"Marvelous~ This is truly marvelous!!!"
Within the antimatter space.
Shaka and Edison stood atop a strange floating island suspended in the void, its shape oddly symmetrical above and below, as if mirrored along an invisible axis.
Behind them—
Bound to an X-shaped frame, her entire body wrapped in Seastone chains, was one of the Five Elders: Alicia Mirabelagon.
As the positional anchor Red had established within the antimatter world, she had remained in this state ever since the day she was imprisoned here.
At their level of strength, even severe torment wouldn't be enough to kill them easily.
This arrangement also allowed Red to store large-scale devices or equipment near Mirabelagon in the future, ensuring easy access whenever needed.
Meanwhile—
Having spent some time inside the antimatter world already, Shaka and Edison stood before a massive display screen, their faces filled with astonishment.
All around them, countless airborne exploration devices buzzed like a swarm of bees, taking off and landing in dense formation, gradually peeling away the mysteries of this strange realm.
And the more they explored, the more astonished they became.
Because in this world, they had discovered numerous forms of matter and energy that simply did not exist in the world of pirates.
Likewise—
This world was also missing many elements that were commonplace in their own.
It was as if humanity had long grown accustomed to a world of weak flesh and mechanical ascension—only to step outside for breakfast one morning and suddenly encounter two people waving wands and chanting spells.
The effects might look similar.
But at the root, they were fundamentally different.
For Shaka and Edison, witnessing this for the first time was nothing short of shocking.
As for Red?
He could only think—
If they ever noticed the inexplicable Pokémon appearing across Whole Cake Island, who knew what kind of expressions they'd make then.
It had to be said—the system's rewards were truly powerful.
Although Red couldn't decide the specific species or attributes of the Pokémon appearing on Whole Cake Island, he could divide the island into zones, allocating Pokémon by level tiers—every ten levels forming a bracket—ensuring different strength ranges appeared in designated areas.
This allowed members of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet who came to train on the island to efficiently find suitable opponents, without accidentally stumbling into high-level Pokémon and getting wiped out.
Of course—
Anything involving the system's power was far too fantastical. Red didn't believe that even Vegapunk would be able to unravel its secrets.
Compared to that, the antimatter world was practically simple.
…
…
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
Just as Red had planned, the Revolutionary Army's sudden offensive successfully drew the full firepower of the World Government.
Meanwhile, after Uta joined the crew, the Straw Hat Pirates finally enjoyed a relatively peaceful period of respite.
Though calling it "rest" was somewhat misleading.
Not a single member of the Straw Hat crew was truly idle.
Half a month wasn't long—but it wasn't short either.
According to intelligence Red obtained from the Akatsuki—
Not long ago, the Revolutionary Army successfully liberated a nation located in the first half of the Grand Line, completing a regime change and bringing it under their control.
Swift and decisive.
However, under the World Government's blockade, very few people were aware of this development.
"I wonder if the Revolutionary Army used the Green Vine Interference Device I gave them."
Seeing the nation's name appear on Green Vine Arms' recent purchase list, Red's eyes flickered with curiosity.
At the very least, from current market reputation, Green Vine Arms' firearms were still the most sought-after products on the underground market.
"Everything's moving in a good direction~"
Red murmured softly.
His gaze shifted toward Brook and Uta beside him, and a slight smile curved at the corner of his lips.
"So—are you two ready for today's Pokémon journey!?"
"Quick, quick! I can't wait anymore!"
Inside Red's office, Uta lay in her personal rest pod, flashing an "OK" sign eagerly.
From the adjacent pod, Brook's signature laugh echoed:
"Yohohohoho…"
"I hope we run into something interesting~"
Shwaa—
A brilliant white light engulfed the trio's vision.
In the next instant, their consciousness plunged into the world of Pokémon: Sword and Shield, beginning a brand-new adventure.
…
…
And just as the Straw Hats were finally enjoying a rare period of calm—
Far above Wano Country, on Onigashima, Kaido secretly summoned the Three All-Stars to a meeting room to discuss an important matter.
Within a dim cavern chamber, flickering candlelight cast long shadows across a round stone table, illuminating stacks of documents before them.
"So…"
Looking at the long list of supplies in front of him, a bead of cold sweat rolled down Queen's face.
"Captain Kaido… are we really going to war with the Straw Hat Pirates?"
"Even with these resources secretly provided by the World Government, they won't decisively help us in attacking the Straw Hat crew!"
"Don't forget—Straw Hat Luffy once sent all Five Elders soaring into the sky at once."
"And after we left, they secretly killed Saint Saturn of the Five Elders!!!"
As a former core member of MADS, Queen wasn't ignorant about space.
He understood—
The starry sky was a domain that current pirate-world technology simply couldn't explore.
People spoke endlessly of the vast seas, yet few ever considered just how vast the heavens above truly were.
Most didn't even know what other planets existed around their own.
Despite possessing a beginner-level cosmic environment, no one had taken that first step.
After witnessing the Straw Hat Pirates' capabilities, even Queen couldn't help but reflect—
With his extraordinary genius, why had he never thought of exploring the world's mysteries beyond the sky?
Even his own captain—
The Azure Dragon Fruit's power was practically perfect for space exploration.
Yet Kaido's ambitions had always remained bound to the chaotic seas.
Of course, those thoughts passed in an instant.
Right now, Queen's priority was stopping Kaido's reckless idea.
Thirty Zoan Devil Fruits?
Risking their lives for that?
Not worth it!
But just then—
BAM!!!
From the other side of the table, Jack slammed his fist down, smashing a crater into the solid stone surface.
"What the hell are you saying!?"
Leaping to his feet, Jack roared furiously, pointing at Queen as if staring down an enemy.
"Have you forgotten who we are!?"
"We're the Beasts Pirates!"
"That Straw Hat brat's only been sailing for two years—what's there to fear!?"
"And those Five Elders he sent into the sky? Didn't they all survive just fine!?"
"Otherwise, how could there have been a second assault on the Pokémon Sea?"
"Boss Kaido, you said it yourself—the Five Elders are weird, but they're not actually that strong, right!?"
"Mm."
Tempted by the World Government's offer, Kaido nodded in agreement.
"The Five Elders have many strange abilities."
"But I don't believe there's anything in this world that can't be destroyed."
"Without their immortality, they're nothing to fear!"
"Right!?"
Like a child praised by a teacher, Jack grinned triumphantly.
"Sure, Straw Hat Luffy sent them into the sky—but that doesn't mean he's stronger!"
"And when they killed Saint Saturn, none of us were even there."
"Maybe they discovered some weakness and took advantage of it!"
For once feeling like a genius, Jack spoke enthusiastically.
Queen clenched his fists in rage.
"You idiot!!!"
But instead of arguing further, he turned toward the only silent All-Star—
King.
"You really think we should attack the Straw Hat Pirates?"
All eyes shifted to King.
He remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"The Straw Hat Pirates are the greatest obstacle preventing Captain Kaido from becoming Pirate King. They must be eliminated."
"I knew it!" Jack beamed.
But—
"The timing isn't now."
King lifted his head, meeting Kaido's gaze.
"The Straw Hat Pirates' strength is unfathomable."
"Captain, don't forget—besides Straw Hat Luffy, they have Vice Captain Red, whose methods are mysterious. They have the swordsman who slew Akainu. The Flame Demon Knight. The Insect King."
"Recklessly attacking them now… would end in our defeat."
"Exactly!" Queen nodded vigorously.
Finally—someone sane.
Kaido's expression darkened.
"You're right."
He had indeed been swayed by the World Government's envoy.
The promised resources.
The fact that the Straw Hats stood in his way.
Combined, they clouded his judgment.
"But…" Kaido muttered.
"If we let them continue growing… how can we achieve greatness!?"
"No!"
King's eyes burned fiercely.
"Not attacking now doesn't mean we never attack!"
"A battle with the Straw Hat Pirates is inevitable—but first, we must grasp each of their weaknesses!"
"Setting aside the others…"
"The most troublesome are these few—"
"Captain Monkey D. Luffy."
"Vice Captain Red."
"Dragon Swordsman Roronoa Zoro."
"Black Leg Sanji."
"Insect King Usopp."
"And the former Seven Warlord of the Sea—Knight of the Sea Jinbe."
"Queen…"
King turned to him.
"If we want to fight them, your power is indispensable."
"We're weaker head-on."
"So if a frontal assault won't work… we take another path."
"For example—"
"Biochemical viral weapons."
"Hmm!?"
Queen's eyes lit up.
He hadn't expected such a shameless suggestion from King.
Biochemical viruses—
That was Queen's specialty.
Who said destruction had to be face-to-face?
Poison worked just as well.
Especially against someone like Usopp, who could summon swarms of insects with a wave—
Viruses would be the perfect counter.
There was still time.
If he could develop tailored plagues targeting each Straw Hat…
Hehehe…
…
…
Meanwhile—
Watching Brook and Uta continuously defeat Pokémon popping up along the shoreline, converting them into fuel for their growth—
With nothing better to do, Red casually tossed a Poké Ball at a nearby Pokémon called Pyukumuku.
A system notification appeared before his eyes.
[Congratulations! You captured a Lv.34 Pyukumuku. Gained XXX experience points, distributed to active Pokémon according to preset ratio.]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations! You captured a Lv.34 Pyukumuku. Obtained TM: Purify!]
"Huh!?"
"This little thing actually dropped something!?"
Blinking in surprise, Red focused his consciousness and opened the inventory interface.
(End of Chapter)