Move: Purify
Type: Poison
Category: Status
Power: —
Description: Heals the target's status condition. After a successful cure, restores the user's HP and energy proportionally based on the severity of the target's status condition.
The above was the detailed explanation the system provided for the move Purify.
As Red read the description of this newly acquired move, a rare trace of hesitation flickered in his eyes.
"Hiss~ This move…"
"Why does it feel incredibly strong, yet completely useless at the same time?"
Not only could it cure a target's status condition, it could also restore the user's stamina. It was practically a perpetual-motion engine in the realm of healing.
One move. Two powerful special effects.
Even among the vast array of Pokémon moves, this was uniquely distinctive.
And yet…
"In a world like the pirates'—where everyone just charges in headfirst—how many status conditions even show up?"
"This move is probably going to end up as another hidden trump card collecting dust in the box."
Red shook his head lightly and closed the system interface before him.
Sure, being able to get a TM from a random roadside Pokémon was comparable to pulling three golds in a ten-draw…
But even if it was SSR, if it couldn't be used in battle, it was nothing more than a decoration that made his inventory look nicer.
After all, status conditions weren't ordinary illnesses, nor were they simple injuries.
After spending so much time with the system, Red had long grasped the Pokémon battle rules as they manifested in the pirate world.
Status conditions that appeared here were typically only recognized when a certain attribute surged past a critical threshold.
For example, flames had to burn to a certain degree before the Burn status would be triggered. A body had to be frozen to a sufficient extent before the Frozen condition would apply.
The same went for Paralysis, Frostbite, Sleep, Poison…
Each required a specific level of damage or bodily effect before the battle system would judge it as a status condition.
It depended not only on the strength of the attacker's move, but also on the victim's own resistance.
In short—
The move was strong.
But useless!
The thought passed quickly through Red's mind, and he dismissed it, turning his gaze forward toward Brook and Uta.
The way those two fought could only be described as bizarre.
Uta stood in an open field and began to sing.
Her beautiful voice seemed to take on tangible form, transforming into drifting musical notes that spread across the wilderness. Every Pokémon touched by those notes seemed irresistibly drawn in, abandoning their original paths and gathering toward her.
A massive battle domain formed, enveloping the entire plain.
Its range extended as far as her voice could carry.
Then Brook, guarding Uta's side like a knight of sound, rode upon her song itself. His figure streaked across the wilderness in a flash of black lightning.
Every Pokémon passed by that streak collapsed seconds later, their bodies encased in eerie frost.
Then, as if responding to invisible laws, two beams of experience light separated and flowed into Uta and Brook respectively.
Under Red's configuration, all experience gained by their duo was split evenly. There was no need to argue over last hits.
Two music lovers—one responsible for magical aggro control, the other for rapid cleanup.
Their leveling speed was maxed out.
Wherever they passed, not a single Pokémon remained standing.
Using this method, they farmed the world of Pokémon: Sword/Shield relentlessly.
Though they had only teamed up for a few days, Uta's level had skyrocketed—from 29 straight to 43!
Levels below 50 were easy to raise, yes—but such speed still owed much to her Devil Fruit ability.
The Sing-Sing Fruit allowed her to draw listeners into a spiritual world she controlled through her song. Their unconscious bodies in reality became puppets she could command at will.
Originally, Vegapunk had planned to use the Sing-Sing Fruit to create a blissful illusionary world for those drowning in suffering.
But ever since the emergence of the antimatter world, all his attention had shifted there.
In fact, the allure of that new world had captivated him so thoroughly that Vegapunk had decided—
To relocate his entire household into the Pokémon seas.
He had already begun secretly constructing propulsion systems capable of moving an island.
It sounded like pure fantasy.
But thanks to years of modification, Egghead Island was far from an ordinary island.
Once detached from its foundational supports, relocating it wasn't beyond his capabilities.
Moreover, the Straw Hat Pirates had agreed to lend their assistance for the relocation.
As long as they could escape the World Government's control, the rest would be manageable.
Coincidentally…
Ever since Alicia Mirabelagon had been captured by the Straw Hat Pirates, the seat of the Warrior God of Science and Defense among the Five Elders had remained vacant.
For several months now, no high-ranking officials had come to inspect Vegapunk.
That was one of the key reasons he had been able to maintain such close contact with the Straw Hats.
It couldn't be helped.
After several major wars, the World Government's manpower—from top to bottom—was stretched thin.
The God's Knights had been shattered outright.
The Commander and two Deputy Commanders had died in succession. Four elite members just below deputy level had vanished on Elegia.
The lone remaining Deputy Commander, unworthy in Imu's eyes, had been forcibly promoted by the Five Elders to Commander.
CP0 had suffered devastating losses. CP9 had disappeared entirely. CP8 through CP1 had each suffered heavy casualties across successive battles.
And coupled with the Celestial Dragons eliminated—directly or indirectly—by the Straw Hats at Mary Geoise…
The World Government—the leech that had fed upon the world's blood for eight hundred years—had once again grown frail.
Now…
The only reason Red still hesitated to overthrow it entirely was that mysterious, unfathomable figure—
Imu.
It wasn't cowardice.
Eight hundred years ago, even the Haki left behind by Joy Boy within a giant machine had been enough to suppress all five Elders at once and terrify Imu from afar.
Yet even such a powerful being ultimately lost to the World Government led by Imu.
Red simply couldn't fathom—
What kind of horrifying power had allowed Imu to claim final victory?
"Even the legendary Ancient Weapons might not be enough to create that kind of dominance…"
After ending his call with Vegapunk—knowing the island would soon "emigrate" to the Pokémon seas—Red couldn't help but begin preparing for the final war.
But none of them expected that at such a tense moment in world affairs—
Someone would boldly issue an invitation to pirates across the globe.
A grand event belonging solely to pirates was quietly—
Convened!!!
…
…
"No factions, just revelry!?"
"All are welcome, none will be pursued?!"
"The world's greatest pirate festival cordially invites all to attend?!"
"And Morgans actually approved and published this without hesitation?!"
Night had fallen.
Stars painted the sky in brilliant splendor, and the sea breeze carried the salty scent of distant shores.
Aboard the Going Merry, anchored near the castle of Whole Cake Island—
The Straw Hats were feasting when Nami read aloud from the day's newspaper. One by one, they paused, curiosity piqued.
Ever the troublemaker, Luffy stretched his neck absurdly long, chin resting on the paper, three different foods stuffed in his mouth as he asked in an incomprehensible mumble:
"What what!?"
"Are they throwing a party?!"
"Don't get sauce on the newspaper, Luffy!"
BAM!!!
Startled, Nami froze for a split second—then fury erupted above her head like flames.
With a single White Blow, she smashed Luffy's facial features deep into his skull.
Whoosh—Thud!
His head snapped back like a rubber ball, wobbling violently on his neck.
Smack!
Luffy clapped his hands together, forcibly stabilizing his head.
But the food had lodged in his throat.
He clutched his neck, face turning purple.
"Ggghhh—!"
In the end, Usopp couldn't bear it and grabbed a barrel of drink, prying open Luffy's mouth and force-feeding it down.
"Gahhh—!"
Finally swallowing, Luffy slammed the table.
"Nami! Are you trying to kill me?!"
"Please," Nami replied coolly. "If you died like that, all the strong enemies you defeated would probably cry in embarrassment in the afterlife."
Rustle—
She flipped to the second page.
"This grand event includes a treasure hunt. The winner will receive an item related to Pirate King Roger."
"Huh?!"
At the words "Pirate King," several ears perked up.
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper instantly mashed their faces together, shouting:
"A treasure from the Pirate King?!"
"Hey, Luffy, didn't you say you weren't interested in the Pirate King anymore?" Sanji asked elegantly, wineglass in hand.
"Who said that!?" Luffy retorted immediately. "I just found a new goal after becoming Pirate King!"
"Who said I don't care about the Pirate King?!"
"I've heard of this festival," Brook interjected. "It appears every few years!"
"Pirates gather there with Beli, weapons, resources, and intelligence!"
"So basically a pirate black market?" Zoro muttered, uninterested.
Compared to a festival, he'd rather improve his swordsmanship.
That damned curly-brow cook.
With his Devil Fruit awakening, he had once again edged ahead.
If Zoro didn't vent this frustration, he couldn't even enjoy his sake.
At that moment, Red suddenly smiled.
"A world festival for pirates, huh?"
"Sounds interesting. Everyone's been working hard lately…"
"How about we attend?"
"Really?!"
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper stared at him with sparkling eyes.
They all knew—
If the captain wanted to go somewhere, someone might object.
But if Red wanted to go, no one would refuse.
Not because Red had overtaken Luffy as the true authority.
But because—
Red was just way more reliable!!!
"Besides," Red smiled faintly, "I've received intelligence from the Marines. There may be some unexpected developments at this festival."
"I've already grasped the inside details. To preserve the surprise, I won't say more."
"But if my intel is correct… the former Seven Warlords' world's greatest swordsman—Dracule Mihawk…"
"May also attend."
"He's already obtained the Eternal Pose to the festival island."
"What?!"
Zoro shot to his feet.
His calm eyes ignited with battle intent.
He remembered.
He remembered everything!
Wasn't his original dream to challenge and defeat the world's greatest swordsman?!
Since entering the Grand Line, his rivalry with Sanji had nearly made him forget.
Boom—
Invisible flames of war burned within him.
If he could defeat Mihawk…
If he could defeat the world's greatest swordsman…
His blade would deepen further into black, and his understanding of the sword would ascend to new heights.
And then—
Would he finally have the power…
To defeat that damned curly-brow cook!?
A strange grin spread across Zoro's face.
"Let's go."
"Let's go to that so-called… pirate festival!!!"
(End of Chapter)