Wow—
Leo's appearance immediately sparked another wave of excitement among the audience.
Even though Leo and his team had created many traders in the past year, when compared to the vast world of pirates, their number was still relatively small.
In fact, even at this grand Pokémon-themed event, most attendees had never seen Leo in person.
"It's Sir Leo! It really is him! Just like in the papers!" shouted a random onlooker.
People nearby leaned in for a closer look, their excitement swelling into a festive frenzy:
"Sir Leo is so handsome! After the tournament, could I also become a Pokémon Trainer, please?"
"Sir Leo, over here! Let me snap a close-up of you!"
The cheers meant for the competitors were suddenly stolen by Leo's appearance.
On stage, Nami and Garp, who were preparing for their match, glanced at each other awkwardly.
Thankfully, Leo didn't linger long. After flashing a friendly smile to the crowd, he addressed the contestants:
"Alright, let's not waste time. Let's get today's match started."
Then he turned to Nami and Garp:
"Miss Nami, Mr. Garp, are you ready?"
"Yes!" Nami responded with determination.
Although she knew that Pikachu and her stood little chance against Garp, she was still determined to give it her all.
Garp, on the other hand, smiled silently at Nami as he assumed a fighting stance.
Whoosh!
Boom!
The familiar sound of fireworks echoed through the sky, marking the official start of the match!
"Go, Pikachu!"
"Go, Machoke!"
Nami and Garp simultaneously threw their Pokéballs.
In an instant, Nami's yellow, electric mouse Pikachu and Garp's powerful, grey-skinned Machoke appeared on opposite sides of the arena.
Nami's eyes narrowed. She glanced at Machoke, then back at Garp, and said: "Grandpa Garp, even though I know Pikachu and I aren't your match, we're still going to give it everything we've got."
As she spoke, lightning flickered in Nami's eyes.
"Let's enjoy this battle with no regrets!"
"Pikachu, Bond Evolution!!!"
Crackle!
Two bolts of blue lightning shot out, connecting Nami and Pikachu.
At that moment, perhaps because there was no pressure on her to win, Nami and Pikachu, who were braced for defeat, actually unleashed even more terrifying power!
In a flash, the arena was enveloped in lightning, so intense that it was hard for the audience to keep their eyes open.
From the center of the storm, Pikachu emerged, transformed by Bond Evolution into a stronger form.
"Pika! (Super Saiyan Ultra Instinct!)"
Electricity danced through the air, filling the battlefield with flashes of blue light.
"Interesting," Garp murmured.
He smiled, recognizing the sheer effort and heart behind Nami's resolve. He never underestimated anyone, and Nami's sudden surge in power only heightened his respect for her determination.
Looking at Machoke, Garp said, "In that case, give it your all, Machoke."
"Machoke!"
The flames of determination burned brightly in Machoke's eyes as it prepared for battle.
Until now, Machoke had barely gotten a chance to shine in the tournament, especially during Garp's earlier match with Ace.
Now, it was Machoke's turn to show the results of its training over the past year.
The battle was on!
"Pikachu, use Rain Dance!" Nami commanded.
The tried-and-true strategy was set in motion.
A soft Pokémon energy rippled across the sky, and within moments, dark clouds gathered overhead.
Rain began to fall, drenching the battlefield and Machoke along with it.
"Perfect! Looks like Machoke doesn't know any weather moves!" Nami said with a grin, a spark of confidence flickering in her eyes.
"Alright, Pikachu, it's our time! Let's go!!!"
Nami produced a metallic coin in her palm.
"Electromagnetic Cannon!"
Boom!
In the pouring rain, a brilliant bolt of electricity surged forward with immense power, heading straight for Machoke.
Pikachu followed up with a thunderous attack, lightning cascading from its body like a god of thunder descended upon the battlefield, its body levitating with electric energy.
"Pi... Ka... Chu!!!"
The thick lightning beam streaked across the arena like the harbinger of an apocalyptic storm.
"Haaa!"
Machoke's eyes flashed with shock for a brief moment before it regained its composure.
Whoosh!
Machoke's silhouette vanished in an instant, moving at an incredible speed through the rain.
This wasn't a typical Pokémon move—Machoke was using the Navy's advanced technique, Soru (Shave), taught to it by Garp himself!
After a year of relentless training, Machoke had not only built up its strength but had also mastered high-level combat techniques.
Boom!
Machoke's agility was too much for Nami to track. She didn't have time to adjust the trajectory of the Electromagnetic Cannon.
The powerful attack blasted into the ground, leaving a massive crater in its wake.
Pikachu's electrical attack hit the coin left by the railgun, melting it entirely.
Whoosh!
Amid the smoke left by the explosion, Machoke suddenly reappeared, its eyes glinting with a mischievous smile as it locked onto Nami and Pikachu.
The brief skirmish had confirmed what Machoke suspected: its speed, endurance, and combat ability far outclassed Nami's team.
In other words...
Even without Garp intervening, Machoke had the power to win this match!
Thoughts flashed through Machoke's mind, and as they did, a surge of pride welled up in its heart!
It acknowledged its trainer's immense strength—so formidable that the trainer could easily handle the Pokémon League Tournament without its help.
But at the same time, Machoke wanted to prove to the world that its strength was on par with the Pokémon of these exceptional trainers!
Boom!
Powerful energy and vitality surged within Machoke's body, and in an instant, its jet-black Armament Haki enveloped its form like armor.
Fighting-type Pokémon, especially, had a unique advantage in mastering Armament Haki. And with Machoke's exceptional natural talent—coupled with Garp's world-class training—its strength was not something to be underestimated.
Dodging Pikachu's attacks, even in its Bonded Evolution state, was proof enough of Machoke's capabilities!
"Ma—choke! (It's my turn now!)"
Machoke smirked as a bright white light blossomed around its fists.
Move – Explosive Punch!
As a Pokémon that specialized in upper-limb combat, Machoke's mastery of punch-based moves was unmatched, far exceeding its skill in other forms of fighting.
Observation Haki—activate!
Although its proficiency in Observation Haki wasn't as advanced as its Armament Haki, Machoke was still able to instantly sense Nami's position behind the veil of smoke.
Take down the leader, and the rest will fall!
Without hesitation, Machoke launched into the Sixth Marine Move—Shave—once again, charging toward Nami with an explosive fist.
However...
An unexpected twist occurred at that very moment!
From the other side of the smoke screen, Nami's lips curled into a sly smile.
Her innate weather-sensing abilities, honed by her affinity with observation haki, made her highly attuned to even the smallest changes in the atmosphere.
Especially in the rain, no shift in the air could escape Nami's keen senses.
"Pikachu!!!" Nami suddenly shouted, raising her hands gracefully.
In an instant, the residual electricity from Pikachu's missed attack, instead of dissipating, was drawn toward Nami, forming an electric shield around her.
This was the advantage of being an electric-type Pokémon trainer in the rain.
In such weather, uncontrolled electricity didn't simply vanish—it lingered, suspended in the air or stored within the raindrops.
In the perfect place, at the perfect time, Nami smiled.
At that very moment, Pikachu—ready for this moment—unleashed a devastating Thunderbolt, striking Nami's shield with terrifying power!
Boom!!!
Crack!!!
Machoke's explosive punch collided with the electric shield, triggering its own move's explosive effect, resulting in an instant explosion.
"Machoke!?"
Machoke gasped in shock, quickly realizing it had fallen into a trap!
But it was too late to react.
The explosion's shockwave and the paralysis caused by Pikachu's electric attack coursed through Machoke's body, immobilizing it.
The next second, Pikachu's attack landed perfectly, striking Machoke head-on.
Endless waves of lightning washed over Machoke's muscular frame.
Despite its fighting spirit and robust stamina, Machoke couldn't withstand the combined force of Pikachu's electric attacks—especially with the amplification from its held item, the Electric Bead. With a pained cry, Machoke roared in agony.
"Urgg!!!"
Seeing her chance, Nami swiftly tossed several metallic coins into the air.
Seizing the opportunity while Machoke was still paralyzed, she unleashed another Electromagnetic Cannon.
It was clear...
In this battle, Nami and Pikachu proved that they deserved their spot in the top four—not because of luck, but through skill and strategy.
...
...
Soon enough, Machoke, unable to endure the relentless attacks from both sides, collapsed, its eyes rolling back as it fainted.
The battle, which had started in a flash, ended just as quickly.
It was over so fast that many spectators didn't even grasp what had just happened.
"Sigh..."
Garp shook his head and walked forward, retrieving Machoke with a Pokéball.
"This kid needs more battle experience. I should let it participate in more real fights next time."
Machoke's original intention wasn't wrong.
If judged solely by its raw power, it had the potential to defeat Nami and Pikachu.
However...
Its lack of real battle experience had been its downfall. Without Garp's guidance, Machoke had failed to notice the subtle strategies employed by Nami and Pikachu, and it had easily fallen into their trap.
Garp muttered under his breath, his gaze softening as he looked at Nami, a proud smile forming on his face—the smile of a mentor recognizing the growth of a younger protégé.
"Well then, little girl, I suppose it's my turn now..."
Suddenly, a mighty force surged within Garp's body.
Even though he was a mere human, his presence exuded the aura of a god or demon. Faced with Garp's overwhelming presence, Nami let out a wry smile.
"Haha, let's not, Grandpa Garp," she laughed.
"I'd rather not have you destroy Sister Robin's carefully chosen outfit with one of your punches!"
With a playful tone, Nami turned to Leo, who was floating above the arena, and called out with a slightly mischievous expression:
"Sir Leo, we surrender this match!"
...
...
Nami's unexpected forfeit didn't cause much of a stir among the audience.
The spectators had already anticipated the outcome of the day's battles.
"Congratulations to our contestant Mr. Garp for securing third place in the Pokémon League Tournament!"
"And of course, congratulations to Miss Nami for taking fourth place!"
Jessie's voice rang out from the podium, announcing the results.
But just as everyone thought the final match between Zoro and Ace was about to begin, Leo suddenly appeared in the center of the ring.
Jessie, always quick to catch on, added:
"Now, both contestants are invited to the center of the ring. Sir Leo will present the awards for this Pokémon League Tournament."
"What!? They're giving out the prizes now?"
The crowd erupted in surprise.
Even Nami and Garp looked confused, clearly unaware of this part of the schedule.
Nevertheless, they both made their way to Leo.
"Sir Leo."
"Sir Leo."
Their expressions were a mixture of excitement, surprise, familiarity and a hint of awe.
But no one questioned Leo's decision.
If anything, the sudden award ceremony only reignited the audience's enthusiasm.
And that, of course, was one of Leo's intentions.
Knowing the tournament's conclusion would be predictable, Leo had planned this twist to keep the excitement alive until the very end.
With a soft smile, he nodded toward Nami and Garp.
Three streams of life energy suddenly flew out, restoring Nami, Pikachu, and Machoke (now safely in its Pokéball) to peak condition.
Leo then turned to Nami, smiling warmly under the spotlight:
"Congratulations, Miss Nami."
"Congratulations on taking 4th place in this Pokémon League Tournament."
Wow...
Under a magical glow, a massive trophy—half a meter tall—materialized before Nami, hovering in midair.
The entire trophy was a shining black, instantly reminding Nami of the ranking tiers used in the Pokémon League...
Black Iron!
Though not as prestigious as gold or silver, the aura surrounding the trophy conveyed a sense of unwavering perseverance.
At the top of the trophy stood a finely crafted statue.
It was unmistakably a depiction of Nami herself, posed gracefully with one hand on her hip.
At her feet, Pikachu stood in a fighting stance, its large round eyes gleaming with determination.