You can't force things to happen, yet sometimes fortune favors the unprepared.
Originally just aiming to improve his armored dragon proficiency, Luo Xia never expected to accidentally awaken the Dragon Power instead.
His Fire Dragon Slayer Magic, stagnant at 80% mastery for a year, had finally inched toward 81%.
This was truly an unexpected stroke of luck.
"Hahaha… HAHAHA!"
Luo Xia couldn't help but clutch his forehead and laugh wildly.
"What's so funny?"
King the Conflagration snapped out of his shock, roaring in anger.
"Nothing, my good brother, don't mind it!"
Luo Xia 'affectionately' gazed at King—now he had yet another reason not to leave the Beasts Pirates.
"Who's your good brother, you damn brat?!" King's expression darkened instantly.
"Don't say that. We're all brothers under the Beasts banner—let's get along well from now on!"
Luo Xia grinned, looking at King as if he were staring at a peerless beauty.
"Hmph. Bring out your full strength. I'll take it all." King snorted, unwilling to engage further.
"Since you insist, I'll return the favor!" Luo Xia clashed his fists together, dragon scales faintly shimmering on his right arm.
Fire Dragon's… no—
Blasting Smash of the Flame Dragon King!!!
Crack!
Snap!
The 'Sharktooth' in King's hands let out a strained shattering noise.
"WHAT?!"
Whoosh—
BOOM!
Under the overwhelming impact of scorching flames, Sharktooth shattered completely. The Blasting Smash of the Flame Dragon King struck King's abdomen, the terrifying force erupting upon impact.
Whoosh—
A flaming meteor streaked across the night sky, vanishing beyond the horizon in an instant.
"This is Dragon Power… Absolutely SUBARASHII!"
Luo Xia clenched his fist as the dragon scales on his arm gradually receded, his grin widening.
The power of that single punch had already surpassed his Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Crimson Lotus Exploding Flame Blade—and this was only the initial stage of Dragon Power's awakening. There was still immense room for growth.
Luo Xia closed his eyes, quietly savoring this newfound strength while waiting for King's return.
One minute… two minutes… five minutes passed.
"Hm?" Luo Xia frowned.
Even if he had been sent flying beyond Wano Country, a Pteranodon's speed should have brought him back by now.
Surely he hadn't been unlucky enough to fall into the sea?
No!
Luo Xia recalled that his punch had struck King while he was in his flame form.
Dragon Power was strong, but it shouldn't be enough to one-shot a 'flame-active' King.
"Fine, if he's not coming back, we've got plenty of time."
...
The next day.
"Hey, did you hear about last night…?"
"What happened last night? I thought I heard thunder!"
"Idiot, how could you sleep through that?! It was that monster rookie and King-sama—they finally fought!"
"Nani?! Seriously?! Who won? It must've been King-sama, right?!"
"Hard to say… The monster—Luo Xia-sama—returned, but… King-sama still hasn't shown up!"
"No way… Don't tell me, after Jack-sama and Queen-sama, even King-sama… The All-Stars have been completely wiped out?!"
Similar conversations spread throughout Oni Island.
"Shh! Luo Xia-sama is coming!"
As Luo Xia swaggered into view, the Beasts Pirates fell silent, not daring to speak or meet his gaze.
Lately, a rumor had spread across Oni Island—if you locked eyes with Luo Xia, it meant you were challenging him to a duel.
A name carries weight, just as a tree casts its shadow.
Luo Xia swiftly established his authority within the chaotic Beast Pirates through undeniable, glorious feats.
"Hey, did you really knock King flying last night?" Ulti, the iron-headed girl, eyed Luo Xia skeptically.
"More or less. Do you want to be an All-Star?" Luo Xia asked.
"An All-Star? Of course! You can make that happen?" Ulti tilted her head, her face full of disbelief.
"That depends on your strength. Come on—if you can move me, I'll give you a shot at challenging an All-Star," Luo Xia said with a smile.
"Deal." Ulti's eyes lit up as she transformed into her Pachycephalosaurus hybrid form.
Clang!
Bang!
Thud~
An hour later.
"Seems like you're not quite there yet," Luo Xia shook his head.
"Stupid big sis, hahaha!" Page One burst into laughter, thoroughly enjoying her misfortune.
"Little Page, you haven't done today's training yet, have you?" Luo Xia grinned.
"Gah—" Page One's smile instantly froze.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Spinosaurus Page One was down.
Luo Xia glanced around, and wherever his gaze landed, the pirates averted their eyes, not daring to meet his.
Luo Xia had no interest in messing with small fry. With nothing better to do, he wandered around until he reached the pleasure district.
"Lord Luo Xia, my delicate frame can't handle rough play… but if you have other needs…" Black Maria made an "OK" gesture with her right hand, circling her thumb and forefinger and sliding them up and down.
"Rather than games, I prefer the real deal," Luo Xia strode forward.
"Ohoho~ Then Lord Luo Xia should eat more in your daily life and strive to grow taller~" Maria covered her mouth with a light chuckle.
"Hm?" Luo Xia raised an eyebrow. He was already 190 cm tall… Damn, in this pirate world, that practically made him a third-rate cripple.
Wait, that wasn't the point.
If Gab could handle a twenty-meter-tall giantess, and Black Maria was only eight meters…
No, that wasn't why he was here.
"Maria, tell me—do you know where the keys to the Explosion Shackles are?" Luo Xia asked.
"Explosion Shackles? Why do you ask, my lord?" Maria looked puzzled.
"No need for details. Just tell me where they are."
"Well… that's not under my jurisdiction. Perhaps you should ask little Hotei—she'd know," Black Maria suggested.
"Hotei, huh? Fine." Luo Xia nodded and, after navigating a maze of corridors, finally reached Hotei's office.
Though still a teenage girl, Hotei had already risen to the position of captain's secretary, overseeing all affairs on Oni Island.
"Lord Luo Xia, what brings you here?" Hotei's youthful face visibly paled as Luo Xia approached with a smile.
Clearly, she was well aware of his fearsome reputation and didn't dare meet his eyes.
Luo Xia: "…"
Am I really that scary?
When Luo Xia explained he was here for the Explosion Shackles and their keys, Hotei visibly relaxed and eagerly led the way.
The keys—secured without a hitch!
Luo Xia headed straight for the back mountain.
After three days of rest, Yamato's injuries had mostly healed.
"Yamato, catch." Luo Xia tossed the keys to her without ceremony.
"This is..." Yamato was stunned at first, but upon clearly seeing the object in her hand, her eyes immediately lit up. "A key? Is this the key to the shackles?"
"Try it and you'll know!" Luo Xia said.
Yamato took a deep breath, her heart pounding and hands trembling as she inserted the key into the shackles.
With a soft click, the Explosion Shackles unlocked and fell to the ground.
"Wahahahaha, I'm free! I'm really free! Thank you, Luo Xia! You're practically my sunshine!" Overjoyed, Yamato picked Luo Xia up and spun him around.
"This key didn't come for free. As repayment, you need to—"
"I know!" Yamato nodded understandingly. "I won't let you down!"
Haaaaaaaa—!!!
Mythical Zoan-type Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Makami Form, activate!!!