Chapter 23 — Into Hidden Dragon Island
Drake stepped onto Hidden Dragon Island and soon disappeared into the dense jungle.
This massive island, with its prehistoric landscape, was about to give birth to a creature that could shock the entire world—
The Flame Dragon.
Two Days Later
As Bogard's swordsmanship training continued, Vice Admiral Garp's battleship finally arrived in the waters near Hidden Dragon Island.
"Vice Admiral Garp," a Marine reported.
"The nearby branch has sent reinforcements. Three warships are guarding the other sides of the island."
Garp nodded.
"Good."
"Prepare to infiltrate in small groups."
"Do not start a battle unless necessary. Safety comes first."
Once the order was given, the Marines quickly formed teams.
Shinji Ikari's squad had grown.
He now commanded thirty Marines.
Koby stood on his left.
Helmeppo stood on his right.
Each of them led fifteen soldiers.
Both had already been promoted to Sergeants, similar to Jack, who had also become a squad leader after the previous mission.
Even so—
Compared with other Headquarters Majors, Shinji had very few subordinates.
According to Garp, he still wasn't strong enough to operate completely independently.
Shinji didn't mind.
What interested him more was something else.
Headquarters had converted most of his rewards into food supplies.
Enough food to last until the battle ended and they returned to Marine Headquarters.
"Shinji!"
Garp called out as he looked toward the young officer.
After all, despite their growing reputation, Shinji and the others were still very young.
If they were surrounded by thousands of enemies—
Even powerful fighters could die from exhaustion.
Hidden Dragon Island was even more dangerous.
Many prehistoric creatures here had been mutated by experiments.
Their strength far exceeded that of ordinary people.
And the pirates on this island specialized in artillery and explosives.
"Old man Garp," Shinji replied lazily.
"Are you giving me extra food again?"
A long sword hung on Shinji's back.
It was good quality—but not a famous blade.
He still preferred fighting with his fists.
However, he had begun integrating sword techniques into his combat style.
After learning from Bogard, Shinji had improved his use of:
Finger Pistol
Tempest Kick
Combined with his fists, these techniques had become even stronger.
And of course—
Being beaten daily by Garp was the most brutal training of all.
"You brat," Garp said seriously.
"Don't go charging ahead alone."
"What I mean is this—"
"Not everyone has your body."
The meaning was clear.
Shinji needed to protect the others.
Not everyone could survive extreme battles like he could.
"Got it," Shinji said with a wave.
Then he jumped down from the ship.
Thirty Marines followed him onto the island.
This mission would not be simple.
The Navy had already begun surrounding Hidden Dragon Island.
And the pirates had been warned ahead of time.
They had surely prepared defenses.
But there was something strange.
Why hadn't the pirates fled during the past two days?
Did they believe they could face a Vice Admiral's fleet?
Was it because of the island's environment?
Or the dinosaurs roaming everywhere?
Garp stared across the island.
If things reached a point where Shinji and the others could not handle the situation—
He would intervene.
No Marine wanted to see their soldiers or disciples die unnecessarily.
"Vice Admiral Garp," Bogard asked quietly.
"Should I act now?"
"Wait for the right moment," Garp replied.
"And make sure innocent people don't get hurt."
He watched the jungle silently.
The world was changing.
Old figures like Zephyr had already stepped away after losing an arm.
Sengoku still fought at the front lines.
But if the Navy failed to raise a new generation strong enough to follow the Three Admirals—
The future would be uncertain.
The Prehistoric Jungle
Shinji led the group through the thick jungle.
Ancient creatures appeared everywhere.
Dire wolves.
Dire bears.
Animals that should have gone extinct millions of years ago.
Yet here they lived alongside dinosaurs.
The strange ecosystem of the Grand Line never stopped being surprising.
Creatures from entirely different eras somehow coexisted on one island.
"Honestly," Shinji muttered,
"They should rename this place Hidden Dragon Beast Island."
Suddenly—
A massive dire bear charged from the forest.
BOOM!
Shinji punched it away with a single strike.
Moments later—
A Tyrannosaurus Rex burst through the trees.
It stared at Shinji curiously.
"Dinosaurs?"
Shinji studied it seriously.
"Pretty cute."
Koby was pale with fear.
Several Marines raised their guns but hesitated to fire.
The Tyrannosaurus noticed their fear.
It roared and prepared to bite.
Shinji jumped forward.
"Tempest Kick — Chaos!"
Ten minutes later—
The jungle scene had changed completely.
One Tyrannosaurus Rex walked through the forest.
Behind it followed five Triceratops.
And on their backs—
Sat the Marines.
Helmeppo, riding one of the Triceratops, looked miserable.
The dinosaurs themselves looked even more pitiful.
Shinji had ordered everyone to make simple reins and riding mats.
They were now literally riding dinosaurs like horses.
Shinji had become a dinosaur rider.
"What a monster…" Helmeppo muttered.
"Shinji already mastered the Six Powers beyond ordinary people."
"He's called the Supernova of Marine Headquarters now."
"I wonder when we'll ever reach that level."
Koby sighed.
Thinking about all the enemies Shinji had defeated—
Many battles had been life-or-death.
Yet somehow Shinji always grew stronger.
Even Koby had to admit it.
Just as everyone stayed alert—
Shinji's voice drifted back to them.
"These dinosaurs are pretty strong."
"I wonder how they taste."
Everyone froze.
Then Shinji looked up at the sky.
"Walking like this is still slow."
"If we catch a few pterosaurs, we could scout the entire island quickly."
The Marines nearly fell off their dinosaurs.
Catching dinosaurs wasn't enough—now he wanted flying ones too?
Shinji patted the Tyrannosaurus beneath him.
"Hey, little guy."
"Know where there's good dinosaur meat nearby?"
The Tyrannosaurus whimpered softly.
"You don't understand human language?"
Shinji gave it a cold stare.
The dinosaur immediately lowered its head.
Then it began running quickly through the forest.
The Triceratops followed behind.
Soon—
They caught up again.
Shinji had already stopped in front of a flock of Titan Birds.
The Tyrannosaurus drooled.
The birds trembled in fear.
Five minutes later—
Smoke rose from a campfire.
"The taste is average," Shinji said.
"Here, you can eat the rest."
He handed the Tyrannosaurus a roasted Titan Bird leg.
It was as big as a lamb leg—
But for the dinosaur, it was barely a snack.
"You eat too much," Shinji scolded it.
"Look at that Archaeopteryx—it eats very little."
He waved at a bird perched on a branch.
Moments later—
It was already on the fire.
Ten minutes later, Shinji declared:
"The taste is even worse."
Eventually—
The Tyrannosaurus, now full and satisfied, began moving again.
They crossed a small river and continued deeper into the forest.
Gradually—
The dinosaur slowed down.
This creature was clearly acting as a guide.
(End of Chapter)
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