Three thousand meters above sea level, the Azure Dragon soared through the clouds, weaving effortlessly through the sky.
For three full days and nights, Kaido traveled without rest, pausing only occasionally to take a swig of alcohol.
Rosha, on the other hand, lived comfortably.
He ate when he felt like it, drank when he wanted, and when he got sleepy, he simply lay down on the dragon's head and took a nap. Life could not have been easier.
"Slow down a bit. That area looks interesting."
Rosha casually patted the dragon's head, gesturing for Kaido to detour so he could admire a spectacular ocean geyser.
This was far from the first request of its kind.
After living like a wild man on an isolated island for ten years, Rosha found everything in the outside world fascinating.
Especially here in the New World, where magnetic fields and climates were in constant chaos, creating endless natural wonders that left him amazed.
"Well damn. A geyser in the middle of the sea."
Rosha's interest was piqued. He leapt from the dragon's back and shot straight through the column of boiling seawater.
When he emerged, refreshed and steaming, he was holding two Sea Kings.
"Tossing one over."
Rosha threw one of the geyser-cooked Sea Kings toward Kaido.
Kaido instinctively opened his mouth and caught it. Only after biting down did he realize something was wrong, his dragon eyes widening.
"Since when did I become this kid's mount?"
Thinking back on the past few days, Kaido found himself genuinely unsure who was supposed to be in charge.
"Let's check out that direction next."
Rosha landed back on Kaido's head and pointed elsewhere.
Kaido fell silent.
Damn it.
For a brief moment, Kaido had the overwhelming urge to shake this brat off his head and let gravity solve the problem.
He suppressed the impulse.
Rosha was a rare talent he had gone to great lengths to recruit. They were still in the early adjustment phase. Going too far now would be counterproductive.
Besides, he had already carried him this far. They were almost at Wano. Throwing him off now would be a waste.
At this point, Kaido had already paid the price. Might as well finish the trip.
Once they reached Onigashima, this kid would have nowhere to run. Then he could slowly straighten him out.
Half a day later, beneath the crimson glow of dusk, flame clouds filled the sky as a peculiar island rose hundreds of meters above sea level.
Wano had arrived.
Within the clear waterfall that resembled an inland river, brilliantly colored koi struggled upstream, leaping hundreds of meters into the air as they attempted the legendary transformation.
Watching the scene, Rosha could not help clicking his tongue in amazement.
He had seen this image before in another life, but no screen could compare to seeing it in person.
Only after the sun fully set did Rosha finally pat the dragon's head in satisfaction.
"Alright, let's go."
Five minutes later, they arrived at Onigashima.
At that moment.
"He's back!"
"Lord Kaido is back!"
The news spread rapidly among the Beasts Pirates, shaking the entire island.
"Prepare the wine and food!"
Bao Huang shouted loudly.
The next second, an explosion rang out from above.
The skull dome ceiling of Onigashima shattered open as a massive Azure Dragon descended from the sky.
Kaido returned to human form atop his throne.
"Welcome back, Lord Kaido!"
A long-legged, blue-haired girl with horns and a pink mask cheered happily, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Wororororo."
Seeing Ulti's enthusiasm, Kaido felt completely refreshed, all the frustration from being ordered around during the journey instantly gone.
His own child might be unreliable, but the companion his brother sent him was truly comforting.
"Brother Kaido, you're injured. Who did this?"
A deep voice filled with shock and anger rang out.
As the second-in-command of the Beasts Pirates and one of the Calamities, King knew better than anyone how terrifying Kaido's strength was.
With Kaido's physique, minor injuries usually healed within a day.
And yet.
"It's nothing."
Kaido waved it off.
"Not worth mentioning."
"More importantly," he continued, "King, and everyone else, let me introduce a new companion. His name is Rosha. I found him overseas. Treat him well."
"Wooooah!"
The pirates erupted into cheers.
"Alright, Rosha. Say hello to everyone."
Kaido turned to his side.
Then froze.
"Lord Kaido?" Ulti tilted her head in confusion.
"Rosha? Who?" King asked.
Only Kaido had landed.
There was no sign of any newcomer.
Kaido stared.
What the hell.
Where did he go?
The guy I carried all the way back is gone?
"Did Lord Kaido say there was a new member? Where is he?"
"Has the captain had too much to drink?"
"No, the surveillance snail at the waterfall definitely saw something!"
"I saw it too. Someone was sitting on the captain's head!"
"Don't joke around. Lord Kaido would never allow that."
The pirates erupted into discussion.
"Wororororo."
Kaido suddenly burst into laughter.
After the brief shock passed, his Observation Haki expanded across the entirety of Onigashima, locking onto a figure sprinting toward the back mountain.
Once he confirmed Rosha had indeed returned with him, Kaido relaxed completely.
"So this brat is playing hard to get."
He grinned.
"Interesting. Then let's play along."
"Brother Kaido, did the new recruit run away?" King asked.
"Want me to bring him back?"
"No need."
Kaido raised a hand, silencing the hall.
"Listen up. Our new companion is a little shy and is hiding somewhere on the island. Go find him. Whoever brings him back will be promoted immediately to a Flying Six."
The hall went dead silent.
Then erupted.
The entire island exploded into chaos and excitement.
Capture one man. Instantly become a high-ranking officer.
It was an unbelievable opportunity.
Meanwhile.
Completely unaware that he had been marked as prime prey, Rosha was sprinting full speed toward the back mountain of Onigashima.
He was not trying to escape.
Nor was he hiding out of embarrassment.
During the landing, he had caught a glimpse of something glowing faintly in that direction.
It looked exactly like something he had seen ten years ago.
Thirty minutes later, Rosha reached his destination.
Before him stood a golden chest, radiating a soft glow.
Ten years ago, beneath a tree on Tenrou Island, he had opened an identical chest and obtained Fire Dragon Slayer Magic.
Ten years later, fate had brought him here again.
"I knew it. There's no way my cheat was that simple."
Heart pounding, hands trembling, Rosha stepped forward and opened the chest.
Ding.
Congratulations to the host.
You have obtained Armor Dragon Slayer Magic.
Consume one charge to activate immediately.
Armored Dragon Slayer Power will be applied.
Rosha did not hesitate.
"Confirm."
…
When you are ready, send Chapter 7.
The translation standard, tone, and terminology will remain fully consistent.