Chapter 65: Battle System!

"Wow!!!"

The crowd erupted in an uproar as soon as Leo finished speaking.

"What!? Did I hear that right?!"

"Resurrection… Bringing the dead back to life… Can that really be done?!"

"If what the dimensional merchant says is true, then even resurrecting the dead isn't impossible…"

Despite witnessing unimaginable scenes throughout the day, the mention of resurrection left doubt etched on everyone's faces.

Even Sanji was momentarily dazed.

"Resurrection… Bringing someone back to life…"

As the word "resurrection" echoed in his mind, a figure he had hidden away in his heart, a smiling woman, came to the forefront of his thoughts.

"If it's possible to bring my mother back…"

Tears welled up in Sanji's eyes without him realizing it.

Yet, amidst the sensational atmosphere, no one but the old man Zeff noticed anything unusual about Sanji.

"Sanji…" Zeff observed thoughtfully, and after a while, sighed silently. "Today… everything will change."

…

…

*Shua!!!*

Nami, who had been hiding in a corner watching the broadcast, suddenly stood up, her eyes locked on Leo's figure on the screen, sparkling with intent.

Next to her, Karina wore a shocked and disbelieving expression.

"Nami…" she asked in a low voice, "Could it be that Mr. Butterfree and Pikachu are the Pokémon that this dimensional merchant mentioned?!"

"Yes," Nami nodded absently, though her mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce and its merchants.

Just then, a sweet fragrance enveloped her as Karina hugged Nami's neck and pressed her head to her chest.

"You sneaky little cat!"

"You told me you ate a strange Devil Fruit! But you actually got all your Pokémon from the dimensional merchant, didn't you?"

"I was wondering why they kept making those weird squeaking sounds. Turns out you just didn't want me to trade with the dimensional merchant!"

"Ahhh! Let go!"

Puffing out in frustration, Nami broke free from the embrace that men would kill to be in, taking a few deep breaths of fresh air before glaring at Karina with her disheveled hair.

"Seriously! I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry about the money."

"Don't talk about being poor in front of me!" Karina retorted with feigned anger, instantly seeing through Nami's little trick.

But that didn't matter anymore!

Karina's eyes sparkled mischievously as she looked at Nami, playfully threatening, "If you don't spill everything, after we finish this job, you'll have to tell me everything you know!"

"I'm sure you have a way to contact the dimensional merchant! Otherwise, you wouldn't be so confident!"

"Alright, alright…" Nami sighed, looking like a child caught doing something wrong. But in her heart, she was already focused on the Pokémon League Conference Leo had just mentioned.

"Can the third place really bring someone back to life?"

"After this job, I'll definitely reach VIP level 2…"

"Should I join the conference?"

The idea sparked in Nami's mind, but then she hesitated, thinking about the terrifying power of Akainu. Despite Akainu being easily defeated by Eevee, his strength was enough to make the world tremble.

"Forget it! Who cares!" 

After a long moment of contemplation, Nami suddenly clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, "If I don't try, how will I know if I can't do it!?"

With renewed determination, she looked toward the distance, where Duke Gordon's bedroom in the Hyde Kingdom lay.

During their time undercover, she and Karina had discovered the entrance to Gordon's treasury, hidden in his bedroom.

As long as she could get her hands on enough money and treasures, she could buy more items and skills.

There were so many things in the Pokémon store she had been eyeing for so long!

All she needed now was an excuse to sneak into Gordon's bedroom!

"Hey, you two, why are you slacking off instead of working?"

A rough voice suddenly interrupted.

In an instant, Nami and Karina's expressions changed. Without exchanging a word, they both turned into pitiful and delicate young women, perfectly in sync.

"S-sorry, Mr. Butler!" 

"We'll get to work right away!" Nami stammered, her voice trembling as if on the verge of tears.

Karina, standing beside her, feigned weakness, keeping her head low and hiding behind Nami.

"Hmm?" The butler looked surprised, carefully examining Nami and Karina's faces.

"Aren't you two the new maids?"

"Y-yes, sir!" 

Nami nodded quickly, replying, "We just arrived and aren't familiar with everything yet. Please, Mr. Butler, let us off this time!"

"Hmm…" The butler looked pensive, but a lascivious gleam flickered in his eyes.

"It's alright, I can let you off this time."

"It just so happens that the master's previous maid asked for leave and I've been looking for two personal maids…"

"I think you two will do."

"This…" Nami hesitated, nervously glancing back as if exchanging a look with Karina.

But at that moment, they both noticed the sly smile in each other's eyes.

Opportunity has arrived!

…

…

Coaster Kingdom.

Joffrey sat alone on his throne, watching the screen on his Rotom Phone, barely able to contain his excitement. 

Unfortunately, the layers of fat on his body hindered his ability to jump for joy.

"A Pokémon League Tournament! Even third place can bring someone back to life?!"

Joffrey's eyes gleamed with a golden light.

If he could resurrect his old man and let him resume his kingship, he could finally venture out and become a true Pokémon Trainer!

Remembering the scene where Leo commanded Eevee to defeat an admiral, his heart surged with excitement.

A king? 

Who cares about being a king!

He wanted to be a truly free man like the great dimensional merchant!

Without hesitation, he navigated the Rotom Phone to the main interface.

Sure enough, on the homepage, he found the [Pokémon League Tournament Registration] button.

Without a second thought, Joffrey clicked!

[Note: After registering for the Pokémon League Tournament, your location will be visible to other participants. Do you want to continue?]

"Continue!"

Joffrey clicked again without hesitation.

The screen flashed, and a new information screen appeared.

[Trainer: Joffrey Laurent]

[Rank: Black Iron]

[Win Points: 0]

[Pokémon: Pidgeot, Butterfree, Butterfree, Butterfree… Metapod, Metapod, Metapod… Caterpie, Caterpie, Caterpie…]

"Does this mean I'm registered?"

Joffrey was surprised at how easy the registration process was.

He looked at the Rotom Phone again, scrolled past the ten thousand Pokémon in his name, and found the [Find Opponent] button under the information bar.

After clicking, a hazy map appeared on the screen.

Most of the top section of the map was obscured in gray and black, making it difficult to see clearly.

Only three areas were illuminated.

One of them was the Coaster Kingdom where Joffrey was located.

"Hmmm…"

"So, the lights indicate the locations of other registered players?"

Joffrey chuckled softly.

With the Pigeot Leo had gifted him, he feared no opponent!

What's more, in the past month, the Coaster Kingdom has undergone a significant transformation!

Out of the ten thousand Caterpies, five thousand had evolved into Butterfree, three thousand into Metapod, and the remaining two thousand were still spinning silk in the factory…

Joffrey believed that in less than a month, the skies above his capital would be filled with the fluttering shadows of Butterfree!

Under his grand plan, these Butterfree would be divided into three teams:

One team would participate in wars in other countries to earn commissions; another would hunt pirates on the seas to collect bounties;the third would remain in the capital, protecting the kingdom and maintaining the operations of the Caterpie factory.

With such a plan, money would flow like a river!

As long as he had money, he could continue to buy more and more powerful Pokémon from Leo!!!

"Life is so wonderful! Hahahaha…"

After savoring the delightful future, Joffrey immediately clicked on one of the light spots and sent an invitation to challenge.

[Please wait for the other party to accept the challenge] appeared on the screen.

And he caught a glimpse of some information about his opponent.

[Trainer: Monkey D. Garp]

[Rank: Black Iron]

[Win Points: 0]

[Location: Marineford]

(End of this chapter)