Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique?
That was one of the more devastating Fire Release techniques in the Naruto universe where the user molds chakra into a searing blaze, shaping it into a dragon that hurls toward the enemy. A jutsu with terrifying power.
Lin Mo never expected that in the world of One Piece, he'd actually gain access to a technique from Naruto.
He was certainly pleased, but there was one thing he found baffling. If rejecting Shanks' invitation was enough to complete his final mission progress, then why hadn't it counted the first time he declined?
Clearly, that red-haired guy hadn't been serious about the invitation the first time...
Without wasting time, Lin Mo opened the interface only he could see a personal status panel.
Name: Lin Mo
Age: 10
Check-in Location: Shimotsuki Village (0%)
Physique: All-Attribute Chakra
Haki: Armament Haki Lv2, Observation Haki Lv2, Conqueror's Haki Lv2
Skill: Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique (Beginner)
System Space: 10 x 10 x 10 cubic meters
The three types of Haki and the system space were part of the welcome package he received when he first bound with the "Traveler System."
Unlike the natives of this world, Lin Mo could level up his Haki by completing check-in progress tasks.
For instance, becoming acquainted with Shanks and treating him to a drink had boosted his progress by 30% and as a bonus, each of the three types of Haki had leveled up once.
His eyes shifted to the new check-in location: Shimotsuki Village.
Sure enough, once a location's check-in is completed, the next destination is revealed.
That meant it was time to leave.
But before that, at the very least, he should treat Shanks and his crew to a proper farewell feast.
A smile tugged at the corner of Lin Mo's lips. "Tonight's on me. Drink all you want."
After days of hunting wolves, bears, and tigers, he hadn't just sharpened his Haki he'd also earned a good amount of Beli. A win-win.
"What's with the sudden generosity?" Shanks asked with a grin.
"I'm heading out," Lin Mo replied casually.
There was a brief pause. Shanks didn't respond right away.
Then Lucky Roux strolled over, a hunk of meat in one hand and a Den Den Mushi in the other. "Captain, it's for you."
"Huh? Who is it?" Shanks took the receiver.
A furious voice immediately roared from the other end.
"Oi! Shanks, you bastard! Did you go to Windmill Village?!"
Recognizing the voice of Luffy's grandfather, Vice Admiral Garp, Shanks chuckled and stepped outside the tavern.
"Hahaha! What's got you so worked up? If you were here, I'd offer you a drink."
"If I were in Windmill Village, I'd have locked you up already! Damn it, Shanks! You've corrupted Luffy! Stay away from that brat, you hear me?!"
Shanks burst into laughter at first, but the next moment, his tone turned thoughtful. He glanced sideways at Lin Mo, who was still seated at the bar, back turned.
"Garp, you know... I met a kid with incredible potential."
"A super rookie? Just another brat with a bit of talent who thinks he's hot stuff."
"No. This one is different. Given time, that kid might just shake the entire world."
Silence fell on the other end of the line.
Though they stood on opposing sides, Garp knew Shanks well. If someone had caught Shanks' eye like this, it meant they weren't ordinary by any means.
"Who's the kid?" Garp asked.
"Not telling you. Hahaha." And with that, Shanks hung up.
On the other end, Garp was so furious he slammed the Den Den Mushi to the floor and stomped it to pieces.
"Shanks! One of these days I'll drag your sorry ass to Impel Down myself!"
The nearby marines could only look on helplessly.
"Vice Admiral Garp... That was the only Den Den Mushi we had that could reach Shanks."
"..."
After hanging up, Shanks returned to the tavern and sat down beside Lin Mo.
Lin Mo kept drinking in silence.
"Kid," Shanks said, "you wanna know who just called?"
Lin Mo gave him a side glance, looking faintly annoyed.
He already knew.
Even if he hadn't heard the whole conversation, that opening line was unmistakably Garp.
"That was Vice Admiral Garp the Iron Fist himself," Shanks said, taking a swig of his drink. "Somehow, the old man got hold of a Den Den Mushi that can contact me. But never mind that. Kid, you need to be ready. With your talent, people from every faction will be watching you. If you don't align with anyone, you might find yourself under attack from all sides."
"Doesn't matter," Lin Mo said with a shrug. He lifted his glass. "Shanks, one more for the road."
Shanks didn't say anything more. He clinked his bottle against Lin Mo's cup, downed the rest of the liquor, wiped his mouth on his sleeve, and asked, "Leaving now?"
Lin Mo nodded.
Shanks stood, all bold and cheery again. "Alright. Let's see you off."
Though he masked it well, Shanks couldn't hide a twinge of disappointment that he hadn't been able to recruit Lin Mo. Still, with his personality, he met every moment with a smile even when things didn't go his way.
At the harbor, Shanks looked around and asked, "Where's your ship?"
Lin Mo pointed to a small sailboat docked nearby. "Over there."
He'd bought it days ago, planning to leave the moment the check-in mission was done.
"That plain old thing? You sure it'll survive out at sea?"
"Yeah," Lin Mo said, jumping aboard and untying the mooring rope. "Next time we meet, it'll be on the Grand Line."
"Looking forward to it. And if sailing alone gets too tiring, you're always welcome to look me up."
"Until next time."
Lin Mo's boat drifted slowly away from the dock.
His next stop: Shimotsuki Village Zoro's hometown. The system's built-in navigation meant he didn't have to worry about getting lost at sea.
But he hadn't even gone fifty meters when the waters below began to churn violently.
From the crashing waves emerged a massive Sea King, its form like that of an enormous crocodile. It opened its gaping maw, filled with jagged teeth, and lunged at Lin Mo's tiny vessel.
From the docks, the villagers of Windmill Village screamed in horror.
"The Lord of the Coast?! That's the Lord of the Coast! Kid, run for your life!"
"Oh no! He's going to be eaten! Someone do something!"
...
In contrast to the villagers' panic, Shanks and his crew looked far more relaxed.
Shanks had sensed Lin Mo's strength, though he'd never seen him fight. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to observe what the kid was capable of. Still, just in case, he gave a quiet order.
"Beckman. Yasopp."
"Don't worry. That kid's fate doesn't end here."
"Agh, boss, you just can't help meddling, can you?"
Both men raised their guns, aiming at the Sea King's head, ready to shoot if Lin Mo was truly in danger.
Lin Mo stared up at the creature, completely unfazed.
"You've got no idea who you're messing with," he muttered.
A perfect chance to test the power of the Great Dragon Fire Technique.
Smirking, he gathered and compressed chakra deep within him, channeling it into his throat. Then, with one breath, he released a blazing fire dragon that roared across the air toward the Sea King.
In a blink, the dragon pierced straight through the creature's thick hide, dissipating into the wind on the other side.
A wave of intense heat rolled outward.
The Sea King's eyes rolled back in its head. Without even managing a scream, its giant body crashed back into the ocean, lifeless, sending a huge spray of water skyward.
From start to finish, the entire encounter had lasted mere seconds.
Everyone on the docks stared, their jaws nearly hitting the floor.
Especially Shanks. Shocked as he was, a wave of awe surged within him.
This kid had been hiding something big.
A fire dragon? Could he be... a Logia-type Devil Fruit user?