Yamato dragged Robin into her room, and before Robin could figure out what was happening, Smeargle had already drawn a special skull emblem on her shoulder, unmistakably Kaidou's pirate flag.
"This is..."
"It's Father's pirate flag. Although you're not wanted, it's better to have this when you go out. You can usually cover it with this sleeve, but if you get into any trouble, this flag will certainly help you."
This was Yamato's current understanding, that Kaidou's pirate flag had enough deterrent power on the sea to intimidate a lot of people. In fact, this was true; in the complex New World, a Sea Emperor's pirate flag was the best protection.
"The injuries on your face... were they caused because of this?"
Looking at the bruised and battered Yamato, Robin suddenly understood why she had disappeared for the past few days.
"Not exactly. Father is naturally like this, but this time he really hit quite hard."
With the Super Rookie's physique combined with Kaidou's bloodline, plus the enhanced physique of the improved Okuchi no Makami, and the additional boost from the will of the twin dragons residing within her.
Even with all those buffs, there were still visible scars on her face, fully illustrating just how hard Kaidou had hit.
Robin didn't guess wrong; she had indeed embarked on this trip so Robin could sail with Kaidou's flag.
Robin was currently free, not a wanted criminal by the World Government. Also, Ohara and the Hundred Beasts were just in a mutual aid relationship, only needing each other's historical research.
Under these circumstances, as a non-affiliated force, they didn't have the right to use Kaidou's flag. Providing convenience in other aspects was already a great privilege.
The Hundred Beasts Pirates were ultimately Kaidou's pirates, and lending their flag to others required Kaidou's consent. Even though the high-level officials held the same authority, once the flag was lent out, it still needed Kaidou's approval.
For pirates, flags were like tokens; destroying or damaging another's pirate flag meant a declaration of war. Similarly, using another's pirate flag without permission, if discovered, also meant a declaration of war.
Pretending to be another pirate group usually entailed paying a huge price.
Even though Yamato was the young lady of the Hundred Beasts Pirates, she still didn't have the right to lend someone a flag without Kaidou's consent. Therefore, to help a friend, she chose to ask Kaidou for a flag.
Kaidou's response was simple: sure, but he needed to see if she was qualified; if she already possessed the ability and grace to use his flag.
And naturally, the only way to prove that was through fighting. From Kaidou's perspective, the most effective way to prove one's worth and qualification was through strength.
At fourteen, Yamato was also entering puberty, with her body rapidly developing in various aspects, much stronger than during her childhood.
Without using any abilities, and in a sea storm, she fought with Kaidou for three days and nights. Although those three days and nights were just a game for Kaidou, for Yamato, it was about testing her limits.
As the last of Muji Hyoga's energy was exhausted, Kaidou let out a burst of hearty laughter.
"Give it to whoever you want; use my flag however you please from now on."
Leaving behind those words, Kaidou left Yamato on the training island and departed alone. Only after her strength had somewhat recovered did she return to Ghost Island on her own.
This performance greatly satisfied Kaidou. Even without using abilities, few could match him in his regular state for three days, even the Super Rookies could barely manage a single strike.
Except for those exploiting the resurrection armor glitch, it was already impressive for the newcomers in the first half to make him use a second strike.
"Hey, and this too, fabric I got from Brother King. It's waterproof, breathable, and lightproof; he wears it on his face every day without discomfort. It definitely won't be a problem to make a sleeve out of it."
"But my departure was long planned; why did you go through so much trouble?"
"What are you saying? Aren't we friends? Friends don't need a reason to help each other. Oh, and this, I got it from my godfather."
As she spoke, Yamato pulled out a red Thousand Cosmos Bracelet, but this bracelet was hollow inside, resembling more like a conch flute.
"My godfather has created quite a few Pokemon over the years. There are now numerous Gyarados and Lapras in the sea; Jack said there even are Swampert near Fishman Island. If you play this near the sea, the Pokemon around who hear it will come over."
With this flute, facing danger wasn't as risky. Though receiving it was just a matter of words, Robin didn't refuse Yamato's goodwill. After hesitating a bit, she couldn't help but ask a question.
"Yamato, regarding this flag... doesn't Lord Arceus also have the authority to grant it?"
"Yeah, godfather and father don't really care about such things."
"Then why didn't you just go ask Lord Arceus for it directly?"
"Huh?"
Although it was a bit blunt, Robin still asked. At that time, Yamato also wanted to go out together. She and Robin were only two years apart in age, but Arceus directly denied it.
Seeing Yamato's confused face, Robin suddenly understood Arceus' perspective. If she sailed out without supervision, she could easily be fooled. Even though those people probably couldn't beat her in a fight, they'd end up learning a harsh lesson.
"Yeah, why didn't I... it would have been better to go ask my godfather directly..."
The difference wasn't too big; just the difference between exhausting oneself for three days and it being a matter of a single sentence. However, at the time, she didn't think of it much, just instinctively felt Kaidou's flag should be sought from Kaidou, forgetting to be flexible.
However, her actions weren't without reward. Robin wasn't departing immediately; her initial route was somewhat planned, so she headed towards the dining hall on Ghost Island as usual.
But the pirates who saw Yamato had changed their way of addressing her. No longer was it "Miss Yamato"; it had become "Lady Ghost Princess," although the cadres still used the former title.
"Hey, wait, why are you calling me Lady Ghost Princess?"
"Lady Ghost Princess, it's Governor Kaidou's idea. After he returned, he gave this instruction."
This change wasn't just in title. Being addressed as "Miss Yamato" simply meant she was Kaidou's daughter, but being called "Lady Ghost Princess" indicated that, in Kaidou's eyes, Yamato had already taken the first steps toward becoming a worthy successor...