Nande Nande no Mi/Version 2.0 techniques

Version 2.0: Stormchaser
Stormchaser, also referred to as Mecha pirate version 2.0 is a complete remodel of Dimitri’s mechanical systems, intended to overcome his main weakness; specifically his lack of speed and agility. Due to the loss of defensive power it resulted in, among other minor details, Dimitri chose instead to implement it as a temporary transformation rather than a permanent upgrade, but nevertheless considers it to be a dramatic improvement of his normal abilities. Overview The version 2.0 transformation replaces much of Dimitri’s armour plating with a much lighter alloy, greatly reducing his weight and allowing him to move faster under his own strength. The replaced plating is also more streamlined and aerodynamic, contributing to manoeuvrability. More dramatically, his transformation integrates a rudimentary jet turbine into his body, drawing in air that can be used for propulsion at high speed, as well as a power supply for many of his other attacks and weapons.

In this form, Dimitri’s overall build is less bulky and imposing, and has more visible metal plates on his limbs and body. A large air intake is visible in the centre of his chest, and a series of smaller vents appear elsewhere on his body, often releasing jets of air when he is not in motion. A series of pistons, resembling exhaust pipes, extend from behind his shoulders, and a metal shell resembling a motorbike’s fuel tank covers his back. When moving at full speed, this shell splits and rises into a pair of wing-like structures, revealing the propulsion jet for his internal turbine. Instead of running normally in this form, Dimitri “skates” using a set of prominent wheels attached to his feet.

The engine allows Dimitri to achieve extreme speeds with rapid acceleration, for obvious reasons. However, the air drawn in by the turbine can also be piped through a series of conduits and into any of his limbs or other parts of his body, where it can be used as a power supply for his weapons. After developing the transformation Dimitri adapted many of his existing weapons or transformations to be compatible with this power, and as a result they gain additional or more powerful abilities, giving him formidable offense as well as agility.

However, this form is not without downsides. The lighter armour is also less durable, and is much easier to damage than his normal plating. Furthermore, the air in the conduits is often under extreme pressure, and will erupt explosively if the conduits are ruptured, potentially making an otherwise minor injury far more devastating. The combination of decreased weight and additional propulsion can also make this form harder to control, although with practice this is obviously much less of an issue.