Dance Competition, Waiting for Willing Prey

As the fashion trendsetter of the East Blue, Glass Bead Island was far ahead in development, whether in technology or clothing styles.

Dance halls, game rooms, amusement parks, brand-name stores—

It had every kind of fashionable trend imaginable.

It was much like the Sabaody Archipelago.

At the venue for the "Funky" dance competition, hundreds of dancers from across the East Blue had gathered as the event began.

"The target is among them."

Fullbody stood at the edge of the contestants' area with a cigarette in his mouth. He appeared to be keeping watch, but behind his sunglasses, his eyes were studying every dancer in the competition.

According to the information Luo Ya had gathered, Jango, the First Mate of the Black Cat Pirates, was obsessed with dancing. He was one of the world's top dance masters, perhaps even better than Fullbody.

As long as Jango saw news of the dance competition, his instincts as a dancer would surely compel him to participate.

Fullbody scoffed at that.

"Just a Pirate!"

Learning to dance was not difficult, but becoming a true master required not only talent, but also an environment for learning and relentless dedication.

How could some mere Pirate possibly dance better than him?

Luo Ya was clearly trying to provoke him, but that was fine. If Jango really showed up, Fullbody would let him know who the true top dancer in the Dance World was.

"Huh, that guy?"

Fullbody was soon drawn to contestant number eighteen.

The man's behavior was simply too conspicuous. He was actually walking backward using the Glide Step; it was impossible not to notice him.

"He's a top-tier expert!"

After watching for a while, Fullbody's gaze grew more serious.

Top dancers were drawn to one another. Just from the man's footwork, Fullbody could sense the dancer's aura he was hiding.

Could this guy be Jango?

"Number two, you're up!"

Just as Fullbody was about to test number eighteen, the organizers called him onto the stage. There were simply too many participants, and if he failed to respond in time, he would likely be eliminated outright.

"Coming!"

Fullbody perked up and put number eighteen out of his mind. Whether that man was Jango or not would not stop him from winning the championship.

He would prove with his skill that he was the Dance World's superstar!

Preliminaries, then semifinals.

"That number eighteen is incredible!"

"I've never seen a dance style like that. It's like a machine dancing!"

"Contestant number two is amazing too! His movements are so elegant!"

The dance competition was in full swing. The capable contestants quickly stood out and drew the audience's attention.

Meanwhile, at the flagship store of the East Blue's high-end clothing brand, "Hey Xiu Panda."

"Luo Ya, can I really wear this?"

"Of course. It suits you very well."

A crop-top T-shirt, a black leather jacket, denim shorts, and platform sneakers instantly transformed her from a sheltered young lady into an energetic girl.

Kaya stared at herself in the mirror, her mind practically overheating. It was her first time wearing such bold clothes.

If her father saw her like this, he would definitely scold her.

Snap!

Luo Ya snapped his fingers.

The store manager, who had been watching the pair for some time, immediately trotted over and greeted them with a beaming smile. "Sir, how may I assist you?"

"We'll take this outfit!"

Luo Ya pointed at the clothes Kaya was wearing, then at several outfits she had tried on earlier. "We'll take those as well. Pack them up and deliver them to the Syrup Family's ship at the harbor."

"Yes, sir!"

Syrup?

The store manager perked up, and the respect in his expression deepened.

These were major customers!

Escorted out by the store manager, the two left the Hey Xiu Panda clothing store.

Luo Ya felt thoroughly pleased. Taking a girl shopping, buying whatever he wanted without having to haggle—it really let him experience the joy of being rich.

Though it was not his money.

When they had parted at the harbor, Mr. Syrup had directly given him two million Beli. Once he spent it all, he could ask the butler Merry for more.

There was only one requirement: make Kaya happy.

Did that count as seducing a rich woman?

"Luo Ya, where are we going next?"

"Let's go to the amusement park. I remember you said before that you wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel."

"Mm!"

Shopping, playing games, visiting the amusement park, eating at high-end restaurants—

Luo Ya devotedly accompanied Kaya as she had fun. While keeping her safe, he also played the role of the perfect boyfriend.

At three in the afternoon, Luo Ya brought Kaya to the dance competition venue to watch the final round.

"Go, number two!"

"Number eighteen, you're the best!"

"Ooh, ooh, ooh! So cool!"

Only numbers two and eighteen remained onstage. Both gave it everything they had as they battled for the overall championship.

The spectacular dance performances and the audience's passionate cheers created an atmosphere that immediately stunned Kaya. She had never experienced anything like it before.

Seemingly swept up by the atmosphere, Kaya excitedly raised a glow stick in her left hand while clutching Luo Ya's clothes with her right.

"Luo Ya, look! It really is Mr. Fullbody!"

"Yeah, I see him."

Luo Ya nodded with a smile and pulled a Bounty Poster from his coat, comparing it to contestant number eighteen on the stage.

"Hypnotist" Jango, First Mate of the Black Cat Pirates, bounty of nine million Beli.

His appearance had changed somewhat, but his facial structure basically matched. And there were those dance moves and stage presence that resembled Michael Jackson's.

There was no mistake. Contestant number eighteen was Jango.

If he could gain Jango's assistance, dealing with the Black Cat Pirates would become much easier. But getting him to cooperate would be difficult.

"The champion is number eighteen, Mr. Jango!"

At last, the dance competition came to an end. Jango raised the championship trophy while Fullbody was reduced to the losing runner-up.

"I actually lost."

Tears streamed down Fullbody's face. Though unwilling to accept it, he had lost wholeheartedly. Number eighteen's technique was on par with his, but Jango's stage presence was more infectious.

That was a dancer's most important talent.

After the award ceremony ended, Jango took the initiative to approach Fullbody and held out his hand. "Meeting such a formidable opponent like you in this competition was the happiest thing for me."

"Me too!"

Their hands clasped together.

Fullbody smiled. Losing had indeed saddened him, but meeting such a wonderful kindred spirit of a dancer was also something worth celebrating.

This was what they called becoming friends through a fight.

"Come on, let's have a drink!"

"Hahaha, we won't go home until we're drunk!"

Like a pair of best brothers, the two draped their arms over each other's shoulders and headed toward a nearby tavern, completely forgetting their respective missions.

Luo Ya watched them leave, his expression immediately growing much more serious. Now was the best chance to capture Jango. If Jango escaped, it would be difficult to find another opportunity this good.

Kaya sensed Luo Ya's mood and remembered that Mr. Fullbody was also on the island, most likely carrying out a mission.

"Luo Ya, I'm tired."

"Okay, I'll take you back to the hotel."

After taking Kaya to the luxury hotel suite he had booked in advance and watching the girl drift off to sleep, Luo Ya finally slipped away quietly.

Next came hunting time!