Chapter 798: Have a Safe Trip
No matter how hard Kazuya thought, he couldn't come up with any other candidates.
So, in the end.
After everyone's discussion.
They had to conclude that some entity had, through special means, extracted this information—perhaps even the memory itself—from Ho-Oh or Mew.
Achieving such a thing wasn't entirely difficult; there were various methods and techniques available.
Kazuya also couldn't be certain if humans in the later New Era had developed some new technology to achieve this step.
But that was no longer important.
After all, humanity was already on the brink of extinction.
For now.
Although there was no way to know who had their eyes on Kazuya, at least they were aware of the situation and could simply take extra precautions in their future actions.
They had one Master-level and six Champion-level members.
Unless the opponent controlled all the Demon Gods to snipe them.
It would be impossible to wipe them out completely.
"Cofagrigus, the information you brought is extremely important. Thank you."
Kazuya turned to Cofagrigus and nodded solemnly.
If they hadn't learned of this today.
They would definitely have paid a heavy price for it in the future; it wouldn't even be impossible to lose everything in one fell swoop.
The other Pokémon also nodded gratefully at Cofagrigus.
"It's nothing. After all, we'll be comrades fighting together from now on. Besides, you and I have gone through life and death together; we can be considered friends, right?"
"Of course."
Kazuya nodded slightly.
You help me once, I help you once; naturally, a bond is forged.
Not to mention, the fact that Kazuya and Cofagrigus had faced potentially fatal desperate situations together twice could not be underestimated.
Coupled with the connection through Nia and Yui.
Calling them friends.
Was more than enough.
"In that case, there's not much more to say. Your enemies are my enemies, and we share a common goal."
Cofagrigus raised a hand and waved it.
He wasn't the type who liked idle chatter, much less engaging in formalities.
Hearing Cofagrigus's words, the other Pokémon also got a sense of their new companion's personality.
Except for the kitten, who found Cofagrigus a bit scary, the other Pokémon felt that a personality like his would be relatively easy to get along with.
Moreover, Cofagrigus's formidable strength was evident to all; he was a powerful ally.
"Alright, then I'll get straight to the point and share our information and plans. According to Lugia..."
This discussion lasted late into the night.
The entire Four Island was completely enveloped in darkness. Looking down from the sky, one couldn't even locate the island's existence, as if it had vanished into the ocean.
After their companions had fallen asleep.
Kazuya and Cofagrigus went up to the roof, still chattering quietly while gazing at the scene in the dark night.
But this time, they weren't discussing serious matters.
Just casual talk.
Chatting about their respective pasts over the years.
To Kazuya, Cofagrigus could be considered an old friend. Their acquaintance time was second only to Dragonite and Skitty, so there was quite a lot to talk about.
"That child, Yui, became the true Supreme King of the Spirit World early on. Her strength was comparable to Giratina in the Reverse World. Fifty years ago, when Giratina and Palkia entered, they took quite a beating..."
Cofagrigus's blood-red eyes looked ferocious and terrifying in the dark night.
However, Kazuya's flame-like blue eye wasn't exactly benign either; it could equally scare a child into wetting their pants.
"Hmm, the Reverse World fell mainly because the power of the Spirit World was corrupted by the shadow energy, right?"
"Exactly. Those cunning bastards, unable to defeat Yui, targeted us three generals of the Spirit World. Dusknoir and Chandelure are incredibly strong. Once those two fell, the Spirit World's side couldn't hold on anymore."
Saying this, Cofagrigus clenched his fists, looking exceedingly furious.
Ghost-type Pokémon.
Many are beings filled with intense resentment.
This is also one of the reasons the League doesn't recommend novice Trainers to catch Ghost-type Pokémon.
Cofagrigus was even a standout among them; it was normal for his emotions to fluctuate easily.
For Ghost-type Pokémon, this could also be considered a kind of talent. The stronger the negative emotions a Ghost-type Pokémon possesses, the faster it grows stronger.
However...
In this New Magical Beast Era.
This was certainly not a good thing.
The more negative emotions accumulated in the heart, the more intense the pain endured when resisting shadow energy.
Kazuya had personally experienced this point.
"The shadow energy is still too troublesome. Humans haven't yet researched a method to solve it, but there's no doubt that stronger creatures have stronger resistance to it."
Kazuya frowned as he spoke, then looked down and pinched his own arm. "Physical strength, in particular, greatly affects this."
Although he had only been in this world for a little over two years.
But who was Kazuya?
After personally experiencing it, he quickly saw through the mechanics involved.
Whether it was the Life Energy Chloe injected him with, or Lugia combating the shadow energy for fifty years...
Fundamentally, it was relying on physical strength to resist the shadow energy.
Admittedly.
One couldn't underestimate Lugia's prior experience in resisting shadow energy and Its innate Master-level strength, but Its physical body, which could rank T0 even among Legendary Pokémon, definitely played a significant role.
Looking at the ordinary Pokémon that had appeared so far.
Meganium, Empoleon, Scizor, Lucario...
They were all Pokémon full of vitality or possessing tough bodies.
"Is that so? That happens to be my strong suit. I was wondering how Dusknoir and I managed to hold out for so long, while that guy Chandelure got corrupted early on."
Cofagrigus rubbed his chin with one hand.
He really hadn't thought about this point.
"Mm, you could say you have a unique advantage. I'm currently leading everyone in working hard to strengthen our physical bodies too, even though that doesn't really suit my species in this life."
Kazuya nodded gently.
For a Pokémon like Cofagrigus, most of his base stats were allocated to dual defenses; his physical strength was indeed extraordinary.
"I need to continue strengthening this aspect... Are we heading to the Kanto region next?"
"That's right. I need to go to Newmoon Island, so we're destined to pass through Kanto or Johto. Going through the Johto region is a detour, so we'll go through Kanto."
"Kanto..."
Cofagrigus frowned in deep thought.
"What's wrong?"
Kazuya asked upon seeing this.
"During the Great Darkness war back then, Groudon was fighting near the Kanto region..."
"You think Groudon is still in Kanto? No way, it's been decades. I think the guy controlling the Demon Gods has already called It away."
"...Let's hope so."
Cofagrigus glanced at Kazuya and didn't say much more.
He wasn't sure either.
What Kazuya said made sense.
But Cofagrigus also had other views.
Anyway, if he were the mastermind behind the scenes, he wouldn't bother letting a land-bound chicken run around randomly; it'd be better to just keep It guarding the Kanto region.
"It's fine. Worst comes to worst, we'll just run. Groudon can't fly, It's very clumsy."
"...You're underestimating It way too much."
"Hahaha, it's not underestimating; it's understanding Its species too well."
Kazuya couldn't help but hold his stomach and laugh out loud.
He didn't elaborate to Cofagrigus either. Anyway, in the entire first world, only he knew what was going on.
No.
Even in the second world.
Few beings knew about the past of the "Black Dragon Team."
"As long as you know what you're doing."
Seeing this, Cofagrigus felt relieved.
The world grew quiet.
Neither of them spoke again, just quietly gazing into the distance.
For everything in the past.
They had to save the future.
"Are you truly prepared?"
Kazuya asked softly.
Cofagrigus was different from him.
He knew his own situation.
He could be considered immortal and indestructible.
But if Cofagrigus died, he would really die.
"What about you?"
Cofagrigus asked back with a calm tone.
"...I will definitely save this world, no matter how much time passes, no matter how many times I fail."
After a long silence, Kazuya finally spoke slowly, steady and resolute.
He looked at the leisurely Four Island before him, as if seeing everything here from the past.
"Do you know the price behind those words?"
"I am already prepared to bear any price."
"Me too."
Cofagrigus turned to look at Kazuya and grinned. "I'm not afraid of dying. For me, death is nothing more than going to accompany Nia and Niven."
What I'm afraid of is that Yui child will feel lonely...
Kazuya turned his head and looked into Cofagrigus's eyes.
Crazy.
Yet serene.
That feeling was called looking death in the face without flinching.
Kazuya's lips moved slightly. He looked up at the dark sky and murmured, "Cofagrigus, it seems... I really can't save this world alone."
These words.
He had never said to his other companions.
Dragonite was deeply emotional and prone to sentimentality; Kazuya didn't want her to worry.
As for the other Pokémon...
In Kazuya's eyes, they were all still children.
He couldn't tell a group of children "I don't think I can do it," when they believed in him so much...
"But you are not alone."
"..."
Kazuya opened his mouth, then the corners of his lips curved up slightly.
His hunched shoulders naturally dropped.
Right.
He almost forgot.
He was not alone.
"You and I, joining forces."
Kazuya smiled and extended a hand toward Cofagrigus.
"Mm."
Cofagrigus looked down, reached out, and shook hands with Kazuya.
"..."
Kazuya looked down at it and smiled in relief.
Ever since then.
No one had ever been able to follow up on the second half of that sentence.
"Let's go. I want to sleep too. You probably haven't slept in a long time, right?"
"Ghost-type Pokémon don't need to sleep. I don't like sleeping in the Spirit World."
"Then I suggest you get that habit back. Sleeping is a very comfortable thing. Lucario and Skitty especially love to sleep."
"They're a dog and a cat. Isn't it normal for them to like sleeping?"
The two bickered as they returned indoors.
The next day.
Kazuya nudged the Dive Ball by the bedroom window and murmured, "Wait for me."
Subsequently.
He walked out of the bedroom wearing a small blue scarf.
"Meow?"
Skitty watched Kazuya walk over, wrap a small scarf around her, and tilted her head in confusion.
"Mom knitted this for me in the past. Later, when I evolved into Empoleon, it wouldn't fit anymore. It actually suits you quite well; treat it as an amulet."
Kazuya reached out and rubbed the kitten's head, saying with a smile.
Piplup and Skitty's physical sizes were similar.
The scarf fit Skitty perfectly.
"Meow!"
Skitty grinned and happily raised her little head.
"Let's set off, everyone."
Kazuya picked up Skitty and said to his companions ahead.
The seven Pokémon stepped out the door together.
Kazuya walked at the very back, in charge of closing the door.
He felt something and suddenly turned his head to look at the hallway behind him.
There was nothing there.
Kazuya froze for a moment, shook his head, and closed the door.
Just as the front door was about to shut completely.
A gentle voice mixed with a hint of worry sounded in his ear: "Have a safe trip, Piplup."
"..."
Kazuya's nose stung, and two tears welled up in his eyes, "I'm off."
Once all this is over.
We can go back to our old lives.
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