Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 356: Chapter 355: The Difference Between Effort and Risking One’s Life

Flight means a three-dimensional combat space. Even with a body technique like Moonwalk that allows hovering, it is fundamentally different from flying. Moreover, Shaina used her fists for most of the time earlier.

Seventy percent of her skills are in her legs. This time she liberated not only her wings but also her legs, which doubled the pressure on Yamato and the others in this situation.

Upon realizing that Shaina’s attitude was markedly different from before, Yamato was the first to start changing.

”Instructor, are you really serious this time?”

”When have I ever been lax with you all during training? It’s just that I’m being a bit more earnest today.”

Due to habitual issues, it’s easy to overlook one fact about Shaina—she has always been in the form of an ability user, enjoying the boosts provided by Blaziken, whether in attack or otherwise.

With both her wings and legs liberated, the training Yamato and others face isn’t much easier than when Kaidou trains them personally, though at least they don’t have to worry about being sent to the hospital.

Shaina controls the force with extra care; pulling one’s punches is not difficult for Kaidou, but he has never done it because he finds it unnecessary. To Kaidou, one only learns from painful knocks.

As for being hospitalized, to him, sending someone to the hospital is no different from hitting them painfully.

Rubbing her belly, Yamato shifted her center of gravity slightly downward. Niman, who still stood firm without falling, was also in her hands. Meanwhile, Maria and Jack underwent ability transformations, turning the scene into a battle between four ability users.

Having always trained together, Yamato and the others naturally have their coordination. As Yamato charged forward, Maria also flung her electrical net.

The advent of the electric net altered an entire generation, granting even a Metapod that could only harden a new skill to master.

Maria aimed to restrict Shaina’s movements with her electric net. Their roles were clear—Yamato attacked, Maria provided support, and Jack was the large tank.

As the electric net flew out, Yamato’s attack quickly followed. However, unlike Kaidou’s raw power clashes, Shaina chose to diffuse Yamato’s offensive with Soft Strength techniques.

”Miss Yamato, attacking is not just about brute force.”

Shaina seized Yamato’s wrist and flung her directly toward the net that Maria had simultaneously tossed. Though it might sting for a while, she was certain this level of attack wouldn’t pose a threat to Yamato.

Their lack of coordination now began to show. Maria, wanting to retract the electric net after seeing Yamato flung back, ended up injuring Jack in her flustered state, and was then hit by the returning Yamato, effectively nullifying their first attack.

”It’s a good idea, but you’re not skilled enough. I’m not like Mr. Kaidou, who relies solely on brute force. You need to learn to adapt.”

To be precise, Kaidou doesn’t rely solely on brute force; it’s just that most opponents can be dealt with using brute force. For instance, facing Yamato’s attacks, Kaidou would choose to endure and then retaliate directly.

Shaina, on the other hand, strives to avoid them even if the attacks won’t significantly affect her. This change in battle style left Yamato and the others momentarily unable to adjust.

”Keep going, it’s not rest time yet. If you don’t attack, then it’s my turn.”

Under Shaina’s verbal threat, Yamato and others continued their battle, figuring out tactics as they fought.

...

On the training equipment nearby, Iscariot was already drenched in sweat from targeting practice, her hands and feet growing sore. She had more rest time compared to Yamato and others, yet the training grounds left her in constant fear.

For instance, when Jack transformed into Copperajah to try and restrict Shaina’s movements, he managed to coil her leg with his trunk, only to find she easily lifted it, subsequently slamming Jack to the ground.

The training ground was on the first floor, with their fighting arena mainly on simple grassland. If she wasn’t mistaken, the grass seemed to have a large crater from the slam, making the ground tremble.

Even after such a fall, Jack felt woozy but didn’t loosen his hold with his trunk and hands. Of course, this only allowed him to persist for a few more seconds, with no change in the outcome.

”Scared?”

”... Is their training always this tough?”

”Tough? Actually, this is relatively light training. Perhaps you haven’t seen the training led by Mr. Kaidou. However, you should replenish some saline; you’ll get dehydrated otherwise.”

A row of arms emerged from the ground, delivering prepared beverages to the rest area.

”I’m an ability user of the Flower-Flower Fruit, able to create limbs elsewhere like blooming flowers.” ℴ

Since arriving here, Robin had grown increasingly confident in her abilities, not shying away from using them, even in front of newcomers.

Neither her long-separated biological mother nor anyone here feared her abilities. Some locals in Wano Kuni might still find it hard to accept but showed no signs of aversion.

”Thank you...”

Looking at those arms, Iscariot only paused a bit before taking what Robin handed over.

The training continued intensely, while Queen’s chemistry class was underway. He took out some hand-drawn illustrations, explaining elemental compositions to Diancie.

Some officers started leaving Wano Kuni to return to their own posts, while Tesoro toured Wano Kuni with Stella.

Each island boasts distinctly different scenery, a marvel brought by The Sea, where even two neighboring islands can present vastly different landscapes.

”Stella, this is for you.”

Seeing Tesoro present a diamond necklace, Stella was puzzled.

”Didn’t you give away the diamonds as gifts already? How do you still have such high-quality ones left?”

”Well, that’s an interesting story. I’ll have to tell you about it slowly...”

At the same time, Zeraora returned to Ghost Island from the Kuri farm. There were initial applications for his return, but his was actually a leave form for a three-month break.

”Master.”

”I’ve read your message. If you wish to go, then go. But don’t forget your primary duties.”

Then, he handed the radar Shaina had to Zeraora. Since Shaina didn’t have a task off Ghost Island, it was temporarily transferred to Zeraora for his leave, expecting its return upon his return...