One man, one dragon.
Arthur stood with a grin of satisfaction, while Noland, the newly transformed dragon, stared at his massive, majestic body in shock. Neither of them had anticipated the incredible change that the artificial Devil Fruit would bring about.
Noland, who had once been a giant python, was now a stunning Oriental dragon, stretching more than two thousand three hundred meters in length and sixty meters in thickness. While the transformation had altered some of Noland's original features, the essence of an Oriental dragon was clearly present. Despite being smaller than some of the colossal Sea Kings, Nolan's newfound power and presence were undeniable.
In comparison to Kaido's dragon form, Noland's transformation was equally impressive, though different in style. Where Kaido's dragon was characterized by raw power, ferocity, and majesty, Noland's new form exuded a blend of beauty, strength, and a certain elegant might. The majesty was there, albeit in a more refined form.
Arthur, unable to contain his excitement, soared into the air to inspect Noland from every angle. Finally, he landed on Noland's head, envisioning what it would feel like to ride this magnificent creature. Standing on the dragon's head, he admired the enormous, beautifully crafted dragon horns, which shimmered in shades of blue, purple, and white like precious jade. The very thought of riding this dragon into the world filled Arthur with pride and exhilaration.
He patted and examined Noland's scales, noting the dragon's incredible physical strength. Noland's body was now dozens of times stronger than before, easily surpassing the mid-level Marine vice admirals. With proper training and Arthur's guidance, Noland had the potential to become a force equivalent to an elite vice admiral.
Noland, unaware of the challenges ahead, was still coming to terms with his transformation. As the initial shock wore off, his eyes lit up with excitement. Despite being an orphan snake with little knowledge of dragons, Noland instinctively understood that his new form was a significant upgrade—one that was both beautiful and powerful.
"Roar~" Overcome with excitement, Noland let out a thunderous roar that echoed across Apayado. The once-hoarse hiss of a snake had transformed into a powerful, majestic dragon roar, instantly commanding the attention of everyone on the island.
The roar reverberated through the entire Sky Island, sending shockwaves of awe and disbelief through its inhabitants. Those who heard the dragon's call were stunned, and many hurried toward the source of the sound.
As Noland continued to explore his new form, he felt an unfamiliar energy building in his legs. Looking down, he noticed a golden cloud forming beneath him. Confused, Noland extended one of his newly formed dragon claws to touch the cloud, only to find that it was solid. Another cloud appeared under his other front paw, and as he stepped onto it, his massive body began to rise off the ground.
Nolan, though a beast, was intelligent enough to understand what was happening. Whether it was the result of the Devil Fruit's influence or an inherent ability to grasp these new powers, Noland quickly realized that he was meant to ride on these clouds.
What followed was a breathtaking sight: an indigo-blue dragon, adorned with shimmering white jade horns tinged with blue and purple, ascending into the sky on golden auspicious clouds. Noland's dragon roar had already drawn the attention of everyone on the island, and now, as the dragon soared into the air, the soldiers and citizens of Apayado were left gaping in astonishment.
Arthur, who had been pondering how to teach Noland to fly, was taken aback by how quickly his new mount had mastered the skill. The sensation of being carried into the sky by this colossal dragon was exhilarating, even more thrilling than his own ability to fly.
As he noticed the awestruck gazes of everyone on the island, Arthur couldn't resist the urge to show off. Amplifying his voice, he addressed the entire island, letting them know that they were witnessing the birth of a new legend in Apayado.
"Don't panic, everyone! This is Nolan, Lord of the Sky. I found a Devil Fruit and decided to let him eat it," Arthur announced, his voice carrying reassurance across the crowd. The tension in the air dissipated almost instantly.
The people of Apayado, though not as familiar with Arthur as they were with their government officials, had come to trust him deeply over the past six years. The reforms and benefits he had brought to their lives had instilled in them a sense of loyalty and admiration.
Standing atop Noland's head, Arthur felt the thrill of being mounted on a dragon, while Noland reveled in the power of his new body and the exhilaration of flight. In the distance, Arthur noticed Jessica flying towards him, accompanied by Raki.
"Arthur, is this really Noland?" Jessica called out, her voice filled with a mix of wonder and disbelief. Despite her noble upbringing, Jessica had a lively and spirited personality that often contrasted with Raki's more reserved demeanor.
"Yes, it is!" Arthur responded with a smile, nodding as Jessica and Raki landed on Noland's head, discarding the wooden planks they had used to approach.
Arthur then explained what had happened, though he kept the details brief. He mentioned how he had stumbled upon a Devil Fruit and decided to let Noland eat it, never expecting it to be the fruit of a mythical dragon.
In the world of One Piece, Devil fruits often took on the characteristics of legendary creatures, and this fruit had transformed Noland into a magnificent dragon.
As Nolan flew through the sky, still unfamiliar with his new abilities, he began to descend back to his territory. Despite his initial success in maintaining his dragon form, the strain of control soon caused him to revert to his original python state.
Standing on Noland's head, Arthur addressed him, "Nolan, from today onward, you are a member of my family, the Arthur family, and you are my mount! You no longer need to live here alone. You will stay with me at my palace!"
He paused, then added, "Of course, this territory still belongs to you. You can come and go as you please, but you must follow my orders. In three days, after I've taken care of some urgent matters, I'll begin your training!"
To Arthur's surprise, Noland, whose intelligence seemed to have increased after consuming the artificial Devil Fruit, responded with excitement. He nodded in understanding, then flashed a grin, indicating that he had comprehended Arthur's instructions.
Satisfied, Arthur and Jessica left Noland to his newfound powers, though Arthur's eagerness to begin training was palpable. However, other pressing matters demanded his attention, and he knew that the training could wait for now.
With his mind set on the tasks ahead, Arthur headed to Vineland Island, ready to tackle the challenges awaiting him.
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