Chapter 222: Is this possible! ?

"The Feather of the Phoenix King, and the resurrection of Kuina?"

James's smile remained unchanged. In his mind, he quickly accessed the authority granted by Leo to determine the points required to bring Kuina's soul back from the underworld to the living world.

After just a few seconds, a bright smile spread across his face as he replied, "Including the cost of the Ho-Oh feather, resurrecting Miss Kuina will require a total of 5,700 points."

"The system shows that your current balance, Mr. Zoro, is 200 points. You will need an additional 5,500 points to proceed with Miss Kuina's resurrection."

"Would you like to redeem the points now?"

"Of course!" Zoro answered without hesitation, his face radiating excitement and anticipation. He could hardly contain himself.

"Kuina, I'm going to see you again!" he murmured to himself, and then, following James's guidance, he focused his mind and began the point redemption process that had appeared in his consciousness.

Being familiar with the trading system, Zoro did not hesitate. Within seconds, he converted all the resources given to him by Laurent into points. 

Of course, he also included the combat uniform capsule he had taken from Ichiji. 

Suddenly, the pile of gold and silver jewelry in the dojo courtyard disappeared as if it had never existed, and Zoro's point balance instantly surged from 200 to 20,000!

"Huh!? How did I get so many points?" Zoro exclaimed, looking at his Rotom Phone in disbelief. The points were double what he had expected.

However, he quickly put his confusion aside. For him, the most important thing now was bringing Kuina back to life.

Clenching his fists, Zoro looked at James and said earnestly, "Sir James, the points are enough. Please, resurrect Kuina for me!"

"Don't worry," James replied with a calm smile. He waved his hand and said, "Everything will go according to your wishes."

Whoosh—

As James moved his arm, a dazzling array of colors appeared before everyone, and amidst the vibrant light, a radiant feather glowed magnificently.

With a slight movement of his fingers, James beckoned upward, and through the omnipotent power of the source, he instantly drew forth a confused soul from the underworld—the soul of the deceased Kuina.

As soon as Kuina's soul appeared, it seemed to be irresistibly drawn toward the Ho-Oh feather and quickly merged with it.

In that instant, a blinding white light erupted.

The resurrection had begun!

Under the intense condensation of life force, Kuina's delicate hands and feet began to form first. From these four points, the powerful life energy spread like a path of light, gradually reconstructing Kuina's body.

To protect the privacy of the resurrected, James snapped his fingers again, and a set of Pokémon-themed clothing materialized, enveloping the emerging figure and shielding her from view.

In the blink of an eye, Kuina was fully restored and stood before them.

Her short dark blue hair, her flawless skin, and her determined, unyielding expression… everything was exactly as Zoro remembered.

"It… it really is Kuina!" Zoro's voice trembled. Though he had always been strong, tears now streamed down his face.

Thud!

Behind Zoro, Koushiro fell to his knees, overcome with emotion, as if in reverence for a divine being.

The resurrected girl slowly opened her eyes, which were still hazy from a peaceful slumber. Her shadow stretched long in the sunlight.

"Where… am I?" she asked, her voice clear. Kuina gazed around curiously, still holding onto the last memory she had before falling down the stairs. To her, it felt like she had traveled through time, finding herself suddenly in the present.

"Kuina! You're really back!" Zoro stepped forward, his throat choked with emotion. He stretched out his hands, desperate to touch what he feared was only a dream.

But he hesitated, afraid that everything before him might shatter if he touched it.

"And you are…?" Kuina took a step back, wary of the man trying to approach her. But then, as she noticed Zoro's distinctive flat green hair, a strange sense of familiarity washed over her, leaving her confused.

Instinctively, she looked past Zoro and saw Koushiro, who stood dumbfounded, tears streaming down his face.

"Father?" she said softly. Though she noticed that Koushiro seemed much older, she recognized her father immediately.

Looking around, Kuina felt a wave of familiarity. Despite the passage of eight years and the changes to the dojo, the atmosphere felt unchanged, gradually calming her bewildered emotions.

…

…

Half an hour later.

After hearing the explanations from Koushiro and the others, Kuina finally accepted that she had died and been brought back to life.

"This is… unbelievable!" she exclaimed, sitting on a futon with her eyes wide open, all kinds of complicated emotions flashing in her gaze.

Suddenly, she turned her attention to Zoro, who was standing nearby, examining him from head to toe.

Seeing Zoro, who now appeared older than she remembered but still seemed bashful in front of her, Kuina couldn't help but laugh.

"Zoro, I never expected that a little bean sprout would grow up so quickly. It's a bit of a shock," she teased.

"Kuina…" Zoro murmured. Then, meeting her gaze, he suddenly looked away, seemingly at a loss.

Kuina stood up and approached Zoro. Seeing him so flustered amused her even more.

Though Zoro was now a head taller than her, she smiled sweetly and said in a familiar tone from their childhood, "Thank you for bringing me back, Zoro!"

For Zoro and Koushiro, Kuina's resurrection was a divine miracle, many years in the making. Naturally, it stirred deep emotions.

But to Kuina…

Zoro was still the same Zoro—just a bit taller now.

Her father was still her father—just a little older.

Feeling the familiar tone from Kuina, Zoro finally realized that this was no dream. He flashed a broad grin, his teeth gleaming, causing Kuina's cheeks to flush.

"You're welcome," he replied.

In that moment, the small dojo felt warm and peaceful.

Even James, who was busy with his transactions, couldn't help but smile at the scene before him, choosing not to interrupt their heartfelt reunion.

But fate had other plans.

Zoro's earlier oversight would soon have consequences.

Just as the joyful reunion was unfolding…

A group of uninvited guests suddenly intruded upon the peaceful waters around Shimotsuki Island.

  ...

  ...

  Here's an improved version of your translation:

---

"Oh my god, what is that!?"

On a small boat out for fishing, a fisherman suddenly widened his eyes as he spotted a strange structure slowly emerging over the horizon.

Hearing his exclamation, the other fishermen on the boat stopped what they were doing and turned their gaze towards the distance, curiosity evident on their faces.

Soon, they all shared the same stunned expression.

"It looks like... a castle!" one of the fishermen replied uncertainly.

After all, how could something as massive as a castle possibly float on the sea?

However, reality often defies imagination.

The bizarre structure in the distance was indeed a colossal castle—a fortress on an island-sized scale!

This was none other than the mysterious black technology of the Germa 66 Kingdom: a modular transportation device—the Snail Ship!

It is this wondrous form of transportation that makes Germa 66 the only nation in the world without a permanent territory. When separated, the Snail Ship functions as an outstanding battleship. When many of them combine, they form an island, a town, a fortress!

At that moment, in the palace atop the fortress, Judge, towering nearly three meters tall, stood on the vast balcony, silently observing the island that was gradually coming into view.

Suddenly, he asked, "This is the place, correct?"

Reiju, standing nearby, pulled out a radar-like device, nodded, and replied, "Yes, this is the island."

"According to the signal from Ichiji's combat suit, they were last tracked to this island."

"However, about an hour ago, the signal was suddenly lost for reasons unknown, and no attempts to reconnect have succeeded."

After saying that, Reiju gazed at the peaceful island ahead with her keen eyes. She could even make out the bustling but joyful villagers working at the port, talking and laughing as they went about their tasks.

Such a scene would never be seen in the Germa 66 Kingdom.

Unintentionally, Reiju found herself recalling the day she left the Baratie Restaurant, parting ways with Sanji.

---

That day, Sanji, with a lit cigarette hanging from his lips, warned her with a complicated expression:

"If you ever get defeated by that green-haired guy, just mention my name. Maybe he won't kill you…"

"Though, to be fair, he might just chop your heads off even quicker after hearing my name."

"In any case, if you want to stay alive, avoid hurting the people around him."

Through their numerous battles, with the intent to kill each other, Zoro and Sanji had developed a peculiar, inexplicable bond. Sanji believed that as long as the Vinsmokes refrained from causing unnecessary trouble, Zoro would spare their lives.

But… is it really possible to stop the Vinsmoke family, renowned worldwide for their warmongering, from causing trouble?

---

Back in the castle, Judge, eyes focused on the island ahead, spoke in a deep voice:

"It seems our opponents also have ways to counter Germa's technology."

"In other words, this island is likely their main base of operations!" 

"Niji!"

Judge called out sharply.

"Yes, Father," responded a man in a black cloak with blue, wavy hair on one side—Vinsmoke Niji, Sanji's blood brother and a biochemically enhanced warrior wielding the power of [Electro].

As one of Judge's successful creations, Niji, like Ichiji and Reiju, would follow any of Judge's commands without question.

Judge waved his arm and pointed toward the distant Shimotsuki Village. "Lead 5,000 bio-soldiers and seize control of the island!"

He then turned to his other two children. "Reiju, Yonji, you two will lead the remaining forces and search every inch of the island!"

"Find that kid with the Life Essence, and determine Ichiji's whereabouts!"

"Yes, Father!" Niji and Yonji stood at attention.

For warriors like them, with experience in countless battles, conquering a small island in the East Blue was as easy as breathing.

Or even easier.

As they prepared to move, Reiju suddenly called out, "Wait… hold on, Father, Niji, Yonji!"

"Huh?" Judge frowned at the interruption.

"What is it, Reiju?"

"Father…" Reiju paused before stepping closer to the railing, her body bathed in sunlight. She then spoke, "I think we should proceed more cautiously."

"You see, the East Blue is not the weak sea it was a year ago. With the arrival of dimensional merchants, numerous mysterious trainers have surfaced here, along with territories occupied by the Revolutionary Army."

"I suggest we revise our battle plan…"

"You know how much the Revolutionary Army values civilians."

"If they catch wind of us attacking innocent civilians in the East Blue, it could lead to significant trouble."

"So, I think it's best not to mess with the civilians."

Utilizing her enhanced mental acuity, Reiju devised a plausible excuse to persuade Judge to reconsider Germa's usual course of action.

"Hmm…" Judge contemplated her words.

Behind his cold, ruthless eyes lay a hint of concern. The Revolutionary Army, much like the Four Emperors, was a force even Germa dared not provoke.

After a moment, he nodded. "Indeed, your concerns are reasonable."

"Alright, the three of you will each lead 5,000 bio-soldiers and land from all sides of the island using a thorough search method."

"However… if you encounter any resistance, order the soldiers to capture them without resorting to violence."

"Understood, Father!" Niji and Yonji immediately complied.

Reiju let out a sigh of relief, thinking, "Phew~ At least this way, if things turn out as Sanji warned, it shouldn't be too embarrassing..."

"But is Roronoa Zoro really as formidable as Sanji claims?"

Though Zoro had made a name for himself at the Pokémon League Conference, Reiju still doubted whether he could truly pose a threat to Germa 66.

The Vinsmoke family might not be at the top level of the Yonko, but they were certainly formidable below that tier.

How could they fear a mere boy who had just set sail and had some fortunate encounters?

Unless Zoro's strength had significantly increased within a month.

But… is that even possible?!

---

---

"Congratulations, Mr. Zoro."

"You have mastered the power of the new bond evolution!"

"Now, even if you face the strongest swordsman in the pirate world, you will have the strength to contend!"

James chuckled, looking at Zoro, who had gained a new form, with a mix of pride and eagerness.