Chapter 8: The Qualifications to Becoming a Pokémon Partner

Under the night sky, the clean moonlight illuminated the vast sea, reflecting countless stars onto the tranquil, dark waters.

The rhythmic crashing of waves against the boat's hull played like a mysterious melody in the silent night.

Just then, a lazy yawn broke the midnight silence.

"Ahhh~ so sleepy!"

Luffy rubbed his face and reluctantly opened his eyes, then immediately looked across from him.

On the other side of the small boat, Red was also slowly waking up.

Perhaps due to the late-night environment, a wave of exhaustion swept through his mind as well.

"Sigh, here's another flaw of the device showing up…"

"When entering the game world, although the body goes into a resting state, the mind doesn't get any rest."

"Looks like I'll have to start managing my time in the game world more carefully, to avoid affecting tomorrow's activities."

After briefly explaining to Luffy what Pokémon moves were, and seeing that the device's battery was running low, Red saved his progress inside the Pewter Gym and brought Luffy back to the real world.

Glancing at the compass to make sure their boat hadn't drifted off course, he turned to Luffy and said:

"Alright, Luffy. Today's adventure time is over."

"It's getting late. You go rest first."

"I'll rest when dawn comes."

"If all goes well, we should reach the next island by noon tomorrow."

"Ha~! Okay, I'll leave it to you, Red."

Although they hadn't experienced any intense battles, Luffy had been active all night and was indeed a bit tired.

Yawning, he gave Red a quick wave before tilting his head and falling asleep almost instantly.

"This guy.... no worries at all"

Seeing this, Red couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.

But soon, he pulled himself together and gazed at the bright moon, lost in thought.

"Well, since I have nothing else to do, let's review today's gain."

Red pulled out a small notebook from his bag and began jotting things down.

This was his personal habit; when planning, he liked to write things out on paper.

Even after crossing over to this world, this habit hadn't changed.

In facuat, to avoid forgetting the One Piece plot, he had even filled an entire notebook with detailed notes.

And since he wrote in Chinese, he didn't have to worry about others accidentally reading it and causing unnecessary trouble.

"First, in terms of experience: in just one night, Luffy gained 2,500 experience points, only about 3,600 more to reach level 47."

"Thanks to Pewter Gym being an Exp goldmine."

"But considering the Pokémon he'll encounter in the future will only get stronger, Luffy's level will definitely skyrocket rapidly."

"Next, about Pokémon moves."

"Based on Luffy's feedback, when using the Headbutt move, his head becomes harder, his attacks stronger, and he even takes less collision damage…"

"Obviously, Pokémon moves don't just teach Luffy battle technique; they enhance his ability outright."

"In terms of combat, Pokémon moves have huge potential!"

Red scribbled away in his notebook.

He was very satisfied with the power shown by Headbutt.

What's more, Luffy's learning process was incredibly simple and direct.

Just a tap in the game interface, and Luffy instantly mastered the Pokémon move.

This was a dream come true for anyone with learning difficulties!

Even more crucial…

TMs were permanent, they didn't disappear after use.

In other words, if Red could bring other people into the game world in the future, he could instantly set them up with a full moveset, boosting their combat power in no time.

However…

"I still don't know how the device selects who can become a Pokémon…" Red murmured softly.

He was certain that the requirements for becoming a Pokémon weren't just things like intimacy or time spent together.

After all, over the past two and a half years, the person he'd spent the most time with wasn't Luffy, it was Makino at the tavern.

When Red first crossed over, he had used his orphan status and Makino's kindness to successfully move into her home and work at the tavern.

Of course, calling it "child labor" wasn't really fair. Makino treated him very well, and considering his age, she only gave him light and simple tasks.

Otherwise, Red wouldn't have had so much free time to train.

If the device hadn't suddenly appeared, he had been planning to quietly settle down in Windmill Village and eventually charm Makino once he became an adult.

Well, life is unpredictable

As for Luffy, he mostly spent his time training in the deep mountains.

He only came down to the village every few days to spar with Red or to chat and marvel about his "transmigrator's" knowledge.

"So if it's not about bonds… So what sets Luffy apart?"

"Is it probably that I've been guiding Luffy's training, right?"

Even though Red's combat power was far below Luffy's, in this area, he had indeed earned Luffy's acknowledgment and respect.

After all, the results spoke for themselves.

In an instant, a flash of inspiration lit up in Red's eyes, unusually bright in the dark night.

"Could it be that to make someone my Pokémon, they need to recognize me as a Trainer!?"

"Damn, that actually makes perfect sense!"

Red couldn't help but pound the boat railing, a joyful smile spreading on his face.

The problem that had been puzzling him for days seemed to have found its first clue.

And the way to test his theory was simple.

Red thought to himself, "To see if I'm right… I'll test it on the Straw Hats' third member!"

As for who that third crewmate was, he already had the answer in his heart.

After all, from the moment they left Windmill Village, their boat had been sailing toward one very specific destination.

That was…

The place that had recently been making waves across the East Blue — Shells Town, home to the 153rd Marine Branch, where the infamous pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro was being held!

That's right!

Ever since Red had decided to become Luffy's crewmate, he had already plotted out their sailing route!

If you're going to have an epic adventure in the world of One Piece, how could you possibly leave out Zoro, the most charismatic and future strongest swordsman!?

However…

"Sorry, Zoro."

"Your first mate position has already been taken by me!"

"But don't worry, I'll make it up to you in other ways!"

Red chuckled softly, his gaze full of anticipation as he looked toward the vast ocean.

But that mood only lasted a few seconds.

Because suddenly, Red realized…

"Wait a second! I don't know jack about swordsmanship!!"

If he wanted Zoro to acknowledge him as both vice-captain and trainer, he'd definitely have to help with Zoro's training, just like with Luffy.

But…

He had no clue how to train Armament Haki. Observation Haki had taken even Luffy quite some time to self-learn.

Zoro's Observation Haki talent was clearly not as good as Luffy's, who could hear the Voice of All Things, so it would only be harder.

As for Conqueror's Haki!?

Not even Luffy has unlocked it yet.

And in terms of swordsmanship, Red was completely clueless.

"…Am I the fraud here?!"

Realizing that just seconds ago he'd been confidently boasting, only to now discover that he might be the weakest link, Red's face turned a bit red.

"Screw it, I need to get stronger myself!"

Red quickly accepted his own weakness.

Fortunately, he had already found his own path!

With a thought, Red pulled up the device screen in his mind.

Since he hadn't operated it for a while, several unread notification messages were still hanging at the top of the screen…