I Want to Become the Yangge Star of the Dance World

Three days later, with the release of the latest news paper, explosive news quickly spread throughout the East Blue.

Glass Bead Island, known as the "East Blue's trendsetting hub," would host its annual Funky Dance Contest in half a month.

Unlike previous years, the champion's prize had reached as high as 5 million Beli, thanks to sponsorship from a certain wealthy man!

In a short time, famous dancers from all walks of life in the East Blue went wild with excitement and converged on Glass Bead Island.

In the waters near Orange Island, Hundred Plans' Buraku was sailing along. Since they were searching for suitable targets to plunder, only half the usual number of Pirates were aboard.

On deck.

"Hey, here you go."

"Coo~~~~"

First Mate Jango handed 100 Beli to a News Bird in exchange for the latest newspaper.

Even as Pirates, they had to keep track of the sea's movements at all times, and newspapers were one of the best ways to gather information.

Jango flipped through the paper. The moment he saw the report about the upcoming "Funky" Dance Contest on Glass Bead Island, he was immediately drawn in.

As a dance enthusiast, he naturally knew about the "Funky" Dance Contest. It was the highest-level and most authoritative dance competition in the East Blue.

He had long wanted to enter it.

He wanted to compete on the same stage as the East Blue's top dancers and show off his moves, but as a Pirate, he was not actually that free.

But this time, he happened to have the time, and he could conduct some reconnaissance while he was at it.

He had to go!

"Glide Step~ Arm Swing~ Crotch Grab~~"

Unable to suppress his urge to dance, Jango began moving across the deck. His smooth Space Walk immediately caught the crew's attention.

"First Mate is dancing again!"

The Pirates were used to it. Their First Mate was just like that. Even talking to him could make one dizzy, and he even walked backward.

As they watched, the Little Cat Brothers came up behind Jango.

"Ahh~~ Want golden wind."

An intense, trendy dance track seemed to echo across the deck.

The mood spread as quickly as a virus.

In the blink of an eye, more than thirty Pirates put down their work, gathered behind Jango, and danced along with his movements and rhythm.

Sway together.

Inside the cabin, Kuro was lying quietly on the sofa reading a book. Hearing the rhythmic stomping from the deck, veins immediately bulged on his forehead.

"A bunch of idiots!"

Why did someone as clever as him have to look after a group of simple-minded fools who only knew how to fight and kill? Even his most trusted right-hand man was a moron obsessed with dancing. Every time he made a plan, he had to rack his brains just to make them understand it.

He was truly sick of it.

Kuro could feel that he had grown tired of his current life. Compared to being a Pirate, what he truly wanted was peace and stability.

However, peace and stability did not come easily.

At the right time and place, he needed to "erase" himself. He also had to find a suitable target that could provide him with "stability," then eliminate every external factor that might expose his identity.

This was not a plan that could be completed in a short time.

Syrup Village, manor.

The threat of the Black Cat Pirates had delayed the Syrup Family's outing plans by several days, and their itinerary had also changed slightly.

Luo Ya had become more relaxed as well.

Kaya sat by the window, quietly watching the bare-chested man hanging upside down from a tree branch outside as he did sit-ups.

"Luo Ya, do you have to train this hard every day?"

"This is just the basics."

With both hands clasped behind his neck, Luo Ya used his waist to lift his body. The muscles on his body were as sharply defined as carved stone.

Standing guard was too boring. He had to find something to do.

Kaya's face was full of envy, along with a hint of loneliness. "Luo Ya, I wish I could be like you and work up a sweat to my heart's content."

"That isn't easy."

Luo Ya straightened his legs and let his body drop vertically from the tree. As he landed, he pressed his hands against the ground and effortlessly sprang back to his feet.

He turned to face Kaya, a smile blooming across his face.

"Want to sweat?"

"Mm."

Kaya nodded hard.

She wanted to run. She wanted to jump around and play happily like a normal person, but her body would not allow it.

A hand reached out before her.

"Then I'll teach you how to dance!"

"Huh?"

Kaya's eyes widened.

Dance?

"Luo Ya, you can dance?"

"Of course. I'm a dance expert!"

Luo Ya boasted without changing expression. He had practiced dancing for several months. Though he was nowhere near as good as Fullbody, teaching a beginner would not be a problem.

Kaya hesitated, and she was a little flustered.

She could not do it.

"But I..."

"Come on."

Before Kaya could shrink back, Luo Ya grabbed her little hand and, with a slight pull, drew her out through the window.

Gently placing Kaya on the grass, Luo Ya held her hands from behind and guided her movements.

"Listen to my instructions."

"Ah, okay."

Kaya's cheeks flushed crimson. It felt as if little deer were racing through her heart, and she had the strange feeling that she was secretly doing something terribly bad behind her parents' backs.

She was so happy.

"Um, Luo Ya, can you teach me to dance again tomorrow?"

"No problem."

"Oh, right. At breakfast, Father said he was taking me to watch the dance contest. I'm really looking forward to it. I heard it'll be very lively."

"I'm looking forward to it too!"

As the "Funky" Dance Contest drew near, the Syrup Family's travel plans were finally settled.

First stop: Glass Bead Island!

They would watch the dance contest and experience the East Blue's most fashionable cutting-edge trends.

Three days later, Glass Bead Island's port.

"It's been a long time since I came here."

Fullbody wore a fitted light-blue striped suit, his hair combed flawlessly, with oversized pink sunglasses perched on his face. Even his leather shoes had been polished to a shine.

Even on Glass Bead Island, famed for its fashion, his elegant outfit attracted the attention of quite a few girls.

"All right, let's register!"

Fullbody's gaze was solemn.

Glass Bead Island was not under the jurisdiction of the 153rd Branch, so Luo Ya and he could not receive support from the branch for this mission.

To continue with their plan, they had to capture their target.

First, they had to win the dance contest!

"The championship is mine!"

Fullbody clenched his fist. He would not yield the championship to anyone. Fullbody had a dream: to become a superstar of the Dance World!

On the other side of the port.

Jango stood on tiptoe. Abandoning his usual white tank top and black coat, he had changed into a flashy plaid shirt, and his sunglasses had been switched to a triangular style.

Disguise complete!

"I'm going to win the championship and become a superstar of the Dance World!"

Having arrived at Fashion Frontier, he immediately forgot the reconnaissance mission entirely. There was only one thought in Jango's mind now.

Enter the dance contest!

He was born to dance!

Just as the two entered the island, the Syrup Family's ship slowly docked.

"It's so lively!"

Kaya and her parents stepped off the ship. Looking at the brightly lit town and the crowds flowing around them, her excited heartbeat quickened.

This was a sight she had never seen before. It was like arriving in another world, where everything was so fresh and novel.

Mr. Syrup instructed, "Luo Ya, we have some business matters to handle. Kaya is in your care."

"Please rest assured, Mr. Syrup. I'll protect Miss Kaya's safety!"

Luo Ya adjusted his cowboy hat, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

That dance-loving Mr. Jango should be here by now, right?