Pokémon: Trainers Returning from Monster Hunter

Chapter 108 Street Thug? Stalker Maniac!!

Padiya, Niangguang City.

After a day of feeling dazed and confused, Qi Shu propped himself up on the electric frog beanbag chair, swiping his Rotom phone aside.

The chat box above was clearly a message from Oreki (Note: Mom's senior).

The most recent items are as follows:

[Mom's senior: Junior, I've arrived in Kanaz City]

[Mommy's Wonderful Tree: Okay, senior!]

[Mommy's Strange Tree: Get some rest (Goodnight, Dream Demon.jpg)]

[Mom's senior: Okay, you too, goodnight]

[Mom's senior: Oh, I almost forgot, it's noon where you are.]

[Mommy's Wonderful Tree: Hehehe~ I'm taking a nap then]

After that, Oreki didn't reply again, but it had already been marked as "read".

"Oh dear, what's going on?!"

Qishu frantically scratched his long pink hair, while the little Magnemite circled around his head in a panic.

"Dream Demon, why do I feel so listless? I've slept for over ten hours already—"

The dream demon, who hadn't closed its eyes for a day and a night, looked somewhat dazed.

Although it doesn't really need to use "sleep" to recover its energy, the trainer has asked the same question twelve times since that handsome guy left!

This time, it will tell trainers in the most straightforward and direct way —

"Mengmeng!"

"Huh? Hahaha!"

Qi Shu smiled awkwardly after hearing this.

"H-How is this possible! How could Mommy's Kiju be so down just because Oreki-senpai left Padia?!"

How could that be?

The sound grew softer and softer until she could no longer hear what she was muttering.

Beep beep!

A message notification sounded.

Qi Shu suddenly scrambled over and picked up the phone.

"Oh, it's the student council president—"

.

Hoenn Kanaz City, residential area.

Oreki, who had temporarily postponed reconciliation with Tirey, walked to the large tree outside the yard.

look up.

A glowing cocoon hung on a thick branch.

Armored pupa?

Hiss, that familiar scent—

"Is that the green caterpillar I tamed and then released, the one that was planning to exploit the system?"

Oreki was quite surprised.

It's only been a little over half a month, how long has it been?

Is it already about to evolve into Butterfree?

No wonder those bug-catching boys with limited resources love these Bug-type Pokémon; their evolution speed is unparalleled among all Pokémon.

However, their strength is indeed somewhat worrying.

If we quantify this using data from the previous life, Bug-type Pokémon have the lowest average base stats.

Perhaps this is the price of rapid growth.

The evolution continued for a while, and Oreki gradually realized that something was wrong.

Under normal circumstances.

Pokémon evolution doesn't take long. After all, most Pokémon evolve, whether naturally or through external stimuli, based on accumulating enough power.

But two and a half minutes had passed from the moment he discovered the light of evolution until he reached the tree.

The evolutionary light of this armored pupa had not yet dissipated, and had even dimmed slightly compared to the beginning.

Clearly, it encountered difficulties.

"We've acted too hastily."

Oreki pondered silently.

The evolution of pupal Pokémon has a significant characteristic compared to other Pokémon: they need to emerge from their cocoons.

If the accumulated strength is insufficient, it is easy to fail to break out of the cocoon. Although it may not lead to death, it will certainly result in a great loss of vitality.

The next evolution will be even more difficult.

Faced with this situation, Oreki didn't have any good ways to help, so he could only climb the tree, take out a grapefruit, and put it near the mouth of the Metapod.

If you eat the tree fruit and regain your strength, you might be able to break free from the pupa's confinement in one fell swoop.

Unfortunately, during its evolution, the armored pupa seems unable to focus on eating, remaining unmoved even when faced with a grapefruit right in front of it.

"Sigh, it seems I can only wait until my stamina is exhausted and I stop evolving, and then I can start accumulating power again."

Since it was a green caterpillar that he had once released, Oreki had decided to help it replenish its depleted energy and assist it in evolving.

But just as the light of evolution was about to fade away.

A blue aura emanated from beneath the tree, instantly stabilizing the light of evolution.

"??"

'

Waveguides can be used like this?

But it seems to be just stable?

Oreki jumped down from the tree trunk, and Kirlia and the little blacksmith stood together.

"Can you help it evolve?"

Kirlia, with her eyes closed, silently shook her head.

It was just trying it out, and it didn't even know what the waveguide could actually achieve.

Based on current perceptions, it's likely not going to work.

"Is that not allowed?"

Seeing that Metapod was gradually showing signs of pain under the light of evolution, Oreki prepared to have Kirlia recall its Aura.

The worst-case scenario is that the evolution fails, and he can definitely make up for it by activating his "money power" later.

Just then.

Suddenly, lush greenery appeared all around me.

A field fluctuation resembling a "magic space" suddenly appeared.

I turned my head to look.

Tire Cat somehow found herself behind her, intently trying to control the fluctuations of the lush green space around her.

"This is—a grassy field?!"

Oreki spoke in surprise.

Is my little cat's comprehension a bit too high? If you include "acrobatic" moves, this is already the third time it has learned a move that a normal Pokémon would need a learning tool to learn.

I heard the trainer's slightly surprised voice.

Tire Cat rolled her eyes with a disdainful expression, but her little tail was already wagging behind her without her noticing.

The trainer still cares about me after all!

The effect of using grassy fields is remarkable.

As the Metapod passively recovered its stamina, its expression gradually relaxed, and the light of evolution grew stronger once again.

but--

The situation doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Kirlia's Aura can only help stabilize its Evolution Light, and Tirion's Grassy Terrain only helps restore its stamina.

But the root cause of the problem, "insufficient energy accumulation," has not been solved.

From this perspective, even if the armored pupa ate the pomelo, it wouldn't make a difference.

Subconsciously.

Oreki looked at the young blacksmith.

"Kanon??"

Why are you looking at me?

The young blacksmith tilted his head and waved his small hammer.

You can't exactly let the craftsman smash its shell, can you?

Also.

Oreki gave a helpless smile.

Kirlian and Tiremy's unexpected help made me inexplicably hope that the little blacksmith would also receive something unexpected.

This idea is somewhat strange.

"Everyone, stop now. Metapod should understand your desire to help. We can help together later—"

He hadn't finished speaking.

A shower of silvery-white powder drifted down from the air, and as if it possessed a spirit, it all converged on the armored pupa.

"Chiru?!"

Kirullian discovered that her waveguide dissolved upon contact with the silver powder.

It has no ability to resist.

At the same time, a familiar aura traveled along the dissolving waveguide.

"Chiru?"

Second Master?

Upon hearing Kirlia's address, Oreki paused for a moment, then immediately understood.

If its first mentor was Lucario, then its second mentor should be the one who successfully taught it waveguide—

dream!

Gardevoir of One-Piece: So love will disappear, right?

This street thug is pretty fast.

But—are you some kind of "Cattleya version of a sasaeng fan," following me all the way from Padiya to Kanaz City?!

As if to confirm his conjecture, or as a response to Kirlia's greeting, a pink kitten appeared out of thin air amidst ripples in the sky.

"Mew~~"

Start with his signature cover-and-chuckle gesture.

"Meow!"

"Kano Kanano!"

Tire Cat and the little blacksmith greeted each other together.

After all, both of them had received magical "care," and they still respected this mysterious pink kitten very much.

However, as Tillie Cat became distracted, the newly acquired grassy area was interrupted—it doesn't seem to be able to maintain the grassy area for long periods of time.

Fortunately, the silver dust provided by Dream has already taken effect.

The power that the armored pods had lacked was replenished at this moment.

With one burst of energy, we break free from our cocoons and transform into butterflies!

After a while.

The Oreki family's courtyard became lively.

A giant butterfly hovered in the air, scattering clumps of pollen.

The Tilley cats felt a sense of comfort upon coming into contact with the pollen.

The secret seasonings used in transplanting the origami trees seemed to sway gently under the influence of these pollen grains, as if they too were being nourished.

"I didn't know pollen cells had this function?"

The more you learn about it, the more amazing the Pokémon world seems.

Although Oreki knew that pollen could restore the stamina of his Pokémon, he never expected that it could also be used as fertilizer for crops.

"Mew~"

"Okay, okay, I know Pokémon is just that amazing."

Even if he didn't understand, Oreki could guess that Mew was emphasizing the infinite possibilities of Pokémon again.

"Miao Miao floated to the top of the folding wood, reached out her little hand and touched his head, as if to say, 'You are so smart.'"

"...

'

Will I be the first human to be patted on the head by a dream?

This thought popped into Oreki's head.

I must say, their little hands are soft and quite warm.

I just always feel like it's treating me like a child—well, well, judging by my age, it does seem like that's a valid assumption.

Ok?

Mewtwo is also its child, so does that mean Mewtwo and I are brothers?

Or—if it's Mewtwo from the Genesis movie, then it could even be siblings?

What is all this nonsense?

Oreki quickly stopped his wild thoughts.

however--

"Mew?!"

Meng Huan abruptly withdrew her small hand, and her gaze towards Oreki became somewhat subtle.

It originally thought that it had lived for so long and had seen all kinds of humans, and that its mental activity was beyond human comprehension.

But just now—it suddenly realized that it seemed unable to understand the thoughts of the human before it—

The strange emotion conveyed by touching her head, if described in layman's terms, was that this human was treating her like a mother?

Miu miu miu?

The last person who treated her like a mother had at least some connection to her.

But you—

Are these humans stupid?

"What's wrong?"

Oreki had no idea that his momentary random thoughts would be noticed by Yume, and he only noticed that the other's expression suddenly became strange.

"Mew mew!"

Dream quickly shook her head and vanished in an instant.

What does that mean?

This was the first time Oreki had ever seen a hint of panic on Mew's face; before, she always had a carefree, smiling demeanor.

The problem is—I didn't do anything, did I?

Why are you so nervous!

After having Kirlia sense it and receiving the answer that "Second Master's Aura has disappeared," Oreki simply stopped worrying about it.

He had gradually come to understand the elusive nature and ingenious ideas of the street hustlers.

"Big Butterfly, come down and rest for a while."

Watching the Butterfly diligently scattering pollen, Oreki felt both gratified and somewhat worried.

Even though he barely managed to evolve, he started repaying kindness before he had even fully recovered.

"Ee~"

After sprinkling the last seasoning, Butterfly slowly landed and walked with her light blue feet to Oreki.

"Mmm-mmm-mmm~"

Its long antennae and pale blue hands waved, and its red compound eyes sparkled with anthropomorphic emotion and—adoration?

Oreki naturally understood the reason for this feeling of affection.

Butterfly babes are pure vegetarians from a young age, perfectly fitting the definition of "herbivorous creatures".

Moreover, from the other person's perspective, he is the trainer who directs other Pokémon to lend a helping hand.

But—we really can't!

To avoid letting Tilley Cat, who was still in a "frozen" state, notice the other's emotions, he quickly pointed at the three little ones and spoke.

"No need to thank me, thank them instead, oh right, and that naughty pink kitten from earlier."

"Ee~"

Butterfly nodded gently as its compound eyes blinked, then turned and danced excitedly at Tilley and the others.

"Meow meow!"

From now on, follow me and you'll live the high life!

Tirey was completely absorbed in Butterfree's "gratitude" and was oblivious to its unusual feelings toward its trainer.

"Ee!"

Although Butterfree didn't quite understand what "eating and drinking well" meant, it still circled around Tilly Meow in a friendly manner.

The fragrance emanating from the other person was more pleasant than any flower it had ever smelled.

"Ee~"

Sister, you smell so good!

Ba Dadie is also a girl.

Pollen clusters unconsciously scattered, sparkling in the sunlight, making Tilly feel as if she were under a spotlight.

however.

Whenever Tire Cat gets carried away with her pride, she's often met with a rude awakening.

"Chichiru—"

A useless older sister who can't even protect what she loves—

Kirlia spoke in the calmest tone what was most damaging to a cat.

then.

The conflict began.

To Butterfree's astonishment, Tyrell and Kirlia, with an uncanny tacit understanding, launched into a vicious brawl.

Then, there was a little kid next to him, excitedly hammering a metal block, whether he was keeping a rhythm or shouting encouragement, I don't know.

Most importantly, their trainer not only didn't stop them, but instead plopped down on a deck chair in the yard and watched leisurely.

Finally, he added a reminder, "Remember not to use any powerful moves, or I'll beat up anyone who attracts Officer Jenny again."

Ba Da Die: ? ?

Is this the kind of art style I've always lived in, behind the big tree?

This trainer, whom I quite like, seems to be a violent maniac who beats people up at the drop of a hat?

No wonder his Pokémon fight at the drop of a hat—

"Big Butterfly, come watch the match together. You might learn some combat skills."

Sudden.

The trainer, who had been labeled a "violent maniac," greeted him with a smile and conjured up the grapefruit he hadn't eaten earlier.

But at this very moment.

Oreki's smile appeared somewhat wicked in Tomoe's eyes.

"Eee!!"

After a moment's hesitation, the timid butterfly chose to flap its wings and flee.

"Strange—why have I suddenly become so afraid of myself?"

Oreki was very puzzled.

However, seeing that the other party was only staying on the big tree where they had always lived, he didn't delve into it further.

Maybe it just likes its own nest.