"This is… the trophy for Pikachu and me!?"
Under the watchful eyes of the audience, Nami slowly extended her pale hands and grasped the trophy as if she had discovered a treasure. The trophy felt heavier than she had expected, fitting snugly between her arms as soon as she held it.
Amazingly, as soon as she touched the trophy, Nami could distinctly sense a powerful energy of perseverance emanating from it. It was as though the trophy itself was whispering to her:
No matter what happens, keep moving forward without faltering! The future belongs to you!
The magical sensation took Nami by surprise. She quickly looked up at Leo, who gave her an encouraging smile. It was clear that Leo was already aware of the mystical power contained within the trophy.
"Sir Leo..." Nami whispered softly.
At that moment, she suddenly understood.
This trophy embodied Sir Leo's encouragement and recognition of her potential!
Her thoughts raced, but without hesitation, Nami bowed deeply, her voice brimming with heartfelt gratitude: "Thank you, Sir Leo! I promise to work hard and become one of the world's greatest trainers!"
"I look forward to seeing that."
Leo's gentle smile was filled with confidence. Pikachu, especially with the Electric Orb, had immense potential. Step by step, it would continue to grow and one day astonish the entire world.
The Electric Orb, considered a treasure, would unleash its full power as Pikachu matured, something that would draw admiration from all corners of the globe.
But Nami wasn't the only one with promise. Many others in the group—Zoro with his fusion of swordsmanship and Pokémon, Usopp's plant manipulation skills, Sanji's violent elegance paired with Blaziken, Robin's dazzling synergy with Espeon, and even Laurent's toxic gas attacks—had all contributed fresh ideas to the world of combat.
Leo believed that, after seeing this battle broadcast worldwide, future trainers would be inspired to develop even more innovative techniques for their Pokémon.
With the trophy now securely in her arms, Nami smiled, while Leo, standing under the spotlight, addressed both her and the audience:
"Your dedication and strength have earned you this trophy! Even though you lost to the third-place winner, Mr. Garp…"
His voice grew louder and more passionate as his eyes scanned the crowd, as if he was addressing the entire world through the event.
"Miss Nami! As the runner-up of the first-ever Pokémon League Tournament, you are now one of the world's symbols of heroism. Your courage will be etched forever in the foundation of this world and introduced to the multiverse through the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce!"
BOOM!!!
At that moment, the sky split open with a deafening roar. Beyond the massive rift was a void so vast and desolate that it sent chills down the spines of those who gazed upon it. The emptiness was incomprehensible, as if gazing into the unknown depths of one's own mind.
But just then, a radiant beam of golden light shot out from the rift, banishing the void, and shone directly on Nami, who stood at the center of the ring.
"What… what is this?" she murmured, as a warmth engulfed her, making her feel overwhelmingly comfortable.
"This is recognition from the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce," Leo explained with a smile.
Those words, though simple, caused a wave of shock to ripple through the crowd.
The Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce.
Most people couldn't comprehend the true nature of this entity, but based on Leo's everyday demeanor, it was clear: the Leo who could so easily manipulate events in the pirate world was just an ordinary member of this mysterious organization.
Even Garp, who had been patiently waiting for his own award, couldn't help but take the moment seriously.
After a brief period, the golden light dissipated, and the sky returned to normal. However, Nami couldn't shake the loss of that comforting sensation.
"Sir Leo," she asked, her curiosity piqued, "what was that light?"
"That," Leo explained smoothly, "was the recording mechanism of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce. Each time the Chamber visits a new world, it documents key moments and individuals to create a profile of the world. This serves as an introduction for other members of the Chamber."
"Because our presence affects the evolution of a world, the Chamber requires us to choose individuals who best represent that world's changes. Based on your accomplishments, I believe you're the perfect candidate to serve as a business card for this world."
Leo smiled politely, his explanation both fascinating and cryptic.
"Rest assured, this record won't pry into your personal privacy or change your thoughts in any way. The Chamber merely extracts key aspects of your experiences and documents them."
"...represent the world?" Nami muttered, confused. She could grasp every word individually, but when pieced together, the concept was far beyond her comprehension.
Leo's explanation made it clear that the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce viewed the world as nothing more than an exhibit to be cataloged.
But Nami was wise enough to push her confusion aside, knowing there were some things she couldn't grasp at that moment. She trusted Leo, not because of her admiration for him, but because there was simply no need for him to deceive her.
Meanwhile, the same couldn't be said for the rest of the world.
Whether it was the Five Elders of Mariejois, the high-ranking officials of the Navy, or the powerful figures present at the scene, they were all left grappling with Leo's revelations.
For those who believed they stood at the pinnacle of power in this world, the existence of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce was a revelation that shattered their perception of reality.
Suddenly, the world they thought they knew felt much smaller and more fragile.
——
At this moment, as the leader of the underground world, Doflamingo was deep in thought.
He listened to Leo's explanation more attentively than anyone else, instantly picking up on key points. The idea of recording world information, assigning ratings, and letting others understand the world through these records seemed eerily familiar.
Too familiar!
To Doflamingo, this was uncomfortably reminiscent of the slave trade.
Suddenly, a wild theory flashed through his mind: Leo, the dimensional merchant, discovers a new world in the void. After arriving and transforming the world, he showcases it to others…
And then… sells the world at a hefty price!
It wasn't unreasonable for Doflamingo to make such assumptions. As a businessman himself, he was highly attuned to anything that involved the word "commerce." The more he thought about it, the more terrifying the idea became. Even though it was a hot summer day, his imagination sent chills down his spine.
Of course, Doflamingo's theory, while intriguing, was just a misunderstanding.
If Leo knew what was going through Doflamingo's head at that moment, he'd likely give him a thumbs up for his vivid imagination.
In reality, Leo's world-recording mechanism was merely part of his long-term strategy. As interdimensional travel was becoming more accessible, Leo needed to be prepared.
He had no idea what dangers the new worlds might hold, so he was cautious. His plan was to send people from the pirate world ahead to gather intelligence before deciding whether to proceed.
While Leo often stated that the pirate world was just one among many, he knew deep down that this world was his foundation. Only by strengthening this world could he ensure his own safety. And only then could he achieve his ultimate goal—saving the Pokémon world!
To accomplish this, he had to plant seeds in the pirate world, paving the way for his future operations.
——
Regardless of what others were thinking, Leo shifted his attention back to Nami.
"Now, Miss Nami, we'll proceed with the final stage of the award ceremony—the prize for the runner-up."
Woosh!
Suddenly, a glowing orb of emerald green descended before Nami. The rich essence of life emanating from it instantly captivated everyone, drawing them out of their thoughts.
"What is that!?"
All eyes widened, fixated on the life essence in front of Nami. Some onlookers even unconsciously began to salivate, their expressions filled with anticipation.
Before Nami could ask, Leo smiled and explained, "The reward for the runner-up is 100 years of life essence."
"Life essence? 100 years?" Nami repeated, a confused look on her face at this unfamiliar term.
Leo continued, "The essence of life is the purest form of power in the material world. The 'years' are simply a unit of measurement. You can think of this essence as granting any living being an additional 100 years of the healthiest life possible."
"In short, life essence is essentially lifespan," Leo clarified. "But of course, most beings wouldn't use it just for longevity. That would be the most basic, short-sighted application of such a valuable resource."
"With life essence, you can transform yourself, unlock greater potential, and heal from any injury. In essence, it's a form of near-omnipotent power!"
...
...
After Leo finished, the venue fell into a stunned silence. The audience, which numbered in the thousands, was so quiet that even the sound of breathing felt heavy.
To Leo, life essence was nothing more than a simplified form of point energy—he could exchange a single point for several units of life essence. The energy he used to restore the players' stamina earlier? That was life essence, diluted countless times.
But to the people of the pirate world, life essence wasn't just some energy—it was nothing short of a divine treasure, something only the gods of legend could bestow!
Once again, Leo had presented a prize that defied all understanding.
Many were reminded of the day a year ago… They felt, once again, like insects living in a two-dimensional space, while Leo, a three-dimensional being, introduced concepts far beyond their comprehension.
The only person seemingly unfazed by Leo's grand revelation was Nami, who stood there ready to accept her reward.
"Can this really extend one's lifespan?" Despite Leo's explanation that increasing lifespan was only a basic use of life essence, Nami had immediately latched onto this detail. Her hand instinctively reached for the Poké Ball next to Pikachu's.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Nami broke the silence, asking Leo, "Sir Leo, is it possible to use the life essence in parts?"
"In parts?" Leo smiled. "Of course!"
"This is your reward. How you choose to use the life essence is entirely up to you. Whether you wish to use it for yourself, your Pokémon, or even someone else, it can be done, as long as it's your decision."
Leo gently pushed the glowing essence closer to Nami, reaffirming his words.
"That's perfect!" Nami exclaimed with joy.
Without hesitation, she pulled out two Poké Balls from her waist and released the Pokémon within. With a beaming smile, she turned to Leo and said, "Then please, Sir Leo, divide the reward into three parts and distribute it to me, Pikachu, and my teacher, Butterfree!"
"Pika?"
"Mi?"
The two newly-released Pokémon looked puzzled, clearly unsure of why Nami had summoned them.
Leo didn't question Nami's request. He simply smiled and asked, "Are you sure, Miss Nami?"
"Of course!" she replied enthusiastically, her voice full of conviction.
"After all, this was the promise I made with Butterfree-sensei!"