried open Rowan’s barrel of wine and secretly slipped in some unknown substance.

Having done so, they carefully restored the barrel and quietly left.

“Broggy, is the fine wine you mentioned from the human Navy?” Donly asked curiously as he took the barrel, glancing toward Rowan perched in the treetop.

“The human Navy?” Broggy turned, puzzled, spotting Rowan in the branches.

“Rowan? You followed me here? I’m here to duel Donly. If you stay, it’ll be very dangerous.”

Broggy warned kindly, harboring a good impression of this human.

“Broggy, I’m a Marine Headquarters Colonel. If I didn’t have a bit of strength, the Navy of today would be worthless,” Rowan replied with a smile, shaking his head.

“As a human, I’ve never witnessed a fight between giants, so let me stay and watch. I promise I won’t interfere.”

Exchanging a glance with Donly and seeing no objection, Broggy nodded slowly and subtly shifted his position slightly to the side.

“Come on, Donly!”

“Broggy, I’ll prove that I am Elbaf’s number one warrior!”

The two giants roared simultaneously and clashed instantly.

Great axes met great swords with the heavy clang of metal, sparks flying in all directions.

Even from the treetop a hundred meters away, Rowan felt the powerful shockwaves rolling toward him.

If his strength hadn’t been sufficient, the force alone would have thrown him flying.

Because their power was so formidable, Broggy and Donly fought with the simplest methods—no fancy techniques, no tricks—just brute force.

One sword strike against one axe swing, both attacking with the unyielding belief in killing the other.

Watching their battle, Rowan felt he was learning a great deal.

For these top-tier warriors, belief sometimes seemed more vital than sheer strength.

Just moments ago, Broggy and Donly shared fine wine as close friends; the next moment, they were fighting with all their might.

Suddenly, Rowan sensed an intense killing intent bearing down on him.

Regaining his composure, he realized Donly’s great sword had been knocked away by Broggy.

That flying sword, as if by fate, headed straight toward him without deviation.

Seeing the two still locked in battle behind it, Rowan knew it was unintentional and didn’t worry.

Slowly drawing his sword, Nara, its pale blue blade shimmering faintly in the sunlight, he swung fiercely just as the great sword neared.

A dark red flying slash burst forth, cutting the sword cleanly in midair, which then clattered to the ground.

The sword’s fall seemed to signal something; at that instant, Donly’s shield deflected Broggy’s great axe, sending it flying before it slammed hard into Broggy’s face.

But Broggy was quick too—his mountain-sized fist struck straight at Donly’s face as the axe left his grip.

Both spat blood simultaneously, and the fight paused.

They retrieved their weapons and approached Rowan.

They had seen Rowan’s flying slash that felled the sword but had been too engaged in battle to pay it much mind.

Now that the fight was over, their interest was piqued.

Having roamed the seas for many years, they had encountered many swordsmen and masters.

But someone as young and powerful as Rowan was truly rare.

“Rowan, you really are a powerful one,” Broggy laughed heartily, as if he himself had just displayed that skill.

“A strong human indeed. Compared to that green-haired swordsman who visited me, you are the true expert,” Donly sincerely praised.

“You mean Zoro? He’s my friend, and also my subordinate in the Navy,” Rowan smiled.

“I see. Well, we’ll head back now. I still have to entertain your friend,” Donly chuckled, pulling the wine barrel from his embrace and shaking it. “And thanks for the fine wine.”

“You’re welcome,” Rowan shook his head and chuckled quietly.

If Zoro saw this—the wine Donly was using to entertain him came from Rowan—he’d surely be upset.

After watching Donly depart, Rowan jumped onto Broggy’s shoulder and they returned to Broggy’s home.

With the battle concluded, fine wine and roast meat awaited them. Broggy, after greeting Rowan, eagerly began to indulge.

Taking a bite of dinosaur meat, Rowan watched as Broggy, much like in his past life when drinking soda, pried the barrel’s lid open, ready to drink heartily.

Yet, for some unknown reason, as Broggy performed this action, Rowan’s Observation Haki suddenly flared, sensing a surge of malice and delight emanating from somewhere within the Bone Mountain.

Although unclear where the malice originated, Rowan immediately stood and, using his speed, appeared before Broggy, kicking the wine barrel violently away.

“Rowan, what are you—”

Broggy’s instinct was to rage at the ruined wine, but an ensuing explosion froze him.

“What is going on?”

Watching the barrel explode atop the Bone Mountain, Broggy instantly understood someone was up to mischief.

He didn’t doubt Rowan—though a Marine, he believed Rowan would not stoop to such underhanded tactics.

If Rowan had any intention against him, he wouldn’t use these petty tricks.

“It’s probably those sneaky bastards!” Rowan reappeared shortly after, dragging along several suspicious-looking figures before the Bone Mountain, his voice grave.