A new companion had joined the workshop. However, when Hikaru released Petilil again and assigned her a task, she seemed confused.

She tilted her head and made a questioning sound.

“Lili?”

Work? Does that mean constant battling?

Petilil didn’t understand what “work” meant, but Hikaru explained that he wanted her to help the herbs grow. In return, he would provide her with useful medicinal plants.

“It’s just like how you trade your leaves for medicine—putting in effort to receive something in return. The main thing you spend is time. Your work is to help me manage the herbs and crops, assisting them in growing.”

“Helping me with work is different from helping others. I am an artisan who specializes in crafting items with special powers and collecting rare materials. Through this process, both of us will gradually grow stronger and improve.”

“Lili?”

Petilil still had many doubts, but the mention of herbs caught her interest. When she shifted her gaze toward them, Hikaru nodded.

“Yes, Revival Herbs can be part of your reward.”

“So, you need to help them grow quickly.”

“I was worried about Oddish coming here because they tend to scatter seeds everywhere. They don’t mean any harm, but their presence negatively affects the growth of herbs. Every Pokémon species has different attributes, and even Pokémon of the same type have unique ecological traits, natural behaviors, and varying effects on their surroundings.”

Hikaru explained that he hadn’t driven her away from the herb garden out of dislike.

Honedge chimed in, mentioning that Hikaru had once spoken about a powerful Grass-type Pokémon from a distant land. Unlike other Grass-types, its presence caused forests to wither and lands to decay.

“Yo!”

Of course, such a Pokémon wouldn’t appear here. But since each Grass-type had different habits and abilities, their effects on farmland varied.

Petilil was immediately fascinated.

“Lili~!”

A Grass-type Pokémon that destroys forests and soil?

“If you think about it, Pokémon are truly mysterious—even you don’t fully understand your own kind. For us humans, the key is learning how to coexist with Pokémon while maintaining balance.”

Hikaru smiled as Petilil pondered this before finally agreeing to his request.

This wasn’t a capture—it was merely cooperation, just like when Hikaru asked Dugtrio and Diglett to help till the fields.

Guided by Hikaru and Honedge, Petilil strolled through the herb and crop fields. Hikaru introduced the different planting areas, estimated growth speeds, and various farming techniques, including methods for cultivating berries.

Petilil listened with widening eyes, overwhelmed by all the information.

She was a Grass-type Pokémon, yet she didn’t understand any of this!

Human knowledge… is amazing!

“Pokémon rely on their attributes and instincts to survive—Grass-types live in forests, Ground-types in deserts, Rock-types in caves, Water-types near lakes. But humans are different. We must acquire knowledge and use resources wisely to thrive in all environments.”

After the tour, Hikaru wanted to assess her moveset and learn about the Pokémon she had been fighting.

“Knowing your enemy’s type, ability, and moves lets you strategize and increase your chances of winning.”

Petilil, initially stubborn, now seemed less confident. Hikaru’s knowledge was overwhelming, leaving her unsure of herself.

However, Honedge’s encouragement reassured her.

“Lili~ Lili~ Waa!”

“Yo yo.”

Petilil described her “enemies,” and Honedge translated:

They were round Pokémon that looked like wooden balls—six in total. One was noticeably larger with a fierce gaze.

The smaller ones had brown lower halves and red upper halves, with somewhat goofy expressions.

The largest one had the colors reversed—red on the bottom and brown on the top.

These Pokémon arrived at Petilil’s home at the end of spring. Though few in number, they scattered electrically charged seeds everywhere—and even exploded!

“…Hisuian Voltorb and Hisuian Electrode?”

Hikaru’s expression changed.

The color scheme wasn’t that of normal Voltorb and Electrode—it was the Hisuian form!

According to records, Hisuian Voltorb and Electrode had bodies composed of apricorn-like material. Their typing was Electric/Grass, and they had the abilities Soundproof, Static, and Aftermath.

However, Hisuian Voltorb were supposed to be cheerful and friendly, often gathering in groups to laugh together—quite the opposite of their perpetually angry Kantonian counterparts.

A battle for territory… with Pokémon whose bodies resemble apricorns… and a form that had supposedly disappeared for over a hundred years?

“Wait—does this mean Petilil’s original habitat was full of apricorn trees?”

Apricorns thrived in fertile soil. If Petilil’s territory overlapped with an apricorn grove, then this struggle made sense.

However, since Hisuian Voltorb were thought to be extinct and Petilil were extremely rare in Sinnoh, this conflict was incredibly unlikely—a territorial battle between Grass-types for soil and apricorn land.

Hikaru was intrigued.

If that area really has apricorn trees…

Apricorns were crucial for crafting Poké Balls and Sticky Globs.

“I see… Sinnoh’s climate has changed, leading to the decline of Hisuian Pokémon. However, this forgotten ancient land in Johto retains a similar environment, allowing Hisuian Pokémon to persist.”

“Perhaps some Pokémon were brought here by ancient Sinnohan settlers and have since taken root.”

“One of the Hisuian Voltorb must have evolved into a Hisuian Electrode and decided to claim Petilil’s territory to expand its species.”

No wonder Petilil always returned battered—she had been fighting walking explosives the entire time!

“In any case, by working with me, you’ll become stronger. But first, show me what moves you’ve learned.”

Honedge volunteered for a sparring session, giving Petilil a chance to demonstrate her abilities.

During the fight, Hikaru took out a notebook and began recording her techniques.

First were the powder-based moves—Stun Spore and Sleep Powder, followed by Leech Seed. However, due to the rain, the powder became sticky and ineffective against Honedge.

Hikaru then saw her use Protect—a faint green barrier blocked one of Honedge’s casual attacks.

However, by the second round, she struggled to defend properly. She attempted Magical Leaf and Giga Drain, but when Honedge finally overpowered her, she used a rather peculiar move.

There was nothing in front of her, yet it seemed as though an air punch had been thrown—faint energy rippled forward, directly striking Honedge.

However, it had no effect.

Ghost-types are immune!

“Vacuum Wave? No… Petilil can’t learn that move.”

“A Normal-type attack with no special effects… could it be Endure?”

That seemed plausible. Petilil could indeed learn Endure.

Considering how she had repeatedly “endured” her way back to her home, it made sense for her to have this move.

Normal-type moves couldn’t affect Ghost-types, but physical force still existed—Honedge had a tangible body, after all.

Still, the impact was weak, barely stronger than Tackle. Honedge only paused momentarily before resuming its assault.

Did she learn this move in her battles for her home?

Would her next move be…

“Yo!”

Honedge used Psycho Cut, but Petilil didn’t fall.

Instead, a focus-building effect activated before the attack landed.

“As I thought—Endure.”

She had Protect, Endure, and Flail.

Petilil was way too determined.

Protect blocked one explosion. Endure withstood another. That still left two more self-destructing bombs.

Finally, she used Synthesis—but since it was raining, she barely recovered any HP. Soon, Honedge defeated her.

[Moveset: Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, Leech Seed, Magical Leaf, Giga Drain, Flail, Protect, Endure.]

[Ability: Own Tempo.]

Hikaru noted down his findings.

[Petilil—A Pokémon from Ilex Forest.]

[Slightly stubborn personality.]

[Met in the herb garden outside the workshop.]

[Dislikes bitter flavors.]

[Unyielding spirit.]

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep