Chapter 124: Crafting My Own Poké Ball
Ryu was stunned upon hearing their conversation. 'Apricorns?!' He finally understood what was inside the boxes. The red and white Poké Balls from the anime clearly didn't have a method for mass production yet. This was likely why most trainers in this era only carried one.
He followed Mabel into the man's home, which looked more like a workshop than a house. It was filled with every tool imaginable: a furnace, hammers, anvils, saws, and chisels.
"Put them here," the man said, then stared at Ryu, examining him. "This is a Grovyle, a Pokémon from the Hoenn region. It's not easy to see one here in Johto."
"Perfect," the man, Kurt, continued. "I'm quite busy lately and need a helper. How about you stay and help me? I'll teach you the technique of crafting Poké Balls by hand."
"Get lost! My lizard can't do your rough work!" Mabel interjected.
"Aunt Mabel, I want a Poké Ball," Ryu shook his head. He needed two of them to avoid any accidents on his future journey.
Seeing his resolute attitude, Mabel reluctantly agreed. "Alright then, stay. Come back early, okay? I'll take the kitten for you."
After she left, Kurt spoke. "You need something from me, right?"
"Yes," Ryu nodded, pointing at the box of Apricorns.
"You want a Poké Ball?" Kurt asked. Ryu nodded again. "I don't have time to make one specifically for you. If you want one, follow me and learn properly, then make one for yourself."
"Okay!" Ryu agreed without hesitation. He walked over to the box and chose a green Apricorn, the same color as himself.
As Kurt began to teach, Ryu learned some interesting things. Kurt's ancestors came from the old Royal Capital. Generations ago, after the fall of the Royal Dragon Kingdom, his family had wandered Johto until they discovered this forest where Apricorns grew everywhere. They founded Azalea Village and began researching the Apricorns, hoping to create an item that could seal a Pokémon's power to defend themselves in that war-torn era. By chance, they accidentally invented the Poké Ball.
For generations, they refined the process, inventing countless Poké Balls with special effects like the Nest Ball, Quick Ball, and Fast Ball. Those "failures" had now become rare treasures in the eyes of the Pokémon Alliance.
"If I also leave Azalea Town," Kurt sighed, "then the Alliance will truly never notice this place, and this town will slowly disappear."
Ryu was silent. He knew that in the future, Poké Ball manufacturing would be monopolized by corporations like Silph Co. and Devon, and this hand-crafting skill would gradually be lost.
Just then, a plump Slowpoke crawled over and hugged Kurt's leg.
"Grovyle," Kurt said, "take the iron bucket and fetch some water from the well. Slowpoke's skin is a bit dry." He then changed his mind. "Wait, just carry Slowpoke directly. Throw him into the well, and he'll come out when he's had enough."
He handed the Slowpoke, who weighed at least 50 kilograms, to Ryu. He carried the pig-like Pokémon all the way to the edge of the village, but the scene that appeared before him immediately made his face turn dark.
Two men dressed in black, each with a Pinsir, were collecting Slowpoke tails! The poor Slowpoke seemed unaware of the danger, and a few had already had their tails bitten off.
"Are you trying to die?" Ryu growled, putting the Slowpoke down. With a burst of [Quick Attack], he shot forward and swung his tail at one of the Pinsir, sending it flying. The other used [Bug Bite], but Ryu didn't even bother to dodge. He grabbed its two large horns and performed a perfect over-the-shoulder throw.
These two Pinsir were only around Lv. 20. They were no match for him.
Bang!
The commotion attracted the residents of Azalea Town, who rushed over to see what was happening.
[Inorin Note:
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