"So, so big! No, is this thing actually a rocket?!"
Every time Kaguya-san made an appearance, it left onlookers deeply shaken, and Raifort-san was no exception.
That enormous body—like a rocket, yet still clearly shaped like bamboo—made it genuinely hard to accept that something like this could be a Pokémon.
Raifort-san carefully examined Kaguya-san's condition.
Then she blurted out something bizarre.
"Old. Unarguably old… a rocket-type Pokémon. Does something like that exist?"
"Don't use your antique-appraisal ability on Pokémon." Hikaru immediately cut off Raifort-san's urge to ramble. "Even if a rocket is old, it still won't be worth much."
"Of course, if it has special technology on it, that's a different story. But don't tell me you also have the Mechanic profession."
Kaguya-san slowly shuffled deeper into the bamboo grove, not answering Raifort-san's evaluation at all. But in truth, Kaguya-san was already terrified inside.
"Corporate workers' comments are way too sharp. I'm just worthless rocket scrap. B-But, at least I have an alien spaceship's ignition device, so even if you dismantle me, you can still sell me for some money… right?"
"Ah… I really want to rest in some dark, cramped place for a bit."
"Even in a dark, cramped place, you're still huge. Anyone can spot you at a glance."
Hikaru sighed and complained as he watched Kaguya-san hide in the bamboo grove. But because of her massive body, it only created a ridiculous, self-deceiving kind of comedy.
Fortunately, most of the Pokémon here were companions. As for wild Pokémon—after so many powerhouses had been throwing down here, they had long since fled in terror.
Next, Hikaru began preparing dinner. When Kamekame ran out of its Poké Ball and provided Herba Mystica and rare Berries, Raifort-san was naturally shocked again. This tomb-raider lady had already set her sights on Hikaru's backpack. Those unopened Poké Balls… she was certain they contained more unknown Pokémon she had never seen before.
Raifort-san said, "Regional forms…? I've heard that in distant regions, there are cases where Pokémon undergo different changes."
"Wow, that smell… what is that?"
Hikaru held a glowing branch. "This is Herba Mystica, a Paldean treasure. Well? Ever since it was brought out of the Great Crater and planted 200 years ago, this should be the first time you Paldeans have seen the real thing with your own eyes, right?"
"Add it to bamboo-tube rice and stir-fried bamboo shoots, and the flavor becomes incredibly rich and aromatic. Different seasonings have different effects. I have sweet, bitter, and salty."
"If I can get sour and spicy too, then that's the full five flavors."
Hearing the crackle of ingredients hitting hot oil in the wok, smelling the blended aroma of spices, and sensing the softness and texture of the dough, Raifort-san lowered her head in confusion.
The flames leaping beneath the stone stove seemed almost alive.
"Chii~"
Inside the temporary wood-fired stove, Chi-Yu was hiding in there, happily devouring Charcoal and firewood, burying its head and eating like its life depended on it.
Raifort-san: "?"
"Your ingredients are attacking your ingredients."
"No, wait!"
"Your fuel is attacking your fuel!"
Even though the Charcoal meant for burning was being eaten, Chi-Yu's flames only grew fiercer.
Hikaru said, "Don't worry about it. In faraway regions, Charcoal exists as a kind of traditional medicine."
Chi-Yu ate Charcoal while slapping the stove with its tail.
More, more!
Raifort-san crossed her arms, watching the scene with strong curiosity.
Uh… and that other Fire-type, Larvesta, didn't just flop over after eating its fill.
It and the other Pokémon dragged over a huge pile of bamboo. Then that strange bug Pokémon that looked like it was clad in steel armor tapped the bamboo with its claw tips—bang, bang, bang—and split them open smoothly.
Raifort-san said, "That's Cut, huh. It's a very useful move in everyday life."
"This looks fun. I'll help too. But you said rice—don't tell me you're carrying grain on you?"
Hikaru patted his C Device and—like a magic trick—pulled out a great deal of rice from inside it.
"That is?!" Raifort-san felt she had already been shocked enough since meeting Hikaru, but producing food from a machine—what kind of superpower was that?
Why did it suddenly feel like her knowledge was so shallow?
"It's a special device. There's an otherworldly space connected inside it." Hikaru comforted Raifort-san. "But you're a tomb raider—your field is ancient history and myths. It's normal that you don't understand technology. Don't look so confused and dejected."
In truth, Raifort-san herself didn't like using tech-related things. In class, she would ask students whether they preferred new things or old things—of course, excluding the Tera Orb.
And when using the Tera Orb in battle to Terastallize, she would even add a special line: "Technology, activate."
They washed fresh bamboo tubes and set them aside. Then they put grains and various ingredients into the soaked grains, mixed thoroughly, added a mysterious sugar powder to improve texture, and added sweet Herba Mystica.
"The ingredients you pair with it can be endlessly diverse. Here, we're using Slowpoke Tail—anyway, it's something my Aerodactyl picked up from the roadside."
"Then we add Morelull. This is a specialty from my hometown—something that makes monster- and dragon-like Pokémon drool."
"Add those famous fresh green peas from the market."
"And the Radiant Radish from the shining vegetables—gold-star quality. Dice it into small cubes."
They stuffed everything into the bamboo tubes, poured in an appropriate amount of clean water, and sealed the opening tight with broad leaves.
Next came the grilling over fire.
"Larve~!"
Larvesta wriggled under the stone stove, five feelers going full blast.
They set the bamboo tubes above the flames, turning them as they roasted. Bamboo sap would slowly seep out. After several tens of minutes, the fragrance began to spread.
"Watch the heat," Hikaru reminded the little bug. "If the fire's too strong, it burns too easily. If it's too weak, the rice won't cook."
Larvesta waved its feelers.
"Larve!"
Bug handles it, you can relax. Bug is an artist. Bug's control of fire is perfectly refined.
Just wait to eat.
Still, Larvesta alone wasn't enough to heat all the bamboo tubes.
So Victini stepped forward without hesitation.
"Tini!"
Bake it with the flames of victory!
This is the V Menu. Hehe!
"If you bake with the flames of victory, do you gain infinite strength after eating? That sounds more like the set of some gourmet battle anime."
Hikaru rubbed his chin, then called out.
"The stir-fried bamboo shoots are ready too. We're using fresh bamboo shoots from here, premium oil, Cyclizar tail, Toedscool skin, Large Leek, and ginger."
"Add salty Herba Mystica and sweet Herba Mystica, and look—this dish is sparkling!"
Wow, it even came with a flashbang.
Dishes enhanced by Herba Mystica glowed like shining cuisine, because the seasoning itself had that kind of effect.
Hikaru looked at the meal he had prepared. Using special cooking techniques and premium ingredients, this feast would undoubtedly provide a certain boost to Pokémon stamina once again.
"Food: Bamboo-Tube Rice (Herba Mystica Cuisine)."
"Description: A wild, natural fragrance. A fresh, natural aroma released by charcoal grilling. It also seems to carry a hint of smokiness."
"Effect: Deliciousness +50%, Life Vitality +150%, Energy +30%. Raises vigor. Fully restores the life and all status conditions of Pokémon and humans!"
"Herba Mystica Effect: Activates the stomach. Cures poor appetite at the root, while also increasing vitality."
"Food: Stir-Fried Bamboo Shoots and Meat (Herba Mystica Cuisine)."
"Description: High fiber and rich vitamins. Bamboo shoots are hailed as the king of healthy vegetables. A dragon's tail and land fungus inject this dish with intense energy."
"Effect: Deliciousness +100%, Training Limit +10%, Health +100%. Boosts endurance. Fully restores the life and all status conditions of Pokémon and humans!"
"Herba Mystica Effect: Improves physical health and eliminates disease."
At this time, Hikaru took out the remaining Poké Balls of different colors.
He injected a vitality potion into Deoxys inside the Master Ball.
He checked whether Archaludon had any intention of eating, but the bridge dragon only liked rocks. It was practically Steven Stone reborn.
As for the rest—
"Rrraah!"
Walking Wake roared as it burst out of its ball. Its big head looked left, then right—then its eyes lit up the instant it saw the fragrant dishes.
Mm, this scent was kind of like a Pecha Berry, but also a bit different.
"Rrraah!"
Got it. It's that sweet Herba Mystica from last time. That flavor really is pretty good.
"A dragon…? I've never seen a dragon like that. Why does it look like something I've seen in some history book?" Raifort-san's expression changed slightly as she began thinking.
Hikaru thought to himself: as a Paldean, of course Raifort-san recognized Walking Wake.
After all, the Scarlet Book and the Violet Book included drawings of paradox "three sacred beasts" forcibly fused together. The drawings were made up by ancient research team members, but they did contain elements of "Suicune."
Paldeans had also learned about Suicune through those books.
And yet… the most paradoxical part was precisely here.
The drawing had elements of the three sacred beasts, but the book was written 200 years ago—while the birth of the three sacred beasts was still 50 years in the future.
Therefore, those so-called "three sacred beast elements" were actually the fused appearance of the three paradox beasts.
It was just that the fusion was… rather abstract.
Watching Walking Wake eat with enthusiastic gusto, Raifort-san thought for a while, then murmured as if she had realized something.
"That's it. This guy resembles a legendary Pokémon from Johto—Suicune. Though I've never seen Suicune either."
"But history books record its appearance."
"And… the Scarlet/Violet Books also have drawings of something similar. It was called a 'mythical Pokémon.'"
"It's a Pokémon from another world. Don't be surprised," Hikaru answered Raifort-san's confusion simply. But upon hearing that, Raifort-san shook her head—somehow even more confused.
"What do you mean 'from another world, don't be surprised'…? Y-You just said something outrageous, didn't you?"
Raifort-san's curiosity and thirst for knowledge were only further provoked. But seeing that Hikaru clearly didn't intend to elaborate, she immediately started clawing at her hair.
"Sorry. The parts that can be written are already written in the Scarlet/Violet Books. What's left isn't your field. And some things involve League internal secrets. Even if you're a descendant of Paldea's royal family, still…"
"Okay, I get it, I get it!" Raifort-san hurriedly waved her hands, then sighed. But inside, she was thinking that she needed to study that supernatural magazine more carefully once she got back.
Maybe some things weren't fake after all.
The fragrance filling the bamboo grove also drew over the Pokémon that had been training.
In the sky, the freely flying Aerodactyl strolled back from afar.
Hunting while wandering around—Aerodactyl couldn't sit still unless it was sleeping.
Entei hid within the bamboo grove, watching from a distance, which made Raifort-san increasingly jumpy. But Hikaru told her not to worry. That oppressive aura was also from another companion.
Marshadow, the martial-arts drill instructor, waved its hand and stopped everyone's pre-meal training.
Alright, everyone. Eat first.
This was Kubfu's first time seeing food that made it drool so desperately.
Fresh bamboo shoots were already delicious, but who would have thought that after a simple stir-fry, they could reach this level?
Paired with the steaming, richly flavored bamboo-tube rice—
"Ku, ku…!"
How could it possibly hold back? Since this was the case, how could it endure it…!
Heaven is about to place a great responsibility upon a person, and first it must test their heart and will, labor their sinews and bones, and starve their body…
Hungry. Hungry!
My will isn't firm enough. I'm being crushed in spirit by mere food. I truly am…
Kubfu glanced at its rival, Riolu.
The blue-furred little dog was already grabbing rice and stuffing it into its mouth, without the slightest hesitation.
"Ku!"
Kubfu immediately hugged a bamboo tube as well. It didn't even mind the scorching heat on the surface, and shouted out loud.
To be able to eat such delicious food, I am truly grateful!
Alright. I'm going to eat ten tubes!
"Huh?"
Riolu still had rice stuck to its face. Seeing Kubfu wolf down food like a vacuum cleaner, it couldn't help widening its eyes, forgetting to keep feeding itself for a moment.
Ten… ten tubes of rice?
You really can eat.
Riolu couldn't help thinking.
If this guy eats that much, will the Trainer even be able to afford raising it?
Won't it eat the Trainer into bankruptcy?
Among the current companions, some didn't need to eat at all. Some only ate meteorites. Some could just gnaw a few Berries and call it a day.
But a rice bucket like you…
Still, since this is special food, I have to eat like crazy too!
"Char?"
Charcadet looked at Teacher Riolu, then at that powerful Pokémon called Kubfu, then at its own bowl.
You're all eating!
Then I'll eat too. Even if I burst, so be it!
"Marsha?!"
Marshadow watched the little ones chomping and devouring with full force. Confused yet curious, it used its shadow to grab a few slices of stir-fried bamboo shoots.
It put the bamboo shoots into its mouth and chewed. Its cheeks puffed out as it went crunch, crunch. Its torch-like eyes flickered—then it cried out in surprise.
"Marsha!"
Whoa. Unbelievable.
Marshadow gave a thumbs-up.
Unexpectedly… extremely delicious!
That was the highest praise.
But I won't eat ten tubes. I'll eat less—just five to whet my appetite!
The companions continued eating loudly, and for a while there was only the sound of ravenous chewing.
"Whew, this tastes great. Amazing. Such simple food can actually be made so perfectly suited to my taste."
"Ah, I haven't eaten properly in so many days… I'm a little moved."
Raifort-san ate with deep satisfaction, then glanced at her compressed biscuits and chuckled at herself.
People who raid tombs all know this.
Those thousand-year-old graves she robbed didn't exactly come with offerings on the grave mound for her to improve her meals.
"Without false modesty, I'm a chef with a special title. In Unova, I'm known as an 'Odd Cook,' and I'm quite famous."
"So-called odd cooking is just magical cooking!"
Raifort-san's eyebrows rose, but she didn't press the issue. After all, her specialty wasn't cooking. Enjoying the moment was enough.
"Then I really am lucky," Raifort-san said as she focused on savoring the food. Hikaru, meanwhile, swept his gaze across all the companions, and finally looked toward Kamekame chewing bamboo shoots not far away.
Herba Mystica would make Pokémon that ate it grow gigantic, but after planting it on Kamekame, nothing seemed to change. Or perhaps it was because Kamekame hadn't directly eaten the Herba Mystica itself.
In contrast, when humans tasted Herba Mystica, or when Herba Mystica was made into dishes, it seemed to not trigger that gigantification effect.
The three herbs had been planted around the sacred white sapling. The extra portion was being cultivated while linked into the world, and had been handed over to Calyrex in a dream.
"Herba Mystica…" After finishing the meal, Raifort-san finally spoke again.
"But I've heard that the Herba Mystica eaten by the Titan Pokémon in Paldea isn't a fully matured form."
"I saw a record like that in history books. What those herbs would become if they matured completely—nobody knows. Or rather, these herbs have been growing in the wild for 200 years and are still like this. That's really strange."
Listening to Raifort-san, Hikaru suddenly thought of that "Tera Mother Tree."
It was said all Herba Mystica had been transplanted from that tree.
"Mm… if they fully mature, do they become like the Tera Mother Tree? If so, that's still a bit dangerous. If Kamekame fully Terastallized, wouldn't it turn into another Terapagos?"
I mean, they're both turtles, right?
And the little Tera turtle went extinct due to crustal shifts, while Torterra is the crust itself.
So you're a Terapagos killer after all.
"Tor."
Kamekame was chewing bamboo shoots.
Then its big eyes suddenly widened.
A tremendous force began surging inside its body.
Boom.
Boom, rumble—like crustal activity, Kamekame released a glow similar to Terastallization. But no crystal formed on its body. Instead, a strange aura welled up!
That was the presence of a Titan Pokémon.
"Your Torterra…" Raifort-san gaped at the soaring light and aura rising from Kamekame.
This also startled the other Pokémon badly.
"Did it… become a Titan Pokémon?"
"I've read in books that Pokémon who eat Herba Mystica will become abnormally huge… and a strange aura-like presence will appear around them."
"And why did it suddenly start glowing? Did Herba Mystica trigger something?"
Hikaru also moved to Kamekame's side. In the special soil on Torterra's back, he found tiny "crystal fragments."
"This is…"
Hikaru suddenly realized what had happened.
To plant Herba Mystica, he needed Paldean soil, and Paldean soil contained crystalline components.
It formed a complementary interaction with Herba Mystica, promoting the soil's Terastallization and fertility.
"Ecological Soil: Extremely fertile soil produced after mixing with Paldean soil. When paired with the sacred white sapling, and combined with core soils from various regions, it can create special regional environments."
"Because Paldean soil is rich in Tera crystals, it is unavoidable that small crystal fragments will appear in the soil. These emit faint Terastal energy, producing the Terastal aura of Titan Pokémon, known as a 'brilliant aura.'"
"If one obtains crystal soil from Area Zero, and water from Kitakami's Crystal Pool, it will trigger a Stellarization phenomenon. The soil's activity will increase manyfold. However, if one does so, it becomes impossible to reconcile the soil into 'Phantasmal Soil.'"
"Terastal energy is too domineering and intense. Though it can catalyze ultimate prosperity, it still remains far from the final answer."
"So that's how it is?" Hikaru patted Kamekame, who looked a little confused. "Don't worry. The Terastal power stops here."
"You can now activate a Titan form yourself—meaning a kind of gigantification. But don't use it casually. It consumes the accumulated Terastal energy."
Kamekame's eyes brightened slightly.
Oh, temporary gigantification. This one is legal.
Mm, but I still want to master getting smaller. Being too big is sometimes inconvenient for moving and going through doors. It looks imposing, but when you get stuck in a cave or doorway, it's genuinely ridiculous.
Kamekame still couldn't let go of that time it got stuck at Professor Fennel's front door.
It kept thinking about it, obsessing over learning an illegal "get smaller" move.
But that really wasn't very possible.
Hikaru could only laugh.
Speaking of which…
Torterra had basically become a weakened "ecological core," hadn't it?
(End of Chapter)
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