Aaron held Zeraora's Pokémon Egg carefully in both hands, while the Zap Plate had already been stored inside his System backpack.
Before putting it away, he had specifically asked the System a question.
"System, Arceus's consciousness is inside the Zap Plate. If I put it in the System backpack, she won't discover your existence, right?"
The System answered with obvious pride.
"Hmph. A mere strand of consciousness? Even if Arceus herself were here, she still wouldn't be able to discover me."
Then her tone immediately changed.
"Hehe. I win. Hurry up and hand over the System Coins."
Aaron's mouth twitched slightly, but at least he could relax now.
After that, he checked the Zap Plate's information panel.
[Name: Zap Plate]
[Category: Held Item]
[Rank: Supreme Treasure]
[Effects:
When held by a Pokémon, the power of Electric-type moves increases by 100%.The purest lightning energy nourishes Pokémon, allowing Electric-type Pokémon to rapidly increase their strength. The Zap Plate can also heal an injured Electric-type Pokémon's body and replenish its energy. As long as the Pokémon is not killed instantly, its injuries can be repaired in a short time.As lightning energy is absorbed, the potential of Electric-type Pokémon will gradually increase.The Pokémon's proficiency in all Electric-type moves is raised to Perfect level, and its chance of comprehending Apotheosis-level Electric-type moves is greatly increased.It can be used to comprehend the laws of lightning, and even the source of lightning itself. There are many other benefits, but they must be discovered by the user.]
...
"Holy shit..."
The moment Aaron finished reading the Zap Plate's panel, a classic curse slipped out of his mouth.
Shock filled his eyes.
"This is seriously ridiculous. No wonder it's a Supreme Treasure left behind by Arceus. Doubling the power of Electric-type moves is already insane on its own."
And that was only the first effect.
The Zap Plate also functioned like a built-in growth engine. It continuously produced pure lightning energy to nourish Electric-type Pokémon, rapidly increasing their strength while also repairing injuries and restoring energy.
Even more absurd, it could directly raise move proficiency.
The most terrifying part was that it greatly increased the chance of comprehending Apotheosis-level Electric-type moves.
"This is basically an enlightenment engine," Aaron muttered.
As for the laws of lightning and the source of lightning, he had no idea what they actually were. But just hearing those names was enough to tell him they had to be incredible.
His excitement surged again. As he looked at the Zap Plate, an intense, burning light flashed in his eyes.
"Once I get out, I'll buy a nutrient incubator and hatch little Zeraora."
Then he would have Zeraora hold the Zap Plate from birth. With a Supreme Treasure like this nourishing it from the very beginning, its future would be limitless.
It would definitely surpass its father.
Maybe it could even become the strongest Zeraora in history.
Aaron suppressed the excitement in his heart and turned his attention to the mission rewards: the Eight Inner Gates Skill Card and the Fivefold Lightning Strike Skill Card.
[Name: Eight Inner Gates Skill Card (Modified Version)]
[Category: Special]
[Element: None]
[Special Effects:
Gate of Opening: Releases the brain's safety limiters, allowing perfect control over the body and greatly improving reaction speed. At the cost of stamina, Speed, Attack, and Special Attack increase by 200%.Gate of Healing: Releases the body's fatigue limiters, offsetting the stamina drain caused by the Gate of Opening.Gate of Life: At the cost of bodily strain, Speed, Attack, and Special Attack increase by 300%. Unlocks the move Hidden Lotus.Gate of Pain: At the cost of greater bodily strain, Speed, Attack, and Special Attack increase by 400%.Gate of Limit: At the cost of severe bodily strain, Speed, Attack, and Special Attack increase by 500%.Gate of View: Places the body in a partially opened buffer state, greatly reducing the physical burden and stabilizing the Gate of Limit. Unlocks the move Morning Peacock.Gate of Shock: The final gate before death. It squeezes every last reserve of energy from the body, raising combat power once again. Speed, Attack, and Special Attack increase by 600%. Unlocks the move Daytime Tiger.Gate of Death: Burns the user's life force to unleash overwhelming power. Speed, Attack, and Special Attack increase by 5000%. Unlocks the moves Evening Elephant and Night Guy.]
[Description: Once the Gate of Death opens, it does not matter whether you are mortal or god. One kick is enough to send you to the afterlife. The strongest kick in history: Night Guy.]
...
Aaron fell silent.
He knew the Eight Inner Gates were strong, but he had never imagined they would be this absurd.
Just opening the Gate of Opening increased Speed, Attack, and Special Attack by 200%. By the seventh gate, the Gate of Shock, those same stats rose by 600%.
That alone was ridiculous.
But the Gate of Death was on a completely different level.
A 5000% boost.
Fifty times.
Wouldn't one kick blow the enemy's guts straight out?
Was anything supposed to survive that?
This was so overpowered that Aaron almost felt like his account was about to get banned.
But the price was just as terrifying.
It burned the user's life force.
In other words, the Gate of Death could only be used once.
After using it, the Pokémon would die.
At that thought, Aaron's excitement gradually cooled.
He stared at the Eight Inner Gates Skill Card in silence, and determination flashed in his eyes.
I will never let my Pokémon open the Gate of Death.
Never.
A few moments later, another thought suddenly crossed his mind.
"The Eight Inner Gates and the Zap Plate are practically made for each other."
The Zap Plate could repair the holder's body and replenish its energy. In other words, it might be able to offset some of the side effects caused by the Eight Inner Gates consuming the body and draining energy.
Aaron's mood lifted again.
He had already decided.
Little Zeraora would use the Eight Inner Gates Skill Card.
And at the same time, it would hold the Zap Plate.
With the Plate's support, it should be able to endure the side effects of the Eight Inner Gates far better than a normal Pokémon.
"Little one, you really are blessed."
Aaron gently stroked the Pokémon Egg in his arms and smiled.
"You haven't even hatched yet, and your Trainer has already planned a bright future for you."
"Now I just need you to be born."
Bzz...
The Pokémon Egg seemed to understand his words.
It trembled slightly and gave off a faint sound, as if it already wanted to break out of its shell.
...