As Smoker watched the ghostly figure floating around him happily, he couldn't help but crack a rare, amiable smile on his otherwise stern face.
"Ghastly, I'm counting on you from now on!"
"Gasstt~"
The ghostly figure, wrapped in ethereal flames, laughed heartily before suddenly stretching out its enormous tongue and licking Smoker's body.
A wave of intense paralysis immediately shot through Smoker's brain, and the spots where the ghost had touched him turned a deep shade of purple.
In mere moments, the combined effects of paralysis and poisoning set in.
"Siii~!"
Smoker let out a pained cry as his body began to stiffen. To make matters worse, he could feel his life force being drained.
This unfamiliar sensation threw him into a panic.
Just then, Leo, who had been observing from the side, seemed to remember something and nonchalantly remarked:
"Oh, right!"
"I forgot to mention…"
"Due to the excessive poison energy in this ghastly body, anyone who comes into close contact with it is highly likely to be poisoned, as you're experiencing now."
Leo grinned, as if offering some consolation: "But don't worry, with your physical condition, as long as the ghost doesn't deliberately attack, the effects shouldn't be too severe."
"..."
Smoker glared at Leo, dismayed.
Why hadn't Leo mentioned this sooner?
Relax? How could he possibly relax in a situation like this?
Fortunately, Leo quickly provided a solution:
"Of course, if you're still concerned about the effects of poisoning on yourself or others, I suggest purchasing a batch of antidotes to keep on hand for emergencies."
With a snap of his fingers, detailed information about the antidote appeared on a virtual screen.
[Antidote]
- Effect: Removes any poisoning status. The deeper the poisoning and the stronger the toxin, the more antidote required.
- Price: 0.1 points per bottle
- Purchase Requirement: VIP Level 2 or above
Leo continued, "You happen to have some points left. It's best to stock up on antidotes… After all, with how much Ghastly likes you, it's inevitable you'll get poisoned now and then."
Leo's smile took on a familiar, profiteering gleam.
Smoker began to sense something amiss, but the life force slipping away from him was all too real. Although this level of poisoning wouldn't seriously harm him, if he was going to be spending a lot of time with Ghastly...
He might as well buy a ton of antidotes!
Now that he was a VIP Level 2 member of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce, and planning to apply for a transfer order from Navy Headquarters to continue his pursuit of Ace in the Grand Line, he certainly didn't want to succumb to Ghastly's poison before capturing Ace.
"I..."
Smoker hesitated before saying, "I'll take 500 bottles."
"As you wish!"
Leo's smile widened as he waved his hand, summoning a box containing 500 neatly packaged antidote bottles for Smoker.
Glancing at his now depleted points balance, Smoker sighed heavily and shot Leo a silent look.
For some reason, Leo's smile seemed to have a mischievous, almost evil undertone.
Was all this part of his plan too?
No wonder Admiral Aokiji was so hesitant to comment on the dimensional merchants when he passed through LogueTown.
I understand now, Admiral Aokiji!
After draining the last of Smoker's points, Leo teleported both him and Ghastly back to LogueTown.
Then, exchanging his points for a sun lounger atop the Wailord, Leo waited patiently.
While he was finalizing his trade with Smoker, some brave souls had started to board the Wailord's back, ascending the ladder Leo had thoughtfully provided.
The weather was perfect today. If he didn't rake in a significant profit, it would feel like a waste of the hectic month he had just endured.
With his new remote trading function, Leo was on such a roll that he couldn't stop himself!
"Come on, little sheep."
"Once this is done, there won't be many wealthy people left to trade with in the East Blue."
"It's about time I considered heading to the Grand Line."
The lazy sunlight warmed Leo's body, making him feel even more relaxed.
"I wonder what sights await on the Grand Line..."
...
Meanwhile, in Syrup Village, at Usopp's workshop.
Usopp, who had been working tirelessly, suddenly stood up, pulling off the magnifying goggles he had been wearing. His face lit up with excitement.
"It... it's finished!!!!"
Holding a small, round marble that emitted a faint green light, Usopp could hardly contain his joy!
After over a month of work, he had finally discovered a way to store Pokémon energy and created this incredible ammunition.
Energen Star...
That was the name Usopp had given this new invention.
Inside, a Grass-type move—Leaf Blade—was sealed.
Once activated and launched by the appropriate means, knife-like leaves would shoot out from the marble, striking the target with the force of a tornado.
"Let's go, Rowlet! Let's test out the power of this marble!"
Eager to see his creation in action, Usopp grabbed his slingshot and called out to Rowlet, who had been training hard and had now mastered the Leaf Blade move.
Excited, Rowlet chirped, "Gu Gu Gu Gu!!! (Finally, no more tinkering!!!)"
The two headed out to the shooting range outside the workshop.
On the way, they encountered Kaya, who had come to bring them some food.
"Usopp, Rowlet, where are you going?" Kaya asked curiously.
Thanks to drinking Miltank's milk regularly and sticking to a consistent exercise routine...
Kaya was no longer the frail, sickly girl she once was!
Her long hair had been cut to a neat, practical length, tied into a golden ponytail. Beneath her fair skin, healthy, pink muscles had started to show, and she was growing stronger by the day.
The delicate girl had transformed into a lively and energetic athlete in the blink of an eye.
(Something like this. Lmao. Just kidding.)
Usopp, eager to show off, was suddenly reminded of the dinner from the night before when he saw Kaya.
Kaya's father had made a joke about him and Kaya, which had caused her to blush and slam her hand down on the table...breaking the solid wood table in one hit.
Usopp now seriously doubted that with Kaya's current strength, one of her slaps could send him flying.
"M-Miss Kaya? What are you doing here?" Usopp stammered.
"I came to see you!"
Kaya smiled sweetly and approached quickly.
Before Rowlet could react, she had already grabbed him and picked him up.
"By the way, I heard you say it's done?"
"Could it be... that the special ammunition you mentioned has been developed!?"
Excited, Kaya was so distracted that she unknowingly squeezed Rowlet's round face into a rectangle.
"Yeah!"
Usopp quickly forgot about Rowlet's plight as he rubbed his nose with his finger, trying to play it cool.
"When I put my mind to something, there's nothing I can't invent!"
"By the way, Kaya, I'm about to test the power of Energen Star. Would you like to come along and watch?"
No man can resist the temptation to show off his skills in front of the girl he likes...
And Usopp was no exception!
(End of this chapter)