Seasonings are a great invention that could lay the foundation for human history.
The Fennekin, who had only ever eaten milk, staple food, and baby Pokémon cubes, quickly became obsessed with the firm and chewy cod seasoned with soy sauce and spices, and the berries with their distinct textures when paired with sauce.
If it had to choose among these foods, this braised cod would dominate its entire Future.
Even if it were just a simple home-cooked meal, who would eat regular staple food when there's wet food available?
"But this braised cod hasn't met my expectations yet."
After dinner, Link, who had eaten two large bowls, was still dissatisfied: "Many trace elements in berries deteriorate when heated, and how much nutrition is lost after cooking is unknown. Moreover, the intake of oil, salt, and spices may also have some impact on Pokémon."
To completely balance taste and nutrition, extensive research is necessary.
"Lin, don't overthink it." Facing the pensive trainer, the chairman had a different perspective. "Pokémon are amazing creatures. Their bodies are much stronger than ours. As long as they get moderate exercise and maintain a healthy mindset, they'll be fine."
Perhaps feeling that these two simple sentences weren't convincing enough, the chairman continued, recounting his observations of various Pokémon and his observations of Pokémon Contests over the years.
A Pokémon's condition depends more on its relationship with its trainer. No matter how well-fed or how talented, a Pokémon raised by a trainer who is indifferent to its owner will never be a match for a Pokémon with a harmonious relationship and a healthy mindset, neither in strength nor appearance.
How can mere material things compare to boundless love?
Link pondered. Indeed, he, a human who could be killed by a single punch from a Pokémon, was worrying about whether their diet was healthy.
" Trust in Fennekin's metabolism and body's self-regulation!"
"I understand, President, you're truly a master at raising Pokémon!"
"Not at all, I just love Pokémon, so I've been quietly observing them."
But Link had indeed learned a great deal during his dinner at the club.
On paper, his Pokémon abilities—characteristics, moves, types, type advantages, and battle coordination and tactics—were second to none.
However, when it came to examining the details of their daily lives, Link found himself completely clueless.
The members of the Pokémon Enthusiast Club were his best teachers!
After dinner, Link learned much more from everyone.
Seeing that it was getting late, he bid farewell to the president and the others, and returned to the Pokémon Center with Fennekin.
"How about we treat meals as our main meals every day whenever possible? Of course, we'll still use Poké Blocks as supplements, but then you'll need to exercise more to burn off the excess energy."
"Fennekin!"
Seeing Fennekin's eagerness, Link added "learning about the cuisine and Pokémon food of this world" to his urgent to-do list.
He then placed the "Return" TM into the room's playback device, and a professional instructional video appeared on the television.
As long as the Pokémon watched attentively and possessed the corresponding talent, they could master the moves recorded in the TM with a little practice.
The TM provided by the chairman featured a Pikachu as the instructor, with a background very similar to the Pokémon Fan Club's decor, though the background was slightly different—perhaps it was a branch from another location?
The Pikachu on the television chattered "Pika Pika" for a while before starting to demonstrate the "Return" move, using its tail, which flashed with dazzling electricity, to slice a rock as tall as a person in half.
"Fou!"
Foxy gasped; this Pikachu was amazing!
Then Pikachu began explaining the tricks of "Return" with "Pika Pika."
Thanks to the simulator's translation Function, Link was fortunate enough to learn the content of Pikachu's tutorial—
The power of Pokémon is so immense that once their energy and the power of their moves reach a certain level, Further power might damage their bodies or even lead to self-destruction.
At this point, the instinct for survival kicks in, preventing Pokémon from using power beyond their capacity.
Abilities like "Fire," "Water," and "Grass" allow Pokémon to unleash a burst of survival instinct when near death, using power far exceeding their control.
Pokémon without the "Fire" ability can use the "Return" move to achieve a similar or even stronger effect.
"Return" involves remembering the moments spent with their trainer, using love to break free from their instincts and amplify the move's power to a higher level.
This desperate approach seems like a double-edged sword.
However, the Pokémon's body and spirit are strengthened/awakened through each breakthrough, growing stronger with each battle, reaching heights unattainable in the past, even potentially transcending species barriers.
*Increases GO Power/Awakening Value, the official wheelchair for children in Let's Go, Let's Go, and Let's Go!, up to 200 points in each of the 6 stats simultaneously.
Link: "..."
Listening to Pikachu's words, it seems that "Return" isn't a move, but rather a technique to drive a move?
For example, as long as you use love to push the magnetic field, you can unleash a "Thunderbolt" far exceeding 100,000 volts... something that surpasses the self-destruction realm of 990,000 horsepower.
But to be honest, this approach, which is close to "superregeneration," is quite scientific.
Breaking limits with love → enduring the reaction force → using the Pokémon's powerful life force to heal and strengthen the body → reaching a higher limit.
"Although it's a path where you can become stronger as long as you work hard, the pain involved must be unbearable for ordinary people. What kind of pure love and determination can make someone endure such pain repeatedly?"
The thought of Fennekin possibly being covered in wounds or even dying because of him made Link's heart ache unbearably.
"Fou?"
Just then, the tutorial on the incredibly simple "Return" move was coming to an end, and Pikachu started acting mischievous again, wanting to give one last Full-power demonstration.
But its expression turned serious, its body tensed, its center of gravity lowered, and it landed on all fours.
A moment later ,
Pikachu didn't even leave an afterimage; it vanished from the camera's view in an instant, creating a terrifying explosion and a gust of wind.
"Fou!?"
"Disappeared?"
At the same time, a loud crash came from afar.
As the camera moved, Link and Fennekin saw the Pikachu about a hundred meters away, along with the massive rock shattered from the impact.
That move was... "Extreme Speed"!!!
How is that possible?
Is this a move any Pikachu can master?
"Wait a minute, let me rewind a bit."
Link used the remote to rewind, starting slow motion.
This time, he saw a figure he'd never seen before, yet strangely familiar, in the camera's movement.
A black-haired boy wearing a small red hat, seemingly quiet and reserved, and a Charizard that looked exceptionally fierce.
(End of this chapter)