Not only Hichugiskhan, but all the nearby Fur Race members dropped their jaws in astonishment. Not all Fur Race members can use the Moon Lion; after all, that berserk skill requires training.
An uncontrollable Fur Race member using the Moon Lion would become a truly raging beast. Those who can skillfully use the Moon Lion are mostly from the Knight Order and the Firearms Team.
In other words, mastering the Moon Lion qualifies them for joining the Firearms Team or Knight Order.
While the Fur Race tends to have a lenient attitude toward their children, they organize training once they reach a certain age.
For a population as scarce as theirs, every youth is an important vital force. Those with talent don't need to work but are responsible for protecting Zou's safety.
"She's only 16 years old, right? Learning the Moon Lion at such a young age... this must be a new record, isn't it?"
"That's not the point; it's daytime now! It's daytime!"
Though Setsuna mastering the Moon Lion was somewhat unexpected, it paled in comparison to using the Moon Lion during the day.
"How did you... accomplish that?"
"It's this stone. It contains the power of the moon. I went back and told Lord Arceus about it, and he specifically made this stone for the Fur Race, so even if we're not here, you can still protect yourselves."
Zeraora explained the origin of the Moonstone, and thus Arceus's name resonated across Zou.
"Arceus... is this the master you and Setsuna have been talking about? He's indeed done an incredible service for the Fur Race. Setsuna, do you feel anything different?"
"No, it feels exactly like the Moon Lion, and the Moon Lion activated by the Moonstone is even more stable. The only inconvenience is finding a way to hold the Moonstone."
She then tossed the Moonstone aside, and her Moon Lion state was lifted.
"As long as you don't touch it directly, there's no problem. This is much more convenient than moonlight."
"Yes, let's gather these stones. Don't let untrained people handle them."
The Moonstone holds no value for ordinary people as they can't harness its power, but for the Fur Race, it's a vital strategic resource.
They carry it in containers, breaking them open when needed. Despite living in remote areas, the Fur Race isn't backward at all, and they're self-sufficient with tailors and other needs.
The only issue is that Firearms Team and Knight Order uniforms need design adjustments to accommodate it.
Zeraora and Setsuna stayed in Zou for another half-month before planning to return to Wano Kuni.
Before departing, they left behind a Radio Snail, saying to call for help if problems arose that the Moon Lion couldn't solve, and then mounted the Thousand-Year Dragon.
All the supplies they brought were left in Zou, but the back of the Thousand-Year Dragon remained full, packed with Zou specialties by Ren, Hatch, and other Fur Race members. They weren't particularly useful but were heartfelt gifts.
"Goodbye, Mom and Dad. I'll be back in a while, and you can call via the Radio Snail if you need anything."
"Don't worry about us. Live well out there."
And so, their journey from Zou ended. Before departing, they caught Wanda trying to stow away and returned her to Hatch. Setsuna's return brought an unfortunate influence, with many young Fur Race members attempting to leave quietly.
However, to guard against external threats, Hichugiskhan increased patrols, preventing such incidents from happening again.
...
Time passed, and half a year flew by unnoticed. During this period, Zeraora and Setsuna occasionally returned to Zou, staying for a day or two, with a basic frequency of once every two months.
They often brought scarce resources to Zou, even increasing the number of accompanying Thousand-Year Dragons.
In April of 1501, Yamato was now six and a half years old, advancing into a new training phase - Haki.
Not only her, but Maria and Jack were also drawn into this realm. Due to her different upbringing, Robin hadn't met this standard yet, and without her usual companions, she resumed her studies of literature.
Kaidou had decided on the Haki training, asserting they were well-nourished and physically ready for its baptism.
He had taught the basics, and what remained was to become familiar through practice. With fixed techniques being limited, flexible application depended on real combat; hence, the new phase of training began.
However, it wasn't Kaidou who led their training, but Shaina.
"Sister Shaina, what are you bringing us here for?"
"Training."
Haki training involves being beaten, and those in the Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew capable of using Haki have usually been through this. Getting punched on the training ground is preferable to some combatants who awakened to it through battlefield injuries.
Having Kaidou train them could lead to severe injury, as he tended to be heavy-handed. So Arceus and he reached a compromise, selecting someone tough but controlled.
Arceus's command was absolute for Shaina, leaving her with this responsibility.
For others, King might go overboard, Olga might not hit hard enough, while Queen's schedule was filled with experiments, agriculture, and lectures, leaving him no time.
"Next, you will learn Haki."
With that, she flexed her wrists, and the next moment, her hands were enveloped in Armament.
"Queen probably covered the theory, but only by personally experiencing Haki's power will you better grasp it. Prepare yourselves; it might hurt a bit."
With that, she landed a punch that sent Jack flying. As for why Jack? Someone had to go first, and Jack thus became the first among the trio to feel a Haki-infused punch.
But Yamato and Maria weren't spared either, the punches landing on them in succession.
"It hurts, Sister Shaina, isn't there a gentler way to train? Like something a bit softer?"
Holding her stomach, Yamato got up. It was the first time they had been punched in training, as previous sessions involved balls or flicks.
"There are, but this method works fastest, and you wouldn't accept my alternative. Mr. Kaidou has set a time limit, and if you exceed it, he'll take over."