"That's... Sanji!!?"
Reiju gasped in shock. Even after all these years, she instantly recognized her brother by his distinctive curly eyebrows and the fierce, flame-wreathed fighting style.
"But... why is he on the screen...?" Reiju murmured, asking a question she already knew the answer to.
She suddenly recalled the time when she had helped Sanji escape from their father's cruel punishment by breaking him out of his cell. With this memory, she glanced nervously at her father, Judge, only to be surprised by what she saw. Her father, usually so stoic, was watching the big screen with intense focus.
"..."
Reiju fell silent, turning her attention back to the screen.
The battle between Sanji and Zoro had reached its peak! Both men were battered and bloodied.
Zoro's entire body was flushed red as if he had been cooked. Sanji, on the other hand, was covered in sword cuts, though his flames had cauterized the wounds. Despite this, the severity of his injuries made onlookers shudder.
It was hard to believe that they could still fight with such intensity in this state.
While Sanji and Zoro were badly injured, their Pokémon were faring slightly better, though only just. Scyther, having mastered the sword techniques of the pirate world, fought with greater flexibility compared to Blaziken, who relied more on traditional Pokémon moves.
On the screen, the long, grueling battle seemed to be approaching its conclusion.
The flames that had engulfed the sky were suddenly sliced apart by a brilliant sword slash, and a figure, like a red ghost, burst out of the inferno!
"Three-Sword Style— Flaming Piercing Might!!!" Zoro muttered as he approached Sanji.
With scarlet eyes, a gleaming sword, and an aura that seemed god-like, Zoro struck fear into the hearts of everyone watching...
Everyone, that is, except for Sanji, who had transformed into a blazing demon.
"Ahhhhh!!!"
Even though his mind was no longer clear, Sanji still chose to confront the deadly attack head-on. Flames erupted from his body once again, forming a protective armor.
The searing heat burned Sanji, but the pain only drove him to greater madness! He leaped forward, aiming his flame-clad leg directly at Zoro's blade.
Suddenly, the world seemed to freeze, with all sound vanishing.
Then...
Boom!!!
A violent shockwave swept across the battlefield, shaking the entire Celestial Island.
But in that moment...
Crack... Crack!!!
A sharp sound, hidden within the roar of the impact, caught everyone's attention.
Thanks to the diligent filming by the camera Rotom, Reiju quickly realized that the sound was coming from Zoro's swords!
In Zoro's hands, two long swords, which were among the finest in the world, had suddenly developed clear cracks.
Even with Zoro's powerful Haki reinforcing them, the swords were shattering.
Just as Reiju thought Sanji was about to claim victory, the unexpected happened!
Boom!!!
Under Zoro's relentless slashing, Sanji's flames suddenly vanished, leaving his vulnerable body exposed.
"Heh..."
Zoro, his eyes ablaze, chuckled softly. He instantly dispelled the temporary fire-slaying technique he had just mastered, letting his Wado Ichimonji drop from his mouth.
Zoro discarded the two broken swords and caught the Wado Ichimonji with both hands.
"One-Sword Style: Shishi Sonson(Lion's Strike!)"
Swish!!!
Without hesitation, Zoro unleashed a terrifying slash with his Wado Ichimonji. The attack was so powerful that it seemed to freeze time for a moment.
The blow sliced through Sanji, creating a massive wound that stretched from his left shoulder to his waist.
At that moment, even the blood seemed too frightened to spill, as if it were trying to retreat back into his body.
Clang!
Both fighters landed.
Sanji, gravely injured, collapsed to the ground, and Zoro's pristine white sword hovered just above his throat.
"If you don't want to die, surrender," Zoro whispered.
"..."
Despite his severe injuries, Sanji's wound was healing rapidly thanks to the power of his modified bloodline. Overwhelmed by the aggressive blood factor, Sanji was about to rise and continue fighting Zoro, heedless of the danger!
But suddenly, a voice reached his ears.
"Blaze... (We surrender...)"
Blaziken, who had been battling Scyther, ceased its struggle and reverted to its normal form, raising one hand in surrender.
"..."
"Blaziken..."
As if awakened by Blaziken's words, Sanji's consciousness began to clear.
He glanced at the Wado Ichimonji hovering inches from his throat and touched the massive wound on his chest...
"Sigh..."
Sanji let out a long sigh.
"I didn't think I'd lose to you like this."
With that, Sanji's body went limp, and he passed out.
Ding! Ding! Ding!!!
The rapid ringing of the match-ending bell blared from the speakers, announcing the conclusion of the battle.
The citizens of Alya watching on the square immediately began discussing the intense battle they had just witnessed.
Meanwhile, outside the square, Judge, who had been searching for Emla's parents, stood frozen with a dark expression on his face, lost in thought.
The group accompanying him also fell silent, not daring to interrupt his contemplation.
Yet, no one there knew...
Judge wasn't actually thinking. He was utterly shocked by Sanji's performance!
As Sanji's creator, Judge knew every cell and gene in Sanji's body. That's why he had recognized Sanji the moment he saw him on the big screen and was left in stunned silence.
However...
As Judge watched Sanji fight, he grew increasingly bewildered!
He remembered using the ancient bloodline to enhance Sanji when he created him...
But he didn't recall ever giving Sanji such overwhelming power!
In just ten minutes of fighting, Judge was astonished to realize that Sanji's current strength far surpassed his expectations!
Based on what he had just witnessed, none of the Vinsmoke family's war machines could match him!
Even more terrifying was the fact that...
Despite possessing such incredible strength, Sanji had still been defeated by this green-haired swordsman.
"Pokémon..."
Vinsmoke Judge, who had always been obsessed with bloodline factor research, found himself intrigued by this mysterious power from another world for the first time.
And...
As he watched Sanji being carried off on a stretcher by a Chansey to the treatment room, Judge's fingers twitched slightly as he slowly reached for a hidden pouch at his waist.
"Reiju," Judge suddenly called out.
"What's the matter, Father?"
Reiju, who was still reeling from Sanji's display of strength, was startled but quickly responded.
Judge hesitated for a moment, then reached into a package and handed Reiju a Canister with the number [3] printed on it.
"Take this to the East Blue and give it to that boy," Judge instructed.
"The power of our Vinsmoke family has been invoked, so don't bring shame to the family outside!"
Judge's voice was filled with anger, as if he was saying more than just those words. It seemed that Sanji's loss had left him dissatisfied.
But before Reiju could respond, Judge hesitated again, then added:
"..."
"Regarding the bloodline factor with freezing powers, I need to review some more data and make the necessary preparations."
"After you meet that boy, you can stay in the East Blue for a while. Do whatever you like afterward."
Judge explained in a muffled voice.
No one could guess what was on his mind. Even though he knew Sanji was considered a failure, he still chose to create this battle suit that matched Sanji's bloodline.
Perhaps even Judge himself wasn't fully aware...
In his otherwise ruthless heart, there remained a quiet harbor for the "burden" called family love.
"Father, this is..."
Upon receiving the black Canister, Reiju instantly realized what it was.
A raid suit, unique to the Vinsmoke family!
It was a powerful weapon, specially developed by her father, who had poured all the scientific prowess of the Vinsmoke family into tailoring it for the distinct bloodlines of her brothers!
This Canister represented everything about the Vinsmoke family.
Her father had truly gone this far...
Thinking this, Reiju smiled elegantly and looked up at Judge.
But she noticed that Judge was already walking far ahead along the street.
As he walked away, he left a message for her:
"I'll take care of Emla's parents myself! You just get on the snail ship and head to the East Blue as soon as possible!"
With that, Judge quickened his pace, heading towards the civilian residential area as though he was trying to escape something.
…
Shortly after.
A small snail ship detached from the fleet slowly made its way towards the Red Line.
It's a pity...
Considering the distance from the North Blue to the East Blue, even if Reiju's journey went smoothly, by the time she found Sanji, the Pokémon League Conference would already be over.
…
Meanwhile, on Celestial Island...
After Zoro and Sanji's battle concluded, the crowd erupted into loud cheers.
All eyes turned to Garp, Ace, and Joffrey, who still sat firmly on their thrones.
At that moment, Joffrey felt incredibly uneasy, as if sitting on pins and needles, his back prickling with anxiety.
Why had he declared himself the fourth champion in a moment of rashness!?
And!
Damn, what kind of monsters were these!?
Nidoking's level was higher than both Scyther and Blaziken, yet the gap in performance after their bond evolution was staggering!
Could his bond evolution be a fake!?
However...
Joffrey knew that the dimensional merchant would never sell them fake abilities.
The only explanation was that he, as a trainer, was vastly different from the others!
"If Sanji-san challenges me later, should I just concede?"
"Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"
"But..."
"It would be even more embarrassing to be knocked out in an instant..."
Joffrey, sitting on his throne, rested his chin on his hands, deep in thought.
…
In the ring, the skilled little Eevee quickly tidied up the area.
Then, the Rocket trio descended from the podium and returned to the center of the ring.
James took the microphone and smiled charmingly.
"Let's congratulate Mr. Roronoa Zoro for successfully defeating Mr. Blackfoot Sanji and retaining his place on the throne."
"Of course, a temporary defeat doesn't mean he's lost his chance to compete for the top four."
"In three days, at any time, you can challenge again if you wish!"
"I hope Mr. Sanji won't be discouraged after his recovery and will continue to strive for the top four."
"Now, let's bring the other three challengers onto the stage!"
Under the guidance of several Rotoms, Nami, Usopp and Robin returned to the ring, looking more serious than ever.
Having witnessed the fierce battle between Zoro and Sanji, a sense of urgency gripped their hearts.
Although Robin wasn't overly concerned with her ranking in the Pokémon League Tournament, reaching the top four meant receiving a mysterious reward from Sir Leo...
And women always find it hard to resist mysterious things.
Among the three, Nami's mood might have been the least complicated.
Having faced Sanji before, she knew he adhered to the chivalrous code of not striking women.
In other words, as long as she could defeat Usopp and Robin, she stood a chance of making it to the top four!
Of course...
There was always the uncertainty of whether Sanji would abandon his chivalric code on such an important occasion, but Nami wasn't overly concerned.
Without any remaining points and with limited power, she decided to focus on the upcoming battle.
Nami's eyes sparkled with intelligence.
Glancing at Usopp and Robin, who were still hesitant beside her, Nami suddenly stepped forward, raised her hand towards the Rocket trio, and said:
"Sir James! I wish to issue a challenge!"
Her voice, sweet as a nightingale's song, instantly reached everyone's ears.
"Oh?"
James raised an eyebrow, a sly grin on his face.
"And which champion would Miss Nami like to challenge?"
"The champion I wish to challenge is... His Majesty Joffrey!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Nami announced Joffrey's full name.
At that moment, Joffrey, sitting on the fourth throne, wasn't surprised...
With Zoro still recovering from his injuries and Garp and Ace seemingly content to stay put until the three-day period ended, Joffrey knew that he was the only one likely to be challenged.
A soft target.
Joffrey immediately stood up.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he descended the steps slowly.
Just these few steps were enough to make him look like a king.
As the king of a nation, Joffrey still carried himself with regal dignity.
Yet, as he walked down, Joffrey suddenly realized...
Perhaps he wasn't as helpless against Nami as he'd thought!
In his earlier panic, he had almost forgotten...
His Nidoking was immune to electric attacks!
Without her electricity, Pikachu was just a fast electric mouse, wasn't it!?
Maybe he wouldn't lose this fight after all!
Suddenly, standing in the ring, Joffrey's expression shifted to one of confidence, as he felt a surge of optimism about the upcoming battle!