Chapter 778: Stubborn Little Cat
"Meow!"
While Kazuya was staring blankly at the photo.
Skitty extended her tail and flipped the photo over.
Only then did Kazuya notice that on the back of the photo, there was a partially folded paper flower.
This paper flower seemed a bit wrinkled due to the passage of so many years.
But overall, it was still in good condition.
After all, as early as three hundred years ago, papermaking technology in this world had already reached a relatively advanced stage.
Ordinary paper made from trees, after special treatment, could be preserved for over two hundred years.
Not to mention this kind of paper made from Tangrowth vines; both its toughness and preservation rate were excellent.
Even up to League Calendar Year 250.
Humans still hadn't found a better material than these vines.
Moreover, Tangrowth's self-regeneration ability was terrifyingly strong; cutting vines from its body wouldn't cause it any pain.
A single Tangrowth could produce enough paper for an entire village in a day. Finding a better material provider than Tangrowth was in itself an almost impossible task.
"Did Granny Sora fold this?"
Kazuya held the semi-finished paper flower in his hand, observing it carefully with a nostalgic look in his eyes.
Folding a paper flower is not easy.
Because Granny loved flowers very much. Even if it was a paper flower, it had to be folded to look as real as possible, so often one paper flower took a long time to fold.
Of course.
There was one more thing.
Each paper flower symbolized an amulet. It wasn't considered complete until it was infused with an abundance of love.
And this also required a lot of time.
"When you and Meowscarada stayed in Ever Grande City, Granny knew you would set out again sooner or later, so she wanted to fold a flower before you left to bless you with a safe journey."
It's just that before you left, she left first.
And this paper flower was never finished.
"I see."
Kazuya held the unfinished flower in his hand and nodded.
"Finish folding it."
"Okay."
"Then give it to me, I want to carry it with me."
"...Weren't you going to give it to me?"
"I'm not giving it to you, I want it."
"..."
Kazuya looked speechless, the touched expression from earlier fading away.
Seeing him like this, Skitty twitched her ears and revealed a secret smile.
Afterward.
The two Pokémon wandered around the attic for a while longer.
Finding some toys they used to play with, recalling many past events.
By the time they came down from the attic.
Everyone else had also woken up.
As the hosts of the Peace Daycare, Kazuya and Skitty naturally had to entertain everyone properly as owners.
The group gathered together in the daycare, chatting.
They talked about amusing things from decades or centuries ago.
Only Mewtwo seemed rather desolate.
After all, He had no such past to speak of with others.
"Perhaps, a hundred years from now, we will be sitting together, discussing the stories of today."
Kazuya said this with a smile.
And after hearing this, Mewtwo also put away His desolate mood and nodded along with everyone.
In the blink of an eye, two days passed.
"Skitty, I should get going."
Kazuya had no intention of staying longer, decisively preparing to leave.
He didn't want to bring danger to Skitty because of him.
"Meow?"
Skitty tilted her head in confusion.
She didn't understand.
The outside world is so dangerous, and you finally made it back home, so why do you have to leave again?
"I have reasons why I must save this world, and Meowscarada is also waiting for me."
Kazuya smiled and rubbed her little head.
After meeting you.
I have one more reason why I must save this world.
"Meow..."
Skitty fell silent, she lowered her head, and her tail drooped limply on the ground.
"You must live well, we will meet again."
Kazuya patted her gently.
Then he got up and left with his companions.
Watching them walk further away.
Mewtwo, standing at the very back, turned his head and cast a glance at the little cat guarding the house alone.
"If you don't follow, Kazuya is really going to leave."
Mewtwo's words floated lightly into the little cat's heart.
"Meow!"
Hearing these words, Skitty immediately and resolutely raised her head.
Swishing her tail, she ran toward Kazuya at full speed.
"Hm?"
Hearing the commotion, Kazuya turned around.
Seeing the little cat pounce over, he hurriedly raised his hands to catch her in his arms.
"Meow!"
Nestled in Kazuya's arms, Skitty held her head high with some pride, "Kazuya! If you beg me, I'll go with you! Since I'm in a good mood, I might be able to help you accomplish what you need to do!"
The corners of Skitty's mouth curled up.
It seemed she had already pictured Kazuya begging her.
She even couldn't help burying her little face in Kazuya's chest, afraid he would see her secretly laughing.
However, things didn't play out as she imagined.
Kazuya placed Skitty on the ground and gently poked her forehead with his finger: "I can't take you with me."
In Kazuya's eyes.
Skitty was still that spoiled little cat from three hundred and eighty years ago.
Although Skitty had become much stronger than before.
Kazuya still believed she was a little cat who wasn't good at fighting and couldn't face powerful enemies.
She wouldn't be able to handle the journey they were about to undertake.
She didn't have that will and determination.
But he couldn't say these things out loud.
It would hurt the little cat's pride.
"Meow?!"
Skitty was a little angry and headbutted Kazuya.
She was demanding to know why Kazuya wouldn't take her.
"This path is too dangerous. I believe Granny Sora wouldn't be willing to let you go with me either."
"Granny definitely wouldn't want you doing these things either! Saving the world isn't your responsibility!"
Skitty frowned, staring at Kazuya, "But, if you insist, Granny would definitely choose to support your decision, even if she was extremely worried in her heart."
Therefore.
If I insist.
Granny would definitely support me too.
"I don't care, I'm going with you."
After leaving this sentence, Skitty stood among the group on her own accord.
Even if Kazuya didn't take her.
She would still follow.
Skitty didn't want to continue guarding this place alone anymore; she wanted to stay by her family's side.
"..."
Kazuya turned his head and looked at the stubborn little cat, smiling somewhat helplessly.
He walked over and picked the little cat up.
Skitty forcefully turned her head away, puffing her cheeks and refusing to look at him.
I'm angry.
At this moment, Dragonite raised her hand, placed it on Kazuya's shoulder, and offered a word of comfort: "You should believe in her."
She was probably the one who could best understand Skitty's feelings.
So.
She supported Skitty's decision.
"Alright."
Kazuya nodded, ultimately agreeing.
He also wanted to stay with Skitty.
It's just that this path was indeed very dangerous.
He didn't really want Skitty to bear these burdens alongside him.
The Skitty in his arms perked up her ears upon hearing this, and her face immediately lit up with joy: "I will definitely be able to help you!"
"Hehe, alright."
Kazuya grinned, reaching out to rub her large ears.
The world-saving squad went from five members to six.
Gaining a stubborn little cat.
Coincidentally.
He had forged two extra Heal Balls earlier.
He could take one out for Skitty to use.
With this.
Only one Heal Ball remained.
"Wait a minute, I need to get some things."
Skitty suddenly spoke, then hopped down and ran back into the Peace Daycare.
After a little while.
Skitty walked out carrying a small backpack.
Stuffed inside the backpack was the toy treasure chest they saw in the attic earlier.
"Won't you feel uncomfortable moving around carrying this?"
Kazuya looked at the bloated little cat, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"No."
Skitty shook her head, then pointed toward the Ever Grande Forest in the distance, "Let's go to the forest first! I have another treasure in a tree hollow in the forest!"
"Okay, okay."
Kazuya smiled and scooped up the little cat.
Everyone headed south together.
Stepping into the Ever Grande Forest.
Everyone was drawn to the grayish-white bamboo shoots in this forest.
"It seems even in this era, different regions produce some unique local flora. I haven't seen this kind of bamboo shoot in other regions before."
Lucario reached out and stroked the rough bamboo shoot.
Scizor beside him was even more direct.
Snap—!
He reached out and forcefully clamped down.
The bamboo shoot was snapped clean in half, revealing the pure white cambium layer inside.
"Is it edible?"
Dragonite stared at the white parts and asked curiously.
"Want to try? Who among you eats trees?"
Scizor spoke up.
The group of Pokémon all fell silent.
There were relatively few Pokémon in this world that fed on trees.
If Pangoro or Snorlax were here, they might be able to test out how this thing tasted.
The group continued forward.
Soon they arrived beneath the giant bamboo shoot in the very center of the Ever Grande Forest.
"Take me up there."
Skitty patted Kazuya's butt with her tail and pointed to the tree hollow above.
Although she could climb up herself.
Since she had Kazuya, who could fly and carry her.
Why go through the trouble?
"Yes, yes~"
Kazuya carried the little cat and flew up, going all the way to the entrance of the tree hollow.
Skitty hopped inside.
And then carried out a small Piplup wooden doll in her mouth.
"This is..."
Seeing this wooden doll, Kazuya couldn't help but zone out for a moment.
That happened 380 years ago.
At that time, Kazuya and Meowscarada were traveling to Jubilife City, where they met Rowan and Phalaenopsis.
They went out to eat together and ordered a few kid's meals.
The meals came with four small wooden dolls as gifts.
Meowscarada specifically asked for the Treecko wooden doll.
Originally, she also wanted a Sprigatito.
But Sprigatito wasn't particularly well-known in the Sinnoh region at that time, so there was no such wooden doll, and a Piplup wooden doll was randomly drawn instead.
It was quite a coincidence.
Kazuya reincarnated into a Piplup in his next life.
Perhaps that could be considered a small prophecy back then.
Later, when they were about to leave Ever Grande City again and part ways with Skitty.
Meowscarada left that Piplup doll for Skitty.
Hoping that the small wooden doll could accompany the little cat in her stead.
"I didn't expect you to still have it."
Kazuya smiled slightly, a nostalgic look on his face.
"Meow!"
Skitty nodded emphatically.
Over these years, it had always been this small wooden doll keeping her company.
Moreover.
Meowscarada was also an important family member!
Of course, she had to carefully preserve this symbol of their friendship!
When she saw Meowscarada in the future, she would properly show off the Piplup wooden doll to her.
Let Meowscarada see.
Just how well she had preserved the Piplup wooden doll!
This also symbolized that she had always carefully protected the bond between her and Meowscarada.
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