[Pokémon: Nika]
[Level: 1]
[Gender: —]
[Nature: Mischievous (+Attack −Sp. Def)]
[Type: Fairy, Ghost][Ability: Freestyle (Can learn all Pokémon moves or combat techniques; during battle, its own type and energy will automatically change to the required attributes and states)][Moves: —]
[EXP: 0/15]
[Total Base Stats: 48]
...
...
"My goodness~ As expected of a Devil Fruit favored by fate. Even the Pokémon born from the fruit's will is this special…"
Staring at the status panel of the Nika will, Red couldn't help but let out an awed exclamation.
At first glance, this little Nika was only Level 1. Its stats were so fragile that even a random wild Pokémon could crush it with ease.
However…
The moment Red saw Nika's Ability, he was completely conquered by this "free" little guy!
Able to learn all Pokémon moves, and freely change its own type during battle…
Didn't that mean this little fellow could adapt its combat style to any opponent, and ensure every single attack received same-type bonuses?
Add to that the effect of learning all Pokémon moves…
Even though the Freestyle Ability didn't directly increase combat power, it filled Red with anticipation.
What's more… this was only the effect under Pokémon-world mechanics.
According to the Ability description, the true scope of Freestyle went far beyond the confines of a mere game world.
"It looks like the Straw Hat Pirates are about to gain another powerful member."
The corner of Red's mouth curled upward.
Countless thoughts flashed through his eyes like sparks of inspiration.
Snap!
Without any warning, Red suddenly dispersed the psychic barrier restraining Nika.
In the next instant, a pale pink sphere of light shot out from Red's palm. Two energy arms extended from the sphere as if proportional to its body, groping clumsily all over itself.
Clearly, the little guy still couldn't understand what was happening.
After all, just a second ago, it had merely been a fruit will acting on instinct.
Now, though still immature, it had broken free from the Nika Fruit and the shackles of fate, becoming a brand-new independent existence.
"Nika?!"
At that moment, an affectionate call interrupted its thoughts, startling the newborn little creature.
"Ni~!"
The sprite-like Nika wobbled in midair, then immediately locked onto the source of the disturbance—Red.
In its remaining sliver of consciousness, it remembered clearly that Red had just used some method to capture it, preventing it from fusing with Luffy's soul.
Don't underestimate a Devil Fruit's will—it can hold grudges!
In Nika's simple logic, Red's actions were tantamount to cutting off its livelihood and endangering its very existence!
However, due to the Master Ball's influence, after becoming a Pokémon, little Nika inexplicably felt a sense of closeness toward Red as its Trainer.
At this moment, within Nika's naive mind, two completely opposite emotions clashed violently, causing its spherical body to flicker between light and dark.
"Hm? Are you… thinking about something?"
Unsure whether little Nika even possessed normal intelligence, Red stepped forward and gently poked its body with a finger.
Instantly, a gentle surge of Aura flowed from Red's fingertip.
This most fundamental energy of life yanked Nika's consciousness out of its inner turmoil.
Curious, Nika fluttered toward the Aura and began cautiously sipping at it.
Unlike other Pokémon energies, Aura could be used not only for combat and detection, but also directly bestowed upon other beings.
Normally, even possessing powerful Aura meant nothing if one didn't know how to use it…
But that only applied to ordinary people.
When Red's Aura flowed into Nika's body, the faint pink glow of its form suddenly pulsed violently.
The next second, a blue halo burst forth, reflecting a wondrous light in Red's eyes.
"This is…!"
Red's face lit up with delight.
He immediately checked Nika's status panel again.
There, in the previously empty move slot, appeared a skill Red himself hadn't even obtained via a TM—
Aura Sphere!
At the same time, Nika's type changed from [Fairy + Ghost] to [Fighting (Temporary)].
"This is actually possible?!"
Although Red had anticipated how powerful Nika's innate ability combined with Freestyle would be, seeing this Level 1 Pokémon instantly grasp Aura—something Luffy and the others needed days to learn—still left him pleasantly shocked.
"I'm really starting to look forward to your future."
After absorbing Red's Aura, little Nika seemed to turn into a completely different being. Any previous resentment vanished as it affectionately rubbed against Red's finger.
...
...
A few minutes later.
"Nika, use Dragon Pulse!"
On a desolate plain, Red waved sharply at a Level 5 Shinx ahead and shouted.
The moment his voice fell, a dense beam of energy appeared out of thin air, slamming into the blue kitten Pokémon playing in the grass.
"Meow~!"
Caught completely off guard, Shinx let out a pained cry and was blasted backward, crashing onto cold rock.
At the same time, a faint holy glow flashed before Red's eyes.
A small figure appeared out of nowhere, bouncing joyfully as it basked in the sensation of leveling up.
"Already Level 6?!"
Watching the delighted little Nika, Red felt an unexpected wave of nostalgia.
For some reason, he suddenly felt as though he'd returned to playing Pokémon games before transmigrating.
Despite having adventured in the game world with companions for so long, this was the first time he'd felt this way.
"Maybe… this is what Pokémon truly are," Red murmured.
Then he shook his head regretfully.
"Too bad… this isn't a leisurely game right now."
"Little Nika~"
Red called out again.
"Ni~!"
Nika paused midair, then quickly flew over to Red.
After nearly half an hour of interaction and battle, it had completely accepted Red as its Trainer—or rather, the only person it could rely on in this world.
Though this dependence would eventually fade once it met the Straw Hat crew, Red found himself thoroughly enjoying the moment.
"Alright, little Nika."
Red gently patted its round body and smiled.
"The testing is over. You did great."
Just earlier, Red had let Nika learn every TM he currently possessed and tested them on wild Pokémon.
Although limited by Pokémon mechanics to only four move slots, Nika's incredible adaptability and Freestyle Ability meant that even without specific-type moves, it could still unleash fire, lightning, torrents, frost—attacks with effects from every Pokémon type!
Though the lack of move bonuses reduced their power, it still turned little Nika into an all-attribute combatant rivaling the Pokémon world's Creator God!
With testing complete, Red needed to speed things up.
After all, a single-digit-level Nika wouldn't be much help on the Straw Hats' future journey.
Boom!!!
Without warning, Red flashed beside another Shinx and threw a punch, smashing the unfortunate Pokémon straight into the ground.
As the EXP notification rose, Nika's experience bar jumped sharply.
But this was only the beginning!
Red's figure flickered wildly across the plains.
Each appearance was accompanied by a thunderous explosion—and the fall of another unlucky Pokémon.
In mere seconds, the glow of leveling up enveloped Nika once more.
"Nika?!"
Before it could savor its sudden surge in strength, Nika saw Red moving farther away and cried out, transforming into a streak of light as it chased after him.
Man and Pokémon surged forward together, pushing through low-level zones with unstoppable momentum.
Eventually, they stopped deep within mountains where wild Pokémon levels exceeded 30.
At Red's current strength, defeating a Level 30 Pokémon wasn't much different from defeating a Level 1—his punch was the same either way.
Going deeper would require two or even three punches, lowering efficiency.
So this place was the perfect grinding spot!
By now, Usopp's specially bred insect race should be close to hatching.
When the time came, Red would likely need to spend quite a while power-leveling them to pass on stronger genes.
Might as well warm up here first.
...
...
Time passed quickly.
Knowing his companions still had many matters awaiting him, Red didn't linger long in the game world.
After pushing Nika to Level 30 through rapid grinding, Red soothed the little Pokémon and left the game world.
At the same time—
In the Sea Forest, now reduced to barren land after ten days of intense battle, a massive banquet involving thousands of participants was underway.
As the organizer, Luffy held a cream-covered cake in one hand and a massive bone club in the other, laughing without a care.
"Wahahaha!"
"It's been so long since I ate Sanji's cooking—this is awesome!"
"Hey! Luffy!"
Usopp, carrying a huge pot down the deck of the Going Merry, quickly scolded him.
"The banquet hasn't officially started yet! How can you ruin Sanji's food early?!"
"Put it down and wait until it starts!"
"Huh?!"
Despite possessing unparalleled strength, Luffy immediately drooped at Usopp's words and muttered,
"What's the big deal… I'm just having a little taste early…"
Reluctantly setting down the half-meter-long bone and the cake bigger than his face, Luffy slumped over the table.
"Seriously… why hasn't Red come back from the Pokémon world yet?"
"Everyone's waiting for him~!"
"Correction! The only one waiting is you, right?!"
A giant hand of vines gently placed a dish on the table, looking at Luffy helplessly.
Nearby, Nami, using swirling air currents to support another dish, chuckled.
"You should endure a bit longer."
"For your sake, Red's been guarding you nonstop these days."
"If you start the banquet without the biggest contributor present, even our Fish-Man guests might think you're inconsiderate."
"Right, Jinbe?"
"Uh…"
Caught off guard, Jinbe broke into a cold sweat.
Being forced to sit at the Straw Hats' main table already made him uneasy.
Now being dragged into their internal matters only worsened it.
Still, true to his nature, Jinbe replied politely,
"Miss Nami is right. Lord Red has worked very hard. We should wait a bit longer."
"Alright, alright, sorry~! I was just testing you guys!"
Luffy interrupted, then puffed out his chest confidently.
"Look at you, doubting your captain!"
"Jinbe, you're the best!"
"..."
Jinbe's sweat intensified.
Before he could speak, Nami flicked Luffy's forehead with compressed wind.
"Cut it out!"
"We know you too well!"
Turning to Jinbe, she added,
"Jinbe, there's still a lot to do in the kitchen. Luffy's your responsibility."
"Don't let him eat early, or there'll be nothing left for everyone!"
"Uh… okay."
Jinbe nodded blankly.
But once Nami and Usopp left, realization struck him.
Wait… something's not right?!
He was just a former Warlord—how was he supposed to manage someone like Luffy?!
And since when had his relationship with the Straw Hats become this close?!
All he did was deliver two Devil Fruits and teach Fish-Man Karate for two days!
So why was he suddenly seated at the main table—one even King Neptune never got to sit at?!
A sense of conspiracy crept over Jinbe.
...
...
And in fact, Jinbe wasn't wrong!
The moment Nami and Usopp returned to the ship, the Straw Hats—who should've been busy cooking—peeked out from the shadows, spying on the table where only Luffy and Jinbe sat.
"Not sure why Red told us to get closer to Jinbe before entering the Pokémon world…"
"But our plan worked great, right?!"
"Perfect!"
"Except Luffy nearly eating early, everything went smoothly!"
They praised Nami and Usopp's acting, while curiosity grew about Red's unusual friendliness toward the Fish-Man Warlord.
For newer members like Franky and Brook, the curiosity was strongest.
But for original members like Zoro and Nami, there was already an inkling.
Given Red's style, telling them to treat Jinbe well even in such urgency meant one thing—
In the future Red foresaw, Jinbe's bond with the Straw Hats was anything but ordinary.
Perhaps…
The Going Merry would soon welcome a new crewmate…
(End of Chapter)