Dragging his weary body, Natsuhiko arrived by the tree beside the stream and started a fire.
Even in late autumn, the nights were still very cold. Having just worked up a sweat, he was soon drenched again, and without caution, he might catch a cold, or even something more serious.
This can be extremely dangerous in the wilderness.
Moreover, without a fire in the forest, one could easily suffer attacks from wild Pokémon.
Although such flames might not pose much threat or cause significant harm to wild Pokémon, Pokémon, being akin to animals, instinctively avoid fire.
Of course, this doesn't apply to some Pokémon that like fire and brightness.
Once the fire was up, and warmth began to spread over him, Natsuhiko finally let out a small breath of relief.
He took out the two hard-earned tree fruits he had managed to snatch with Weedle from his arms.
Main ingredients for various top-level Insect-type Energy Blocks, these fruits have the ability to mine the talents of Insect-type Pokémon. They are most suitable for the initial stages of a Pokémon, maximizing the potential of Insect-type Pokémon.
He recalled the descriptions of these two fruits from books.
Unconsciously, his lips curled up slowly.
The Insect Fruit is very valuable. If he were to sell it at the Pokemon Food Store where he previously bought Energy Blocks, he could probably earn a substantial amount of money.
But for Natsuhiko, its purpose wasn't to be exchanged for money...
Looking at Weedle by his side, its small eyes were completely fixated on those two fruits, as if its eyes might as well turn into their shapes.
Its mouth slightly agape, saliva uncontrollably dripping.
"To maximize the effects of these two tree fruits, the best way is to make them into Energy Blocks, combining them with other tree fruits and ingredients, and adding a catalyst would undoubtedly unleash their full potential," Natsuhiko said casually.
Hearing Natsuhiko's analysis, Weedle lowered its head pitifully.
It knew Natsuhiko was right, and Energy Blocks were something it liked, but its cravings had some resistance.
Seeing its appearance, Natsuhiko laughed, "But to make them into Energy Blocks, for a Poison and Insect-type like you, the most suitable would still be the combined property Energy Block. However, this would require finding a matching-level tree fruit.
Moreover... with our current finances, it seems we can't afford to hire a Breeder capable of making such a top-level Energy Block."
"Uwu?" Weedle lifted its head, looking at him somewhat confused.
What does that mean?
Natsuhiko pursed his lips, "Most importantly, you might not be able to wait for the completion of such an Energy Block."
Weedle...
is a Pokémon with a very short growth cycle.
It had been almost ten days since it joined Natsuhiko; the training had been arduous, but one undeniable fact is that Weedle was about to evolve soon.
Natsuhiko could afford to wait, but Weedle could not.
The muscles within its shell were already extremely plump and powerful. Each limb was very round and saturated, combined with occasional unconscious scratching of its shell. All signs indicated that Weedle was not far from evolving.
The books he read about Insect-type Pokémon mentioned that like Weedle, Caterpie, and Wurmple, mid-stage Pokémon that show up in pupal form differ from other incomplete metamorphosis Insect-type Pokémon without a pupal stage.
Their growth cycle is delayed by factors like training, battle, and the like. However, the longer the growth cycle is extended, the greater the benefit for these Insect-type Pokémon, allowing them to fully develop their potential at that stage.
When they reach the pupation stage, the more power accumulated in the previous stage, the shorter the pupation period, resulting in a more powerful final evolution.
This was the conclusion of an Insect-type Pokémon expert who wrote that book after hundreds of experiments.
This was why Natsuhiko continued to persistently train Weedle, to extend its growth cycle and fully unlock its potential during its Weedle stage.
Weedle, which would typically evolve into Kakuna in about a week, hadn't evolved even after ten days, and based on Weedle's condition, it might still manage three or four more days.
But this was already Weedle's limit.
Even so, Weedle couldn't afford to wait.
With no room for hesitation or contemplation, Natsuhiko decided how he would handle these two tree fruits the moment he obtained them.
He directly presented them to Weedle.
"Uwu?"
Weedle looked at the two plain-looking tree fruits with stars in its eyes.
Really?
"Eat them, Weedle," Natsuhiko said calmly and firmly.
No such thing as squandering resources or maximizing profits. Having chosen Weedle, Natsuhiko wouldn't entertain thoughts of easily flitting from one thing to another, wondering if he could have a better Pokémon.
Like some celebrities who, having started dating a girlfriend before gaining fame and then talked for nine years, wanted to abandon the girlfriend who silently gave up much for him when luck hit and he became famous. They'd even say nonsense like being his friend in his present status is a blessing, and couldn't possibly consider marriage.
If Natsuhiko thought this way, how would he be any different from such celebrities?
In his eyes, Weedle is the best Pokémon!
People may engage in intrigues and deception, and wild Pokémon may fight for survival, but if one only considers so-called interests, so-called maximization with one's own Pokémon, one can never become a qualified trainer.
Who says...
Weedle can't make its mark?
"Uwu?" Weedle sought confirmation once again.
In response was Natsuhiko's firm nod.
With nothing to hesitate over.
Weedle chirped joyfully, opening its mouth wide and taking a firm bite of the sleek, compact fruit, juice splattering, and a faint fragrance wafting.
It wasn't like the initial alluring fragrance drawing many Insect-type Pokémon, but the pure aroma of the fruit.
Tree Fruits are nature's best gift to Pokémon. While Breeders can maximize their effects through various combinations, consuming them in a pure manner isn't wasteful either.
Very soon.
The ravenous Weedle opened its belly and quickly consumed the two precious tree fruits, leaving behind only two clean seeds.
"Burp—"
It burped contentedly, a face full of satisfaction.
"Delicious?" Natsuhiko asked with a smile.
"Uwu uwu!!" Weedle nodded repeatedly, seemingly savoring the aftertaste.
However, just as it was nodding, its expression suddenly stiffened.
Soon, it began to curl up slowly.
Natsuhiko was also taken aback, "About to evolve?"
But the anticipated scene didn't occur; Weedle merely curled up and fell into a deep sleep.
Its body seemed to be undergoing some change.
"Not evolving?" Natsuhiko let out a breath of relief.
In truth, he wasn't fully prepared for Weedle's evolution.
Not evolving was a good thing.
It meant Weedle's growth cycle hadn't ended, and there was still time to develop its potential and abilities.
He just didn't know what effect these two tree fruits would have on it.
Cradling Weedle, Natsuhiko also curled up by the tree, the flickering campfire illuminating his face.
The forest at night was dangerous, and Weedle had fallen into a deep sleep. Leaving now was definitely unwise.
Here, at least, he had the campfire, and there were no signs of wild Pokémon activity around for now.
Earlier, he followed the stream back into Dense Wood Forest. Although it wasn't his cleared area, the club's other trainers likely had it mostly cleared too.
For the time being, it was relatively safe.
He took out some pre-prepared dry rations, which were wet, but after being warmed by the fire, were edible.
As long as he wasn't hungry.
In such circumstances, for Natsuhiko, it was destined to be a sleepless night.
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