East Blue.
Foosha Village.
Cliff's edge.
A young man and woman sat facing each other.
Looking at the giant dragon girl who had transformed into human form before him.
Sora took a deep breath, suppressing the shock and excitement in his heart.
Regarding the absolutely gorgeous giant dragon girl before him, Sora naturally wouldn't fail to recognize her.
Even without the system's reminder, he had already recognized that the giant dragon girl was indeed Dragon Maid Tohru.
This fishing expedition had actually caught a dragon princess from another world.
A dragon girl from the world of [Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid], who by chance encountered the human office worker Kobayashi.
From then on, she lived in human society as a maid, leading a peaceful and happy daily life.
Of course.
Before becoming a cute maid, Tohru was first and foremost a dragon—a dragon princess.
Having inherited her father's Emperor of Demise bloodline, Tohru's tremendous strength was beyond question.
Previously.
Sora had thought to use the system's power to quietly develop in the shadows, or ride on the protagonist aura of the Straw Hat boy's crew.
But...
A real man living between heaven and earth—how could he remain depressed and inferior to others for long?
Now a third path had appeared.
With Dragon Maid Tohru, who possessed both strength and beauty.
Ninety-nine percent of the threats in this world would no longer be threats.
Sora could confidently bring Tohru to fish across the entire world.
Whether it was Marine Headquarters or the Four Emperors' territories.
With Tohru as escort, even hell-level dungeons would become easy mode.
The idea of leisurely touring the world became more and more feasible the more he thought about it.
"Tohru."
Sora looked at Tohru seriously.
"Yes, Master~"
Tohru responded cheerfully, staring at Sora without blinking, her eyes full of adoration.
"That... let's skip the 'Master' thing. My name is Sora, you can just call me by my name!"
As a good youth of the 21st century under the red flag, Sora felt somewhat uncomfortable with being called 'Master.'
"Yes! Then... um... Sora... Kobayashi, is that okay?"
Tohru had a flash of inspiration and blurted out.
"That's fine!"
Sora nodded calmly.
"Great~ Kobayashi~ I love you most~"
Tohru pounced forward, tackling Sora to the ground and hugging his arm, sinking deep into the thirty-six D justice.
"Cough cough, Tohru, I mean, you should be able to use your scales to create clothing, right?"
Sora looked away somewhat unnaturally.
"I can~ What type of clothing does Mas... Kobayashi like?"
Tohru looked up and asked.
Hearing this.
Countless images immediately flashed through Sora's mind.
Black stockings, white stockings, suspenders, fishnet... no no no...
Sora shook his head, temporarily dispelling these inappropriate thoughts.
"Then let's go with a maid outfit!"
Sora blurted out.
"A maid outfit?"
Tohru was initially stunned, but soon corresponding images appeared in her mind.
With a flash of light, a blue and white long maid dress appeared on Tohru's body.
Sora nodded with satisfaction, then spoke: "Tohru..."
One hour later.
After the sun had completely set.
Sora had roughly explained the upcoming plans to Tohru.
Just then.
"Hey, Sora, I'm back again!"
An enthusiastic call came from the dense forest.
"Grr~"
Tohru, who had been looking serene, immediately became alert and bared her teeth, ready for an adorable dragon roar.
"Don't be nervous, it's someone familiar!"
Sora patted Tohru's shoulder and began packing up his fishing gear.
In no time.
Straw Hat Luffy burst out from the jungle.
He glanced at Tohru, then his attention was drawn to the dinner nearby.
He stretched his arm, grabbed a large bone meat and stuffed it in his mouth, mumbling incoherently.
"Don't rush to eat. Clean up and let's go to Makino's place. I have something to say!"
Sora slapped the back of Straw Hat boy's head and said with a laugh.
"Oh~"
Straw Hat Luffy nodded obediently and began helping to clean up.
A quarter hour later.
Sora, Tohru, and Straw Hat boy returned to Foosha Village as a group of three.
"Yo, Kobayashi's back!"
"Let me see, how was the catch this time?"
"Hahaha, do you even need to ask? It must be another empty-handed day!"
"Sora, come with me next time. I know a perfect fishing spot!"
The enthusiastic greetings from Foosha Village's residents came one after another, continuously.
Having stayed in this village for a month, Sora had become familiar with the villagers.
Regarding the teasing from these simple villagers, Sora naturally didn't take it to heart, warmly retorting with things like "Empty-handed is impossible, I'll never be empty-handed in this lifetime..."
Soon.
The three arrived at the village's only small tavern.
"Welcome, Sora-san~"
Makino, the tavern's poster girl with a green headband, smiled with curved eyes as she looked at Sora entering through the door.
"Really now, Luffy, did you go to mooch food and drinks from Sora-san again!"
When she saw Luffy behind Sora, Makino couldn't help but put her hands on her hips and say helplessly.
"Mmm mmm mmm"
Straw Hat boy's mouth was completely occupied by large bone meat, unable to say a complete sentence.
"Don't mind it, Makino. Luffy is like your little brother, and you've taken care of me this past month too!"
Sora waved dismissively. During the past month, Sora had been staying at Makino's small tavern.
"By the way, let me introduce her. This is Tohru, my companion..."
"Sora-san's companion? Hello, my name is Makino!"
Makino smiled.
"Hello! I'm Tohru!"
Tohru nodded in response.
After brief introductions, everyone became familiar with each other.
Straw Hat Luffy pushed tables together, then put down the food he had been carrying on his back.
Makino prepared drinks and beverages.
After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food.
Sora, emboldened by the alcohol, told Straw Hat boy and Makino that he would be setting sail tomorrow.
Hearing this, the atmosphere in the tavern first became quiet.
The next second.
"Eh eh eh~ Sora-san, you're leaving?"
Makino suddenly widened her beautiful eyes.
Sora smiled and nodded in confirmation.
"I'm a traveler. The world is so big, I want to go see it!"
"But but, Sora, didn't you say just two days ago that you wanted to be some Ten-Mile Slope Sword God and stay here for ten or eight years?"
Straw Hat boy asked innocently.
"Besides, the sea is very dangerous. Why don't you wait a bit more, Sora? In one more year, I'll be able to set sail. Then we can sail together. My fists are like bullets—I can protect you!"
Straw Hat Luffy said while throwing punches rapidly.
Sora's response to Straw Hat boy's doubts was simple.
Right hand, make a fist.
Armament Haki, hardening.
Smack!
"It hurts!!!"
Straw Hat boy covered his head and rolled around on the ground.
"What's going on? I'm clearly made of rubber... Sora, your fist is just like Grandpa's..."
"Hahaha, this is the power of Haki. You'll learn it in the future too!"
Sora laughed casually.
"Haki?"
Straw Hat boy tilted his head, not quite understanding.
However, he no longer questioned or worried about Sora's safety.
A night of celebration.
Early the next morning.
Sora and Tohru boarded the system-gifted sailboat [Never Empty-Handed], preparing to set sail.
"Bon voyage~ Sora-san, Tohru-san!"
Makino waved her hand. Though reluctant in her heart, she wouldn't stop a man from embarking on his journey.
"Sora, in one year... in one year I'll definitely catch up to you. Let's meet again on the Grand Line... Also, also, I have a really amazing older brother named Ace. If you meet him, remember to say hi for me..."
Straw Hat boy also waved continuously.
Sora agreed.
After simple washing up.
The [Never Empty-Handed] landed on the western coast of the island.
After securing the ship, Sora and Tohru held hands and began exploring this island of unknown character.
Soon, passing through the coastal dense forest, a peaceful village came into view.
At first glance, the village's overall style was primarily Japanese.
Whether it was the architectural style or the villagers' clothing.
If he didn't know this was the East Blue, Sora would have almost thought he had slept and woken up in Wano Country.
However...
In this East Blue, there was only one island with this style.
Sora already had the answer in his heart.
Other than Shimotsuki Village, there was no other possibility.
Because this village was established by people who had fled from Wano Country fifty years ago.
Inheriting Wano Country's style was naturally to be expected.
Compared to other things, what was most impressive about this island was naturally the green-haired swordsman who had emerged from here.
This was the hometown of the future world's greatest swordsman, the pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro!!!
"Kobayashi~ Kobayashi~ Do you know what this place is?"
Tohru asked curiously.
"Mm! I can probably guess!"
Sora smiled and nodded.
"Let's go. We'll stay here for the next week!"
Since he had happened upon this island, Sora naturally wanted to meet Zoro.