"Is this… the back of that giant beast?!"
Sanji followed Zeff up the last step, and suddenly, everything before him came into focus.
A high-tech, modern town appeared, astonishing both Sanji and the rest of the group.
"Welcome to the Pokémon Showcase!"
At that moment, a strange red rectangular object flew towards them—it was Leo's most reliable assistant, Rotom Phone!
The reporters had been quick to climb the stairs, but when it came to physical stamina, the pirate-turned-chefs led by Zeff were unmatched. As a result, they were the first to reach the venue.
Guided by Rotom, they were soon led to a hotel-like building. After taking an elevator, they arrived at their assigned rooms.
"What is this…"
A while later, Zhefu and his group gathered at the hotel entrance, room keys in hand. The chefs chatted excitedly, amazed by the modern facilities.
Only Sanji quietly slipped away from the group, exiting the hotel. The technology on display might have been impressive to most, but to someone from the Vinsmoke family, it was child's play.
What truly piqued Sanji's curiosity was the purpose of this so-called Pokémon Showcase.
As he wandered out of the hotel, he took in the sight of several towering buildings. In the center of the town, a massive stadium loomed.
The town felt eerily empty, with only a few people present, but Sanji sensed there was more going on than met the eye.
After exploring for some time, he returned to the hotel. By then, other reporters and diners had also made their way up the stairs and settled into their rooms, guided by the Rotoms.
...
Meanwhile, in another part of the East Blue Sea, a massive naval fleet was conducting a search for MADS.
"Damn it!!!"
In the conference room of a battleship, Akainu's anger erupted like a heat wave. He slammed his fist into the table, glaring at the man in a suit standing before him.
"It's been days, and we've found nothing! Are all of the government's intelligence agencies useless?!"
"This…"
The man in the suit and tie, facing the searing heat emanating from Akainu, responded calmly, "Please be patient, Admiral Akainu. Our CP8 agents have begun investigating across the East Blue Sea and recently gathered some information about 'Pokémon' on a few islands."
"According to reports from Vice Admiral Garp's crew, Vice Admiral Garp pursued a massive Sea King and later referred to it as a 'Pokémon.' We suspect the enemy may be operating underwater…"
The man sighed, "Unfortunately, this mission was too urgent, so we couldn't deploy manpower from CP9 or CP0. The MADS remnants have been in hiding for years—they won't surface without a plan. We must prepare for a prolonged operation."
Two streams of heat shot from Akainu's nose as he scowled, understanding the truth in the man's words. "I'll give you one more week. If we don't find them by then, your CP8 will have to explain itself to the Five Elders!"
Akainu's eyes flared with fury as he stared down the man, clearly frustrated with CP8's efficiency. The CP8 commander could only respond with a bitter smile.
But before he could say more, a den-den mushi on the man's belt rang. Ignoring Akainu, the man plugged in a special earpiece and answered the call.
Five minutes later, he ended the call, smiling his usual bureaucratic smile. "Admiral Akainu, it appears the target you've been searching for has finally shown up!"
...
"Wow~ Today's molecular cuisine was incredible! Those Rotoms didn't even show us the kitchen. How do they do it?"
Back in the town on Wailord's back, Sanji patted his full stomach, feeling both satisfied and curious.
Three days had passed since their arrival. In that time, they had been treated like royalty, with every need catered to by the Rotoms. For a moment, they had all but forgotten why they had come here, their thoughts occupied only with what they'd have for their next meal.
Some even started wishing they could stay here forever.
But just as they were sinking into this blissful routine, a group of uninvited guests arrived—from the stairs.
Or rather, an unexpected enemy.
Boom!!!
The blue sky suddenly darkened as red magma blotted out the sun. A figure shot out from the stairway entrance, fiery heat enveloping the entire town.
In an instant, the air turned scorching and dry, as if summer had arrived in full force.
Boom!
Magma erupted from beneath Akainu's feet, propelling him into the sky. Looking down at the town below, he roared:
"MADS remnants! You're surrounded by the navy! Surrender peacefully—resistance is futile!"
Given the importance of capturing the MADS scientists alive, Sengoku had ordered that they be taken without unnecessary damage. For once, Akainu restrained himself, refraining from incinerating the town.
However...
What Akainu didn't know was that Leo had been watching the navy's every move since they began surrounding Wailord.
Swish!
Just as Akainu finished his declaration, a figure appeared before him—it was Leo, wearing a kind smile.
"Who are you?!" Akainu demanded, his brow furrowing. Despite his heightened senses, he hadn't noticed how Leo had appeared.
Leo responded with a soft smile, ignoring the tension in the air. With a welcoming gesture, he introduced himself:
"Good afternoon, Admiral. Allow me to introduce myself—my name is Leo Drago, a dimensional merchant from the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce."
"And… I'm the one you're looking for."
"You're the dimensional merchant!?"
Akainu scrutinized Leo, confusion evident on his face. MADS had disbanded decades ago, likely before Leo was even born. But Akainu quickly dismissed this thought. The World Government and Navy were after the biotechnology in Leo's possession, not his background. Whether or not Leo was connected to MADS was irrelevant—if he claimed to be, then he was their target!
Akainu's eyes flared with anger as he glared at Leo, his voice filled with venom. "So, you're the fraudster using MADS technology to deceive people?! You've committed the crime of illegal scientific research. In the name of the World Government, I'm placing you under arrest!"
"Crime?" Leo chuckled quietly, unfazed by Akainu's overwhelming aura.
"You seem to forget that in this world, you lack the authority to arrest me for any so-called crimes." His tone was light, almost mocking.
Akainu suddenly felt a wave of unease as he looked at Leo's smile. Despite the calm expression, there was a coldness in Leo's eyes—a gaze that regarded Akainu with utter disdain.
"It seems you're intent on resisting arrest, MADS scum!" Akainu shouted, trying to shake off the discomfort. As he spoke, magma surged from his body, engulfing Leo in a molten prison.
"Magma Prison!!!"
Ssss—
Steam hissed as the magma cooled rapidly, forming a solid rock cage around Leo. Just as Akainu began to wonder why Leo had been captured so easily, a mysterious light flared in Leo's eyes.
His voice turned cold. "Oh? Attacking a dimensional merchant?"
Whoosh—
An immense wave of psychic power erupted from Leo, enveloping Akainu before he could react.
"I hope you're ready to face the consequences."
With a flash, both Leo and Akainu vanished, the heat dissipating as the air returned to normal.
At the same time, inside the stadium where the audience had already gathered, Leo and Akainu reappeared in the center of the arena. Reporters, chefs, navy personnel, and spies who had been climbing the stairs—all sat in the stands, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
Leo's face resumed its usual smile. In a voice only he could hear, he murmured to himself:
"Now that the actors are in place, the performance...is about to begin!"
(End of this chapter)