"Why is there a wall blocking the way meow? Now I can't even see Klee Meow and Shermie Meow performance meow!"
(=`н=)
Dodo Advance sat on the edge of the lookout post of her own mast, staring toward the Golden Pool. She kicked her furry little feet while muttering angrily.
Since everyone had gone to watch the performance, the entire pier was deserted. This was why Dodo Advance dared to appear so openly besides, she was so small that unless someone was specifically looking for her, they wouldn't notice the little one on the mast.
Even in the worst-case scenario where she was spotted, it wouldn't matter. Dodo Advance appearance didn't look like a Ship Spirit at all she would simply be mistaken for one of the Felynes.
"Roar~"
A tiny, silver-white tiger no larger than a palm jumped onto the edge of the lookout post. It gently rubbed its head against Dodo Advance arm and let out a soft growl of comfort.
"Thank you, Jean meow~"
(=ω=)
Just like Klee Meow, Dodo Advance temper came and went quickly. she immediately broke into a smile and began stroking the small metallic tiger that Haibara Meow had specifically left behind to play with her.
In addition to Jean, there were a few flame summons and guardians on the ship. Originally, they were meant to guard the vessel, but now they had the added job of playing with Dodo Advance.
Although the "AI" of these guardians was somewhat lacking compared to animals transformed by Devil Fruits, Dodo Advance was never picky and could have just as much fun with them.
However, despite the performance being so close to her, Dodo Advance was unable to see it, which naturally made the little Ship Spirit a bit unhappy.
"Should I turn into Ceadeus or Paolumu to fly over this wall and watch the show meow?"
(=`ー=)
Dodo Advance stroked Jean, who was curled in her lap, while staring at the wall separating the pier from the Golden Pool, secretly weighing her options.
Consequently, she failed to notice that the ships docked on either side of her had, at some unknown moment, quietly turned their cannons toward her main body...
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The ships on both sides suddenly fired their cannons simultaneously, but what shot from the muzzles were not ordinary cannonballs, but long, hooked spears with iron chains attached to their tails.
"Thud! Thud! Swish! Crackle..."
Dodo Advance main body was based on the Treasure Tree Adam and had been reinforced several times by Purah Meow and Suika Meow using technology and abilities.
Therefore, when these spears hit her, they mostly left a few faint scratches before being bounced off. However, a few of the spear hooks still managed to catch onto Dodo Advance railings and other areas.
Furthermore, the attacks from both sides were not limited to a single round. Once the deflected spears were retracted, a second round of attacks began almost immediately.
New ships also circled out from behind them, surrounding Dodo Advance while firing similar spears or even more effective grappling hooks.
"Waaaaah! What going on, meow?!"
(°Д°≡°Д°)
Caught in the surprise attack, Dodo Advance nearly tumbled headfirst from the mast. She clung tightly to the lute in her arms while looking around in a panic.
Since Dodo Advance had never experienced a proper naval battle—previously, Sherwin and the others either crushed the enemy directly, or her main body transformed into Rajang or Magnamalo to engage in "melee combat" on land—the little one only realized she was being ambushed once her body was locked down by grappling hooks from all directions.
Unfortunately, by this point, it was too late for her to transform and escape. Moreover, after merging with her main body, Dodo Advance detected several submarines bearing Navy markings lurking underwater.
She estimated there was a high probability that knock-off Valstrax or other airships were waiting for her in the sky as well...
Although she could no longer transform, it didn't mean Dodo Advance was defenseless.
"So it the bad guys from the World Government! To think you'd ambush me while Brother Sherwin is away! I'm going to shock you all to death, meow!"
(=`Д=)
Coming to her senses, the little ship spirit immediately roared and launched a counterattack.
Of course, her "roar" did not travel outward, so the Navy remained unaware that the "Cat Mink" they had been monitoring—who had vanished in the blink of an eye—was actually the legendary ship spirit.
Dazzling thunderlight erupted across the hull of Dodo Advance, surging along the iron chains hooked to her and through the golden water below, transmitting to the surrounding ships and the submarines beneath the surface.
As a ship powered by a hybrid of thunder and fire, these two energy sources were not just for movement and transformation.
However, compared to Klee Meow flames, Shermie Meow lightning was much more controllable—and besides, they were currently on the water.
As the lightning dispersed, the metal submarines beneath the water instantly went dead and even began to sink slowly.
However, the ships on the surface were mostly made of wood except for a few unlucky souls near the iron chains, most of the others remained unharmed.
"Board the ship! Find and subdue that Felyne Mink left behind! Then notify the airship squad to come down and transport this vessel away!"
Almost simultaneously, officers on various ships issued similar orders. A large group of CP agents in civilian clothes and Marines leaped onto the deck of the Dodo Advance, using Moonwalk.
And then...
They saw the adorable fire summons and the Guardians with red light glowing in their eyes standing on the deck.
"Eliminate them first!"
The CP agents and Marines who boarded the ship did not hesitate. These guards had not been hidden before, so they were naturally prepared for them.
Except...
"Intruders! Intruders! Entering emergency status, meow!"
Accompanied by a flood of synthesized voices, a large number of differently shaped Guardians rushed out from the cabins and Purah Meow laboratory.
These were Guardians that Purah Meow had created in her spare time and left on the ship because she didn't want them taking up space in her bag.
Usually, they remained deactivated in the warehouse or lab some were even early versions that had been phased out as her technology advanced.
Of course, besides these "discarded" Guardians, Purah Meow naturally had special-type Guardians specifically prepared to guard the ship.
"Clank, clank, clank..."
The deck of the Dodo Advance suddenly opened, and two large Guardians of completely different styles rose from the openings.
One was still in the Sheikah style, but unlike the small Guardians with multiple arms, this large Guardian had only four "long legs" resembling Doctor Octopus tentacles, while its body was a large, one-eyed "canister."
The other was in the Zonai style that only appeared in Tears of the Kingdom. Even though Sherwin had never mentioned it to Purah Meow, he had no idea where this little curl-eared cat had gotten the inspiration.
Furthermore, the first one she had built was the vessel for the Sage of Spirit from the game—that "Zonai Gundam" with a head resembling an owl.
"Ohhhhh! It a robot!!!"
Some among the Marines reacted in a very "Pirate" fashion, their eyes shining as they stared at the "Zonai Gundam" and cheered.
Vice Admiral Doberman, his face covered in scars, turned dark and roared, "They are just two slightly larger machines! Tear them apart!"
With that, he brandished his saber and led the charge toward the large Guardian.
"Beep, beep, beep..."
The large Guardian single eye instantly locked onto Doberman, the red light within it flashing incessantly.
As the increasingly rapid "beeping" suddenly stopped, the red light in the large Guardian eye went out, and immediately after, a dazzling blue-white light ignited...
"Shoom—"