On the boundless surface of the East Blue.
A sailboat with the words 'Never Empty Army' written on its sail bobbed up and down.
The deck was empty, but the occasionally melodious and sometimes wild singing from the girl in the cabin indicated that this was not a ghost ship.
Sunrise, sunset.
Sunrise, then sunset.
Sunrise, and again sunset.
Three days and three nights.
After a full three days and three nights.
Creak!
The cabin door, which had been closed for three days, opened.
A hunched figure walked out with faltering steps.
His legs trembled as he swayed unsteadily to the fishing spot at the bow and stood firm.
Three days of personal experience made Roland understand that becoming a qualified Dragon Rider was not a simple task.
The path of a human conquering a giant dragon was long and arduous.
After all…
Compared to humans, a dragon's energy was simply inexhaustible.
Even though Roland was now a superhuman with over six hundred Doriki, his physical stamina was still far inferior to Tor's.
And once that switch was flipped, it was like tasting marrow and knowing its flavor, an unstoppable addiction.
"Hiss~ I can't take it anymore, System, quickly give me something to replenish myself!"
Roland held his waist with one hand and his fishing rod with the other.
The next second.
As if hearing Roland's call.
The fishing float on the calm sea suddenly sank.
Roland instinctively pulled up the rod.
It didn't take much effort.
A small brown bottle was pulled out of the sea.
Ding-dong~
Wish granted, congratulations to the host for acquiring a bottle of Kidney Treasure—Men need good kidneys, so drink Kidney Treasure, one bottle to refresh your mind, two bottles to never tire, three bottles for eternal youth.
Roland: …
No, I was just saying it, you actually took it seriously!
Do you really think I'm no good?
Just kidding!
Even if it's another three days…
Roland thought to himself as he took the small brown medicine bottle off the fishing hook.
"Since I've already caught it, I can't waste it!"
Roland muttered, opening the cap.
Gulp!
Gulp!
"Hoo~ So refreshing~"
It was like long-awaited rain after a drought, like a bite of ice cream on a hot summer day, like sunshine in winter.
One bottle down, all fatigue instantly vanished.
His legs no longer trembled, he felt energized, and his whole being was radiant, as if reborn.
Just then.
The fishing float, which had just been cast, sank again.
Roland casually raised his rod.
Ding-dong
Congratulations to the host for acquiring fifty skewers of large kidney.
Ding-dong
Congratulations to the host for acquiring twenty dozen oysters.
Ding-dong
Congratulations to the host for acquiring ten catties of grilled chives.
Roland: "…"
Can you get some normal items?
Ding-dong
Congratulations to the host for acquiring fifty cases of chilled beer.
Ding-dong
Congratulations to the host for acquiring…
The continuous catches lasted for a full hour.
The deck was now covered with various barbecue dishes.
Creak!
"Good evening, Roland!"
Tor, wearing a lace nightgown, rubbed her sleepy eyes and pushed the door open.
"You came at the right time, Tor, I was just about to call you. You haven't eaten well these past few days, don't be shy, eat as much as you want!"
Roland greeted her.
"No, no, no, thanks to Roland, I've tasted the most delicious flavors these past few days~"
Tor's big eyes darted around.
"Cough, cough."
Feeling Tor's fiery gaze, Roland subconsciously held his waist.
"Let's eat first! Let's eat first!"
After much persuasion.
Tor finally abandoned her bold idea and focused on eating.
Fortunately, there was enough beer this time to last them from evening until dawn.
The next morning, Roland, using the excuse of being drunk, went back to his room to catch up on sleep.
Tor, on the other hand, changed back into her maid outfit and began to clean up.
Two in the afternoon.
"Roland~ Roland~ There's an island two thousand meters to the southeast, do you want to land and take a look?"
Tor's excited voice woke Roland from his nap.
"Mmm~ Let's go take a look then!"
Roland agreed.
After a simple wash-up,
the Never Empty Army landed on the island's west coast.
After securing the ship, Roland and Thor held hands and began exploring this island of unknown character.
Before long, after crossing the dense coastal forest, a peaceful village came into their view.
At a glance, the overall style of the village was predominantly Japanese.
Whether it was the architectural style or the villagers' attire,
if he hadn't known this was the East Blue, Roland would have almost thought he had woken up in Wano Country after a nap.
However...
In this East Blue, there was only one island with such a style.
Roland already had the answer in his mind.
There was no other possibility besides Shimotsuki Village.
Because this village was established fifty years ago by people who fled from Wano Country.
It was only natural that it inherited the style of Wano Country.
Compared to other things, what was most impressive about this island was naturally the Green Algae Head swordsman who emerged from here.
This was the hometown of the future World's Greatest Swordsman, the Pirate Hunter Zoro!!!
"Roland~ Roland~ Do you know where this place is?"
Thor asked curiously.
"Mm! I can probably guess!"
Roland smiled and nodded.
"Let's go, we'll stay here for the next week!"
Since he had coincidentally arrived at this island, Roland naturally wanted to meet Zoro.