Weedle didn't hesitate; as soon as Natsuhiko spoke, it did as told.
Using its tail, it carefully took out the poison sac from the glass jar and stuffed it into its mouth, swallowing it in a few quick gulps.
This had a completely different texture and taste from an Energy Block, yet for Weedle, it was just as delicious.
Natsuhiko watched Weedle closely. Seeing no unusual reaction, he felt more assured and continued, "Eat the Beedrill's poison sac."
"Mwu!"
Weedle nodded and opened the glass jar.
Unlike the Ekans' poison sac, as soon as the jar with the Beedrill's poison sac was opened, a faint purple mist wafted out, filling the entire room with a stench akin to rotting fish.
Natsuhiko frowned and stepped back a couple of paces.
This poison sac's toxin was much stronger than he had imagined.
Weedle didn't hesitate, rather, it seemed as pleased as someone enjoying stinky tofu, like a dog seeing a heap of... anyway, it gobbled it down in no time.
This time, Weedle began to undergo changes.
Purple thin mist started to rise from its body, seeping from the joints in its exoskeleton, from its mouth, and from the spikes on its head and tail.
Natsuhiko squinted his eyes.
"It's having an effect, but is it still not enough?"
"Mwu?"
Weedle also sensed the changes in its body, raising its head in confusion to look at Natsuhiko.
It felt very strange at the moment.
An indescribable feeling, as if every cell in its body was moaning, yet its little heart was racing, as if it was about to leap out of its mouth.
If it had to be described, it might be like...
Someone drinking five or six cans of Red Bull, adding three or four cups of coffee, and finally downing some bitter tea.
Exhilarated!
Every inch of muscle, every cell in its body seemed to be trembling with excitement.
Watching Weedle's transformation, Natsuhiko thought for a while, then gritted his teeth and said, "Eat the Arbok's poison sac!"
An Elite Level Arbok was at least two tiers more powerful than Weedle, and this poison sac was the strongest.
"Mwu~~"
Though puzzled, Weedle's actions didn't falter.
Natsuhiko explained, not knowing if he was comforting Weedle or himself, "It's common knowledge that Poison-type Pokémon can't be poisoned, but this isn't absolute. If the toxin is too strong, or if the power difference is too great, they can still be poisoned."
Just like how Dark-type Pokémon can be immune to Psychic-type techniques.
But if a newly hatched Dark-type Pokémon were immune to a Champion-tier Psychic-type Pokémon's techniques, that would be too far-fetched.
Not even needing a Champion-level Pokémon, a slightly stronger one might suffice, just with varying effects.
Likewise, Poison-type Pokémon can only be immune to poison within their tolerance; beyond that, they still get poisoned.
"Ordinary poison sacs are just good supplements and food for Poison-type Pokémon, but improving toxicity is impossible. The most crucial part of the 'Raising Gu' method is to poison the Poison-type Pokémon!"
Natsuhiko was sharing crucial insights he had gathered from a book.
This was also why he went to the black market to buy so many poison sacs.
We must let Weedle be poisoned first!
"Mwu—"
As Natsuhiko explained, Weedle had already swallowed the Arbok's most poisonous poison sac.
In an instant, the thin toxic mist surrounding it became several times denser, and its voice changed in pitch.
On its shiny spike, strands of light purple patterns slowly spread, and its yellow exoskeleton was gradually stained by rings of purple hues.
It looked distinctly poisoned.
"Originally, I bought so many just in case, but it seems I didn't buy too much. Eat the last one too."
Natsuhiko gripped a special Antidote in his pocket tightly, watching Weedle intently, ready to use the Antidote the moment it showed any sign of trouble.
Even if it meant wasting these poison sacs, Weedle couldn't be allowed to come to harm.
Yet Weedle had lost its earlier euphoria.
As a Poison-type Pokémon, it was experiencing being poisoned for the first time.
It's a bit uncomfortable.
But it still gritted its teeth and swallowed the last poison sac.
Natsuhiko wouldn't harm it; he spent so much on buying these poison sacs, it knew very well, and they must not go to waste!
With the last poison sac swallowed, Weedle's appearance completely changed.
The once earthy yellow exoskeleton had now turned entirely purplish, even the spike on its head wasn't spared.
"When a Poison-type Pokémon gets poisoned, its body will activate its own toxins to fight back, akin to fighting poison with poison. If external poisoning is due to external issues, it can be more troublesome and only be treated with Antidote, but if the poisoning results from consuming poison sacs, then it's different.
The poison sac is a supplement to Poison-type Pokémon, containing substantial Poison Energy that can nourish, replenish its toxins, stimulate its toxicity, and produce what we call 'antibodies.'
These antibodies are essentially a form of toxicity enhancement."
Natsuhiko said calmly, yet his heart was in his throat.
Poison-type Pokémon immune to poisoning is a form of immunity akin to fighting poison with poison. When foreign toxins are too strong for the body's toxins to counter, they become poisoned.
And currently, Weedle's condition is exactly that — external toxins are too strong, its own toxins too weak to counter, thus, it's poisoned.
However, concurrently, while the poison sac poisons Weedle, it provides ample Poison Energy, nourishing and supplementing its own toxins.
Under the pressure of foreign toxins, biological instinct evolution will enhance its own toxins to fight back.
This is the instinct of evolution in nature.
It is also an ancient method of raising Poison-type Pokémon.
"Hang in there, Weedle! Make it through, and you'll transform!"
Natsuhiko appeared calm to boost Weedle's confidence, yet in truth, he was more nervous than Weedle, as sweat covered the hand holding the Antidote.
"Mwu!!"
Weedle's voice carried a tinge of pain, but in its heart, it felt relieved and calm.
It was a feeling rooted in trust in Natsuhiko.
Even though it hurt, it only needed to endure, and it would pass.
But enduring this, lasted a full three hours.
The misty purple toxic fog that originally surrounded Weedle had now completely dissipated.
It didn't exactly dissipate, but rather seemed to have adhered to Weedle's body.
Now it looked as if Weedle was coated in a layer of purple paint, slick and shiny.
Its eyes tightly closed.
Natsuhiko's hand had grown stiff from gripping the Antidote, yet he dared not relax even a bit.
The information from that book had been thoroughly considered and tested, it was feasible and quite viable, which was why he let Weedle eat it outright.
Moreover, he was prepared; Advanced Energy Blocks could provide enough energy supply to Weedle, ensuring it wasn't completely corroded by the toxins, and the special Antidote had not been cheap, all as a precaution.
But judging by the current situation, Weedle had stabilized completely and probably wouldn't need it.
Crack—
Suddenly.
A crisp, subtle sound emanated from Weedle's body.
Natsuhiko felt a jolt of excitement.
Right after that.
Crack, crack, crack—
More sounds followed, as fine cracks spread all over Weedle's body, with one large crack running straight from its head to its tail.
From the gaping crack, a luster of pristine earth yellow appeared in Natsuhiko's sight again.
"Mwu..."
A gentle, soft voice.
Weedle wriggled its constrained legs, and with a touch of confusion, slowly crawled out from the now-purple-stained shell.
It.
Had shed its skin once more!