"Can I... can I really do something like this?"
"Why not? You're just another me, and I trust myself. As long as you don't run into any Navy Admirals or Four Emperors, basically, no one can do much to you. Remember, if you can't win, run. Staying alive is your hope."
"Kaidou" didn't hold back. He taught everything he was supposed to, though the process was a bit brutal.
In this situation, Yamato wasn't worried about "Yamato's" strength. As long as she didn't bring trouble onto herself, nothing major should happen.
Logically, with her goals in mind, she wouldn't do anything too stupid.
"If it really comes to it, you can find a few trustworthy companions. The guy with the broken leg and paralyzed face could be a reliable partner, provided you get along with him.
That's up to you. I have nothing much to teach you, but here's a suggestion.
A team needs different personalities, like a mountain-stabilizing tiger, a battle-ready wolf, and what suits you best right now is a scapegoat sheep.
For things you don't want exposed, remember to find someone to take the blame."
Within the Hundred Beasts, the culture of taking the blame seems like a tradition, so much so that Yamato thought a scapegoat was an important role.
Undeniably, Queen played a significant role in the development of the Hundred Beasts, like an indispensable screw that could be placed wherever needed.
"Scapegoat??"
"Yes, you're not wanted now, and having a clean identity is much more convenient. If you can maintain it, try to do so. If not, find someone to take the fall. This vast sea is full of fools eager for attention."
As the conversation reached this point, Yamato suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. Having experienced it once before, she knew what was about to happen, so she removed her hairpin and tossed it to "Yamato."
"A little keepsake. Next time we meet, I hope you find the self you've been dreaming of."
"I will, goodbye..."
Yamato's figure vanished in front of "Yamato," leaving only her belongings and the memories of over half a month as "Yamato's" new treasures.
...
On Ghost Island, Yamato opened her eyes again, with moonlight pouring down beside her, but beneath her was not earth, but Island Cloud.
A Swablu perched on her head, confirming for her that she was indeed back.
"Hmm, how long have I been gone, little one, do you know?"
Yamato picked up Swablu and inquired about the time she had been away, but Swablu's answer was quite bewildered, seemingly not understanding her question.
"It just hatched a week ago, it probably doesn't understand what you mean."
Pokemon grow at a rapid pace; most of them go through their infancy quickly and then begin to train and grow from their initial form. This Swablu was such an example.
Though it could fly and talk, it still lacked some logical thinking abilities and didn't grasp what Yamato meant by "leaving."
"Robin? You're still here, how long was I gone?"
After releasing the Swablu, Yamato also saw Robin holding a bunch of research material.
"About half a month."
"It's really like that... Oh, I have to tell you, I went to a really interesting place, where..."
"Where you met another version of yourself and had a fight with 'Kaidou.'"
Yamato was just about to recount her travel adventures but was pre-emptively given the answer by Robin.
"That's right, my wish was realized... Wait... how did you know that?"
Looking at Robin who answered first, Yamato suddenly had a bad feeling.
"After you left, Lord Arceus opened a livestream. It started from when you arrived there until you left that Ghost Island, and it was broadcasted here.
Don't worry, not many people watched. Besides Lord Arceus, it was just me, the siblings Ulti, Maria saw it.
Sister Misu also seemed to have seen it.
Maybe others watched from places I didn't notice, but I can confirm, Lord Queen didn't see it, he was dancing the whole time."
Yamato's mind automatically filtered out some unimportant topics, and what was left for her was one sentence.
Kaidou saw it.
"Um... did you hear what I said?"
"Yes... if you mean calling 'Kaidou a bastard,' then yes, we heard that."
Crack...
Robin rubbed her ear, thinking she might be overworked recently, as she heard the sound of stone eroding and falling apart, while Yamato's expression turned blank with her answer.
"Robin, see you later, no, see you much later, I'm going out, don't ask me where I'm going, I don't know either."
She was kind of regretting not leaving more luggage for Yamato there, but now she was immensely thankful for that decision. After checking her supplies, she decided to run immediately.
"Is it really that serious? Don't you often call Kaidou a bastard to his face?"
"That's different, even though he really is a bastard, but during those times we're already fighting.
If he finds out I'm bad-mouthing him behind his back, that's giving him a chance to make a move.
I can already imagine what that crazy old man would do.
[Hey hey hey, my dumb daughter, let me teach you what manners are.]
That guy would definitely shout something like that and then drag me off to fight."
After this short trip, Yamato's acting cells seemed to have been activated, as she mimicked Kaidou right in front of Robin.
"Hahaha, it's really spot on."
"Anyway, I'm going to run. See you in a while."
Having confirmed she had enough supplies to live comfortably for a while, Yamato had already unfolded her wings of electricity, intending to find a suitable refuge, but was stopped by Robin again.
"Wait, actually, there's something I didn't tell you, Mr. Kaidou has already left Ghost Island now.
Lord Arceus specifically waited for Kaidou to leave Ghost Island before bringing you back."
The people on Ghost Island could be divided into two factions. The battle-hungry pirates naturally worshiped Kaidou, but scholars from Ohara and orphans from the monastery revered Arceus more.
Especially after witnessing a world without Arceus, this faith and respect were simultaneously strengthened.
Hearing that Kaidou wasn't around, Yamato's worried heart immediately settled down.
"Wait, why didn't you tell me this crucial thing earlier?!"
"Well, I wanted to see your panicked expression. I didn't notice before, but earlier when Lord Arceus broadcasted your footage, I realized that your expression was quite interesting."
"Robin... you've also turned mischievous..."