Morning mist and thin rays, the sun rises.
The horizon lightens with the dawn, as the night gives way to day, dispersing the forest's final shroud.
By the burnt-out campfire, Natsuhiko is not in a good state. Having stayed up all night vigilant of his surroundings, his eyes are bloodshot.
The sunlight slightly alleviates his fatigue.
He looks down into his arms.
He sees Weedle still has its eyes closed, and beside it is a complete shed skin.
That's right.
It's molted.
After Weedle fell into a deep sleep last night, it unconsciously molted, a highly uncommon event for this type of Pokémon.
The most crucial thing is, Weedle's body size now, compared to the shed skin beside it, is actually twice as large, maybe even more.
Not only is there a change in size, but the newly appearing shell color is more vivid, with its gleaming shell reflecting the warmth of the sun.
Entirely doubled in size, such a change was beyond Natsuhiko's anticipation.
But what he can ascertain is that this change is undoubtedly more beneficial than negative for Weedle.
The downside does exist, such as previous training and body control is likely reduced, but with further training, these can quickly be regained.
But the benefits...
"Woo..."
A soft sound, Weedle's eyelids tremble lightly, slowly opening its eyes.
At first, confusion, then clarity.
"Woo!" It suddenly lifts its head, looking at Natsuhiko, confirming he's not injured nor attacked by wild Pokémon, then lets out a long sigh of relief.
Thank goodness.
Then some confusion arises.
How did it just fall asleep unconsciously last night?
And slept so deeply.
Most importantly, how come it feels like Natsuhiko seems smaller?
Propping itself up.
Carefully scrutinizing him, the surprise in its eyes grows increasingly intense.
"Woo?"
Has he really become smaller?
Seeing its expression, Natsuhiko tiredly smiles, "Don't look, it's not that I've become smaller, it's that you've grown bigger."
"Woo?"
Grown bigger?
Weedle then notices the pile of shells beside it, and upon inspecting itself, compares it with Natsuhiko's hand.
"Woo woo!!!!"
Really grown bigger!
Bigger! Thicker! Stronger!
Lightly patting its shell back, feeling the tougher texture and smooth rounded surface.
"It seems like a good thing now. Originally, you were about to evolve. After consuming those two tree fruits, your potential became greater, with no signs of imminent evolution."
The Insect Fruit greatly unearthed Weedle's talent and potential, extending the period to convert potential into strength, prolonging the growth cycle.
Natsuhiko doesn't know how Giovanni's Beedrill was raised, only knowing the Power of the Eternal Plate played a crucial role, but not specifically how this influence exhibits.
However, Weedle's transformation now, whether short-term or long-term, is beneficial.
Natsuhiko doesn't need to consider work-related matters due to Weedle's impending evolution.
Based on the current situation, Weedle needs at least fifteen days or even longer to fully uncover all hidden potential of its body, granting him more preparation time.
Whether to capture new Pokémon, or post-evolution challenge Kakuna in training.
Supporting his knees, staggering to stand.
Sitting all night, his leg has somewhat numbed.
"Time to head back, if not, the club may think we're dead, and I'm increasingly interested in that job title's promotion."
Weedle's change has given him the opportunity to pursue higher treatment.
Weedle quickly adapted to its change, scampering up his shoulder in three steps.
The previously empty shoulder now feels slightly crowded.
Additionally, Weedle's weight has significantly changed, which Natsuhiko keenly feels.
He jokingly remarks, "You've gotten heavier."
With shallow and deep steps, heading out of the Dense Wood Forest.
Not returning soon, he might miss Kenji's invitation today.
And that means money.
Dragging a weary body, smoothly leaving the Dense Wood Forest.
The Spearow deliberately left yesterday is now gone, unsure if it fled or was eaten by another predator.
Carrying a slight sense of pity, wearing tattered clothes and bearing the uniquely sized Weedle, under peculiar gazes, he takes the bus back to the club.
Wild Pokémon with unusual sizes aren't absent, although rare, they don't particularly draw attention.
But such cases are innate. Transforming from an ordinary size to double its size is uncommon.
"Natsuhiko!!"
Seeing the disheveled Natsuhiko, the receptionist Anai looks astonished, yet slightly delighted.
Uncertain why the delight, perhaps because it's a pity if someone so diligent were to perish.
Indeed, the club's members believe Natsuhiko has died.
Though rare, such scenarios aren't absent.
Trainers and Pokémon venture into the wild, encountering potentially numerous situations, including death, even if this task seems not dangerous.
Natsuhiko forces a smile, "Encountered some things, delayed a bit, am I late?"
Anai lets out a breath, "You're not late, and another junior trainer returned late too; today's the day for tallying your results."
"That's good." Natsuhiko slightly relaxes.
"Hand me the camera, then go change clothes, the manager might see you later."
Natsuhiko hands the club's camera over, "Okay."
Then heads to his room, he's very tired, if there's time, it'd be best to rest even for an hour or so, before heading back to the Dense Wood Forest with Kenji later.
Anai watches his back, noticing the Weedle on his shoulder, somewhat surprised and unexpected.
"Is this... a different Pokémon? Or... has it eaten too much?"
This scenario isn't unheard of.
Club trainers, to keep their job, will choose and capture another Pokémon when their own evolves and they lack confidence to face others, to retain their work.
However, the club's aware of this, because they have detailed information and profiles of each trainer's Pokémon.
If the newly captured Pokémon's prowess is okay, then it's acceptable; otherwise, they may face dismissal.
Shaking her head, she doesn't think much more.
Sends the camera to the technical department, they'll handle the tallying.
Subsequently reaches supervisor Lotto's office.
"Supervisor, 0451 has returned."
Neatly dressed, Lotto holds a coffee cup, reading a newspaper, nods slightly, "Understood, once technical finishes the tally, have them come to me."
"Alright." Anai respectfully responds, hesitatingly adds, "Supervisor, about 0451's Weedle..."
"What about it?"
"There's some change, unsure if he switched Pokémon, or it's the original one, its size's much larger than before, more than doubled." Anai reports truthfully, completing her duty.
"Oh?" Lotto raises an eyebrow, puts down the newspaper and coffee, slightly surprised, "What's your take?"
Anai recalls images of Natsuhiko and Weedle diligently training together, such effort alongside his Pokémon, he wouldn't casually switch Pokémon, right?
"It's probably the original one..."
One of Silver Pokémon Battle Club's purposes is to gather various Pokémon data, hence this type of abnormal change in Pokémon requires attention.
"I understand, have him bring Weedle for testing at the technical department before coming here."
"Yes."