One Piece: Trainer of Kings

"Yo~ Future champion!"

Before Akira could fully appreciate the graceful water ballet performance, a man in blue overalls approached him with the mechanical precision of an NPC. His friendly smile seemed to be painted on as he began what was clearly a scripted introduction.

"Welcome to the Cerulean Gym! Our gym leader, Misty, is a master of Water-type Pokémon," the clerk announced with rehearsed enthusiasm. "If you're planning to challenge the gym for a badge, I'd recommend bringing Electric or Grass Pokémon to give yourself the best chance!"

After giving his helpful advice, the man's expression immediately went blank. He turned on his heel and returned to his position like a wind-up toy that had run out of spring.

"What a dedicated employee," Akira muttered sarcastically as he watched the NPC return to its default state. "Nothing like having your gym leader's strategy revealed before the battle even begins."

The interruption had successfully diverted his attention from the mesmerizing performance, which was probably for the best. Time was their most precious resource in this virtual world, and they couldn't afford to waste it on sightseeing, no matter how aesthetically pleasing.

If only the console's battery would last longer! Then he could afford to sit in the audience and really appreciate such artistic performances. He truly loved art in all its forms.

This might be the first time I've ever felt such an urgent desire to become stronger, Akira thought inwardly. If only to prolong our gaming sessions.

Pushing aside his regrets, he stepped forward onto the crystal platform that led to the gym leader's position. The transparent walkway felt solid under his feet, even though it seemed to float on the surface of the water.

The moment he entered the competition area, the entire atmosphere of the gym changed dramatically.

The graceful swimmers who'd been performing their water ballet suddenly scattered like startled fish, diving below the surface and disappearing into hidden chambers. The soothing orchestral music that had accompanied their dance was replaced by an energetic battle theme that made his heart race with anticipation.

"Let's go, Luffy!" Akira shouted, his voice carrying over the suddenly charged arena.

"Remember what I told you earlier, don't give any Pokémon a chance to retreat into deep water where they have the advantage!"

Luffy flashed his trademark confident grin and cracked his knuckles with an audible pop. "Leave it all to me!"

A stunning young woman in a bright bikini emerged from the water near their platform, executing a perfect butterfly stroke before pulling herself onto the glass walkway with fluid grace. Water streamed from her athletic form as she straightened to face them, her eyes blazing with competitive fire.

"So you're the challengers who want to face gym leader Misty!" she declared, striking a dramatic pose. "Let me test your skills first!"

Without further preamble, she made an elegant spin dive back to the water's edge, releasing a sleek orange fish with a prominent horn protruding from its forehead.

A Goldeen materialized in the shallow part of the pool, its fins slicing through the water with predatory grace.

"Level 16 Goldeen," Akira observed with satisfaction, his analytical mind already calculating the experience rewards. "That should yield decent points."

His lips curved into a predatory smile as he gave his order: "Luffy, attack immediately!"

Before the words were out of his mouth, Luffy was already in motion. His rubber-enhanced fist shot forward like a bullet, aiming directly at Goldeen as she gracefully floated on the water's surface.

"Goldeen, dodge!" the bikini-clad trainer shouted in alarm.

Even the NPCs hadn't expected such an aggressive opening move, without any prior posturing or strategic discussion. Their panic was real as they tried to coordinate a defensive reaction.

But dodging Luffy's attacks was easier said than done.

This was a fist that could trade blows with Marine Vice Admirals, creatures that had mastered Tekkai and other advanced defensive techniques. A simple Water-type Pokémon had no hope of escaping such overwhelming power.

BOOM!!!

The impact sent a massive geyser of water into the sky, creating an impromptu rainstorm that soaked everything within a thirty-foot radius. The thunderous crash echoed off the walls of the gym like a depth charge going off.

"Goldeen!" the coach shouted, her body language shifting between concern for her Pokémon and admiration for such devastating power.

As the battle arena dissolved around them, and experience notifications flashed across Akira's consciousness, her expression returned to the blank neutrality that characterized all NPCs between encounters.

[Monkey D. Luffy defeated Swimmer's Goldeen! Experience gained: +103] [Command rating: Average] [Additional reward: Experience +21]

"It's like watching someone enter a time-stop state," Akira muttered, watching the trainer's sudden silence with scientific fascination.

The phenomenon had puzzled him since their first gaming session. During combat, NPCs displayed real personality and tactical intelligence. However, the moment combat ended, they reverted to their basic programming and became hollow shells.

He'd tested the limits of interaction experimentally during their first adventures, but the system's safeguards were absolute. Neither he nor Luffy could make physical contact with any NPC, whether in combat or in peaceful situations. They could observe and appreciate them, but never touch them.

Just as well, he thought with amusement. The system probably has built-in safeguards against such things.

"The experience rewards are pretty generous!" Akira explained, focusing on more practical matters.

A quick check of Luffy's status showed that his experience total had reached [4,113/6,787]. Only 2,674 more points were needed to trigger his next level up!

"If each coach provides about 120 experience points..." Akira's gaze swept over the remaining bikini-clad swimmers positioned throughout the gym. A quick count revealed exactly twenty trainers in total.

"Looks like we're going to have to rely on the gym leader herself for the final push," he concluded with some disappointment.

Without wasting time on regrets, he moved on to the next trainer in their path.

What followed could only be described as systematic destruction.

"I won't let you pass so easily!" declared the second swimmer.

SPLASH! "Ah! My shelter!"

"Show me what you're made of!" challenged the third.

CRASH! "My poor Staryu!"

"You look like you have some skill!" the fourth admitted.

BOOM! "I... I lost..."

The pattern repeated itself with mechanical precision as Akira and Luffy worked their way through the gym's defensive line. In less than an hour, the facility once filled with youthful energy and aquatic grace was transformed into something resembling a defeated army.

Beautiful women with stunning figures stood motionless in the water, their eyes blank as they processed their total defeat. They formed an unintentional honor guard, creating a clear path that led directly to the gym leader's platform.

As Luffy's experience total approached the critical threshold, Akira felt his excitement grow. This would be his first time witnessing a level increase, and he had no idea how much stronger Luffy would become after passing this milestone.

"Let's go, Luffy!" he shouted, his voice ringing with anticipation.

Taking a decisive step forward, Akira approached the gym leader's position in the center of the massive pool complex.

Misty was waiting for them on a raised platform, her appearance immediately striking for several reasons. Her short orange hair was remarkably similar to Nami's, though styled with a more tomboyish flair. She wore a simple white one-piece swimsuit that accentuated her petite, athletic frame, a stark contrast to the more developed figures of her subordinate trainers.

The moment Akira entered her activation range, intelligence flashed in Misty's eyes.

"You!" she exclaimed, pointing dramatically in her direction. "Are you the coach who came to challenge me?"

She pulled a Poké Ball from her belt with practiced ease, her expression changing to something fierce and competitive. A sweet smile played on her lips, but her eyes burned with the unmistakable fire of someone who lived for battle.

As Misty fully activated, the entire gymnasium underwent another dramatic transformation.

The crystal floor tiles that had been floating separately above the pool suddenly began to move, sliding and connecting with mechanical precision. Within moments, they had assembled into a massive fighting platform that spanned the water's surface.

Colorful spotlights blazed from hidden fixtures, painting the newly formed arena in brilliant shades of blue and white. The effect was truly spectacular, a perfect stage for the climactic confrontation.

"Challenger!" Misty announced, striking a pose that was both cute and intimidating. "Since you made it this far, I hope you're ready to be defeated by my Water-type Pokémon!"

"Come on!" She spun gracefully, showing off her petite figure and the confidence that came from countless victories. "Let me, Misty, the most beautiful gym leader in the world, be your opponent!"

Her playful posing and cheerful demeanor were undeniably charming, but after witnessing the more mature appeal of her subordinate trainers, Akira found himself somewhat immune to cute displays.

More importantly, his anticipation of Luffy's imminent advancement made him eager for the real fight to begin.

"You're not fighting from underwater, but building a platform on land?" Akira shouted with grudging respect. "I can appreciate such a straightforward approach!"

He strode confidently to the challenger's position, his footsteps echoing off the crystal platform.

The moment he reached his designated spot, brilliant lights focused on both trainers like spotlights on a theater stage. Cheers erupted from the galleries as spectators who'd been watching from the shadows suddenly made their presence known.

The atmosphere reached a crescendo of excitement that made even Akira's pulse quicken with battle fever.

"Then let me introduce you to my first Pokémon!" Misty announced theatrically.

She threw her Poké Ball in a perfect arc, and the sphere burst open in a flash of crimson light. What materialized on the battle platform was a yellow, duck-like creature with a perpetually confused expression and a fin pressed to its head.

The familiar energy dome of a battleground expanded to encompass the entire platform.

"Level 18 Psyduck?" Akira observed with genuine surprise. "You're leading with a Pokémon that has no movement advantage? Tactically questionable, but I appreciate the confidence!"

Without hesitation, he gave his order: "Luffy! Use Headbutt to end this quickly!"

"You got it!" Luffy laughed as he jumped onto the battlefield.

Following Akira's instructions, he activated the mysterious Pokémon energy that had become second nature to him. The power flowed through his body like liquid fire, concentrating on his forehead until his entire skull seemed to glow with barely contained power.

"Gomu Gomu no... Headbutt!!!"

Whoosh!

Luffy's neck stretched like a rubber band before it snapped forward with tremendous speed. His head shot towards Psyduck like a living cannonball, leaving a trail of displaced air in its wake.

But instead of showing concern, Misty's grin widened with obvious glee.

"Ha! You're attacking Psyduck's head directly?" she exclaimed, barely able to contain her laughter. "Don't you know that the more pain Psyduck feels in her head, the more powerful her psychic abilities become?"

"Psyduck, use,"

Her confident command died mid-sentence as something impossible happened.

A streak of yellow lightning suddenly flashed past Misty's position, moving so fast that it left afterimages. The bolt of energy shot out of the battle arena and slammed into the far wall of the gym with a bone-rattling thud.

The lightning-fast projectile was none other than Misty's prized Psyduck, launched like a living missile by the devastating force of Luffy's enhanced headbutt.

The Gym Leader stared in stunned silence at the Psyduck-shaped crater in her wall, her confident expression turning to pure shock as she tried to process what had just happened to her supposedly invincible strategy.