Chapter 772: Thank You Once Again, Celebi
"Lord Kazuya, found it."
The first to find the shrine was Lucario.
Using his Aura, he sensed a peculiar energy nearby and subsequently discovered the shrine dedicated to the Voice of the Forest.
Kazuya also possessed Aura.
However, he hadn't been training it for long in this life, and because his current species wasn't exactly suited for it, his Aura's perception range was limited.
It wasn't until he arrived at the entrance of the shrine.
That Kazuya felt the energy Lucario mentioned.
"Why didn't I feel any energy?"
Mewtwo looked at Kazuya and Lucario in confusion.
But the latter couldn't really answer this question.
After all, Lucario had never learned psychic powers.
He didn't even have any Psychic-type moves.
"Psychic powers and Aura each have their strengths. The former isn't very sensitive when it comes to perceiving energy."
Kazuya, however, could speak to this.
After all, he was a dual-wielder of both special abilities, a grand senior in both fields.
"Saying there's energy here... does it mean there are Pokémon inside?"
Scizor frowned, assuming a battle stance.
"No, Pokémon aren't the only things that possess energy. And I don't sense the aura of any Pokémon inside either."
Kazuya denied this theory.
Energy exists in all things in the world.
A simple example: Evolution Stones of various types.
As he spoke.
Kazuya walked into the shrine.
The shrine of League Calendar Year 250 was clearly cleaned every day by someone; both the outside and inside looked very clean.
After entering the shrine.
Kazuya's gaze immediately fell on the Celebi statue on the altar.
He frowned, instinctively feeling something was wrong.
Although this place used to be dedicated to Celebi, there was never any statue here. What was enshrined was Lord Alan's baby bottle.
"It's this thing that's emitting energy."
Lucario stepped forward and examined it carefully.
But he didn't find anything amiss.
"No, there's something inside."
Mewtwo shook his head.
He casually raised a hand, and an invisible wave of Confusion blasted out, instantly tearing the Celebi statue to pieces.
A small baby bottle fell out from inside.
"A baby bottle? Why would something like this be here? How cute."
Dragonite picked up the jade baby bottle that had fallen to her feet, but unfortunately, it was already covered in cracks.
"Could it belong to Celebi?"
Scizor guessed.
"..."
I don't want to explain. Let's just say it's yours, Celebi.
At this moment, Kazuya adhered to the principle of "silence is golden" and chose not to say a word.
Mewtwo quietly cast a glance at Kazuya.
The next second.
A glowing blue eye stared fixedly at Him, a terrifying aura radiating from its pupil.
"..."
Cold sweat rolled down Mewtwo's forehead as He turned and walked to the corner of the wall.
Mind reading really isn't a good thing.
I shouldn't use it carelessly in the future.
The young Mewtwo understood at this moment that casually reading minds could bring about fatal disaster.
"That energy is right inside this baby bottle."
Lucario stared at the baby bottle, pinched his chin, and suddenly murmured, "If it's energy left behind by Celebi..."
His gaze involuntarily fell on the aging Dragonite.
There were two types of life energy in this world that were particularly well-known.
One originated from the God of Life, Xerneas.
The life energy it released could be classified as "Fairy-type."
And the other was the Voice of the Forest, Celebi.
Its life energy was classified as "Grass-type."
Celebi's life energy was incredibly precious life essence for Grass-type Pokémon and plants. For Dragonite, the effect would be limited, but not nonexistent.
"Ah, that should be an energy full of vitality. Perhaps it can make Dragonite a bit younger and recover some of her lost strength."
Kazuya understood what Lucario meant.
But his current focus wasn't on this energy.
At this moment.
He was wondering whether the Celebi who left energy in his baby bottle was the same Celebi who had bestowed a blessing upon him in his third life.
"Eh? Is this for me to use? Then should I suck on it?"
Dragonite tilted her head in confusion and prepared to bite down on the pacifier.
"Hold on."
Kazuya raised his hand to stop her.
He took the baby bottle and thought for a moment.
"What's wrong?"
"The energy inside this won't come out just by you sucking on it. It probably won't be easy for you to extract it; you'll likely need a medium."
Kazuya tapped his chin, voicing his thoughts.
"I share Lord Kazuya's view. The energy of a Legendary Pokémon isn't that easy to absorb actively. It might require some auxiliary means."
Lucario offered the same opinion based on his own experience.
In the many major events of the past.
Humans generally needed to rely on high-tech means to extract or forcibly seize the energy of a Legendary Pokémon for their own use.
Ordinary Pokémon were also basically in a passive position of receiving energy infusions.
For instance.
The Pikachu in the anime being struck by lightning, thus entering a feverish state of excess Electric-type energy.
Cases of actively extracting it purely on one's own...
Weren't non-existent.
But they were extremely rare.
"What medium?"
"...A Miracle Seed."
Kazuya raised a hand, a Miracle Seed resting in his palm.
This Miracle Seed.
Was his companion item from his third life.
It once housed Celebi's blessing and the power of the "Ripple of Time," allowing Kazuya to see Liz across time and space before he acquired Aura.
For Kazuya.
Even though this Miracle Seed didn't have much use later on.
It held very important meaning and value for him.
It helped him fulfill his promise.
But...
If this seed could help him extend his companion's lifespan today.
Then it would realize an even greater value.
Therefore...
There was nothing to be reluctant to part with.
Kazuya pursed his lips, gripped the Miracle Seed, and pressed it against the pacifier.
The fluorescent green energy hidden within the baby bottle acted as if it had found its master, uncontrollably pouring into the Miracle Seed.
The next moment.
The originally ordinary-looking Miracle Seed.
Actually sprouted a tiny, tender shoot. The emerald green leaves looked very cute and emitted a green light brimming with vibrant vitality.
"Eat it."
Kazuya handed the Miracle Seed to Dragonite, quietly instructing her.
"Mm."
Dragonite nodded.
She took the seed, cast a glance at Kazuya, and swallowed the tiny seed into her stomach.
"..."
Staring at the gradually disappearing [Miracle Seed] on his system panel.
Kazuya lowered his eyes.
He then shifted his gaze to Dragonite.
The changes in the other party's body were visible to the naked eye.
The absorbed energy of Celebi quickly took effect.
Dragonite's height grew from less than four meters to four point two meters, and the wrinkles on her face were reduced by half. Even the color of her skin seemed to become a bit brighter.
"Incredible! This has extended Senior Dragonite's lifespan by at least nearly a hundred years in one go."
Lucario was astonished.
"Mm, that's great."
Kazuya revealed a smile, nodding gently.
It was worth it.
Thank you once again.
Celebi.
"Thank you, Kazuya."
Dragonite couldn't help but wear a joyful smile on her face.
Because.
She could accompany Kazuya for a longer distance now.
Even.
She could accompany Kazuya to the end of this journey, watching him achieve his goal with her own eyes.
That would truly be wonderful.
"Not only that, Senior Dragonite's aura has grown much stronger. Her strength should have improved quite a bit."
Scizor stared at Dragonite, noticing some other things.
"Ah, she's gotten much stronger."
Kazuya nodded.
Relying on the experience of eight lifetimes.
He felt that Dragonite's current level should have reached around Lv. 87, surpassing Lucario and second only to Scizor.
But the level wasn't the main point.
The main point was that the slightly younger Dragonite was stronger in both physique and reaction time than before. This had a significant impact on combat power, a point that couldn't be seen just by looking at her level.
"Mm, I can help you out much more now."
Dragonite gently flapped her wings.
"Prioritize protecting yourself first."
Kazuya reached out and patted Dragonite's arm.
The five Pokémon exchanged a few more words.
Then they walked out of the shrine.
The sky outside had already darkened.
In the past, it might only be five or six o'clock in the evening.
But in this era.
Five or six o'clock was already considered nightfall.
However, the moment they stepped out of the shrine's gate, Lucario suddenly raised an arm to block everyone's path.
He looked around, his expression turning cold: "Come out."
As soon as these words fell.
Dragonite flapped her wings powerfully.
A gale swept in all directions.
Countless Iron Thorn Trees were snapped and toppled on the spot.
Figures wearing black night-stalker suits appeared around them.
Looking closely.
This group of people had actually completely surrounded them.
The number was quite exaggerated, easily sixty or seventy people.
The key point was.
Other than Lucario.
No one else had noticed the approach of this group.
"You again. You retreated last time, and now seeing that we have five on our side, are you still not planning to retreat?"
Kazuya's gaze swept over them, landing on a certain figure.
His night vision was very strong.
So he recognized the other party at a glance.
Silver.
Then the identity of this group was clear.
Team Rocket.
Who knows whether they had gradually surrounded them or had been following them all along.
It seemed to be related to those night-stalker suits they were wearing.
They might be products of some mysterious scientific field, able to mask their own aura as much as possible, preventing detection by certain special abilities.
It wasn't hard to suspect.
This thing was probably researched specifically to counter Mewtwo.
To prevent Mewtwo from using His psychic powers to sense this group and escape beforehand, they developed these night-stalker suits.
"I retreated last time because I didn't have the absolute certainty of winning. Facing you unexpected guests, we were somewhat underprepared and didn't want to waste our efforts."
Silver pulled down the hood on his head.
Revealing his face.
"Little Silver?!"
Seeing him, Dragonite's eyes went wide, a look of astonishment on her face.
The latter placed his gaze on Dragonite.
Thought for a moment.
Then slowly spoke, "Granny Dragonite, it's been a long time. I'm very happy to see you are still well."
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