Ship Spirit? No... a Spirit of Nature!

"I know what you're trying to say," Grandma Za said helplessly to Merry, "But your partner hasn't hatched yet, so..."

"Oh dear, Grandma Za, that's not what I meant."

Grandma Za?

What does "not this" mean?

Xi Yan seemed to have sensed something, his eyes lighting up as he exclaimed, "Merry, have you perhaps developed some special ability?!"

Just like the spatial abilities that Merry demonstrated back then, who knows, she might even develop even more powerful abilities!

Thinking of this, anticipation appeared in Xi Yan's eyes.

"I think so."

After thinking for a moment, Merry said, "I think I can control the wind now..."

"Wind?"

Xi Yan was stunned for a moment, then looked at Merry in shock and said, "Is it the wind I understand?"

I think so.

As she spoke, Merry raised her little hand and waved at the boxes containing Devil Fruit.

Then, as if they had grown legs, the boxes slowly moved towards the front of the table.

"There really is wind..."

As they carefully sensed the flow of air, a look of shock appeared in the eyes of everyone in the room.

How can someone who has never eaten Devil Fruit possess the Power of Wind?

Could it be... that this little girl has mastered Wind Release Ninjutsu?

With that in mind, the others turned their attention to Xi Yan.

Xi Yan understood what they meant, so he asked, "Merry, have you mastered Wind Release Ninjutsu?"

Although the abilities that Merry displayed were different from the Wind Release Ninjutsu he knew, who says that Merry can't develop her own abilities?

After all... she's a legendary elf!

"It's not Wind Release Ninjutsu," Merry shook her head and said.

Not only Wind Release Ninjutsu, but she also couldn't learn the other Ninjutsu that Xi Yan taught her.

I could learn Sealing Technique, but the progress would be extremely slow...

"Isn't it Wind Release...?"

Xi Yan asked in confusion, "Then how did you do that?"

"Um..."

Merry thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, "I don't know either."

"If I had to put it in a way... it's like an instinct."

"Instinct?"

Listening to Merry's words, Xi Yan fell into deep thought.

Possessing the Power of Wind in nature, and possibly having a special substance within their body that can only be found in the ocean...

Could this girl, Merry, be Spirit of Nature?

Thinking of this, a look of horror appeared in Xi Yan's eyes!

If that's really the case, then Merry's potential is quite terrifying.

"Merry," Hancock asked, looking at Merry curiously, "When did you Awakening this power?"

"Just now."

"Just?"

Hancock paused, wondering what she had just heard.

Perhaps sensing Hancock's confusion, Merry explained, "Just as I was contemplating whether eating Devil Fruit would kill me, this power inexplicably surged into my body."

Although I don't know how it happened, that's definitely how it is.

Hancock:...

Did he forcibly Awakening a special ability in order to avoid eating Devil Fruit?

No, what a strange body structure this is.

Xi Yan stroked his chin and looked at Merry, saying, "It's also possible that it Awakening a long time ago, but you're only realizing it now."

Why do you say that?

Merry looked at Xi Yan with a puzzled expression, clearly not expecting him to say such a thing.

"Do you remember the group of people we met in the Sabaody Archipelago?" Xi Yan asked.

Upon hearing this, Merry thought for a moment, then said, "You mean... the Rose-Colored Life Knight Crew?"

"Yes, it's them." Xi Yan nodded.

"What a strange name!" Grandma Za complained.

The Rose-Colored Life Knight Crew?

Could it be that their lives are all filled with rosy hues?

"His name is a bit strange, but he's a nice person," Xi Yan said.

This time, Grandma Za nodded and didn't say anything more.

"Why are you bringing them up?" Merry asked curiously.

"Because you displayed extraordinary abilities that time!!" Xi Yan said.

"Is there?"

A question mark popped into Merry's head: why didn't she remember this?

"Of course," Xi Yan said. "Those guys rode off on flying fish, but you still heard what they were saying."

Upon hearing this, a thoughtful expression appeared on Merry's face. After a moment, she said, "It seems... there is such a thing."

"What's the problem?" Marguerite asked Xi Yan, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

What's wrong with listening to others speak?

"Given the distance at the time, it would have been impossible to hear them talking under normal circumstances," Xi Yan said. "At least, apart from Merry, none of us heard them."

Upon hearing this, Marguerite looked surprised and exclaimed, "Is that so?!"

So... Merry had already Awakening her abilities back then?

It's just that it can't be used for certain reasons.

"Some."

"So I had already Awakening my abilities back then?" Merry asked, puzzled.

"That's quite possible," Xi Yan nodded. "Perhaps it was the Power of Wind that allowed you to hear their words at that time."

As for why Merry only Awakening now, she didn't know.

"So that's how it is..."

After reflecting on everything that had happened to her, Merry fell into deep thought.

It seems... that's how it is.

"Then why is it the Power of Wind that Awakening?" Sander Sonia asked, puzzled.

Xi Yan thought for a moment, then said, "Perhaps it's because Merry is Ship Spirit."

"What's the meaning?"

Seeing that everyone's attention was on him, Xi Yan said, "Look, when pirate ships sail on the sea, don't they need the wind to move?"

"But there are also Paddle wheel," Sander Sonia said.

"I'm not just arguing for the sake of arguing," Xi Yan said, rolling her eyes at Sander Sonia. "I'm talking about most of the time."

Xi Yan knew about the ships in this world.

Although some ships are equipped with Paddle wheel, they still rely on sails for movement most of the time, so what he said is not wrong.

Sander Sonia paused for a moment after hearing this, then nodded and said nothing more.

"What does this have to do with how pirate ships move?" Marguerite asked, puzzled.

"Of course they're related."

Xi Yan explained, "Merry is Ship Spirit born on a ship, so her Awakening abilities might be related to the ship!"

For example, her spatial abilities might be related to the ship having a lot of space or the need to transport large amounts of materials when repairing the ship.

Upon hearing Xi Yan's explanation, Marguerite's eyes widened in surprise.

Is that another way to explain it?

Then she said, "So, Merry's ability to Awakening the Power of Wind is related to the fact that sailboats need the Power of Wind to propel them?"

"That's possible," Xi Yan nodded.

"This..."

The group exchanged bewildered glances, feeling that this explanation was somewhat far-fetched.

But thinking about it carefully, it seems to make sense, after all... Merry did indeed Awakening the Power of Wind!

Just then, Xi Yan continued, "Of course, there's another possibility."

What are the possibilities?

"Merry is not Ship Spirit!"

"Not Ship Spirit?"

Upon hearing Xi Yan's explanation, a look of confusion appeared in the eyes of the group.

What does "not Ship Spirit" mean?

"I'm not Ship Spirit?"

Merry stared at Xi Yan in disbelief. Had she been expelled from the elven race?

"I was just saying there's a possibility," Xi Yan said helplessly.

Merry paused for a moment after hearing this, then blinked her big eyes and said, "Then what am I?"

"It could be Spirit of Nature," Xi Yan said.

"The Spirit of Nature?"

Hearing this extremely unfamiliar term, the confusion in their eyes deepened.

"That's right, Spirit of Nature!" Xi Yan nodded and said, "A spirit born from nature!"

"If Merry is truly such a being, then it's not surprising that she Awakening the Power of Wind."

After all... this kind of creature is a darling of nature!

"The Spirit of Nature, huh?"

Marguerite, who had been staring at Merry for a moment, said, "It sounds a bit far-fetched, but it's not impossible."

"But wasn't Meili born from your pirate ship?" Santasonia said in confusion, "This is exactly the same as the legendary ship spirit."

Why are you taking it so seriously?

Xi Yan rolled his eyes at Sander Sonia and said, "I never said that Merry is definitely Spirit of Nature. In the end, this is just my guess."

"But regardless, it's true that Merry gained superpowers."

Sander Sonia paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's true."

It doesn't really matter what kind of elf it is, as long as it can grant superpowers, which will make Merry more capable of protecting herself.

"So, am I Ship Spirit or not?" Merry asked, looking up at Xi Yan.

"You'll have to find the answer yourself," Xi Yan said with a gentle smile. "Perhaps one day in the future, you'll find the answer within yourself."

Upon hearing this, Merry tilted her head and thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay."

Since Xi Yan has said so, she'll stop worrying about it and focus on becoming stronger first!

With that thought in mind, Merry dismissed the extraneous thoughts and her expression returned to normal.

"It's a good thing that Merry has Awakening this ability," Grandma Za said with a smile. "It will also greatly improve her archery skills."

After all... the Power of Wind can make an arrow even more powerful!

Perhaps as if she had considered some possibility, Grandma Za's smile widened.

Xi Yan was stunned after hearing Grandma Za said.

Then, he muttered to himself, 'This sounds like Wind Arrow...'

If she could truly unleash the power he imagined, then Merry, as a sniper, would be far more of a threat Usopp.

At that moment, a scene appeared in Xi Yan's mind.

Then, Merry's small figure appeared beside Kizaru, raising her longbow and aiming it at him.

[Don't move, Kizaru!]

[Oh, wow!]

Wow, that's a really vivid image.

Thinking of this, Xi Yan burst out laughing.

"Um?"

"What are you laughing at?" Grandma Za asked Xi Yan, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

What's on his mind this time?

"Ahem, I'm happy for Merry," Xi Yan coughed lightly and said, "After all, she'll become stronger, won't she!"

Grandma Za looked at Xi Yan with a suspicious gaze, feeling that the boy wasn't telling the truth.

But if she had to point out anything, she couldn't find anything wrong with it, so she nodded and said nothing more.

Seeing this Xi Yan breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Merry and said, "Merry, spend the next two years cultivating diligently with Grandma Za."

"Don't worry, I'll work hard to become stronger!"

The little guy stretched out one hand and made a fist, indicating that he would definitely try his best.

This adorable scene made everyone laugh.

Hahahaha.

"Then you'd better be prepared, little one," Grandma Za said with a smile, ruffling Merry's hair. "I won't hold back!"

Hearing Grandma Za's words, a hint of fear appeared in Little Merry's eyes, but when she thought of what they had encountered in the Sabaody Archipelago, her eyes immediately hardened.

"Bring it on, Grandma Za!" Little Merry said firmly.

Okay~

Grandma Za nodded in satisfaction, then said, "Once you hatch that Snake Egg, we'll begin training you, and also cultivate your teamwork."

Okay!

Upon hearing that training wouldn't begin immediately, Little Merry's tense body gradually relaxed.

"Don't be idle during this time," Xi Yan said. "Take a good look at your newly Awakening ability, and while you're at it, study the Sealing Technique I taught you before!"

Especially the Power of Wind; if Merry could fully master it, the opponent might pose a greater threat on the high seas than she herself!

"Okay..."

"Um?"

"Okay!"

Seeing the little guy suddenly sit up straight, Xi Yan revealed a satisfied expression and said, "That's more like it."

"Brother-in-law Lord ..." Marguerite hesitated for a moment, then said, "Aren't you being a little too harsh?"

Merry is only a few months old, isn't it a bit much to put her into such high-intensity training now...?

"No, I don't think there's anything wrong with what Xi Yan did," Hancock said seriously. "Don't forget what they'll be facing two years from now."

Hearing Hancock's words, Marguerite had a look of Satori realization.

Yes, the Straw Hat Pirates will face pursuit from the World Government two years from now!

Therefore, in order to increase her chances of survival, Merry has to keep moving!

Thinking of this, Marguerite shut her mouth completely.

Seeing that Marguerite understood her meaning, Hancock looked at Merry and said, "Merry, I hope you can understand Xi Yan's good intentions."

Actually, her thoughts were similar to Xi Yan's; they both hoped that Merry would start moving now so that the little guy could become stronger sooner!

Only by becoming strong can one control their own destiny!

"I know... I just... hehe, I just want to rest for a few more days," Merry said somewhat shyly.

"Then let's rest for a few days."

Xi Yan patted Hancock's hand, then looked at Merry and said, "But once training starts, you can't slack off, understand?"

"Don't worry, I promise I won't slack off!" Merry said earnestly.

This time, she was determined to become stronger, so she naturally wouldn't slack off like before.

"Okay." Xi Yan nodded.

"Then I will take care of Merry's Body Technique training," Hancock said. "I will teach her everything I know."

"Huh?"

Merry paused for a moment, then asked in confusion, "I only need to learn archery, why do I need to learn Body Technique too?"

Isn't her role supposed to be support + sniper?

"Having strong enough Body Technique will prevent you from being killed in close combat," Hancock said. "Besides... training your Body Technique will also make you stronger."

"Is that so...?"

After carefully considering Hancock's words, Merry nodded and said, "Okay, I understand. I'll try my best."

This time, Hancock nodded and said nothing more.

Grandma Za, staring intently at Hancock, thought to herself, "This girl has really changed a lot..."

The power of love is truly great, hahaha.

Then, Grandma Za said, "Let's settle on that then."

"I'll handle Merry's archery training, and Hancock will take care of her Body Technique training."

"Okay," Hancock nodded.

She will do everything she can to make this little guy stronger.

"Brother-in-law Lord, what do you plan to do with these unknown Devil Fruit?" Sander Sonia asked, pointing to the three Devil Fruit on the table.

"These three..."

Xi Yan turned to look at the three Devil Fruit, stroked his chin, and said, "Let's see if Shakky-jie can help me get a better Devil Fruit."

"If not, then we'll just have to let those guys take a gamble."

As for whether or not to eat... that's their own choice.

"It's best to eat what we already know," Grandma Za said. "Otherwise, we might encounter some bad abilities."

If you're unlucky enough to get a weaker ability, then you'll have nowhere to turn and no one to blame but yourself.

"Yes, that's what I think too."

Xi Yan nodded, then looked at Grandma Za and said, "Grandma Za, would you like to give it a try?"

Come to think of it... he's never seen anyone actually eat Devil Fruit.

"I?"

"I'll pass," Grandma Za said, shaking her head.

She's so old, what's the point of her eating this?

So let's forget about it.

"Alright."