Chapter 177: Both evolve! A new version of the battle!

"That...what is that!?"

Some regulars in the battle area were taken aback as they watched the blazing flames erupt from Ace's body on the screen. Expressions of shock immediately appeared on their faces.

Clearly, when Ace was in the battle area, he didn't possess this kind of power...

But now, the brilliant fire reflected on the screen illuminated everyone present!

Boom!

As the scene froze on the image of flames soaring into the sky, the virtual light screen abruptly halted, and the screen slowly faded away.

Yet, the astonishment on everyone's faces remained. They all turned their gazes to Leo, eyes wide in anticipation, hoping for an explanation.

These trainers, well-acquainted with Leo's ways, knew all too well...

Whenever their esteemed Sir Leo used the virtual light screen, it usually meant that their points balance was about to take a big hit.

Faced with the intriguing new products offered by the dimensional merchant, they couldn't suppress their desire to buy them.

Because they were simply irresistible!

It was obvious that this dimensional merchant from another world was about to pull off something major again!

And, as expected...

As the scene ended, Leo suddenly opened his arms wide in a triumphant gesture and laughed heartily:

"Everyone, did you see that?"

"That dazzling flame, that explosion of artistry!"

"I bet... you're all eager to know what this is all about, right?"

"Well then, I won't keep you in suspense any longer!"

Leo chuckled self-deprecatingly, then raised the light orb representing the power of bonding and pointed it at Zoro, saying:

"Mr. Zoro, this is another part of your reward. But before I hand it over, there's something you need to decide."

"Sir Leo, please go ahead!"

Zoro, who was eager to experience the power of bond, quickly stepped forward and responded.

Leo smirked and beckoned with a finger.

Zoro's Scyther, housed in its Pokéball, was immediately released, and at the same time, Honedge, strapped to Zoro's back, floated into the air.

Leo smiled and said:

"This power of bond allows you to evolve only one Pokémon through bond, but right now, you have two Pokémon..."

"So, you must make a choice: do you choose Scyther or Honedge, or..."

"Would you prefer to spend 500 points to purchase another power of bond, so that both can benefit?"

"Of course, I should warn you..."

"In your current situation, you can only evolve one Pokémon at a time through bonding."

"Go ahead, Mr. Zoro, make your choice."

Leo handed control of the light orb to Zoro, signaling for him to decide.

However...

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zoro suddenly smirked.

He raised his head, looked directly at Leo, and returned the smile:

"Do I really have a choice, Sir Leo?"

He stepped forward, standing between the two Pokémon, and after a moment of contemplation, muttered to himself:

"Since this power is called the power of bond, it stands to reason that the stronger the bond between me and the Pokémon, the more powerful this ability will be, right?"

"In that case, choosing one Pokémon over the other would be incredibly unfair."

"So, I choose option C! I'll spend the points and purchase another power of bond!"

"A wise decision~"

Seeing the determined look in Zoro's eyes, Leo burst into laughter.

With a wave of his hand, Zoro summoned the trading system within his mind.

Though the endorsement fee from the Wolf Warrior family wasn't much, it was more than enough to cover the 500 points required.

In an instant, two light orbs flew simultaneously into the bodies of Scyther and Honedge.

Immediately, beams of light, sparkling with colorful stars, extended from the two Pokémon and merged into Zoro's body.

"This..."

Zoro clenched his fists in confusion.

Unlike the previous power of nature, he could clearly feel the changes in the energy within him this time.

However, it felt a bit cramped, as if two forces were trying to enter the same channel simultaneously, with neither willing to give way. The result was a standstill.

At that moment, Leo's voice echoed in Zoro's ears:

"Did you forget what I mentioned earlier? You can only evolve one Pokémon at a time through bond..."

"So, choose the Pokémon you wish to evolve through bond for this battle!"

"This..."

Zoro hesitated for a moment, then turned his gaze toward Scyther and Honedge.

Just as he was contemplating which Pokémon to choose, Scyther stepped forward.

"Cha! (Let Honedge evolve first!)"

With unwavering determination, Scyther willingly severed the energy channel of the power of bonding.

For a Pokémon that had dedicated itself to mastering the way of the sword, the increase in power brought by bond evolution wasn't as crucial.

On the other hand, Honedge, with their dual attributes of steel and ghost, might bring unexpected advantages to Zoro after bonding and evolving.

Sensing Scyther's intentions, Zoro nodded in agreement.

There was no need for words between them. He immediately focused on communicating with Honedge.

As a pair of swords he had carried for a long time and used as extensions of his own body, the bond between Zoro and Honedge was undoubtedly deep.

After all, a sword is the life of a swordsman!

Suddenly, a brilliant white light burst forth from Honedge' bodies!

It was the light of evolution, sacred to all Pokémon!

Right on cue, Leo raised his voice once more:

"Cheers, gentlemen!"

"From this moment on, you will witness a brand new power system!"

"This is the interaction and fusion of forces between two worlds, a miraculous power born from creation!"

"A new experience! A new chapter!"

"Are you ready!?"

Wow...

The dazzling light dissipated like fragments.

In the blink of an eye, a brand new pair of Honedge (Zoro version) appeared before everyone.

The slender blades were sharp and pointed, the cold steel exuding a faint aura of scarlet ghostly energy.

The once ordinary silken cloth had transformed into crimson strands that wrapped around the hilt like blood.

The originally simple, curved handguards had morphed into a mysterious "swastika" shape, as if containing some unknown power.

Compared to the previous broad sword-like appearance, Honedge now resembled two long katanas with red mist trailing behind them, akin to special effects.

Their size was similar to the "Wado Ichimonji" at Zoro's waist.

"Are these Honedge after bond evolution?"

Zoro reached out his hands, and the two scabbards flew into his grip.

At the same time...

The feedback from the power of bonding began to affect Zoro.

Unlike Ace's straightforward power of fire, Honedge' steel and ghost elements made the feedback Zoro received much more complex.

At the moment Honedge completed their bond evolution, Zoro experienced a sudden realization, as if a flash of insight had struck him.

  In an instant, a brilliant light flared in Zoro's eyes.

  "The sword comes to me!"

  Whoosh!

  As Zoro shouted, the sword Wado Ichimonji at his waist suddenly flew out and, without any physical touch, positioned itself firmly in Zoro's mouth.

  In that moment, Zoro understood the first method of utilizing steel-type energy—controlling metal! But the ability to control metal was limited.

  Perhaps due to the steel-type rules of the Pokémon world, Zoro could only control metals that had been close to him for a long time and were imbued with his aura.

  The only item fitting this description was Wado Ichimonji, a sword Zoro had kept by his side for years.

  After all, Honedge had their own consciousness and required no external control.

  With this newfound ability, Zoro could now fight hands-free, manipulating three swords remotely to attack his enemies.

  The second application of steel-type energy resembled the Armament Haki's hardening ability, enhancing the metal in contact with his body.

  Zoro's eyes gleamed as Wado Ichimonji's blade sharpened instantly, emanating a chilling aura.

  With the three swords acting as boundaries, combined with the crimson ghostly energy released by Honedge, a unique and strange sword force took shape.

  At that moment, every trainer caught in Zoro's cold gaze felt an involuntary shiver of fear.

  But then, as Zoro tuned into the ghost-type energy, he closed his eyes.

  Unlike the steel-type energy that affected the body directly, the ghost-type energy penetrated into Zoro's soul.

  Suddenly, Zoro felt his mind expand!

  This expansion wasn't painful; instead, it made him feel more alert and aware than ever before!

  It was as if his very soul had been strengthened.

  Simultaneously, the soul essence of Honedge began to influence Zoro.

  As a Pokémon embodying an ancient cursed sword, Honedge carried the souls of countless swordsmen who had wielded it in battle.

  In ancient Pokémon times, there were no trainers—only warriors who fought monsters with mortal iron!

  Now, with the infusion of ghost energy, the soul power of these swordsmen fused completely with Zoro's.

  Zoro, already a master swordsman, instantly ascended to the level of a true sword saint!

  This extraordinary sensation left Zoro, experiencing bond evolution for the first time, trembling with excitement.

  "Is this the power of bond evolution!?"

  A slightly arrogant, confident smile spread across Zoro's face as he savored his newly enhanced body.

  "It's incredibly powerful!"

  Whoosh!

  The scarlet tip of his blade pointed straight at Usopp on the opposite end of the battle stage.

  Eager to test his newfound strength, Zoro turned to Leo and laughed, saying,  "Sir Leo, I'm ready! May I..."

  "Can the battle begin?"

  "Certainly."

  Leo nodded with a smile.

  Ignoring the stunned expressions of the trainers around, he turned to Usopp and asked,

  "So, Mr. Usopp, are you ready?"

  "Ah?"

  Usopp, who had been lost in awe of Zoro's bond evolution, was suddenly jolted back to reality.

  He had been marveling at the miracle of bond evolution when he suddenly realized...

  he was about to face Zoro, post-evolution, in battle!?

  What kind of cruel joke was this!?

  He couldn't beat Zoro before, let alone after his bond evolution.

  "Wait...wait a minute!!!"

  "I'm not ready yet!"

  Usopp waved his hands frantically, unconsciously retreating.

  "..."

  Leo smiled gently and asked,

  "Mr. Usopp, what else do you need to prepare?"

  "After all, there's much to accomplish today, and I hope you can help us keep things moving."

  "Th-this, this, this..."

  Sweat dripped from Usopp as he looked at Zoro, now radiating with green and red energy.

  Suddenly, an idea struck him!

  Usopp shouted,

  "Wait a minute, Sir Leo!"

  "It's unfair for Zoro to be the only one with bond evolution!"

  "Can I buy something now!?"

  "I want to purchase the power of bond too! Only after both of us have evolved can the battle be truly fair!"

  "Oh?"

  Leo feigned surprise, then nodded with a smile.

  "You're right. Then..."

  Snap!

  With a crisp snap of his fingers, the trading system interface appeared in Usopp's mind.

  Unlike the cash-strapped Zoro, Usopp, who had expanded his arms business, wasn't exactly rich but had accumulated enough wealth to easily cover the investment Kaya's father had made in him.

  While not lavish, Usopp had 5,000 points at his disposal—2.5 billion Berries!

  This amount was enough to revive Usopp's mother.

  But earning money was no longer a challenge for Usopp, and he didn't need much time to do so.

  Rather than resurrecting his mother, Usopp now wanted to win this battle decisively.

  After all, Sir Leo had personally emphasized keeping an eye on him...

  Even if Usopp wasn't the most ambitious, under Leo's watchful gaze, he wanted to showcase his value!

  After all, this was the noble man who had changed his life!

  Without Leo's encouragement, Usopp might never have had the courage to leave his small village.

  After summoning his Decidueye, he quickly nodded to Leo and said:

  "Sir Leo, I currently have 5,000 points. Please help me exchange them for the power of bond, the power of nature, the Seed Bomb move, entry-level Observation Haki, and intermediate-level Navy Six Styles: Shave!"

  Like a machine gun, Usopp rattled off several items in rapid succession, showing that he had planned this out thoroughly.

  In addition to the 1,500 points required for bond evolution, the Seed Bomb move cost 1,500 points, while the entry-level Observation Haki and intermediate-level Shave were 1,000 points each, perfectly totaling 5,000 points.

  Usopp was well aware of his weaknesses and strengths, so he chose abilities that maximized his advantages and compensated for his flaws.

  The powers of bond and nature were essential, of course.

  Seed Bomb was a rare and powerful Grass-type move. Combined with Decidueye's Overgrow ability, it provided an excellent offensive option.

  Given the circumstances, Haki and the Navy Six Styles were the most battle-ready abilities Usopp could think of.

  No matter what, his own physical weakness was a significant drawback.

  Observation Haki allowed Usopp to "see" Zoro's movements, while Shave could help him dodge Zoro's attacks at critical moments.

  With the points in place, Leo wasted no time, instantly transferring the requested abilities with a smile.

  Naturally, the new moves were assigned to Decidueye.

  Usopp's new Observation Haki and Navy Six Styles: Shave were also integrated into his body.

  As a sharp light flashed in his eyes, Usopp's demeanor changed instantly.

  Though still somewhat uncertain, compared to his previous readiness to quit at any moment...

  at least now, Usopp was serious about facing Zoro in battle.

  After acquiring the power of bond, Decidueye was engulfed in a dazzling evolutionary light.

  Snap!

  In the blink of an eye, a brand new Decidueye (Usopp version) stood before everyone!

(End of this chapter)

[Translator's Note: The second world has been decided—it's Katekyō Hitman Reborn. I want to pick up the pace, but I can't release everything all at once. So, here's the plan: I'll do a mass release of 10 chapters each time we hit the target.

Power Stones = Chapters

Target Goal: 500 Power Stones

It's up to you—if you want faster updates, push for the goal. Otherwise, we'll stick to the current release schedule.]