Thanks to its size advantage, Steel Ötzi can move freely in coastal waters.
In fact, the Oz itself also has a diving function. After the cockpit is sealed, the Steel Oz can maintain underwater combat for a period of time under the premise of sufficient oxygen.
However, doing so is not very meaningful.
After all, Steel Oars doesn't have the ability to float due to its own weight, and its underwater combat method is to walk on the seabed. Under normal circumstances, Steel Oars would not carry out such a mission.
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The deep-sea environment itself weakens it; the nearshore and land areas are its main battlegrounds.
As for making it fly.
Yes, it's possible, but unnecessary. Trying to make Steel Oz fly using conventional methods would be extremely resource-intensive. Instead of wasting those resources, it would be better to add a giant energy cannon to Steel Oz.
The energy that propels the behemoth Steel Oz into flight can easily destroy even more things.
As for using Project: Shiki to carry it, it's fine for traveling, but unnecessary for combat. It's better to just carry a giant iron block and throw it out.
Steel Oars is capable of waging a war on the scale of destroying a nation; it is even more terrifying than its predecessor, the Nation-Destroying Oars.
The cold may stop the journey of the transported Ötzi, but it cannot stop the kinetic energy of the steel Ötzi.
Normally, this thing wouldn't be brought out. Now it's like using an anti-aircraft gun to kill a mosquito, but it gives the people a special sense of security.
Destroying pirate ships like swatting mosquitoes brings a greater sense of shock than silently wiping them out to sea.
"Damn it! My dream! You guys have ruined my dream!!"
Steel Oars merely crushed the pirate ship, but before it could crush it, it had already shaken the pirates off into the sea.
This is to avoid wasting resources. The most basic requirement for exchanging pirates for bounties is that their identities can be identified.
If it were crushed into a pile, the navy wouldn't be able to issue the bounty.
You can't just pay based on a torn pirate flag, can you?
This way, you can also identify some people with special abilities. These days, there are basically no people who can't swim when they go to sea to become pirates. Even if they can't swim, the people around them will force them to learn to swim.
This is at sea, and encountering wind and waves is inevitable. We don't expect to be able to do a triathlon in the calm zone, but at least we shouldn't sink as soon as we see water.
Unless they are Devil Fruit users, pirates or marines who can't swim are always a laughing stock. Therefore, most pirates who sink to the bottom are probably Devil Fruit users.
At this moment, on the sea, a pirate roared in resentment and even fired a pistol at Steel Oars.
This attempt was, of course, futile. The bullets hitting Steel Oz didn't even produce a spark, let alone leave a mark.
At this moment, Steel Oars did nothing but stretch out his palm and slap the sea surface. The resulting shockwave knocked the pirates unconscious and even shook the warship where Zephyr was.
Then the mech pilot seemed to have discovered something, grabbed the pirates, and walked to the vicinity of the warship.
"Instructor Zephyr"
"What's there to be afraid of? We're on the same side. This big guy makes us feel completely safe."
Zephyr admired the metallic lines of Steel Oz, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his lips. If he had the ability to project images from other people's minds, he could recreate such a scene.
[I am Z, the hero of justice! You evil bastards, prepare to die!]
After a boy who looked somewhat like Zephyr struck a classic pose, a combat suit appeared on his body. Then, as he threw down a special item, a huge mech appeared out of thin air behind him and then returned to its original position.
Zephyr has always harbored a dream of tokusatsu (special effects) films, and he even has a little secret: Zephyr himself is a devoted reader of the manga series "Warrior of the Sea and Sky".
However, as a member of the Navy, Zephyr's favorite characters are Sky, the protagonist's partner, that fantastic battle robot, and Germa, who represent the villains.
There's not much of a reason, it's just that the villain in this picture book is more handsome than the protagonist.
"Uncle Zephyr, long time no see. Can I exchange these pirates for money?"
After Steel Oars threw the pirates onto the deck of the warship, the cockpit door on the belly of the ship opened, and Lyriana stepped out.
The cockpit can be modified; by replacing some modules, Lyriana can also act as a pilot.
Although Steel Oz is positioned as a national defense mech, in Leliana's eyes, it also has the feel of a large toy, and this time she took the initiative to ask for the pilot's seat.
"Riley, you're growing up more and more like a young woman. As for these pirates, Tina, lock them up first, and then check their bounties."
"Yes, Instructor Zephyr!"
Tina's arms extended a long string of black bars, and as she closed her arms, the unconscious pirates were locked up.
Zephyr still adheres to the Navy's established rules. Although his attitude of not killing has changed, he now teaches his trainees how to deal with enemies more lethally.
However, when faced with pirates who surrendered or were captured, Zephyr's attitude remained the same: to lock them up according to the rules.
Tina is a user of the Cage-Cage Fruit, which allows her to create fences from her body to imprison enemies. Anyone who touches Tina's body will suffer the same result.
The black railings were also harder than regular steel, and Leriana even became interested in them.
"Not bad, are these things permanent once they're created?"
"Yes, it's her ability. Once she expends her energy to create it, the fence that separates from her body will remain forever."
It wasn't Tina who answered Lyriana, but Zeff himself.
Many objects created by Devil Fruits are like this; once they are created, they become independent entities, and no matter what happens to the user, it will not affect the existing thing.
For example, the wax that Galdino made from wax fruit and the cookies that Cracker made from biscuit fruit are similar objects.
"Oh, is that so? Can I take some? My dad might need it for his research. It's probably a metal material he's never seen before."
"Of course, let me introduce you. This is Leliana, Dr. Oran's daughter, and also the little princess of this country."
"No, I'm not a little princess anymore, I have a little sister now."
Zephyr introduced Leliana's identity to the other students. After learning about her identity, Tina was about to use her ability to create more, but Leliana simply took some extra parts from the pirates.
The black bars, harder than steel, were like putty in Leliana's hands, utterly vulnerable.
"Uncle Zefa, I'm heading back now. We can't all stay here forever. See you later."
Tina was shocked.
Looking at the fence bearing Leriana's fingerprints, Tina nervously squeezed the thing she had created with her abilities.
Although Lyriana was much larger than them, even the giants could only bend the railings they created, not bend them as easily as Lyriana.
"You'll get used to it. Riley is a true genius, the kind of person you don't even want to compete with."
Yekrik was used to this kind of thing. Zephyr was the navy that Oran was most familiar with, which meant that among their peers, Leliana and Yekrik were also relatively familiar with each other.
Similar to the kid who stays next door every time I visit someone in another city, except that Jeklik is the one who gets criticized.
From intelligence to physical strength, from height to ability, Yeklik was defeated on all fronts. It was only because of his strong mentality that he was not discouraged.
Oh, it seems they're being crushed even in the toy market. While Jeklik's model was still being confiscated by Zephyr, Leliana was already driving the real thing.
"Genius. How genius?"
"It's probably a 30/70 split between you. In three minutes, she can find a way to make you lose seven times, mostly because she wants to wait for you to get back on your feet."
When Smoker asked this question, Jeklik gave a rather concise answer.
After all, in his understanding, if Leliana were to attack the ship, no one except Zephyr could last even a minute.
Is it really that exaggerated?
"I've been very polite. Although everyone in the youth training camp has high hopes for you, there's still a big gap between you two."
As a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, he is highly regarded within the Navy, especially since Kuzan, Borsalino, and Sakazuki are all Logia-type users and students of Zephyr.
The overlap of his many characteristics led many naval personnel to place high hopes on him, which also gave Smoker a lot of confidence.
"Smoker, there are always people stronger than you. Don't be arrogant and complacent. Logia-type abilities don't make you invincible! Borsalino is too focused on his own abilities, and that's not something we should learn from!"
"Yes, Instructor Zephyr!"
Although he responded to Zeff, it was clear to everyone that Smoker was somewhat unconvinced.
After all, thanks to his Logia-type abilities, he was among the top students in the youth training camp, even surpassing Jeklik, the son of a great general, who could only rank second in the youth training camp.
Everyone has a youthful and impetuous phase, and Smoker is currently in that phase.
Jeklik wanted to say something more, but Zefa stopped him with a look. There was no barrier between father and son, and Jeklik understood Zefa's thoughts at this moment.
Isn't he just a somewhat arrogant genius?
I'll find an even more talented person to give you guys a taste of your own medicine and show you just how big the gap is between you and them.
If these people had the chance to meet Leriana, their pride would naturally vanish.
As for those who become completely discouraged after just one touch...
That just proves that this kind of person isn't worth cultivating; it's better to send him home to fish as soon as possible.
The warship continued its journey toward Firefly Island and successfully landed at the port. By this time, Steel Oz had already returned to his position and was standing quietly near the port. Lyriana was nowhere to be found.
But at the dock, people were queuing up to receive tickets for a chance to get up close to the mechs, or even get to pilot one.
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