"Since that's the case, let's set out."
"This is our usual mode of transport. You just need to stand on it."
Once Da Xiong and the others agreed, Tiemuzhen and his companions once again operated the round, sailcloth-like flying disc they had used earlier. He gestured toward the group and said with a smile,
"Come on, just step on."
"Eh? We just stand on it and it can fly?"
Da Xiong widened his eyes in surprise.
"That's right. As long as you stand properly and keep your balance, it can hover and move forward," Tiemuzhen explained patiently.
At the same time, Kunmuzhen, Duomuzhen, Yamuzhen, and Asu each took a turn helping Doraemon, Fat Tiger, and Suneo onto separate flying discs.
Compared to Doraemon's bold curiosity and Fat Tiger's eagerness to try, Da Xiong and Suneo were visibly nervous.
After all, they had just seen these things soaring down from an incredible height—it looked thrilling but also terrifying.
And this contraption looked nothing more than a giant piece of sailcloth! There were no safety rails or seats.
If they lost balance and fell… wouldn't that be disastrous?
Still, since they were already here—and Tiemuzhen had repeatedly assured them the device was safe—Da Xiong and Suneo mustered their courage and decided to give it a try.
"Da Xiong, be careful. We're about to take off," Tiemuzhen said, waiting for Da Xiong to stand beside him.
Then, with a quick twist of a wheel-like controller in his hand, the sailcloth disc lifted gracefully into the air.
And surprisingly—despite its simple appearance—the thing was remarkably stable. Even with an extra passenger, it moved through the sky smoothly and evenly, guided with practiced ease by its operator.
"You guys really use this thing for daily travel?" Da Xiong asked curiously, watching Tiemuzhen's movements.
"Yes," Tiemuzhen replied with a calm smile. "Our people of the Wind Village have long learned to harness the power of the wind. We live with it, and we are known as the Wind Messengers."
As they soared over rivers, mountains, and fields, Tiemuzhen spoke with pride.
It sounded mystical, almost fantastical—but in Doraemon's world, mysteries like this were far from rare.
Even if there really existed people with special abilities living in some remote corner of Earth, it wasn't something that would shock them too much anymore.
That would also explain why this place was called the Wind Village—everything here, from the people to the animals, seemed deeply connected to the wind itself.
Hearing this, Suneo suddenly remembered something—the tiny orange whirlwind that had appeared in his backyard after the last typhoon.
That little creature had used the power of wind too.
Could it be… that the creature's hometown was this place?
Suneo stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Among everyone present, only three people had actually met that orange whirlwind: Suneo, Da Xiong, and Fat Tiger.
But if anyone had the deepest impression of it, it was definitely Suneo.
After all, Da Xiong and Fat Tiger had only seen the creature briefly—too little time to form any clear memory.
Da Xiong might still recall his ice cream being snatched away by that whirlwind called Fūko, but Fat Tiger probably hadn't even seen her—his ice cream had dropped right onto his own head instead.
And Da Xiong, after that whole mess, got beaten up by Fat Tiger so badly that he'd likely forgotten the whole thing already.
But Suneo hadn't forgotten. From the moment he saw Fūko display her strange abilities, he'd wanted to catch her and make her his new toy.
Unfortunately, after teasing Da Xiong and the others that day, Fūko had simply disappeared.
Suneo had searched for her all over the streets with a net, but found nothing—and had to give up in frustration.
Now, seeing this village that controlled the power of wind, a new idea began to take shape in his mind.
Still, he kept his thoughts to himself.
Before long, after flying a good distance on Tiemuzhen's unique vehicle, they arrived at a house built right on the edge of a cliff.
"Here we are, everyone—this is my home. Welcome."
While Tiemuzhen was introducing the place, his sister Asu couldn't wait any longer—she ran inside, leaping into the arms of a middle-aged woman.
"Mom~!"
"Welcome home. And these guests are...?"
Tiemuzhen and Asu's mother had a kind, gentle smile. She looked at the group of strangers her children had brought back, curious.
"Mom, these are the people who saved my life!"
Asu straightened from her mother's embrace and said brightly.
"Saviors...?"
"I'm not sure what exactly happened, but since you saved my child, please allow me to offer my sincerest gratitude!"
Her tone was warm but solemn—clearly, she was someone who valued kindness and repaid it. She immediately bowed deeply to Doraemon and the others.
"Oh, please, there's no need to be so formal! We just happened to be passing by and helped her out, that's all," Doraemon said quickly, stepping forward to lift her up, feeling embarrassed.
After all, they were all kindhearted at their core. Even Fat Tiger, who often acted hot-tempered, could be counted on in critical moments.
Turning a blind eye to someone in danger was something none of them would ever do.
"All right then, no more formalities," Tiemuzhen said as he walked in behind them. "Come with me—I'll get you all some dry clothes. Wearing wet ones too long will only get you sick."
At his reminder, both Tiemuzhen and Asu's mother noticed that Da Xiong, Fat Tiger, and Suneo's clothes were indeed still damp.
Fat Tiger and Suneo were in slightly better shape—they had managed to brace themselves when they fell and avoided splashing directly into the water.