"I know what you're trying to say," Granny Nyon said helplessly, looking at Merry. "But your companion hasn't hatched yet, so..."
"Ah, Granny Nyon, that's not what I meant."
Granny Nyon: ???
What else could it mean?
Meiser, however, seemed to realize something, his eyes lighting up as he exclaimed, "Merry, have you developed some special ability?!"
Just like the spatial ability Merry had displayed before, perhaps she could unlock an even more powerful skill!
At this thought, Meiser's eyes filled with anticipation.
"I think so."
Merry pondered for a moment before saying, "It seems I can now control the wind..."
"Wind?"
Meiser was stunned, then looked at Merry in shock. "The wind as I understand it?"
"I think so."
As she spoke, Merry raised her small hand and waved it toward the boxes containing the Devil Fruits.
Immediately, the boxes began to inch forward across the table as if they had grown legs.
"There really is wind..."
Sensing the movement of the air, everyone in the room wore expressions of astonishment.
Someone who hadn't eaten a Devil Fruit could manipulate the wind?
Could it be... this little girl had mastered Wind Release Ninjutsu?
At this thought, the others turned their gazes toward Meiser.
Understanding their unspoken question, Meiser asked, "Merry, have you learned Wind Release Ninjutsu?"
Although Merry's ability didn't quite match the Wind Release Ninjutsu he knew, who was to say she couldn't develop her own unique power?
After all... she was a legendary spirit!
"It's not Wind Release Ninjutsu," Merry shook her head.
Not only Wind Release, but none of the other ninjutsu Meiser had taught her had worked for her.
The only thing she could somewhat grasp was the Sealing Technique, and even that progress was painfully slow...
"Not Wind Release?"
Meiser frowned. "Then how are you doing this?"
"Hmm..." Merry thought for a moment before shaking her head again. "I don't know."
"If I had to explain it... it feels like an instinct."
"An instinct?"
Pondering Merry's words, Meiser fell deep into thought.
The power to control the natural wind, combined with a unique substance possibly found only in the sea...
Could Merry be a Nature Spirit?!
At this realization, a look of awe flashed across Meiser's face!
If that were truly the case, Merry's potential would be terrifyingly limitless.
"Merry," Hancock asked curiously, "when did you awaken this power?"
"Just now."
"Just now?"
Hancock was taken aback. What did she mean by just now?
Merry seemed to notice Hancock's confusion and explained, "Just as I was wondering whether eating a Devil Fruit would kill me, this power inexplicably emerged from within my body."
Though no one understood how it happened, that was indeed the case.
Hancock: .....
So she forcibly awakened a special ability to avoid eating a Devil Fruit?
No, what kind of bizarre physiology is this?
Meanwhile, Meiser stroked his chin while looking at Merry and said, "It's also possible you awakened it long ago and only just discovered it now."
"Why do you say that?"
Merry looked at Meiser in puzzlement, clearly not expecting him to say such a thing.
"Do you remember that group we encountered at the Sabaody Archipelago back then?" Meiser said.
Merry thought for a moment before replying, "You mean... the Rosy Life Riders?"
"Yes, exactly them," Meiser nodded.
"What kind of strange name is that?" Granny Nyon remarked.
The Rosy Life Riders?
Was their life filled with rosy hues or something?
"The name is a bit odd, but they were decent people," Meiser said.
This time, Granny Nyon simply nodded without further comment.
"Why bring them up?" Merry asked curiously.
"Because that was when you first displayed unusual abilities!" Meiser exclaimed.
"Did I?"
A question mark seemed to pop up above Merry's head—she didn't recall this at all.
"Of course you did," Meiser insisted. "Those guys escaped on flying fish, but you still managed to hear their conversation."
A thoughtful expression crossed Merry's face before she finally said, "Now that you mention it... I think that did happen."
"What's the issue here?" Marigold asked Meiser in confusion.
What's wrong with overhearing someone?
"At that distance, it would've been impossible to hear them under normal circumstances," Meiser explained. "At the very least, none of the rest of us heard anything."
Marigold's eyes widened in surprise. "That really happened?!"
So... Merry had already awakened her abilities back then?
She just couldn't utilize them for some reason until now. "I see..."
"So I'd already awakened my powers by then?" Merry asked doubtfully.
"It's highly possible," Meiser nodded. "Perhaps the power of wind allowed you to hear them at the time."
As for why Merry only awakened now, that remained unclear.
"So that's how it was..."
Merry fell into deep thought, recalling past events.
Now that she thought about it... it made sense.
"But why did she awaken the power of wind specifically?" Sandersonia wondered.
After a brief pause, Meiser replied, "Maybe it's because Merry is a Ship Spirit."
"What do you mean?"
Once all eyes were on him, Meiser continued, "Think about it—when a Pirate Ship sails across the sea, doesn't it rely on the wind to move?"
"But there are paddle wheels too," Sandersonia pointed out.
"Don't be difficult," Meiser shot her an exasperated look. "I'm talking about most situations."
Meiser had a good understanding of how ships worked in this world.
Although some ships were equipped with paddle wheels, most still relied on sails for movement, so his explanation wasn't entirely off.
Sandersonia fell silent for a moment after hearing this, then nodded without saying anything further.
"What does this have to do with how pirate ships move?" Marigold asked, puzzled.
"Of course it's related."
Meiser explained, "Merry is a Ship Spirit born from a ship, so her Awakening ability might be connected to ships!"
For example, her spatial ability could very well be tied to the vast space within a ship or the need to transport large amounts of materials for repairs.
Hearing Meiser's explanation, Marigold's eyes widened in surprise.
Could it really be explained like that?
Then she said, "So if Merry Awakened the power of wind, it's because sailing ships rely on wind to move?"
"That's a possibility," Meiser nodded.
"This..."
The group exchanged glances, finding the explanation a bit far-fetched.
But upon closer thought, it did make some sense—after all... Merry had indeed Awakened the power of wind!
Just then, Meiser continued, "Of course, there's another possibility."
"What possibility?"
"Merry might not be a Ship Spirit!"
"Not a Ship Spirit?"
Hearing this, confusion flickered in their eyes.
What did he mean by that?
"I'm not a Ship Spirit?"
Merry stared blankly at Meiser—had she just been stripped of her spirit status?
"I'm just saying it's a possibility," Meiser said helplessly.
Merry fell silent for a moment, then blinked her big eyes and asked, "Then what am I?"
"You might be a Nature Spirit," Meiser replied.
"A Nature Spirit?"
The unfamiliar term deepened the confusion in their expressions.
"Exactly, a Nature Spirit!" Meiser nodded. "A spirit born from nature itself!"
"If Merry really is such a being, then her Awakening the power of wind wouldn't be strange at all."
After all... creatures like these were nature's favored children!
"A Nature Spirit, huh..."
Marigold studied Merry closely before saying, "It sounds a bit outlandish, but it's not impossible."
"But wasn't Merry born from your pirate ship?" Sandersonia asked doubtfully. "That matches the legends about Ship Spirits perfectly."
"Why are you being so nitpicky?"
Meiser shot Sandersonia an exasperated look. "I never said Merry is definitely a Nature Spirit. It's just a theory."
"Either way, the fact remains that Merry has gained supernatural abilities."
Sandersonia paused, then nodded. "Well, that's true."
In the end, it didn't matter what kind of spirit she was—as long as she gained power, Merry would be better able to protect herself.
"So... am I a Ship Spirit or not?" Merry tilted her head and looked at Meiser.
"That's something you'll have to discover for yourself," Meiser replied with a gentle smile. "Perhaps one day in the future, you'll find the answer within you."
Merry thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
Since Meiser had spoken, she decided not to dwell on it further and focused on becoming stronger first!
With that thought, Merry cast aside her unnecessary worries, her expression returning to normal.
"It's wonderful that Merry has awakened this ability," Granny Nyon said with a smile. "This will greatly enhance her archery skills."
After all... the power of wind could make her arrows even more formidable!
Perhaps envisioning certain possibilities, Granny Nyon's smile widened.
Meanwhile, Meiser froze upon hearing Granny Nyon's words.
Then, he muttered to himself: This sounds just like the Arrow of Wind...
If it could truly unleash the power he imagined, then Merry as a sniper would be far more threatening than Usopp.
At that moment, an image flashed through Meiser's mind.
He saw Merry's small figure appearing beside Kizaru, raising her longbow and aiming it at him.
"Don't move, Kizaru!"
"Oh, scary~"
Pfft—the imagery was just too vivid.
The thought made Meiser burst out laughing.
"Hmm?"
"What are you laughing at?" Granny Nyon asked, eyeing Meiser suspiciously.
What was this guy thinking about now?
"Ahem, I'm just happy for Merry," Meiser coughed lightly and said. "After all, she's getting stronger, isn't she?"
Granny Nyon gave him a skeptical look, sensing he wasn't being entirely truthful.
But she couldn't find anything wrong with his words, so she nodded and let it go.
Relieved, Meiser turned to Merry and said, "Merry, spend these next two years training hard with Granny Nyon."
"Don't worry, I'll do my best to get stronger!"
The little girl clenched her fist in determination, her adorable gesture making everyone laugh.
"Hahahaha!"
"Then you'd better be prepared, little one," Granny Nyon chuckled, ruffling Merry's hair. "I won't go easy on you~"
At her words, a flicker of fear appeared in Merry's eyes, but the memory of what they'd experienced at the Sabaody Archipelago quickly steeled her resolve.
"Bring it on, Granny Nyon!" Little Merry declared firmly.
"Good~"
Granny Nyon nodded approvingly. "Once you've hatched that snake egg, we'll begin training—and work on building your synergy too."
"Got it!!"
Hearing that training wouldn't start immediately, Merry visibly relaxed.
"But don't slack off in the meantime," Meiser interjected. "Study your newly awakened ability, and keep practicing the Sealing Technique I taught you!"
Especially the power of wind—if Merry could master it fully, her threat level on the seas might surpass even his own!
"Understood..."
"Hmm?"
"Understood!"
Seeing the little girl suddenly sit up straight, Meiser smiled in satisfaction. "That's more like it."
"Brother-in-law..." Marigold hesitated before speaking. "Aren't you being a bit too strict with her?"
Merry had only been born a few months ago, so subjecting her to such intense training now might be a bit...
"No, I think Meiser's approach is correct," Hancock said with a serious expression. "Don't forget what they'll be facing in two years."
Hearing Hancock's words, Marigold suddenly looked enlightened.
That's right—the Straw Hat Pirates would be hunted by the World Government in two years!
To increase their chances of survival, Merry had to start moving now!
With that thought, Marigold fell completely silent.
Seeing that Marigold understood her point, Hancock turned to Merry and said, "Merry, I hope you understand Meiser's good intentions."
Her thoughts aligned with Meiser's—they both wanted Merry to start training now so she could grow stronger sooner.
Only by becoming strong herself could she take control of her own destiny!
"I know... I just... hehe, I just wanted a few more days of rest," Merry said sheepishly.
"Then take a few more days to rest."
Meiser patted Hancock's hand before looking at Merry. "But once training starts, no slacking off, got it?"
"Don't worry, I promise I won't slack!" Merry said earnestly.
This time, she was truly determined to grow stronger and wouldn't laze around like before.
"Good," Meiser nodded.
"Then I'll take charge of Merry's physical training," Hancock declared. "I'll teach her everything I know."
"Huh?"
Merry blinked in confusion. "Wait, wasn't I just supposed to learn archery? Why do I need physical training too?"
Wasn't her role support and sniper?
"Having strong physical combat skills will prevent you from being taken out in close quarters," Hancock explained. "Besides... physical training will also improve your stamina."
"Oh..."
After carefully considering Hancock's words, Merry nodded. "Alright, I understand. I'll do my best."
This time, Hancock simply nodded without further comment. Granny Nyon, who had been watching Hancock, sighed inwardly, 'She's really changed so much...'
Truly, the power of love is great. Hahaha.
Then, Granny Nyon spoke up. "Then it's settled."
"I'll handle Merry's archery training, and Hancock will take care of her physical training."
"Agreed," Hancock nodded.
She would do everything in her power to help this little one grow stronger.
"Brother-in-law, what do you plan to do with these unknown Devil Fruits?" Sandersonia pointed at the three Devil Fruits on the table.
"These three..."
Meiser glanced at the fruits and stroked his chin. "Let's see if Shakky can help me find better Devil Fruits first."
"If not, then we'll just have to let those guys take a gamble."
As for whether they should eat them... that would be their own choice.
"It's best to stick with known ones," Granny Nyon advised. "Otherwise, they might end up with a bad ability."
If they were unlucky enough to get a weak ability, they'd have no one to blame but themselves.
"I agree with that."
Meiser nodded, then turned to Granny Nyon and asked, "Granny Nyon, would you like to give it a try?"
Come to think of it... he had never actually seen someone eat a Devil Fruit firsthand.
"Me?"
"No, I'll pass," Granny Nyon shook her head.
At her age, what was the point of eating something like that?
So it was better to decline.
"Alright."