[Pokémon: Laboon]
[Level: 62]
[Gender: ♂]
[Nature: Lonely (+ATK / –DEF)]
[Type: Water]
[Ability: Inner Focus (possesses a battle-hardened spirit that never falters, allowing it to face anything head-on!)]
[Moves: Scald, Water Gun, Waterfall, Bubble Beam]
[EXP: 0/14648]
…
[HP: 238][Attack: 154][Defense: 156][Sp. Atk: 143][Sp. Def: 174][Speed: 138]
…
On the deck of the Going Merry as it sailed across the open sea…
Red stared at Laboon's status panel, the corners of his lips lifting uncontrollably as astonishment flickered through his eyes.
A full day had passed since they left Drum Island.
After the lively banquet last night, little Chopper had already blended into the Straw Hat crew's atmosphere.Although he still acted a bit reserved at times, at least in front of idiots like Luffy and Usopp, he could now show his true self without restraint.
Yesterday, he even mimicked Luffy and insisted on performing a "chopsticks-up-the-nose dance" for everyone—much to Nami's growing horror.
She was terrified that her sweet, adorable Chopper would get corrupted by Luffy's influence.
And early this morning, with Chopper translating, Red finally managed to explain the meaning of "Trainer" to Laboon, successfully guiding the whale into the Pokémon world and activating its Ability, along with its move set.
Unfortunately, Laboon's body was far too enormous. Even in the wild regions, it blocked entire routes by itself, preventing the device from properly refreshing Pokémon encounters.
Clearly, Red wouldn't be able to take Laboon to the Pokémon world for grinding any time soon.
"Yo~ Red! Did you really already bring Laboon into the Pokémon world?!"
Just then, Usopp's excited voice came from above Red's head.
A second later—He twisted his wrist, and from a strange gadget strapped to it, a green vine shot out, anchoring itself high on the Merry's mast.
Then, using the vine like Spider-Man, Usopp kicked off and swung down from Laboon's massive back directly onto the deck.
He rolled handsomely across the boards and sprang to his feet.
"Woooah!!"
Clap clap clap—!
Applause erupted instantly.
Chopper's hooves clapped so fast they produced afterimages, and he rushed forward with starry eyes.
"Usopp! Usopp! What was that just now?! That was SO cool!!"
"Heh heh~"
Usopp rubbed the tip of his long nose and proudly declared:
"This is the latest invention of this genius…"
"Its full name—Usopp's Green Vine Grapple System!"
"Whoaaa! It's so cool!!"
Chopper stared at the vine-shooting wristband, its embedded green gem gleaming like an emerald, and his eyes lit up even brighter.
And now that Usopp finally had a little fanboy on board, he certainly wasn't going to forget Chopper.
"Oh right, Chopper—didn't Red say yesterday that you and I both have Grass-type Pokémon energy?"
Usopp flashed a mysterious grin.
Then he reached into his waist pouch and pulled out a strange belt.
Its material was unknown—though flexible, its surface shimmered faintly like polished metal.At its center sat a gem identical to the one on Usopp's wrist: a mysterious stone the color of deep green.
Usopp crouched down and presented the belt to Chopper:
"Here! This is my gift to our new crewmate!"
"Just like my wristband, this is an Usopp's Green Vine Grapple Device embedded with a Leaf Stone!"
"I even modified the straps so that no matter how your body changes, it'll never affect the fit."
"For now, you should keep practicing Giga Drain. Master it completely—get it to the point where you can attach the energy to external objects…"
"And then pair it with these seeds!"
Usopp pulled out a whole series of little pouches, each filled with seeds giving off an earthy scent. He pointed to them one by one as he explained:
"I've labeled every single bag clearly."
"For example—this one grows vines that can bind and hurt people, this one is cactus seeds that shoot spikes…"
"From now on, you can mix and match them however you like. Just place the chosen seeds here on the belt.When you want to fire one, simply channel Grass-type energy into different points of the Leaf Stone, and the device will launch the corresponding seed."
"..."
"..."
Usopp patiently explained every detail of the device's usage.And under Chopper's nonstop "You're amazing!" praises, he slowly began losing control of his ego.
"I can't believe you actually made full use of an Evolution Stone!"
"No wonder you're Usopp!"
Red approached shortly after, praising the gadget strapped to Usopp's wrist with genuine admiration.
But considering this was the same man who once turned a simple Clima-Tact into a living seagull dispenser,making bizarre devices out of energy-infused materials wasn't surprising at all.
"Heh heh~"This time, hearing Red's compliment, Usopp didn't show the slightest arrogance. Instead, he replied humbly:
"Well, it's all thanks to you for finding me the perfect test subject!"
"If it weren't for Wapol's Devil Fruit ability, who knows how long it would've taken me to finish this thing!"
"Oh, right—those guys inside Laboon's stomach are still asking when you'll let them out."
"What should I tell them?"
"That's easy." Red smiled."Tell them we're not restricting their freedom at all."
"If they want to leave, they can leave anytime~"
"—As long as they can withstand the pressure of the open sea."
"Also, didn't I already release the 'Doctors 20' earlier?"
"You can use that to make them dream a little."
Pa!Red suddenly placed a hand on Usopp's shoulder, staring straight into his eyes as if teaching a disciple:
"Usopp, you're already a mature pirate. You must learn how to sell dreams to your subordinates."
"Isn't your third insect-breeding base already under construction?"
"You need to make them understand that only those who work the best—and the most—will receive the rewards."
"Divide them. Find their differences. Encourage them to form groups and factions of their own.You must never let them unite under a single banner."
"And don't forget—Miss Kaya's family back in Syrup Village has a HUGE estate waiting for you to inherit someday!"
"Learn these things well—you'll use them all in the future!"
Gulp—Under Red's gaze, Usopp swallowed hard.
He finally murmured:
"Red… sometimes I really can't tell if you're teaching me things…"
"Or if you're teaching me things while using those things on me…"
"Hahahaha!!" Red burst into hearty laughter."Don't mind the small details!"
"Look at Luffy and Zoro—because they know so little, they get stronger SO fast!"
"Sometimes, having too smart a brain only slows you down!"
Usopp: "..."
Sell dreams first. Then divide the crowd.
Red…I… I think I finally understand!!
(End of Chapter)