After hearing what Dak had to explain, Tsuru visibly sank into a state of shocked stupor, sitting still as if lost in deep thought.
Dak did not interrupt her, allowing her to ponder. The more thoroughly she considered, the more it benefitted their Pokémon Nursery.
With Tsuru's intelligence, she must understand what the emergence of the Pokémon Nursery signifies.
It's the harbinger of a new era.
"How can you prove it?"
Tsuru raised her eyes to Dak after coming back to her senses.
Unnoticed by herself, a bead of sweat had formed on her forehead.
Although she verbally expressed disbelief in Dak's words, her heart had already believed him. After all, the sudden change in the shop and the oppressive force within it couldn't be the work of any force known in their world.
Now, Tsuru clung to her last hope, wishing those phenomena were the work of a Devil Fruit power.
"Go back to that shop we were just at, and see if you can find the way into my nursery again. Then you'll understand."
Dak shrugged indifferently.
"Let's go."
Tsuru stood up without a moment's hesitation.
Their journey attracted many glances from the marines, as Tsuru held a high position within the navy, and many were curious about Dak's identity.
Ordinary people don't have the privilege to walk beside Tsuru and converse with her.
When Tsuru approached the doorway of the same jewelry shop and pulled it open,
"Welcome back, Tsuru-sama, what would you like today?"
The familiar voice of the shop assistant rang in her ears.
But now, Tsuru couldn't engage in the usual small talk with her.
This made her realize that what Dak had said might very well be true. Their shop doesn't exist in this world; whether one can enter it or not is entirely up to luck.
And not only does their world exist, but many other worlds do too, and in the future, they might even enter theirs.
What would those people do?
How powerful are they?
Two questions unavoidably surfaced in Tsuru's mind.
"Madam Tsuru, would you like to enter the shop?"
Dak timely spoke.
His tone and demeanor hadn't changed from before, but to Tsuru, it was laden with pressure.
"Let's go."
Tsuru nodded, her expression grave.
This difference between pirates and the navy was evident.
Unlike Whitebeard and Mihawk, who wouldn't worry much about such revelations, content as long as their people were well, the navy, like Tsuru, had to worry about the future of the navy and the world. They preferred not to disrupt the current stability, not eager for new things to upset the balance of the seas. They had too much to consider.
And this was key for Dak to win over the navy as a major cooperative client.
"Please."
Dak motioned for Tsuru to come out from the jewelry shop, then deliberately closed the shop door in her view and reopened it.
The same place, the same door, but a completely different interior.
This undoubtedly gave Tsuru another psychological nudge, making her even more inclined to believe Dak's words.
Click-clack.
Finally unable to hold back, Tsuru confronted Dak.
"Who exactly are you? What are you trying to do?"
"Didn't I make it clear, Madam Tsuru? I'm just a humble nursery owner and a breeder. My duty is to find reliable families for these children and to provide services for them in the days to come."
Dak gestured towards the eggs beneath the tree.
His words contained no falsehood, merely omitting some details.
Those details couldn't be disclosed because neither the World Government nor the navy would allow a more powerful force to overshadow them.
"What exactly are Pokémon?"
"As you can see, they are powerful, magical, beautiful, cute, and loyal creatures. They will be the most trustworthy partners and family members for humans."
Dak waved his hand.
Darkrai emerged from Dak's shadow, appearing before Tsuru's trembling eyes.
"This fellow managed to take down one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Mihawk, in one strike."
At this moment, Bon Clay specifically mentioned this, timing his words perfectly.
Dak mentally applauded Bon Clay; his intervention was spot on.
Bon Clay, who had a past as a thief, was adept at coaxing and deceiving people. Such a person was bound to make a fortune in business.
"Dracule Mihawk was defeated by this creature in one strike?"
Tsuru's eyes widened as she looked at the bizarrely appearing Darkrai.
She didn't sense a formidable aura from Darkrai, feeling it was no different from any ordinary creature.
"No, no, Mr. Mihawk isn't dead. He's now one of our clients. Just a week ago, he took an egg from us, seemingly planning to train a swordsman to defeat him. Ah, Mr. Mihawk is truly an admirable client, always on the path to seeking greater strength."
Dak casually conversed with Tsuru.
However, the information revealed in just a few sentences was enough for Tsuru to ponder deeply.
As Dak had anticipated, Tsuru was drawn into contemplation.
As the navy's chief of staff, she always thought too much. Any piece of information would inevitably lead her to consider a plethora of issues.
Based on her understanding of that man, Dak's words were mostly true. Mihawk is only interested in two types of people: those stronger than himself and those with the potential to become stronger.
"So, Madam Tsuru, we recently received several new eggs. Choosing now might get you a very potential one."
Dak's words lingered in Tsuru's ears like the whispers of a demon.
You won't buy?
Others have already bought.
When others have Pokémon, your navy doesn't.
Buy later?
By the time others have trained their Pokémon, you'll still be nursing yours.
"Coincidentally, today is my sister's birthday. I was planning to pick a birthday gift for her, so I'll choose from your place."
Ultimately, Tsuru was persuaded by Dak.
Purchasing an egg of an unknown creature wasn't much to hesitate about.
It wasn't a significant loss; even if Dak deceived her, she could just treat it as a pet.
If she wasn't deceived, then she had discovered a treasure trove of a shop, allowing the navy to gain a vast amount of power through this shop. Perhaps their dominion over the seas would strengthen.
A navy chief of staff couldn't possibly be short of money, right?
"Madam Gion? Then, I recommend these two."
(End of Chapter)