Chapter 22: Journey Toward the Grand Line
The weather today was clear, with the warm sun shining brightly above.
Mio sat on the deck, a bottle of rum in his hand, staring at the drawing paper laid out in front of him. He was deep in thought, trying to come up with a good design for a pirate flag.
Although he wasn't a pirate yet, it didn't hurt to prepare in advance. Designing a flag wasn't as easy as it sounded—at least not for Mio. Drawing a skull was one thing, but deciding what to pair it with was a whole different matter. It was surprisingly complicated.
"Maybe it's time to head for the Grand Line," Mio muttered, swirling the bottle of rum.
Even though the North Blue was in chaos, it had little to do with him. He had no interest in the people or events unfolding here. What he truly desired—what could help him grow stronger—lay beyond. The Grand Line was his next destination.
One of the biggest reasons for this decision was the vast number of strange islands scattered throughout the Grand Line and the New World. Many ancient and unique creatures could be found there, perfect for collecting the genes he needed to cultivate his forces.
But there was one more important reason.
He wanted to find dragons.
Yes—dragons. Not Monkey D. Dragon, but actual mythical dragons.
For example, the Millennium Dragon.
Before arriving in this world, dragons had been nothing but myth and legend. But here, they truly existed. They might not all be tremendously powerful, but their sheer longevity and genetic potential were unmatched. Just like the Millennium Dragon, whose life span was said to span over a thousand years and whose presence was even rumored to produce an elixir of life.