Completely eradicating the scourge of industrial wastewater was impossible. Although, through Joy's efforts, the waters of Lake Lucid were gradually becoming clearer.
The League had also begun conducting major investigations into such reckless pollution. Wastewater from this industrial district was no longer being discharged into the forest's water sources. However, economic development inevitably produced wastewater, so the owners of the industrial park dug a river themselves specifically it.
Joy brought Tetsuya, Catherine, and the entire Muk "army" to this artificial wastewater river. The Muk group all entered the polluted water and consumed the wastewater. Sure enough, this kind of environment was the most suitable for Muk.
"Since the Muk have found a new home, we'll be leaving now," Tetsuya said.
"Thank you so much for all your help these past few days. If you ever have time, be sure to visit the Lake Lucid Pokémon Center!" Joy said.
After a simple farewell, Tetsuya and Catherine left.
Although they were supposedly leaving, Tetsuya continued wandering through the forest and did not go far.
"Heh~ You never intended to leave at all, did you?" Catherine asked.
"I'll leave after I finish one thing tonight," Tetsuya said. After speaking, he simply took out a tent. Beneath the dense forest canopy, even in summer, it did not feel hot.
"Time for an afternoon nap."
After saying that, Tetsuya crawled into the tent. Catherine was somewhat confused, but after a while, she also took out a tent and went to sleep.
---◓---
Tetsuya had no intention of moving on today. After waking from his nap, he carefully considered his plans for the future.
Destroying Shadow Team was an urgent matter. First, he needed to gain the sympathy of Matsuba and Pryce and restore his identity. After that, he needed to reclaim his assets.
The two houses he owned would not be sold for several more years, but once he regained his identity, the two bank cards would be unlocked quickly thanks to his current level and his status as an "adult" in the Pokémon world.
The only issue was that he did not know how much money remained in those two accounts. If the funds were sufficient, Tetsuya could comfortably spend some time training his Pokémon. If there was not much money left, he would have to find another solution.
In any case, by League Year 699, the year before the "one and only", Ash Ketchum, set out on his journey, he had to successfully reappear in the public eye as a Pokémon Trainer. Naturally, his goal at that time would be the championship of the League tournament.
The most important task at the moment was still the destruction of Shadow Team, so that he would no longer have any worries.
Tetsuya now understood some of Shadow Team's methods very well. If he could borrow the power of Team Rocket's Giovanni to eliminate Shadow Team, that would naturally be the best outcome.
Tetsuya needed Shadow Team to be destroyed, while Giovanni needed to expand his influence in Johto. Giovanni would naturally be more than willing to "cooperate".
---◓---
Tetsuya lay in the tent for the entire afternoon. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed such peace and quiet. He could simply listen to the rustling wind through the forest.
It was only when Catherine called out that he realized it was time for dinner.
Tetsuya and Catherine's dinner was extremely simple, while the Pokémon all received the best Pokéfood.
Ditto was undoubtedly the one enjoying itself the most, as it got to drink Miltank milk with every meal. The other Pokémon also received a cup of freshly produced milk after every meal.
However, after drinking Miltank milk, training was mandatory. Otherwise, their physiques would inevitably go out of shape. 'I wonder what would happen if I had a Snorlax…'
During the Pokémon's training sessions, Miltank continuously used Helping Hand. Unexpectedly, the Pokémon trained with increasing enthusiasm. Their training intensity grew greater and greater, and the frequency was much faster than before.
'The combination of Miltank milk and Helping Hand actually produced such an effect during training…' It was truly unexpected!
A Miltank like this was practically the ultimate support Pokémon and an excellent assistant for special training.
Their current training efficiency was more than three times what it had been before!
---◓---
They trained for a full four hours before the Pokémon finally began to feel a little tired, though their spirits remained exceptionally high.
However, after training, Koffing still continued panting in the air. Clearly, this fresh air was not something it enjoyed. It was nowhere near as satisfying as absorbing the purple gas before.
This Koffing had been born and raised in poisonous miasma, so naturally it preferred a toxic environment. This was also one of the methods for raising Koffing. Unfortunately, Tetsuya did not currently have such conditions.
It was impossible to remain in a poisonous environment all the time. If he had enough funds, he could directly build a gas chamber for Koffing to absorb poisonous gas, which would be the best method of increasing Koffing's toxicity in this life.
It was already late at night. At last, it was time to go take a look at those Muk.
"I'm going to that factory pond," Tetsuya said.
"I'll come with you."
"Mm, that works."
Tetsuya and Catherine arrived at the wastewater pond where Joy had settled the Muk. By now, purple poisonous gas had already spread across the surface of it. Without question, it had all been exhaled by the Muk.
Tetsuya threw out Koffing. "Absorb that poisonous gas first."
Koffing also smelled the familiar scent. It immediately plunged into the gas and began absorbing it frantically!
About half an hour later, all of the poisonous gas had been completely absorbed by Koffing. Koffing let out a belch and looked thoroughly satisfied.
Now the entire surface of the wastewater pond was calm. The Muk had already sunk to the bottom of the pond to rest. This was the perfect opportunity to make his move.
"Koffing, fill the pond with Toxic until you can't spray any more."
After Tetsuya spoke, purple poison flowed continuously from both of Koffing's heads into the pond. Before long, the entire pond had turned purple-black. It grew darker and darker until finally the water shone black beneath the moonlight.
After spraying Toxic for two full hours, even though Koffing had two poison sources, it felt somewhat drained.
"So… what does this mean?"
Only after Tetsuya stopped did Catherine finally ask.
"You know how toxic my Koffing is. I want to raise a Muk, but ordinary Muk simply aren't worth raising. If any Muk can survive in this severely poisoned water, then it means it can withstand Koffing's Toxic. Naturally, that would demonstrate its value," Tetsuya said.
"Doesn't that mean we have to wait here…?" Catherine asked.
"No. These Muk are Poison-types after all. They won't die immediately. Only those that absorb too much toxins will die. Naturally, the first ones to die will be the most useless. If there are still survivors after six months, then the experiment will have succeeded," Tetsuya said.
"What if none survive? Wouldn't that mean waiting another six months to run the 'experiment' again?" Catherine asked instinctively.
"Of course I won't conduct experiments in only one place. Anywhere there are industrial wastewater sites and Muk, I'll do the same experiment. If I cast a wide enough net, I refuse to believe not a single one will succeed," Tetsuya said.
Before dawn arrived, Tetsuya and Catherine left.