The panel's function was to summon things. In the Pokémon world, it had already summoned something extraordinary—a Digimon.
Could it, then, summon other things from the Digital World? Perhaps something like a Digivice or a Crest?
At that moment, Aoyanagi couldn't help but miss the systems from the novels of his previous life—those interactive systems that could answer questions directly, sparing him the need to fumble through trial and error.
Indeed, comparison breeds discontent.
For now, though, he had no other options. He could only take things one step at a time.
"If Agumon can evolve naturally after reaching the right level, that would be ideal. But if that doesn't work…" Aoyanagi mused, "I'll need a backup plan. Like when I explored the Relic Passage, I could seek out other ancient ruins to test the panel's summoning abilities."
As he contemplated, Aoyanagi outlined his next steps.
First, he needed to head toward a town. Along the way, he'd forage for food to keep his strength up. Once in town, he'd gather useful information to pinpoint his current timeline. Ideally, he'd also acquire a map to locate ancient ruins and historical sites in the Sinnoh region. Then, he'd set off on a journey.
What was the point of coming to the Pokémon world if he didn't travel?
Moreover, only through the trials of a true journey could he grow quickly and gain the strength to protect himself. Even in a semi-utopian world like Pokémon, dangers lurked. Pokémon poachers who illegally traded creatures, armed gangs who stole from trainers—these shadowy threats were impossible to eradicate completely.
Agumon was unique, perhaps the only one of its kind in this world. If it caught the attention of those criminals, a confrontation would be inevitable. Without the power to defend themselves, Aoyanagi and Agumon would be in serious trouble.
But these were minor threats, mere annoyances in the grand scheme. The real dangers were the evil organizations that could shake the world.
Team Rocket, operating across Kanto and Johto, obsessed with Mewtwo. Team Magma and Team Aqua in Hoenn, fixated on Groudon and Kyogre, respectively. In Sinnoh, where Aoyanagi now found himself, Team Galactic aimed to control Dialga and Palkia. In Unova, Team Plasma pursued the Tao Trio. In Kalos, Team Flare wreaked havoc. And so on.
No one could predict when these organizations might strike. If Aoyanagi got caught up in their schemes without the means to fight back, the consequences would be dire.
Aoyanagi preferred to plan ahead, preparing for any possibility, especially for events that were not just likely but almost certain to occur. To face these threats head-on, Agumon's successful evolution was crucial.
What he lacked now was the time to ensure that "successful" evolution.
So, he resolved to start with the present and act quickly.
Aoyanagi glanced at the shadow of a dry branch that had shifted slightly. He picked up a stone and placed it at the tip of the shadow. Connecting the shadow's previous and current positions formed a straight line. He then drew a perpendicular line through the middle, creating a cross.
"If I remember correctly, the Relic Passage is west of Driftveil City. Following the convention of north-up, south-down, west-left, and east-right, west is in that direction."
Aoyanagi looked toward the direction indicated by the cross and compared it to the path he'd been following.
"Good. There's a slight deviation, but it's not too bad. It shouldn't take long to spot the town."
He was about to call Agumon to move out when a series of low grumbles interrupted him.
"Grr~ Grr~~"
Agumon scratched its head awkwardly. "Sorry, my stomach's growling."
The mention of hunger made Aoyanagi realize he was feeling it too. If he was hungry, Agumon—having fought a battle and unleashed skills recklessly—must be starving.
Aoyanagi scanned their surroundings. In a lush, verdant forest, an open patch where sunlight could penetrate was unusual. Yet here it was.
This suggested one of two things: either something was wrong with the soil, or something was absorbing all the nutrients nearby.
The former was unlikely. When Aoyanagi had stuck the branch into the ground earlier, the soil seemed no different from elsewhere.
That left the latter possibility.
"Found it."
At the edge of the clearing, Aoyanagi spotted a distinct tree. Smaller than the towering trees around it, it showed no signs of malnourishment despite its size. Instead, it was laden with fruit.
The fruits were blue, with a hint of green at the stem, and their skins bore tiny granular indentations.
One of the most iconic Berries: Oran Berries.
"These Berries are popular among trainers. Agumon, go pick a few and try them."
At Aoyanagi's words, Agumon dashed over. It took a running start, tucked its arms in, and slammed into the tree with a shoulder charge.
Thud!
The impact shook the tree, and several ripe Oran Berries fell to the ground.
Agumon gathered a few, hurried back, and offered Aoyanagi a particularly plump one. "Here."
Even starving, Agumon thought of him first.
Touched by the gesture, Aoyanagi smiled and declined. "These Berries are for Pokémon. Humans can't chew through their tough skins. You eat first. Once you're full, we'll find something I can eat."
Hearing this, Agumon frowned, brought a Berry to its mouth, and bit down hard. Its sharp teeth pierced the skin instantly, cracking the fruit open in less than a second.
"…"
"Haha, caught me," Aoyanagi said with an awkward laugh, picking up a Berry and taking a bite.
"No need to stare. One's enough for me. Eat yours and see if it has any effect. Normally, Oran Berries restore a good amount of stamina."
Agumon didn't hesitate. It popped the Berry into its mouth, chewing quickly. Soon, the sweet fragrance of ripe fruit filled its senses. Before it could savor the taste, the sweetness gave way to a slight bitterness. The clash of flavors transformed into a burst of sweet juice that spread through its mouth, throat, and stomach.
More importantly, Agumon could feel the juice nourishing its body, its hunger fading rapidly.
"Delicious! And I'm already feeling less hungry," Agumon said as it munched.
Finding the process too slow, it tossed the remaining Berries into its mouth, chewing them quickly and finishing them off. Yet, its expression suggested it was still far from satisfied.
"If you want more, go get them. There's plenty. This time, pick as many as you can. We'll take what we don't eat with us. Besides eating on the road, we can sell them later."
Oran Berries were affordable and in high demand. The ones on this tree were large and ripe—perfect for selling in Driftveil City to earn some money. Traveling required funds, and every bit helped.