One Piece: I Weave the Pirate Codex with My Zanpakuto

"You'll catch it, because you're Harald!"

Ida smiled and kissed her lover's cheek, then pushed him away to talk about serious matters.

"Excluding labor costs, this time we spent a whopping...~~~"

Harald nodded vigorously, staring at Ida with longing in his eyes.

"I earned 2 million Berries!"

"Only 2 million..." Harald was somewhat disappointed.

He had hoped to earn more Pele, and that by converting that money into supplies, the people might be able to live a better life.

"It's different now, you idiot."

Date stood with his hands on his hips, scolding the giant king who was kneeling obediently with his head bowed.

"This time, to prevent any unexpected situations, I didn't bring anything valuable."

"Besides some herbs that are good for men, there are herbs from the mountains outside Nishimura, as well as the fur and flesh of huge beasts."

"Our theme this time is—[Making human men as brave and invincible as giants!], so these are all relatively affordable products."

"I didn't bring anything like cannons, steel products, or branches that fell from the World Tree."

Harald then realized what was happening, his expression blank and snot hanging from his nose.

"You mean, you traded some herbs that the people usually drink and ingredients obtained from hunting for 2 million Berries?"

"Hmm~!"

Date proudly held her head high: (￣▽￣)

"How was it? Great, right?"

"If I bring the branch that fell from the World Tree this time, I'm sure I'll earn a ton of Berries!"

"And also, those businessmen exchanged contact information with me."

"They said if those herbs and ingredients really work for human men, they'll pre-order in large quantities."

"As you know, those herbs are only weakly effective against giants, but it's different for humans!"

Pulling Harald aside to a secluded spot, Ida blushed and whispered:

"Grandpa As specially asked a couple to try the medicinal effects of the herbs in order to help us raise the price."

"And the humans were extremely satisfied!"

“I heard from As that many people have privately contacted him, wanting to buy some for daily use.”

"Hmm~"

Harald lowered his head thoughtfully.

He knew the herb that Ida was talking about; it grew all over the mountains and plains of Elbaf.

To put it nicely, it's herbs; to put it bluntly, it's just wild grass that's been soaked in the blood of wild beasts.

However, the old people of Elbaf don't value those benefits and usually just use them as a blending ingredient for brewing.

"It seems Ross wasn't lying to me, at least not for now."

“Ida, after we go back this time, I’ll take you to pick out some things that are rarely seen in the human world. You can also bring a branch that fell from the World Tree with you.”

"Your experience this time..."

Harald listened to the cheers and excited chatter coming from the neighboring ship, his tone quite wistful:

"It will definitely spread throughout Elbaf in a short time, and may attract more giants to join the merchant group. You should pay close attention to this."

"Perhaps this is the opportunity for people to accept you."

Ida knew what her man meant; she was just a girl who had run away from the South Sea Giant Kingdom and did not possess the noble bloodline native to Elbaf.

If Harald hadn't insisted, she probably wouldn't have even gotten the status of a wife.

As he said, this might be an opportunity!

"I'll contact Ross and ask him to help arrange it."

"Okay! Then I'll trouble you. Let me, Itaru, become the link between Elbaf and human society!"

Ida arched her right hand, trying to show off her underdeveloped biceps.

"Yes, yes, then I'll trouble you, Date."

Harald first pinched his lover's nose, then looked hesitant to speak.

Only after being urged repeatedly by Date did he reluctantly reveal his true thoughts.

"You mean, we have to choose between Miracle Island and the World Government?"

Ida put away her playful expression and solemnly considered the question Harald had posed.

"Hmm, that is indeed an important question!"

"Judging from the current situation, as long as Miracle Island continues to exist, Elbaf should be able to be contacted by human society within thirty years."

"The premise is that the World Government allows it, but I estimate that they definitely won't agree to the Giants developing so smoothly."

Harald sighed, "Yes, that's exactly what I'm worried about."

"Giants generally live 3 to 4 times longer than humans. If Ross were a Titan, I would not hesitate to abandon the World Government and choose this more realistic path."

"But he was a human being, and he only had a lifespan of 100 years at most. After he died, I was not sure if his successor would be the same as him."

"I think even Ross wouldn't dare give me a definite answer, after all, he was already dead at that time, while we could live for a long time."

“If something changes in a hundred years, Date, you know, it will be difficult to join the World Government then.”

"They will definitely use this as an excuse to blackmail us."

“I am the king of Elbaf, I cannot gamble.”

"In the long run..."

Date took the initiative to start the conversation.

“The World Circle is indeed more suitable for us. After all, once Ross dies, the uncertain future will only make things more difficult for the giants.”

"But we're not entirely without a chance."

Harald composed himself and looked expectantly at Ida.

"The years Ross is alive are our opportunity!"

Ida said in a deep voice:

“If we can integrate into human society and build our own network of connections over these decades, then Elbaf will no longer need to rely on any force.”

"We ourselves can become the focus of the world!"

"Even if Ross dies a hundred years from now, we can continue to survive thanks to our unique supply advantages and the network of contacts we've built up over the years."

"As for the drawbacks, well, just like you said, but Harald, the World Circle also has significant drawbacks."

Ida took out paper and pen from her pocket and began to list their points one, two, and three.

"The vague and uncertain future is the same for both sides."

"To join the World Circle, you have to curry favor with those human nobles who change their ranks very quickly, which is inherently unreasonable."

“Elbaf possesses power far exceeding that of their kingdom, and you also possess the world’s greatest power. There’s no reason for the strong to follow the rules set by the weak.”

"Harald, your compromises may not bring prosperity to Elbaf."

"Most human nobles are good at bullying the weak and fearing the strong. Once they discover your weakness, you will always be at a disadvantage."

"Even if you have enough of the oppression and explode, they will distort the facts, portray the giants as reckless and stupid brutes, and then further shrink our living space."

"They made us pay a huge price before giving us the right to reintegrate into the circle."

Harald's expression changed.

The reason he sought advice from Date was because Date was always able to pinpoint the most fundamental issues.

“I told you this a long time ago, but you insisted on joining the World Circle, and even went so far as to apologize and kneel down in Marineford for it.”

With a long sigh, Ida reopened the giant king's most painful wound.

“I know it’s tough for you, but now a great opportunity is in front of you.”

"Even if you fail, it doesn't matter. One day in the future, you will definitely encounter something that makes you so angry that you can't stay rational. At that time, we will also have to pay a huge price."

"Just like last time you stopped the giants from committing violence in the human kingdom, the newspapers still said that you had revealed your true, manic nature."

"Harald, there are villains and scoundrels in human society, and the same is true for the giant race."

"What we need to find is not a perfect ally, but a more inclusive and rational ally."

"They know and understand everything, allowing the good to happen while also allowing the bad to occur."

Ida stepped forward and raised her hand to stroke the Giant King's cheek.

"I'm not saying this to persuade you to choose Ross, but to let you see the truth of everything."

"You are the king of the giants, that's true, but you are also my husband, Harald."

"I hope to share even the slightest bit of your burden; this is the only thing I can do as your wife."

“Ida…”

Harald didn't say much, but bent down and hugged the other person tightly, as if he wanted to melt the other person into his own body.

"I really don't know what I would have done without you. You have helped me so much."

"I'll think about this carefully. Now, let's go home!"

Chapter 113 Borsalino's Dilemma

[The New World, Baxter Island, Torrance Town]

"Hahaha~~ I never expected to see Boss Ross here."

Before anyone even entered the house, the hearty laughter of the God of Fortune, Du Feld, echoed inside.

"If I hadn't heard Stussy and Vegapunk mention you, I wouldn't have known that Boss Ross had graced us with his presence."

"Not at all, you're too kind, Boss Fu."

Ross did not get up to greet him, but remained seated in the courtyard drinking tea.

Du Feld wasn't angry. Given the other party's current strength, he was already quite lucky to have even managed to meet them.

More?

He dared not hope for that.

The man before me is a ruthless pirate, the world's greatest swordsman, the world's most vicious pirate, and the mortal enemy of nobles.

If he upsets the other party, he might lose his life here.

“I originally planned to visit you and your friends in Utopia after things at the Peace Institute were settled.”

"I never expected to meet you in such a rural place. I'm so lucky!"

Ross knew what the other party was testing, so he immediately explained, thus clearing Vegapunk of suspicion and preventing him from making a fool of himself later.

"Before the Rocks Pirates fell apart, Stussy and I were very good friends."

“We also have Newgate, and the three of us often drink until late at night.”

Stussy?

Du Feld subtly changed the subject, his smile remaining warm.

“Come on, this little place isn’t worth your time. If you have time, I’ll take you to Dressrosa.”

"Let me tell you~"

"The girls there are incredibly friendly. I'm a regular there, and I know exactly where the best places to go are."

"I really envy Boss Fu Shen's carefree life."

Ross sighed, "Unfortunately, I already have a fiancée, and I don't want to disappoint her."