Yuga didn't want to have too much to do with a creep like Gillette, so as soon as they walked out of the club, he immediately slipped away with Ninetales and Doudou.
After they had gone a good distance, Ninetales looked puzzled and asked, "What was up with you just now? You looked like you'd seen a ghost…"
"You have no idea…"
So Yuga told Ninetales about Gillette's special tastes, although he didn't mention how he found out, and certainly didn't say anything about Gardevoir's experience—it was a private matter, after all.
After hearing what Yuga said, Ninetales looked horrified.
"No wonder he was giving me that creepy look! Don't tell me he was thinking something dirty about me?"
Doudou also looked totally shocked.
Yuga tried to comfort her. "You're a fox. What would he possibly want from you? Don't overthink it."
"Hmph, you never know." Ninetales clearly didn't buy it. With a pervert like that, how could he not be drooling over such stunning beauty like her?
So the human and the Pokémon chatted like that all the way home. It was getting late, and Yuga wasn't in the habit of staying out all night.
Meanwhile, after parting ways with Yuga, Gillette suddenly got a call. He then hurried over to a restaurant.
Entering a private room, he saw someone already waiting inside and casually flopped down in the seat across from them. "What'd you call me over so late for?"
The man across from him looked annoyed. "You've been here for days—why haven't you contacted me? I didn't pay you to come here and just party!"
If Yuga had been there, he would've instantly recognized the man meeting with Gillette—it was Chikai.
Gillette didn't care at all and said lazily, "You never told me what I was supposed to be doing here. What's wrong with having a little fun?"
"I want you to retrieve something from someone for me," Chikai suddenly said with a serious expression.
"Who?" Gillette asked, puzzled. "And what is it?"
"Shimizu Yuga. The Giant Stone Fragment," Chikai replied, clearly and slowly.
Hearing Yuga's name, Gillette instantly dropped his casual attitude and sat upright. "Are you kidding me? Someone like Shimizu Yuga? You think I can mess with him? I'm not ready to die yet!"
He hadn't expected to be tangled up with someone he'd just met that very evening. Before, he hadn't really known much about Yuga—but after meeting him once, it was clear: this was not someone you crossed lightly. Just those two Pokémon he had with him tonight told him that.
Yuga had thought Gillette's looks toward Ninetales and Doudou were due to his twisted fetish, but that wasn't actually the case.
Although Gillette did have a thing for Pokémon, he wasn't attracted to beast-like ones like Ninetales or fairy types like Doudou. Only humanoid ones like Gardevoir triggered his urges.
His look at Ninetales and Doudou had just been suspicion—he could tell they were powerful.
Chikai explained, "You don't need to confront him directly. Just get the item—I know you can do it."
"I still say no. It's way too risky," Gillette said, flopping back in his chair again. "And besides, why do you want the Giant Stone Fragment? Isn't that stuff all in the League's hands? Why would he have one?"
Gillette still had some connections within the League, so he'd heard about the Giant Stone Fragments. He knew they were likely important but didn't understand their exact purpose, nor did he know that the League had already handed most of them over to allied Legendary Pokémon.
Chikai, however, knew a bit more.
"Don't concern yourself with that. Just get me the fragment," Chikai said, clearly impatient with Gillette's questioning. "I know he definitely has one."
At that, Gillette suddenly seemed to think of something. He sat up again and stared intently at Chikai.
"That incident with Gis not long ago… Don't tell me you had something to do with that?"
Gis was the one who had gotten into trouble in Verdanturf City. Gillette had come to Verdanturf City not only because he was invited by Chikai, but quite possibly also to investigate what had happened to Gis.
Unfortunately, Gis was secretly detained by the police. Gillette hadn't been able to gather any information so far, nor did he know exactly how Gis had been caught.
Gillette's connections were mostly in the military, while the police system had long been the territory of the Jenny family—there was no way for him to get involved there.
The "Gis" Gillette referred to was the young man who previously attempted to kidnap Natsuhiko and Haruki.
Chikai was caught off guard but immediately denied it outright: "How could that be possible? He got caught because he was careless. What's that got to do with me?"
In reality, Gis had indeed been used by Chikai. The Mega Evolution Stone for the Audino in Gis's possession had also come from Chikai.
Thinking back to the Mega Stone that Yuga had used against Bruno in the arena, Chikai felt like his heart was bleeding. He'd lost both the stone and failed to accomplish his goal—truly a case of losing both the wife and the army.
Gillette narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "It better have nothing to do with you. Or else…"
Gis was one of his own people. If it really turned out that Chikai was behind his capture, Gillette wouldn't let it go. Gis may have committed plenty of shady things in private, but one thing was certain—he was fiercely loyal and deeply valued his subordinates.
Though Gillette didn't finish the sentence, Chikai couldn't help but shiver. He knew all too well how ruthless Gillette could be. He made up his mind—he absolutely could not let Gillette find out that he was connected to Gis's downfall.
"I'm not taking this job. I'll refund your deposit later," Gillette said, getting up to leave.
"Wait…" Chikai called out to him.
"What is it now?" Gillette turned back.
Chikai's face darkened as he pulled out a Poké Ball. With a flash of red light, a tall Pokémon appeared in front of the two of them.
It was a Lopunny—and a particularly seductive-looking one at that.
"If you help me get this done, this Lopunny is yours."
Chikai knew all too well about Gillette's disgusting preferences.
The moment he saw the Lopunny, Gillette's eyes glazed over.
S-So beautiful… Ssss haa~ ssss haa~
This Lopunny had the "Cute Charm" ability, and the trait also showed in its outward appearance, giving it an incredibly alluring presence.
More importantly, it was a green potential Pokémon. Chikai had gone through a lot of trouble to obtain it—sure enough, Gillette took the bait!
Gillette didn't have many major weaknesses—except for his irredeemable lecherousness. In fact, that very flaw had a lot to do with why he'd been dismissed from the military in the first place.
Gillette's sticky, lustful gaze made Lopunny extremely uncomfortable. It looked pleadingly at Chikai, knowing that he intended to hand it over to this terrifying man.
But Chikai completely ignored Lopunny's silent pleas.
Seeing its pitiful expression only stirred Gillette's desire more. He walked up to Lopunny and gave its thigh a grope. That soft, fluffy texture…
Hsss~ incredible…
Lopunny was so disgusted its scalp tingled. It lifted its leg and tried to kick Gillette.
Unfortunately, it was too low-level to fight against a brute like Gillette. Instead, Gillette easily caught its ankle.
Chikai, who actually looked down on Gillette for this sort of behavior, quickly recalled Lopunny into its Poké Ball the moment Gillette tried to grope it again.
"What the hell are you doing?" Gillette snapped, clearly displeased.
Chikai said, "Once you get the job done, it's yours. Then you can do whatever you want with it."
Hearing this, Gillette fell silent, struggling with himself. Eventually, he gritted his teeth and agreed.
"Fine. But you've got to give me the Lopunny first!"
Chikai was overjoyed and handed over the Poké Ball. "I hope you'll keep your promise!"
Gillette took the Poké Ball happily. "Don't worry, you can count on me. I'm a man of my word—if I wasn't, who would still come to me for jobs in this business?"
"You better be," Chikai replied coldly.
Although Chikai was very wary of Gillette, he wasn't afraid of him—not yet, at least.
"That's all for today, then. I'm heading out!" Gillette hummed a little tune as he left the private room. After receiving a Pokémon he was infatuated with, he was in a great mood. Even the frustration of not getting to book Gardevoir at the Pokemon Club earlier was now completely gone.
Gardevoir was nice, sure, but this Lopunny was even more to his taste.
Yuga, of course, had no idea about Chikai and Gillette's secret plot. The next morning, he woke up feeling refreshed and stretched with a satisfied sigh. "Gardevoir's skills really are amazing. No wonder she's the club's top technician."
At that moment, Doudou walked in, also looking bright and energetic. After receiving a full treatment and massage at the salon the day before, it had slept like a log through the night.
"Good morning, Doudou."
"Audino~"
Good morning, Yuga.
Doudou picked up Yuga's blanket and carried it outside to hang in the sun.
Yuga quickly got dressed and went to wash up. By the time he got to the dining area, Doudou had already prepared breakfast.
After breakfast, Yuga had just entered the Ecopark when he bumped into Chimecho, who was hurrying out.
Chimecho glared at him angrily and demanded, "You took Ninetales and Doudou to the Pokemon Club last night? Why didn't you take me?"
Yuga replied guiltily, "Well, I figured you'd just gotten back from Sinnoh, and you must be exhausted. I thought you needed a good rest."
"If I'm tired, that's exactly why I need a spa day at the Pokemon Club!" Chimecho clearly didn't believe his excuse. "Besides, Ninetales just got back too! You're playing favorites! Do you not like me anymore?"
Yuga quickly begged for mercy. "No way! I'll take you next time. I promise!"
Chimecho was easy to please. As soon as she heard that, her anger vanished.
"You said it, okay? Next time you take me, and only me! Don't bring anyone else."
"Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say."
Once Chimecho was in a good mood again, Yuga headed to the Flower Sea Sub-Ecopark to look for Torterra.
When he found Torterra, Yuga took out the two glowing orbs that Shiny Celebi had entrusted to him. Both orbs came from the giant Torterra, so it made the most sense to give them to his own Torterra.
As soon as Torterra saw the glowing orbs, it became excited. Although it hadn't participated in the battle against the giant Torterra, it had heard others talk about it afterward.
That Torterra might have done terrible things, but its overwhelming power was undeniable—and Yuga's Torterra admired that strength.
Waooo~!
Torterra swallowed the two glowing orbs in one gulp, then closed its eyes. Yuga could see Ground-type energy from the earth and Grass-type energy from the flower fields rushing toward Torterra.
Torterra didn't move a muscle, but the sacred tree on its back began to sway gently. In the blink of an eye, it bloomed with clusters of small white flowers, releasing a refreshing and soothing fragrance.
The scent drew the attention of other Grass-type Pokémon in the Flower Sea Sub-Ecopark, who eagerly gathered around. They breathed in the aroma with blissful expressions, feeling their entire bodies relax, and their minds clear. Some even suddenly comprehended new moves.
Even Yuga felt incredibly refreshed just by smelling the scent, and he had the vague sense that his special Grass-type ability had become a little stronger.
The small white flowers on the sacred tree soon withered, but round fruits began to grow rapidly, visible to the naked eye. A stronger and sweeter fruity fragrance spread through the air.
The fruit turned from green to yellow, and finally became a bright, ruby red, gleaming like a gemstone. Just looking at it was incredibly tempting. The surrounding Grass-type Pokémon couldn't help but swallow their saliva, but thankfully, they still had enough self-control and didn't rush in to snatch any.
"Florges~"
At that moment, Florges walked over and gave a stern scolding. The Grass-type Pokémon all dispersed reluctantly.
Florges held absolute authority in the Flower Sea Sub-Ecopark.
Yuga, too, couldn't help but swallow hard at the sweet aroma of the fruit. It was just too enticing.
By the time the fruit was fully ripe, Torterra finally opened its eyes.
...
[ Torterra ]
Type: Grass, Ground
Ability: Overgrow
Gender: Male
Potential: Purple
Level: 88
Moves: Tackle, Withdraw, Growth, Double-Edge, Razor Leaf, Synthesis, Energy Ball, Sunny Day, Stealth Rock, Leech Seed, Grass Pledge, Earthquake, Leaf Storm, Solar Beam, Sunny Day, Rock Tomb, Stone Edge, Stealth Rock, Earth Power, Superpower, Seed Bomb, Wood Hammer, Grassy Terrain.
...
That giant Torterra really was something else. The two glowing orbs from its body had not only raised this Torterra's potential to purple grade, but also boosted its level significantly—nearly at the Master level now.
"Torterra~"
Torterra, feeling the sudden surge of power within itself, couldn't quite adjust to it. It lifted one leg and put it down, and with that, a crater appeared on the ground where its foot landed.
Yuga chuckled and said, "Torterra, looks like you need to train properly from now on. Otherwise, you won't be able to control this newly gained power."
"Torterra~"
Torterra responded, but nearly toppled over from losing its balance due to the power surge.
"Hahahaha…"
Yuga couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Then his eyes shifted toward the fruits growing on the sacred tree on Torterra's back.
"Are these edible?" Yuga asked as he plucked one down.
Torterra's previous fruits had always been edible, of course—but this time, they looked a little different. Not only were they a different size, but the color was drastically different too.
"Torterra~"
Torterra nodded. Of course the fruit it bore could be eaten!
"Really? They kinda look poisonous to me!" Yuga joked.
But the color really was unusually vibrant—almost suspiciously so. Isn't it said that the more brightly colored a mushroom is, the more poisonous it likely is? Maybe that applies to fruit too?
"Torterra~ Torterra~"
Torterra grumbled in protest, clearly offended. Are you insulting me?
"Alright, alright, I was just kidding," Yuga said to calm him down. "How about I take a bite?"
"Torterra~"
Torterra nodded again, its expression saying, "Go ahead and eat—it won't hurt you, and if it does, I'll take responsibility!"
Yuga brought the fruit to his mouth and took a small bite. His eyes instantly lit up—this was delicious!
Not only that, but as the fruit went down his throat, a wave of mysterious energy surged through his body. Yuga felt as though his special Grass-type ability had slightly strengthened.