When they gather together, it’s like a giant lightning rod, attracting electricity from the natural world. The wool produced by Mareep that hasn’t undergone the baptism of lightning is slightly inferior in quality. If they don’t encounter a thunderstorm for a long time, then Electivire will have to be troubled.
To prevent fire hazards, Mareep is struck by lightning in the somewhat desolate hills at the junction of Kibi and Kuri. Mountain God used to frequent this area, but after turning into Emboar, it moved away.
Now it was living together with Little Kai in Kojiro’s backyard, eating and drinking well every day, and occasionally being taken out to participate in some large-scale battles, living a very comfortable life.
“Baa~ Baa-~”
Mareep crowded together, looking at the sky filled with dark clouds with anticipation.
Meanwhile, the crowd that guided Mareep here had already hidden behind the rocks. Touching the wool at most would result in paralysis from the electric shock, but if they came into contact with the thunderstorm, their days will not be so good.
So they must stay away from Mareep at this time. Anyway, the flock was receiving commands from someone else.
“Yo! Yo-yo!”
It was someone with yellow and black patterns on ears and tail, and a small red light bulb, similar to Mareep’s, on the tail. However, apart from the white belly, the rest of it was yellow, with only some black stripes around the neck and an additional red bulb on the top of the head.
Its body structure was very similar to Mareep, but it stands on two feet, looking more like a kangaroo, and most importantly, it has no wool.
This is Ampharos, the final evolution of Mareep. In the Mareep herd, it shoulders the responsibility of both shepherd and leader.
Mareep will obey the words of the respected Ampharos. This is also a form of recognition within the herd. Even Mareep will look down on an Ampharos that is too weak.
After all, Ampharos is responsible for protecting the herd, and the weak cannot protect the herd.
Although it looks like a kangaroo, Ampharos actually has dragon blood hidden in its body. If it Mega Evolves into Mega Ampharos, it can awaken the dragon blood in its body, changing from a single Electric-type to Electric/Dragon-type.
Mareep living in Wano Country doesn’t face many herd-level crises. So, the main responsibilities of Ampharos include guiding the flock of Mareep to undergo the baptism of lightning and taking turns with night shift duties.
The environment outside Wano Country is quite perilous, and it is not a guarantee that the ships of the Beasts Pirates will only return to Wano Country during clear weather. Therefore, lighthouses that guide the direction are extremely important.
Since seafaring began, lighthouses have always been the greatest hope for ships in the dark night. As long as an experienced helmsman can identify the entrance to Mogura Port, they can confidently steer the ship back to Wano Country.
So, every day, two Ampharos take turns playing the role of a lighthouse in the first half of the night and the second half of the night. After evolution, Ampharos’ tail not only retains its ability to emit light, but it also undergoes significant enhancement.
The most exaggerated saying is that even aliens in space can see Ampharos’ beacon. Although the reality is not so terrifying, Ampharos’ tail surpasses the effect of an ordinary lighthouse.
Due to it being too dazzling, Ampharos would not light up its tail easily unless they are gathering lost Mareep or exchanging signals with others, like now.
“Rumble. Crack!”
The lightning began to build up in the sky, and the Ampharos began to lead their flocks into the designated areas. Different flocks kept a certain distance from each other, and with the interference of thunder, the Ampharos communicated through signals.
“Boom!”
As a thunderbolt struck, the Mareep’s cries also followed. They felt very comfortable bathing in the lightning.
This period of time would last for a while, and when their tails began to glow, it would be their limit.
Meanwhile, Ampharos will keep a close eye on them during this process, preventing any sheep from becoming too comfortable and not noticing when they are fully charged.
Bathing in lightning for Mareep is similar to cats inhaling catnip. It is very easy to get high, and in that case, they will turn into black sheep, rendering their wool useless.
Summer thunderstorms come and go quickly. After the thunderstorm, Mareep’s bodies visibly expand. Unlike Whimsicott, their wool doesn’t absorb water easily; it’s the effect of static electricity causing expansion.
Mareeps, which have become much more bloated, huddled together, occasionally generating static electricity. Next, they foraged in the grassfields and then headed to a designated spot for shedding. Some Mareeps’ wool had already begun to fall off.
“Toshio? You’re back so soon?”
At their workplace, they saw a middle-aged man with a sausage mouth, who happened to be the person previously taken to the Pokémon Center. The sausage mouth was also an effect caused by the Cheri Berry. The taste preferences in Wano Country tend to be on the milder side, as evident from their Shogun banquets.
However, a small number of people were interested in the abnormally spicy curry made from Cheri Berry.
“Yeah, I told you it was a minor issue. You guys made a big fuss over nothing.”
At this moment, he was holding a small lamb in his hands, a Mareep cub that was born not long ago. They don’t have much static electricity on their bodies yet, posing no significant threat.
“Toshio, you should still wear gloves.”
“Yeah, getting electrocuted is quite painful.”
People around him tried to advise him, but it didn’t seem to have any effect.
“You guys don’t understand. I’m among the first batch of workers here handling wool. As long as you’re careful and show genuine care to the Mareep, it’s fine not to wear gloves.”
Saying this, he assumed the posture of an elder, picking up scissors to deal with some Mareep wool that hadn’t fallen off.
At first, everything seemed fine. He was lucky with the first few Mareep, not getting hit by static.
“You guys don’t understand. Only by touching the wool with your own hands can you feel the uniqueness of this wool. That thing only affects the feel of the work.”
As he spoke, he began to boast about his experience. However, in the next moment, a sound of static electricity erupted, and he once again collapsed to the ground, and this time, his afro hairstyle was even more dazzling than before.
“Baaaa!”
The Mareep nearby, which had just shed its wool, emitted a helpless cry. It’s evident how much he loves challenging his limits. The people around him, with a helpless look, placed him on a stretcher and once again brought him back to the Pokémon Center.
Watching a person who had left less than a day ago being brought back for the same reason, the nurse and doctor’s faces became somewhat unpleasant.
“Where are his gloves?”
“Uh, about that…”
“Hey, you guys aren’t trying to fake work injury, are you?”
She didn’t believe anyone enjoys getting electrocuted, and she even thought that these people were entertaining some strange ideas, such as trying to get compensation for work-related injuries.
“No, no, no, how could it be? He just doesn’t listen to advice.”
Chapter 459 Ampharos Lighthouse and Strange Employees
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