Chapter 53: The Shining Leaf

[Rare Material: Charred Charcoal from the Oak Forest.]
[Description: High-quality charcoal burned from the timber of the Oak Forest. It is said to be capable of purifying both water and air.]
[Effect: When held by a Pokémon, the power of Fire-type moves is increased by 20%.]
[Unique Effect: The power of Fire-type moves is additionally increased by 15%. If held by a Fire-type Pokémon for an extended period, its Fire-type energy will gradually increase while simultaneously awakening its latent potential.]
[Crafting Method: Flame Forging Technique (B-): A forging craft capable of utilizing various elemental materials. Items crafted with this method possess miraculous enhancement properties for Fire-type, Steel-type, and Psychic-type Pokémon.]

"Oh, I've unlocked 'Forging'!"

Now the forge in the workshop could be put to regular use! Firing pottery, making glassware, and forging metals!

And it wasn't just about obtaining materials.

[Crafting task completed!]
[Acquired Knowledge: Accelerated Firing: Item firing speed +15%]

The effects of crafted items matched those displayed in the rare materials. As for the Charred Charcoal, Kouya vaguely remembered that it was actually an item from the Pokémon Trading Card Game—pitch-black charcoal with flames erupting from its cracks.

Next, a clue for a random material was acquired:

[Material: Leftovers]
[Acquisition Location: Workshop's Berry Orchard, deep within the Shinoh Forest, Nameless Berry Grove, carried by a Hisuian Electrode.]
[Corresponding Craft: Unique Leftovers Crafting Technique.]

"Eh?"

Kouya blinked in surprise.

While many items served both as battle items and natural materials, Kouya had genuinely never expected Leftovers to have a crafting method of its own, and... did it actually exist in the real Pokémon world?

Wasn't this basically just the half-eaten Berries left behind by ordinary Pokémon?

In battles, consuming it normally would slowly restore health. But thinking about it that way felt a bit strange. If a Pokémon carried a pristine Berry and then consumed it during battle without finishing it in one bite, could it simultaneously achieve the effect of "Berry HP recovery + Leftovers HP recovery"?

"If it's holding a large Sitrus Berry, takes a bite in a crisis to restore its health to a healthy state, and then nibbles away at the remainder sparingly, wouldn't that make it invincible? A single bite of leftovers could restore a quarter of its HP!"

Although he was just making a sarcastic mental remark, Kouya increasingly felt that such a tactic was feasible.

"Speaking of the 'Leftovers Crafting Technique,' is its preparation method just mixing together some leftover Berries?"

Like turning them into juice, perhaps?

Maybe there was no need to insist on using a leftover apple core to represent it like in the games.

If made into juice, it should probably be called "Remaining Berry Juice," with every sip restoring one-sixteenth of maximum health.

"The Nameless Berry Grove... could it be the original habitat of Petilil and her companions? Generally speaking, leftover items are carried by Munchlax and Snorlax; the fact that it's shown as being carried by a Hisuian Electrode is extremely suspicious."

...

June 29th, clear skies.

When the roar of a Charizard echoed across the distant horizon once more, Kouya finished carving his final sculpture.

"All the orders are done!"

Exhausted, Kouya sat down by the doorway. Doublade and Petilil leaned against him—they, too, had worked extremely hard!

[Doublade has completed its work! Gained experience and growth!]
[Acquired Knowledge: Fluent Carving—Attack speed of slashing-type moves increased by 15%.]
[Learned Move: Pursuit!]
[Petilil has completed its work! Gained experience and growth!]
[Acquired Knowledge: Rock-Breaking Might—Damage of physical and special attacks +10%.]
[Learned Move: Grass Knot!]

Both pieces of knowledge had been gained through repetitive labor. In Kouya's view, the effects of these two skills were quite exceptional!

The Charizard descended from the sky with a heavy thud. Instead of offering its usual routine greeting, it panted heavily, huffing and puffing. Glancing at the exhausted Kouya and the two Pokémon, the Charizard's expression seemed as though it wanted to scold someone, but it forcefully swallowed the words back down!

Well, looks like the client isn't having an easy time either!

"Awoo~"

Kouya: "Are you trying to say something?"
Charizard: "....."

There was a whole lot it wanted to say!

This is supposed to be such a remote area, so how on earth do you have so many business orders?! Flying back and forth like this is going to fly this dragon to death!

"Ha, you must be thinking of something impolite."

Kouya analyzed Charizard's thoughts from its expression. Actually, there wasn't much need to guess; it was definitely because of the recent increase in his orders.

"Next time, you guys might need to send a few more Pokémon here to help me pick up the goods. Otherwise, having just one is going to wear you out."

"Right, let me treat you to some herbal Berry juice. It's not bitter at all, and it tastes amazing."

After returning inside the house, Kouya whipped up a batch of herbal Berry juice.

Once Doublade and Petilil drank theirs, their energy was instantly restored!

The Charizard scratched its head. Initially, it had worried that eating things might upset its stomach and interfere with its work, so it never accepted food from Kouya. But looking at those two Pokémon, they seemed to be drinking it with great delight?

Should it give it a try?

Half-doubtful, the Charizard accepted a cup and chugged it down in one go.

Awoo~!

A refreshing sensation traveled straight from its throat throughout its entire body, instantly clearing up its mind quite a bit!

This taste is really good!

Oh, oh, strength and energy are surging back up!

"Awoo!"

Seeing Charizard's excited state, Kouya smiled as well. "Earlier, I noticed you were so enthusiastic about your work, so I guessed your nature was 'Adamant'—wait, no, 'Hardy'! That nature doesn't raise or lower any stats, and it accepts all flavors."

"Doesn't taste bad, right? This is my exclusive product; you can only drink it here!"

Charizard stuck out its tongue and frantically licked the empty juice cup clean, then looked back at Kouya, looking rather embarrassed.

"Want another cup? No problem at all."

Just as Kouya turned to go back inside, the Charizard made a sound. First, it indicated that the "wood carving" from last time was truly extraordinary. After it channeled its power into the wood carving following Kouya's instructions, its flying speed had suddenly become much faster!

Bro, your item is seriously amazing!

Right now, among all the Charizard in Mahogany Town, its speed is number one! Its coworkers were completely shocked!

"Ah, I'm glad it helped. So, did you win against that Dragonite?"

Kouya asked a question, whereupon the Charizard suddenly sighed, shook its head, and pointed toward the sky.

A dark shadow appeared in the sky once more, plunging downwards at breathtaking speed to make a landing!

"Wuu~"

A chubby belly, tiny dragon whiskers, delicate little wings, and plump tail and cheeks!

It was the Charizard's coworker, the "Dragonite" responsible for express deliveries across the Johto region!

So that was it—the opponent had used "Extreme Speed"!

Looks like it still couldn't beat them in competition.

Since the second Dragonite had arrived here, it must be assisting Charizard with picking up the cargo!

Kouya patted the Charizard to comfort it, then turned his gaze toward the chubby Dragonite.

"Does the client get a petting service?"

"Wuu~" The Dragonite proactively stepped forward and hugged Kouya. In an instant, the soft sensation relaxed Kouya's entire body.

No wonder this Dragonite's sales performance crushed the Charizard's.

Look at how enthusiastic this one is. Why did you have to be so aloof? Even though your nature is hard-working, everyone clearly prefers a Dragonite that is both capable and enthusiastic!

"Awoo~!"

Seeing Dragonite's display, the Charizard instantly grew somewhat dissatisfied!

That's my client! How can you be so affectionate with my client?!

"Awoo-wuu~"

The Charizard poked the Dragonite, signaling it not to get so close to Kouya. Instead of sensing Charizard's annoyance, the Dragonite turned around, gave the Charizard a brief hug, and patted it on the back.

Faced with such an enthusiastic hug-loving dragon, the Charizard instantly lost its temper, crossing its arms with a haughty, indifferent expression.

Petilil and Doublade were seeing Dragonite for the first time, and Dragonite enthusiastically scooped them both up into a hug!

"Wawa!" Petilil shook its leaves, thoroughly delighted. Dragonite's body felt miraculous; although it had nearly invisible scales, they weren't hard at all—instead, it was completely soft and squishy!

"Yowu~"
"Yopu~"

Doublade also shook its scabbard-like body. Dragonite's hug genuinely put it in a much better mood.

So enthusiastic!

"Well then, I'll have to trouble you with these goods!"

Kouya brought out more Berry juice to entertain Dragonite, and after drinking it, Dragonite's expression turned to one of pleasant surprise as well!

"Wuu!"

Watching Dragonite's comfortable expression, Kouya looked back at the aloof Charizard standing nearby with its eyes closed to rest and put on airs, and smiled as he said to Dragonite:

"Charizard specially saved this for you, you know."

"Wuu~?"

Dragonite turned its head to look at the aloof Charizard, which let out a huff!

Fine, whatever. Since you're my coworker and friend, I suppose I have to share the good stuff!

With a broad smile, Dragonite shuffled over, patted the Charizard, and gave it another hug.

"A combination of a clueless, enthusiastic Dragonite and a tsundere, hard-working Charizard. It's basically the protagonist and secondary protagonist of a manga!"

Kouya muttered internally. Meanwhile, the Charizard put its hands on its hips and told Dragonite that since the juice had been drunk, it was time to get back to delivering goods!

Work, work! Stop hugging me!

"Awoo awoo!"

Pushing Dragonite away, the Charizard grabbed the cargo and was the first to beat its wings, soaring high into the air!

"Wuu~" Dragonite waved its tail to bid Kouya farewell. However, just as it was about to leave, it seemed to remember something. It fumbled around in the pouch attached to its body and handed something over to Kouya.

"Awoo-wuu~~"

This is a thank-you gift for the Berry juice! It's just something I happened to find along the way; if you don't mind, please accept it! The Charizard found this too, and told me to bring it to you, you know!

I'll be sure to bring you some rare and wonderful goods next time I pass by!

"This is...?"

Kouya accepted the two tokens of gratitude. They were a "Golden Leaf" and a "Silver Leaf"!

[Precious Material: Shining Leaves (Two Types)!]
[Description: A miraculous golden leaf. No tree capable of growing such leaves has ever been discovered.]
[Description: A miraculous silver leaf. No tree capable of growing such leaves has ever been discovered.]
[Acquired Knowledge: 2]
[Leaf Mutation: Any trees or bushes you cultivate have a 10% chance of growing multiple golden or silver leaves.]
[Mysterious Inscription: A piece of arcane knowledge. Writing according to its contents and pairing it with the corresponding mystical craft allows for the creation of exceptionally unique items. Additionally, it can be used to carve secret phrases onto fixed facilities to apply seals (requires any one of Psychic, Spiritual Power, or Aura).]
[Acquired Craft: 1]
[Mysterious Certificate Crafting Technique (A): A craft that utilizes Pokémon materials, natural materials, and special leaves to create special certificates! Utilizing special leaves grants the corresponding certificates unique abilities.]
[Drawing ticket-like certificates allows you to travel to specific special locations (requires corresponding drafting techniques).]
[Craftable Items: "Focus Sash (Silver)", "Wide Lens (Gold)".]