This Time, I'm Not Going To Be A Trainer. Chapter 347: A Gathering of Big Shots - Novel Cool

Chapter 347: A Gathering of Big Shots

Chapter 347: A Gathering of Big Shots

"Huh? A Poison Bebe?" Naoki exclaimed, his eyes widening at the sight of the peculiar energy cube before him. "Isn't that an Ultra Beast from the Alola region?"

How intriguing to find an energy cube with such an effect!

Naoki was intrigued by the odd-colored energy cube, which had a chance of attracting wild Pokemon like Poison Bebe when placed outdoors. This reminded him of the in-game setting where players would hunt and capture Pokemon in specific areas.

In those hunting grounds, Pokemon battles were prohibited, rendering conventional capture methods useless. Trainers had no choice but to lure wild Pokemon using energy cubes purchased at the entrance and then attempt to tame them.

However, energy cubes designed for specific Pokemon, like the one before him, were quite rare.

Holding the energy cube, Naoki turned to the taster, Golutton, and asked out of habit, "Want to give it a try?"

Golutton frantically shook its head, letting out an "Agghhhrrr!"

It poked at the Poke Balls on Naoki's belt, its expression filled with reluctance, indicating that it couldn't possibly eat another bite. It suggested that Naoki could call upon other Pokemon to taste-test instead.

Naoki hesitated and then decided against it.

He fell into deep thought, pondering the fact that these energy cubes were made from Berries. Logically, they shouldn't taste that bad, should they?

After a moment's hesitation, he pinched his nose and popped an energy cube into his mouth, much like how one might approach the king of fruits—the durian—for the first time.

Bitter, sour, and astringent, the flavor was indescribable as it hit his taste buds.

The next second, Naoki felt his brain fogging up and his stomach roiling.

He turned and buried his face in the trash can—and retched.

When Yuki walked in after finishing her work, the first thing she saw was Naoki hugging the trash can and throwing up into it.

One look was all it took for her to understand the situation.

With a stifled laugh, she said, "Looks like you've made an inedible energy cube!"

Naoki lifted his pale face and replied, "Miss Yuki..."

"Don't worry," Yuki reassured him. "Every Pokemon breeder goes through this. It's a rite of passage."

She walked over to inspect Naoki's energy cube-making station and then said, "It seems you've grasped the basics of energy cube creation. Now, I'll teach you something more advanced."

Naoki sipped on a bottle of sugary drink to soothe his upset stomach.

"Something more advanced?" he asked, intrigued.

Yuki nodded. "Only novice breeders rely solely on machines to make energy cubes. Top-tier breeders often take the time to handcraft their cubes, refining them with care."

"The latter method is more challenging," she continued, "but the resulting energy cubes are of much higher quality. Here, I've written down the process for you."

She handed him a piece of paper with the instructions.

Naoki took it and saw the intricate process of handcrafting energy cubes.

Baking, melting, simmering, mixing, compressing, and setting... Each step was complex and time-consuming, requiring several times more effort than using a machine.

"Machines have their limitations when it comes to the variety of energy cubes they can produce," Yuki explained. "Their capacity is fixed, allowing a maximum of only five Berries to be mixed at once."

"With handcrafted cubes, there's more flexibility. Take the famous Big Eater energy cubes, for example. Those special cubes are crafted by hand."

"By fusing and compressing the essence of dozens of Berries, a tiny energy cube is created. Just one of those cubes is enough to satisfy a big eater Pokemon like Snorlax."

Naoki instantly understood.

"So, certain specific energy cubes can only be made by hand?" he asked.

"Exactly," Yuki confirmed. "Machines are just machines. Even a large Berry processor can't compare to the human touch. They lack the warmth and emotion necessary to create truly exceptional energy cubes."

Naoki nodded thoughtfully.

He had assumed that if the process of making energy cubes was so simple, he could just buy a machine and be done with it. But now, he realized that wasn't enough.

"Here!" Yuki handed him another recipe. "This is the basic Big Eater energy cube formula. One cube made from this recipe will fill up a small Snorlax. Why don't you give it a try?"

Naoki took the recipe.

[Basic Big Eater Energy Cube Recipe: 2x Pecha Berry, 1x Cheri Berry, 1x Kelpsy Berry, 2x Qualot Berry, 1/3x Kebia Berry. Effect: Provides basic nutrition and fills the stomach of a Pokemon.]

Yuki pointed to a pot nearby. "You can use that to try out the recipe. I'll guide you through the process."

"Thanks, Miss Yuki," Naoki said gratefully.

He set to work, finding the corresponding Berries listed in the recipe, peeling, deseeding, and washing them thoroughly.

"This Berry has a soft texture and melts easily, so it should be added last. Its purpose is to add sweetness to the Energy Cube and improve its taste."

Naoki looked at the pot with utmost seriousness and concentration. When the mixture was ready, he turned off the heat, removed the jam, strained out the residue, and then poured it into a professional machine for compression.

Once the compression was complete, the final step was to pour the mixture into a mold to set.

Soon, all the preparations were complete, and five small, steaming Energy Cubes, made from seven Berries, were freshly produced.

Naoki looked down, and information about these Energy Cubes immediately appeared in his mind.

[Basic Big Eater Energy Cube (C+)

: Cooking Effect, Big Eater. This Energy Cube can satisfy a Pokemon's hunger. Just one is enough to fill the belly of a small Snorlax or any Pokemon with a smaller appetite.]

"Not bad!" Yuki gave him an appreciative glance. "The same principle applies to handmade Energy Cubes. Breeders need to experiment with different formulas, and you can also purchase formulas developed by other breeders."

"This is also a way for breeders to make money. If you ever discover a rare Energy Cube formula, you can sell it to the Breeders' Association or other breeders."

Upon hearing this, Naoki immediately thought of the [Poison Bebe Delicacy] formula he had just researched. That Energy Cube could be used to attract Poison Bebes.

However, Poison Bebes were not found in the Unova region. Although Ultra Wormholes could randomly appear anywhere in the world, the chances of encountering one here were still slim.

"Right, Miss Yuki, do you have a pen? I want to record the formula for the Energy Cube I just made," Naoki said, mainly because he was afraid he would forget later.

"Of course." Yuki took a pen out of her pocket.

Naoki wrote down the formula for Poison Bebe Delicacy.

To solidify his understanding of Energy Cube creation, Naoki spent the next few days practicing at the Breeders' Association.

During this time, Alder only visited once or twice. Upon learning that Naoki was in the midst of training, he refrained from disturbing him and instead returned to his own affairs.

Volcarona's body had healed, and the Unova League's Champion position remained vacant. Before a new Champion emerged, Alder felt responsible for fulfilling the Champion's duty of guiding more Trainers and Pokemon toward each other.

Alder's sudden return and change surprised the other four Unova Elite Four members.

Especially when they learned that Volcarona, who had been on the brink of death, had recovered to its peak condition—this news left them utterly shocked.

As Naoki busied himself with practicing Energy Cube creation, the outside world was also undergoing significant changes.

Fanba City was especially bustling these days.

Luxurious cruise ships, private jets, and special charter flights arrived one after another.

Famous businessman Sakaki from the Kanto region.

The heir of the God Dragon Family and the Dragon-type Elite Four and Champion of the Kanto region, Lance.

Top Pokemon researcher, Professor Oak.

President Stone of the Devon Corporation from the Hoenn region.

Sinnoh's strongest Champion, Cynthia.

Unova's Psychic-type Elite Four, Caitlin, and Ghost-type Elite Four, Shauntal.

Kalos' Champion and celebrity, Kalos.

And the various noble families from the Pasio region, including the boss of the Rotom Tech Company and his daughter, Nemmo.

Four days later, Naoki finally mastered the technique of making Energy Cubes.

That afternoon, Alder rushed to the Breeders' Association to find Naoki, who was engrossed in experimenting with Berry combinations for Energy Cubes.

"How's it going?" Alder asked.

"Almost there!" Naoki breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks to Miss Yuki, I can now make special Energy Cubes as well."

"In that case, let's go!" Alder smiled.

Naoki was taken aback. "What?"

Alder said, "The time has come. That dinner is about to start!"

Only then did Naoki react, realizing what Alder was talking about. He was surprised. "So soon?!"

Alder twitched his lips. "It's been four days since you arrived in the Unova region. I just received news that all the guests for the banquet have arrived; we're the only ones missing."

Upon hearing this, Naoki immediately put down what he was doing. He hadn't forgotten the main reason for his visit to the Unova region—to deliver the Rotom smartphone's proposal to the boss of the Rotom Tech Company.

Naoki was at a loss for words.

Alder, standing beside him, consoled, "Don't worry! She definitely knows your intentions. Leave it to me to thank her properly on your behalf later!"

"Please do," Naoki replied, as there seemed to be no other option at the moment.

And so, Naoki stepped out of the doors of the Breeders' Association and, led by Alder, set off for the venue of the evening's banquet.

Alder drove a sedan through the streets of Fanba City, and after traversing several roads, the car came to a halt in front of a luxurious mansion on the outskirts of the city.

As evening fell, the place was already bustling with guests, the estate aglow with lights.

Gentlemen in suits, elegant ladies from prestigious families in evening gowns, boys and girls in little suits and party dresses, and young people dressed as trainers were streaming into the mansion.

It was evident from the get-go that this was a gathering of high society.

Naoki, who had only ever seen such scenes on television, felt like a country bumpkin experiencing the big city for the first time, and he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.

Everyone present was from a wealthy background, while he was the only farmer from the countryside, and he felt incredibly out of place...

Alder turned off the car engine and said, "We're here. Pretty grand, isn't it? All of this belongs to Chairman Kishu."

"Oh wow!" Naoki exclaimed.

Alder turned to him and noticed his nervous expression.

He couldn't help but chuckle. "You're nervous, huh?"

Naoki didn't mind Alder teasing him. "I'm just a farmer, and I've never been to a place like this before."

His identity seemed completely out of place in this setting.

"Don't worry!" Alder reassured him. "Even if you're a farmer, you're the best there is! If anyone should be nervous, it's the other trainers who might have to face you in a battle. They should be worried about not being good enough!"

Naoki was speechless.

Alder got out of the car and, without waiting for Naoki, started calling out to Golutton, "Come on, Golutton, get down! I'll take you to get some good food!"

"Agghhhrrr!" Golutton, who had been subsisting on energy cubes for the past few days, lit up at the mention of food. He jumped out of the car and followed after Alder, turning back to look at Naoki.

Naoki followed with a helpless expression on his face.

Thanks to Alder's comforting words, he felt a little less intimidated.

After all, Alder was right; he just needed to stay calm and not be overly humble or arrogant, and he'd be fine.

With this realization, Naoki felt much more relaxed.

Although Alder looked rough on the outside, he was actually quite considerate.

He deliberately avoided people he knew and led Naoki and Golutton through the gardens, soon arriving at an area filled with all sorts of delicious food and fine wine.

At that moment, several trainers and their Pokemon were already enjoying the spread.

Alder released his Volcarona and let it join Golutton in feasting on the huge chicken legs, just like Ash Ketchum's Pikachu.

He then took two glasses of red wine from a passing waiter and handed one to Naoki. "Have a drink before the banquet begins. We still have some time."

Naoki took the glass and sipped along with Alder. Just as he was about to say something, he heard a voice from behind them.

"Alder? Is that you?"

Alder turned around and, upon seeing the speaker, burst into laughter. "Caitlin and Shauntal! It's been a while. How have you two been?"

The blonde-haired girl named Shauntal rolled her eyes. "You're still as rowdy as ever."

As the three of them chatted, Naoki's gaze shifted to the woman standing beside Caitlin and Shauntal, who had remained silent.

Their eyes met briefly, and Caitlin politely nodded before turning to Alder. "It's been a while, Alder."

"It's been a while, Miss Caitlin," Alder replied with a smile. "I thought I wouldn't get to see you this year either."

Caitlin smiled warmly.

Meanwhile, Caitlin and Shauntal quietly glanced at the young man standing next to Alder.

"Oh, almost forgot," Alder said. "Let me introduce my friend, the Unova region's Ghost-type Elite Four, Caitlin, and Psychic-type Elite Four, Shauntal. And this young lady here is the Sinnoh region's Champion, Cynthia."

"Nice to meet you," Naoki said, bowing slightly.

"And this is Naoki," Alder continued. "He's the champion trainer from the Pasio region."

(End of Chapter)

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