What… what just happened!?
The senior agents of Baroque Works stared out the window at the landscape that looked as if it had been plowed through by the fingertip of a god, their faces filled with utter shock.
After hearing Red's words, everyone turned their heads.
But this time, when their eyes fell on Red again, all traces of doubt and confusion had vanished.
Just like Ace's own stunned disbelief…
In a team where everyone except Mr. 4 and Miss Goldenweek was a Devil Fruit user, they understood all too well just how lethal Red—who could casually generate oceanic waves—was to them!
A clattering of chairs sounded softly.
One by one, every senior agent quickly sat back down, each of them sitting upright like obedient university students waiting for roll call.
Seeing how fast their attitude had flipped, Red's lips curled upward.
Whether it was Ace's identity and background, or the power Red had displayed—both had completely exceeded the imagination of this group of so-called tyrants of the first half of the Grand Line.
At this moment, whether Red or Ace was the true boss of Baroque Works no longer mattered.
"Good. It seems all of you know how to read the situation." Red smiled. "In that case, we can begin our next topic."
He tapped the tabletop rhythmically, then announced the first matter:
"First, as the new BOSS of Baroque Works, the first order I need to convey to you is…"
"Immediately suspend all operations targeting the Kingdom of Alabasta!"
"I have already established contact with the Alabastan royal family."
"In the near future, Baroque Works will officially form a deeper cooperative relationship with the kingdom. We will begin preparations to construct my ideal nation within its borders—Utopia · Pokémon Paradise!!!"
"The detailed content will be delivered to you later through Miss All Sunday."
"And now, your task is to send orders to the millions of subordinates under your command…"
"Have them immediately cease all ongoing operations and ensure the internal stability of the Alabasta Kingdom."
This guy… is absolutely not the real BOSS of Baroque Works!!!
Hearing Red overturn everything—completely dismantling the results of years of Baroque Works' clandestine schemes—the agents all had the same thought rise in their hearts.
Instinctively, they glanced at Robin.
It didn't need to be said—this public face and "acting agent leader" of Baroque Works had clearly betrayed the original president.
They didn't know who the true BOSS had been, but perhaps…
The agents' eyes flickered as they looked toward Ace—with his overwhelming background—and the mysterious Red.
Letting the mistake continue… might actually be a good idea!
…
…
[Pokémon: Daz Bonnes]
[Level: 39]
[Gender: ♂]
[Nature: Careful (+Sp. Def / -Sp. Atk)]
[Type: Steel / Fighting]
[Ability: Steelworker (Steel-type moves gain increased power)]
[Moves: Iron Tail, Brick Break, Bulk Up, Tri Attack]
[Exp: 0/6151]
[HP: 123][Attack: 112][Defense: 79][Sp. Atk: 103][Sp. Def: 86][Speed: 95]
…
[Pokémon: Bon Clay]
[Level: 36]
[Gender: ♂(?)]
[Nature: Hardy (neutral)]
[Type: Fighting / Flying]
[Ability: Vital Spirit (cannot fall asleep due to heightened spirit)]
[Moves: Floaty Fall, Low Kick, Bulk Up, Seismic Toss]
[Exp: 0/4996]
[HP: 130][Attack: 96][Defense: 83][Sp. Atk: 82][Sp. Def: 74][Speed: 188]
…
"As expected, only these two have strength that can barely be considered passable~"
Half an hour later, with the naïve Bon Clay acting as the example—successfully pulled into the Pokémon world and granted a strange flying capability…
Every Baroque Works agent instantly accepted Red as their president!
And once they were each brought into the Pokémon world by Red and granted a variety of miraculous moves…
From that moment on, if anyone dared say Red wasn't their president, then that person was their enemy!!!
"Lord Red!"
Inside the cramped café, several agents lined up and knelt on one knee, bowing respectfully before Red.
Aside from the relatively strong Mr. 1—Daz Bonnes—and Mr. 2—Bon Clay…
There was the Steel-type Miss Doublefinger at Level 28, the Normal-type Mr. 4 at Level 25, the Ground-type Miss Merry Christmas Day at Level 24, and Miss Goldenweek—appearing like an ordinary human child yet possessing the terrifyingly strong Fairy + Psychic typing at Level 12.
At this point, every high-ranking member of Baroque Works except for Crocodile—the true BOSS still in the dark—had already joined Red's camp.
"So…"
"Robin, how much longer are you planning to wait?"
Once the agents left to experiment with their new Pokémon moves, Red turned his gaze sharply toward Robin and grinned:
"Baroque Works is now nothing but an empty shell. You no longer have a place to return to."
"Why not take this opportunity… and officially join us?"
"You know…"
"Whether it's Luffy, me, or everyone else—we've always genuinely welcomed you."
"And you've seen our strength with your own eyes!"
"Here, you'll have the power to protect you!!!"
Never missing an opening, Red extended yet another formal invitation.
In truth, he had brought this up with Robin many times before.
Little Merry's official appearance, Chopper boarding as a crewmate, defeating Blackbeard from the New World…
Every time there was a chance, Red would steer the topic in this direction—sometimes bluntly, sometimes subtly—only for Robin to deflect it with her polite yet evasive smile.
Red fully expected her to refuse again—But instead, Robin gently pressed her lips together and, blooming like a violet, smiled softly:
"Sure."
"Ah!?"
Robin's sudden agreement stunned Red, who had mentally prepared for rejection.
But the next moment, a spark of joy flashed in his eyes as he quickly opened the Pokémon list inside the device.
Just as he expected—a new chibi figure wearing a white hood and pale coat appeared at the bottom of the roster.
It was Robin.
He didn't know what had finally broken through her inner defenses, but unwilling to allow any room for second thoughts, he instantly entered the Pokémon world.
A dazzling white light flashed before his eyes—
And when his vision cleared, he and Robin were already inside the familiar Pokémon Center of Cerulean City!
"How incredible~"
Just like everyone else upon their first arrival, Robin was immediately stunned by this world that felt real yet unreal.
Taking the opportunity, Red opened Robin's status screen:
[Pokémon: Nico Robin][Level: 42][Gender: ♀][Nature: Modest (+Sp. Atk / -Attack)][Type: Dark / Psychic][Ability: Cute Charm (physical contact may infatuate the opponent regardless of gender; chance varies depending on strength difference)][Moves: None][Exp: 0/5328]
[HP: 140][Attack: 106][Defense: 76][Sp. Atk: 171][Sp. Def: 135][Speed: 83]
…
"Dark + Psychic!? Level 42! 171 Special Attack!!!"
After reading her stats, Red's eyes lit up with excitement, a satisfied grin curling at his mouth.
From Robin's typing alone, it was clear—
Her future path, like Nami's, was that of a Special Attacker.
But unlike Nami's large-scale storms and lightning, Robin's fighting style would be far more targeted.
Both the eerie, deceptive Dark-type and the mysterious Psychic-type were unsuitable for large-area attacks—
But in exchange, Robin would excel at single-target domination.
Dark's trickery, Psychic's manipulation—her enemy would fall in a haze of confusion and doubt!
And with Cute Charm—a trait that paired perfectly with Robin's presence and combat style—
"Just imagining it gets me excited!"
Red smirked, already seeing in his mind the rise of a terrifying, awe-inspiring Eerie Queen under his command.
Without waiting for Robin's permission, Red forcefully opened the TM list and infused her with a flood of information.
In an instant, three powerful moves appeared on her list:
Dark Pulse, Psychic, Teleport.
And with Glitzy Glow waiting in Celadon City…
A Robin radiating mystic pressure now stood before him!
(End of Chapter)