C2 The Crowd Who Were Shocked by the Sea

The Fire Escape: Fire Dragon Flame Technique?

This is a formidable Fire Escape jutsu, where the caster uses their chakra to generate an intensely hot flame, shaping it into a dragon that surges toward the enemy with astonishing power.

Lin Mo never imagined that he would acquire a skill from the world of the Fire Shadow while in the pirate world.

Yet, despite his joy, he couldn't help feeling a bit dumbfounded. If rejecting Red Hair's invitation could trigger the final progress, why hadn't it done so the first time he refused?

It seemed Red Hair's initial offer was nothing more than a casual gesture...

Lin Mo promptly accessed the attribute panel visible only to him.

Name: Lin Mo.

Age: 10.

Sign-in Zone: Frost Moon Village (0%).

Physique: Full Attribute Chakra.

Haki: Busoshoku Haki Lv2, Kenbunshoku Haki Lv2, Haoshoku Haki Lv2.

Skill: Fire Escape: Fire Dragon Flame (Beginner).

System Space: 10x10x10 cubic meters.

The Three Haki and System Space were part of the welcome package gifted by the traveler system when Lin Mo first linked to it.

The levels indicated the strength of his Haki, which, unlike the native inhabitants of the pirate world, Lin Mo could enhance simply by fulfilling sign-in progress tasks.

For instance, after befriending Red Hair and sharing a drink, his progress jumped by 30%, and he was rewarded with a level-up in all three Haki.

His eyes then shifted to Frost Moon Village, listed under the sign-in zone.

Indeed, once one sign-in zone was completed, the next would be unveiled.

With the next destination now in sight, it was time for him to move on.

But before departing, he owed Red Hair and his crew a proper feast.

A smile played at the corners of Lin Mo's lips. "Drinks are on me tonight, everyone. Let's make it a good one."

His recent bouts with wolves, bears, and tigers hadn't been for naught; not only had he improved his Haki proficiency, but he'd also amassed a considerable amount of Berry—two birds with one stone.

"What's gotten into you, being so lavish all of a sudden?" Red Hair chuckled.

Lin Mo nonchalantly announced, "I'm getting ready to head out."

Red Hair was momentarily taken aback, yet he remained silent.

Roux approached, gripping a hunk of meat in one hand and towing a Den Den Mushi with the other. "Boss, you've got a call."

"Who's looking for me?" Red Hair asked as he took the receiver.

A bellow erupted from the Den Den Mushi.

"Hey, hey! Red Hair, you scoundrel, did you swing by Pinwheel Town?"

Recognizing the voice of Luffy's grandfather, Garp, Red Hair stepped outside the tavern with the phone, chuckling, "Haha, what's got you so fired up? If you were here, I'd treat you to a drink."

"If I catch you in Windchime Town, I'll throw you in jail! You scoundrel, you're a bad influence on Luffy. Keep your distance from him, got it?"

"Hahaha." Red Hair's laughter quickly faded into a calm demeanor as he turned to face Lin Mo, who was seated at the bar with his back to him. His tone turned earnest, "Garp, did you know? I've spotted a supernova with boundless potential."

"What supernova? Just a bunch of self-important brats with a little skill, thinking they're the big deal."

"No, this one's different. Given time, this kid might just shake up the world."

Red Hair's words rendered Garp speechless.

Despite their differing viewpoints, Garp knew that anyone who caught Red Hair's attention and earned such high regard was no ordinary individual.

"Who's this kid you're talking about?"

"I'm not spilling the beans, hahaha." With that, Red Hair ended the call.

On the other end, Garp, fuming, slammed the Den Den Mushi to the ground and stomped it to pieces. "Shanks! Someday, I'll personally throw you into Impel Down!"

The Navy officers nearby could only watch in dismay, too late to intervene. "Vice Admiral Garp, that was the only Den Den Mushi we had to contact Red Hair Shanks..."

Garp fell silent.

After disconnecting with Garp, Red Hair made his way back into the tavern and took a seat next to Lin Mo.

Lin Mo quietly sipped his drink.

Red Hair spoke up, "Kid, curious about who was on the phone just now?"

Lin Mo gave him a silent glance.

He had an inkling...

He hadn't caught the whole conversation, but from the first sentence alone, he was certain it was Garp.

"That was Vice Admiral 'Iron Fist' Garp," Red Hair said, taking a swig of his drink. "The old man actually got his hands on a Den Den Mushi that can reach me. But that's beside the point. Listen, you've got to think this through. Your talent is bound to draw attention from all corners. Without aligning with any faction, you're looking at a future with enemies on multiple fronts."

"It doesn't bother me," Lin Mo replied with a nonchalant shrug, then raised his glass. "Red Hair, let's have one more drink before I set off."

Red Hair didn't add anything else. He clinked his bottle against Lin Mo's glass and finished off the last half with a single gulp, wiping his mouth casually before asking, "Heading out now?"

Lin Mo nodded.

Red Hair stood up, his spirit undiminished, "Let's go, I'll see you off."

Despite his bravado, Red Hair felt a twinge of disappointment at not being able to recruit Lin Mo.

But true to his nature, he took it in stride, optimistic as ever, so any hint of disappointment was well concealed.

At the dock, Red Hair suddenly inquired, "Where's your ship?"

Lin Mo pointed to a modest sailboat moored at the shore for the past few days. "Right there."

He had bought it a few days earlier, planning to depart as soon as his sign-in task was complete.

"That simple little boat, you sure it's seaworthy?"

"Yep." Lin Mo hopped aboard, untying the rope from the dock. "I'm off. Next time we meet, it'll probably be on the Grand Line."

"Good. Next time, we'll have a proper drink. Kid, if you ever tire of sailing solo, you're always welcome to join me."

"Sure, until next time."

With that, Lin Mo's small boat began to drift away.

His next destination was Frost Moon Village, home to Zoro. With the built-in navigation of his system, Lin Mo had no fear of losing his way at sea.

The boat had barely cleared fifty meters from the dock when suddenly, the water beneath roiled with an enormous wave.

Suddenly, a Sea King resembling a colossal crocodile burst through the waves, its gaping maw filled with sharp teeth snapping at the boat carrying Lin Mo.

The villagers of Windmill Village cried out in shock.

"The King of the Seas? Is it really the King of the Seas? Kid, run for your life!"

"Oh no, what do we do? He's about to be devoured. Someone save him..."

...

While the villagers were fraught with concern, Red Hair and his crew appeared far more at ease.

Red Hair was aware of Lin Mo's strength but had yet to witness him in action. This was the perfect chance to gauge the youngster's capabilities. Still, he thought it wise to have a contingency plan. "Hey, Beckman, Yasopp."

"Don't worry, the kid's destiny isn't up today."

"Ah, Boss, you always have to stick your nose into things."

Both men drew their guns, aiming at the King of the Seas' head, ready to fire should Lin Mo find himself in peril.

Lin Mo looked up disdainfully at the so-called King of the Seas. "You're out of your depth."

It was the ideal moment to test the might of his Fire Dragon Flame technique.

With a slight smirk, Lin Mo concentrated his Chakra, compressing it within before channeling it to his throat and unleashing it in a breath. A tangible fire dragon emerged, roaring as it charged at the King of the Seas mere inches away.

In the blink of an eye, the fire dragon tore through the Sea King's tough hide and vanished into the air.

A fierce heatwave radiated outwards.

The Sea King, impaled, had eyes turned white, not even managing a pained roar before its massive frame crashed into the sea, raising a tumult of waves.

From its emergence to its defeat by Lin Mo, mere seconds had passed.

Onlookers at the pier gaped, their eyes bulging, jaws nearly hitting the floor in astonishment.

Red Hair, in particular, was stunned, his mind reeling with awe. "This kid still had an ace up his sleeve! A fire dragon? Could he possibly be a wielder of a Logia-type Devil Fruit?"