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Dak didn't know exactly when the Gyms 'culture' would officially start.
Judging by Tom's construction speed, it would certainly be after the Pokémon Academy opened.
But Dak wasn't in a hurry.
Because he hadn't found all the Gym Leaders yet, and those selected still needed to strengthen their abilities.
After choosing Fukaboshi to be the Water 7 Gym Leader, Dak took him to Alliance City, where members of the Breeding House would take turns training Fukaboshi and his Pokémon.
With seven Gym Leaders left to find, Dak already had a good idea of who he wanted; he just needed to go invite them.
He had to do this because their distinctive personalities made them ideal for Gym Leader roles.
After finishing with Fukaboshi, Dak immediately rushed to the next location.
...
Alabasta.
Dak's target was the former Warlord, Crocodile.
This unfortunate character had his ambitions in Alabasta disrupted by Dak.
Why?
Crocodile was supposed to maintain his "hero" status in Alabasta for a long time.
His hero status was well-deserved. Over the past two years, he helped Alabasta fend off numerous pirates, earning the people's respect.
But Crocodile's true aim was to build casinos and gain the support and trust of the people, then use "Dance Powder" to create internal strife and take over Alabasta and Pluton.
Unfortunately, his plan was foiled by the appearance of Pokémon.
It was well known that Pokémon had weather-changing moves like "Sunny Day" and "Rain Dance."
Crocodile's plan was crushed by the Pokémon Alliance.
However, Crocodile did gain a good reputation and substantial casino assets.
Just yesterday, King Cobra of Alabasta invited Crocodile for tea at the palace, only to be rejected with a sour face.
At this moment, Crocodile was sitting in the basement of his casino, quietly sipping tea.
He had nothing else to do.
"You're living quite comfortably, but isn't it too boring?"
"... What brings the Pokémon Alliance Leader to me?"
Crocodile was startled by the voice, turning to see Dak. Cold sweat formed on his forehead, but he maintained a calm demeanor.
Crocodile couldn't help but feel anxious.
The man before him had crushed the World Government and the Beasts Pirates. Crocodile knew he couldn't match those powers.
Dak had once said something that kept all pirates up at night.
And Crocodile was once a pirate.
Although he was a solo pirate with a bounty, like Mihawk, it still mattered.
"The 'Shichibukai' system is gone. Don't you want to find another path?"
"I won't submit to anyone."
Crocodile's eyes narrowed, his face darkening.
He had fought Newgate and Barrett and faced Akainu in the Summit War. He wouldn't become someone's subordinate.
He aimed to become the Pirate King!
"Is that so."
Fifteen minutes later.
Walking alone in the endless desert, Dak sighed.
His psychic powers were almost invincible, rendering the enemy powerless. He couldn't kill directly with psychic power due to the abnormal nature of Logia fruits.
Crocodile wasn't killed.
Dak planned to take him to Pokémon Island and have Vegapunk create a "Seraphim" based on Crocodile's genes.
Dak had initially thought Crocodile would be a good Gym Leader candidate due to his strong 'Rock' and 'Ground' characteristics.
But after the rejection, Dak reconsidered.
Bad guys like Crocodile and Moriah had distinctive traits but weren't suitable as Gym Leaders.
They had done too many evil deeds, contradicting Dak's principles.
Capturing them for Vegapunk's genetic research and Seraphim creation was the best use of their value.
"No choice. The Alabasta Gym will be led by Sentomaru."
Dak shook his head, unable to find a better candidate in Alabasta.
Cobra was a king, and Vivi was still a child.
So, he had to find someone from Pokémon Island. Sentomaru was a good choice.
Sentomaru had been employed by Vegapunk since childhood, and their relationship was almost like father and son, with Sentomaru being like an adopted son.
Vegapunk had taken Sentomaru out of a life of hunger and cold, so he remained loyal and joined the Pokémon Alliance.
Previously a squad leader in the inspection unit, Sentomaru would now be a Gym Leader.
The Ground-type Gym Leader.
That would be Sentomaru's role in the Alabasta Gym.
Sentomaru's Pokémon partners were Hippopotas and Sandile.
Both Pokémon lived in sandy environments, perfect for Alabasta.
Next stop...
...
Sabaody Archipelago.
Tom was building the Gym here.
Originally, Dak had considered asking Rayleigh or Shakky to be the Gym Leader, but after dealing with Crocodile, he abandoned the idea.
"Let Kizaru do it!"
Dak nodded.
This suggestion came from Sentomaru, who seemed to want to drag Kizaru into this. Dak thought it was a good idea.
Since Tesoro was busy collecting taxes from various countries and preparing to buy the Marines, Dak saw the Marines as subordinates of the Pokémon Alliance.
Kizaru hadn't shown a clear affinity with any particular type of Pokémon, nor had he bought a Pokémon egg.
So Dak hadn't decided on the Sabaody Gym's type yet.
...
"What a beautiful afternoon."
Kizaru was currently fishing on some island in the New World.
He had no idea he was being roped into extra work.
Next stop...
...
Marineford.
"What? You want to build a Gym in Marineford?"
Sengoku looked at Dak across the desk.
"Yes, any problems?"
"... Doesn't seem like it."
Sengoku instinctively wanted to object but couldn't find a reason.
He was used to opposing the World Government and found it hard to adjust.
"I see the Marines are well-staffed. How about Garp as the Fighting-type Gym Leader?"
"Garp? With his lazy nature..."
Sengoku wasn't optimistic about Dak's idea.
He knew Garp well. Entrusting him with a Gym was like giving up on it.
"I'll give him some Pokémon eggs. These Pokémon will be like his grandchildren. Can he resist having more grandchildren?"
"He can't. I'll contact him immediately."
Sengoku shook his head decisively.
Garp had recently developed a strange hobby, collecting grandchildren like Newgate.
He had even burst into Sengoku's office the other day, loudly demanding Sengoku be his grandson, nearly getting himself beaten.
Sengoku quickly settled the matter with Garp. Hearing Dak would provide more "grandchildren," Garp eagerly accepted the job.
Marineford Gym, Fighting-type Leader Garp, confirmed!
Now four Gym Leaders were found, four more to go.
Dak had three more candidates in mind.
One was Magellan, the perfect candidate for the Poison-type Gym Leader.
As a Marine, Magellan couldn't refuse the job.
As for Impel Down?
Dak planned to close it, execute all prisoners, and house new ones in Pokémon Island's prison.
He guaranteed no one could escape from Pokémon Island's prison. Once in, they'd never get out.
...
Dak planned to convince Dragon to become a Gym Leader.
With the World Government gone and countries improving, the Revolutionary Army would have less to do. Dragon might get bored.
Dak would give Dragon some work for his own good.
Dragon would be the Dragon-type Gym Leader.
Perfect.
Another one, the Fairy-type Gym Leader.
Also from the Revolutionary Army, Emporio Ivankov.
Quite fitting, right?
There was still one more Gym Leader to find.
Dak had initially considered Moriah for the Ghost-type, Boa Hancock for the Fairy-type, and Crocodile for the Ground/Rock-type.
But now he had abandoned those choices.
Gym Leaders didn't have to be saints, but they couldn't have a dark past. They had to set a positive example.
"Who should be the last candidate?"
Dak lay on the ground, looking up at the sky, murmuring.
"...Sky?"
(End of Chapter)