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Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In such a place, Dak led everyone to stay inside the Door-Door Space, never venturing outside.
Later, as everyone conducted inspections, facing these powerful individuals, it was nearly impossible to hide without special abilities, but most didn't need to hide anyway.
People like Newgate, Mihawk, and Zephyr didn't mind letting the breeders from the Mystery Hatchery House observe how they interacted with their Pokémon. They were open to showing whether their Pokémon were healthy or not.
As for characters like Teach, Shiki, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin, Dak would never allow Pokémon to follow them from the start.
Such characters, who could easily dispose of their subordinates or partners, even if the Pokémon chose them on their own, Dak would not allow the Pokémon to follow them.
In Dak's view, Pokémon could not possibly favor these people; they must have been deceived or misled.
Characters like them would only treat the first two or three followers as partners, and the others were just disposable pawns.
As for those who were weaker or of similar strength, they wouldn't even notice these characters.
Moreover, if the Pokémon by their side could help in the future, it might also enhance their hidden abilities.
The number of trainers at the navy's side was significant.
There were precisely 402.
Four hundred naval Pokémon were still babies. Dak had visited once before and had an idea.
These people were mostly the new generation of the navy, ranging from junior officers to lieutenant commanders, mostly in their teens or twenties.
There were also two notable pairs: Gion with Buneary, and Zephyr with Growlithe.
Coincidentally, a test seemed to be taking place in the plaza of Marineford at that time.
It appeared that Sengoku planned to let everyone see what level the Pokémon could achieve after a month of training.
By then, the top brass of the navy had all arrived, including Sengoku, Kizaru, Zephyr, Tsuru, the three admirals, and numerous veteran vice admirals. Everyone who could be called back was present.
Of course, the primary reason for their early return was not to watch this test but for the upcoming Mystery Hatchery House performance contest.
Sengoku planned to bring all these high-ranking individuals to the contest to witness the true strength and capabilities of the Mystery Hatchery House. He had a previously hidden idea that might be reignited after this contest.
Inside the Door-Door Space.
"Don't pay attention to those guys on stage; they might notice you," Dak specifically instructed, warning everyone not to look at Sengoku and his group.
Even if they were noticed, it wouldn't pose a problem since Dak didn't open the door, and Sengoku and the others definitely couldn't enter.
As for whether this group could guess their presence, there was a very high likelihood they would guess.
Because Darkrai's existence was no longer a secret, at least among the naval high command, they all knew that if Darkrai show up, they wouldn't be able to detect his presence. At most, they might feel someone was watching them.
In the vast plaza.
Four hundred new trainers stood in a circle with their Pokémon, while the naval high-ups stood on a platform watching the diverse Pokémon below.
Some of the more active Pokémon couldn't stay still next to their trainers.
For instance, Smoker's Koffing, which couldn't control the poisonous gas it emitted, was avoided by other navy members.
Smoker had to hold the little one and use his Smoke-Smoke Fruit abilities to contain the purple gas from spreading.
"Gas."
The little one seemed somewhat guilty, feeling responsible for isolating Smoker.
"Don't worry too much; you're still young. According to the biologists, you'll be able to control this gas in a few days," Smoker, a rather gentle and sensitive man, could sense Koffing's mood.
He patted Koffing, reassuringly. In his view, Koffing was perfectly suited for him, as his Smoke-Smoke Fruit abilities could merge with the gas Koffing released. This synergy could potentially be developed further in the future.
"Hmph, Smoker, look at Hina's Glameow, so dignified."
Hina, clearly a lover of appearances, held her Glameow, showing off everywhere.
Glameow, also narcissistic, held its head high, disdainfully glancing at Koffing.
What a bad-tempered cat.
Although the Alolan Vulpix, was also vain and loved beauty, it was a gentle little fox.
"Hey, Hina, don't get too cocky. Gion's Buneary looked amazing after evolving," someone chimed in.
"Yeah, I even went to the science department to see the pictures. Lopunny is really good-looking. But my Croagunk is also very cool."
"Are you serious? But Serperior is truly beautiful. Ah, I wish I had a Serperior. Oh, don't cry, Skiploom, you're also adorable, not at all inferior to Serperior!"
"I say, stop showing off. Compared to my Meawth, you all fall short!"
"You probably haven't seen Persian's evolved form."
The naval new trainers had essentially become a distinct group, discussing their Pokémon babies as their daily topic.
Even at night, they would talk about what their Pokémon did that day, sharing these fun stories with each other.
Dak, watching from inside the Door-Door Space, nodded in approval as he saw the navy's great interest and care for Pokémon, a fundamental prerequisite for becoming a trainer.
If one had no interest in Pokémon, it was difficult to become a qualified trainer.
Without interest, there would be no motivation to learn, and what kind of trainer doesn't seek to understand?
"Boss, are they going to let Buneary fight that marine?"
Bellamy pointed to the center of the circle surrounded by the navy.
Buneary was facing a sergeant.
What level of ability did a sergeant have?
In the original story, a notable example was Helmeppo from the Loguetown Arc, the foolish son of 'Axe-Hand' Morgan.
Helmeppo, having trained under Garp for several months by that point, was a dual-wielding swordsman with kukris.
"It looks like it," Dak nodded.
Sengoku likely had this plan, having already gauged Buneary's abilities, hence letting so many new trainers witness Pokémon potential.
Whose idea this plan was unclear, perhaps Sengoku or Tsuru, but the goal seemed to be encouraging the new trainers to be patient and diligent in training their Pokémon.
In Dak's view, there was currently no need for such a policy since these new trainers' patience and interest in Pokémon far exceeded Sengoku and the others' expectations.
However, though unnecessary, implementing this strategy was clearly beneficial, at least for the Pokémon babies, who would undoubtedly live more comfortably in the future.
"The navy values Pokémon highly," Gardino observed, watching Sengoku intently.
He was too familiar with that kind of gaze, the kind a superior shows when they highly appreciate a subordinate—the kind of look he, as an office worker, had once desperately craved.
"Um, boss Dak, I also want a Pokémon," Mikita said, looking at her yellow umbrella, feeling it was no longer appealing.
She also wanted a soft, fluffy kitten to hold!
"After the performance contest, then you'll have the chance to encounter a Pokémon," Dak replied, raising his head and smiling slightly.
He planned to announce something else at the performance contest—that the Pokémon School was preparing to enroll students.
The school would certainly need a batch of Pokémon babies and mature Pokémon to assist with teaching.
Dak would exchange for a batch of Pokémon from the Pokémon Mall to live in the Pokémon School, perhaps Gardino and the others could find their companions among them.
"It's starting."
Zanbai spoke up, and everyone else looked towards the central dueling ground.
The surrounding naval new trainers also ceased their chatter, focusing with their Pokémon babies on the center of the arena.
Buneary faced off alone against the naval sergeant.
In this world, the concept of trainers commanding Pokémon in battle did not exist, so Buneary had to decide on its own how to fight.
"Mimilu!"
Buneary's two long ears stretched and contracted, appearing very excited.
A little bunny hopping around on the spot caused many navy members to display affectionate smiles.
"I'll go first."
The sergeant chosen was not an ordinary character; his mental strength was clearly stronger than that of most regular navy members, and he did not relax his guard due to Buneary's cute appearance and movements.
"Shave."
The sergeant stepped forward, reaching Buneary in the blink of an eye.
"Mimilu~"
Buneary seemed to see the sergeant's attack coming, placing its two brown hands over its mouth and blowing a kiss.
The next moment, a heart flew out, striking the sergeant right in the face.
"What is that?"
"It's a bit like the powers of the Pirate Empress."
Sakazuki and Borsalino, initially not expecting much from Pokémon, clearly changed their minds after seeing Buneary use its special power.
The battle was not over yet.
As everyone wondered how the sergeant would react.
Boom!
The sergeant punched himself in the face!
"What's happening?"
"Why is he hitting himself?"
"Look at his eyes."
Almost everyone present was no weakling, and they all noticed the sergeant's eyes, which seemed out of control, darting around.
(End of Chapter)