Chapter 262

The fifth torchbearer was also one whose route would pass halfway through the central street, while the other half would be passed by the sixth torchbearer.

The fifth and sixth torchbearers were Moti and Brook, respectively.

These two caused quite a commotion during their runs, especially in the central street, which was already crowded, with most of the onlookers gathering here and at the Alliance Base entrance.

Moti actively sought to create a sensation, running in a high-slit gown—making a statement of choosing appearance over common sense.

She had taken on numerous advertisements, so the more people who watched her, the more money she earned.

She had various company logos on multiple parts of her body, including her thighs, chest, hips, and neck.

The logos of those who paid more were printed on her exposed skin, while those who paid less were printed on her gown.

It could be said that, just from this one event, Moti was undoubtedly the highest-earning trainer, making nearly a billion berries, equivalent to tens of millions in gold.

This was something Moti could never have imagined before.

She used to be just a socialite in East Blue, relying on stringing along wealthy yet naive rich men to support herself.

From now on, she would eagerly participate in any trainer-related events to gain more fame and money, so that she and her Pokémon could live a life everyone envied.

That's the kind of practical woman she was.

Many people thought Moti was shameless, that her many actions were despicable, and that she must be a terrible person who treated her Pokémon poorly.

Regarding this point... Moti never needed to explain herself, nor did she ever want to explain to such people. She didn't care how others viewed her.

One thing to know: her Pokémon was a Togetic.

Anyone familiar with this Pokémon would not say that Moti was bad to her Pokémon.

Togepi, the previous stage of Togetic, had a prerequisite for evolution: [Friendship reaching 200 or Affection reaching 158].

This was a definition in the game, but in reality, it was somewhat abstract. Regardless, the condition for evolution remained roughly the same—Togepi had to have a very good relationship with its trainer to evolve.

If Moti wasn't good to Togetic, how could it have evolved?

No one had even asked what Moti's goal was for participating in this Pokémon Battle Tournament.

Everyone simply assumed that this woman must be here to curry favor with the Alliance for more fame and fortune, and there was no need to ask.

And honestly, they weren't wrong.

Who wasn't here for that? But beyond all that, Moti also had another goal—to at least make it to the top eight, then apply to the Pokémon Alliance for a "Shiny Stone."

Togetic could only evolve into Togekiss with a [Shiny Stone].

This rare evolution stone was something that was hard to buy even with money on the seas.

No place in the maritime world produced such stones, so the only way to obtain one was through the [Pokémon Alliance].

"Togetic, we will definitely make our lives better!"

As Moti took the torch from Mihawk, she looked at the colorful flame and turned to smile at her Togetic.

"Toge~"

Togetic, like a little sprite, twirled around Moti.

The logos on its white body couldn't hide its joy and happiness. As long as it was with Moti, it was happy to do anything.

Countless flying-type Pokémon circled above Moti and Togetic, cheering for the bond between them. 

...

Brook's commotion, however, was purely because of his appearance.

Nevertheless, it stirred something in Brook's heart.

'Laboon... Are you watching this on the screen now?'

When the warm flame lit up his eerie skeleton, his fingers began to tremble.

"Gengar~"

Gengar floated out from the shadows, glancing at Brook.

"It's nothing... I just..."

Brook took a deep breath and looked at the blue sky, mumbling, "I'm just glad... to be alive."

"Hehehe~"

Banette floated out from the other side, grinning with a sinister smile.

"And also, meeting you guys... I'm so glad."

Brook looked at his companions beside him, and began moving his cold body, "Come to think of it, I've never told you all about the Rumbar Pirates and Laboon."

The noise of the world didn't disturb Brook as he spoke to his companions about the past.

Gengar and Banette paid no attention to the noisy crowds around them; they quietly listened to Brook's story.

This stretch of the route was accompanied by numerous ghost-type Pokémon.

However, the ghost-type Pokémon kept a large distance between each other, as if... In the gaps, there were some souls that had always been worried about Brook and never left.

But these gaps were gradually disappearing, as if these persistent souls had finally resolved their worries and could rest in peace.

'This guy, he finally moved on.'

'Brook has finally found his companions.'

'You must meet Laboon again!'

'Let's sing together in the next life.'

"Yohohoho~"

...

The seventh torchbearer was Trafalgar Law.

To Law, passing the flame was just a troublesome task that he could get over with.

At least, that's how he felt before he started running.

"This flame..."

'It's so warm.'

Law took the torch from Brook's hand, staring at the colorful flame, and for a moment, he seemed lost.

It felt like four years ago, when Corazon held him in his arms.

"Zzz..."

Magnezone approached, staring at the flame and the dazed Law, making no noise.

It didn't know what its companion was thinking, but it didn't want to interrupt.

In his vision, Law saw dots of starlight. Magnezone slowly looked up at the sky.

At some point, it had started snowing.

Snow was surprisingly heavy in Alliance City today.

It felt as if the world had suddenly quieted down.

High above, Dak was sprinkling some sparkling powder, letting it drift with the snow throughout Alliance City.

The powder was ground from a "Lunar Wing" and could make people recall happy or important memories.

This was Dak's New Year gift to everyone today.

He had no idea that his gesture would cause Law to develop a deep misunderstanding and obsession with Ho-oh, leading him to chase after Ho-oh for a long time, eventually becoming the Rainbow Hero.

[Silent! How about that, no sound at all?!]

[You're just a brat, yet you said, 'I'm going to die.' That night, even though you stabbed me, I felt no pain at all. The real pain was yours, right, Law?]

[Say it again! Who are you calling a monster?!]

[Did you hear that, Law? The Ope Ope no Mi, there is a cure for your illness!]

[I want you to remember my smile~ Eh-hey~]

Scenes from four years ago played in Law's mind like a movie, and he felt his facial expressions begin to slip out of control.

Finally.

The scene turned dark, leaving only one voice in Law's mind.

[That guy is finally free!]

Suddenly, his body felt heavy, and as tears began to flow from his eyes, his hearing seemed to fade away.

'The world is so quiet now, Corazon. Ever since you died, the world has been like this.'

Law ran mechanically, moving faster and faster, his steps and breathing growing increasingly erratic.

Since Corazon's death, Law felt like he had contracted an illness.

An illness where he could never cry out loud.

"Zzzzz~"

'Law, don't cry, and wait for me.'

The sound of electricity suddenly broke into Law's world.

It felt like a key that unlocked the chains that had bound Law for so long.

The gray world suddenly had color, and the silent world suddenly had sound.

He could hear... His own crying.

And also, the noisy electric sound of Magnezone's body.

"Idiot Magnezone, I'm not crying!"

...

The final torchbearer.

Edward Newgate.

"It's snowing..."

Even before the torch had reached his hand, Newgate looked up at the shining snowflakes in the sky.

"Time sure flies, doesn't it? It feels like so much has already passed."

Newgate looked down at his body beneath the white cape, crisscrossed with countless scars.

One after another, his old friends from the previous era had passed away.

Last month, he heard news that the "Golden Lion" Shiki had been taken down, and for a moment, he felt dazed.

It seemed like... He himself had become a remnant of the old era.

"Hey, kid, running fifteen kilometers shouldn't make you look like this, right?"

Before Newgate could indulge in sentimentality, Law, with a face full of snot and tears, had already delivered the torch.

Disdain immediately appeared on Newgate's face; he frowned and hesitated to take the torch for fear of wiping off some snot.

"Shut up, you bastard! Just wait until I defeat you in the tournament! I will definitely become the champion!"

Law said, a bit flustered and exasperated.

In this peaceful era, he wasn't afraid of Whitebeard.

"Gurarara, what a lively and brave kid. I'll be waiting for you to challenge me, but if you lose, you'll be my son!"

Seeing such an interesting reaction, Newgate couldn't help but laugh.

Taking the torch, he began the relay.

The crowds on both sides of the road were immense. After all, this was the final leg, and everyone had come to witness the last, most meaningful moment.

'Speaking of which, that kid just now seemed a bit familiar.'

While running, Newgate couldn't help but think to himself.

Where had he seen such a scene before?

This question lingered in Newgate's mind until he reached the finish line.

The first thing that came into his view wasn't Dak standing on the high platform, but his group of silly sons below it.

A bunch of men in their forties or fifties were acting like little kids, looking at their hero dad approaching. They kept cheering, shouting, making sure everyone knew.

This was their dad.

'Ah, I remember now...'

'These idiots used to cry like that all the time when they were little.'

"Gurarara, Roger, my One Piece..."

"I found it."

(End of Chapter)

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