The crystal-clear Oran Pokéblock gleamed with a sapphire luster, like a gemstone reflecting threads of light.
A flash of surprise crossed Cynthia's beautiful eyes.
"Is this... a perfect-quality Pokéblock?"
To think that a basic Oran Berry could be turned into something of this caliber.
This level of craftsmanship—Cynthia had only seen it from that top-tier Contest Trainer, Wallace.
The deep blue Pokéblock gave off an enticing aroma. Garganacl paused noticeably at the scent.
Was this government disaster relief food?
As expected—
When Garganacl stopped its attack, Caleb let out a huge sigh of relief.
No Pokémon could resist the allure of a Pokéblock.
"Gon?"
Garganacl let out a low rumble.
Is this really... for me?
Seeing Caleb nod in response, Garganacl's massive body trembled involuntarily.
As it shook, shimmering salt crystals sprinkled down from its body.
It gingerly accepted the Pokéblock and, after inspecting it for a long while, couldn't help but pop it into its mouth.
!!!
In that instant—
A dazzling golden light burst forth from its mouth, instantly brightening the entire area.
"GON——"
Bathed in the golden glow, Garganacl let out a euphoric roar.
So satisfying——
...
Three seconds later, the light faded, and Garganacl collapsed to the ground like it had been completely drained of energy.
Its pure white salt-covered body visibly flushed with a faint pink hue.
Its breathing turned erratic, each breath seemingly more labored than the last.
It looked... it looked like it had just taken something.
"Caleb, what's going on with Garganacl...?" Even Cynthia had never seen anything like this.
The others were equally confused, all tilting their heads, waiting for Caleb to explain.
Caleb: "..."
After a long silence, he braced himself and blurted out, "Maybe it... overdosed or something...?"
The moment he said it, even he felt how ridiculous it sounded.
He glanced down at the indescribable state Garganacl was in and couldn't help but rub his forehead in regret.
No one's gonna believe that, right?
But to Caleb's shock, Cynthia and the others actually nodded in agreement after hearing his explanation.
Their faces even showed a thoughtful expression, like they were genuinely considering it.
Caleb: "..."
Okay then, guess everyone here is too pure-hearted. Meanwhile, I was the only one overthinking it...
"Is it really gonna be okay like that?" Green asked worriedly.
Just lying there gasping like that couldn't be good.
"It's fine. This is a normal reaction—it'll be okay after a while."
Caleb had already seen this happen with Pachirisu.
It was just the Pokéblock being too high quality to digest easily. No real side effects.
Cynthia subconsciously glanced at Caleb.
"You made these yourself?"
Caleb didn't hide it and nodded openly.
"Yeah. I've got other flavors too." As he spoke, he pulled out a handful of colorful Pokéblocks from his pocket.
Cynthia took one and examined it.
Another perfect-quality one!
"You even know how to breed?" she asked, incredulously.
Up until now, Caleb had already shown incredible talent in both research and battling—and now he apparently dabbled in breeding too?
"Just a little, just a little," Caleb replied humbly.
His Level 4 Pokéblock crafting skills probably seemed like child's play to someone like Cynthia, right?
???
Just a little?
These Pokéblocks alone could wipe the floor with a whole lineup of elite breeders.
Cynthia fell silent, beginning to reevaluate Caleb. Maybe battling and research were just his hobbies... and breeding was his actual specialty?
Caleb turned to Professor Rowan with a grin. "Professor Rowan, I feel a real connection with this one—do you think maybe I could...?"
Rowan blinked, then caught on to what Caleb meant.
"Hahaha, all the Pokémon on this mountain were released into the wild. If it's willing, it's yours."
With the green light from Rowan, Caleb patted Garganacl's massive leg. "What do you say, interested in coming with me? I'll make sure you've got all the Pokéblocks you can eat."
Wait a second, why did that line sound so familiar?
"Gon?"
All the Pokéblocks I want... really?
But then it hesitated, shaking its head. If it left, what would happen to the rest of its kind?
Caleb immediately picked up on its concern.
"That's easy—just bring them all!"
Garganacl: ?
Professor Rowan: ?
"Uh, Caleb, you might want to think this through. There are over a hundred Nacli and Naclstack here."
"Their basic monthly expenses are in the millions!"
"Don't worry about it, Professor Rowan. That's just pocket change," Caleb said, waving it off casually.
Professor Rowan: ...
You're really not planning to leave any behind?
Garganacl's eyes lit up at that. With its doubts cleared, it immediately agreed.
It even urged Caleb to hurry up and throw a Poké Ball—afraid he might change his mind any second.
"You're so eager," Caleb chuckled, patting it again. "But don't you think we should give your friends a little welcome gift first?"
He counted the Pokéblocks in his hand—but it wasn't nearly enough to go around.
Just then, Pachirisu wandered into view.
Caleb looked at the utterly clueless Pachirisu.
After a moment of mental buffering, Pachirisu cautiously pulled a Pokéblock from its tail.
Caleb gratefully accepted it.
Still short by about a hundred, by his estimate.
He turned his hopeful gaze back to Pachirisu.
But this time, Pachirisu clutched its tail protectively, refusing to give up even one more.
Those Pokéblocks were the result of countless sacrifices and snacks it had hoarded.
Caleb immediately switched into lecture mode: "Pachirisu, think about it—if you share your Pokéblocks with the Nacli and Naclstack now, won't they be forever grateful?"
"Once they're living with us, if you ever ask them for salt crystals, they won't be able to say no, right?"
Pachirisu gave a tiny nod. That... actually made a lot of sense.
Caleb seized the moment and kept pressing: "First impressions matter! If you win them over now, they might not just give—you won't even have to ask."
"Think about it: over a hundred Nacli and Naclstack. That's over a hundred salt crystals every day!"
"Chipa! (⊙o⊙)!"
Pachirisu had an epiphany—it had read about this online. This was called investment!
A crack in its resolve!
Seizing the moment, Caleb grabbed its tail.
Everyone knows squirrels are food hoarders—and Pachirisu was no exception.
Caleb rummaged through its tail like a treasure trove, unearthing a mountain of snacks.
The sheer variety was mind-boggling: berries, treats, Pokéblocks...
In terms of food storage alone, it was even more impressive than Gengar's dimensional pocket.
Caleb divvied up the Pokéblocks among the Nacli and Naclstack—and there were still leftovers.
Pachirisu watched its stash dwindle at a visible pace, tears welling in its eyes.
This is an investment... this is an investment...
Caleb looked at the poor thing, caught in denial, and offered, "Don't worry—I'll pay you back later."
...
The Nacli and Naclstack took the Pokéblocks from Caleb.
Moving house again wasn't anything new—they just hoped the food was better this time.
They swallowed the rainbow-colored Pokéblocks—
!!!
In that instant—
Beams of radiant golden light erupted like volcanic blasts...
That day, every Pokémon on the mountain...
Saw the light.