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"A material containing super energy!?"
Red, who had just finished explaining trainer-related matters to Sanji, looked at Nami in surprise.
After hearing that Nami wanted to upgrade her Clima-Tact, Red rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Speaking of which, there are actually quite a few items in the Pokémon world that fit your conditions."
"Really!?" Nami's eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at Red expectantly.
"It's just..." Red's red eyes showed a hint of hesitation. "I don't know if those things will actually work."
"Plus, bringing them into the real world will take a lot of time."
When it came to energy-containing items, the first things that came to mind were the elemental Evolution Stones—Fire Stones, Water Stones, Thunder Stones, and so on. Their attributes happened to align with the weather-based abilities of Nami's Clima-Tact.
That said, the Pokémon world had plenty of other mysterious items.
If only there was a way to bring Arceus's Plates into the pirate world...
Wouldn't that make it possible to create weapons on par with the Ancient Weapons!?
'I remember the department store in Celadon City sells standard Evolution Stones. I could trade for a few and see if Usopp can do something with them.'
With that thought in mind, Red nodded to Nami and said, "After we take down the Arlong Pirates, I'll help you research it."
"Don't worry—if the items from the Pokémon world don't work, the Grand Line is full of other resources we can use."
"There is no rush."
"Really!?" Nami's eyes lit up with joy. "That's amazing!"
At some point, she had stopped fearing the name of the Arlong Pirates. Instead, she had become more focused on things that could make her stronger.
Before, she didn't have the ability to fight.
But now, all she could think was—
"Fighting is fun!"
"...Wait, did I accidentally turn Nami into a battle-crazed warrior?"
Watching her cheerfully bounce away, Red couldn't help but worry.
But her question had reminded him of something important.
Long ago, he had already considered the potential of various mysterious items from the Pokémon world.
Unfortunately, the "held item" mechanic had been removed in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, meaning he would have to visit an older version of the game world to find items with those effects.
In the Pokémon games, some held items could drastically enhance a Pokémon's growth.
Red was dying to see—would those items still have their broken effects if brought into the pirate world?
Well, that was a problem for later.
After sending Nami off, Red's consciousness shifted, focusing on the game console screen in front of him.
He opened the Pokémon list.
A chibi-style, blonde character in a black suit, cigarette in mouth, suddenly popped up behind Usopp's icon.
It was Sanji's Pokémon avatar, having just been added to Red's list after learning about his status as a Pokémon Trainer.
Thanks to Luffy and Zoro vouching for him, Sanji had accepted the situation without much hesitation.
Red clicked on Sanji's profile, and his status window popped up:
[Pokémon: Vinsmoke Sanji]
[Level: 32]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Gentle (+Special Defense, -Attack)]
[Type: Fighting, Fire]
[Ability: Combat Armor (Body becomes extremely tough, with no weaknesses)]
[Moves: None]
[EXP: 0/3169]
[HP: 123]
[Attack: 96]
[Defense: 95]
[Special Attack: 74]
[Special Defense: 92]
[Speed: 109]
"Huh?"
Red frowned, a hint of confusion in his gaze as he murmured, "Combat Armor...? Is it because of his hidden exoskeleton? Did the system give him this ability because of that?"
Pokémon abilities were like the system's way of enhancing Red's allies.
Sure, Usopp's [Run Away] and Nami's [Pickup] hadn't been useful in the real world yet...
But when the system first activated, Red had been clearly informed—
Once they entered the game world, these abilities would start manifesting in the real world as well.
Usopp never really had a chance to use his ability.
As for Nami...
Red figured it might be because she had spent too much time on the Merry, meaning the game's step count hadn't refreshed, so her [Pickup] ability was never triggered.
Meanwhile, Luffy's Regenerator and Zoro's Intimidate had already shown clear effects in the real world.
During those few days in Syrup Village, no matter how exhausted Luffy got from training, all he needed was a short rest before he was back to full energy—practically the embodiment of infinite sit-ups!
As for Zoro's oppressive aura, it had already influenced multiple battles. Even Mihawk had mistaken it as a sign of latent Conqueror's Haki.
So...
"Sanji's ability makes his body tough and removes all weaknesses..."
"Which means that even if he gets hit in the eyes, internal organs, or even... uh, the more sensitive areas, he'd take the same amount of damage as anywhere else?"
"This is actually kind of terrifying!"
Red stared at Sanji's stat screen, deep in thought.
The Fighting + Fire typing didn't surprise him, but the real potential lay in Sanji's dormant power. Once awakened, his body could gain monster-level durability and regeneration.
Now, with this ability eliminating his weak spots, future Sanji would no doubt become the blazing knight at the forefront of the Straw Hat crew!
Raw combat power paired with near-invincible defense...
"The Wings of the Pirate King are taking shape!!!"
Red's red eyes gleamed with excitement, filled with anticipation for the Straw Hats' future.
In the blink of an eye, a day passed.
Even though they had just experienced a battle worthy of being recorded in the Straw Hat crew's history at noon, by the afternoon, everyone had already returned to their usual routines—training, research, or handling personal matters.
Everything was back to normal.
Well, except for Sanji, who had just joined and was still figuring out his place among the crew.
That afternoon, Red called Johnny and Yosaku to the deck.
After explaining the concept of Pokémon Trainers to them, they were successfully registered in his Pokémon list.
However, these two were just regular fighters with basic combat skills.
Their attributes were identical, and their abilities—[Swift Swim] and [Tangled Feet]—weren't particularly useful.
One boosted movement speed in the rain, while the other made it easier to dodge attacks when dizzy.
Neither provided any real advantage in battle.
And stat-wise... well, let's just say there was no comparison.
They were leagues behind Luffy and Zoro—heck, even Usopp and Nami were far stronger than them.
It was clear that Johnny and Yosaku weren't meant to continue the journey on the Merry.
Not that they had ever intended to become full-fledged pirates anyway.
Still, while they wouldn't be shipmates, they could still serve as valuable allies in the East Blue.
After all, as pirates, there were plenty of things Red and the Straw Hats couldn't handle directly.
And if nothing else, Johnny and Yosaku's loyalty wasn't in question.
So that afternoon, Red taught them two basic general moves—Headbutt and Pay Day—and shared his plan with them.
Having witnessed the Straw Hats' strength, experienced the benefits of following Red, and considering their bond with Zoro, the two gladly accepted the role.
Now, they were rowing a makeshift boat away from the Merry, taking the tightly bound Don Krieg and Gin to the Marine base in Loguetown...