Trader In The World Of Pirates!!!

 At that moment.

As the massive flame-winged pterosaur flew towards them, Koby and the others immediately released their Pokémon, entering into their Bond Evolution state.

Although two years had passed, Koby and Alvida's personal strength hadn't improved much... 

However, their Pokémon had reached new heights, with levels of 67 and 69 respectively. When enhanced by Bond Evolution, their Pokémon's power exceeded level 70. 

Even more impressive were the Pokémon belonging to Yosaku and Johnny, Pinsir, who had already reached level 75.

Three years ago, Pokémon with levels over 70 were comparable to the power wielded by Emperors and their top commanders. 

In the past, it was rare to see the strength of several Emperor-level combatants on the same ship. 

But now... 

While such power was not exactly common, it was no longer unheard of in these waters. Despite their progress, Koby and the others had little confidence they could escape the clutches of the Beast Pirates.

---

 Flash! 

A brilliant flame exploded, only to vanish as quickly as it appeared.

In a flash of black light, King's imposing figure appeared before Koby and the others.

Koby, armed and ready, quickly stepped forward to intercept him, his eyes sharp with vigilance. 

"Who are you? Why did you suddenly attack our ship?" 

"Don't you know we're from the East Blue Mercenary Company!?"

On the open seas, every ship flew a flag that identified its allegiance. 

Koby and his group were no exception.

However, it seemed that in the New World, the once-dominant mercenary company of the East Blue didn't carry the same weight.

Hearing Koby's warning, King's face twisted in disdain.

In truth, he was well aware of who Koby and the others were. 

After all, Zoro had gained some renown across the seas when he won his second Pokémon League Championship. 

But to Kaido and his top crew... 

Zoro's power, while notable, was still out of their league.

Even with all his experience, Zoro was barely reaching a power level around 60. In the grand scheme of things, this was far from impressive in today's world.

For them, the real game-changer was the strength granted by Pokémon.

They couldn't deny it— 

The introduction of Pokémon had utterly transformed the balance of power, even suppressing the might of veteran pirates.

Ever since their crushing defeat by the Don Quixote family two years ago, which stripped them of their Four Emperors' status, the Beast Pirates had been in disarray.

At one point, the crew had nearly dissolved, each member ready to fend for themselves. 

It was only thanks to Kaido and his top officers, the Three Disasters, that the crew managed to hold together and maintain some semblance of order.

Kaido never expected to lose, and the grip of the Beast Pirates outside Wano was far weaker compared to the other Yonko crews.

After their defeat, territories once ruled by the Beasts were either overtaken by revolts or seized by rival pirate groups, slipping from their control one by one.

This forced the former Emperor's crew to return to a more traditional pirate lifestyle, wandering the seas and raiding ships. 

That state of chaos lasted until recently...

Kaido made a secretive deal with the Big Mom Pirates, one of the remaining Four Emperors. 

The details of the deal were shrouded in mystery, and no one knew exactly what transpired.

The only thing people knew was...

Kaido had strode into Charlotte Linlin's castle with his trademark club in hand, brimming with confidence.

But the next day...

Kaido emerged, visibly drained, clutching his lower back.

Soon after, the Big Mom Pirates ceded half of their territory to the Beasts for recovery and regrouping.

For the lower-ranking pirates, this was a cause for celebration. It meant they had a place to drink, feast, and enjoy themselves.

Yet, despite their newfound fortune, the crew never forgot Kaido's sacrifice.

Especially since their captain now seemed constantly weary.

Rumors began to circulate, spreading like wildfire.

Many speculated that Captain Kaido had sold his soul and lifespan to Charlotte Linlin, trading his vitality for their new territory.

Touched by Kaido's supposed sacrifice, the pirates shed tears for their devoted captain. 

Their morale swiftly rebounded, and the Beast Pirates were back in full force.

However...

Only a select few knew the truth—

Kaido had indeed made a deal... 

But it was a deal of a different kind.

The top officers chose to remain silent, for both Kaido's dignity and their own survival.

After a period of recuperation, the Beast Pirates once again returned to the seas with the might of kings.

This time, not only had they regained their former strength...

With the resources they had gathered, they made a large-scale transaction with Enel, acquiring even more power.

In the past, King wouldn't have dared to board an enemy ship alone. 

No matter how skilled he was, he would never have risked facing off against multiple enemies of such strength.

But today was different.

King's hand quietly brushed the Pokéball at his waist, as he felt an unknown force surge through his body. 

Even against four formidable Pokémon, he now stood tall, unafraid.

With a wave of his hand, a mighty limestone-covered pterosaur Pokémon appeared before Koby and his team.

This was King's exclusive Pokémon, traded by Kaido himself—Aerodactyl!

Eyeing the tense figures on the deck, King raised his chin slightly and spoke with pride:

"I am King the Wildfire, one of the Three Disasters of the Beast Pirates."

"I heard you rescued a kid from a shipwreck recently."

"That boy is the son of our crew's enemy. So, if you value your lives, I suggest you hand him over."

"Hand him over?!" 

Yosaku's voice rose, furious.

"You attack our ship and now you want us to hand our companion? What kind of joke is that!?" 

Although Zoro had instructed them to prioritize their own safety...

Yosaku's anger flared at King's dismissive attitude. 

Seeing King show no respect towards them, Johnny, who had been watching coldly, could no longer contain himself. 

"So what if you have a level 60 Pokémon?" Johnny fumed internally. 

He couldn't understand why this guy thought he had the right to look down on them!

Even if King had once served under one of the Yonko, that was in the past!

Johnny's Heracross, after Bond Evolution, could take on any of the Yonko's subordinates!

In Johnny's mind, even the name "Four Emperors" wasn't something to fear. 

He believed their brother, Zoro, had what it took to surpass even them. 

All that was needed... 

was just time and opportunity!

Just as Johnny was about to speak up—

Koby silently raised his hand and stopped him.

After two years of intense training, Koby had transformed. Although he was still only about 1.6 meters tall, his presence had become formidable. 

He gently placed a hand on Johnny's shoulder, calming him.

Koby, too, despised King's arrogance. But he knew this was not the moment for rash action.

Locking eyes with King, Koby stood tall.

Despite the overwhelming difference in power between them, Koby's gaze did not falter.

"Alright, we'll hand him over," Koby suddenly said. 

"But on one condition: you let us go safely."

"You can follow us. After all, you have the ability to fly." 

"When we reach a safe location, I'll hand the kid over to you."

"Otherwise... we'd rather kill him ourselves than let you take him!" 

There was a chilling resolve in Koby's voice. 

Though he didn't want to harm a stranger, the safety of his companion came first. He would do whatever it took to protect them.

King frowned at Koby's proposal but quickly shook his head and refused.

"No!" King said, his voice sharp. 

"I can't trust that you'll hand him over once you reach safety!"

In truth, King was not just worried about them breaking the deal. He feared they might kill the boy where Kaido couldn't reach him. 

Ever since King lost to the Pokémon of the Don Quixote family, he had never underestimated their power again.

And here, on the open ocean, if one of their Pokémon pulled him into the water—King, a Devil Fruit user, would be doomed.

That's why he rejected the offer so decisively.

King's gaze shifted to Heracross, who stood on the deck, wings twitching. His eyes narrowed with an idea. 

"If you're that worried, leave the boy with that Heracross," King suggested.

"You can give him a Cell Phone Rotom..." 

"When you reach a safe location, you can call, and we'll handle the rest."

Koby hesitated for a moment, considering the idea.

After a brief pause, he nodded firmly.

"Alright, we'll do it."

Heracross was strong enough to escape easily if needed. And since King already knew their background, he was less likely to be cruel.

If things went south... 

they'd fight to the death! 

After all, they weren't without the strength to battle!

---

After the tense negotiation, Alvida asked Jynx to use freezing wind to seal the damaged parts of the hull. 

Momonosuke was entrusted to Heracross, and the group sailed off, quickly putting distance between them and King.

In the end, the trade went smoothly.

The mercenary company missed the chance to exchange Momonosuke to Doflamingo, but Koby and the others returned safely. 

Yet... 

this bitter experience left a mark in their hearts. 

Known as the "Invisible Emperor" of the East Blue, they had barely set foot in the New World before suffering a humiliating blow...

Their outlook had been drastically altered.

This shift was felt not just by Koby and his crew but also by Kuina in the East Blue and Zoro, who was on his way to the New World.

---

"Hm... I see."

On the mercenary company's ship, Zoro hung up the phone, his gaze still fixed on the horizon. 

Although Koby and the others had returned safely to Dressrosa, the fact that they encountered trouble so soon after entering the New World weighed heavily on him. 

As the founder of the mercenary company, this didn't sit well with Zoro.

After all...

Zoro didn't see himself as weak compared to Kaido, even now that Kaido had become a Pokémon trainer. 

Sure, Kaido also had the power of Pokémon, but...

Zoro had earned both runner-up and championship titles in the Pokémon League Tournament. 

Both his own abilities and those of his Pokémon had reached the pinnacle of the pirate world—if not beyond it.

And Kaido? 

He was just another washed-up pirate!

"The Beast Pirates... the New World..."

"I..." 

"Roronoa Zoro..." 

"Have arrived!!!"

Staring out at the turbulent sea, Zoro's spirit surged like a storm, as though he were declaring his arrival to the world itself!

---

Behind him, several crew members of the mercenary company passed by, carrying supplies.

Seeing Zoro staring out at the distant waters, one of them couldn't help but wonder aloud:

"Strange... why does the boss keep looking towards the East Blue? Isn't he curious about what's ahead in the New World?"

"I think it's his way of showing his strength! To the boss, the New World is like child's play."

"Yeah, instead of wasting energy worrying about pointless things, it's better to look towards home."

"That's right, our boss is on another level!"

"Exactly!" 

They continued chatting as they walked away from Zoro, laughing and full of admiration.

Little did they know...

Every word they spoke was clearly heard by Zoro, thanks to his exceptional Observation Haki.

Zoro: "..."

Without a word, Zoro turned back, this time gazing at the sea behind him.

---

At the same time...

East Blue.

Kuina, who was overseeing the relocation efforts, set down her phone, her brows furrowing in thought.

"The Beast Pirates?"

"They've already left Wano. So why are they still mobilizing their entire force to capture this kid? Even Kaido and the Three Disasters are involved. It doesn't make sense..."

"Unless..."

"They're planning to retake Wano?!"

"Could there be some hidden secret in Wano that we don't know about?"

A flood of thoughts raced through Kuina's mind.

After a moment of consideration, she waved over an assistant and gave a swift order:

"Find a way to get me in touch with the higher-ups in the Donquixote family. Tell them I have important information about their interests, and I need to speak with Doflamingo directly."

"I think, given my connection to Zoro, they'll grant me this favor."

---

A few days later...

New World – Totto Land.

Kaido led the Beast Pirates as their warship slowly docked along the shores of Big Mom's territory.

"Is Linlin's daughter ready?" Kaido asked, glancing sideways at a nearby pirate.

The pirate immediately bowed in respect and answered, "Captain, everything is in place. The girl from the Three-Eyed Tribe is ready to proceed."

"Now, all we need to do is erase the boy's memory and hypnotize him. Then he'll be under our control."

"Good." Kaido nodded, his gaze hardening as he looked out toward Whole Cake Island. Beneath his composed exterior, rage simmered in his eyes.

Kuina's suspicions had been correct. Kaido's plan was to use Momonosuke's legitimate claim to Wano's throne, hypnotizing him to become a puppet for his own ends.

With Momonosuke under their control, Kaido aimed to rally the samurai of Wano and reclaim the country. Wano held critical historical significance—it was also where the prophesied figure, Joyboy, was said to emerge.

No matter what, Kaido would never give up Wano!

However...

The traitor Kurozumi Orochi had completely sworn loyalty to Doflamingo and was now more submissive than he ever had been under Kaido's rule.

And why wouldn't he be?

Doflamingo possessed countless bizarre Devil Fruit powers. After witnessing Sugar use the Hobi Hobi no Mi to erase his memories of his loyal subordinate, Orochi's deference toward Doflamingo had become absolute.

In short:

"Kaido, please don't contact me again. I'm terrified Doffy might take it the wrong way!"