As expected, Akira acquired all three [Hope] items presented by The Elder.
The cost? A portion of mature [Nitro Rice].
To him, this was hardly a cost—it was practically free.
Mainly because no one else in the world could cultivate [Hope] like he could.
For others, planting even one would result in failure, making it better to treat it as a finite resource.
But with the Legendary Pokémon Landorus and the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin under his command, he could mass-produce plant-type [Hope].
Once obtained, Akira had Porygon-Z send the [Safety Flower] and [Lucky Four-Leaf Clover] to Pokémon Island.
Landorus and Shaymin were tasked with cultivating them.
Soon, the vanguard team could each be equipped with a [Safety Flower].
And he might even carry a whole bundle of [Lucky Four-Leaf Clovers].
Hmm…
If luck were truly on his side, what could happen?
Would Legendary Pokémon incubation rates increase?
Or would even a random flower picked on the roadside turn out to be an overpowered [Hope]?
Speaking of good luck, Akira recalled a character from a One Piece movie—a luck-based Devil Fruit user.
After absorbing the luck of many, she could defeat enemies by casually tossing a single coin.
Of course, this was assuming the [Lucky Four-Leaf Clover]'s effects could stack. Otherwise, its impact would be limited.
As for the [Red Heal Stone], he handed it to Meowth for research, tasking it with uncovering the stone's limits.
Although placing it in water could quickly produce a large quantity of potions, there must be limitations on the water's range or speed of conversion.
It couldn't possibly be that dropping it into Mobius Lake would rapidly turn that endless ocean into potion.
Akira believed the Dark Continent might have something that exaggerated, but he didn't think such a thing would appear among the Kurta Clan.
Or rather, in this middle region of the Dark Continent.
The three items The Elder had brought out were the most impressive.
Some further trades took place afterward, but none of the exchanged items matched the quality of those three.
Throughout this process, Kurapika, standing to the side, watched in stunned silence.
Having lived only in the Six Continents until now, he could never have imagined such things existed in the world.
[Nitro Rice], which could enhance vitality and extend lifespan.
[Safety Flower], capable of sensing danger and issuing warnings.
[Red Healing Stone], which could mass-produce healing potions.
...
All of this was shattering his worldview.
Even with his prior experience sailing on Mobius Lake, which had shown him that both the lake and the Dark Continent were far from ordinary, he now realized he had still vastly underestimated them.
People cannot imagine what they have never seen.
Just as he could never have conceived of objects in the world with such bizarre effects.
...
Four days later,
A new ship arrived at a small island on the imagined continent.
Alongside the three vessels already anchored offshore, five more ships approached, carrying large quantities of construction materials.
This was the so-called logistics unit.
The advance team would first reach the destination and eliminate any dangers, after which the logistics unit would arrive to build defensive structures.
As the ships docked, figures disembarked one after another, while Kilodo and the others waited on the shore.
"Hohohoho..."
Before the man himself came into view, a familiar laugh drifted across the beach, reaching everyone's ears.
The members of the Voyage Bureau showed no reaction, but many in the Hunter contingent froze momentarily before realization dawned.
Their faces lit up with excitement.
Kilodo stared blankly at the figure stepping off the gangplank, a sense of familiarity washing over him.
The newcomer had a white-and-black streaked ponytail, and his face looked noticeably younger than before.
A distinctive shoe-shaped beard adorned his chin.
He wore a loose martial arts robe and wooden clogs.
It was none other than the former Chairman—Netero.
"Hohohoho, everyone's looking lively," Netero chuckled, stroking his beard as he descended from the ship.
Those following him were no ordinary figures either.
Among them were the Ocean Hunter Morel, Knov from the Chimera Ant Extermination Team, and Morel's two apprentices.
And walking beside Netero was the current Chairman, Akira.
After completing the trade with The Elder that day, The Elder had gone to gather opinions within the clan.
Any clansmen who wished to travel to the Six Continents could try living there for a while, accompanied by an elder.
If, after the allotted time, they still wanted to stay, they could settle there permanently.
After teleporting this group to the Six Continents, Akira happened to encounter the arriving logistics unit and decided to meet with Netero and the others.
Though it was a logistics unit, sailing on Mobius Lake still required considerable armed forces.Upon learning of this, the rejuvenated Netero volunteered to set sail and see for himself.
At the same time, since this was an ocean voyage, Morel, the professional sea hunter, was also an excellent choice.
Shoot's Nen Ability, "Four-Dimensional Mansion," had strategic value in such situations, so naturally, he had to be brought along.
Thus, somewhat unexpectedly, with Akira included, the Chimera Ant Extermination Team was already more than halfway formed.
In addition, there was another person Akira hadn't anticipated joining them.
"Hehehe... Gems, here I come!"
Bisky giggled to herself, fantasizing about obtaining a trove of gems that could rival—or even surpass—the "Seven Most Beautiful Things in the World."
She was practically drooling.
A while back, when Akira had returned to the Six Continents, he had visited Bisky.
As expected, the moment the dazzling "Gemstone Power" appeared before her eyes, her brain completely short-circuited.
Her wine-red eyes were utterly filled with the radiance of the "Gemstone Power," completely entranced.
And that was just one "Gemstone Power." Akira couldn't imagine what would happen if Bisky were placed inside that cave.
She'd probably want to stay there forever, unwilling to leave.
Ever since then, Bisky had harbored the idea of venturing to the Dark Continent.
Things like herbs that could cure all diseases or stones that could generate vast amounts of electricity...
These didn't particularly interest her.
But if there were gems on the Dark Continent far more beautiful than the "Seven Most Beautiful Things in the World,"
then she'd do whatever it took to get there.
Considering the extreme dangers of the Dark Continent, Bisky decided to start with the simpler, hypothetical continents first.
After all, even in games, you start with easy mode and gradually increase the difficulty.
As for Akira's reason for joining, it was even simpler.
First, to check on everyone's progress.
Second, to complete the incubation process for the Pokémon waiting for him on this island.
He hadn't forgotten about it.
Seeing both the old and new chairmen appear together, many hunters became highly excited, like fans meeting their idols.
But the greater excitement was due to Akira.
After all, Akira had been voted in by an overwhelming majority of hunters, with a higher approval rate than any chairman in history.
After a series of events, Akira's status in many people's hearts had long rivaled—if not surpassed—Netero's.
As the group disembarked, the support staff followed, carrying various materials.
Clearly visible on the island were large areas where trees had been cleared, creating open spaces.
These were designated for construction.
Morel, holding his large smoking pipe, took a deep drag and glanced at the surroundings, sighing:
"Though the scenery is ordinary, this is no ordinary place."
After days of sailing, even as a seasoned sea hunter, this was his first time encountering such an ocean.
One moment, the sky was clear and sunny; the next, thunder roared and storms raged.
Calm waves could suddenly transform into inexplicably hard thorns.
He couldn't help but marvel—this was truly beyond the waters of the Six Continents.
He could only wonder how much more terrifying the Dark Continent, where even the Chimera Ants were insignificant, must be.
...
While the others were busy with their tasks, Netero ventured deep into the rainforest to experience the simulated continent firsthand.
Although the advance team had cleared the island of any dangerous creatures, danger didn't solely come from living beings.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Netero walked leisurely across the verdant grass, his eyelids slightly lowered as if waiting for something.
When he took a particular step, the corner of his lips curled slightly as his wooden sandals swiftly retreated backward...
The next moment, several vines suddenly shot up from the ground, reaching human height in an instant.
They attempted to entangle whatever was above them, but since Netero had dodged in time, they ended up tangling with each other instead.
"Hohohoho, how dangerous~"
Watching the writhing vines, Netero chuckled with amusement, gradually recapturing the feeling from back then.
In his younger days, he too had been full of vigor, advancing toward the Dark Continent, only to be defeated at the "entrance."
The moment he, Linne, and Zigg saw that insect as tall as a building emerge from the ground, he had vaguely realized in his heart.
They weren't yet qualified to set foot on that land.
Lost in nostalgia, Netero continued walking forward step by step.
Meanwhile, Akira was overseeing the rapid progress at the construction site.
"Ding!"
"Pokémon incubation complete!"
Akira focused his mind, preparing to unveil the mystery.
Surely it couldn't be a second Rillaboom, could it?
Upon seeing the new Pokémon, a flash of understanding crossed Akira's face.
Indeed, if he had to say, this Pokémon was undoubtedly the most fitting for this island's conditions.
This time, the Pokémon was one of the Mythical Pokémon—specifically, the Paldea region's Mythical Pokémon: Zarude.
Zarude was a simian Pokémon.
It had black fur, with gray fur on its chest and back forming a distinctive pattern.
Vines were wrapped around both of its arms, and it also had vine seeds on its back and heels.
Zarude could freely grow vines from the back of its neck, wrists, and heels.
These vines combined strength and flexibility, allowing it to swing from branches, pick distant berries, and serve various other purposes.
Moreover, it could imbue its vines with healing properties. Wrapping them around injuries could cure wounds.
When the vines growing on its body broke off, they would decompose into nutrients for the soil, aiding the growth of plants in the forest.
In battle, it would use tree trunks and branches to attack, slashing opponents with its sharp claws, excelling in agile combat tactics.
Zarude lived in groups deep within dense jungles.
Highly aggressive, it would show hostility and attack indiscriminately toward anything other than its companions.
Thus, other Pokémon inhabiting the forest would steer clear of Zarude.
Considering the island's situation with the black-furred gorillas and the distinctive vines, the emergence of Zarude made perfect sense.
Name: Zarude
Ability: Leaf Guard
Type: Dark, Grass
Strength: SS
Moves: Jungle Healing, Grassy Terrain, Grassy Glide, Petal Blizzard...
[Jungle Emissary]: Can extend vines from multiple parts of its body, combining flexibility (5.0) and hardness.
These vines can bind enemies or attack. If severed, they can decompose into the soil, providing abundant nutrients.
Additionally, these vines possess healing properties.If within its own territory, the recovery speed for itself and its allies increases by 50%.
As one of the Mythical Pokémon, Zarude holds considerable prestige, possessing its own exclusive move.
[Jungle Healing]: Restores a quarter of HP for itself and allies while curing status conditions.
The highlight of this move lies in simultaneously healing HP and removing status conditions.
It holds a decent position in double battles within the game.
However, in reality, Akira still believes its special ability—Jungle Guardian—is more impressive.
After reading the description of [Jungle Guardian], Akira's first thought was that it functioned as a fertilizer producer and terrain buff.
Compared to the vine's binding ability, Akira valued its healing effects and nutritional benefits more.
If given to Meowth for research, perhaps new types of healing potions and nutrient solutions could be developed.
By then, the plants on Spirit Island would grow even faster.
The second aspect acts as a terrain effect.
As long as Zarude remains within its territory, the recovery speed for itself and allies increases by half.
Here, recovery speed doesn't just refer to HP regeneration but also includes Aura restoration.
The only uncertainty lies in the criteria for defining "territory."
Still, Spirit Island should qualify, allowing Zarude to serve as both a guardian and a planting minister.
Hmm...
The gardening team can now expand to three members.
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