Three thousand meters above sea level, the Azure Dragon soared through the skies, riding the Flame Clouds without rest.
For three full days and nights, Kaido pressed onward ceaselessly, pausing only occasionally for a sip of liquor.
In contrast, Luo Xia ate when hungry, drank when thirsty, and napped comfortably atop the dragon's head whenever tired—utterly at ease.
"Slow down a bit. There seems to be something interesting over there."
Luo Xia patted the Azure Dragon's head, signaling him to reduce speed and detour toward a spectacular marine geyser.
This wasn't the first time Luo Xia had made such a request. Having lived as a hermit on the island for ten years, everything in the outside world fascinated him.
Especially here in the New World, where magnetic fields and weather ran wild, creating breathtaking natural wonders at every turn—each more astonishing than the last.
"Whoa, this is incredible—a geyser right in the middle of the ocean."
Intrigued, Luo Xia leaped from the dragon's back, darting straight through the erupting column of boiling water.
Emerging refreshed from his impromptu bath, he held two freshly caught Sea Kings in his hands.
"Catch."
He tossed one of the geyser-cooked Sea Kings toward the Azure Dragon.
Kaido instinctively caught it in his jaws, only realizing the indignity as he bit down, his draconic eyes widening in outrage.
"Have I become this brat's personal mount?!"
Reflecting on the past few days, he found himself genuinely confused about who was the boss and who was the subordinate between them.
"Next, let's check out that area over there."
Luo Xia landed back on Kaido's head, pointing toward another direction.
Kaido: "..."
DAMN IT!!!
Kaido fought the urge to hurl the brat off his head from this altitude, though he ultimately restrained himself.
After all, Luo Xia was a valuable subordinate he'd gone to great lengths to recruit. They were still in the adjustment period—no need for extreme measures yet.
Besides, having carried him all this way already, with Oni Island nearly in sight, it would be a shame to abandon him now.
Considering he'd already served as a mount for three days—the sunk cost already invested—what was one final indignity?
Once they returned... once they reached Oni Island... there'd be no escape for the brat. Then he'd have ample time to properly temper the boy's attitude.
Another half-day passed. At dusk, crimson Flame Clouds painted the sky as a peculiar island—hundreds of meters above sea level—came into Luo Xia's view.
Wano Country—they'd arrived!!!
From a waterfall as clear as an inland river, multicolored koi fish swam upstream, conquering the hundred-meter cascade in a spectacular display of carp leaping through the dragon's gate.
The sight left Luo Xia marveling. As a transmigrator, he'd seen this scene before—but the screen could never compare to witnessing it firsthand.
Only when the sun had fully set did Luo Xia finally pat the Azure Dragon contentedly, signaling they could proceed.
Five minutes later—Oni Island.
At this very moment...
"He's back~"
"Lord Kaido has returned~"
The excited whispers of Beast Pirates grunts rippled across the entire island.
"Prepare the finest food and drink!"
Hotei, the Beast Pirates' secretary, announced loudly.
The next instant—BOOM!—the skull-shaped dome ceiling of Oni Island's fortress exploded open.
A cerulean dragon descended from the heavens as the Beast King resumed human form upon his throne.
"Lord Kaido, welcome home~"
A blue-haired beauty with twin horns and a pink mask—a leggy young woman appearing about sixteen—cheered with delight.
"Gurarararara!"
Looking at Ulti's starry-eyed expression, Kaido felt completely healed, the frustration of being ordered around by Luo Xia along the way instantly vanishing.
Though his own little cotton-padded jacket leaked like crazy, the one sent by his good brother was quite considerate.
"Big Brother Kaido, you're injured? Who did this?!"
A deep voice rang out, laced with anger and even more shock.
As the second-in-command of the Beast Pirates and one of the Three Disasters, King, The Blazing Disaster, understood Kaido's strength better than anyone.
With Kaido's constitution, minor injuries would usually heal within the same day, but...
"It's just a scratch, nothing serious."
Kaido of the Beasts waved his hand dismissively.
"More importantly, King, and all you brats, I want to introduce a new comrade to you. His name is Luo Xia, a talent I met overseas. Make sure to get along well with him!"
"Uwooooh—!!!"
The Beast Pirates all cheered in response.
"Alright, Luo Xia, why don't you greet everyone too." Kaido turned to his side, only to freeze in place.
"Lord Kaido?" Ulti tilted her head cutely.
"Luo Xia? Who?" King also spoke up.
Only Kaido had descended from the sky just moments ago.
Where was this new comrade?
Kaido: "???"
What the hell?!
Where is he?!
Damn it, where's the guy I endured all the way to bring back?!
"What's going on with Lord Kaido? He said there was a newcomer, but where is he?"
"Did he get drunk and confused? There's no new comrade here!"
"No, no, the surveillance Den Den Mushi at the waterfall entrance definitely captured it!"
"That's right, I saw it too! Someone was sitting on the captain's head when he came back!"
"Stop joking, there's no way Lord Kaido would let someone ride on his head!"
The Beast Pirates buzzed with discussion.
"Gurarararara!"
Snapping out of it, Kaido suddenly burst into laughter. After a brief moment of shock, he expanded his Observation Haki, covering the entirety of Oni Island, and locked onto a certain man sprinting toward the back mountain.
Once he confirmed Luo Xia had indeed followed him back, Kaido's worries vanished, and he stopped panicking entirely.
"Kid, playing hard to get with me, huh? Interesting, let's play along then!"
Kaido grinned, as if struck by a brilliant idea.
"Big Brother Kaido, did the newcomer you brought run away? Should I go catch him?"
King had roughly guessed what happened.
"No need!"
Kaido raised his hand, and the banquet hall fell silent.
"Listen up, brats! Our new comrade seems a little shy and has hidden somewhere on the island. Whoever finds him and brings him back will be promoted to Executive—Tobi Roppo on the spot."
The announcement was met with stunned silence, followed by an eruption of uproar and excitement.
The entire Beast Pirates on Oni Island were swept into a frenzy of anticipation and revelry.
Catching just one person to become an Executive—what an incredible opportunity.
Meanwhile.
Completely unaware he'd been marked as the grand prize, Luo Xia was sprinting full speed toward the back mountain of Oni Island.
He wasn't trying to escape, nor was he hiding out of shyness. No—the moment they'd landed on Oni Island, he'd caught a glimpse of something glittering in the back mountain.
The object was identical to what he had seen ten years ago.
Half an hour later.
Relying on his memory, Luo Xia successfully found the glowing object.
It was a golden treasure chest.
Ten years ago, beneath a tree on Sirius Island, Luo Xia had opened such a chest and obtained Fire Dragon Slayer Magic.
Now, a decade later, he encountered it once more.
"I knew it—my cheat ability wasn't that simple."
With an excited heart and trembling hands, Luo Xia strode forward and clicked to open the golden chest.
[Ding]
[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained Armor Dragon Slayer Magic.]
[Press 1 to immediately activate and grant yourself the Armor Dragon Slayer Power.]
Luo Xia: "11111"