The total number of reserve employees and their families was only five thousand.
This meant many families had just one or two people, which was quite normal in the world of pirates.
When Bon Clay informed these people, they arrived at the Pokémon breeding shop's entrance that very evening, carrying large bags and even pushing carts, clearly ready for the move.
It wasn't that they packed quickly; they had been preparing for this day since they became reserve employees.
There were 1,500 families, each with at least one Pokémon. The wealthier families might have two or three.
The number of new trainers in Water 7 dropped below ten thousand.
Not only would these 1,500 people leave with their families, but many had already been persuaded by the Navy and the Revolutionary Army to leave, and some may have joined other forces.
However, these were just a few. Besides the 1,500 leaving with Dak, the total number of other departing trainers was less than five hundred.
Many bought Pokémon for a stable life or companionship, not to venture into danger.
They preferred to live peacefully in Water 7, with the breeding shop's protection, hoping to join the Pokémon Alliance and live on Pokémon Island, where they wouldn't have to worry about bad guys and their family's safety.
At the breeding shop's entrance, Dak made his final announcement.
"I'll make this last statement: once you decide to settle on Pokémon Island, you won't be able to freely travel between the two worlds. Unless the Alliance opens a portal for activities, contact between the two worlds will be minimal."
Dak seriously explained the pros and cons of living on Pokémon Island.
Living on Pokémon Island meant safety from being harmed by others, but they would also lose experiences unique to the pirate world.
For example, during the initial development of Pokémon Island, there would be few interesting events, no newspapers, or TV. They would live a simple life, learning about the outside world only through returning family members.
"If anyone regrets their decision, you can leave now. But know this: after leaving, you won't be granted residency on Pokémon Island again. Too many people want to live there; the island isn't just for you."
Dak looked at the crowd.
He spoke the truth. Recently, there had been incidents in Water 7 where people tried to extort or coerce the right to live on Pokémon Island from these families. Dak was infuriated, thinking how mindless some people could be.
Living on Pokémon Island was a privilege he decided, not something that could be transferred. Even if someone gave up their spot, it wouldn't go to those who did such despicable things.
In essence, anyone who committed serious crimes would never live on Pokémon Island.
Those who enjoyed bullying weaker people would eventually find themselves the only ones left in the pirate world, feeling what their victims felt.
Dak might even record their self-destructive behavior to show the residents of Pokémon Island the consequences of evil deeds.
Anyone committing serious crimes on Pokémon Island would either be imprisoned there or exiled back to the pirate world.
After Dak's initial statement, some, particularly the wealthy, hesitated. They enjoyed their wealth in the pirate world but would find fewer ways to spend it on Pokémon Island.
However, Dak's second statement made their resolve clear. They became determined, like stubborn holdouts.
'Yes, I will be a ten-year resident of Pokémon Island.'
"Since no one wants to give up their spot, let's proceed. I'll work quickly to build the city you'll live in, so you can enjoy your new life."
Dak turned, and a rectangular, mirror-like portal appeared.
"Enter our new world, everyone."
He stepped through first.
The people eagerly followed, forming lines but holding their excitement back under Sceptile's watchful eye.
On the other side of the portal, the entrance to Pokémon Island, a long blue and white porcelain bridge awaited.
Five tables and chairs were set up at the bridge's entrance, occupied by Bon Clay, Robin, Monet, Perona, and Sugar.
That evening, Dak had reassigned them from their usual tasks to register these five thousand people and issue Pokémon Island resident IDs.
"Please line up in five queues for identity registration and to receive your ID cards. Pokémon need to be registered too. Once registered, I'll take you to the residential area where you can choose your new home," Dak announced.
Before he finished, the five thousand people scrambled to form lines. Fortunately, no stampede occurred.
Families with large Pokémon had an advantage, as others couldn't push them aside.
Dak had anticipated this.
Even in his previous world, where education was compulsory, some people still pushed and cut lines. These people needed generations of reformation.
"They're even giving us houses. I'd die for the Pokémon Alliance!"
"This is great! Free houses!"
"I wonder what they look like. They should be nice, right?"
"Look around; the Alliance Leader is rich. He wouldn't give us shabby houses."
"I hope they're beautiful. Too bad we can't buy flowers or decorations yet, even with money."
As people lined up, they chatted about Dak's promises.
Dak oversaw the registration process. Some Pokémon, finding it boring, napped in their trainers' arms.
The five core breeding shop members found the process manageable and quick.
All 1,500 families had their details collected earlier. Only trustworthy individuals with good records were allowed, so no time was wasted on that.
The main task was registering the newly hatched Pokémon.
The Alliance needed complete records of all Pokémon on the island.
For instance, if a water pipe was bitten through and no one confessed, they could check families with sharp-toothed Pokémon.
After registration, the IDs were issued, similar to those from Dak's previous world.
Example:
Front (top left: a black Poké Ball emblem)
Pokémon Island
Resident ID
Issuing Authority: Pokémon Alliance
Back (right: a photo space, currently blank)
Name: John Doe
Gender: Male
Species: Human
Birth Date: Grand Line Calendar xxxx-xx-xx
Address: Pokémon Island, Alliance City, Residential Zone, xx House
ID Number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This was the first-generation ID, temporarily given to these employees and their families.
Alliance City was the name for the city around the Pokémon Alliance HQ. There would be more cities in the future.
IDs would be updated, especially the photo and birth date sections.
In about an hour, all registrations were completed.
Dak floated up and addressed the crowd,
"From today, Pokémon Island will have its own calendar. To avoid confusion, today is the 10th of December, Year 0 of the Alliance Calendar, matching the Grand Line Calendar."
"A year will still have twelve months, 365 days, and a week will be seven days. We will also have our own holidays!"
"Our first holiday is in twenty days: New Year's Day on January 1st, Year 1 of the Alliance Calendar!"
"This holiday marks the start of a new year. The Pokémon Alliance will host events to celebrate!"
Having their own calendar meant future children born on Pokémon Island would have their birthdates recorded in the Alliance Calendar.
Many holidays from Dak's previous world and the Pokémon world could be adopted here.
(End of Chapter)