Additionally, Aoyanagi needed to purchase a Poké Ball.
Given Agumon's unique nature, it was best to avoid parading it openly in a complex human settlement like a town until Aoyanagi had enough strength to protect it. The safest option was to keep Agumon inside a Poké Ball.
And buying a Poké Ball required money.
As Agumon began gathering Oran Berries, Aoyanagi stood and searched the surrounding area for suitable trees. With too many Oran Berries to carry and no backpack, he needed soft bark to craft a makeshift one.
Amid the rhythmic thuds of Agumon knocking berries from the tree, Aoyanagi found one with pliable bark. He had Agumon peel off a large piece, then carefully instructed it to use small flames to heat the edges until they were soft enough to bond. Using Agumon's claws, he poked holes near the four corners and threaded woven grass ropes through them to create straps.
After letting it cool naturally, a simple bark backpack was complete.
"Excluding the two Agumon's holding, we have 50 Oran Berries. If we sell them all, we should have enough to buy a Poké Ball and some essentials," Aoyanagi calculated.
After packing the berries, he slung the backpack over his shoulder and headed west, with Agumon following closely. The Digimon eagerly insisted it could carry the load, so Aoyanagi agreed to take turns.
…
Like when they left the Relic Passage, they trekked through the forest, sunlight filtering through the canopy, their feet sinking into soft soil. But unlike Aoyanagi's cautious approach when he first arrived in this world, Agumon's presence now gave him confidence.
Weaker wild Pokémon, sensing Agumon's intimidating aura, steered clear, saving them considerable time. As for stronger, high-level Pokémon, Aoyanagi used the panel to scan the surroundings and avoid them preemptively.
Maintaining this efficient pace, they reached a riverbank by late afternoon, where the faint outline of human buildings shimmered in the distance.
"Phew," Aoyanagi exhaled, surveying the area before sitting on a nearby rock. "Agumon, set the backpack down. We'll rest here tonight."
Agumon, still carrying the bark backpack, paused. "We can already see the town. Shouldn't we hurry there before dark?"
Aoyanagi shook his head. "Even if we speed up, we'll arrive after dark. Finding a place to stay might be tricky, and nocturnal Pokémon come out at night. If we're exhausted and run into a tough one, we'll be in trouble."
"Fair enough," Agumon nodded, gently placing the backpack aside.
Since Aoyanagi had a plan, Agumon trusted him. Along the journey, Aoyanagi had consistently made decisions beyond Agumon's understanding—always correct ones. The Digimon decided it wasn't cut out for planning. It would leave the thinking to Aoyanagi's sharp mind and focus on fighting and protecting.
In Aoyanagi's words: "Division of labor, perfect synergy."
As Agumon marveled at its own cleverness, a dull splash echoed from the nearby river.
Its expression turned serious. It knew that sound all too well.
A big one!
Years of catching and eating fish had honed Agumon's instincts. That splash wasn't from some random creature—it was a fish. A lively, energetic one with strong swimming ability. A weaker fish would've made a crisper sound, not this heavy thud.
The sound stirred memories of the Relic Passage, when Aoyanagi shared food with it, sparking Agumon's resolve to catch fish in return. All this time, Aoyanagi had ensured Agumon was fed, while he himself had eaten little beyond a few berries. That wasn't right, but Agumon had been helpless in the forest, barely managing to keep up.
Now, though, its chance to repay Aoyanagi had arrived.
Carefully setting down the berry-filled backpack, Agumon charged toward the river.
"Agumon, what are you doing?" Aoyanagi called, startled by its sudden movement.
"Catching fish! Wait for me!" Agumon shouted without looking back, its mouth wide open.
Catching fish?
Aoyanagi frowned, eyeing the river ahead. "Does this world even have regular fish? Or is it a fish-like Pokémon?"
He activated the panel, scanning the river. Soon, a fish leaped high above the surface, catching his eye.
It was red, resembling a carp, but with long, yellow whiskers like a catfish and a gleaming, crown-like fin on its head. The panel displayed its information:
Species: Magikarp Category: Fish Pokémon Type: Water Ability: Swift Swim (Speed increases in rain) Level: 5 Signature Move: None Known Moves: Splash Base Stats: 200 (HP 20, Attack 10, Defense 55, Special Attack 15, Special Defense 20, Speed 80) Bond: 0 (Doesn't know you, not friendly) Status: Healthy Summary: Nearly useless in strength and speed, excelling only in reproduction. The weakest Pokémon in the world. Legend says Magikarp were once powerful in ancient times, but for unknown reasons, they grew frail. Their energetic jumping, whether voluntary or forced, often serves as a shield, allowing other Pokémon to survive longer.
"So, it's Magikarp," Aoyanagi muttered, unsurprised.
Known for their prolific breeding, Magikarp could be found in every region with water, always splashing about energetically.
"But you can't eat those," he thought. In the Pokémon anime, multiple characters had remarked that Magikarp tasted awful, their bodies mostly bone with little edible flesh.
Catching it would be pointless.
Aoyanagi opened his mouth to call Agumon back, but before he could, Agumon unleashed a small flame toward the river. Then another. And another. A relentless barrage followed.