———
[Changes: Instead of 50,000 = 1 Point, It will be changed to 500,000 = 1 Point. It looks cheap if it's 50k per point, so I've changed it to 500k. Although I've updated the conversion rate from previous chapters, I may have missed a few instances. Please forgive me for any oversights.]
———
Although the headquarters had approved the use of resources at the LogueTown Naval Base, Smoker was still uncertain about the exact number of resources he could mobilize.
But that didn't matter!
Three days ago, the World Economic News published a special interview with a trader. During the transaction described by the trader, the dimensional merchant managed to detect all of the trader's assets, even those treasures buried far away, which could still be used for trade!
Yes!
After nearly a month of hard work, Leo finally amassed enough 100,000 points and successfully developed the remote transaction function!
With this new ability, he could now fully exploit the traders' worth.
Every time Leo saw a trader convert all of their wealth into points, the profiteer within him felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
Of course, Leo would never admit to being a profiteer!
In his mind, it was merely a necessary measure to prevent traders from having regrets or feeling that they hadn't converted enough of their wealth!
...
"No problem."
As Smoker finished speaking, Leo burst into laughter.
With a wave of his hand, a wealth of information entered Smoker's mind, forming a massive interface.
This interface contained all the resources that could be exchanged through his world authority.
Whether it was weapons and ships seized from pirates or military supplies issued by the navy, everything was available in this interface.
After a moment, Smoker slowly opened his eyes after reviewing the supplies he planned to exchange.
Leo instantly received this information through Smoker's brain signals.
"Is everything confirmed?" Leo asked with a commercial smile.
Smoker nodded, though his eyes were filled with shock.
This kind of operation was something he had never seen or even heard of before—it completely exceeded his understanding of the world.
"Is this the dimensional merchant of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce? What kind of place is this other world?" Smoker wondered to himself.
But just then, Leo, after confirming with Smoker again, smiled and waved.
Suddenly!
A large amount of supplies located at the LogueTown Naval Base vanished as if swallowed by a void!
Even several idle naval warships docked at the shipyard were transformed into pure world origin power and absorbed into Leo's system.
A Rotom phone, colored similarly to Smoker's cigar, flew in front of him, displaying his personal interface.
[Smoker]
[VIP Level: 2]
[VIP Experience: 2,600/10,000]
[Current Points: 2,600]
"Two thousand six hundred points? At a rate of 1 point per 500,000 Baileys, does that mean I just spent 1.3 billion Baileys with a single thought!?"
This realization startled Smoker.
Luckily, the navy had his back; otherwise, if he had to rely on his small salary to defeat Ace and his Charizard, he might not be able to in this lifetime...
In fact, he might not even manage it in the next lifetime.
Looking at his points, Smoker's eyes burned with intensity. He immediately looked at Leo and respectfully asked:
"Sir Leo, the points have been redeemed successfully. May I exchange them for Pokémon now?"
"Of course~"
Leo's smile broadened as he saw his points balance, which had just decreased, rise again.
He couldn't help but marvel...
The navy truly is a gold mine.
Garp introduced him to Haki, Akainu brought him fame, Aokiji helped him settle a large number of ordinary Pokémon...
Now, even Smoker could bring him significant business.
If he weren't worried about disturbing the balance of power, he would have flown straight to Navy Headquarters to conduct face-to-face transactions with Sengoku!
With a wave of his hand, Leo conjured a virtual interface in front of Smoker.
He said, "You can now imagine your desired Pokémon, and this interface will display Pokémon that match your requirements..."
"The more precise your criteria, the more accurate the results."
With that, Leo smiled and stepped back, gesturing for Smoker to step forward and begin.
"Amazing!"
Smoker marveled, then immediately began focusing on his thoughts.
First point: the Pokémon's potential must be high!
This was something the Navy Headquarters had specifically advised.
Next: it should be suitable for combat!
And finally...
It should be able to fly.
Thinking of Ace's Charizard soaring through the skies, Smoker nearly prioritized this one!
But he quickly regained his composure.
After adding some additional criteria, he immediately transmitted his thoughts.
In an instant, a round Pokémon with eerie will-o'-wisps emanating from its body appeared at the top of the virtual screen.
[Pokémon: Gastly]
[Type: Ghost, Poison]
[Ability: Levitate]
[Level: 35]
[Notes: A ghost-type Pokémon born from a desolate swamp shrouded in toxic mist, possessing powerful poison abilities.]
[Price: 2,550 points]
"Gastly? A Ghost-type?"
Seeing the Pokémon on the screen, Smoker was momentarily stunned.
Although people often called him "Smoker," seeing an actual "Ghost" recommended to him was still a shock!
This was his first time encountering a ghost-type Pokémon.
But he quickly calmed down, remembering that even resurrection was possible through the Pokémon League.
Nearly 1.3 billion Baileys' worth of Pokémon...
This might be the most money he'd ever spent in his life!
"Sir Leo, I want this Pokémon!"
Smoker wasn't one to hesitate. Having made up his mind, he immediately looked at Leo and declared.
"Thank you for your patronage!"
Seeing the successful transaction, Leo's smile widened.
With a wave of his hand, the points in Smoker's account were deducted, and a red and white Poké Ball was handed to him.
Leo reminded him:
"This Gastly has mutated due to environmental influences. The poison energy within it accounts for over 70%, and it has independently learned powerful poison moves like Clear Smog and Haze. Combined with your smoke abilities, I believe it will create unexpected effects."
"Poison?"
Smoker paused.
This was a path he had never considered.
Even though he had consumed a rare Logia-type fruit, Smoker rarely focused on developing its abilities due to his mentor Zefa's influence.
His main focus was using the Logia intangibility to ensure his invincibility against those without Haki.
Secondly, he used his smoke ability for flight and mobility.
After all, smoke itself had no offensive power.
Given the choice, he would rather invest in physical strength.
But now, from the Dimensional Merchant, he had acquired a Pokémon that complemented his smoke abilities.
But...
"Poisonous smoke?"
"This combination doesn't sound weak..."
As if he had thought of something ingenious, a sinister smile gradually crept across Smoker's face.
(End of this chapter)