"Huh? Page One, did you just say Queen ran away?"
Luo Xia, who had just finished eating and was about to start his daily training, froze in surprise. No wonder Oni Island was so quiet today.
"Yeah, yeah! Big bro, you're just too damn awesome! I heard Queen literally carried his ship and fled overnight!"
Page One spoke excitedly, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Luo Xia.
Initially, Page One had thought Luo Xia was at the level of the veteran Calamities, roughly equal to Queen.
But after witnessing Luo Xia's second and third battles with Queen, Page One realized how narrow his perspective had been.
His newly sworn big brother's strength far surpassed Queen's. As for why Luo Xia had been dragging out the fights to make them seem evenly matched... it must have been to vent anger on his behalf, to beat Queen up a few more times.
Yes! That had to be it!
His big brother wasn't just incredibly powerful, but also deeply loyal and righteous. He would follow this man for life!!!
Luo Xia rubbed his temples helplessly. Had his acting not been convincing enough?
Whatever, if Queen ran then he ran. The monk might flee, but the temple remains. Next time they met, he'd just show his full hand.
Besides, three days should have been enough for Yamato to recover mostly. Luo Xia studied Page One as he pondered this.
"Big bro, why are you looking at me like that?" Page One's heart skipped a beat.
"These past two days I've been too focused on beating up Queen and neglected your training. Let's make up for it all today," Luo Xia said.
"No~oo~oo~!"
Bam! Bam!
Crash!
...
...
Skull House, infirmary.
"Lord Jack! You're finally awake!"
Sheepshead shouted excitedly.
"It hurts..." Jack the Drought sat up, clutching his head after five days and nights of unconsciousness. His entire body ached as if it might fall apart.
Even with his Ancient Zoan User's extraordinary recovery abilities, he'd still been out cold for five full days.
"Why am I here? Damn it, my head hurts so much I can't remember anything..." Jack groaned while holding his head.
"Lord Jack, you really don't remember anything?" Sheepshead asked cautiously.
"I remember... Lord Kaido brought back a new recruit, so I came back to check... after that..." Jack's head throbbed violently.
"Lord Jack, if you can't remember then don't force it. Let's return to Kuri—there's still much work to be done there," Sheepshead suggested.
Earlier that day, he'd heard from other crewmates about Queen the Plague fleeing overnight with his ship.
If even a veteran All-Star like Queen had been beaten into fleeing with his tail between his legs, then Oni Island was no place to stay any longer.
"Right! Lord Kaido entrusted Kuri to me. I can't betray his trust!" Jack nodded in agreement.
Sheepshead was overjoyed and immediately called other Drought Faction members to pack their belongings.
However, as luck would have it, the moment they left the infirmary and entered the main hall, they ran straight into the last person they wanted to see.
"Well well, little mammoth, up and walking already? My bad—got a bit carried away last time and didn't hold back enough." Luo Xia greeted them with a smile.
"Huh? Who are you? What do you mean about not holding back? Did you do this to me?" Jack frowned.
Luo Xia: "?"
Amnesia?
Perfect!
"My name is Luo Xia—soon to be vice-captain of the Beasts Pirates!" Luo Xia introduced himself proudly.
"What did you say?" Upon hearing this, Jack immediately exploded with rage.
In his mind, the only true second-in-command of the Beasts Pirates was King the Conflagration.
Definitely not this random guy standing before him.
"Lord Jack, please calm down! We need to return to Kuri!"
"Yeah, yeah, Lord Jack! This place isn't safe!"
"Lord Jack, that guy's a monster… Even you can't win against him…"
Members of the Drought Faction spoke up one after another, their faces filled with panic as they desperately tried to persuade him to leave.
However, their well-meaning words had the opposite effect. For a stubborn man like Jack, the more they said he couldn't win, the more he refused to back down.
"Shut the hell up! Who the hell do you think I am?! I'm one of the All-Stars of the Beast Pirates!"
Enraged, Jack's body swelled violently as he transformed into his ancient mammoth form.
"You bastard! You'll pay for your arrogance!"
With that, Mammoth Jack launched his 'Elephant Rush,' his powerful trunk smashing through the air before crashing down with earth-shaking force, kicking up a storm of dust.
"This strength… perfect for a massage." Luo Xia cracked his neck.
"Nani?!" Jack's pupils shrank in shock.
"Now it's my turn!" Luo Xia leaped into the air, swinging his right arm in a wide arc.
SMACK!
A single slap sent Jack flying, crashing through a small building.
Already weakened from his previous injuries, the heavy blow knocked him out cold.
"Lord Jack!!!" Sheepshead and the others screamed in horror.
Luo Xia: "…"
Whatever.
Jack wasn't part of his plans anyway.
Ignoring the unconscious Jack, Luo Xia slung his bag over his shoulder and strode out.
Fire Dragon's Slap!!!
Not long after Luo Xia left, a towering figure arrived beside the fallen Jack.
"Lord King!"
"You have to avenge us!"
"That guy went too far!"
Sheepshead and the others wailed in despair.
"Take Jack back to Kuri. Don't return to Oni Island for a while," King the Conflagration ordered.
With that, he transformed into a pteranodon and soared into the sky.
A few days ago, before Kaido left, he had instructed King to keep an eye on Luo Xia—to make sure he didn't run off.
After observing him these past days, King realized Luo Xia was a battle maniac who picked fights with anyone in sight.
If he didn't fight for a single day, he'd get restless. His life revolved around either fighting or preparing to fight.
This reckless, fight-first mentality actually aligned well with the Beasts Pirates' philosophy.
But while it was fine once or twice, no one could handle it constantly.
If someone could put him in his place, maybe he'd calm down for a while.
But if even Queen couldn't do it, who else could?
Guess it's up to me, King thought with a sigh.
...
When Luo Xia arrived at the mountain hideout, Yamato had fully recovered and was energetically swinging her kanabo, A-Jian.
"Luo Xia, you're here!" This time, there was no hesitation in her voice when she saw him.
Beating up Luo Xia one-sidedly was something she couldn't accept, but an equal fight? That was different.
"Let's eat first!" Luo Xia unwrapped his bundle.
Aside from a large amount of food, he had also brought medical supplies and decorations like tatami mats to spruce up the cave.
"Waaah! Luo Xia, you're the best~ Ever since you came, my quality of life has skyrocketed~" Yamato cheered, lifting Luo Xia high into the air and spinning him around.
After eating and drinking their fill, it was naturally time for their daily sparring session.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The metallic sounds of combat continued until late into the night.
Luo Xia finally carried the battered Yamato back to their cave hideout on his back.
"Looks like we'll have to rest for a few days again," Luo Xia shook his head. "Now who's left? Seems like there's only him remaining - King!"
I wonder what the innate flames of the Lunarian Race taste like? How intriguing!