"..."
Silence.
As Leo's words echoed through the speakers, transmitted via the microphone...
The entire venue—and even the world—plunged into an eerie, deathly silence!
Moments passed before someone finally stammered:
"Wha...what? Did I hear that right?"
"The championship reward... is becoming a member of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce!?"
But no one answered. The crowd was too stunned, their attention completely fixed on the arena.
Even Zoro, who had just received the runner-up prize, was standing there with his mouth agape, staring at Ace and Leo.
Joining the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce?
In the past, this wouldn't have seemed like such a monumental deal.
But after witnessing how Leo organized the Pokémon League Conference, and seeing the world's top experts operate under his direction...
As Leo's influence rippled across the world, today, people were in awe.
No one doubted what Ace would choose between 1,000 points and the chance to join the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce.
...
...
"Join the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce!?"
Ace's mind went blank for a moment upon hearing this. But just seconds later, his eyes lit up like gold.
"Is this real!?"
"I... I can become a member of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce? A dimensional merchant like Brother Leo!?"
Excitement surged through Ace, making his heart race. Nothing in this world could thrill him more than the thought of joining the Chamber of Commerce.
At that moment, Ace even forgot about his father, the Pirate King, who had just been resurrected. Every fiber of his being was focused on Leo, eagerly awaiting his response.
"A dimensional merchant?" Leo smiled and shook his head gently.
"With Mr. Ace's qualifications, becoming a dimensional merchant might be a bit difficult."
"Ah?" Ace's face fell in disappointment for a fleeting second, but he quickly followed up, "Then... how do I join the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce?"
Leo chuckled softly and casually replied,
"Not everyone in the Chamber of Commerce holds the title of dimensional merchant."
"Given Mr. Ace's abilities and character, I would recommend you as an investigator for the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce."
"Investigator!?" Ace asked, his confusion evident. "What does that mean?"
Leo explained with a smile:
"An investigator, as the name suggests, is a key member of the Chamber of Commerce who assists dimensional merchants by exploring unknown worlds."
"The role involves traveling to new worlds ahead of time, investigating the products and resources needed in that world, and reporting back to the dimensional merchants."
"With the investigators' reports, the merchants can prepare the right products to trade in the new world."
"That's why investigators are often called the 'advance troops' of the Chamber of Commerce."
Leo paused and added with a twinkle in his eye,
"As it happens, the Chamber hasn't yet assigned me a suitable investigator. If you choose this option, I can submit a request to make you my personal investigator."
"Really!? Is that truly possible!?"
Ace's spirit soared with enthusiasm.
As soon as Leo mentioned words like "travel" and "new worlds," Ace's interest was fully ignited.
Without a second thought, he nodded vigorously and said,
"I want that!"
"I want to join the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce! I want to be your investigator!"
Ace clenched his fists as if fearing Leo might change his mind.
Nothing could stop a man who desired to conquer the seas—especially when the sea was an entirely new world!
Learning that there were other worlds beyond his own, Ace's hunger for adventure had eclipsed his earlier goals. It wasn't just about growing stronger anymore—it was about the thrill of discovery, of crossing dimensions!
And now, out of nowhere, he had earned the opportunity to join the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce. This was an unexpected, unbelievable fortune!
...
...
At the same time, those watching from across the pirate world were left in stunned disbelief.
Their eyes locked onto Ace with envy and awe, as though they were gazing upon a higher being.
Though Leo hadn't explicitly said it, and no one in the Pirate World dared to voice it openly, it was clear to all...
Dimensional merchants from the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce were far superior to the world's native inhabitants.
They were beings far above even the Celestial Dragons who ruled over this world.
However, because Leo rarely emphasized status or hierarchy, this truth remained unspoken.
...
...
"Now that Mr. Ace has made his choice, I'll submit your application to the Chamber of Commerce shortly. We'll just have to wait for approval."
Ace had made his decision, and a wide, blossoming smile spread across Leo's face. He knew Ace would make this choice.
Not only did he save himself from giving away the 1,000 points reward, but he also gained a reliable and powerful ally at no cost.
It was a perfect win-win situation!
Of course, Leo didn't plan to exploit Ace. Once they discovered new worlds, he would help Ace in every way possible.
On the other hand...
"Ah? It still needs approval from the Chamber of Commerce?"
Hearing this, Ace grew anxious, fearing his application might be rejected.
Leo, however, reassured him with a casual smile.
"Don't worry, Mr. Ace."
"I have some influence within the Chamber. They wouldn't dare refuse someone I've recommended, especially for an investigator role."
Ace relaxed upon hearing this.
Yet, at the same time, certain ambitious individuals watching Leo couldn't help but murmur quietly:
"It seems that the status of a dimensional merchant in the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce is far more significant than Sir Leo has let on..."
In an instant, countless speculations about Leo surged through the windless sea.
Especially within the highest chambers of the World Government.
As they observed Leo's effortless ability to extradite Ace to the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce, a strange glint flashed in the eyes of the five elders.
"Portgas D. Ace joining the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce? Doesn't that mean he now possesses the power to break free from the world's control, along with an endless lifespan!?"
The same realization dawned on all five of the elders.
Subtle changes flickered across their expressions.
Though they could decide the fate of nations with a word, or reshape the world's balance with a gesture, the reality was... even they had superiors. They too knelt before others to secure their positions.
Despite sitting on thrones just below one person, and above tens of thousands, it would be wrong to say they lacked ambition.
In the past, they had seen no alternative and thus kept their desires in check.
But now, witnessing Leo's effortless ability to allow someone to transcend their original world and join the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce, their minds... began to stir.
They were already subservient, after all...
So why not bow to a dimensional merchant who could offer them a brighter future, greater benefits—rather than continue kneeling to an old relic who barely lifted a finger, yet caused trouble for everyone whenever he stirred?
New, strange emotions began to take root in the hearts of the five elders, and quickly sprouted.
Even Leo might not have anticipated that by recruiting Ace into the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce, he had not only killed two birds with one stone but also ignited new ambitions within some of the highest-ranking officials in the world.
...
...
After Ace shared the 300-year life essence equally with Charizard, the award ceremony concluded to the sound of celebratory music.
In the end, Leo called the top four contestants onto the stage and delivered a brief, rather unremarkable speech.
The content? Just the usual: praising the hardships and struggles each contestant had overcome, and encouraging other traders to follow their example.
But what surprised Leo was...
Even though it was a speech hastily written overnight by Meowth, it still managed to stir the crowd's emotions, making their blood boil with excitement.
Leo could only conclude that, beyond catching Pokémon, the Rocket trio truly excelled in many other areas!
...
...
With a grand banquet attended by thousands, the first Pokémon League Conference came to a close.
Early the next morning.
A gentle breeze blew across the horizon, scattering the clouds like mist.
Above the sea, the ships carried by the Wailord hovered in an orderly formation, covering the water's surface.
Only in the center was there a massive, empty space.
Hundreds of vacant ships bobbed up and down, driven by the sea breeze and pushed by the waves—a strange and eerie sight.
Then suddenly...
A colossal island descended from the sky, like a perfectly engineered piece of machinery, gently lowering itself into the gap between the ships.
What was truly remarkable was that the surrounding seawater remained completely still—no waves, not even a ripple—as if the island had always been there.
Under the guidance of the Rotoms, the audience began to leave their seats, making their way toward their ships.
Some contestants were teleported back to their original locations with Leo's help.
However...
By midday, many people were still lingering on the island, yet to board their ships. Instead, a long queue had formed in front of the Celestial Gym, with people anxiously waiting, tiptoeing in anticipation.
"Next, number 12, please proceed to window number 2."
Suddenly, Meowth's sharp voice rang out from the loudspeakers.
A person excitedly stepped forward, holding a number ticket, and entered a room marked with a large "2" on the door.
Moments later, they emerged, their face glowing with joy.
In their hands were a Rotom Phone and a red-and-white Poké Ball.
And within that long queue stood powerful figures like Doflamingo, Crocodile, Monkey D. Dragon, Morgans, and others.
These influential individuals, who typically held positions of immense power, had, in this moment, become indistinguishable from ordinary people.
Each held a number ticket, waiting patiently for Meowth's call.