***
"This one is different—it's big!"
Yuuto shook the Poké Ball in his hand with a playful grin.
"Big?"
Misty blinked, still confused, her cheeks still faintly pink from earlier.
"What's wrong with big?"
"Big has nothing to do with time!"
"Besides, bigger might even mean a shorter lifespan!"
Misty's mind raced.
So Yuuto just thought this Caterpie had potential because it was a little larger than average?
That's way too superficial!
Although it *was* bigger and reacted faster, a Caterpie is still just a Caterpie!
Its base stats are fixed, its lifespan is fixed—what difference does size make?
A tiny flicker of smug satisfaction suddenly bloomed in Misty's heart.
*Looks like Yuuto isn't all that amazing after all!*
He's just an ordinary rookie who judges Pokémon by appearance.
She had thought he had some special insight.
Looks like she'll have a chance to properly lecture him later!
Misty's little smugness resurfaced.
She had always been bothered by Yuuto's earlier boast about his "small goal of becoming Champion."
It wasn't that she disliked him—she just felt… this guy was too arrogant!
He's clearly a rookie with only a couple of Pokémon, yet he dares to say such things.
She was the young lady of the Cerulean Gym. She had seen countless Trainers and heard countless grand declarations since childhood.
Very few ever made it far.
Champion?
That's not something you become just by talking big.
She had always wanted to find an opportunity to properly "educate" Yuuto and make him face reality.
Not to discourage him, but to… well, guide him correctly!
Yes, guidance!
And while she was at it… Misty secretly glanced at Yuuto's handsome profile.
She could see him speechless from her words, obediently listening.
That would be very satisfying.
She had even started imagining the scene:
She would stand with hands on her hips like a senior, analyzing every drawback of Caterpie one by one, while Yuuto listened dumbfounded, finally scratching his head and saying, "Misty, you're right."
Then she could pat his shoulder maturely and say, "It's good that you know your mistake. Listen to your big sister more from now on."
Hehe… Just thinking about it made Misty feel much better.
Even her fear of the surrounding forest lessened a bit…
Yuuto paid no attention to the fantasies running through Misty's mind right now.
He was focused on the Poké Ball in his hand.
Of course he had considered the drawbacks Misty mentioned.
Caterpie's short lifespan, fixed evolution chain, Butterfree's low base stats—he knew all of it better than anyone.
But with plot knowledge and the system on his side, was he worried he couldn't raise a Caterpie properly?
Besides, the reward for this capture mission was practically tailor-made for this one.
Primary Potential Enhancement Fruit.
For use on any Pokémon below Elite Four level potential—permanently raises potential by 1.
This Caterpie currently had Gym-level potential. After eating the fruit, it would jump straight to quasi-Elite Four level!
Among all Caterpie—no, among all Bug-type Pokémon—this would be considered a genius.
As for the lifespan issue… an increase in potential wasn't just about raising the strength ceiling.
Vitality, lifespan, and growth rate would all improve accordingly.
While it might still not match long-lived species, among Caterpie it would definitely be one of the longest-lived.
Yuuto pressed the switch on the Poké Ball.
A red light flashed, and the emerald-green Caterpie reappeared in the clearing.
It let out a soft cry and raised its head to look at Yuuto, eyes docile and trusting.
"Ah! A bug!"
Almost simultaneously, Misty's "spider-sense" triggered again.
Even if this Caterpie looked docile, even if it had just been caught—a bug was still a bug!
She shrieked and quickly hid behind Delia, peeking out with just half her head, staring warily at the Caterpie.
"Don't be afraid. It's my Pokémon now—it won't attack you."
Yuuto smiled helplessly.
"Th-then don't let it get too close to me!"
Misty clutched Delia's clothes tightly, voice still trembling.
Delia patted her hand gently, comforting her.
Yuuto shook his head and took out the Primary Potential Enhancement Fruit from his system inventory.
The fruit was small—only thumb-sized—pure white and glowing faintly, covered in strange patterns. It didn't look like any ordinary item.
"Here, eat this."
Yuuto squatted down and offered the fruit to the Caterpie's mouth.
The Caterpie's small nose twitched, catching the enticing aroma.
It didn't hesitate. It opened its mouth and carefully swallowed the fruit whole.
The next second—*buzz!*
A faint white aura radiated from its body.
Its form underwent subtle but visible changes.
The already deep emerald green became even more lustrous, like polished jade with a flowing sheen.
Its size increased slightly, though not dramatically, but the abundance of vitality was unmistakable.
The red antennae on its head brightened, and its beady black eyes gained a sharper, more spirited gleam.
Its entire presence elevated by a full level.
[Pokémon: Caterpie — Potential: Gym Level → Quasi-Elite Four Level]
The system panel updated in real time.
Yuuto's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
A Caterpie with quasi-Elite Four level potential.
If this were announced, it would drop jaws across the region.
Among Caterpie, no—among all Bug-types—this was genius level.
Caterpie affectionately rubbed against Yuuto's hand.
It felt wonderful.
Never before had it felt so good. Its body brimmed with power, its thoughts were clearer, and its perception of the surroundings was sharper.
It knew this human in front of it had given it such an incredible opportunity.
Therefore, its gaze toward Yuuto was filled with trust and closeness.
Yuuto began planning the training path for this Caterpie.
Even with Gym-level potential he had intended to raise it as an early main force.
Although Bug-types still had shorter lifespans than other species, the vitality boost from quasi-Elite Four potential would make it live far longer than any normal Caterpie.
There was no helping the inherent flaw of Bug-type lifespan.
Most Trainers only used them as transitional early-game tools—utility Pokémon they eventually released or traded—rarely investing long-term.
Of course, rare exceptions like Volcarona or Scyther existed, but they also demanded massive resources that ordinary Trainers couldn't afford.
So one couldn't blame people for being pragmatic and looking down on Caterpie and Weedle.
Investing emotion, effort, and resources only to face painful separation later was heartbreaking.
After all, not every Beedrill could defeat an Elite Four's Dragonite.
Therefore, most Trainers chose the safest route.
But with Yuuto holding the script and the system, these regrets didn't apply. He could raise them with full confidence.
Now that Caterpie had reached quasi-Elite Four level potential, it had passed the fragile early stage and could even serve as reliable second-team combat power later.
Further down the line, if he could secure a Gigantamax factor, rotating it into the main team wasn't impossible.
"Anyway, 'Rayquaza,' your future is bright!" Yuuto said with a smile, gently stroking the Caterpie in front of him.
Although the Caterpie didn't understand what "Rayquaza" meant, it could feel the expectation and affection in Yuuto's tone.
*Master gives me delicious food and expects so much from me… so if Master says I'm Rayquaza, then I'm Rayquaza!*
Caterpie thought silently.
*I must work hard to become stronger and never disappoint Master's expectations!*
Yuuto then fed the Caterpie some regular food to replenish its stamina.
The Caterpie ate heartily. Although its potential had skyrocketed, its appetite remained the same—still that of a hungry little caterpillar.
After feeding it, Yuuto was about to signal the girls to continue their journey.
A sharp, piercing bird cry suddenly rang out from the sky!
The sound was high-pitched and aggressive.
The three of them looked up at the same time.
A dark shadow swept swiftly across the forest canopy!
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I have posted some advanced chapters on Patreon, but it should have 10 to 15 advanced chapters by tomorrow.
patreon.com/Master_fic