Tibbers, the personal companion of Anne Hastur, the Dark Daughter, may seem like an ordinary teddy bear, but she is actually her most powerful partner and her inseparable playmate.
This Tibbers is merely a Hextech creation. Although the original Hextech Cores have been exhausted, the new energy cores created by Blitzcrank and Oran are sufficient to meet this normal consumption.
"Kuma? Kumaai!"
Looking at the little bear, Perona quickly named it. According to the original timeline, if Moria hadn't been snatched away by Madman, Perona should have been adopted by Moria.
Perona's first pet bear was Kumai (A), and later she had a regular bear doll named Kumai (B). Moria's zombie Kumai (C) was already the third generation.
At this moment, this mechanical bear, modeled after Timos, became the new Kumaai.
"So this teddy bear is actually a weapon?"
"Of course, come to Perona, press the switch on the back, and then throw it out."
"switch."
Perona looked at Kuma's back with a dazed expression, pressed a button, and threw the doll forward.
"roar!!"
The small teddy bear suddenly swelled into a two-meter-tall mechanical bear.
Although the Hextech Crystal was not replicated, Blitzcrank created new materials with various functions during this time. Kumaai's material is a variant of shape memory alloy, which can exhibit another form after being charged.
"First, demoralize and demoralize the enemy, then unleash technological creations to attack. The tactic is good, but against a nature-based enemy..."
"Take a look at this."
Oran put on a pair of gloves, and as Oran raised his hands, Kumaai moved along with them. It was easy to see from the fragments embedded in its palms that they were Seastone.
"I have a device here that can control Kumaai's movements. Wearing these glasses will also allow for visual synchronization. You can decide how to do it yourself when the time comes."
"Thank you, you've really thought of everything. But if I'm not mistaken, this is also a laboratory product, right?"
Seeing Oran press Kumaai twice and turn it back into a teddy bear, Zephyr gave his assessment.
"That's right, the materials and processes are very special, and it can't be mass-produced yet."
Special equipment for our own people doesn't need to consider cost; we only need to consider performance. All that funding every year is for doing these kinds of things.
However, when it comes to equipment sold abroad, cost-effectiveness must be considered. The same applies to naval weapons. Zephyr knows that Oran has a lot of good stuff, but the cost of those things is simply unacceptable to the navy.
When do you plan to start? Now?
Oran picked Perona up and then asked about Zefa's plans.
"We have this plan in mind, so we might as well give them some surprise missions."
"You really are a devilish instructor."
"Pirates don't care if they're on holiday, but I'm not a devil. Let them relax for a few more minutes while I familiarize myself with how to operate that mechanical bear remotely."
"Speaking of which, is this little guy really alright?"
Perona's previous abilities did startle Zephyr, but he was caught off guard and had accepted the Negative Spectre's attack willingly at Oran's behest.
"Don't worry, you know your students best. If Riley were standing in front of them, they might actually be wary, but Perona is a different story."
Leliana's size alone is enough to intimidate some people, but Perona is currently harmless. She is sitting on Oran's lap, licking a piece of chocolate, looking as cute as a doll.
"If you think this kind of sneak attack is too difficult and requires someone to fight him head-on, I have a suitable candidate here. Do you want me to call him over in advance?"
Oran refers to Absalom. Absalom's lack of domineering presence refers to his comparison with Lyliana and the others. Compared to normal people, Absalom is still qualified.
The physical enhancement from the beast transformation potion, combined with the Clear-Clear Fruit, poses a deadly threat upon first sight, making it relatively easy to deal with a boy who has consumed a Logia-type Pokémon.
"Won't this cause you trouble?"
"No, he's been training lately, so this will be a good opportunity to test his progress. Abu, take a break from your training and come to me."
As he spoke, Oran took out a Den Den Mushi and called out to Absalom, who happened to be the same age as Smoker this year.
However, Leliana arrived here earlier than Absalom, and seeing Perona sitting in Oran's lap, she even felt a little nostalgic for the old days.
Oran raised her in the same way when she was young and her body hadn't developed rapidly, but as the size difference increased, their roles have been reversed.
The only option now is for Leriana to let Oran sit on her shoulders.
"Are you going to have your first battle at the age of three? I think I was like that back then."
"Yeah, Quinn got pretty badly thrown by you back then."
When Leliana heard that Oran planned to send Perona directly to fight, she wasn't surprised; it was common practice in her household.
Back then, Quinn was careless and was directly back-thrown by Lyliana, lying on the ground for a long time before he accepted reality.
Of course, this is Quinn's own account, and whether he was actually careless is something others can't say for sure.
Finally, Lyliana even took Perona away from Oran, intending to pass on some of her combat experience to her.
"The sisters have a very harmonious relationship."
"Of course, Riley is very sensible, and Perona was brought back by her."
"So that's how it is, an adopted orphan? No wonder you suddenly have a new daughter."
Leriana and Perona already had an age difference, and Leriana wouldn't be jealous of the little girl she brought back.
The increase in the number of family members does not mean that Oran's attention to Leliana has decreased; she has always received the most.
Conflicts between siblings in childhood are inextricably linked to their parents. Over-focusing on younger individuals can easily lead to an imbalance in the mindset of older siblings.
It's inevitable to pay more attention to young children, but older children shouldn't feel that this attention is being taken away from them.
Having an age gap is actually not so bad, but if you have twins and buy them two things that are different in detail, then you'll experience hell.
"By the way, Oran, that Yekrik really wants to experience piloting that giant mech. I heard there was a lottery on your island, but he didn't win. You see..."
"It's not a big deal. The activities on Evolution Day can't be changed, but we've been patrolling the outer seas in mechs these past few days. If you're interested, you can come along."
"That's really troublesome. Let me see what this brat is doing now. I should put some pressure on him."
During their casual conversation, Zephyr got a general idea of how to operate Kumaai, and then took out the Den Den Mushi.
"Yekrik, who are you with now?"
"Smoker and Tina, what's wrong, Father? Is something the matter?"
"Cadet Yeklik, urgent mission. I need the three of you to reach the capital of this country before sunset."
Zefa changed his tone, from casual to extremely formal.
"Yes, Instructor Zephyr!"
Zefa's attitude made Jeklik realize something: his father had suddenly decided to hold extra training sessions again.
This kind of thing has happened quite often in the past; he can only say he's used to it.
"Let's go, our holiday is probably going to be ruined."
"Tina is unhappy. Instructor Zephyr is such a spoilsport."
"Well, I think it's already quite kind of him to wait for us to finish lunch. Let's go, it's not close to the capital from here."
"Does anyone have any money? Tina forgot to bring any."
"I didn't bring much either; I spent it all on food just now. Smoker, what about you?"
At the tram station, the three are facing a fatal problem: they have no money for the tram fare.
"This...me."
"Tina knows you're rich, don't be so stingy. Are you saying you..."
"The cigars here are of good quality."
Looking at the gift bag in Smoker's hand, Tina suddenly realized something. Although she was only fourteen years old, Smoker was already a heavy smoker and had a particular fondness for cigars.
This stuff is much more expensive and has a greater impact than regular tobacco. Given Smoker's habit of smoking cigars straight into his lungs, he might not have lived to adulthood without the Smoke-Smoke Fruit.
Those cigars were already opened, so returning them was impossible.
"What should we do then? Are we just going to run there? Tina thinks that's unrealistic."
"You're right. We can't possibly run this far from the capital. And Father couldn't have just sent us to assemble; there must be other tests in store."
"How about we hitch a ride and then come back to pay you when we get there?"
"That won't work either. I don't want to be detained by the local police halfway there! Tina, I'll have to trouble you."
Recalling that Lyriana had taken some of the fences that Tina had made, Yeklik had an idea.
They eventually boarded the train, but the ticket money was obtained by "selling scrap metal".
Jeklik successfully traded a black metal fence for a train ticket at a nearby recycling center, which solved his financial problem.
"Reporting, Instructor Zephyr! We've reached the outskirts of the royal city, but how do we get in?"
"Rest where you are, I'll come pick you up soon."
Before long, the gates of the royal city opened, and Zefa gestured for the group to follow him inside. He then led them directly to the martial arts arena within the royal city.
"Don't be nervous, it's just a very ordinary temporary test. The test you're doing today is very simple, just make her admit defeat."
"Instructor Zephyr, are you kidding me?"
Looking at the little girl who was holding a teddy bear in one hand and a lollipop in the other, Smoker felt that Zeffa was toying with them.
No matter what, we shouldn't have used this kind of opponent.
"I never joke at times like this. Never underestimate any enemy. I've taught you this lesson before. Or you can choose to admit defeat and accept the punishment of Hell Week."
Zefa's training camp only has two punishments: extra training or expulsion, and the so-called "Devil Week" involves an extremely high amount of training.
Zefa will tailor a treatment plan to each individual's physical condition, keeping them at their physical limits for a week.
In a sense, this could even be considered a reward, as becoming stronger is of paramount importance to the navy.
"Now, the contest begins. Smoker, you go first."
"yes."
Zephyr's orders were given, and although Smoker was somewhat unwilling, he chose to obey without making any move.
"Little sister, admit defeat, I don't want to scare you."
Swoosh~
A smiling ghost emerged from the ground and passed through Smoker's body out of thin air.
"What is that?"
Thump.
The negative ghosts released by the Ghost-Ghost Fruit do not deal physical damage, so they cannot trigger the passive effect of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit's elemental transformation. After the ghosts leave his body, Smoker suddenly felt extremely negative and knelt down on the ground.
"I'm a piece of trash who smokes and pollutes the air every day. It's outrageous that I live here and pollute other people's air."
"Smoker!"
"Grab him! Kumaai!"
While Smoker was kneeling on the ground questioning his existence, Perona had already thrown the teddy bear she was holding.
She wasn't strong enough; Kumaai only rolled a few times on the ground, but she still managed to transform into her battle form.
The Negative Specter's control over Smoker lasted even longer, since his mind was not yet mature. Children influenced by the Negative Specter may remain negative indefinitely without external interference.
This is also why Perona is considered the source of the curse in her hometown.
Kuma'ai's bear paw pressed down on Smoker's back. The embedded seastone fragments not only deprived Smoker of his elemental abilities but also rendered him powerless, making it impossible for him to break free.
Zeff didn't even need to use remote control before Kumaai finished off Smoker; the Spirit-Spirit Fruit is simply too unstoppable when it comes to first-time kills.
Smoker, at his age and without having developed resistance to Seastone, was defeated in one blow.
"We won! Great!"
Perona didn't think too much about it; she just felt that she had won the game.
Leliana's special training for her certainly wasn't about getting her to throw punches; that was way too early.
In short, what she taught was to make the most of one's own strengths.
The other party might think the little girl is no threat, so take advantage of that to further lower their guard.
Setting up the battle environment in advance, including hidden traps, can make the battle go more smoothly.
The most crucial point is to avoid wasting time talking to the other person.
Verbal attacks are a tactic only those with real strength can use. Since your own strength is at a disadvantage, you should launch a surprise attack while the enemy is speaking.
If this weren't a contest but a real battle, Leliana would have to give an extra lesson on the importance of finishing off enemies.
"See that, Smoker? This is the consequence of carelessness. There are countless Devil Fruit abilities on this sea. Logia-type Devil Fruits have never been invincible."
Even a three-year-old girl can defeat you with her own abilities.
This is the training ground; you can retake it an endless time. But on the battlefield, you only have one life.
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