In the days that followed, the Great Shark drifted steadily across the sea toward Hoenn. Though they crossed paths with several ships, the pirates didn't raid or plunder ,short-handed as they were after the last bloody clash.
Most aboard were still drunk on victory and fortune, their fallen comrades already forgotten.
On the wide deck, Silas stood tall, commanding his partners.
"Corphish, feel the flow of the water carefully… focus and gather it!"
"Cor-phish!"
Water gathered around the small crustacean's body, rippling with pressure.
"Now use Aqua Jet!" Silas ordered sharply.
"Cor-phiiiish!"
In a burst of speed, Corphish launched forward, its body cloaked in rushing water. It smashed through the wooden target with a resounding crack! Shards flew across the deck as its six legs dug into the planks, steady and proud.
Silas grinned. "Good job, Corphish. You've finally mastered Aqua Jet."
Among his three Pokémon, Corphish had grown the most these past days, climbing to Level 19 with heavy resource investment.
At Silas's insistence, Madam Mira had even given him a vial of Seadra's blood. As a pseudo-dragon species, its blood carried draconic traits that could awaken Corphish's inherited move, Dragon Dance. But… the results were disappointing. The technique remained elusive. For now, Silas focused instead on Aqua Jet.
Carvanha, meanwhile, had been pushed to refine its Speed Boost ability. After endless drills against the currents, it could now accelerate almost at will. The strain left it panting and drained, but the speed it achieved was frightening even among Pokémon of its level.
As for Spearow, it had adapted to the sea winds, scouting up to a kilometer from the ship. Its level ticked upward, steady if slow.
"Not bad," Silas muttered, leaning against the railing and staring at the deceptively calm sea. "But not nearly enough. This ocean hides too many dangers beneath its surface."
He clenched his fists. It's time… I need to learn how to make Pokéblocks.
.....
"Pokéblocks," Mira began in her calm, instructive tone, "are one of the greatest creations in our world. By blending basic Berries with rare herbs, we create concentrated energy bodies. A single block can amplify nutrients manyfold and accelerate a Pokémon's growth."
She set a raw Berry into the small machine before her. Her sharp eyes never left the fluctuating gauges.
"Pokéblock-making is a trial of patience. You must control timing and weight down to the thousandth of a gram. Only endless practice hones the skill."
Silas nodded silently, watching intently.
The machine whirred. In moments, what had been a common Berry just worth mere dozens of Pokédollars was reborn as five golden Pokéblocks, each worth thousands on the market.
Silas's eyes burned with envy and desire. 'If I can master this… I'll never need to worry about money for training again.'
"Try this it's the Pokéblock I just made using a Liechi Berry. It should help strengthen a Pokémon's physical power."
Madam Mira removed her gloves and carefully lifted the small cube with a pair of tweezers.
The block was tiny, but packed with immense nutrients and energy.
"Cor-phish!"
Corphish popped out of its Poké Ball, instantly catching the scent. Its eyes lit up with hunger, claws twitching as it stared at the treat.
Seeing its eager look, Mira chuckled softly.
"Go on, then."
The Pokéblock hadn't even hit the floor before Corphish snatched it mid-air, crunching it down in delight.
"Phishhh~!"
Its eyes squinted with pure bliss, body trembling in satisfaction.
Mira smiled faintly. "From now on, this Pokéblock machine is yours. Practice when you can. The materials are in the warehouse. Start with the basics before you try advanced formulas."
When she left, Silas carefully unfolded Mira's handwritten notes. Dozens of recipes were scrawled across its pages - some for healing, some for recovery, others for more specialized effects.
His eyes froze at the final page.
Recipe: Long-term use improves a Pokémon's potential.
Silas's breath quickened. 'A Pokéblock that can raise a Pokémon's very aptitude? This could change everything…!'
Then his gaze fell to the list of ingredients—hundreds of items, most completely unfamiliar. His excitement deflated. "Out of these… I only recognize a handful. The rest… I've never even heard of."
He sighed, shoulders heavy. "The road of a breeder is longer than I thought."
"Corrr-phish?"
Corphish nudged him with its claw, eyes pleading, pointing toward the remaining Pokéblocks.
Silas chuckled despite himself. "Yeah, yeah. You just want another taste."
....
The following days blurred together. Silas threw himself into Pokéblock-making and failed thousands of times. Piles of wasted pulp and bitter-smelling sludge piled high in the corner.
"No wonder true breeders are so rare," Silas muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "It takes more than talent… it takes endless persistence."
At last, as the machine hummed again, a soft ding rang out.
Silas's exhausted eyes widened. In his palm rested a pure white Pokéblock, smooth as jelly and faintly fragrant.
He held it up to the light. A basic recovery Pokéblock, complete at last.
A tired smile spread across his face. "Finally… success."
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(End of chapter)