"Wise choice!" James exclaimed with a smile, nodding at Meowth.
Meowth, equally pleased after closing such a significant deal, smiled knowingly. With a wave of its paw, a special Poké Ball appeared in its hand.
"The legendary Pokémon Lugia is contained within this Poké Ball," Meowth said, stepping forward and handing the Poké Ball to Sabo.
As the Poké Ball exchanged hands, the Rocket Trio couldn't help but reflect on how far they'd come. They once risked their lives to capture ordinary Pokémon, and now, legendary creatures like Lugia were mere commodities for them to trade!
All of this was thanks to Leo, whose confidence in them had brought about this transformation!
"You've treated us with the respect of royalty, and we'll repay that in kind. There's still much to be done on the road to trading!" they silently vowed.
After receiving Lugia's Poké Ball, Sabo barely had time to inspect it before James spoke up again.
"With the power of Lugia on your side, Mr. Sabo, the Revolutionary Army need no longer fear the Navy," James said. "But…"
He paused, a hint of anticipation in the air.
"If you intend to continue your revolutionary mission, one Lugia alone won't suffice."
James smiled as he snapped his fingers. The screen that had been displaying Lugia shifted, revealing a new image.
This time, three Pokémon appeared simultaneously on the screen, each occupying a corner of the frame, their distinct colors forming a balanced triangle.
"These three are also legendary bird Pokémon," James began, pointing to a large bird wreathed in flames. "This one is called Moltres. It's said to control fire, and can heal its wounds by immersing itself in volcanic lava."
He then gestured toward the other two birds. "To the sides, we have Articuno and Zapdos. Articuno lives in snowy mountains, capable of summoning blizzards with a flap of its wings. Zapdos, on the other hand, resides in thunderclouds, its temperament as fierce as the storms it commands."
"Like Lugia, these three are exceptional members of their species. Each one possesses strength rivaling that of a Warlord of the Sea in your world."
"Furthermore, with the assistance of the three legendary birds, Lugia's weather-controlling abilities will become even more versatile!"
"Whether in solo battles or combined combat, this quartet will deliver extraordinary results!"
James waved his hand again, and three more information panels appeared in front of Sabo.
[Pokémon: Moltres]
- [Type: Fire, Flying]
- [Ability: Flame Body (Its entire body radiates intense heat, dealing significant burn damage to enemies during close combat)]
- [Level: 70]
- [Price: 20,000 points (discounted to 10,000 points)]
[Pokémon: Articuno]
- [Type: Ice, Flying]
- [Ability: Snow Cloak (Its icy body allows it to thrive in cold weather, significantly boosting its physical capabilities in extreme cold)]
- [Level: 70]
- [Price: 20,000 points (discounted to 10,000 points)]
[Pokémon: Zapdos]
- [Type: Electric, Flying]
- [Ability: Static (Charged with electricity, it can paralyze opponents through physical contact during battle)]
- [Level: 70]
- [Price: 20,000 points (discounted to 10,000 points)]
The attributes of the three legendary birds were displayed before Sabo. While the initial shock of Lugia had worn off, Sabo now found himself deep in thought.
Today's transaction clearly demonstrated just how powerful the half-price discount was. Originally, with his available resources, Sabo could only afford one world-class powerhouse. But with the discount, they could acquire two such forces at once.
The difference was monumental.
Compared to the World Government, the Revolutionary Army's resources were limited. The period before the World Government began its dealings with the Dimensional Merchants was critical for the Revolutionary Army's development. Maintaining control over the Goa Kingdom, where the discount applied, was essential.
The Goa Kingdom was a significant member of the World Government. Once the government learned of the Revolutionary Army's occupation, they would not sit idly by.
Therefore, at least until the discount expired, Lugia would need to remain stationed in the Goa Kingdom to protect it. This meant that they would need additional combat forces to liberate more countries, gather more resources, and exchange for more Pokémon, creating a virtuous cycle.
However, the Revolutionary Army's senior cadres were all engaged in crucial covert operations, making it impossible for them to assist Sabo in the East Blue. The three legendary birds could perfectly fill the gap in high-level combat power!
Like any shrewd trader, Sabo believed that James's recommendations were the best possible options for them. His thoughts quickly crystallized, and after clarifying the next steps, Sabo smiled broadly and nodded.
"You're absolutely right, Sir James! I've decided. I will purchase these three legendary birds!"
With Sabo's declaration, his points balance on Rotom's screen swiftly dwindled to 10,000 points. Meowth promptly redeemed the three legendary birds from the system, encapsulating them in their respective Poké Balls according to their elements.
"Take good care of them, meow~," Meowth said solemnly as it handed the three Poké Balls to Sabo.
For an ordinary Pokémon like itself, creatures like Lugia and the legendary birds were beings it could only dream of.
"I will," Sabo replied earnestly, securing the Poké Balls alongside Lugia's.
Then, he turned back to James, knowing that the merchant's recommendations weren't finished yet.
As expected, after Sabo placed the Poké Balls safely away, James continued.
"Now, with Lugia and the three legendary birds, you've covered more than half of the Revolutionary Army's high-end combat needs."
"For the remaining 10,000 points, I have three options for you to consider."
"The first option is to purchase battle-ready Pokémon with lower potential to bolster the Revolutionary Army's forces. These Pokémon are relatively inexpensive, and with the half-price discount, 10,000 points could buy a considerable amount."
"With these Pokémon, the Revolutionary Army's ground forces would see a significant boost!"
The screen in front of Sabo shifted again, this time showcasing a vast array of Pokémon.
Rattata, Pidgey, Sandshrew, Spearow… countless common Pokémon appeared, dazzling Sabo with the sheer variety.
For someone new to the Pokémon world, it was like opening a treasure chest, each Pokémon more intriguing than the last. But Sabo knew James had two more options to present, so he kept his focus, eager to hear them.
"Of course," James continued, "the downside to this option is that these Pokémon won't grow much stronger over time. This approach is quick and effective but short-sighted."
"Now, the second option…"
James's smile turned mysterious as he once again adjusted the screen.
This time, the common Pokémon vanished, replaced by rarer species, including royal families and Pokémon like Dratini.
"The second option is to purchase Pokémon with high potential, suited for the Revolutionary Army's cadres and elite members."
"According to research in the Pokémon world, a trainer's personality and spirit have a direct impact on a Pokémon's growth rate. The cadres and elites of the Revolutionary Army are undoubtedly top-tier individuals. If they were to train these Pokémon, they would quickly reach the pinnacle of power."
"When that time comes, these Pokémon will undoubtedly rival the Three Legendary Birds, or even Lugia!"
James's voice carried a note of admiration, as it was clear he favored this method of exchange. His confident smile conveyed his belief in the strength of excellent trainers.
"However," James added after a moment, "this method won't yield immediate results. Your 10,000 points might not make a significant impact in the short term, which could be a drawback for the Revolutionary Army's next moves."
"Each of these first two options has its own pros and cons."
James then raised his voice slightly, a smile returning to his face. "Which is why I recommend the third option."
"That is to combine the previous two plans—spend 5,000 points on one or two high-potential, powerful Pokémon, and use the other 5,000 points to purchase a large number of battle-ready Pokémon."
"This way, you strengthen your core while saving time for those destined to become exceptional trainers."
"What do you think, Mr. Sabo?"
"..."
Sabo was silent for a moment, his mind racing as he weighed the three options.
Each of these choices would be an excellent boost for the Revolutionary Army in its current state.
The first option would strengthen the Revolutionary Army's rank-and-file, reducing the casualty rate among soldiers. However, if the battle escalated or they faced a formidable opponent, both the soldiers and their Pokémon would remain vulnerable, unable to hold their ground.
The second option was more like an investment. With careful nurturing, the selected Pokémon could rapidly develop into powerful combatants. Nami and her Pikachu were a prime example. In just over two months, Pikachu had grown to a level of strength second only to his own. While much of that power came from the Light Ball, it still demonstrated the effectiveness of this strategy. Matching the right Pokémon with the right trainer was undoubtedly the future of warfare in the pirate world.
However, to make this approach work, Sabo and his team needed to ensure that these highly talented Pokémon were placed with the right individuals as quickly as possible. This could disrupt the Revolutionary Army's existing plans, potentially harming their broader strategy.
So...
After a flurry of thoughts, Sabo looked up, smiled, and said, "I'll go with the third option!"
"I'll use 5,000 points to acquire a Pokémon that's suitable for me and Koala to train," he continued, "and I'll use the remaining 5,000 points to equip the Revolutionary Army soldiers with fighting partners."
"Excellent!"
James smiled approvingly, then waved his hand, saying, "In that case, let's have Mr. Sabo choose the trainers who will be raising these Pokémon!"
"No problem!"
Sabo pulled out a den-den mushi from his coat and called Koala, who was next door caring for Nami and Bell-mère.
In no time, Koala joined Sabo, her steps light and quick.
"What's up, Sabo?" she asked.
Sabo gently pulled her closer to James and smiled. "We're going to have these three dimensional merchants help us find the right Pokémon for us."
"Huh?"
Koala was momentarily taken aback, but before she could say anything, James began to speak. Smiling, he adjusted the virtual screen and said, "Indeed, there are two Pokémon that would suit you perfectly!"
As he spoke, James displayed the information for two Pokémon on the screen.
[Pokémon: Axew]
[Type: Dragon]
[Ability: Mold Breaker (can ignore the effects of opponents' abilities during battle)]
[Level: 40]
[Sale Price: 5,000 points (crossed out) – 2,500 points]
...
[Pokémon: Goomy]
[Type: Dragon]
[Ability: Sap Sipper (boosts Attack when hit by a Grass-type move)]
[Level: 40]
[Sale Price: 5,000 points (crossed out) – 2,500 points]
...
"Axew? Goomy?" Sabo and Koala were both intrigued as they examined the information on the screen, then looked to James, silently asking where these Pokémon had come from.
Facing such esteemed customers, James, who had been serving them with dedication, was more than happy to explain.
Pointing to Axew, he said, "Axew is a Dragon-type Pokémon that will eventually evolve into a Haxorus..."
"The Dragon-type power it possesses far exceeds that of most ordinary Pokémon."
"Haxorus boasts powerful jaws capable of slicing through iron, as well as a tough, armor-like hide that covers its entire body. It's an ideal Pokémon for close combat!"
"I believe it would perfectly complement Mr. Sabo's fighting style, wouldn't you agree?"
James's keen eyes seemed to pierce through Sabo, reading his every thought.
In that moment, Sabo felt like James had seen right through him.
"The power of a dragon..." Sabo murmured, his eyes gleaming with admiration.
Given Sabo's array of techniques, it was clear he had a deep affinity for dragons. If Ace's attribute was fire and Luffy's was elasticity, then Sabo's was...Dragon!
It was a strength that ran through his very core—majestic, powerful, and protective, like the dragon itself.
His mind was made up. Even before James could introduce the second Pokémon, Sabo declared with unwavering resolve, "I'll take this dragon!"
(End of this chapter)