Over a span of three years, Nightin proved her exceptional talent in herbal medicine, surpassing even Queen in potion concoction.
Her annual salary has now reached 150 million Belly, a figure exceeding the bounty on her own head; one could say selling her wouldn't earn that kind of money.
Kaidou also tried to recruit her, as talents in this field are still talents. However, she consistently declined, despite the intriguing herbs within the Hundred Beasts causing her some internal conflict, she insisted on being only a collaborator, stating that her only captain is Wald.
Her situation, however, is slightly different. Although she maintains her identity as the doctor of the Wald Pirates, in these three years she has indeed been working for the Hundred Beasts Pirates. Kaidou, not believing Wald could escape from Impel Down, tolerated this.
This resulted in her receiving treatment but not status as a cadre; except when researching herbs, she couldn't command anyone in the Hundred Beasts Pirates.
During this period, it wasn't only Queen and Asie researching; Arceus was also conducting research, successfully cultivating some exotic crops using the Meadow Plate.
...
In a room not far away, Setsuna was writing her seafaring journal. Since joining the Hundred Beasts Pirates, she developed this habit, recording interesting events every so often.
Although she didn't write every day, she maintained a weekly frequency.
[December 16, 1494, Heavy snow
Setsuna is very happy. Yesterday, she finally mastered the power of the Moon Lion, so Zeraora can no longer call Setsuna weak, and now Setsuna can help him too.
However, three years have passed, and Zeraora still hasn't grown taller. Setsuna has caught up to his height now.
He doesn't like being called short; previously, he beat up a pirate really badly for that.
Many people have gained the power of the mythical beast; Setsuna also desires this power, but Zeraora says it requires more patience.
Last time, Mr. Kaidou brought back a plate, which delighted the mythical beast greatly. It is said that there are many similar plates. If found, they might be able to...
Setsuna misses home a bit, but the outside is also very interesting. Once she finds the Life Card to Zou, she surely wants to take everyone for a visit. By the way, Zeraora hasn't been to Zou yet; I wonder if everyone would like him.
However, he's out on a mission and hasn't returned... ]
Her diary was unfinished, but a knock came from the door outside.
"Sister Shaina, what's up?"
"Come with me, the mythical beast is summoning us."
"I'll be right there." Saying this, she jumped straight out of the window, avoiding the door as one of her preferences.
When Shaina brought her over, Zeraora, King, Queen, Mandfeish, Babanuki, Olga, Elizabeth, and few others who had also received enhancements from Arceus were present.
In the span of three years, many have received enhancements, though they didn't have the luck of Mandfeish's, drawing fruits that depleted the Hundred Beasts' two-year stock.
But this was quite logical, as these were ordinary Zoan types meant to be given to suitable subordinates.
Among everyone, only Setsuna was an exception. She merely learned three skills: Sword Dance, Electromagnetic Floating, and Bide, while everyone else had Pokemon abilities.
Due to her young age and lack of combat opportunities, learning those skills was already a special privilege. If not for her being part of the Fur Race, which can use Static, learning Electromagnetic Floating would have been an issue.
Without inherent abilities and forcibly learning skills, it only led to the consumption of physical energy, potentially running out of stamina after a single skill.
"Where's Scotch? Why isn't he here?"
"Lord Mythical Beast, he encountered a slight problem earlier. His island just faced newcomers entering the New World, and they burned down two of our flags. He's dealing with that issue."
Babanuki stood up to explain for Scotch, but his response drew more attention from Shaina.
"Two flags?"
"Uh... Boss lady, they not only burned the pirate flag but also Lord Arceus' flag..." Saying this, Babanuki felt a chill down his back, and suddenly Queen, who was beside him, had teleported thirty meters away.
"Brother Queen, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine, what could be wrong, it's just a bit hot."
He already had some PTSD; bantering with King was routine, but he absolutely wouldn't banter with Shaina, this reaction was instinctual by now.
And Shaina had no intention of paying attention to Queen.
"Forget about that guy, then what?"
"Scotch has already dealt with them, just got delayed a bit, so he didn't arrive on time..."
Burning flags, and both Arceus and Kaidou's flags at that, was a blatant declaration of war to the Hundred Beasts. No need for instructions, Scotch knew how to handle such people.
Only their blood could wash away this humiliation.
"Alright, as long as it's settled. The reason for calling you here is to give you something. Since Scotch isn't here... Babanuki, you pass it to him later."
Saying this, several energy hands each handed a box in front of them, inside of which was a somewhat withered dry grass.
"Lord Mythical Beast, what is this?"
"Your New Year's gift—the Resurrection Grass. It may not look impressive, but this is your second life. Of course, that's somewhat exaggerated.
However, should you encounter exhaustion or severe injury, eat this, and it will significantly restore your stamina, granting you the ability to fight again.
But it's extremely bitter, and for the next few days, you might taste nothing but bitterness."
Calling it a second life was no exaggeration; it meant giving them the rare ability to recuperate mid-battle, a privilege usually reserved for "protagonists."
Compared to that, its side effects were negligible.
The number of Resurrection Grass was limited. Originally, the Resurrection Grass's effects worked on Pokemon, and even after gaining abilities, they still belonged to humans and other animals. Only Zeraora could directly consume the Resurrection Grass.
This was why it was only after retrieving the Meadow Plate that Arceus managed to successfully refine the Resurrection Grass, as only with the grass-type Plate could he gain better control over plants.
The room fell silent, even Shaina and King were stunned, and Queen was so shocked he almost lost his glasses.
Due to his different origins, Zeraora was the first to respond.
Kneeling on one knee, his voice full of devotion: "Your will is our direction; we will overcome any obstacle, at any cost."
With one leader stepping up, a chain reaction ensued; the room was filled with kneeling people, and their words grew more extravagant. Arceus felt that given more time, Queen could craft an entire rap.
"Alright, everyone stand up, this is just to ensure you have more security." Sometimes he envied the strict calmness of the neighbor next door, at least their actions wouldn't leave him awkward.
He felt Queen's flattery had already met the threshold for enforced calmness.
But today wasn't over yet, as the regularly missing Kaidou had returned, and not alone, but with two children in tow.