A Metapod that can knock down Rayquaza with Electroweb exists only in the games. In reality, for an actual Metapod, Electroweb is merely a special form of self-defense. What they use most frequently is still Harden.
When targeted by predators, Metapod usually keeps using Harden to make its shell tougher and tougher, so that the predator eventually loses interest.
After being turned into an ability, Fourtricks gained an additional layer of powerful armor. Unlike Tekkai, which generally renders its user immobile due to the activation conditions, Fourtricks can move freely while using it.
So when Metapod becomes an ability, it means the user gains the power to maintain full-body Tekkai while still being able to move freely.
Compared to using Haki for defense, the shell of Metapod consumes far less energy. Monsters like Kaido are ultimately rare exceptions. For ordinary officers like them, conserving stamina is still something they need to be mindful of.
Even though the ability transformation turns him a glossy green, Fourtricks doesn't care about that sort of thing. Instead, he bumped his fists together and looked toward Hamlet. Battles between the new Blessed Ones had become something of a routine, but this time was a little different.
"Alright, if you want to test out your abilities, go find a spacious place and try it on your own! For now, the banquet begins!"
This time, the event was more focused on celebration. Even Kaido's additional training sessions for Yamato had been postponed until after the banquet, which made it clear. So the battle between Fourtricks and Hamlet was also delayed.
"Lights!"
Seeing Kaido had returned to his seat, Queen began letting loose. With a snap of his fingers toward the sky, the previously bright lights suddenly dimmed, and only enough light remained to make out the silhouettes of people above.
"Treasure this, boys! This celebration is even rarer than the Golden Kagura! Music!"
zlzlzl~
Accompanied by the sound of taiko drums and electric guitars, a DJ-style beat gradually spread throughout the venue.
"If I get thinner, I'll be too popular〜♪ So I don't get thinner, that's my kind of... funk! I can sing and dance, that's my kind of... funk!"
Crack!
In the senior officer's exclusive seating area, Shayna momentarily lost control of her strength and crushed the cup in her hand.
"This guy's at it again."
"Just enjoy the show. It's not like this is the first time. Besides, Sister Shayna, Brother Queen's actually pretty funny."
Next to her, Olga watched the performance below with mild interest, even throwing in a few illusions to enhance the atmosphere.
"King, what do you think?"
"Jack has started challenging the Calamity position again lately. I hope Boss Kaido doesn't add another slot, he should just replace this guy."
The mask covered King's expression, making it unreadable to others, but from his tone, it was clear that he felt humiliated being ranked alongside Queen as one of the 3 Calamities.
It's only in front of allies that Queen sings and dances; if he ever pulled that stuff in front of enemies, King would likely clean house on the spot.
"We're getting to that part again, huh? Doesn't he feel embarrassed?"
"If he ever felt shame, the sun would rise from west the next day."
King and Shayna had already predicted what Queen was going to do next. After all, he pulled some stunt at every major banquet.
"Get hyped, everyone! It's almost time for the usual roll call!"
"Ohhhh!"
The senior officers weren't interested, but Queen still had quite a few fans among the regular pirates. Some fangirls even fainted from excitement just seeing him.
"Let's start with….Gifters this time!"
At Queen's shout, the Gifters present responded. Then came some of the Blessed Ones, including members of the Arceus Cult, and even some Pokémon gathered on Onigashima gave Queen some face. Until finally...
"The best of the Blessed Ones! The single-digit Numbers! Let me hear your voices!"
"Oh."
There was no awkward silence as Mandrell replied flatly, but beyond that, not a single sound could be heard, even Queen's accompanying band came to a stop.
"Daddy, why were you the only one who responded to that uncle?"
Young Maylo didn't understand why things had suddenly gone quiet; she just curiously asked her father.
"Well, you see, we're all colleagues, it's just that my way of handling things is different from theirs."
There were quite a few factions within the Beasts Pirates. From the top level alone, you could divide them into the Arceus faction and the Kaido faction. Under both of them, the senior officers each commanded their own sub-factions.
The divide between the Arceus faction and the Kaido faction can basically be ignored. As long as the two of them don't fall out, the Beasts Pirates—a regime that combines religion and government—will not collapse.
As for the lower-tier factions, Mandrell always played the role of the good guy, able to talk to just about anyone. When conflicts arose among the low-level officers, it was usually Mandrell who stepped in to mediate.
Queen, on the other hand, didn't care about that sort of thing. Just like Shayna said, every time he did this kind of act, things would get awkward. But he still never gave up on this activity and quickly shifted to interacting with other people.
Meanwhile, Yamato left the kids' group and joined up with the Sky Island group participating in the banquet.
"Robin, haven't seen you for a long time."
"It hasn't been that long. It's actually been less than two months since we left Alabasta."
"I was just saying, don't mind the details. Anyway, here's a list of questions I've gathered over the past two months. Can you help me analyze them?"
Yamato opened up the notepad on her Rotom Phone, intending to discuss some brainy topics with Robin.
"Let's wait a bit. I'll take a look after the banquet ends."
"Eh? Are you actually interested in Uncle Queen's performance?"
"Mm, it's pretty entertaining. I'd say Sir Queen is kind of... cute."
"…"
Yamato suddenly remembered. Robin might be highly intelligent, but her sense of aesthetics was quite different from that of the average person. Whether it was about appearance or names, she had her own unique standards.
"Alright, we'll talk later then. By the way, do you have any plans after this?"
"Plans? I'm thinking of heading to Charicific Island first to study those Charmander. I've heard that a unique ecosystem has formed there. After that, I want to visit the Kingdom of Giants. I got some intel from Saul and want to verify it."
"It's not exactly the same as my planned itinerary, but there are some places where our routes overlap."
While enjoying the performance, Robin and Yamato discussed their future travel plans. They ultimately decided to travel together for a while and part ways once they reached the Kingdom of Giants.
Elsewhere, in the elders group at the venue, Acier was chatting with Nightin, only to receive some shocking news from her.
"You…you're leaving?"
"I'm not sure yet, but I'm planning to report to Mr. Kaido and Mr. Arceus. If the intel is correct, then yes, I'll be leaving."
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