This Scyther was slightly smaller than others of its kind.
More importantly, there was a visible break in the sickle on its right arm.
The sickles were the core of all Scyther's combat abilities.
"Uncle, I'm not interested," Sam said bluntly.
With the system, his future was limitless. There was no reason for him to subdue a Scyther with a crippled body.
"You should think about it again," the ranger pleaded softly. "It's truly exceptional."
Then he sighed heavily.
"Fate is too cruel. It was given such strength, yet burdened with a damaged body. It's… damn unfair."
The ranger squatted down and covered his face, clearly overwhelmed.
"Uncle, you can't force it," Yellow said gently.
"If someone captures Midori out of pity, neither side will be happy."
She hoped Midori would one day be led by a Trainer who truly liked it, not someone who acted out of sympathy.
"Let's go," the ranger said after a moment, standing up. "I'll take you back."
As an adult, he quickly composed himself. If Sam wasn't willing, then there was nothing more to say.
"You two go ahead," Sam suddenly said. "I'll stay and observe for a bit."
Both the ranger and Yellow had piqued his curiosity. He wanted to understand what made this Scyther so special.
"What?"
The ranger turned around, startled.
"I'm not planning to capture it," Sam explained calmly. "I just want to watch."
"Alright," Yellow said, interrupting before the ranger could argue further. She gently pushed him away. "Let's go, Uncle."
---
Three days passed.
"Three whole days already, Bulbasaur…"
For three days straight, Sam quietly observed Scyther.
Only then did he truly understand why the ranger and Yellow wanted to find it a suitable Trainer.
This Scyther was a born warrior.
Every single day, it was either training or fighting.
Its damaged body could not suppress its blazing will.
It refused to submit to fate.
Swinging its sickles again and again, never stopping, seizing every second it could to grow stronger.
Stronger.
Stronger.
Stronger!
It was impossible not to be moved.
No wonder they wanted someone worthy to guide it. Scyther's spirit was enough to ignite the fire in anyone's heart.
It didn't complain about fate's cruelty.
It only wanted to change its destiny with its own hands.
This was even more inspiring than Boruto!
"System," Sam asked quietly, "can it fuse with a tailed beast?"
"System scanning."
"Two-Tails Matatabi: 20% compatibility.
Three-Tails Isobu: 15%.
Four-Tails Son Goku: 10%.
Five-Tails Kokuo: 8%.
Six-Tails Saiken: 5%.
Seven-Tails Chōmei: 70%.
Eight-Tails Gyūki: 0%.
Nine-Tails Kurama: 0%."
Chōmei.
A legendary tailed beast, formed from the Ten-Tails' chakra, a six-winged beetle with immense power.
Seventy percent.
If it failed, the template would disappear forever.
Was it worth the risk?
Sam smiled.
Hadn't he already decided?
He jumped down from the two-meter-high tree trunk and stood before Scyther.
"Would you like to travel with me?"
Scyther ignored him, continuing its relentless training.
Sam wasn't annoyed. He released the Pokémon from the Poké Ball in his hand.
A massive figure appeared, radiating overwhelming power.
The kind of power Scyther longed for most.
Slowly, Scyther turned to look at Sam.
Can I become that strong?
Sam understood the question in its eyes.
"I don't know," Sam said honestly, shaking his head.
"There's a chance… but no guarantees. All I can give you is an opportunity."
An opportunity.
Scyther smiled.
Wasn't this exactly what it had been waiting for?
It was ready.
"Detected compatibility between Scyther and Chōmei (Nanabi): 70%.
Begin fusion?"
"Yes."
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