Chapter 66: Vinsmoke Sanji!  

"Huh? Someone's challenging me!?"

  "Interesting!"

  At Marineford, Garp had just signed up for the Pokémon League Tournament when he suddenly noticed a challenge notification pop up on his screen. Without a moment's hesitation, he clicked "accept."

  Are you kidding? Garp, the mighty naval hero, afraid of a challenge? Not a chance!

  After confirming his decision, an information box displaying the opponent's details appeared at the top of the screen. Next to it, a bubble-like button emerged.

  Immediately, Rotom's voice, adjusted to elderly mode based on Garp's age, announced:

  "Ding, the battle chat system is now active. Please choose a location for the battle soon."

  "Once the location is confirmed, if there are any incidents that prevent the battle, both parties can voluntarily cancel the match after seven days."

  As the strange electronic voice concluded, Rotom's mobile phone returned to normal, playing Leo's closing remarks from the arena broadcast.

  Garp, intrigued by the Rotom's instructions, nodded appreciatively, saying, "Being able to cancel after seven days? That's a pretty flexible setup!"

  He then dove into the details of the battle system.

  Meanwhile, beside him, Sengoku was staring at Rotom's screen with a troubled expression.

  "Joffrey Laurent of the Coast Kingdom in the East Blue? Isn't he the king of the Coast!?"

  Sengoku's face grew increasingly serious.

  "A kingdom under the government... and a dimensional merchant at that? And not a low-ranking one, either."

  Thinking back to Leo's Eevee, which had effortlessly defeated Akainu, Sengoku sighed deeply.

  "Who knows how much longer the World Government's authority will hold after today."

  "Is the world about to descend into chaos again...?"

  ...

  On a remote, ancient island in the Grand Line, Ace suddenly let out an agonized cry next to a massive barbecue grill.

  "Ah! Damn it! I was just a step too late!!!"

  His Rotom phone displayed a notification:

  [Sorry, the player you challenged has already accepted another player's challenge. Please select a different participant.]

  "Damn it!"

  Ace ruffled his hair in frustration, muttering, "Why are there only three participants? That's so unfair!!!"

  "I want to fight the strongest! Ten at once!!!"

  "Cha!"

  Charizard, who was squatting nearby and holding a small mountain of food, shook its head in exasperation, eyes full of disappointment.

  "Charizard! (I want to fight too!)"

  ...

  In Syrup Village, East Blue, Usopp turned off his Rotom phone screen in his research hut.

  "This..."

  He slapped his face with an awkward smile, talking to himself:

  "Haha... I'd love to meet all the world's heroes, but the Kaya Chamber of Commerce is keeping me too busy..."

  "So maybe I'll sit this one out... Haha..."

  Battling others on the sea?

  If it were just a Pokémon battle, Usopp might have agreed. But a full-on melee between man and beast?

  Usopp shook his head, knowing his frail body couldn't handle it.

  "Rowlet..."

  At the table, Rowlet, who was studying how to conserve Pokémon energy, sighed.

  It patted Usopp's shoulder with its wings, shaking its head in resignation.

  After all, if they joined the battle, Rowlet knew Usopp would be the one taking all the hits.

  Although Rowlet wanted to show off in front of others like Eevee...

  it thought better of it, considering its trainer's situation. Best to just go back to sleep!

  ...

  In the East Blue's Hyde Kingdom, a pirate ship disguised as a merchant vessel docked quietly at the shore.

  The motley crew onboard, though dressed respectably, still bore a rough edge that made them somewhat human-looking.

  First Mate Jango, clad in a suit and tie, opened the door to the captain's cabin.

  "Captain, we've arrived!"

  A faint light flickered in the dim room.

  "Shaa!"

  A sleek Purrloin perched on the table, raised a paw, and hissed at Jango.

  Moments later, Kuro's commanding voice echoed through the cabin:

  "Get out!"

  "Don't interrupt me watching live broadcast!!!"

  ...

  On another pirate ship in the East Blue, the stench of blood was thick in the air.

  Johnny grabbed a pirate, comparing him to a bounty poster before announcing:

  "Brother Zoro, this is the captain of the Mace Pirates, Yulva, with a bounty of 10 million Berries!"

  "Hmm..."

  Zoro groaned, and after confirming there were no more enemies on the ship, he slowly sheathed his sword, Wado Ichimonji, back into its scabbard.

  But his eyes remained fixed on his Rotom phone as he murmured:

  "Level 2 VIP status? If I catch a few more pirates like Yulva, I should reach it..."

———

  In the Goa Kingdom, East Blue, Luffy had just finished a hearty meal. He lay under a tree, clutching a Froakie egg, and drifted off to sleep, missing the entire live broadcast event.

  A gentle breeze ruffled his clothes as it passed over his face.

  Everything was peaceful and calm.

  Just then...

  A brilliant white light suddenly emanated from the Pokémon egg in Luffy's arms.

  The light was so intense that Luffy instinctively reached for his straw hat and covered his face, still asleep.

  In the next moment...

  A light blue-skinned frog-like Pokémon emerged from the egg in Luffy's arms.

  But unlike ordinary newborn Pokémon, this Froakie was already sound asleep, just like its trainer.

  Perhaps overwhelmed by the sudden evolution, Froakie instinctively reached behind its head, pulled out a tuft of magical bubbles, shaped it into a makeshift hat, and covered its face.

  Soon, the air was filled with the sounds of snoring.

  "Hu~hu~"

  "Gulugulu~Gulugulu~"

———

  Half an hour later, back on Wailord...

  The commotion had died down.

  Reporters hurried back to their rooms, eager to pen their articles.

  In this era, newspapers were the primary means of communication.

  So these journalists had to write up today's events and publish them as quickly as possible.

  Nobles and merchants left the scene, brimming with anticipation.

  For dimensional merchant Leo had promised...

  By dinner, he would select a few suitable individuals from among them for trading.

  At this moment, each of them was buzzing with excitement!

  The power of Pokémon was undeniable.

  For the wealthy, novelty was what drove their spending.

  But they had no idea...

  After returning the battered Akainu to the naval ship, Leo had already chosen a lucky spectator and arrived at their resting place ahead of time.

  ...

  ...

  "S-Sir Leo!?"

  Sanji, who had just opened the door, suddenly sensed something was amiss!

  He looked at the young man before him, who radiated a noble aura, with an incredulous expression.

  "Hello, Mr. Sanji Vinsmoke," Leo, who had been waiting for a while, greeted him with a smile.

  "This...this..."

  Sanji's expression froze for a moment, but then his eyes lit up with a thousand stars as he excitedly exclaimed:

  "You're here..."

  "Does this mean I'm destined to be one of your chosen ones!?"

(End of this chapter)Power Stones