"Click—!"
The light on the Poké Ball stopped flashing.
Aaron had officially captured his fourth Pokémon—
Treecko!!
He walked over, picked up the Poké Ball, and released Treecko. Then he took out an Energy Cube and offered it.
"Cha…"
Treecko cautiously took a small bite.
Its eyes lit up instantly. It began devouring the cube in eager mouthfuls.
Energy Cubes really were top-tier treats.
Every Pokémon loved them.
Aaron gently stroked Treecko's head, his gaze lingering on the wounds still marking its body—and the blind eye.
A faint ache tugged at his chest.
What had it gone through to end up like this?
But that was in the past.
From now on…
No one will ever push you around again.
I won't let it happen.
His warm palm rested on Treecko's head, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Cha-…"
Still chewing its Energy Cube, Treecko seemed to sense something and looked up at him.
In Aaron's eyes, it saw sincerity. Warmth. Light.
Little by little, the darkness in its heart began to fade.
Aaron then fed Treecko the Potential Booster Pill, raising its potential to Champion-level.
"Treecko… here. This one's good too."
He took out the newly obtained Pokémon Candy from his system backpack and handed it over.
Treecko didn't hesitate. It swallowed it in one gulp.
In the next instant, dazzling white light burst from its body—
The light of evolution.
Treecko's level rose to Intermediate (Early Stage).
And then…
It began to evolve.
Within the white glow, its body stretched and grew, reaching nearly a meter in height. Long leaves extended from its head, tail, and wrists.
"Whumm—"
As the light faded, a sleek and sharp-looking Grovyle stood before Aaron.
"Groo-vyle!"
Freshly evolved, Grovyle let out an excited cry, its voice carrying a newfound edge.
A smile spread across Aaron's face.
Then he opened the system interface—and activated the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai on Grovyle.
"Groo?!"
A vast surge of power erupted inside Grovyle, flooding through its body and transforming it from within.
Green energy blazed around it. Its frame expanded again—
Its height jumped from one meter to one and a half in an instant.
"Groo-vyle!!!"
Grovyle roared. A powerful shockwave burst outward. From the bare ground beneath them, countless plants erupted—
Twisting upward—
Blooming into vibrant, multicolored flowers.
Aaron immediately opened Grovyle's attribute panel:
[Name: Grovyle]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Serious]
[Type: Grass]
[Ability: Wood Physique (Grovyle can restore stamina and recover from injuries through sunlight)]
[Base Stats Total: 405]
[Level: Intermediate (Mid Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential: Champion-Level]
[Known Moves: Pound (Proficient), Leer (Proficient), Absorb (Proficient), Quick Attack (Basic), Mega Drain (Basic), Dragon Breath (Basic), Grass Field (Basic), Fury Cutter (Basic), Leaf Blade (Basic), Agility (Basic)…]
[Special Bloodline: Wood Release Kekkei Genkai]
Skill 1:
Wood Release: Wood Clone — Creates a wooden clone with 30% of the user's attributes, making it extremely difficult to distinguish from the original.
Skill 2:
Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu (Physical) (Grass) (Power 140) — Channels energy into tree seeds to generate a massive wooden dragon that can attack or bind enemies. Targets caught in its grasp have their stamina and energy drained.
Skill 3:
Wood Release: Wood Barrier Jutsu (Status) — Creates a wooden shield shaped like a fanged demon face to defend against incoming attacks.
Skill 4:
Wood Release Secret Art · Deep Forest Emergence (Not Yet Unlocked)
Skill 5:
Wood Release · Flowering Forest World (Not Yet Unlocked)
Skill 6:
Wood Release · Wood Golem Jutsu (Not Yet Unlocked)
Skill 7:
Sage Art · Wood Release · True Several Thousand Hands (Not Yet Unlocked; Requires Mastery of Sage Mode)
[Description: Grovyle, the evolved form of Treecko. After undergoing an exceptionally compatible bloodline enhancement, it possesses immense power…]
…
Aaron's pupils shrank as he stared at the updated attribute panel.
"Holy shit…"
The words slipped out before he could stop himself, echoing faintly through the forest.