"So that means…"
A sharp gleam flashed through Koala's bright eyes as she said excitedly, "If we use this Green Vine Interference Device, doesn't that mean we can directly paralyze the weapons systems of those World Government–affiliated nations!? In that case, our soldiers could easily break through their defenses and liberate those countries oppressed by the World Government's Heavenly Tribute—"
"Not quite~" Red explained with a smile. "It's not like they don't have stockpiles of guns and ammunition."
"But at the very least… with this list, you should be able to determine which kingdoms are easier to liberate."
"Right now, the World Government's forces have been severely depleted after continuous warfare. Their manpower is stretched thin, and a large portion of the Navy is already under heavy pressure from the Revolutionary Army."
"With the Green Vine Interference Device in play, your liberation efforts should accelerate significantly."
"And if you ensure strict information control so that the existence of the device isn't exposed in the short term, Green Vine Arms might even receive another wave of massive orders from those same countries…"
Tap~
The small Green Vine Interference Device was placed onto the table by Red, instantly drawing every Revolutionary's gaze.
After a long silence, Sabo finally came back to his senses. His eyes burned with intensity as he looked at Red.
"May I ask… what is the price of this device? We'd like to purchase a batch first."
"Money?"
Red laughed openly.
"With our relationship, isn't it a bit too distant to talk about money?"
He casually picked up the device from the table and tossed it directly to Sabo.
"It doesn't cost much to produce anyway. We'll just give you a thousand of them for free~"
"Usopp~"
Red turned his head.
Usopp immediately nodded. "Understood."
The moment his words fell, a hatch opened in his palm. Identical Green Vine Interference Devices began clattering out of his body one after another.
In the blink of an eye, the entire table was piled high.
Not one more, not one less.
Exactly one thousand!
Red stood up and waved generously.
"With this batch, taking down the kingdoms on that list shouldn't be a problem."
"Wait."
At that moment, the previously silent Eastern Army Commander suddenly spoke, interrupting the Revolutionary officers whose eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
The stunning Belo Betty removed her sunglasses and stared directly at Red.
"If news of the Green Vine Interference Device gets exposed, Green Vine Arms will collapse overnight, won't it?"
"You already control such a large share of the underground arms market, yet you're willing to sacrifice such enormous profit."
"Why… is the Straw Hat Pirates going so far to help the Revolutionary Army?"
"Even considering the relationship between your captain and our leader, this is far too unusual."
"And the rest of you don't object at all?"
"Why would we object?" Red replied with a faint smile.
"You don't seriously think our captain would mobilize the entire crew just for a father he's never even met, do you?"
"Don't overthink it."
"We just want someone to draw the World Government's attention for a while so we can develop in peace."
"That's not something simple father-son sentiment could accomplish."
"Of course~"
Red suddenly glanced at Sabo, the corners of his lips curling upward.
"If it's brotherhood… that's a different story."
Sabo and the others were stunned.
Cake Island.
After settling the other four Army Commanders, Red brought Sabo and Koala alone back to the Straw Hat Pirates' headquarters.
Though the island had been named by its former owner, the Big Mom Pirates, its unique appearance and Luffy's fondness for it meant the name Cake Island remained unchanged, unlike other islands in the Pokémon Sea Region.
Now, staring at a figure he had only ever seen in dreams standing alive before him, Luffy's eyes brimmed with tears.
Even though Red had told him and Ace about Sabo many times, it still felt unreal.
"You are…?"
Seeing Luffy's emotional expression, Sabo suddenly froze as well.
Koala looked from Sabo to Luffy, then finally turned her questioning gaze to Red.
Red smiled faintly.
"Sabo… do you remember anything from before you joined the Revolutionary Army?"
"Before I joined…?" Sabo murmured, his eyes drifting.
After a long pause, he shook his head helplessly.
"Sorry. I suffered a severe head injury when I was young. By the time I regained consciousness, I was already at the Revolutionary Army headquarters."
"According to the leader, he found me injured in the East Blue."
"I see~"
Red curved his lips slightly and signaled to Luffy.
"Sabo!"
Luffy stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
"It's me! I'm Luffy!"
"Luffy…!?"
A strange mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity surged into Sabo's heart.
At that moment, Pudding, whom Red had called over, stepped behind Sabo.
"Hey! What are you doing!?" Koala's expression changed as she saw Pudding press a finger to Sabo's temple.
But before she could stop it, memory fragments flowed out like strips of film, drawn from Sabo's mind by Pudding's slender fingers.
Sabo's eyes turned hazy.
The memory film spun around Pudding's finger, coiling layer upon layer.
Koala was gently restrained by Red, who had prepared for this.
After more than ten seconds, the extracted film suddenly turned murky—as if covered in dust.
Pudding swiftly pulled the rest of the memory film out and gently wiped away the clouded section with her other hand.
In an instant, the haze disappeared.
She carefully pushed the restored memories back into Sabo's mind.
"It's done, Lord Red!"
Pudding exhaled deeply and stepped back cautiously.
"Thank you."
Red patted Sabo's shoulder, bringing him back to awareness.
The flood of restored memories made his eyes glisten.
Sabo lowered his head and looked at the familiar straw hat.
Tears rolled down his resolute face.
"Luffy… I'm sorry…"
"Sabo!?"
Their eyes met.
"Cheers!!!"
Clang!!!
The rich scent of wine filled the air.
Cake Island erupted in celebration once again—right after finishing Uta's welcome party.
The Straw Hats sat around a round table, smiling at the reunited brothers.
"If only Ace were here too…" Usopp said with a grin, leaning back in his chair.
"Don't worry," Red replied with a soft smile. "That day will come."
Sanji, finally able to rest after a long period of work, watched Luffy and Sabo drinking heartily.
"Our captain really is something…"
"A Navy Hero for a grandfather, the Revolutionary Army's leader as a father, a Yonko commander for a brother, and now the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command as a sworn brother…"
"With a lineup like that, there's probably no one else in the world like Luffy."
"Oh really?" Zoro immediately countered.
"I'd say it's the other way around. It's their honor to have Luffy as their grandson or brother."
"Hahaha! Exactly!"
Sabo laughed, lifting his cup.
"If we're being honest, what's truly incredible about Luffy is that he has companions like you."
His gaze swept across the crew—
Zoro, who slew Fleet Admiral Akainu;Sanji, who stood toe-to-toe with Fleet Admiral Aokiji;Usopp, a one-man army;"Knight of the Sea" Jinbe;the weather-wielding queen Nami;the scholar of Ohara, Nico Robin…
Each one a powerhouse capable of ruling their own domain.
And of course—
Red, Luffy's vice captain.
Sabo raised his cup toward Red.
Laughter and celebration swept across Cake Island.
Even the Pokémon that occasionally appeared across the island seemed to join in the joy.
Uta, accustomed to grand banquets from her days on Red-Haired Shanks' ship, blended into the celebration effortlessly.
Time passed.
Three days flew by.
Under the bright sunlight reflecting off gentle waves at Pipi Island's harbor, Luffy stood before the Straw Hats, reluctantly saying goodbye to Sabo.
Though the reunion had been brief, both brothers understood.
There was still much left to do.
This short reunion was already the greatest gift fate could give.
"Well then, Luffy—we're setting sail."
"Next time we meet, I hope to hear you've become Pirate King!"
From aboard the Revolutionary ship disguised as a merchant vessel, Sabo waved with force.
Luffy grinned widely.
"Hehe~"
"Don't worry! I'm definitely becoming the Pirate King!!!"
He raised his fist in promise.
They parted once more.
Separation—for the sake of a better reunion.
But the excitement did not fade.
Because that very night, another disguised ship passed the strict approval layers of the Pokémon Sea Region and docked at Cake Island.
Only two figures disembarked.
One wore a black coat and a helmet marked with the number "1."
The other had a childlike body with rabbit-like ears.
They were two of Vegapunk's satellites—
Shaka, representing "Justice," and Edison, representing "Thinking."
"Welcome~"
Red's eyes shone with excitement.
If the deal with the Revolutionary Army bought development time for the Straw Hat Pirates, then Vegapunk's arrival could truly change the world.
"Greetings, Lord Red," Shaka said steadily.
Edison bowed deeply.
"Dr. Vegapunk has shared your previous conversation with us. We are here to investigate the mysterious space you mentioned."
"You managed to leave Egghead despite all the CP agents—impressive."
"Let's not waste time. I'll show you the space immediately."
Red had no interest in formalities.
Shaka and Edison agreed at once.
In a flash, Red loaded the templates of Palkia and Dialga.
He unleashed Spacial Rend and Roar of Time, opening a passage to the Antimatter World.
The moment the dimensional rift appeared, Shaka and Edison's eyes gleamed.
Though spatial abilities were not rare in the pirate world—such as the Storage-Storage Fruit, the Book-Book Fruit, or the Mirror-Mirror Fruit—and even Vegapunk himself had researched such phenomena—
This was different.
From the very first glance, they felt it.
This space was unlike anything created by known Devil Fruit users.
Just as Red had said—
It was a dimension parallel to yet distinct from the pirate world.
A true alternate dimension.
(End of Chapter)