[Intelligence 1: The Reversal World entered from Whole Cake Island does not appear to be connected to the Pirate World. It still seems to be part of the Pokémon World.]
[Intelligence 2: The Reverse World is a vast space. Its exact size is unknown, but it is undoubtedly far larger than the Pokémon region on Whole Cake Island.]
[Intelligence 3: Anything influenced by Devil Fruit abilities or other powers from the Pirate World will automatically have its original connection severed upon entering the antimatter space.]
[Intelligence 4: …]
…
…
"It really is amazing… the antimatter world!"
Seven days had passed since the Five Elders were forced into retreat.
Unwilling to remain in the antimatter world for too long, Red used Alicia Mirabelagon's body as a base, leaving behind a spiritual imprint to serve as a spatial anchor. Using it as a reference point, he conducted numerous experiments related to the antimatter world.
Although he had some understanding of the Reverse World from the anime in his previous life, this was not truly the Pokémon World he knew. Red couldn't guarantee that this space functioned exactly the same.
Fortunately, with Alicia Mirabelagon as a powerful "test subject," his courage grew considerably.
After seven full days of experimentation, he finally confirmed something.
This antimatter world seemed to be nothing more than a normal alternate dimension.
Its only unique function was severing the sustaining effects of Pirate World powers on individuals.
Just like the power Imu had placed upon Saint Saturn and Alicia Mirabelagon.
Red also conducted a specific experiment using Boa Hancock's Love-Love Fruit.
The results proved astonishing.
The petrification power—which no one except Hancock herself could undo—mysteriously vanished upon entering the antimatter world. The two wild boars that had been turned to stone regained their vitality as if nothing had happened.
Furthermore, after conducting a basic survey, Red found no living creatures within the antimatter world.
Naturally, there was no sign of the antimatter dragon, Giratina.
Lacking more advanced equipment or deeper ideas for exploration, Red temporarily treated the antimatter world as a massive prison.
Alicia Mirabelagon was locked away within it.
…
…
As expected, the battle that took place on Abra Island once again stirred waves across the entire world.
After all, many of the destroyed goods had been exports from the Straw Hat Pirates to outside buyers. An explanation had to be given.
Thus…
Although the Five Elders' assault caused heavy losses for the Straw Hat Pirates, the end result actually strengthened their standing in the underworld.
Having independently restrained—and even captured—one of the Five Elders, the Straw Hat Pirates had finally secured their reputation.
No one would ever again claim that their position as one of the Four Emperors was earned through borrowed power.
A crew capable of facing the World Government head-on—one that forced the Five Elders to resort to sneak attacks before daring to invade their territory…
Their status as a Yonko crew was now unquestionable.
But for the Straw Hat Pirates themselves, none of that mattered anymore.
…
…
"Cheers!!!"
"Welcome the world's greatest songstress—Miss Uta!!! To the Straw Hat Pirates!!!"
"Welcome, Uta!!!"
Clink—
Exquisite wine glasses filled to the brim collided with a crisp, ringing sound.
Above the central castle of Whole Cake Island—on the very platform once used by Big Mom for her tea parties—the entire Straw Hat crew wore bright smiles as they celebrated their newest member.
Because they had been busy handling affairs on Keshi Island, the welcoming banquet had only just begun today.
Although Uta already had some fame, she was still far from the world-renowned status she would have achieved in the original storyline.
Standing before a group of pirates infamous across the seas—whose deeds she did not fully know—Uta displayed her sweetest smile.
"Thank you~! Thank you, everyone!!!"
She bowed deeply, expressing her gratitude, and sang a song on the spot. Brook accompanied her, bringing the banquet to a perfect close.
…
…
[Pokémon: Uta]
[Level: 29][Gender: ♀][Nature: Adamant (+Attack, -Sp. Atk)][Type: Psychic, Fairy][Ability: Wonder Guard (Only attacks vastly stronger than her level can affect her)][Moves: None][EXP: 0/2711][Total Stats: 461]
…
…
"Wonder Guard? There's actually such a ridiculous Ability!?"
When Red saw Uta's status screen, he had initially felt her stats were somewhat underwhelming.
But after reading the Ability description, he completely overturned that judgment.
Only attacks vastly stronger than her can affect her!?
Didn't that mean that with this Ability alone, Uta was practically invincible among her peers!?
Combined with her already bug-level Sing-Sing Fruit…
"And we might've accidentally recruited a final boss-level character for the Straw Hats, huh?"
A sharp gleam flashed in Red's eyes.
That thought reminded him of their original reason for seeking out Uta in the first place.
…
…
Buru Buru Buru~Buru Buru Buru~
On Egghead Island, inside a laboratory towering into the clouds—
A Den Den Mushi protected by confidential devices suddenly rang, shattering the silence.
"Hm!?"
Vegapunk, who had been researching new technology alongside his satellites, froze.
The moment he noticed which Den Den Mushi was ringing, he immediately dropped everything and picked it up.
"Hello? Is that you, Red!?"
"I saw the news earlier. The World Government attacked your territory again, right?"
"I've already found other research subjects. The Sing-Sing Fruit matter isn't urgent—we can talk once you've settled down."
"Hah? How could that be acceptable?"
Red's teasing laughter echoed from the other end.
"We worked very hard to recruit Uta into our crew."
"We even killed a Yonko-level combatant for it!"
"How can you just say we should drop it?"
"What!?" Vegapunk exclaimed. "Uta—the Sing-Sing Fruit user?"
"You were attacked by the Five Elders! How did you still manage to find her!?"
"Heh," Red chuckled. "Why do you think the Five Elders suddenly attacked the Pokémon Sea?"
Then his tone shifted.
"But speaking of that… our previous plan has changed somewhat."
"Vegapunk, have you ever considered conducting your research somewhere else?"
"Somewhere else?" Vegapunk frowned, but his brilliance allowed him to grasp the implication immediately. "You want me to move to your side?"
"Exactly."
Red nodded without hesitation.
"The situation is already like this. The World Government can't even assemble a decent army right now, much less provide you with funding."
"You might as well come to us."
"Sure, we can't compare to the World Government in overall scale. But in terms of top-tier resources, we have unique advantages."
With a user of the Munch-Munch Fruit in their ranks, the Straw Hat Pirates could obtain—or create—any resource they desired.
Even if it didn't exist in the world, they could DIY it.
And with the Vinsmoke Family's cloning technology, combined with Vegapunk's Green Blood serum capable of replicating Paramecia powers…
Wouldn't it be possible to mass-produce Munch-Munch Fruit users in a very short time?
"…"
Vegapunk hesitated.
Just as Red said, the World Government had drastically reduced funding over the past year.
After Saint Saturn's death, he didn't even know who to request funds from.
The new Five Elder who replaced Saturn as the Warrior God of Science and Defense had barely taken her seat before being captured by the Straw Hat Pirates.
The Straw Hat Pirates were now a forbidden zone even the World Government dared not enter lightly.
That meant he no longer needed to hide his projects banned by the Government.
Just as Vegapunk was deep in thought, Red spoke again.
"By the way, there's something else I'd like to discuss."
"Hm? What is it?" Vegapunk's curiosity flared.
Then Red dropped a bombshell.
"With what you've been researching lately… you've already discovered that this world will soon be submerged by the sea, haven't you?"
"…How do you know that!?"
Vegapunk was stunned.
It had taken decades of data collection and oceanic analysis to reach that conclusion.
Yet Red spoke as if he had known all along.
"How mysterious you are…" Vegapunk thought.
Red continued calmly.
"I can't explain everything. But I believe neither of us wants this world to drown."
"My original plan was to collaborate with you to build a fleet of aerospace vehicles—then send the excess seawater into the vast cosmos."
"That… that's quite a fantastical proposal!"
Vegapunk's eyes lit up.
It sounded absurd—but compared to having no solution at all, it was worth serious research.
But Red wasn't finished.
"That was my previous idea."
"I now have a better one."
"What!? A better one?"
"Yes."
"I recently discovered a world that exists outside the same spatial plane as the Pirate World."
"That world seems to possess limitless space—at the very least, holding an entire planet's worth of seawater shouldn't be an issue."
"But we need deeper investigation."
"So I'd like to invite you to provide technical support and properly survey this space."
"If it works, we might be able to restore this planet to the age of land kingdoms—like in ancient times."
"..."
Vegapunk was speechless.
An alternate world with infinite space?
Even with technology 500 years ahead of the Pirate World, he felt like an ignorant layman.
But one thing was clear.
He was not alone in worrying about this planet's future.
A sense of kindred relief stirred within him.
After a moment's hesitation, Vegapunk nodded firmly.
"I understand."
"I'll send Shaka and Edison to assess the situation first."
"If everything is as you say, I will immediately relocate—with all my assets—to the Pokémon Sea."
"I'll await your good news," Red said with a faint smile.
The call ended.
…
…
Meanwhile, at the Revolutionary Army headquarters—
Knock knock knock…
A respectful knock echoed through the room.
Monkey D. Dragon looked up from his paperwork and set down his quill.
"Enter."
"Excuse me, Mr. Dragon."
A young man in a black top hat entered, holding a freshly printed document.
It was none other than the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command—and heir apparent—Sabo.
Because the Paramount War had never occurred, and he had not witnessed Ace's death, Sabo remained in his amnesiac state.
He approached the desk and handed over the document.
"Mr. Dragon, Admiral Issho from the Marines just sent me a confidential report."
"It seems the Straw Hat Pirates have something they wish to discuss with the Revolutionary Army's higher-ups. Admiral Issho is acting as intermediary."
"The Straw Hat Pirates!?"
Dragon's calm expression flickered.
Of course he knew his son's pirate crew.
He monitored their every move.
But he never expected his pirate son to communicate with him like this.
"Did Admiral Issho mention what it was about?" Dragon asked.
Sabo shook his head.
"No."
"But judging from his tone, he strongly hopes we accept the invitation."
"He even said… it may be critically connected to whether the Revolutionary Army can liberate the world more quickly."
(End of Chapter)