Chereads / Trader In The World Of Pirates!!! / Chapter 233 -  Chapter 233: Arrival at Island of Woman! [4 in 1 chapter]

Chapter 233 -  Chapter 233: Arrival at Island of Woman! [4 in 1 chapter]

A few days later...

A highly amusing bounty poster began circulating across the seas.

Along with it, a press release that shocked the entire world!

...

...

East Blue, Loguetown — in a secret, rundown tavern.

"Hahahahaha!!!"

The sound of hearty laughter filled the tavern, instantly bringing life to the quiet, secluded place.

However, aside from the tavern's owner, there were only three people in the room.

Roger took a swig of liquor, clutching the bounty poster in his hand, a nostalgic look in his eyes.

Beside him, a white-haired old man, also drinking heavily, sighed in disbelief:

"I never imagined that brat Buggy would pull off something this big!"

"Hahahaha, exactly, Rayleigh!" Roger laughed.

"In the blink of an eye, those two little brats have grown up. Almost caught up to us." 

Roger stroked his mustache, his laughter carrying a hint of melancholy, as though lost in distant memories.

Rayleigh, on the other hand, shook his head and grumbled:

"Who would've thought a guy like you could come back from the dead?"

"I was shocked when Garp resurrected you!"

"Speaking of which, have you thought about what you're going to do next?"

"Plans?" Roger put his glass down and answered slowly:

"I'm thinking of becoming a trainer for a while, then I'll bring back Rouge..."

"Can't let just any young punk finish me off without seeing it all!"

"Trainer?"

Rayleigh blinked in surprise, then chuckled:

"Same old Roger, coming up with one crazy idea after another."

...

...

New World, Kingdom of Dressrosa.

While the outside world was buzzing over the bounty poster...

Inside Dressrosa's palace, the atmosphere was so quiet that even the sound of breathing seemed loud.

Leo, with a calm gesture, sent a beam of light into Vergo's body, linking it to the Pokéball on his waist.

Satisfied, Leo turned to Doflamingo with a smile.

"Well then, Mr. Doflamingo, they've all mastered bond evolution now, so our deal is complete."

"Thank you, Sir Leo!" Doflamingo said, his eyes gleaming with respect. He bowed deeply to Leo.

Behind him, more than a dozen members of the Donquixote family followed suit, bowing in gratitude.

After spending over a month with their Pokémon, they had come to witness the true power of these magical creatures.

Experiencing the mysterious bond abilities firsthand, they couldn't help but feel awe and submission towards Leo, a dimensional merchant.

Someone who could bestow such incredible powers on others, even if not a god, was certainly to be treated as one.

The Donquixote family, more than anyone, understood the need for such reverence.

"Haha..." Leo chuckled at their thanks, casually waving his hand.

"As I said, there's really no need to be so formal."

He then looked directly at Doflamingo, the head of the family.

"Well, Mr. Doflamingo, since our business is concluded, I'll be on my way."

Doflamingo didn't dare delay Leo for a second, responding with utmost respect:

"Yes! Thank you for everything, Sir Leo. Please take care on your journey."

As soon as he spoke, Leo vanished from sight, as though he had never been there.

"Doffy."

Seeing Leo disappear, Trebol let out a long breath, stepping forward to stand beside Doflamingo.

"Doffy, here's today's paper. You might want to take a look."

"Hmm?"

Doflamingo, still caught up in the awe of Leo's effortless majesty, blinked and took the newspaper from Trebol's hands.

With it came the latest bounty poster.

Scanning the headline, a sly grin spread across Doflamingo's face, and he began reading the article intently.

After a moment, he closed the paper slowly, a wide, satisfied smirk plastered on his face.

"Well done, Five Elders..."

He muttered, his tone a mix of admiration and mockery.

Just from reading between the lines, he could tell exactly how the Five Elders had spun the situation.

Glancing at the bounty poster, Doflamingo flicked it onto the table next to him.

Of course, he was well aware of Buggy's attack on the Celestial Dragon.

In the past, this would've been something he followed closely.

But recently, he'd been too focused on securing funds to worry about the life or death of a single Celestial Dragon.

Even the underground world was rife with bootleg copies of video footage — much of it sold by him.

But what did any of that matter to him now?

"The times are changing, gentlemen..."

Doflamingo chuckled to himself as he walked out onto the palace's grand balcony.

The sun bathed his face in light, and that familiar, sinister laugh escaped his lips.

"Fuh fuh fuh fuh..."

"Those foolish Celestial Dragons, still desperately clinging to their status..."

"It seems some people are destined to be left behind by history!"

"Yes, fuh fuh fuh... I'm looking forward to it."

"But before that..."

"TREBOL!"

Doflamingo suddenly snapped, his voice cutting through the air like a whip.

A powerful aura burst forth from his body, and the eyes behind his blood-red sunglasses gleamed with insatiable ambition!

Trebol, standing nearby, quickly responded, "I'm here, Young Master Doffy!"

At that moment, the atmosphere had grown so tense that even Trebol—who normally called Doflamingo by the affectionate nickname "Doffy"—couldn't help but add the honorific.

Doflamingo suddenly spread his arms wide, leaning into the sunlight, casting a dark shadow over the Donquixote Family members gathered below him. His voice was slow but commanding:

"Prepare the troops. We're going to Wano!"

"The Four Emperors have held their place long enough. It's time to shake things up!"

Kaido had been siphoning off massive resources, and Doflamingo knew it was only a matter of time before the Emperor noticed something amiss.

That's why he planned to strike first, eliminating Kaido before he could retaliate!

With wild ambition in his voice, Doflamingo declared:

"By taking over Kaido's territory, we can harness even more powerful resources!"

"Once we do that, those so-called Celestial Dragons will be nothing but insignificant pests!"

"This era belongs to the traders!"

"Fuffuffuffu!!!"

...

...

East Blue, Goa Kingdom, Windmill Village Harbor.

A gentle breeze rippled across the ocean, creating soft waves under the warm sunshine. The sea glittered, as though painted with liquid gold.

Ace sat confidently atop Charizard, waving goodbye to Dadan, Magra, Dogra and the others, before turning his attention to the young man below.

"Hey, Luffy, you sure you don't want to come with me?"

"The world's changed a lot, you know. The title of Pirate King doesn't hold the same weight anymore."

"Before you even become Pirate King, I'll be off having adventures in another world!"

"Hmph! I'm not gonna be your subordinate!" Luffy shouted up at Ace, clearly annoyed.

"And no matter how much the world changes, I don't care! I will be the Pirate King!!!"

"..."

Ace was silent for a moment, taken aback by Luffy's fierce declaration. Then, a small smile crept onto his face. His expression softened as he chuckled:

"You never change, do you? Hahahaha."

"Well, do whatever you want."

"Just don't come crying to me when you beg for a chance to explore other worlds with me later on!" 

"That's it, then."

"Bye, Luffy! Bye, Dadan! Bye, everyone!"

"I, Ace, am off to start a new journey!!!"

Returning to the Goa Kingdom after a year, Ace had not only reunited with friends and family but also learned the joyous news that Sabo was alive.

For Ace, this homecoming was filled with surprises, making it a trip well worth the effort.

However...

As Ace rummaged through his backpack, he slowly pulled out a bounty poster for Buggy the Clown, a pensive look spreading across his face.

"Buggy the Clown..."

"Someone's already taken a swing at the Celestial Dragons?"

"The Celestial Dragons must be sitting on a mountain of resources, right?"

Ace wondered if, after joining the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce, he'd still be able to raid others for resources and trade like he used to.

"Hmm... Maybe I should take advantage of this resting period and pull off a couple of big heists!"

"If I could run into a Celestial Dragon or two on the way, that would be perfect..." 

Ace licked his lips, musing to himself.

He hadn't forgotten the wager he made with Roger.

This resting period was his final buffer.

If Roger didn't make a move soon, Ace had no intention of holding back any longer!

"Luffy's gonna become Pirate King, and then the Pirate King's gonna have to call me 'Dad'..."

"This generation is getting more and more chaotic!"

...

...

A few days later.

Calm Belt, Amazon Lily.

"Open the city gates!!! The Empress has returned!!!"

With a loud shout, the entire Amazon Lily kingdom erupted into excitement.

Citizens poured out of their homes, lining the streets with eager, starry-eyed anticipation.

Before long, the heavy port gates swung open.

The Perfume Yuda, flagship of the Kuja Pirates, sailed gracefully through the water, from the port into the city.

"Ah!!! It's the Kuja Pirates!!!"

"Sandersonia-sama!!! Marigold-sama!!!"

""""Hebihime-sama!!!!""""

Cheers of excitement echoed from both sides of the street, calling out to the women on the ship's deck.

Meanwhile...

Inside the cabin of the Perfume Yuda, a tall, beautiful woman with long black hair lay stretched out on her bed. Her deep blue almond-shaped eyes gleamed with a hint of coldness, and her smooth lips showed no trace of a frown. Her long, exposed legs were slender and alluring.

This was none other than Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress, known throughout the world as the "Peerless Beauty."

The previous night, she had encountered a giant Sea King, and when her crew couldn't handle it, Hancock was forced to cut her beauty sleep short to deal with the beast herself.

Not wanting to attract any more Sea Kings seeking revenge, she had stayed up all night, her rest completely disrupted.

Now, as the Pirate Empress stretched lazily, a flicker of irritation flashed in her eyes at the sound of the noise outside. She turned to the person beside her:

"Sandersonia, what's going on out there? Why is it so noisy?"

The green-haired Sandersonia quickly responded:

"Sister, we've returned to Amazon Lily. The people are cheering to celebrate our safe arrival."

"People?"

Hancock's expression grew even colder upon hearing the word.

"How troublesome..." she muttered in irritation, twisting her graceful body and turning away.

On any other day, she could silence the noise with ease.

But welcoming back the Kuja Pirates had long been a sacred tradition in Amazon Lily.

In other words, she had no choice but to endure the noisy celebration, no matter how much it disturbed her rest.

The cheers continued until the Pirate Empress finally reached the inner city of the palace.

Hancock, who longed for a moment of peace, stepped off the palanquin, her white thighs gleaming as she strode toward the palace without a second glance.

However, just then, a short elderly woman stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

This was Gloriosa, the former ruler of Amazon Lily, though she was more commonly known by another title these days—Granny Nyon.

"Snake Princess, you're finally back!" Granny Nyon greeted Hancock enthusiastically.

"How was it? The Pokémon League Tournament must have wrapped up by now, right?"

Due to its location in the Calm Belt, Amazon Lily was isolated from the rest of the world. The Kuja Pirates were their only source of news from the outside world.

This time, the pirate group had been away for two months, during which the Pokémon League had taken place.

Granny Nyon, always curious about the outside world, had been eagerly awaiting news.

However...

Hancock, without a word, stepped over Granny Nyon's small frame and continued on her way, leaving the old woman standing there in embarrassment.

"Damn it! Snake Princess, what kind of attitude is that!? I'm the former Empress of Amazon Lily!!!"

Realizing she had been ignored, Granny Nyon yelled in frustration.

"Huh?"

Hancock, hearing the outburst, immediately turned around, her gaze cold as an intense aura radiated from her. 

Sensing that her irritable sister might be about to explode from Granny Nyon's words, Sandersonia quickly stepped in between them. 

With a smile, she said, "Granny Nyon, my sister has been away too long this time. She's a bit tired."

"I have all the newspapers and intel you've been waiting for. I'll show them to you later."

"Here, take a look at this newspaper from the last couple of days in the meantime." 

Granny Nyon, her interest piqued, turned her attention to the newspaper in Sandersonia's hand, choosing to avoid further confrontation with Hancock.

However...

As her eyes skimmed the headline, an expression of pure shock appeared on her face.

"This... actually happened?!"

Granny Nyon quickly turned around to stop Hancock, who had already begun walking towards the palace.

"Snake Princess! Haven't you seen this newspaper from a few days ago?"

"Newspaper? Why would I waste my time reading that?" Hancock responded, her voice dripping with disdain.

Due to the nature of Amazon Lily, most of its inhabitants—including Hancock—rarely bothered with newspapers or books, only picking them up when truly bored. As a result, the newspaper remained unopened.

"I see..." Granny Nyon sighed, her tone grave. She spread the paper in her hands, holding it up so Hancock could see. 

"So, you don't know about the Celestial Dragon kidnapping and torture incident, do you?"

Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold: !!!???

"What did you say!?" 

Hancock's face instantly darkened, her regal demeanor intensifying.

She turned her sharp gaze toward the newspaper and saw the large headline:

[The identity of the villain in the Celestial Dragon kidnapping revealed! Former crew member of the Pirate King involved in heinous crimes!!!]

Below the headline was a detailed report about Buggy's attack on the Celestial Dragons.

The moment Hancock saw the words "Celestial Dragon," she could no longer contain herself. She snatched the newspaper from Granny Nyon's hands and began reading the article carefully.

Though the newspaper, being an official publication, didn't delve into Buggy's torture of the Celestial Dragons, it did confirm his kidnapping of them.

Even so, Hancock could read between the lines. The situation was far more complex than the newspaper made it out to be.

She might dislike reading, but she certainly wasn't a fool.

If the matter were as straightforward as the article suggested, the news would have focused on Buggy's execution, not the issuing of a bounty on him.

"Buggy the Clown? A former crew member of the Pirate King?"

As she muttered the name aloud, Hancock fell deep into thought.

Her childhood experience of being captured and enslaved by the Celestial Dragons was a scar that had never fully healed. It was a shadow that loomed over her heart, buried but ever-present.

Anyone daring to raise their hand against the Celestial Dragons was a hero in her eyes.

This thought stirred something within her. She found herself curious about what Buggy the Clown might look like.

Suddenly, a breeze swept through, causing the newspaper pages to rustle loudly.

In the middle of the commotion, a brand-new bounty notice slipped out and fluttered to Hancock's feet.

She looked down and immediately noticed the image on the bounty poster.

It was a vulgar face, mouth wide open in laughter, with an absurd red nose right in the center, making one want to stomp on it.

Her slender leg lifted slightly, high heel poised to crush Buggy's ridiculous red nose.

But just before her foot came down...

Hancock paused, clenching her hands tightly as she thought to herself:

"No... I can't step on it. This is the man who kidnapped the Celestial Dragons... No, this is the pirate who stood up to the Celestial Dragons."

Taking a deep breath, Hancock slowly lowered her smooth, graceful leg.

At that moment, Granny Nyon approached, noticing the bounty poster and seeming to understand Hancock's internal conflict.

She picked up the reward notice and, while turning her back to Hancock, began muttering as she scanned the numbers:

"One hundred thousand... million... tens of millions... billion..."

"Two... two and a half billion bounty!!? Oh my goodness!!!"

Granny Nyon blinked in disbelief before focusing and counting again.

After a second, careful check, her heart raced.

"It's true! Buggy the Clown... No, Buggy the Clown King is worth 2.5 billion Berries!!!"

"What did you say!?"

Hearing such an astronomical bounty, Hancock no longer paid any attention to Buggy's laughable face. She grabbed the poster from Granny Nyon and began counting the numbers carefully, just as Granny Nyon had done.

"Ten... hundreds... thousands... billions... 2.5 billion Berries! Is that real?"

Even as the Pirate Empress, Hancock couldn't help but shout in disbelief at such an astronomical bounty.

At that moment, a strange male voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Wow, that's quite the bounty."

"Indeed," Hancock responded reflexively.

But almost immediately, she sensed something was off. Turning quickly, she saw Granny Nyon and her two sisters staring in shock at something behind her.

??!?

Hancock spun around and was startled to see a man in a black tuxedo, dressed like an old noble, floating in midair.

"Who are you!?" Hancock demanded.

Without waiting for an answer, she launched a swift kick, her mouth forming a sneer. Before the man could speak, her leg, wrapped in Haki, shot toward him with the speed of a storm. The air around her thigh whistled with force.

But...

Thud.

Her powerful kick met resistance as if it had hit something soft, like iron sinking into cotton.

To her shock, the man blocked her attack effortlessly with just an extended finger.

"What!?" Hancock exclaimed, astonished that her kick had been so easily stopped. She performed a graceful backflip to distance herself from the mysterious intruder.

"Sister!" her siblings cried out, worried she was about to attack again.

But before she could strike, Granny Nyon's voice rang out: 

"Wait, Snake Princess!"

Granny Nyon hurried forward, her snake staff clattering as she moved. She positioned herself between Hancock and the man, quickly speaking up:

"I didn't realize Mr. Dimensional Merchant had arrived unannounced. Please forgive Snake Princess and the others for their lack of courtesy."

"No, no, no..." the man—Leo—said with a slight smile, turning his gaze toward Granny Nyon. "I should apologize for coming without warning."

"Dimensional Merchant?" Hancock echoed in confusion.

Granny Nyon bowed deeply and said respectfully, "It is an honor, a blessing for you to visit our Nine Snake Island, Mr. Dimensional Merchant!"

But in her heart, Granny Nyon was in turmoil.

A dimensional merchant, here on Nine Snake Island!

For months, ever since hearing about the dimensional merchants and the rise of Pokémon in the world, Granny Nyon had been keeping tabs on these mysterious developments, wondering how their remote island would fare in this new era.

Now, there was no need to wonder.

Nine Snake Island was going to become a Pokémon island too!

While Hancock officially ruled the kingdom, Granny Nyon still held considerable sway when it came to big decisions, and in this moment, her thoughts raced. After all, she had raised Hancock and her sisters and brought them back to Nine Snake Island.

The three sisters—Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold—quickly realized that something significant had changed and returned to their usual composed postures.

Leo chuckled softly.

"Granny Nyon, there's no need for such formality."

"It seems you already know who I am, so there's no need for a lengthy introduction."

"My name is Leo Drago, a dimensional merchant."

"I've come to Nine Snake Island to see if there's anyone here interested in making a deal."

Leo had been hard at work recently, traveling across different lands in pursuit of his goal: accumulating 500 million points to explore new worlds. After wrapping up a deal with Doflamingo, Leo had decided to visit the Shichibukai, figuring they were rich targets since the navy and world government allowed them to plunder legally.

Moreover, he had always wanted to meet the famed Pirate Empress in person.

Though he had admired many artistic depictions of her back on Earth, seeing her in person was something else.

However...

Leo glanced at Hancock, a fleeting look of disappointment crossing his eyes.

Hancock was, without a doubt, stunning—her figure graceful, her bust generous, her skin flawless, her legs long and smooth. 

It was nearly impossible for any man to resist her charms. Even those with alternative preferences would likely still marvel at her beauty and think, "How beautiful!"

Her beauty was almost supernatural, as if nature itself had crafted her to perfection.

If Nami embodied agile beauty and Robin the beauty of mystery, then Hancock was the beauty of conquest!

It was as if her presence exuded a magnetic force, compelling anyone—man, woman, or even creatures—not just to admire her, but to either conquer or be conquered by her.

But...

That magnetic charm was useless against Leo today.

He admitted Hancock was more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen. But thanks to his heightened mental faculties, he could clearly sense a subtle, constant aura emanating from her—a passive influence, likely caused by her Devil Fruit ability.

The Mero Mero no Mi (Love-Love Fruit) allowed her to enchant anyone, regardless of gender or age, turning them into stone with her charms.

It was the perfect match for someone as breathtaking as Hancock, but its effect was nullified on Leo.

Seeing that Leo was unaffected by her beauty, Hancock felt a knot form in her stomach.

Of course, she knew the reputation of the dimensional merchants.

Though the Kuja Pirates didn't often interact with the outside world, the news of Pokémon and dimensional merchants had dominated major events all year, making it impossible to remain uninformed.

"Um..."

Hancock spoke, her tone shifting. Remembering what she had heard about the powers of dimensional merchants, she immediately adopted a more humble demeanor, a rare flicker of nervousness in her voice:

"I apologize, Mr. Dimensional Merchant. I didn't recognize you earlier..."

Though Hancock was renowned for her arrogance, she understood when it was time to lower her pride.

More importantly...

She had noticed something in Leo's eyes—a calm, detached gaze, with none of the usual lust or admiration she was accustomed to seeing.

It was the first time she had encountered such unaffected eyes.

She knew her allure was overwhelming, and anyone who wasn't swayed by her charm had to either be truly devoid of desire or possessed strength far beyond hers, someone on a level she could only look up to.

Though Leo's expression remained kind, Hancock could sense the natural authority in his gaze, the subtle look of someone powerful casually observing a subordinate.

It wasn't that Leo disrespected her. Quite the opposite.

He seemed to deliberately present a friendly face, as though to prevent her from feeling hopelessly outmatched.

Realizing the gap in power between them, Hancock wisely chose her course of action.

Leo waved off her apology with a light gesture.

"I already said, it's my fault for arriving unannounced. There's no need to dwell on it."

"Besides..."

"I think you all know why I've come here."

"Now, Miss Hancock... Are you interested in making a deal with me?"

"Deal?"

Hancock's body trembled slightly, and a sudden flash of brilliance appeared in her cold, almond-shaped eyes. She quickly responded, 

"Of course." 

"In today's world, everyone eagerly seeks to make a deal with you, my lord!" 

"It is an honor for me!" 

"Hahaha, not only are you beautiful, but you also know how to sweet-talk. Also, please call me Sir Leo. No need for formalities." Leo praised her with a grin. 

"Well then, please redeem the corresponding points." 

As soon as Leo finished speaking, he waved his arm, and a stream of information about the transaction appeared in Hancock's mind. 

Feeling the sudden influx of knowledge, Hancock couldn't help but marvel at the mysterious methods of the dimensional merchant, and then quietly focused on selecting items to redeem. 

Although the Amazon Lily Kingdom possessed considerable national power, its location in the windless zone, surrounded by infamous monster lairs, left it isolated. 

Aside from the powerful Kuja Pirates, no one could leave or enter. Though self-sufficient, the kingdom remained underdeveloped. 

Had Hancock not become a Warlord of the Sea (Shichibukai), signing a treaty with the World Government for free navigation and plundering rights, Amazon Lily might still be as isolated as Wano. 

Even with the Kuja Pirates providing a link to the outside world, the island's economy lagged behind most nations. Its only real advantage was the island's harsh environment, which ensured peace and security, as no one dared disturb it. 

Over the decades, Amazon Lily had managed to accumulate some savings. 

After sacrificing over 90% of her nation's wealth, Hancock finally received a Rotom phone that matched the color of her cheongsam, floating in front of her. 

Leo's loud laughter followed, "Congratulations, Miss Hancock, you are now a VIP 5 member of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce!" 

Leo was understandably pleased. With Hancock's 160,000-point contribution, his total points surpassed five million. This meant he could start preparing to explore a new world. 

The pirate world, though still valuable, had been mostly explored. He could now leave it in the hands of Team Rocket and Enel to slowly harvest its remaining potential while he moved on. 

For now, however, he still needed to conclude the current transaction. 

"Now, Miss Hancock, what kind of Pokémon would you like to buy?" Leo, in high spirits, snapped his fingers. 

A virtual screen appeared before Hancock, though it remained blank for the moment. 

Hancock glanced at her Rotom phone, noting the 40,000-point balance. Her expression grew thoughtful. 

Reaching level 5 naturally granted her a wealth of information about trading commodities, but there was so much that she found it hard to decide immediately. 

After a brief pause, she asked, 

"What does Sir Leo suggest I do with my 40,000 points?" 

"Oh? You'd like my advice?" Leo chuckled. "That depends on whether you want to develop your nation's strength or focus on personal combat power." 

"If you want to strengthen your nation, I'd suggest buying numerous affordable, weaker Pokémon and distributing them among your citizens to train. Although your country won't prosper instantly, over time, with Pokémon breeding, it will grow stronger." 

"But if you're looking to build high-end combat power, have you ever watched the Pokémon League?" 

"You could acquire one or several powerful Pokémon and use the bonds formed with them to gain significant strength, just like the competitors in the league." 

"What do you think?" 

"This..." Hancock hesitated. 

The more information she processed, the clearer Leo's strategies became. Yet, as she mulled over her options, she thought to herself: 

Children make choices. But I am the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, and I want it all! 

Without delay, she said, "Sir Leo, can I choose both?" 

"Of course." Leo smiled calmly. "The points are entirely at your disposal." 

Hancock nodded. "In that case, Sir Leo, please use 10,000 points to select two Pokémon with exceptional potential for me and also redeem the bond and MEGA evolutions." 

"As for the remaining 15,000 points, please select Pokémon that would benefit Amazon Lily." 

"I leave it all in your capable hands, Sir Leo!" 

Hancock had no qualms about spending over half of her nation's wealth to strengthen herself. 

Although she hadn't watched the entire Pokémon League, she had seen the final battle between Ace and Zoro and realized how Pokémon had raised the base combat power of the pirate world. 

Remaining stagnant would only invite trouble, especially for someone with the title of Warlord of the Sea. Strengthening herself was essential. 

But she couldn't pass up the opportunity to develop Amazon Lily as well. 

The island's poverty was a direct result of its isolation, caused by its harsh surroundings. Without sufficient strength, Hancock would never allow her citizens to venture out to sea. 

But if her warriors could travel freely with Pokémon, those restrictions could be eased. More citizens could set sail, and Amazon Lily would begin to prosper! 

Leo, hearing Hancock's plan, nodded in approval. "A very wise choice." 

"Then..." With a snap of his fingers, two Pokémon appeared on the virtual screen in front of Hancock. 

[Pokémon: Milotic] 

[Type: Water] 

[Ability: Cute Charm (Has a chance to infatuate opponents during battle.)] 

[Level: 35] 

[Price: 5,000 points] 

... 

[Pokémon: Serperior] 

[Type: Grass] 

[Ability: Contrary (Stat changes are reversed, debuffs become buffs and vice versa.)] 

[Level: 35] 

[Price: 5,000 points] 

... 

"Milotic, Serperior?" Hancock's eyes were instantly drawn to the two majestic, snake-like Pokémon. 

Both were stunning—Milotic with its rainbow-colored beauty, and Serperior with its noble, regal aura. 

It felt as if these two Pokémon had been made for her. 

Without hesitation, Hancock placed her order. 

"These two will do!" Hancock nodded excitedly. 

Until she saw them, she hadn't been sure about the Pokémon, but now she was fully satisfied. Most of the Pokémon she saw at the Pokémon League hadn't impressed her, not even Nami's Pikachu. 

Hancock didn't care for cute things; she preferred elegance and power. And these two Pokémon matched her style perfectly. 

Seeing her satisfaction, Leo smiled and redeemed two Pokéballs from the system, along with a Pokémon bracelet that suddenly appeared on Hancock's wrist.