Chapter 68: Fire Chicken!

Sanji's current physical fitness was still that of ordinary.

As a vibrant flash of flame briefly flickered around Sanji, it was so subtle that it almost went unnoticed. Had Leo not been intently observing him, he might have missed the faint change entirely.

But just because something isn't visible to the naked eye doesn't mean it escapes the waveguide! Leo, who was monitoring Sanji through the waveguide, could see clearly...

The dormant power within him had indeed begun to awaken!

"This..."

As the owner of the body, Sanji quickly sensed something different about himself. He looked up at Leo in surprise, only to find a composed expression on his face.

Leo smiled softly and, before Sanji could speak, he said, "It seems you've noticed."

"Although your father wasn't much of a parent, his expertise in biological science is among the best in this world."

"Let me help you open the door to this new world!"

Bang!

With the snap of Leo's fingers, a mysterious energy surged into Sanji, amplifying his emotions. Instantly, powerful energy erupted from within his blood, flooding into every cell of his body.

"My body... it's stronger?"

Sanji was stunned, feeling his body suddenly harden. He had never realized that such power lay hidden within him.

But Leo shook his head, smiling as he explained, "It's unfortunate that while you chose the right path, you arrived at the wrong conclusion because of your own misconceptions."

"The power you feel now is the result of your father, Vinsmoke Judge's, lifelong research—the bloodline factor modifications developed in the Germa Kingdom."

"However, his obsession with power led him astray."

"What he failed to understand is that the true strength of humanity lies in our complex emotions."

"And your mother's efforts to save you were the final key to completing this experiment!"

"Mr. Sanji... you were never a [failure], but rather the only [Success] of this experiment." (TL/n: Reiju was half success.)

Leo smiled warmly.

Hearing Leo's recognition of his mother, Sanji couldn't help but smile slightly. Compared to the shadow of his childhood, embodied by Vinsmoke Judge, Leo—who had appeared almost as a saint—was far more convincing.

At this moment, Leo's words felt like the divine will to Sanji—sacred and unquestionable!

What's more, Leo had employed some subtle methods to help Sanji overcome his childhood trauma.

"So, I'm not a failure..." 

Tears welled up in Sanji's eyes, though none fell. He suddenly lifted his head, his eyes burning with newfound determination and resolve, as he declared boldly:

"Thank you for your guidance, Sir Leo!"

"I understand now..."

"No one can define who I am!"

"Not even my biological father!!!"

"Sooner or later, I'll make him realize how wrong he was!!!"

Under the combined influence of Leo's waveguide and psychic powers, Sanji finally let go of the shadows of his past. Already a resolute individual, Sanji became even stronger!

With a determined smile, Sanji clenched his fists, fully embracing the complex emotions that define humanity.

"I see your resolve."

Leo smiled softly, seizing the moment to strike while the iron was hot.

*Snap!*

A Tablet Rotom was summoned with a snap of his fingers.

He spoke again: 

"In that case, Mr. Sanji, would you like to make a deal with me?"

"I'm eager to see... what kind of synergy the bloodline factors of this pirate world might have with Pokémon."

Sanji hesitated.

Looking at the Pokémon displayed on the Rotom's screen, anticipation briefly flickered in his eyes. But then, he averted his gaze and shook his head sadly, saying:

"I'm sorry, Sir Leo."

"Although I deeply desire to own a Pokémon and become a trainer..."

"Right now, I'm not in a position to make a deal with you. I might disappoint you…"

Sanji sighed. He wanted to trade with the dimensional merchant, to participate in the Pokémon League and earn the power to resurrect his mother.

But he had never been one to save money. The little he earned from Zeff had already gone up in smoke—literally—leaving him unable to scrape together even 50,000 Berries to exchange for a single point!

"Is that so? What a pity," Leo sighed slightly.

But his eyes discreetly glanced toward the door.

Sanji has no money? Of course, Leo knew that.

Because from the start, his real target wasn't the coins in Sanji's pocket!

"Wait... please, wait a moment!"

Just as Leo made a gesture of regret and was about to leave the room, a gruff voice suddenly rang out, halting his steps.

From the doorway, a wooden prosthetic leg stepped forward.

And then, the figure of Zeff appeared.

"Old man?"

Sanji called out in surprise when he saw who it was.

But Zeff, who usually carried himself with a certain pride, looked flustered as he quickly approached Leo.

His wooden leg made a hurried sound against the floor.

"Sir Leo, please... wait!"

The usually stern and renowned owner of the Baratie looked almost desperate at this moment.

Though humility wasn't his strong suit, Zeff removed his chef's hat and approached Leo with the utmost respect.

"Forgive me for eavesdropping on your conversation with Sanji, and for my boldness!"

  Zeff was the first to apologize.

  Immediately, he pulled Sanji over, patted Sanji's shoulder with his heavy palm, and begged Leo:

  "But I really don't want this brat to have the reason that only an idiot can say because he has no money and miss this opportunity!"

  "Sir Leo, I still have about 50 million Baileys in savings in my sea restaurant. Now I will give it all to Sanji!"

  "So please..."

  "Be sure to continue this deal!!!"

  Zeff bowed sincerely and bent his waist at an acute angle.

  "Old man, that money is all yours..."

  Sanji just wanted to say something.

  But when he saw Zeff's sincere expression, the words he wanted to say were choked in his throat.

  Neither he nor Zeff are the kind of characters who are good at sensationalism, but they can both understand each other's thoughts.

  For an instant, Sanji stopped talking.

  Instead, he clenched his fists, raised his head, and chose to accept this gift from Zeff.

  "Old man..." Sanji murmured softly, but a smile suddenly appeared on his face and he looked at Leo.

  "Sir Leo, I have money, please..."

  "Can our transaction continue?"

  "Of course~"

  Leo smiled happily.

  He had expected this scene a long time ago and was not surprised.

  Snapped!

  Leo snapped his fingers again.

  All of a sudden!

  In Sanji's guest room, several piles of Baileys suddenly appeared.

  "According to the rules of the transaction, these are the chips you can use now..."

  Leo showed his signature smile.

  "So, Mr. Sanji, you are already familiar with the trading rules, but you don't know how many points you are going to exchange for?"

  Sanji was slightly stunned by Leo's magical methods.

  After hearing Leo's inquiry, he looked at Zeff.

  "What are you looking at!? Convert it all you idiot!"

  Zeff angrily said, looking like he might have gone up to give Sanji a kick if Leo hadn't been there.

  "Yes, old man!"

  Sanji's face turned red, then he let out a long breath and looked at Leo again:

  "Sir Leo, please help me convert all this money into points!"

  "As you wish! "

  Hua Hua Hua...

  With Leo's response, the money in the room seemed to be swallowed up by the void, and all disappeared in the blink of an eye.

  At this time, Sanji's membership information appeared on the tablet Rotom:

  [Sanji]

  [VIP level: 1]

  [VIP experience: 1056/2000]

  [Current points: 1056]

  Looking at his name without the word "Vinsmoke" in the text, Sanji breathed a sigh of relief.

  If every time he looked at his identity information, he would see those heartbreaking words, he really didn't know what to do...

  Now that the points have been recharged, the next step is the most exciting moment!

  Based on the information in his memory, Sanji knew that he could ask a dimensional merchant who was familiar with Pokémon to help him choose Pokémon.

  After his eyes flickered for a few times, he said expectantly:

  "Sir Leo, I don't know enough about Pokémon. I will trouble you to choose a Pokémon suitable for me!"

  "No problem."

  Looking at the system with more than 5,000 extra points, the corners of Leo's mouth raised.

  With a slight thought, he immediately put the information of a Pokémon that had already been selected on the tablet Rotom.

  [Pokémon: Torchic]

(Torchic is the baby chick.)

  [Attribute: Fire]

  [Characteristics: Acceleration (the speed will increase with the prolongation of the battle)]

  [Level: 5]

  [Sale Price: 998 Points]

  This is Leo's adaptation of Sanji's way of fighting in the future, a specially selected Torchic with extraordinary talent!

  After all, a Pokémon with this talent at this price that a Pokémon suitable for Sanji...this is the only one!

(End of this chapter)