In the afternoon, Naoki rode on Koraidon straight towards the back mountain.
As for why he was riding Koraidon and not Cyclizar…
It was because when Naoki mentioned going to the back mountain, Koraidon volunteered to take him there.
Cyclizar was left by Naoki at the ranch to guard the house, preventing small Pokémon like Psyduck, Buizel, and Bibarel from stealing fish.
Riding on Koraidon felt completely different from riding on Cyclizar.
Cyclizar felt like a small scooter, while Koraidon, being much larger, was more like a large motorcycle.
However, speaking of motorcycles, Naoki felt that Miraidon, from the future, was more akin to one.
Since Koraidon had emerged from the Paldea Giant Pit, this should be the world of Scarlet, right?
Arven might have already lost his mother, Professor Sada...
Naoki pondered aimlessly in his heart.
Koraidon's speed was fast, and in the blink of an eye, they entered the back mountain area.
This time, their goal was not to find mountain goods to sell, but to find a Caterpie and test the effects of a recipe on it.
The afternoon forest was lush and verdant, with the distant sounds of Bird-type Pokémon echoing through the air.
Naoki patted Koraidon's shoulder, signaling it to slow down, and then carefully observed the surroundings, trying to find signs of a Caterpie amidst the dense canopy and deep undergrowth.
It is well known that among all Pokémon, Caterpie is notoriously weak.
Although Magikarp and Wishiwashi are even weaker than it, Caterpie does not seem significantly stronger than them.
Before evolving, it can only use Tackle, Silk Thread, and Bug Bite moves.
After evolving into a Metapod, it only learns Hardening, with no other offensive means.
Only upon evolving into a Butterfree does Caterpie truly undergo a transformation and metamorphosis.
In nature, such a weak Caterpie often becomes prey for other Pokémon.
Pidgeotto is one of Caterpie's most famous predators.
Therefore, in the forest, to avoid being discovered by predators, Caterpie usually hides in thick bushy areas, using the surroundings to conceal itself.
At this moment, a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes.
Naoki got off Koraidon and walked forward quietly.
The Pokémon hiding in the bushes, upon hearing footsteps outside, immediately stopped moving, and the rustling sound disappeared.
Naoki parted the bushes and, sure enough, saw a tense and frightened Caterpie inside.
It's you!
Seeing the Caterpie's form, Naoki's eyes lit up, but he quickly noticed that this Caterpie seemed to be injured?
Upon careful observation, Naoki saw several claw marks on its body, likely caused by a Bird-type Pokémon.
Caterpie, at this moment, also noticed him and Koraidon, appearing somewhat scared.
Naoki raised an eyebrow, wondering if this Caterpie was lucky, as he happened to have two Oran Berries for recovery on him.
Taking out the two Oran Berries from his backpack, Naoki extended his hand towards Caterpie.
However, this Caterpie seemed agitated, and upon seeing the approaching hand, it instinctively opened its mouth and spat out a bundle of white Bug Silk.
The silk wrapped around Naoki's hand, but its quality was not impressive; Naoki pulled forcefully, breaking the silk easily.
"Too weak." Naoki shook his head, opened his palm to reveal the Berries, and explained, "You understand what I'm saying, right? I have no intention of hurting you. Eat them, and you'll get better."
Hearing this, Caterpie was slightly dazed, looking at the human in front with big, dark eyes.
"Here!" Naoki placed the Berry on the grass in front of Caterpie.
This time, Caterpie did not attack him; it lowered its head and began gnawing on the Oran Berry on the ground.
Once both Berries were eaten to the core, the injuries on Caterpie's body were mostly healed.
Witnessing this, Naoki asked, "Want to become stronger?"
His tone was filled with temptation.
Caterpie looked puzzled.
"You are too weak right now. The silk you pride yourself on can't withstand other Pokémon's attacks. Do you often get attacked and chased as food by other Pokémon?"
Caterpie nodded blankly: "Zzz woo..."
Naoki continued: "Then are you content with your current life? The world thinks you are weak. Have you imagined one day defeating those who see you as food with your own strength, dominating the forest, and making all Pokémon not dare to underestimate you?"
Is it really... possible?
Caterpie was completely stunned.
Is it content?
No, it isn't!
The world perceives it as the weakest Pokémon, even newly hatched Pidgey can easily prey on it.
Caterpie imagined itself stepping on Pidgeotto, intimidating all Bird-type Pokémon.
A wave of unprecedented passion surged in its heart.
Successfully convinced!
Naoki didn't say much; he took out a pre-prepared mochi and put it in front of Caterpie, saying:
"Eat it, and you will become stronger."
Caterpie looked at the white fluffy thing, then immediately approached it, opened its mouth, and started eating.
After consuming the whole mochi, Caterpie couldn't help but burp.
On the surface, its body didn't seem to change at all.
Thinking for a moment, Naoki asked it: "Try using Silk Thread again?"
"Zzz woo!"
Caterpie opened its mouth, and a slightly viscous white thread gushed out.
Compared to the previous Silk Thread, this time the amount was significantly more.
Even Caterpie itself was stunned.
Naoki picked up the silk, wrapped it around his hand, and tried to break free. Although he stretched the silk into a curve, it didn't snap as it did before.
"Indeed, the ductility and viscosity have greatly improved; the strength is clearly on a different level."
Naoki thought inwardly, but outwardly he said to Caterpie, "Congratulations, you've become stronger."
Since he tested the mochi's effects, there was no need to stay here any longer.
Naoki mounted Koraidon and turned to leave.
Hearing those words, Caterpie seemed very excited.
But it quickly calmed down.
This level of strength isn't enough; it wants to become even stronger so that no one dares to underestimate it!
And the human who can make it stronger...
Watching the human and the powerful Pokémon's receding figures, Caterpie's heart was filled with unspoken thoughts.