"Prizes!?"
As Jessie finished speaking, the players in the ring and the audience below widened their eyes in shock. Since Leo had never disclosed the exact rewards, few had paid them much mind.
But now, hearing Jessie emphasize the rewards once more, everyone's attention was instantly piqued.
"Prizes…" Zoro murmured, his gaze darting among the competitors around him before landing on the eager, expectant faces in the audience.
If his initial goal for entering the Pokémon League Tournament was solely to revive Kuina, his current motivations were perhaps… more complex. Or, at the very least, they had evolved.
If he could...
He wanted to climb higher and go further! Zoro longed to stand atop the world, and then tell the revived Kuina, "I've done what I promised back then!"
Clang!
A rhythmic hum resonated from behind Zoro. Doublade in his sword box, sensing his ambition, trembled in sync with his desires. Zoro smiled faintly and glanced at Garp and Ace.
[TL/n: My bad. It should be named Doublade when Zoro has 2 pokemon swords. It's the evolution of Honedge(One Sword).]
Though he knew his thoughts might seem naive, even whimsical, he realized that if he couldn't even dream it, he had no right to aspire to be the world's greatest swordsman!
"Now, contestants aiming to become champions, please select your Champion's throne!"
After introducing the rules, Jessie stepped back, smiling as she gave the stage to the eight competitors.
Just as her voice faded, a dark green boot stepped forward.
Step... step…
Under the eyes of everyone, Zoro moved forward, walking directly to the first Champion's throne. He grinned slightly, murmuring to himself:
"Then, let this competition decide if I am worthy of climbing to the summit!"
Step!
With those words, Zoro leapt onto the elevated platform, settling into the eye-catching throne without a second thought.
Whoosh—
Zoro's bold move caused an uproar among the audience both at the scene and around the world. Many had expected Garp or Ace—widely recognized as the favorites—to be the first to claim the thrones. They never thought Zoro, who had always been quietly ambitious, would take the initiative.
Though Zoro was known for his strength and had earned his place among the world's top swordsmen, he was still seen as a "junior" on this stage.
In that moment, supporters and doubters alike fell silent.
——
Shimotsuki Village, Shimotsuki Dojo
After Zoro's impressive performance in the preliminaries, a local media company in East Blue had set up large-scale broadcast equipment at the dojo to keep up with the tournament.
Now, as they watched Zoro step forward without hesitation, Zoro's master, Shimotsuki Koushiro, smiled with pride.
Only days ago, Koushiro had learned that his missing apprentice had not only become a renowned trainer but had risen to the pinnacle of global competition.
When Koushiro first learned how drastically Zoro's path had diverged from his expectations, he was shocked and bewildered, even questioning whether the person with the moss-green hair was truly his student.
In his memories, Zoro wasn't someone who would abandon swordsmanship to pursue other powers.
However, once Koushiro discovered that the tournament's rewards included the power to resurrect the dead, everything clicked into place. As Zoro's master, he immediately understood Zoro's intentions.
He respected his apprentice even more.
Squinting behind his glasses, Koushiro gazed at the figure on the throne displayed on the screen and murmured:
"Just keep moving forward, Zoro."
"In this moment, you're already standing at the top of the world!"
——
"Interesting!"
Watching Zoro coolly yet nervously sitting on the throne, Garp chuckled nostalgically. He began to stride toward the second platform, lightly leaping to land before the throne.
"Well, then, take the second seat!" Garp laughed, settling back into his throne with his arms folded and legs crossed, waiting.
"Tch, you let Zoro steal the first spot. What a blunder!" Ace muttered in annoyance, adjusting his sun hat before casually strolling to the third throne. He took his seat with a bright smile.
With that, only Sanji, Usopp, Robin, Nami, and Joffrey remained.
"This…" Usopp blinked at the empty fourth throne but showed no intention of approaching. Instead, he glanced toward Sanji, whose strength made him the clear next in line.
Just as Usopp predicted, a pair of polished black leather shoes stepped forward.
Crack!
After awakening his bloodline powers, Sanji lit his cigarette with his own flame, then confidently strode forward. However, instead of approaching the fourth throne, he walked directly to Zoro, extending his hand and calling out:
"Miss Jessie, I challenge the current Champion—Roronoa Zoro!"
"What!?"
The audience erupted in shock, baffled by Sanji's choice to challenge a powerful opponent when a throne was still available. Even Jessie, caught off guard, momentarily froze. But after a quick reminder from Meowth in her ear, she regained her composure and announced:
"Contestant Sanji has chosen to challenge Champion Zoro! The Champion and Challenger will have a five-minute rest before the first battle of the Four Powers Tournament begins!"
"Other contestants, please exit the arena in an orderly fashion."
"Oh, and one more thing!" Jessie added, noticing the fourth throne remained vacant. "There's still an unclaimed Champion's throne. Any of the remaining four contestants interested in taking it?"
Jessie scanned the group. Nami, Robin, and Usopp exchanged glances but showed no intention of stepping forward, each with their reasons. Hesitantly, the trio turned their eyes to Joffrey.
"Uh… why are you all looking at me?"
Joffrey, who had no intention of advancing further and was content to watch from the sidelines, noticed the sudden stares from everyone. His expression froze for a moment, and he asked, puzzled:
"Do you all want me to be the Champion!?"
"Yes!" Usopp, Nami, and Robin nodded in unison.
"…"
Seeing the sincerity in their eyes, Joffrey hesitated, his gaze slowly shifting towards the grandiose platform. To be honest, he was tempted by the position. But he knew very well that it wasn't his to take. Even Usopp, who appeared to be the weakest among them, could easily defeat him.
But then it struck Joffrey—this might be his one and only chance to sit in that coveted seat!
With renewed determination, Joffrey stepped forward towards the fourth throne. Unlike the other three, who had leapt confidently onto the platform, he had to climb the narrow stairs around the pillars step by step. As he finally sat on the fourth throne, Jessie promptly guided the other contestants to their designated seats.
——
Five minutes later…
Under the intense gaze of everyone, Zoro and Sanji stood face-to-face in the ring.
"I never thought you'd be the first to challenge me," Zoro said with a light smile. "I expected it to be Robin or Nami."
Sanji lit another cigarette with his flaming fingers, taking a slow drag before replying, "I didn't expect you'd have the guts to take that throne before Garp-san and Ace."
"Those two are on a different level than us."
"Haha." Zoro chuckled, his grin widening. "But we can't always be chasing after them, right?"
Sanji paused under the scorching sun, a gentle breeze ruffling his golden hair. After processing Zoro's words, he laughed softly. "I've got to admit, you're braver than I am in this regard."
"No, no…" Zoro shook his head, showing his clean white teeth. "You'll find out over time—there are a lot of ways you can't keep up with me!"
"You bastard! I really can't stand you!" Sanji snapped, pulling out his Poké Ball.
"Says the one who's always picking fights!" Zoro shot back, retrieving his own Poké Ball.
To face Sanji, Zoro had chosen Scyther. Sanji's Blaziken, with its Fire and Fighting attributes, had a natural advantage over most of Zoro's Pokémon. Against a swift opponent like Sanji, Zoro's sword-based abilities wouldn't be as effective, so he opted for Scyther, who hadn't yet made an appearance in the tournament.
"Come on, Blaziken!" Sanji called, releasing his Pokémon. "Show this moss head what we're made of!"
In a flash of red light, Blaziken's powerful form appeared in the ring.
"Scyther, it's your turn! Enjoy this rare challenge!" Zoro threw his Poké Ball, and in an instant, the muscular Scyther materialized, wielding its twin blade-like arms.
Both Pokémon radiated a fierce aura: Blaziken's body shimmered with a fiery blaze that spread outward, while Scyther's eyes gleamed sharply, its arm blades quivering as if eager to strike.
"It's starting! It's starting!" The audience at the stadium and those watching on screens worldwide were captivated, their eyes fixed on the showdown.
"Blaziken! Scyther! Bond Evolution!" Without hesitation, Zoro and Sanji activated their Bond Evolutions, ready to unleash their full potential.
Boom! Sanji erupted in flames, his aura burning fiercely around him. Blaziken transformed, evolving into a more powerful black-and-red form wreathed in intense flames.
In contrast, Zoro's Bond Evolution brought minimal changes in appearance. Due to genetic mutations, Scyther's usual Bug and Flying traits had vanished, replaced entirely by raw physical power. Mist billowed from Zoro's body as his strength surged two levels, placing him on par with Sanji's bloodline-empowered state.
Scyther's most noticeable change was the extended, angled wings at its waist, resembling unsheathed blades. Mimicking Zoro, Scyther's wings were oddly positioned to the left, resembling a sword ready to strike.
With his Wado Ichimonji held in his mouth and two spare swords in hand, Zoro remarked to himself, "These regular swords are nowhere near as effective as my Doublade..."
Both combatants locked eyes, brimming with anticipation.
In the next instant, four figures vanished from view, moving faster than the eye could follow!
Boom!
Blazing red and forest-green flashes clashed violently, each impact accompanied by a thunderous shockwave that roared like a storm.
"Not bad!" Zoro's muscles tensed, his eyes filled with battle intent as he locked onto Sanji, who was blocking his strike with a powerful kick.
"Right back at you!" Sanji retorted, though internally, he was reeling. Even with his bloodline power at its peak, he found himself struggling against Zoro's sheer force. For the first time, he truly felt the overwhelming power that Zoro could unleash.
Meanwhile, Scyther and Blaziken were locked in a fierce stalemate. Scyther's superior strength slowly gave it the upper hand, and with a sudden twist, it struck Blaziken's midsection, forcing it back.
"Shaa!" Scyther, exhilarated by its success, clinked its blade-like arms together in a taunt, eager for more.