After running for several dozen meters, Hora ducked into a dense thicket, carefully concealing himself with branches and leaves. He listened intently; hearing no sound of pursuit or cries of wild Pokémon, he finally leaned against a tree trunk and exhaled sharply.
Bulbasaur emerged from the grass, its vines proudly curling around the shimmering Water Stone. It let out a triumphant "Bulba! Bulba!" as if asking for a reward.
"Great job!" Hora smiled, rubbing its head. "That distraction was perfect. Without you dragging the stone out quietly, we wouldn't have gotten away so easily."
As he took the Water Stone, the System chimed:
[Treasure Hunt Task Complete! Reward Issued: Potential Upgrade requirements for Bulbasaur are now unlocked.]
The Evolution Secret
Hora immediately checked Bulbasaur's status. The question mark next to "Upgrade Limit: 1" had been replaced by clear text:
Potential Upgrade Condition: Evolve using a Leaf Stone.
Hora looked at the Water Stone in his hand, then at Bulbasaur. In his past life's knowledge, Bulbasaur evolved naturally into Ivysaur at Level 16. His Bulbasaur was currently Level 15, having leveled up quickly thanks to the battle with Red and the "fishing training" at the creek.
However, a concern surfaced: Isn't "forced evolution" using stones detrimental to a Pokémon's long-term growth compared to natural evolution?
He questioned the System, which clarified:
"Evolution via Evolution Stone is a natural path, not 'forced catalysis.' The primordial energy within the stone fuses with the Pokémon's internal energy to nourish the body and enhance base stats. It provides a positive gain for future growth."
Relieved, Hora wrapped the Water Stone in a soft cloth and tucked it deep into his bag. It was useless for Bulbasaur, but it would fetch a high price in Viridian City—hopefully enough to buy the Leaf Stone he actually needed.
The Coming Storm
He recalled Bulbasaur into its Poké Ball to let it rest. Using the signal sensing function of his Poké Balls, he tracked the "undercover" Kakuna.
He found the brownish-yellow cocoon hiding under a large leaf in a nearby shrub. "Found you," Hora whispered, picking it up. "Are you hurt? Thanks for hiding so well during the chaos." Kakuna pulsed with a faint light, signaling it was safe, before being returned to its ball.
As he stood up, the sky suddenly darkened. The scattered white clouds from earlier had been replaced by a heavy, charcoal-grey blanket of cumulonimbus. The wind picked up, carrying the scent of damp earth—a downpour was imminent.
"I need to find shelter fast, or I'll be a drowned rat," Hora muttered. He tightened his backpack straps and began walking briskly toward Viridian City. He needed a safe place to ride out the storm before he could plan his next move regarding Bulbasaur's evolution.