Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 355: Chapter 354: A Child’s Body, a Giant Shadow

”Go wash up first, I’ll go see Iscariot.”

Although there is no bathroom here, it doesn’t mean there is no water supply system. It’s just that the Ghost Island’s bathrooms are mostly communal. Even private rooms are in one area, so there’s no division for private bathrooms.

Wano Kuni has plenty of bathhouses and natural hot springs to meet most people’s needs. For Yamato and her friends, it’s just a matter of climbing a few more stairs.

It’s not too early at this time, and on the ship earlier, Shaina had gotten some understanding of Iscariot’s biological clock. By now, she should already be awake.

Shaina pushed the door open directly, as the door to this room didn’t have a lock. After all, such things seemed unnecessary here.

The alarm clock in the room was also ringing, but Iscariot hadn’t woken up because of it, seemingly having stayed up late.

There were some tear stains visible on the pillow, giving Shaina a clue about the reason.

Yesterday, Yamato’s birthday party did not overlook her, but just a few months ago she had her complete family. Though her parents couldn’t give her such a grand birthday celebration, they would celebrate for her.

A big fire destroyed everything she had. From happiness to being all alone, it happened in just a few minutes, and such cases were not rare: pirate attacks, internal rebellions in the kingdom, World Government’s purges, the ravages of war.

Misfortune has never been far away. Wano Kuni used to avoid disasters due to its closed-country policy and strong military force. Now, it’s the deterrence of Hundred Beasts’ force, and ordinary people cannot even reach the nearby seas of Wano Kuni.

”Iscariot, wake up, it’s time.”

If she had chosen to stay in her broken homeland or grow up like most ordinary people elsewhere, she could naturally continue to sleep, and Shaina wouldn’t bother her.

But she chose this path, the path of combat with no option of turning back.

”Shaina sister...”

”Call me instructor. You chose this path yourself, and although your training is different from Miss Yamato and the others, you have your own adaptive training.”

”Yes... Instructor Shaina.”

Shaina was slightly different now compared to on the ship. Although the vibe of ’strangers keep away’ was gone, she had become more serious.

”You can feel sad, you can cry, but training won’t be reduced because of it. Iscariot, what’s happened has happened. Tears can’t turn back time, and crying doesn’t soothe your heart.”

She said, pulling her out of bed, and quickly put the prepared sportswear on her.

”Whether it’s that somewhat naive dream of yours or taking complete revenge for your parents, tears won’t help — fists will.”

”I understand, but...”

It’s clearly impossible for her to forget the past; she is old enough to remember, and that night of fiery disaster is a nightmare she can’t shake off.

”No buts. If you continue to let this emotion affect you, you’re doomed to never become strong. In this world, the weak can only live under others’ good graces, leaving everything to others’ benevolence.

Your experiences are unfortunate, but in this pirate crew... there are others with worse experiences than yours.”

She was referring not to others but to herself and King. She understood Iscariot’s feelings, and because she understood, she would be even more strict.

Iscariot’s talent was inadequate. Compared to people like Yamato, Maria, and Jack, she was born with a gap, so she had to work harder to make up for it.

”That Navy officer died at my hands, but that Navy still exists.

Also, Iscariot, you must understand one thing: those pirates who ravaged your village are part of the root cause, and some of them are still alive on The Sea.”

Ideals are ideals, and goals are goals. She aimed to set a short-term goal for Iscariot.

Hatred is not a good goal, but it can help someone quickly break out of the cage that originally bound them.

”Once you’ve figured it out, go wash your face. The body is the capital of revolution. The first thing you need to do now is to train your body, but I’ll say it again: you still have time to regret.”

”I don’t regret it. One tragedy like that is enough...”

....

About thirty minutes after breakfast, she was taken to a place with a lot of fitness equipment, some of which were deliberately downsized. This was their training ground.

With the addition of newcomers, the intensity of the training also changed. The training that Yamato and the others were undergoing was something Iscariot simply couldn’t withstand, so her task was simply physical exercise.

For the great and wealthy Hundred Beasts, creating such special fitness equipment was not difficult, and there were even oddly shaped pieces of equipment prepared for Chansey.

Shaina did not teach Iscariot how to use them; she only left her with goals, and it became Robin’s task to show her how to use them.

She wasn’t a pirate, just an archaeologist, but the archaeologists of Ohara were almost all of excellent physical quality. Among ordinary people, their physical training was outstanding.

Archaeology here was dangerous; you had not only to sail, climb mountains, and cross valleys but also face poisonous insects, beasts, pirates, natives, traps in ruins, and various troubles. A good body was essential.

Otherwise, you’d die of illness before reaching your destination. Even the older Dr. Clover could still rescue books after being shot in the chest, and after surgery, he showed no aftereffects and was still lively now.

Moreover, the Flower-Flower Fruit’s combat power was closely related to her physical condition. The strength of the arms determined the upper limit of the power of her branching arms.

And while Robin was explaining to Iscariot how to use the fitness equipment, Shaina’s training also began.

”Just like before, you’re free to use whatever means you have — whether it’s something Mr. Kaidou taught you, what the Holy Beast Lord granted you, or those you’ve figured out yourself, all can be used, including your powers. Although I can’t use fire, this time, I’ll use my wings.”

At first, Yamato and the others didn’t understand what Shaina’s words meant, but when the training started, they realized the difference between Shaina using her wings and not using them.

For the Lunarians Race, wings are just like hands and feet, a natural limb. Air combat is what they’re best at. The previous training where Shaina didn’t use her wings was akin to restraining her own arms; now, she has lifted her own restrictions.

Even with control over her force, she still didn’t hold back in training. Even Yamato was punched and sent flying.

”This won’t do, Miss Yamato. You have to understand that an enemy who can fly means a whole new way of fighting.”