The navy's action immediately caused an uproar across the seas.
With the revelation of the O'Hara incident, brought to light by Leo just a few months prior, numerous islands engaging in illegal activities suddenly began to feel uneasy. Consequently, more and more ordinary people started paying close attention to the navy's movements.
Of course, the burning question on everyone's mind was: where is the navy headed this time? And will this massive deployment result in the destruction of yet another island, as it did with O'Hara?
Despite Sengoku's efforts to communicate with the World Government, he cannot reveal the Revolutionary Army's occupation of participating countries. Doing so would not serve as a warning but as an overt declaration.
This cautious approach by the navy, aimed at avoiding drawing attention, resulted in a cloud of uncertainty that enveloped the entire ocean. Even the air itself felt stifled.
——
Kingdom of Alabasta, Pokémon Battle Arena.
In the unique and exclusive Room A-1-001, Robin sat by the floor-to-ceiling window wearing a crisp white shirt. Her long legs stretched out before her, her short skirt barely covered by the shirt, tempting the imagination of men. The top three buttons were undone, revealing a deep cleavage. As sunlight poured in, illuminating the window-side view, her beauty became even more captivating.
However, this breathtaking scenery faded instantly as Robin opened the latest edition of the World Economic News. Her expression shifted to one of extreme seriousness upon seeing the headline.
"The naval force, ten times the size of the Buster Call fleet, has entered the Calm Belt and is heading towards the East Blue…"
With a sudden tightening of her slender fingers, Robin clutched the newspaper tightly. The phrase "Buster Call" pierced through her heart like a knife, prompting her to raise a hand and press it gently against her chest.
"Another Buster Call…" she murmured softly.
Memories of a painful past surged through her mind, bringing moisture to her eyes. The haunting, lonely feeling welled up within her once more, and she struggled to contain her silent sobs.
It wasn't until a gentle breeze brushed against her hair that she was pulled back from her memories. With a deep sigh, Robin carefully placed the crumpled newspaper back on the table.
---
Buster Call:
This special military operation, authorized by the World Government, comprises five Navy Vice Admirals, 10,000 elite Navy troops, and ten heavily armed Navy battleships. It is deployed to eliminate threats to the World Government's rule within a given area.
However, the navy's current deployment, which is ten times more powerful than the standard Buster Call, reflects its absolute determination to achieve its objective. A violent storm appears to be brewing in the East Blue.
The newspaper reports that the navy has dispatched twenty warships. Yet the might of Admiral Akainu alone is equivalent to fifty battleships! Moreover, six Vice Admirals accompany him, along with numerous other naval officers.
The smoke and thunderous gunfire, the desperate cries of the people… each recollection of the Buster Call sends a chill down Robin's spine, leaving her trembling.
Suddenly, a red light appeared from Robin's waist. Sensing her fear, Espeon emerged from its Pokéball, extending its pink tongue to gently lick Robin's face, comforting her.
"Vee~"
Espeon let out a soft sound, instantly soothing Robin's heart and warming her spirits.
Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Robin looked at the concerned Espeon and smiled.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
She reached out and stroked Espeon's head.
"Just remembering some nightmares."
After all these years, she should be accustomed to it. At least this time, she wasn't alone; she had Espeon by her side.
Espeon, enjoying Robin's touch, let out a gentle sound of contentment, resembling a kitten basking in the warmth.
The bond between master and Pokémon was so endearing, it was difficult to tell who to envy more.
With her spirits lifted, Robin stood up and chuckled.
"No time to dwell on the past now…"
As she spoke, she slowly removed her white shirt, revealing her smooth, delicate skin in the enclosed room.
Her bare feet, soft and porcelain-like, gently touched the floor. The captivating sight could easily spark fantasies in the minds of many admirers, dreaming of being the very ground beneath her feet, savoring every step she took.
Robin opened her closet, selecting a deep V-neck dress, and meticulously dressed herself in front of the mirror.
After all, tomorrow she would be facing off against the Supernova Pirate Ace in a Pokémon battle.
Despite the evolution of her Eevee into Espeon, elevating its level from 35 to 45, Robin still doubted her chances of defeating the confident young pirate.
But what did it matter? For Robin, the outcome of the battle was secondary; it was the process that truly mattered!
Following her battle with Cobra, which was widely covered by the newspapers and media, more and more spectators flocked to the Alabasta Pokémon Battle Arena. Among them were a few fortunate individuals who managed to secure dimension-trading opportunities when Leo left Alabasta for Jaya Island.
While most were VIP level 1 or even lower, today's trainers are a rare breed. Even those who weren't eligible for the ranking competitions could still engage in Pokémon battles during downtime in the arena.
This influx of people led to daily matches in the arena, with spectators growing exponentially.
As the number of battles increased, the audience also surged, eventually reaching full capacity in the arena. Every day, numerous spectators lined the promenade, eager to watch the Pokémon battles.
With the growing crowds, numerous structures sprung up around the pyramid, and a town catering to trainers emerged around this focal point.
Naturally, King Cobra of Alabasta was fully supportive of this development. Without lifting a finger, his kingdom gained a new city, bringing joy and opportunity to the nation.
Recognizing the business potential, Cobra quickly dispatched the royal construction team, supplying ample building materials.
For the right price, the skilled royal team could construct a building in just a day, even adorning the eaves with intricate carvings of Bulbasaur.
Necessity knows no shame; with the royal treasury nearly depleted, Cobra was desperate to find ways to fund the next transaction.
Cobra, now one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of the arena, thanks to his impressive winning streak…
Known as the Desert Emperor Cobra – a man's spirit remains youthful till the end!
This illustrious title stirred Cobra's youthful ambition.
Even without Suicune, he was determined to stay ahead of other traders and retain his title as the "Desert Emperor"!
The other three of the Four Heavenly Kings were all notable figures: the naval hero Garp, the Fire Dragon Knight Ace, and the Thousand Hand Seductress Robin!
Within a month, these four accepted countless challenges. But without exception, every challenger faced defeat!
To these four, Pokémon at levels 10 and 20 were like preschoolers, easily overwhelmed and defeated in a single blow.
Their formidable strength solidified their revered status.
Consequently, the title of the Four Heavenly Kings became firmly established in the arena.
Undoubtedly, the strongest among the Four Heavenly Kings was the seasoned naval hero Garp.
However, when it came to popularity…
Garp, with his wrinkled visage, had to make way for Robin, the bewitching beauty who captivated audiences with her alluring presence in battle.
Robin had charted her course.
Her goal was to become an idol trainer and officially debut! Winning or losing was inconsequential to her.
Each competition was an opportunity to showcase her prowess and style, using her enchanting talents to win over countless admirers!
With her current charm, Robin could easily attract tens of millions of beli in rewards with each appearance!
Sometimes, with a large number of high-profile participants, she can earn up to 100 million Berries in just a single day! The pace at which this money is made is far quicker than that of a heist!
This particular battle with Ace was meticulously planned by Robin. She had been picking on weaker trainers, and each of her matches seemed to drag on just to showcase her prowess. Over time, this would inevitably lead to the audience experiencing visual fatigue, ultimately reducing her own value. Clever as always, she quickly devised a brilliant strategy.
The plan was to find a worthy opponent whose reputation matched her own and engage in a high-stakes PK (player kill) match! If Robin is currently the reigning queen of the battle zone, then Ace, who always makes a grand entrance atop his Charizard, is undoubtedly the prince charming of the arena.
Although Robin's unparalleled beauty has made her almost ten times more popular than Ace, Ace's strength and charisma have earned him a loyal following. Their individual styles set them apart, and fans of both sides rarely interact. Robin had already agreed with Ace to prolong the competition, allowing fans more time to save up and prepare. This way, the fans' money could fly around a little longer.
Robin is confident that with a week's worth of anticipation, the turnout for tomorrow's match will break all previous attendance records in the competition area! She can only wonder how much her 'beloved' fans will contribute to her tomorrow. Her outfits, the choreography, and the battle strategy are all prepared. Now, she just needs to wait patiently for tomorrow's grand performance!
——
Meanwhile, in the East Blue Sea, in the Kingdom of Goa, Sabo put down today's World Economic News, looking utterly astonished and incredulous. "I never expected the Navy to only send Admiral Akainu..." he exclaimed. "The Chief plan actually succeeded!"
Just last night, Sabo had been anxious and restless, unable to sleep. But today, the Navy had given him an incredible surprise. Sabo will never forget that day when the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon, shared his audacious plan over the call. Dragon had Kuma, who had successfully infiltrated the Shichibukai, approach Sengoku directly for a confrontation and inform him about the situation in the Goa Kingdom.
Every time he recalled Dragon unveiling this plan, Sabo couldn't help but hold his breath, his heart racing. It should be said that he is Garp's son and Luffy's father! The three generations of this family are cut from the same cloth, always up to something bold and daring.
Yet, through Kuma's narration, Dragon, as Garp's son, managed to persuade Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Dragon's message was straightforward. The dimensional merchants were on the horizon, and the world was on the cusp of major changes. Based on the events in the Goa Kingdom, it was clear that the dimensional merchants and the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce behind them opposed the World Government and the Celestial Dragons' corrupt regime.
For the sake of all people and the future of the Navy, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had to set an example. Should he continue to serve as a lackey for the World Government, or should he break away from outdated notions and prepare for a new world order? To demonstrate his sincerity, Dragon even revealed details about the half-price buffs and the strategic deployments in the Goa Kingdom. This act was akin to the brink of war between two nations, where all the soldiers were ready for battle, but the king suddenly declared surrender.
However, after hearing Dragon's insights, particularly regarding the revolutionary army's collaboration with dimensional merchants to overthrow the Goa Kingdom's regime, Sengoku's resolve was shaken. He hadn't climbed the ranks to become a naval fleet admiral just to protect the idiotic Celestial Dragons or uphold the World Government's rule. From the outset, his sole motivation for joining the Navy was his unwavering commitment to [justice]!
Rising through the ranks was a result of his iron-clad resolve, not sycophantic behavior. At this pivotal juncture, it was time for him to make a definitive choice. Upon learning that the revolutionary army had already gained high-level combat power like Lugia, Sengoku didn't hesitate to send the equally formidable Akainu and his faction loyal to the World Government to the East Blue Sea to crush the revolutionary army.
This was the last gamble Sengoku was willing to take. If Akainu emerged victorious, everyone would be safe, and all would be well. It would be their duty to eradicate the remnants of the revolutionary army. However, if Akainu lost to Lugia and faced defeat, then...the ones defeated were all part of the World Government anyway, so what did it matter to him, the Fleet Admiral?
Even Leo was taken aback when he found out about this! Since neither Sengoku nor Dragon possessed phones with Rotom, he stumbled upon this information when Dragon relayed it to Sabo. As for the accusation of eavesdropping on customers' privacy, it was nonexistent! He was merely concerned about his customers and wanted to see if there was anything he could do to assist them!
Regardless, the Navy was finally about to clash with the revolutionary army! Although the scenario differed somewhat from the grand finale Leo had envisioned, this time the Navy dispatched only a fraction of its forces, and the Admirals who were deployed aligned closely with the World Government. Nonetheless, Leo was convinced that upon witnessing the revolutionary army's newfound might, the World Government would no longer be able to maintain its status quo! By then...collecting the 5 million points he coveted wouldn't seem so daunting.
The spectacular showdown that the audience has been anticipating is finally on the horizon!
(End of this chapter)