Spirit Island, Zarude stood on the ground, swinging its arms to release countless vines that extended a considerable distance.
Then it deliberately severed them.
The long vines fell to the ground, melting like snow and gradually dissolving into the soil.
The emerald vines emitted a bright glow before fading into the earth, transforming into crystalline substances.
Finally, they became nutrients in the soil.
Though not visibly apparent, this land—already nourished by Landorus—had grown even more fertile.
Zarude scratched its head, feeling somewhat odd about using its vines this way.
Weren't its vines primarily meant to protect its home?
How had they become "green fertilizer" just because they could enrich the soil?
Landorus patted Zarude's shoulder and shook its head, conveying that all contributions held equal value.
In fact, for Akira, this contribution might be even better than guarding the island.
After all, no one would idly come to Spirit Island to cause trouble.
Not to mention the resident Pokémon, Diamond Spirit colonies, and others.
Even the automated plant-tending machinery alone could eliminate any intruders.
Even if they breached the defenses, they'd likely end up as nourishment for certain [Hope] plants.
Though called [Hope], some plants among them possessed offensive capabilities.
Examples include [Blazing Sunflowers] and [Gold-Silver Ingots].
After a moment's reflection, Zarude realized Landorus was right.
On Spirit Island, there were no opportunities to protect the home, nor would it ever need to intervene.
Might as well focus on being a diligent vine (fertilizer) producer to enrich the soil further.
Seeing this, Landorus stroked its beard and nodded, wearing an approving expression.
Then it carefully planted the roots of the [Safety Flower] given by Akira into the soil.
The moment they touched the earth, the roots began growing wildly at a visible pace, gradually taking root.
At this rate, how long would it take for the [Safe Flowers] to bloom all over the mountains and fields.
Landorus paused for a moment, then decided to plant [Lucky Four-Leaf Clovers] in a different location.
From now on, this area will be left entirely to the [Safe Flowers].
Fortunately, the area reserved for the planting base on the Pokémon Island was quite large, providing ample space for cultivation.
On the other side, there was a vast expanse of wheat fields swaying in the wind—these were the matured [Nitro Rice].
Even though Akira had taken a considerable amount of [Nitro Rice] for trade, there was still a large quantity remaining.
After the harvest, Landorus had sown many more seeds, which would double the yield in the future.
Nearby, the [Melory Tree] had grown into a small sapling, though it would still take some time before it bore fruit.
On the other hand, the [Life Bean] had matured around the same time as the [Nitro Rice].
However, since there was only one [Life Bean], the yield after maturity was limited.
Akira planned to plant all of them to quickly increase their numbers through a snowball effect.
In another direction, there was the area where [Blazing Sunflowers] and [Gold-Silver Ingots] grew.
This was also the primary patrol zone for Meowth's robots. If they detected that a [Blazing Sunflower] was about to mature, they would immediately harvest it to prevent it from turning into a [Disaster].
The [Gold-Silver Ingots], on the other hand, were monitored constantly to prevent the parasitic plants from escaping.
Once matured, these parasitic plants would transform into medicinal herbs capable of curing all ailments.
Landorus intended to place the [Lucky Clover] on the harmless plant side, though a significant amount of land had to be reserved in advance.
According to Akira's instructions, both [Safety Flowers] and [Lucky Clovers] were to be cultivated on a large scale.
After selecting a suitable spot, Landorus followed the same method and planted the [Lucky Clover].
However, considering Akira's particular emphasis on the [Lucky Clover], Landorus also called upon Shaymin.
In its Sky Forme, Shaymin resembled a small dog more closely, with longer legs and a green hue.
It had red, scarf-like fur around its neck, and its head was covered in green fur.
White wings adorned the sides of its eyes, allowing it to fly.
In this form, Shaymin lost some of its cuteness but gained a more dashing appearance as it soared freely through the air.
Tendrils of emerald-green Aura drifted from Shaymin's body, spreading across the ground.
Soon, a refreshing fragrance filled the air, subtly mingled with the rich scent of flowers.
The reason for involving Shaymin in sowing the seeds was to utilize its ability to accelerate germination and promote robust growth.
Additionally, it could transform the surrounding environment to make it more conducive for plant growth.
Under Shaymin's diligent efforts, the soil became several times more fertile, teeming with life energy.
The roots of the [Lucky Clover] grew rapidly, at a pace similar to that of the [Safety Flowers].
However, since the [Safety Flowers] lacked Shaymin's support, the [Lucky Clover]'s growth was comparatively slower.
Yet, with the super-gardener trio of Zarude + Landorus + Shaymin, Akira suspected that even completely withered plants could be revived by them.
...
In the volcanic region of the Dark Continent.
Akira rode his Arcanine, steadily advancing up the mountain.
Last time, he had intended to continue his ascent, but the journey was interrupted when he encountered Bruh.
Now that most matters had been settled, Kurapika and the other members of the Kurta Clan had traveled to the Six Continents to familiarize themselves with life there.
However, it was said that many Kurta Clan members were more focused on seeking Payback against those who had slaughtered their people.
Akira had no objections to this and simply let them handle the search while lending a hand to uncover the remaining hidden spiders.
In truth, ever since Akira had wiped out half of the spiders, the Phantom Troupe had gone completely underground, too afraid to resurface.
They had barely managed to replenish their numbers in Meteor City, only for Kurapika to seize the opportunity a few times, leading a group to eliminate their newly recruited members.
So, after all that, the Phantom Troupe was still left with just a handful of members.
This time, with Kurapika leading a group of clansmen, there was a high chance they could wipe out the remaining spiders in one fell swoop.
As for the island on the hypothetical continent, progress was also smooth.
Buildings were rapidly rising from the ground, and it was said that among the workers were Nen users whose abilities were related to construction.
To this, Akira could only remark that Nen abilities were endlessly bizarre—there truly was no limit to the kinds of abilities that existed.
After handling other matters, he returned to the volcanic region to finish what he had left undone.
He hadn't forgotten—he still had one Pokémon left to hatch, and he needed to do it here in the volcano.
From The Elder, he had also learned that this volcano wasn't as simple as it seemed.
The creatures inhabiting these three volcanoes were said to grow increasingly terrifying with each one.
The one they were currently on was the easiest, while the ones further in were far more dreadful.
According to records, their clansmen had only ever ventured as far as the second volcano, unable to set foot on the third.
As for the nearby snowy mountain, it wasn't as bad—though many who went up there tended to disappear, with some clansmen never returning.
Thus, their knowledge of it was limited.
The maps mainly detailed the flat forested regions nearby.
It wasn't that they were unwilling to explore the volcanoes and snowy mountains—they simply lacked the capability.
This was a lesson learned through generations of bloodshed.
Akira took note of this but wasn't particularly intimidated.
The strongest among the Kurta Clan was a middle-aged elder, whose power peaked at S-rank, forever stuck at that threshold.
So, if even they couldn't set foot in certain places, the creatures there were likely no stronger than SS-rank.
To them, that might be terrifying—but to him, it was nothing.
If he had once been unsure of his own strength, then after slaying the Demon King's shadow and the Snake Lord's avatar, Akira had a rough grasp of this world's power ceiling.
Frankly, there was little left for him to fear.
If anything, it was the depths of the Dark Continent that warranted caution.
Arcanine ran at incredible speed, but the volcano was so vast that it still took nearly an hour to approach the summit.
Along the way, they encountered a few creatures, but none could keep up with Arcanine's Extreme Speed.
Now, however, he found his path blocked by something inexplicable.
Seated atop Arcanine, Akira stared at the impossibly wide, bottomless chasm before him and muttered in confusion.
"A chasm?"
A massive chasm on a volcano?
If it were an ordinary fissure, he could understand—but this was unimaginably vast.
To cross it, he'd have to take a long detour.
Without the ability to fly, reaching the other side directly was impossible.
"I wonder what's at the bottom of this thing?" Akira leaped off Arcanine's back and stood at the edge of the chasm, peering down into an abyss of impenetrable darkness.
Nothing was visible.
It felt like staring into a bottomless void—the kind that might swallow one's soul if gazed at too long.
This chasm was actually marked on the map, though its appearance was rather abrupt.
Initially, Akira had mistaken it for an accidental smudge, never imagining it would turn out to be such a massive fissure.
His curiosity about what lay below grew, and he felt an urge to explore it.
After a moment's thought, Akira recalled Arcanine and released his Shiny Steelix instead.
Having devoured countless minerals, Steelix had now reached SS- rank and mastered numerous special abilities.
"I'll leave this to you, Steelix."
Akira jumped onto Steelix's head, his feet landing on its incredibly hard surface.
"Roar!"
Steelix lightly tapped the ground with its tail, clearly pleased to carry Akira.
In the next instant, Steelix erupted with a surge of Aura, forming a kind of field around itself, faint streaks of electricity flickering within.
An Electric-type move—Magnet Rise.
Steelix's enormous, heavy body lifted effortlessly into the air, hovering as if standing on invisible steps.
Then it swiftly began descending into the chasm.
The reason Akira chose Steelix over Genesect was simple: Steelix possessed the ability Shadow Dive. If needed, he could experience what it was like to move through shadows.
As Steelix carried him deeper, another incubation bar quietly appeared in his mind.
Another incubation bar?
As expected, even this massive chasm housed Pokémon.
But what kind of Pokémon could it be?
The sheer darkness of the chasm made it impossible for Akira to guess.
Ghost-type? Rock-type? Or maybe Fire-type?
"Whoosh!"
Just as Akira frowned in thought, a dull, distant sound of something cutting through the air echoed from below.
It sounded like a massive object moving at incredible speed.
Then, a spherical boulder the size of a car, glowing orange-red, shot up from the darkness below.
At just the right angle, it hurtled straight toward Steelix from beneath.
With that kind of mass and velocity, even a skyscraper would crumble if struck.
Steelix's crimson eyes flicked toward the boulder.
With a flick of its tail, it vanished into the surrounding shadows.
The speeding boulder hit nothing, continuing upward as if nothing had happened.
Steelix and Akira were now in the shadow realm, perfectly evading the attack.
[A flying boulder?]
[Was this the work of some creature?]
Akira's brow furrowed, but before he could ponder further, more orange-red boulders appeared in the outside world.
Like the first, they shot straight up from the depths.
Each seemed to follow a fixed trajectory, unaffected by the others.
Then, the boulder that had just flown up began descending along the same path, vanishing back into the endless darkness.
Akira: ?
Now he was even more intrigued.
Turns out there wasn't just one boulder—there was a whole row of them. At least a dozen were visible.
First, their surfaces were smooth and even, unlike something thrown by a creature.
Secondly, their movement patterns were highly regular, strictly vertical with no curvature whatsoever.
Finally, they weren't synchronized—each one moved at different speeds and appeared or vanished at different times.
It was as if a giant being was dangling small rocks with threads wrapped around its fingers, raising and lowering them to make the rocks ascend and descend.
After a minute passed with no new rocks appearing, Akira signaled Steelix to continue lowering him down.
Having witnessed these bizarre rocks, he felt an inexplicable premonition.
Perhaps, in the depths of this bottomless chasm, unimaginable Pokémon could be born!
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