Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 510: Chapter 509: Mantis Inheritance, Ghost Ship!?

Because their exoskeletons and muscles are made of steel, prolonged battles could lead to their bodies dissolving, so most Scizor adhere to a strategy of quick battles.

Prolonged combat causes their body temperature to sharply rise, but in the wild, Scizor can’t always avoid such situations, which led to the evolution of wings for heat dissipation.

Though Scizor seem to be flying, they are actually using the explosive power of their legs for high-speed movement. It’s just that the height they reach in their jumps, along with their wings dissipating heat, creates the illusion of flight for onlookers.

”Can’t fly, can they...”

Flying is a dream for many, and countless people glide through the skies with wings in their sleep. Even in the Pirate World, those who can fly are few; having wings but not being able to fly does leave a bit of disappointment.

”Not exactly, they can fly, but it’s in a unique way.”

Scizor can use their wings to hover longer, and when the wind is strong and the altitude sufficient, they can glide, much like Inteleon.

”When I have time, I’ll have Elizabeth teach you. If you’re brave enough, you could even ask Page One for lessons, as he’s quite adept at gliding.”

Due to the difference in flight techniques, Page One also started with gliding. Although he has since mastered jet propulsion principles, what has been learned is not forgotten.

”But for now, there’s another matter at hand.”

With those words, Shaina picked up the metal ring, and small flames rose from her palm, reigniting the ring.

”Iscariot, fire isn’t that frightening; you need to overcome this fear. Come, hold it.”

Scizor are weak to fire, but it depends on the intensity. The flames emitted by Pokemon are much hotter than normal fires, only ones like Zeus and Team Rocket can withstand lightning strikes and fire burns constantly.

Ordinary flames are not threatening to Scizor. Even now, Iscariot could escape from a fire; she can extinguish it before ordinary flames harm her.

”But....”

”A strong heart is needed. Trust in the power of the sacred beast. Your new shell isn’t so easily damaged, now control the form of your hand bit by bit.”

Some Pokemon look very human-like, and for these Pokemon Ability Users, their Beast Form and Human-Beast Form aren’t much different; the biggest difference is usually in the hands.

Scizor’s Beast Form has two sets of pincers as arms, but in Human-Beast Form, the pincers resemble external gloves, revealing hands covered in bug armor.

One hand bears scars on its bug armor, remnants of past flames, and the root of her fear of fire.

Despite gaining new abilities, she still feels a sense of fear. After gathering her courage for a long time, she finally extends her hand.

The thick steel armor temporarily shields her from the heat of the flames, alleviating her internal fear significantly.

”Very well, this is a great start. There’s no rush with the flying; later, I’ll have Emmalyn train you.”

Emmalyn obtained Lurantis’s abilities much earlier than Iscariot. Given her previous role as a Leaf Blade empowerment user, she is very familiar with Scizor’s physique.

Even though Scizor evolved their scythes into pincers, there are still similarities.

Additionally, Emmalyn and Iscariot are quite familiar with each other, making her responsible for early training a suitable choice.

....

After Iscariot commenced her new training for a period, the Origin ship arrived at a peculiar sea area.

After Arceus embarked, the crew headed south towards a new island following the planned course. According to the nautical chart, their direction was the West Sea, though they felt something was amiss.

At that moment, several people in the control room peered out the window, finding the situation quite strange.

”How can there be such dense sea fog in the West Sea? Its density is almost comparable to the New World.”

”Who knows, but I feel a bit cold; have we neared Antarctica?”

The Grand Line, akin to the Pirate World’s Equator, is flanked by the West Sea and South Sea in the southern hemisphere, causing them to feel the decrease in temperature.

”Impossible, our speed couldn’t have brought us there.”

The Navigator meticulously compared the nautical chart, and from the point of crossing the Windless Zone, they couldn’t possibly reach Antarctica at their speed.

After comparing the nautical chart carefully for several hours, the Navigator called for the ship to halt.

”Why stop?”

The Helmsman looked at him puzzledly; even though the sea fog was thick, it shouldn’t bring them to a halt. Compared to the dangerous waters of the New World, this was nothing.

”According to the nautical chart, we should have reached an island half an hour ago, but I haven’t seen any lighthouse lights. While unlikely, it’s as if we’re lost...”

”Are you joking? We got lost in the West Sea???”

The individuals in the control room gathered around, finding it hard to believe, having regularly navigated through the New World.

”I don’t believe it either, but look, both the Log Pose and Eternal Pose are confused as well.”

He raised his wrist with two pointers, and the Eternal Pose for Wano Kuni and the special Log Pose for navigating the New World’s outer areas were all erratically shaking.

Even those unfamiliar with navigation could tell that something wasn’t right with this sea area.

”Perhaps... we should notify Lord Arceus.”

Although Arceus was on the ship, he usually didn’t handle navigation matters unless facing a crisis, in which case he would intervene.

This was also why the crew wasn’t panicking, as they were reassured by Arceus’s presence, ensuring they weren’t worried about any impending crisis.

Jingle... jingle....

”Do you... hear something?”

”Not only did I hear it, but I also saw it...”

The Navigator pointed out the window, where a towering sea ship appeared, its deck height was even surpassing that of the Origin ship. However, the ship was draped with seaweed, and even visible with holes, where the bell sound originated from.

Through the cabin glass, a strange glowing light could also be seen.

”If I remember correctly... this ship’s design was scrapped decades ago...”

On the deck, some pirates who noticed the anomaly were also observing, and one shipwright shared a somewhat eerie conclusion.

Combined with the eerie glow and the ship’s damaged hull, the term Ghost Ship emerged in their minds.