East Sea.
Windmill Village.
By the cliff.
A young man and woman sat facing each other.
Looking at the giant dragon girl who had transformed into human form.
Roland took a deep breath, suppressing the shock and excitement in his heart.
Roland naturally wouldn't fail to recognize the stunningly beautiful giant dragon girl before him.
Even without the system's reminder, he had already recognized that the dragon girl was none other than Dragon Maid Tohru.
This fishing trip had actually reeled in a dragon princess from another world.
Dragon Maid Tohru, from the world of "Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid," met the human office worker Miss Kobayashi through a twist of fate.
Since then, she has lived in human society as a maid, enjoying a peaceful and happy daily life.
Of course.
Before becoming a lovely maid, Thor was first and foremost a dragon, a princess of the Dragon Race.
There is no doubt about the immense strength of Thor, who inherited the bloodline of her father, the Emperor of the End.
Before this.
Roland had thought of quietly developing his strength using the system's power, or perhaps riding on the coattails of Luffy's protagonist halo.
But...
How can a man, born between heaven and earth, remain long in obscurity beneath others?
Now, a third path had emerged.
With Dragon Maid Tohru, possessing both strength and beauty, by his side.
Ninety-nine percent of the threats in this world were no longer threats.
Roland could easily take Thor and fish across the entire world.
Whether it was Marine Headquarters or the territories of the Four Emperors.
With Thor safeguarding them, even a hellish dungeon would become an easy one.
The idea of easily touring the world became more and more feasible the more he thought about it.
"Thor."
Roland looked at Thor earnestly.
"Yes, Master!"
Thor responded cheerfully, her eyes unblinking as she gazed at Roland, filled with adoration.
"Um... 'Master' is probably not necessary. My name is Roland; you can just call me by my name!"
As a good young man raised under the red flag in the twenty-first century, Roland was somewhat unaccustomed to being called 'Master.'
"Yes! Then... um... Lin... Kobayashi, is that okay?"
Thor had a sudden inspiration and blurted it out.
"That's fine!"
Roland nodded calmly.
"That's great! Kobayashi! I love you the most!"
Thor pounced, tackling Roland and hugging one of his arms, deeply immersed between the 'thirty-six Digas' of justice.
"Ahem, Thor, I was just wondering, you should be able to use your scales to conjure clothes, right?"
Roland shifted his gaze away, feeling a little unnatural.
"Yes, I can, Ma... Kobayashi, what kind of clothes do you like?"
Thor asked, looking up.
Upon hearing this.
Countless images immediately flashed through Roland's mind.
Black stockings, white stockings, suspenders, fishnets... No, no, no...
Roland shook his head, temporarily dispelling the inappropriate thoughts.
"Then a maid outfit!"
Roland blurted out.
"A maid outfit?"
Thor was momentarily stunned, but soon, a corresponding image appeared in her mind.
With a flash of light, a long blue and white maid outfit materialized on Thor's body.
Roland nodded in satisfaction, then spoke, "Thor..."
An hour later.
By the time the sun had completely set.
Roland roughly explained his upcoming plans to Thor.
Just then.
"Hey, Roland, I'm back again!"
A cheerful 'monkey-like' shout came from the dense forest.
"Woah!"
Thor, who had been serene, instantly bared her teeth in alarm, ready for a cute dragon roar.
"Don't be nervous, it's an acquaintance!"
Roland patted Thor's shoulder and began to pack up his fishing gear.
In no time.
Straw Hat Luffy burst out of the jungle.
He glanced at Thor, then his attention was drawn to the dinner beside them.
He stretched out his arm, grabbed a large bone-in piece of meat, stuffed it into his mouth, and mumbled incoherently.
"Don't rush to eat, pack up and let's go to Makino's; I have something to say!"
Roland slapped the back of Luffy's head and scolded him with a laugh.
"Oh~"
Straw Hat Luffy nodded obediently and began to help pack.
Fifteen minutes later.
Roland, Thor, and Luffy returned to Windmill Village.
"Yo, Kobayashi's back!"
"Let me see, how's the catch this time?"
"Hahaha, needless to say, it must be an empty haul again!"
"Roland, next time come with me, I have an excellent fishing spot!"
The enthusiastic greetings of the villagers of Windmill Village rose and fell, one after another.
Having stayed in this village for a month, Roland had become familiar with the villagers.
Roland naturally didn't take the simple villagers' teasing to heart, warmly retorting with things like, "Empty hauls are impossible, never in my life will I have an empty haul..."
Before long.
Roland and the two others arrived at the only tavern in the village.
"Welcome, Mr. Roland~"
Makino, the tavern proprietress with a green bandana, smiled, her eyes crinkling, as she looked at Roland entering through the door.
"Really, Luffy, did you run off to Mr. Roland's place to freeload food again!"
When she saw Luffy behind Roland, Makino couldn't help but put her hands on her hips and say helplessly.
"Mmm mmm mmm."
Luffy's mouth was completely occupied by the large bone-in meat, unable to utter a complete sentence.
"Don't worry about it, Makino. Luffy is your younger brother, and I've relied on your care this past month!"
Roland waved his hand dismissively. Over the past month, Roland had been staying at Makino's tavern.
"By the way, let me introduce you, this is Thor, my companion..."
"Mr. Roland's companion? Hello, my name is Makino!"
Makino smiled.
"Hello! I am Thor!"
Thor nodded in response.
After a brief introduction, everyone became acquainted.
Straw Hat Luffy pushed the tables together and then put down the food he was carrying on his back.
Makino, meanwhile, prepared drinks.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes.
Roland, emboldened by the alcohol, informed Luffy and Makino that he would be setting sail tomorrow.
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the tavern first fell silent.
The next second.
"Eh?! Mr. Roland, are you leaving?"
Makino's beautiful eyes suddenly widened.
Roland smiled and nodded in confirmation.
"I am a traveler; the world is so big, and I want to see it!"
"But, but, Roland, didn't you say two days ago that you wanted to be some 'Ten-Mile Slope Sword God' and stay here for ten or eight years?"
Luffy asked innocently.
"And, the sea is very dangerous! Why don't you wait a bit longer, Roland? In another year, I can set sail, and then we can sail together! My fists are like bullets; I can protect you!"
Straw Hat Luffy said, throwing rapid punches.
Roland's response to Luffy's questioning was simple.
Right hand, clenched into a fist.
Armament Haki, hardened.
Bang!
"Ouch!!!"
Luffy rolled on the ground, clutching his head.
"What happened? I'm rubber... Roland, your fist is just like Grandpa's..."
"Hahaha, that's the power of Haki; you'll learn it too someday!"
Roland said with a casual laugh.
"Haki?"
Luffy tilted his head, not quite understanding.
However, he no longer questioned or worried about Roland's safety.
A night of revelry.
The next morning.
Roland and Thor boarded the "Never Empty Army" sailboat, a gift from the system, preparing to set sail.
"Have a safe journey, Mr. Roland, Miss Thor!"
Makino waved, and though her heart was reluctant, she would not stop a man from embarking on a journey.
"Roland, in a year... in a year, I will definitely catch up to you! We'll meet again on the Grand Line... And also, I have a really amazing older brother named Ace; if you meet him, remember to say hello for me..."
Luffy also waved repeatedly.
"Goodbye!"
Roland waved to them with his back turned.
The Never Empty Army gradually moved away, distancing itself from Windmill Village.
At a certain moment.
The calm sea suddenly churned.
Splash!
A hundred-meter-long sea beast burst out of the water.
It was the Lord of the Coast, who had once bitten off a Four Emperors' arm.
"Scram!!!"
The usually serene Tor showed her fangs.
The oppressive aura belonging to the supreme Dragon race instantly scared the Lord of the Coast into submission, his stiff body slowly sinking back into the sea.
Half a day later.
In a certain sea area far from Windmill Village.
Roland, who had been sitting idly for half a day, suddenly had a whim and decided to try something new.
Whoosh!
The strong wind howled.
Tor transformed, turning into a giant green dragon.
"Roland, hurry up and come on!"
"Coming!"
Roland leaped, landing on Tor's back.
Whoosh!
Tor flapped her dragon wings, immediately soaring into the sky with Roland, experiencing the joy of being a Dragon Rider.
Only the Never Empty Army was left behind: I didn't get on! I didn't get on yet!
On this day.
Legends of a giant dragon and a Dragon Rider began to spread in the East Blue.
As night fell.
Roland and Tor, having experienced the joy of being a Dragon Rider, returned to the ship.
Tor excitedly carried ingredients she had bought from another island into the kitchen.
Before long, a delicious-looking omelet rice was served.
"Roland, do you want to eat omelet rice, or… first… eat… Watashi?"
Tor looked at Roland with anticipation.
Gulp!
Looking at Tor, who was only wearing an apron, Roland's Adam's apple bobbed.
The joy of being a Dragon Rider, he had only experienced half of it during the day; now it was time to complete the other half.
It's just…
Soon.
Roland realized something was wrong.
What about the Dragon Rider I was promised?
How did it suddenly turn around?
…