Chapitre 22: Chapter 22
In the Marine Headquarters, inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
"Humph!"
*Slam!*
After hearing Tsuru's recount, Sengoku slammed his palm on the desk, "Who does he think he is?! Daring to threaten the Marines."
Although he spoke loudly and seemingly angrily, those in the office who were old friends of Sengoku could tell he wasn't really angry.
If he got angry every time someone threatened or warned him, the Fleet Admiral wouldn't have lasted very long.
"So, what's your plan?"
Tsuru, stroking the egg in her lap calmly, didn't even glance at Sengoku.
"No rush, it's all talk from his side for now. Whether these Pokémon really hold such potential is yet to be seen," Sengoku shook his head.
Clearly, he wasn't planning to immediately engage in a deal with the Mystery Hatchery to acquire a large number of Pokémon eggs. (Hatchery sounds better)
First, he wasn't entirely convinced of the potential of Pokémon, despite the miraculous aspects of the Mystery Hatchery as described by Tsuru.
Second, he needed a reason to allocate some funds from the World Government, preferring to save the Marines' funds as much as possible. This would take some time.
However, one thing Dak didn't misjudge was that Sengoku wouldn't give up the power of Pokémon.
"What about Whitebeard?"
"He only got one egg as well, same as us. No big difference, no need to worry. When Whitebeard starts purchasing Pokémon eggs in large quantities, we can make a decision then."
Sengoku wasn't in a hurry, being known as a wise leader. He wouldn't be easily provoked by Dak's overt strategy. "If, as he says, Pokémon can quickly become a formidable force, then neither in terms of eligible personnel nor funds can the Whitebeard Pirates match the Marines. The power disparity between the Whitebeard Pirates and us will only grow, not to mention the other riff-raff."
Crunch. Crunch.
In the office, Garp was munching on his rice crackers, seemingly unconcerned.
"Garp, don't you have anything to say?"
"When will you give this old man a vacation?"
"Enough! Get out!"
Sengoku, furious, chased Garp out of the office.
He shouldn't have asked!
"Zephyr, what about you?"
Sengoku turned his gaze to the silent purple-haired man.
"Sengoku, you need to determine if we take action against the Pokémon of those pirates, what stance will that shop take."
Zephyr, with his arms crossed, emanated an unmovable aura.
"Mm, Tsuru, about this..."
"I'll have Gion go. After all, the egg is meant for her."
"Okay."
Sengoku nodded, then after a moment of silence, spoke again, "If Pokémon can indeed become a significant force in a short period, I plan to clean up the seas before the pirates fully understand this power."
The remaining two in the room had no objections to Sengoku's idea.
Tsuru naturally followed Sengoku's thoughts, and Zephyr had long stopped involving himself in marine affairs.
"This matter doesn't need to be known by those below us. Until we fully understand what Pokémon are, try to keep it under wraps, especially from the World Government. If those people find out about the power of Pokémon, they'll definitely do something and push the hatchery into a corner."
Sengoku certainly had many thoughts on Pokémon.
But until there's a clear answer on whether Pokémon truly have such potential, those are just speculations.
However, one thing is advantageous for Dak.
Sengoku indeed has changed compared to ten years ago; he's begun to play political games with the World Government or the Five Elders.
...
After leaving the office, Tsuru, holding the egg, went home.
As soon as she entered the yard, she saw Gion practicing swordsmanship.
The future Marine Admiral candidate, 'Momousagi' Gion, a female swordmaster with the standard height of an Admiral, nearly two meters tall. She has a mole on the lower left side of her face and is known as a beauty within the Marines, with countless admirers.
Of course, in the third dimension, Geon's appearance might seem a bit bizarre.
"Nee-chan, do you... want egg fried rice for dinner?"
Gion stopped her sword practice, looking puzzledly at the approaching Tsuru.
"This is a Pokémon egg. It will be your child from now on. Take good care of it. Happy Birthday."
Tsuru handed the egg to Gion and walked inside, leaving a confused Gion standing still.
Gion looked down at the egg in her hands, a bit ugly, but warm, sensing the life inside.
After snapping out of her daze, Gion hurriedly followed Tsuru to ask what was going on.
After hearing about the Mystery Hatchery and Pokémon, she was utterly baffled.
It was like when humanity thought the sky was the limit, only to discover the universe instead.
"Suddenly... I'm a mother."
Gion sat on the sofa at home, absentmindedly stroking the eggshell.
She never thought she'd experience taking care of a child, as her goal was to become a Marine Admiral, which left no time for love or family.
But Tsuru's surprise, albeit a bit of a shock, was unexpected.
"Hmm..."
However, Gion soon noticed the calluses on her hands from sword practice, rough and unsightly. For the first time, she felt a bit self-conscious, worried the child might reject her rough hands.
But such thoughts were fleeting.
The situation was too sudden for Gion to adjust her mindset immediately. After sitting with the egg for a while, she resumed her usual state.
She picked up her sword 'Kinjirō' with one hand and held the egg with the other, continuing her training in the yard. She wouldn't stop her journey.
But from that day on, her training was no longer lonely; a new little one joined her side.
The next day.
Tsuru gave her a mission.
To take a strange token to the Mystery Hatchery and ask the store manager a question.
Gion was curious about the Mystery Hatchery and took the opportunity to visit, wondering if it was as miraculous as described.
When Gion, holding the token, opened her bedroom door and stepped in, she saw an unexpected person.
"Dracule Mihawk?!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapitre 23: Chapter 23
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In the hatchery, Dak and Bon were wiping eggshells when they were caught off guard by the standoff between the two newcomers.
Mihawk had just entered the hatchery and hadn't even spoken when Gion followed right behind him, seemingly bearing some hostility towards Mihawk.
Bon, catching on, became excited at the sight. He hadn't expected to witness such an interesting scene in the hatchery. Who knew what other entertaining events might happen here in the future?
Dak didn't expect Bon to be so entertained by the situation, especially since he was still trying to figure out what was going on between the two.
"Perhaps the two guests would like to sit down and talk?" Dak suggested, noticing their standoffish behavior. He patted the hatchery's lawn, inviting them to sit on the ground like he and Feng were.
Mihawk glanced at the lawn but remained silent, standing still. His pride and aloof nature wouldn't allow him to sit on the ground.
Gion didn't mind sitting, but considering she was wearing a very short skirt, she decided against it.
"Actually, our lawn is quite clean. After all, it will be a playground for the little ones. You can rest assured about the hygiene," Dak said, oblivious to their reluctance.
Both guests exchanged looks but remained silent. It wasn't intentional rudeness; neither wanted to be the first to speak.
"Cough, well, if standing is more comfortable, then let's talk like this. Darkrai, could you check my room for some tea or something to offer our guests?" Dak suggested, standing up.
"Dak."
Darkrai emerged from the shadows and floated into Dak's bedroom.
Mihawk had no reaction.
However, Gion was different. This was her first time seeing a Pokémon like Darkrai, and she couldn't take her eyes off him, realizing it was the Pokémon mentioned.
"So, I heard you were defeated by that Pokémon?" Gion suddenly smirked, looking at Mihawk with a slight taunt.
Mihawk didn't look at Gion but glanced at Dak, who pretended not to see, "Indeed."
Mihawk wasn't ashamed to admit his defeat; he was never a man to fear failure.
"Hmph, so much for the world's greatest swordsman," Gion said, arms crossed, chin up.
At that moment, Dak realized there was definitely some tension between them, which wasn't hard to guess. Gion, known as a great swordswoman within the Marines, and Mihawk, a renowned swordsman among pirates, likely had encountered or even clashed swords at sea.
"I'm not yet the world's number one. Besides, why does my defeat make you so pleased? Doesn't that just make you seem weaker?" Mihawk questioned Gion, puzzled.
Indeed.
Dak listened intently to their conversation, finding it thrilling. Although Mihawk was less talkative in the original story, it didn't mean he couldn't dish out insults. He had mocked Zoro for not being able to defeat a baboon, even though Zoro immediately proved him wrong.
"You—" Gion began, but Darkrai's return interrupted them, and the temporary truce was called.
"Ha, ha. If you don't mind, please enjoy some of our shop's beverages," Dak said, taking what Darkrai brought from him.
Board Blue Root granules.
Why would such a thing even exist in the world of pirates?!
Dak's face froze, wondering when he had purchased such an item. Was he really going to serve this to his guests?
"Dak."
Darkrai shrugged innocently. He hadn't found anything drinkable in Dak's room and had brought this as a makeshift solution.
"Bon, please prepare these two packets of supreme luxury Board Blue Root granules for our guests," Dak said, passing the granules to Bon with a stiff smile.
"No need,"
"Forget it,"
Both Mihawk and Gion declined almost simultaneously. While Board Blue Root granules might be harmless, they certainly weren't necessary.
"Well then, let's discuss business. Mr. Mihawk, since you arrived first, we'll deal with your matter first. Ms. Gion, is that alright with you?" Dak quickly changed the subject, eager to move on.
"It's nothing, just bored and decided to look around," Mihawk said nonchalantly, surprising Dak.
Mihawk had come to the hatchery on a whim, seeking something to do other than nap or sail. Discovering the intriguing Mystery Hatchery, it made sense for him to visit.
"Of course, welcome. Now, Ms. Gion, do you have any business here?" Dak asked Gion with a forced smile, "If I'm not mistaken, Vice-Admiral Tsuru or Fleet Admiral Sengoku must have sent you with a message for me?"
Dak's remark piqued Mihawk's interest, who looked curiously at Gion.
Gion, initially reluctant to speak in Mihawk's presence, decided there was no point in hiding her question, "We want to know your stance if the Pokémon that leave here become pirates and we have to take action against them."
Gion's query caused Mihawk to frown, as he too had only just considered the implication of his actions against Marine Pokémon potentially souring relations with the Mystery Hatchery.
"Oh, there's no need to worry. As long as the Pokémon isn't harmed or betrayed by its owner, we at the Mystery Hatchery won't interfere. They choose their own paths, actions, and futures, and we won't involve ourselves in any of it. How you deal with regular pirates should be how you deal with them," Dak clarified Gion's concern.
This principle was based on the norms from the Pokémon world. If a Pokémon commits wrongdoings, it should be punished just like any person would be, without any special treatment due to being a Pokémon but rather treated as an independent life form.
"Alright, I understand," Gion responded, seemingly relieved by Dak's answer.
Mihawk also seemed to relax slightly, his concern lessening with Dak's clarification.
(End Of Chapter)
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
200+ Classement
Power Stone 
58 Power
stone 
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