Boom—!!
The violent jet of water exploded like a massive azure cannon, blasting a deep crater into the ground as mud splattered and rubble tumbled.
Wartortle was so startled by the power that it took a half-step back, eyes wide, looking as if it couldn't believe it had just fired that blast itself.
"Wartor——Wartortle?!"
Was this really its own power?
Suicune nodded slightly, a hint of approval flickering in its clear eyes.
"The power is sufficient, but your control is not yet steady. Try again. Constrict the power; do not let the energy collide wildly within your mouth."
As the words fell, a thin mist lightly rose around Suicune. As the incarnation of the north wind, Suicune was born with the power to manipulate it.
The wind merged with the Water-type energy within its body, and an invisible water pressure steadily enveloped Wartortle, acting like a precise guiding frame.
Wartortle immediately focused, took a deep breath, and gathered Water-type energy once more.
This time, it was no longer impatient, quietly feeling the flow of water within its body.
Under Suicune's guidance, the violent Water-type energy was combed, compressed, and condensed bit by bit.
"Fire."
Suicune uttered a single word.
Wartortle suddenly opened its mouth and—whoosh!
A thick Hydro Pump shot out straight, accurately hitting a distant tree trunk. The trunk collapsed with a roar, and the blast's power remained undiminished without any extra splashing.
Its power was extraordinary, far exceeding the previous Water Gun.
"Wartortle!"
Wartortle's eyes shone brightly.
Fuyuki was also delighted to see this: "Great! Wartortle, you did it!"
"Happiny~"
"Kekeke~"
Happiny clapped her little hands and cheered, her round body bouncing up and down, while Gastly watched the scene happily.
Even Nidoran♀, who was watching the excitement from the side, joined in with "Awoo awoo" cries. Her short legs pitter-pattered over as she rubbed against Wartortle's leg, seemingly praising its strength.
Suicune withdrew its gaze and looked toward Fuyuki.
The youth was smiling as he fed berries to Wartortle, the sunlight falling on the tips of his hair, his smile clean and bright.
It suddenly understood why Entei and Raikou were so attached to this Little One.
It wasn't because he was the hero chosen by Lord Ho-Oh, nor was it because they had raised him since he was small.
It was because—
By following him, even a heart that had been drifting for thousands of years could find a place to rest in peace.
Suicune gently closed its eyes, and its Aura, as cold as the north wind, quietly softened at this moment.
"Continue practicing," it spoke softly. "With me here, nothing in this forest will dare to disturb you."
A sense of security enveloped every Pokémon like a tide.
Fuyuki looked up at the blue figure standing in the sunlight. His heart warmed, and he grinned: "Okay! Then today, let's have a great special training session!"
Wartortle, Happiny, and Gastly responded in unison, their voices full of drive.
Nidoran♀ clung to Fuyuki's pant leg, looking like she wanted to play along too.
Nidoqueen consciously walked to the outer perimeter, acting as a second layer of defense. Standing there with her massive body, an invisible deterrent spread out, and all the wild Pokémon within several miles settled down.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled spots of light.
The residual warmth of the campfire remained, and the atmosphere of special training, the sounds of laughter, and the crisp cries of the Pokémon echoed in the forest for a long time.
No one was in a hurry to set off.
Because at this moment, this was the most peaceful journey.
Far above the clouds, a golden thunderous figure quietly paused.
Raikou gazed down at the warm camp below, its originally tense expression gradually softening as its tail gave a gentle flick.
"Little One——he really can make things lively wherever he goes."
After speaking, it turned and leaped, vanishing into the horizon as a bolt of lightning.
It had to fulfill its duties as part of Ho-Oh's Guard and also bring back a better gift for their next meeting.
—
As noon approached, Fuyuki began cooking lunch for the Pokémon again.
After lunch was over, they would head to Saffron City to challenge the Gym.
The midday sun scorched the forest clearing ruthlessly, but thanks to Suicune's power, it was tempered into a perfect warmth.
Fuyuki set up a simple stone stove and pulled selected berries from his backpack.
His fingers were nimble as his knife rose and fell, cutting the bright red Pecha berries into even chunks, mashing the red Cheri berries into a fine paste, and finally adding Sacred Ash to the mix.
Soon, the lunch was finished.
"Here it is! A special energy-replenishing dish!" Fuyuki held up three large bowls of the steaming mixture, beaming with smiles.
Wartortle immediately trotted over, sat on the grass, tucked its limbs in, and assumed a well-behaved eating posture.
When the first Bite entered its mouth, its eyes instantly narrowed into crescent moons—it was delicious!
"Wartortle" It couldn't help but let out a comfortable cry while chewing, its tail happily wagging left and right, kicking up dust from the ground.
Happiny waddled over on her short legs, her round belly bouncing in the air.
She carefully held up a spoonful with both hands, nodded gently, and fed a small Bite to Fuyuki as if sharing her delicacy.
"Happiny" The taste is so good!
Gastly floated in mid-air, curling its tongue around a piece of fruit pulp and eating with great relish.
Nidoqueen and Nidoran♀ sat further away under the shade of a tree, enjoying Fuyuki's special "jerky platter." Nidoran♀ gnawed until her mouth was covered in crumbs, yet she still ate quickly. After finishing, she buried her head in Fuyuki's chest and rubbed against him, asking for a second portion.
Lunch over, Fuyuki wiped the grease from his hands, asked Squirtle to use Water Gun to help him wash up, then stood up and looked into the distance.
"Alright, everyone, it's time to leave and head for Saffron City!"
The group and the Pokémon immediately got ready to go.
"Nidoran♀, Nidoqueen, we're leaving." Fuyuki packed his luggage and stood up to say goodbye to the Nidoqueen mother and daughter.
"Awoo——" Little Nidoran♀ was very reluctant to see him go.
Fuyuki smiled and said, "Be sure to listen to your mother, okay?"
Nidoran♀ nodded vigorously: "Awoo!"
"Well then, goodbye!"
Fuyuki waved his hand, trying to make his smile look relaxed, but he still felt some reluctance in his heart.
Nidoran♀ chased after him on her short legs and bit onto his pant leg, refusing to let go.
Her round eyes shimmered with tears, looking as if she were about to cry.
"Awoo——Awoo—"
Nidoqueen stepped forward slowly, lowered her head, and gently rubbed her rough cheek against Fuyuki's palm.
During the days following this human, there was endless food, peaceful nights, and a warmth that didn't require vigilance or fighting.
Fuyuki crouched down, stroked Nidoran♀'s head, and gently patted Nidoqueen's jaw.
Looking at these two reluctant Pokémon, Fuyuki suddenly thought of something.
"How about you two leave here with us?"
"Awoo?!" Nidoran♀'s eyes immediately widened.
Nidoqueen also froze for a moment, "Awoo——"
She wasn't opposed to it, but—
Nidoqueen looked down at her child, only to see Nidoran♀ immediately nodding her head vigorously, agreeing without any hesitation.
Nidoqueen: "——"
"In that case, let's just go!"
Fuyuki said as he took out the Teleportation Bracelet. With a flash of white light, everyone instantly returned to Mount Tensei.
Nidoran♀ and Nidoqueen were startled, staring at the surrounding scenery in dumbfounded amazement.
"Welcome, Nidoran♀, Nidoqueen. This is our home. From now on, you'll live here!"
Fuyuki pushed open the back door, but as soon as he saw the scene inside, he froze on the spot.
Looking out, the originally empty space had actually been cultivated into one farmland after another, and the figures of Clefable and Clefairy were busy working in the fields.
Magearna stood by, quietly watching the Clefairies at work.
"Clefairy?!"
The Clefables soon noticed the returning Fuyuki.
Their eyes lit up, and they immediately ran over cheering.
Seeing this, Magearna also walked over.
Fuyuki patted their heads, then looked at the scene with some surprise.
"Did you all do this?"
"Clefairy~"
The Clefables replied happily.
This way, even when Fuyuki wasn't home, they could grow their own food!
"Not bad, not bad." Fuyuki was very glad to see such a scene, as it meant the Clefables considered this their new home.
"Magearna, you've worked hard too," Fuyuki said.
A gentle smile appeared on Magearna's face.
"However, I've come back today to introduce two new partners to everyone." Fuyuki stepped aside.
The Pokémon present immediately turned their gazes toward the Nidoqueen and Nidoran♀ behind him.
"They are Nidoqueen and Nidoran♀. They will also be staying here to live with us from now on."
"Nidoran♀, Nidoqueen, this is our home. You can live wherever you want," Fuyuki introduced them in turn.
Nidoqueen and her daughter looked at the vast world before them, their eyes lighting up instantly.
They nodded their heads and happily agreed.
"Very good. Magearna, I'll leave Nidoqueen and Nidoran♀ in your care," Fuyuki said.
Magearna nodded. It had actually been learning how to cook recently, using ingredients grown by the Clefairies. Although it wasn't very skilled yet, the Clefairies really liked the food it made.
Taking care of Nidoqueen and Nidoran♀ would certainly be no problem.
Fuyuki didn't stay long at home. After settling the two Pokémon, he returned to the starting point via the Teleportation Bracelet.
"Wartortle, Happiny, Gastly, let's go."
"Wartortle!"
"Happiny!"
"Kekeke!"
The Pokémon responded with passion.
After walking for about half a day, the group finally emerged from the forest. Seeing the massive metropolis in the distance tinted gold by the sunlight, Fuyuki knew they had arrived at Saffron City!
High-rise buildings stood tall, streets were wide, and large Pokémon occasionally flew through the sky. Pedestrians and Pokémon walked side-by-side in an orderly manner, yet there was a faint, inexplicable sense of oppression.
In the air, invisible spiritual waves flowed subtly.
"So this is the city where the Psychic Gym is located——" Upon entering the city, Fuyuki turned his head to observe the surroundings.
The Gym Leader, Sabrina, while not the strongest Gym Leader in Kanto, definitely had the most terrifying abilities.
Just imagine, which Leader would use a giant bowling ball to crush an opponent into pulp in a battle, or use Psychic powers to turn challengers into dolls, never to escape the Saffron Gym for a lifetime?
However, Fuyuki was not afraid; after all, he had several bodyguards by his side.
Setting Suicune aside, just the giant Dragonite would be enough to give Sabrina a run for her money.
But, Psychic powers?
With a slight thought from Fuyuki, the system shop automatically appeared.
On it, several major supernatural powers of the Pokémon world were displayed.
[Viridian Power: A blessing from the Viridian Forest, only appearing in children born within the Viridian Forest. Those with this ability can sense the thoughts of Pokémon and channel the power of nature to heal injured Pokémon. They are recognized by nature. Exchange cost: 5 million shock points.]
[Dragon Force: An ability passed down through the Dragon Clan. Those with this ability are natural Dragon-type Pokémon Trainers. It can greatly increase affinity with Dragon-type Pokémon, gain their recognition, and also use power to help Dragon-type Pokémon become stronger. Exchange cost: 3 million shock points.]
[Aura: All things have Aura, but only specific individuals can sense it. Those with this ability can perceive all things in the world through Aura, and can also manipulate Aura for attacking, searching, and sealing. Exchange cost: 5 million shock points.]
[Power of Overcoming: A power bestowed upon humans by Arceus. It allows for the establishment of a mental link with Pokémon, entering their inner world for direct thought communication, and can be used to soothe Pokémon's emotions and calm their anger. It is very effective against Legendary Pokémon. At a certain level of mastery, one can even communicate directly with Arceus. Exchange cost: 8 million shock points.]
[Psychic: Humans are also a type of Pokémon. This ability is innate from birth in some human infants. Similar to Psychic-type Pokémon, when this power is mastered, one can directly perform Teleport, Telekinesis, Mind Control, Future Sight, Illusion Creation, etc. Exchange cost: 6 million shock points.]
Looking at this, Fuyuki couldn't help but gasp.
Terrifying! These powers were actually so strong!
He had been negligent; when he was younger, he was always obsessed with petting fluffy things and forgot about this.
Powers like Aura and Viridian Power leaned toward support.
While Psychic was more like a power that strengthened oneself.
Setting aside Future Sight and Illusion Creation, just Teleport and Telekinesis were powerful enough.
And there was Mind Control——
Just with this one ability, Fuyuki could imagine hundreds or thousands of uses in his mind.
However, he glanced at his balance——
"Forget it, I'll just ask Ho-Oh to take me for a flight later!" Fuyuki thought to himself.
Only children make choices; as an "adult," he wanted all of these abilities!
But before that, he still had one thing to do.
"Everyone, it's time to challenge the Gym!" Fuyuki said.
Hearing this, Wartortle immediately stood tall, the Hydro Pump it had just mastered during special training already poised to fire.
Happiny hugged the egg in her arms tightly and nodded seriously.
Gastly did a spin in mid-air, Ghost-type power surging slightly. As a Ghost-type Pokémon, Psychic powers were ineffective against it.
Fuyuki crossed several streets, and a completely white building appeared before his eyes.
There were no guards, no gates, only an eerily quiet plaza.
This was Sabrina's Gym!