February 16th, Alliance Calendar, 8:00 AM
The first match of the tournament started on time at the four different arenas.
All arenas were packed to capacity, with many people standing and watching as well. The entire venue of the battle tournament was bustling with excitement.
Here, one could see Skypieans, Fishmen, Mermaids, Longarm Tribe members, Giants, and Three-Eyed Tribe members...
After the Navy eradicated the Totto Land region where the Charlotte Family resided, many of the humanoid races thought they would have to survive in hiding in this world.
However, when the Alliance took the stage, it immediately decreed equality for all races, and those who discriminated were deemed criminals and punished based on the severity of the act.
Totto Land did not disappear; instead, the whole world became like Totto Land.
In Groups A, B, C, and D, Group B opened with a spectacular match.
"Next, let's welcome both trainers to the arena!"
The Alliance referee, Scarlett, stood in the arena in a white gown, holding a microphone and exuding professionalism.
This Scarlett was none other than the princess of Dressrosa, the wife of the great swordsman Kyros, and Rebecca's mother.
Since the Donquixote Family was taken down by the Pokémon Alliance early on, the chaos in Dressrosa was resolved within just a month.
Because they were aided by the Alliance, King Riku III was one of the first to openly support the Pokémon Alliance.
In fact, the decision for Scarlett to become a referee wasn't hers, but rather one that King Riku III almost forcefully made, asking the princess to come to the Alliance and learn.
For kings, sacrificing their sons or daughters wasn't an excessive action.
Moreover, King Riku III believed that Scarlett entering the Alliance would benefit both Dressrosa and Rebecca greatly.
After all, children of outstanding Alliance employees could receive starter Pokémon from the Alliance, and could live in a place like Alliance City.
With so many benefits, how could they not go?
Fortunately, Scarlett wasn't young, nor was she rebellious, so she quickly accepted the decision.
She felt her father's reasoning was correct; even if not for the country, it was for Rebecca.
If she did well, Rebecca might have the chance to enter the Pokémon Academy in the future.
"On my left, we have Marco the 'Phoenix' from the Whitebeard Pirates!"
As Scarlett introduced, Marco emerged lazily from the tunnel to her left.
"Wow~ This is way more exciting than I imagined."
Standing in the arena, looking at the densely packed audience.
Seeing his family members in the stands cheering for him.
'This feeling of being in the spotlight is amazing.'
Marco couldn't help but be excited. Even though he was in his thirties now, he was as thrilled as a young man.
The current Marco hadn't experienced the Paramount War nor the later revenge battle against the Blackbeard Pirates, so he wasn't as mature as his counterpart two years after in the original story. Instead, he still had some of the arrogance he had two years prior.
"And on my right, from Elbaf, we have the Giant—Jaguar D. Saul!"
With Scarlett's announcement, heavy footsteps resounded.
In the stands and the monitoring room backstage at the Alliance, Kuzan, Robin, and Olvia all stood up simultaneously, their eyes widening as they looked at the gradually appearing giant figure in the arena.
"Hey, hey! You never told me you had this planned!"
Kuzan already had cold sweat running down his forehead.
He never imagined that after ten years, their reunion would take place in another world.
"Is it Vegapunk?"
Robin had heard from Dak before that Saul had always been under Vegapunk's care.
In a research institute in the suburbs of Alliance City.
"Enjoy this new era to the fullest."
Vegapunk murmured with a smile, staring at the screen in front of him, "And then come and help me protect this era."
The true face of the giant figure in the arena was finally revealed.
Jaguar D. Saul.
The same former Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters who was "frozen to death" by Kuzan in Ohara.
"Vice Admiral Saul is actually still alive?!"
"I heard Vice Admiral Saul once betrayed the Navy."
"Idiot! If Vice Admiral Saul really did that, do you think he'd be standing in this arena now?!"
"It's so great to see you again, Vice Admiral!"
"Go, Vice Admiral Saul! Defeat the pirates!"
Those excited to see Saul were not just those few people, but countless marines as well.
"Saul, huh... Hmph, he's gotten thinner. Seems like he's had a tough time these past ten years."
In the crowd, Garp crossed his arms, grinning lightly.
Being able to see Saul again was undoubtedly a good thing for him.
Back then, the two Vice Admirals closest to him were Saul and Kuzan, almost like his deputies. He appreciated their adherence to their own sense of justice.
In the arena.
"So many people... so many familiar faces."
Saul looked around, sighing with a bit of emotion.
Although he was disappointed with the Navy of the past, the Navy, under new leadership, could truly be called a "righteous force."
However, Saul no longer had plans to rejoin the Navy.
He wanted to become one of the Pokémon Alliance's Elite Four, gain influence and power, and better protect this hard-earned era of peace.
"Trainers, please send out your Pokémon!"
After quickly summarizing the rules, Scarlett gestured with her hand.
"Let's make this quick—Breloom, Vigoroth!"
Marco didn't hesitate and immediately tapped the two Poké Balls on his belt.
"I'm counting on you, Snorlax and Kangaskhan."
Four Pokémon appeared in the arena simultaneously.
Marco's two Pokémon, just like him, appeared small compared to Saul and his two Pokémon—like "skinny dogs" against giants.
"Isn't the weight difference way too much here?"
"Could this be a one-sided battle?"
"Looks like Marco's in for a tough time."
"Those two big guys don't look very fast."
The audience murmured among themselves, each offering their own opinions.
Even the shinobi from Konoha couldn't help but join in.
They leaned more towards Marco having the higher chances of winning.
In the ninja world, those who were more agile and nimble often took the advantage and could finish an enemy in one blow. Body size didn't mean much.
But this conclusion was due to their limited understanding of Pokémon.
In battles between shinobi, fights could end instantly if they were of equal strength.
But in Pokémon battles, when both sides were evenly matched, it was rare for a battle to end in one move.
Especially with the bond between certain trainers and Pokémon, which could sometimes lead to explosive bursts, making the outcome even more unpredictable.
"Let them know that just being bulky isn't enough on this battlefield!"
"Use Mach Punch and Fury Swipes!"
Marco wasn't one to know the meaning of "fear."
Back then, he dared to kick Rayleigh; today, he dared to face his opponent head-on.
Breloom and Vigoroth inherited the Whitebeard Pirates' recklessness, charging forward quickly like stubborn kids.
Their advantage was speed, covering 30 to 40 meters within just a few seconds.
"A direct battle works in our favor. No need to evade—use Heavy Slam and Headbutt!"
Saul's voice thundered.
His commands didn't need any amplification—everyone in the audience could hear him.
Saul wasn't someone who acted rashly. When challenging gyms, he often employed different tactics.
Observing numerous books over the past ten years had made him calm and composed.
Engaging directly wasn't a reckless act; it was an opportunity.
In his view, Snorlax and Kangaskhan had no reason to forfeit such a chance to clash head-on. The opponent's failure to use their agility to carry out a hit-and-run strategy was advantageous to them.
On the other hand, attempting to dodge would be foolish. Snorlax and Kangaskhan wouldn't be able to evade the attacks of Breloom and Vigoroth, and would probably end up injured in vain.
Naturally, Snorlax and Kangaskhan, being the big ones, wouldn't shy away from the two smaller opponents.
"Too reckless."
"Indeed, brave but not smart."
"I noticed it back at the Pokémon Club—people in this world seem to prefer head-on battles."
"Yeah, many moves can be combined to create excellent tactics, but they don't use them."
"It's not that they don't; I've seen some trainers use them. It's more like they're too lazy. They seem to enjoy the thrill of head-to-head battles, both the trainers and their Pokémon."
To the shinobi from Konoha, this Pokémon battle seemed way too crude.
There was no intelligence behind it.
Simply put, they felt that this battle wasn't "dirty" enough.
"If it were me, I'd probably have Breloom use Stun Spore or Poison Powder to slow down and wear down the opponent's stamina, while Vigoroth focuses and gathers power to deliver a critical hit."
Asuma stood there, putting himself in Marco's shoes. He believed that if he were in Marco's position, his chances of winning would be greater.
The battle in the arena continued.
The head-on clash between the four Pokémon was extremely thrilling in the eyes of the maritime audience, and many spectators couldn't help but hold their breath and stand up.
Boom! x2
The heavy collision sounds resonated through the speakers, drawing cheers from the audience.
But the scene was somewhat brutal.
In terms of strength and power, it was hard for Breloom and Vigoroth to match Snorlax and Kangaskhan.
As a result, Breloom and Vigoroth were sent flying, rolling across the ground several times before standing back up.
"Breloom!"
"Vigoroth!"
With a quick flip, both Pokémon jumped back to their feet, looking full of energy.
"Great, just like that!"
Marco nodded, giving his two partners a thumbs-up.
However, after that clash, he calmed down a bit. He knew he couldn't keep going like this; he needed to incorporate more running tactics.
"The battle has just begun!!!"
(End of Chapter)
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