One Piece: Trainer of Kings

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Electric Dreams and Digital Promises



"Is this the Pokémon world Luffy and the others were talking about?!"

Nami's voice cracked with disbelief as the impossible reality of Akira's abilities hit her like a physical blow. Her amber eyes swept over the pristine interior of the Pokémon Center, taking in details that defied everything she thought she understood about the laws of nature.

The facility stretched before them in shimmering perfection, polished floors reflecting the overhead lights like mirrors, walls painted in soothing pastels that seemed to radiate their own gentle warmth, and mysterious medical equipment humming with barely contained energy. At the center of it all was a massive healing device whose crystalline surfaces pulsed with rhythmic light, as if the machine itself had a heartbeat.

Behind the central counter, a pink-haired woman in a crisp white uniform waited with eternal patience, her gentle smile never faltering. Beside her stood a round, egg-shaped creature whose presence exuded the same therapeutic aura as the surrounding technology.

"This is Miss Joy and her partner, Chansey," Akira explained with obvious satisfaction, gesturing to the medical team. "They are the heart of every Pokémon Center, dedicated healers who never rest, never age, and never lose their compassion for those in need."

The game system had faithfully reproduced the essential elements of the Pokémon Center, while expanding its scope to accommodate the expanded virtual world. Rest areas dotted the perimeter of the facility, designed to accommodate trainers of various ages and preferences. Comfortable seating arrangements invited relaxation, while informational displays provided details on local Pokémon species and training techniques.

Most remarkably, dozens of other trainers occupied the room, some studying at reading stations, others engaged in quiet conversation, and a few simply resting in peaceful meditation. Each figure was rendered with such lifelike detail that they seemed to breathe with authentic humanity.

"Sometimes I really doubt you're human," Nami whispered, her voice barely audible as she struggled to process the magnitude of what she was witnessing. "You obviously haven't eaten any devil fruit, yet you have god-like abilities that reshape reality itself."

She turned to face him directly, her navigator's instincts searching for logical explanations that remained frustratingly elusive. "How is any of this possible?"

Akira's answer was accompanied by that enigmatic smile she was beginning to recognize, the expression of someone who held secrets far deeper than he was willing to share.

"The world is wider than most people imagine," he said with gentle deflection. "When we reach the Grand Line, you will discover that techniques like this are only the beginning of what is possible."

His casual dismissal of the creation of entire virtual worlds as "just the beginning" sent fresh waves of amazement through Nami's already overwhelmed mind. If this was a basic level of ability, what unimaginable powers awaited them in these legendary waters?

But before her imagination could get completely out of control, Akira clapped his hands with renewed purpose.

"Come, before we begin our treasure hunt, I want to teach you some techniques that will serve you well."

He began walking toward a side corridor, gesturing for them to follow. "This visit isn't just about taking advantage of your Pickup ability, I've prepared some real gifts for your development."

Curiosity overcoming her lingering shock, Nami fell in step beside him as they navigated the expanded layout of the Pokémon Center. The facility was even larger than it had first appeared, with several wings extending in different directions.

"The first technique I have in mind," Akira continued conversationally, "is something I previously dismissed as useless, Pay Day. It's a Normal-type move that generates actual currency through combat."

He looked at her with obvious amusement. "Given your... financial enthusiasm, I suspect you will find creative uses for such a skill."

Despite her attempts to maintain her dignity, Nami's eyes literally sparkled with golden light at the mention of money-making techniques. The prospect of earning berries through supernatural means sent a thrill of excitement through her treasure-loving heart.

"But that's not even the best part," Akira added with growing anticipation. "The real prizes are waiting in Cerulean City's training facilities."

They approached a section of the Pokémon Center that Nami hadn't noticed before, an area where several elaborately dressed individuals stood in strategic positions, each radiating an aura of specialized knowledge and expertise.

"These are move tutors," Akira explained as they approached their destination. "In certain expanded versions of the Pokémon world, they can teach exclusive techniques that aren't available anywhere else."

He paused in front of a trainer dressed in gorgeous red and carrying an ornate taming whip with metallic accents. The man's posture suggested both authority and patience, as if he had spent countless hours perfecting his teaching methods.

"The techniques available here are called Partner Moves," Akira continued, his voice taking on the tone of someone sharing deep secrets. "They are exclusive abilities that surpass ordinary Pokémon techniques in both power and versatility."

With practiced efficiency, Akira activated the dialog interface. A selection menu materialized in the air before them, displaying four different options:

[Electric Speed] - Electric Physical Type [Buzzy Buzz] - Electric Special Type [Splishy Splash] - Water Special Type [Sizzly Slide] - Fire Physical Type.

"Don't let the cute names fool you," Akira warned as he studied the available options. "These techniques are devastating in actual combat."

He pointed to the first two entries, which glowed with accessible energy. "Electric Speed provides lightning attacks that almost always hit critical points. Buzzy Buzz delivers massive electrical damage while guaranteeing paralysis of the target."

Nami watched in fascination as the interface responded to her presence by highlighting the two electric techniques as learnable options. The system seemed to recognize something in her essence that made these special abilities accessible.

"Your dual electric/flying typing is perfect for this," Akira noted with satisfaction. "It fits your role as the crew's weather specialist."

Without further hesitation, he selected both available techniques and began the learning process.

Nami gasped as foreign knowledge flooded her consciousness like liquid lightning. Energy coursed through her body in patterns she'd never experienced before, taking up permanent residence in her muscles and nervous system. The sensation was both exhilarating and overwhelming, power on a scale she'd never imagined.

When the transfer was complete, Akira opened his inventory and pulled out a small, disk-shaped device.

"And here's your third technique," he said, placing the Pay Day TM in her hands. "Consider it a welcome gift from your instructor."

The moment the technical machine made contact with her palm, another wave of knowledge crashed through her consciousness. This time the energy felt more practical, less raw power and more refined application, as if she'd suddenly mastered a skill that could produce tangible results.

"How do you feel?" Akira asked with obvious expectation. "Are you satisfied with your gifts?"

Sizzle!

Electric energy sparked across Nami's skin like captured starlight, illuminating her face with a brilliant blue-white glow. The power felt wild and dangerous, yet completely under her control, as if she'd always had these abilities and was only now remembering how to use them.

"This is... the power of Pokémon?" she breathed, staring at her hands in amazement as electricity danced between her fingers.

Before she could fully process the implications of her transformation, Akira's voice cut through her amazement with unexpected intensity.

"Nami, if I offered you the chance to kill Arlong with your own hands, to personally avenge your mother's death, but it required considerable hardship and training..."

His dark eyes seemed to look directly into her soul as he asked the decisive question.

"Would you be willing to pay the price?"

The casual mention of her greatest enemy hit Nami like a physical blow. Her electric aura flickered and died as the shock overwhelmed her enhanced abilities.

"I..." she stammered, her voice barely audible. "Is it really possible for me to defeat Arlong myself?"

Memories flooded back with devastating clarity, Bellemere's last moments, Arlong's mocking laughter, the weight of hopelessness that had crushed her spirit for so many years. But now, with supernatural power coursing through her veins, those memories carried a different weight.

Instead of despair, they sparked something she'd thought lost forever: hope for true justice.

Akira's expression softened with understanding and encouragement. "With the skills you now possess and proper training in the unique environment of this world, defeating Arlong is absolutely within your reach."

His voice carried the calm certainty of someone who had seen the future and found it acceptable.

"I won't lie to you, electric attacks are especially effective against water-dwelling creatures like Fishmen. The type advantage alone gives you a significant advantage."

He gestured toward the Pokémon Center's training facilities, which were visible through transparent walls. "Arlong became complacent during his years of dominating the East Blue. His strength has actually decreased from its peak. According to my calculations, it's roughly equivalent to a level 25 Pokémon."

"Meanwhile, with intensive training, you could easily reach level 20 or higher before we face him. Combined with the type advantage and the element of surprise..."

His smile turned predatory with anticipation.

"He won't know what hit him."

Nami remained silent for several heartbeats, her mind racing through possibilities she had never dared to consider. The idea of personally delivering justice to the monster who had destroyed her childhood was intoxicating beyond words.

But practical concerns quickly arose and dampened her initial enthusiasm.

"What about Luffy and Zoro?" she asked with obvious reluctance. "Won't my training sessions interfere with their development? I cannot justify slowing the crew's progress for personal revenge."

Her voice carried genuine guilt for even considering such selfishness.

Akira waved away her concerns with a confident dismissal. "You don't have to worry about that. If we find the Rare Candy I'm targeting today, Luffy's power will increase dramatically. He'll be able to focus on mastering Armament Haki in the real world instead of grinding levels against weak virtual opponents."

"The same goes for Zoro. His current training program is producing results that rival what he could achieve here. Both have reached the point where real-world practice is more valuable than virtual experience.

His expression became more serious as he continued. "Besides, this arrangement is only temporary. Soon, our enemies will be so powerful that even their weakest subordinates could match Arlong's strength. You must be prepared for this level of combat."

The practical implications of his words were sobering. In the Grand Line, the East Blue's top predators would be nothing more than cannon fodder. If she wanted to survive those waters, she needed every advantage she could get.

After a long moment of inner struggle, Nami nodded with determined resolve.

"I understand, Akira. Thank you for thinking of me."

Her voice carried genuine gratitude mixed with fierce determination. For the first time since Bellemere's death, she felt more than a victim of circumstances beyond her control.

"We're partners," Akira replied with that warm smile that made her chest tighten with unfamiliar emotions. "Taking care of each other is what we do."

"Yes!" Nami's answer rang with conviction. "We are partners!"

But then her expression became slightly worried as practical considerations took over again.

"However, I would like to explain this decision to Luffy and Zoro in person. They deserve to know why I'm using their training time."

"Of course," Akira readily agreed. "I'm confident that they will fully support your decision."

His casual confidence in her crewmates' understanding spoke volumes about the bonds that had already formed between them. In truth, the greatest limitation wasn't the generosity of their friends, but the power limitations of the game system.

Even with his recent power boost from collecting badges, Akira could only maintain the virtual world for a limited amount of time each day. Every minute was precious, every session carefully planned to maximize their collective development.

The road ahead is long and challenging, he thought with a mixture of anticipation and determination. But with each passing day, we grow stronger. Soon, we'll be ready for anything the Grand Line throws at us.

As they prepared to begin their treasure hunt through Cerulean City's enhanced landscape, Akira allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. Nami's recruitment was going exactly as planned, and her unique skills would prove invaluable in the trials ahead.

The Straw Hat Pirates were evolving from a simple crew of adventurers into something far more dangerous, a force capable of challenging the very foundations of the world itself.

And it all began with helping a heartbroken navigator find the strength to seek her revenge.


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