"Anyone can make empty promises, and they might even sound better than yours. Do you have any extraordinary talent?"
Motivational declarations couldn't move Greninja. If words alone could change his mind, then the people of Wano Country could flatter him for three days straight without repeating a word.
The ninjutsu learned from Greninja was no mere flashy trick relying on props, but genuine Shadow Clone Jutsu (Double Team move), Body Replacement Jutsu (Substitute move), or special Teleportation Jutsu like Quick Attack.
Due to the policy of national isolation, Wano Country had unique names for many things. Names like "Sorcerer" and "Ryuo" had not completely vanished with the influx of foreign culture, but instead had become informal terms.
Those who received abilities from Arceus were all core members of the Beasts Pirates. In Wano Country itself, apart from a few special individuals, only the ninja corps under Greninja's command and a small number of Shinsengumi members were qualified, and among them, ninjas made up the majority.
Compared to the tool style of hiding machine guns in lutes or smoke bombs in bags, the abilities granted by Arceus were the true definition of "ninjutsu."
If one wanted such abilities, they could not obtain it without Greninja's approval.
"Talent… I think I'm pretty decent in that regard."
"Then do you have a powerful background, or extraordinary luck?"
"Well…"
"Obviously, you have none of those. Come back to me when you can run a full lap around the palace in under five minutes."
With a realistic reason, Greninja shattered Tama's idea of taking a shortcut. If she had nothing, she at least had to show the determination to work hard.
The palace in the Flower Capital was not small, and for a girl not yet eight years old, running around it in five minutes was a serious challenge. If she could push herself to accomplish that, Greninja wouldn't mind teaching her something extra.
"But…"
"No buts. Shortcuts exist, but they're not so easy to take. If you want to step onto this path, you'll need to present sufficient proof."
As he spoke, Greninja's fingers turned pitch-black, and a high-oil-content bubble secretion formed on his skin.
Covered in Haki, his fingers became incomparably hard. With a snap, sparks flew, igniting the oil and demonstrating how a Water-type Pokémon could play with fire.
For people of the New World, it's not difficult to create a spark after mastering Haki, but this little trick was enough to intimidate a child.
"If you can do something like this, I'll take you as my disciple right away. If not, then go train your body, and come find me when you can."
"Yes!"
Compared to his earlier merciless rejections, Greninja had at least given her a condition this time.
She didn't realize that Greninja's repeated refusal to drive her away, and willingness to talk with her so much, was itself a test.
Compared to other children her age in the palace, Tama was more resilient and determined, which piqued Greninja's interest. After all, his daily life was rather dull.
After sending Tama off, Greninja casually picked up a newspaper that had just been delivered. Although it was a Wano Country domestic edition, the main news content remained unchanged.
[Setback For Human Civilization — Genius Scientist Vegapunk Dies]
As time passed, the events on Egghead had already been reported. Once Kizaru left Zeraora's magnetic field range, the news was transmitted to Marine Headquarters.
The nearby Marine forces and the World Government's Cipher Pol branch mobilized together, eventually locating the sea area where Punk Records had crashed and confirmed Vegapunk's death.
This kind of big news was bound to be sensationalized by Morgans. The World Government's control over public opinion had become laughably weak; even the news they wished to hide would be exposed by Morgans, let alone news they had already intended to make public.
In the eyes of the world, Vegapunk was a great scientist. The killing of such a person could further enhance the Beasts Pirates' infamy. However, this effect was only useful outside the Beasts Pirates' territory. Within their own territory, it wasn't nearly as effective.
The only one who seemed to have a slightly different view on this matter was Professor Clover of the small Sky Island.
"Professor, what's wrong?"
"I'm thinking… what exactly did Vegapunk do?"
Clover's face was full of sorrow. He could be considered an old friend of Vegapunk; in his younger days, during his travels across the seas, he had become quite close to him.
Given the Beasts Pirates' style in recent years, Clover did not believe they were someone who recklessly destroyed things. Their actions seemed more like they were working toward some kind of development. Ohara's most valuable possession was the library's collection of documents.
The Beasts Pirates had taken all of the documents and also brought away the scholars with them, providing a space to study history. Though this was done for mutual benefit, it also meant the Beasts Pirates would not kill a valuable person without reason.
[Reduced to Ruins — Years of Research Burned to Ashes In the Raging Fire.]
"They left nothing behind… It's as if they wanted to erase all traces that Vegapunk ever existed. This isn't something born of an ordinary grudge."
Clover knew well that Morgans liked to exaggerate his reports, but judging from the photos, nothing remained of Egghead. It had been completely turned into an icy wasteland.
On the distant sea, only a few fragments were still drifting.
"What a pity!"
Clover let out a long sigh, then took some things to the edge of the Sky Island to mourn his old friend. They had shared some friendship, but that was all. It was far from the level where he would risk his life for him.
Clover was not the only one who felt something over this matter. While his relationship with Vegapunk had been a bit closer, the ones with a bigger headache were at Marine Headquarters.
Former G1 Base, now Marine Headquarters. Kizaru had already returned here, and the news he brought back threw the headquarters into an uproar.
"Borsalino, are you really certain?"
The cigar in Akainu's mouth burned quickly, and even when the burning part touched his lips after the cigar was completely consumed, Akainu showed no reaction. Being magma, he didn't fear such a minor amount of heat.
The fact that Kuzan had joined the Beasts Pirates had not been made public by the Marines, and the Beasts Pirates were not without their own ice-type ability users. A single frozen island was not proof enough.
"I saw it with my own eyes, experienced it myself. This kind of thing can't be faked. Kuzan has already joined the Beasts Pirates."
Kizaru had two bandages stuck to his face, but his clothes had not been changed. The damage to his garments was enough to show how intense his previous battle had been.
"He went all out too, didn't he? The Seraphim's strength is decent, but not enough. Kuzan had the ability to deal with them."
"That b*stard…"
Akainu's fist slammed onto the table, which quickly emitted a burnt smell. Right now, he was feeling somewhat regretful for holding back back then.
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