Is there anything wrong with what Smoker said?
No, Seastone weapons are indeed very effective against ability users, but they have never become widespread, or more accurately, they have never been used as a material for crafting custom weapons.
The Navy has Seastone net-catching bullets, which are specifically designed to launch Seastone nets and are intended for users with special abilities.
Sea stone is difficult to process and shape, while fishing nets only require hanging fragments, making them relatively easy to make.
Moreover, most ability users are troublesome individuals. Even if you equip the grunts with Seastone weapons, they may not be able to get close. Usually, it is the more powerful generals who deal with them, while ordinary soldiers use net-catching bullets to assist.
These generals are generally domineering and have their own fighting habits, so using Seastone would actually hinder their combat.
Moreover, there aren't many people with special abilities on the high seas; they're not exactly commonplace. Therefore, using net-catching bullets as a targeted weapon is sufficient to meet the Navy's needs.
Within the Navy's overall ranks, Smoker is one of the few who chose to use Seastone weapons as a transitional option.
In the youth academy, Smoker is still ranked first, and getting a weapon shouldn't be a problem for him. At least Smoker has now realized his weakness in physical combat, which is good news for Zeffa.
This surprise inspection was mainly aimed at Smoker; Tina was just an extra.
At least she didn't show any signs of being a troublemaker, so Zephyr let her go after testing her a couple of times.
"Alright, your vacation continues. Jeklik, you stay behind."
With Zephyr's orders, Smoker and Tina didn't linger and returned directly to the warship.
They had enough money left over from selling the scrap metal to catch the last bus back to the warship.
If they delay any longer, they'll probably have to sleep on the streets tonight, unless Tina finds a recycling center to continue selling metal.
"Dad, you've really prepared a lot of surprises for Smoker. Aren't you afraid of crushing him?"
Jeklik only asked the question after Smoker and Tina had left.
Jeklik never expected that Zefa would prepare such a set of moves. Absalom was defeated by someone of similar age using martial arts, but Perona's attack was the fatal blow.
If I had a camera, it would probably have been a dark chapter in my life.
"He's not the type of person who would be affected by something like this. If he really is, then I've misjudged him. But that might be for the best. If he can't even handle this kind of setback, then he shouldn't be a burden to others on the battlefield."
I got you and Oran a mech piloting license, cherish it.
"Wait a minute, when did I say I wanted to pilot a mecha?"
Jeklik sensed something was amiss; it seemed Zefa had quietly arranged things for him.
Don't you want to?
"I've thought about it, but I don't think I've said it since I got here."
"That's not important, you can think about it as you please."
Zefa led Yeklik into the castle, intending to familiarize him with the driving process. Meanwhile, at the top of the castle, Oran put down his binoculars.
"It seems that Abu has made progress in his cultivation during this period. It is necessary to give him a proper blow."
"Dad, don't you think Perona is pretty amazing? She's not scared at all."
"She's still young, unlike you. You can't tell what she'll do now, but she'll be a good support for you in the future."
Oran didn't expect Perona's direct combat ability to surpass Lyriana's; that was simply impossible. Apart from the hard control limitation of the Negative Ghost, Oran had recently been trying to find a material for absorbing spirits.
Currently, the ghosts generated by Perona can be controlled, but they do not have physical contact with the outside world.
Theoretically, as she gets older, the applications of the Spirit-Spirit Fruit will also expand. In the original timeline, she could create extra-large ghosts that can bite enemies to block their movement, as well as ghost bombs that can generate shockwaves.
If there were a material compatible with the Ghost Fruit, it could be used to create floating cannons and drone swarms for Perona to command.
This is much more flexible than ordinary manipulation.
The frontal assault is for her sisters; Perona only needs to focus on what she does best.
"That sounds pretty good, but what if she prefers to fight head-on like me?"
"We'll see when the time comes. The best thing is to find a fighting style that suits you. If she really has talent in that area, it's not impossible."
Combat is an unavoidable topic at sea. For any country, military strength is the foundation of its existence. If a country relies solely on its navy for protection, its future is uncertain.
The following day, Zephyr finally got to the cockpit of the mech.
"So that's how it is inside."
Compared to the high-tech features that Zephyr had imagined, the cockpit was actually rather plain and unpretentious, with many simple mechanical components.
"The simpler something is, the less likely it is to break. The most important thing about military supplies is their practicality."
Anyway, that's what Brother Oran said. Actually, it has more than one cockpit mode, but this one is best for beginners.
It wasn't Oran who brought Yeklik and Zefa into the cockpit, but Ginny. Oran suddenly had a new idea, told them about it, and then returned to his research lab.
After all, it's impossible to predict when inspiration will strike when it comes to research. Even Caesar had his moments of sudden inspiration. Of course, having inspiration doesn't guarantee that you'll get results.
"Brother Oran said you've all learned the basics, so I won't waste any more time. Want to try standing up there?"
Just as Yeklik, wearing a safety helmet, was about to step forward, he found himself being held down by a hand.
"Yekrik, this place is too close to the shore. If we make a mistake, we might accidentally hurt civilians. You are still young, let me try it for you first."
As he spoke, Zephyr adjusted the driver's seat and stood up in it.
"."
Jeklik was speechless. At this moment, he finally realized what Zefa's intention was. This was clearly something he had figured out himself!
Ginny didn't say anything, but she restrained her urge to read minds. Although she really wanted to see what these middle-aged men were thinking, that would be extremely impolite.
The Steel Oz swayed and wobbled towards the open sea, beginning a new round of patrols.
"Why is it so unsteady today? Could the driver have had too much to drink?"
"How is that possible? Drunk people are even prohibited from piloting flywheels, let alone boarding mechs?"
The residents of Firefly Island noticed something was amiss as Oz walked unsteadily, but the current driver, Zephyr, seemed to be enjoying himself.
"Um, Mr. Zephyr, the mech has an autopilot function. Once the destination is set, it will move on its own."
"I know, then I won't feel anything."
"Dad! They mean you're driving erratically! Don't you think your sense of balance is a bit off?!"
Ginny put it rather tactfully, but Yerkes was anything but polite to her father, who used her as a shield and even took the driver's seat.
"I'm just a beginner and not very familiar with the operation yet. If you were here, it might be even worse!"
Neither father nor son would yield to the other at this moment, but Ginny didn't care. She knew more or less about Iron Oz's capabilities, and its autopilot mode could even make it fight independently.
If someone is about to knock it over, Oz will activate self-cruising mode. Anyway, Oran has given them control, so let Zeff do whatever he wants.
The advantages of the Great Pirate Era also became apparent at this time; at least when someone was out riding out in Steel Oars, there would be no shortage of targets.
A pirate ship is sailing in Oz's path.
"This is the Grand Line! A whole new world! My boys! Are you ready to become crew members of the Pirate King?!"
"oh!"
"There are a lot of seabirds around here, and there should be an island not far away. Ready to raid it?"
"oh!"
Adventurer-type pirate crews are a tiny minority; most pirates are primarily focused on plundering. But as this group of pirates confidently planned to make a big splash, the figure of Steel Oars was gradually approaching.
"Pirates? Perfect, I'll come and experience the feeling of battle."
"Mr. Zephyr, Brother Oran did not activate weapon access."
"I know, fists are enough. Riley's old fighting style is enough to deal with these pirates."
As he spoke, Zephyr maneuvered his mech toward the pirate ship below, but just like a novice playing a claw machine, Leliana could grab it every time, while Zephyr could never touch the pirate ship no matter what he tried.
The pirates on the ship were initially terrified by the size of Steel Oars, but their attitudes changed when they discovered that Steel Oars was constantly outsmarting thin air.
"Boss, this driver seems to be an idiot."
"Yeah, let's stop running and just steal this thing! With this, we'll definitely become the strongest pirate crew!"
The biggest difference between external objects and one's own power is that external objects can be taken away, and they usually attract a lot of greedy eyes.
The pirates didn't consider the consequences of actually stealing this thing; they just thought it was awesome.
But inside the cockpit, it's a completely different scene.
"We missed again."
"Dad, are you sure you can handle this? If not, just smash the sea surface. The waves you create will be enough to capsize these pirate ships."
"Oh dear, these pirates are starting to fight back! They actually dare to fight back against these mechs! Uncle Oran's inventions are probably crying now!"
Through the battle display screen, Yeklik could clearly see the developments below, and feeling dissatisfied, he made sarcastic remarks.
"Yekrik, keep quiet. Miss Ginny, let me confirm, this button is for opening the cockpit door, right?"
"That's right, you want to."
Click, hiss!
With a mechanical whirring sound, Zephyr stepped out of the driver's seat.
"I'm a little annoyed by those pirates right now."
As soon as the cockpit door opened, Zephyr's hands turned black, and he jumped out.
Warships can be boarded; a warship is a means of transportation.
Mechs are also a type of armed vehicle, and similarly, they can also "board".
Thud! Thud!
Two loud bangs rang out in the air. With his excellent Moonwalk skills, Zephyr quickly appeared on the pirate ship and then crushed the cannon that was firing.
"Pirates, you guys had a lot of fun fighting just now."
Zeff clenched his fist and glared at the pirate in front of him.
Judging from his expression, he wasn't in a good mood.
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