The newly joined Duraludon was still a bit unaccustomed to this big family, but its expression was one of pure happiness and joy. After all, when Julian was distributing treasures, it had received two sub-Ultimate treasures: one Steel-type and one Dragon-type.
At first, it had been somewhat resentful about Julian capturing its entire clan in one go.
But now?
'My trainer is amazing! Capturing my kin was actually their good fortune! No, I have to hold tightly onto his thigh—with so many of my kind around, I can't let them take my spot.
Duraludon squatted on the ground, its expression constantly shifting, which left Dragonite—who had been secretly observing it—rather puzzled.
'Could this newcomer be an idiot? Maybe I should take it under my wing.'
Dragonite currently had two little brothers—Garchomp and Shelgon, both Dragon-types.
Since Duraludon was a Steel/Dragon dual-type, it technically counted as a Dragon—making it the perfect target for Dragonite's recruitment efforts.
'I'll slowly gather my own faction… then shock Big Boss Metagross!'
Speaking of Metagross, it had no such complicated thoughts. It was currently sprawled on the ground, taking a light nap.
As it continued absorbing the Blood of the Gods, it could feel itself evolving toward something greater—something more profound.
The Blood of the Gods could raise its potential, and with good luck, it might just reach the Gold-grade potential—at that point, its potential would be equivalent to that of a First-class Legendary Pokémon.
That would open the path to godhood. Whether it could walk that path depended on the combined efforts of both Metagross and Julian.
"Mel~"
Melmetal: "They've been arguing forever. Why don't they just fight already? This is so boring."
Watching Arcanine and Moltres still bickering, Melmetal yawned. At first it had been fun to watch, but over time, it became dull.
Kartana: "The weak only know how to bark."
After consuming the Minor Nature Core, Kartana was itching to find someone to spar with.
Steelix: "I kinda want to join them."
When it came to strange thought processes, Steelix was undoubtedly number one.
---
At 7 PM, the barbecue feast officially began.
In addition to preparing barbecue for Julian, Slowking also prepared roasted Berries and other Pokémon-edible ingredients.
Roasted Berries might sound like dark cuisine, but with Slowking's cooking skills, their deliciousness conquered even the most picky eaters.
Arcanine licked the bamboo skewer until it was polished smooth.
Aggron was even simpler—it just ate the berries and the bamboo skewer together in one bite.
Duraludon: "What is this delicacy?! The berries I used to eat were pig food compared to this!"
It was eating so happily that tears streamed from its eyes.
Dragonite: 'This kid must have some serious problem… crying over roasted Berries.'
Celebi was currently locked in a tug-of-war with Julian over a beef skewer.
Julian was speechless—it wasn't like there wasn't any other meat, so why fight him for this one skewer?
Celebi: "This is the last beef skewer! The rest aren't done yet—Slowking's still grilling them."
Julian (suddenly looked past Celebi): "Oh, Mew? When did you get here?"
Celebi instinctively let go, then turned its head in anger: "B*tch—"
Only to see Lucario quietly munching on roasted Berries. No Mew in sight.
By the time Celebi turned back, the beef skewer was already—Julian had devoured it.
Julian: "Huh. Must've been my imagination."
He casually tossed the empty bamboo skewer into a nearby trash can.
Celebi: "Hmph!"
Celebi didn't retaliate—not because it didn't want to, but because there was still plenty of barbecue left. Why waste time pulling Julian's hair when it could just eat more and leave him less?
Seeing Celebi inhale food like a black hole, Julian exclaimed: "Damn, are you part pig or something?!"
The speed was unreal—it was so fast that it practically looked like Celebi had three heads and six arms. Julian even wondered if Celebi had just unlocked some unprecedented move.
Fueled by its "grudge" over the stolen skewer, Celebi had broken through its limits, manifesting afterimages as it mastered the mythical-level technique—"Six-Armed Devourer".
"Gen~"
Gengar grinned, holding a skewer of glazed dango balls dusted with shimmering powder.
That wasn't seasoning—it was crushed Pokéblocks.
Clearly, Slowking put a lot of thought into the food preparation.
But in the next second, Gengar's grin vanished. At some point, Arcanine had appeared behind it. With a quick flick of its tongue, the entire skewer was gone.
Arcanine (still chewing): "Why does this taste even better?"
The dog was puzzled. The dango it'd eaten earlier were delicious too, but somehow these tasted even better.
Julian explained: "Stolen food always tastes better."
Something ordinary you wouldn't bother eating… but the moment you see a friend enjoying it, you snatch a bite, and suddenly it's amazing.
Arcanine nodded in sudden understanding. 'So that's how it is.'
'Food snatched from others tastes better—Master truly is a fountain of wisdom.'
And so, to get better-tasting food, Arcanine immediately started operation: Grand Theft Barbecue.
Since no one was on guard, it succeeded several times in a row.
Lucario, Dragonite, Steelix, Garchomp, Shelgon, Tyranitar—all became victims.
Watching the dog tempt fate like this, Julian remained silent.
"Gen…"
Gengar wondered if today it would be absorbing the soul of a teammate.
Lucario and the other Pokémon stared at Arcanine, eyes filled with quiet resentment. 'There's plenty of barbecue—why steal our food?'
A sniffling Shelgon rolled up to Julian, tearfully recounting Arcanine's shameless food theft.
The dog also knew that it was in trouble. Facing the glares of its companions, it boldly hid behind Julian.
Arcanine: "If you hit me, you'll hurt master too."
Dragonite and the others: "..."
Julian: (⊙▽⊙)
'Since when did this dog get so smart?' It even knew how to take a "hostage."
Seeing its companions stunned, Arcanine wagged its tail triumphantly, a smug grin plastered all over its canine face.
Julian, the so-called "hostage," patted the big dog's head: "You've gotten clever, huh, Arcanine?"
Arcanine: "Of course! All thanks to Master's good teachings."
Julian was at a loss for words. He also noticed the strange looks Dragonite and the others were giving him—as if they all believed this really was something he had taught the dog.
And to be fair… they weren't entirely wrong.
"Heh-heh…" Julian laughed awkwardly
He could only rub the dog's head roughly to break the awkwardness.
Since Arcanine had a "hostage," Dragonite, Lucario, and the others had no choice but to back off—especially swince Slowking had just finished grilling a fresh batch of skewers.
'Fine. We'll let it slide… for now.'
'But after eating?'
'Operation: Punish the Thieving Dog will commence.'
Moltres: "Why didn't they fight? If they did, I would've joined the 'Dog-Slaying Squad.'"
It was a bit disappointed—no group beatdown of the silly dog today. For some reason, the dog's brain seemed to be working unusually well.
'Could one of those treasures it got earlier have boosted its IQ?'
*****
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