Trade (1)

Okami returned the paper and asked, "Your leader's waiting for me?"

The young man nodded. "He is hoping that you are available right now because our commander will be very busy for the coming weeks."

"I can go with you. Lead the way."

Makino did not understand what they were talking about but she sensed that it was something important. She coughed lightly to catch his attention and said, "Boss, I can join you as your bodyguard."

Okami tilted his head slightly as he gave her a sideglance. "Do you think I need one?"

Makino shook his head. "But I can deal with the cannon fodders if they plan to attack you. At least you will be spared from fighting a lot of battles."

Okami mused over her suggestions before agreeing. "Sure. Just don't make any unnecessary troubles."

"You bet!" Makino said as she clenched her fists.

Okami saw her expression as if she was heading to a battlefield. "Hey, where's the sweet Makino that I've been used to?"

"Oh, look for her. She's been buried in the dumps," Makino replied sarcastically. "Whatever, let's go, Boss! I can't wait!"

The young man felt the goosebumps on his skin as he listened to their conversation. Without a doubt, the rumors he heard about Makino was true. "Um...I don't think you can go because you're not invited..."

Makino glared at him. "Why not?!"

The young man's voice quivered and stepped back. "Um...never mind. Please, follow me." At once, he turned around and started walking.

Okami and Makino stared at each other before smiling.

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Okami found out that the young man's name was Echo, a villager living in West Blue. As for his history, he did not bother asking because it involved some of the Revolutionary Army's secret.

After walking for a long time, they eventually arrived at the hidden port just east of Mount Colubo. At a distance, Okami could see the ship docked at the shore.

"Is that our destination?" Okami asked as he pointed at the ship.

"Yes." Echo had a relieved expression on his face while looking at the ship. Since he had a good impression on Okami, he reminded him again. "I hope you don't cause any trouble for us, Okami. Our commander is super strong."

Makino snorted. "Do you think my Boss is a pushover?!"

"Stop it, Makino." Okami cut her off to avoid any argument and stared at Echo. "Thank you for warning us. As long as he will not go beyond my bottomline, then everything will be okay. After all, I'm not a jerk."

Echo exhaled in relief and smiled. "That's good to hear. Anyway, we're here."

The ship was three times the size of SS Anne. Even though Okami was clueless when it comes to ship construction but he could tell that it was better compared to his ships just by looking at it. This made him all the more motivated to visit Water 7.

Echo looked up and noticed his friend busily tying some boxes at the main deck. He waved his hands and shouted, "Hey, Mac! I'm back!"

Mac stopped what he was doing and stared below. When he found out that it was Echo, he grinned and replied, "What took you so long?! Come up! I'll inform the commander right way!"

"Thanks!" Echo led Okami and Makino to the ship and settled at the main deck. "Please enjoy your stay." At once, he left them and headed toward the forecastle.

Okami was happy when he realized that there were many pokemon aboard the ship. There were several Machops and Mankeys lifting some heavy boxes while a few Growlithes scurried alongside the fighting pokemon. Even the masts were filled with Pidgeys, Hoothoots, and Spearows. At the nearby station, a Butterfree was battling against a Beedrill while their pokemon trainers were issuing their commands.

Makino saw these things as well and uttered, "Looks like this group is not simple."

"I agree. Especially their commander, you're nothing compared to him," Okami remarked nonchalantly.

Makino's brows were raised, her smile getting wider. "Now, I'm excited."

Okami sighed. "I'm not stopping you but don't cry after you get your just desserts."

"We'll see." Makino saw several people heading toward their direction. "Looks like they're here."

This time, four people were walking together as they approached their visitors.

Sabo was now wearing a small jacket similar to the rest of Dragon's crew, indicating that he was truly integrated to the Revolutionary Army.

Dragon, on the other hand, still wore his usual attire but this did not minimize his imposing aura.

But the most prominent among them was a much taller effeminate cross dressing man with an afro of indigo hair. Named Emporio Ivankov, or Iva for short, was the 'Queen' of the Kamabakka Kingdom. How he was depicted in the manga and anime was tamer when compared to the reality Okami was seeing right now. The crown on his head made him all the more ridiculous to look at.

Okami imagined the possibilities if he was cornered by him back on Earth and shuddered at the gruesome thought. Thanks to the Calm Mind effect, his expression did not change even for a second.

Sabo ran towards Okami and gave him a high-five. "Hey, Okami! I'm glad you're here." He saw Makino beside Okami and asked, "Who is she?"

"Makino, my Receptionist."

Sabo took off his hat and bowed his head. "Hello, Beautiful Makino. I'm Sabo."

Makino giggled. "Well, thank you for the compliment."

Okami wondered how would Sabo react when he finds out what Makino can do. He ignored the sudden thought inside his mind and waved his hands. "Hello, Dragon and company. Thank you for the invitation."

"Mfufufufufu! Welcome to the ship, Oka-boy," Ivankov said as he inspected Okami from head to feet. She then smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. "Not bad. Mfufufu! Call me Iva."

"It's nice to meet you, Iva," Okami greeted respectfully because he did not want to turn into a woman.

"Mfufufufu! You're so sweet, Oka-boy."

Dragon grinned and petted his Dratini, who was resting on his shoulders. "Well, enough messing with him, Iva. Okami, meet my pokemon, Dragon Jr."

Dratini yawned and slept, ignoring Okami.

"Well, he's still young and needs a lot of rest to grow strong." Dragon then shifted his attention to the person beside Okami and said, "It's nice to meet you, Makino. You're a lot different when compared to the past."

Makino scratched her head. "I didn't know that it was you who we are going to meet, Dragon."

Dragon chuckled before returning his gaze back to Okami and his expression became serious in an instant. "Boy, we have two Devil Fruits here in exchange for turning some of my men into Pokemon Trainers."

"May I know what Devil Fruits are they?"

Dragon took one of the containers that Echo was carrying and opened it. The fruit was bloody-scarlet in color, shaped like that of a grapefruit. "This is the Blood-Blood Fruit, a Logia type."

He then returned the container and took the other one. At once, a fruit that looked like the combination of a mango and a banana was revealed. "This is the Bug-Bug fruit, a Zoan type."

After he was done introducing the Devil Fruits, he then instructed Sabo to call some of his men to come.

Okami was satisfied when he saw the Devil Fruits. He already had an idea as to who he would allocate it to when he would receive them later.

They waited for Dragon's men to arrive before they continued with their transaction.

"Well, now that I have done my part, I hope that you can do yours as well," Dragon commented after instructing his men to line up.

Okami nodded his head slightly. "I think it would be much better to do the ritual outside the ship."

Dragon gave him an inquisitive stare. "Why?"

"You will understand later."

At once, Dragon commanded everyone to disembark the ship and they complied with him.

Once they reached outside, Okami snapped his fingers and all of his pokemon appeared right before them. They were amazed by the sheer numbers of pokemon species that were before them. It was their first time to meet the max evolved form of various pokemon since they were mostly limited to the basic ones.

Okami felt proud when he saw their reactions once they saw the pokemon. "Well, we've got no time to lose. Please choose the pokemon that you want to have as your Pokemon Starter."

"What's a Pokemon Starter?" Dragon asked.

Okami explained to them everything about pokemon. Once he was done, he introduced each pokemon to them and gave them further information about their basic attributes and types.

Once the lecture was done, Dragon instructed his men to choose for the pokemon they wanted to have and approached Okami. "I never thought that there are lots of pokemon in existence. There are many things that I still have to learn about them."

"Indeed." Okami pointed at Dragonite and continued, "That is Dragonite, a Dragon Pokemon. It is the maxed evolved form of your pokemon, Dratini."

Dragon looked at his pokemon and smiled. "That's interesting. I can't wait for Dragon Jr. to evolve."

"I bet he will." Okami remembered something that was bothering for a long time and asked, "Are you a Devil Fruit user?"

Dragon responded with a smile. "Sorry. I can't tell you my secret."

Okami shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I'm just curious anyway. Look, it seemed like your men have already decided."

Six of his men returned lined up before Dragon and Okami. Altogether, they shouted, "We're ready, Supreme Commander!"

"Report your name and tell your chosen pokemon," Dragon said.

Okami only recognized the first two people. Even then, he was curious as to what their choices were.

"Echo. The one I want to have is Kingler."

"Mac. I want to have Arbok as my starter."

"Rad. I choose Tauros."

"Jet. I love to have Muk."

"Periet. I'm interested in having Pinsir as my starter."

"Gary. As a sailor, I want to have Starmie as my starter."

The one that surprised Okami the most was Jet. He wondered what he had seen in that sludge pokemon that convinced him to have Muk as his starter pokemon. Whatever the reason was, Okami unsummoned the rest of the pokemon and started the ritual without delay. Fortunately, the number of pokemon trainers he could turn every week was increased.

From the time Okami summoned the Pokemon Duplicating Machine to the moment the swirling lights covered the six men, they were all in awe of his unusual powers. Even Dragon was mystified by the scenario that he was witnessing right now, and he was all the more convinced that his decision was correct. Luckily, he made a deal with Okami.

Once everything was over, Okami did not disturb the newly-turned Pokemon Trainers and went toward Dragon. "Hey, the deal is complete. They are officially Pokemon Trainers."

Before Dragon could even ask his men how they were feeling after the ritual, their bodies started to change. Even though it was not a complete transformation, they were excited when they found out about their newfound powers.

Most of their body parts were still human but some notable changes could be observed as they tried transforming into their Pokemon form. Echo's hands became pincers while Mac's body stretched into a snake-like body. Rad and Periet had horns on their head.

On the other hand, Gary started spouting water from his hands while Jet emitted smog from his body.

Dragon was satisfied and told Sabo to give the boxes to Okami.

Slowly, Okami uncovered the boxes and felt elated when he saw the two Devil Fruits on his hands.