Chapter 3: Nichiyo Forest

The apartment where N currently resided was located on the outskirts of Nichiyo (Sunday) City, within the Japan region. Amidst the bustling commercial metropolis of Nichiyo, the location of this apartment could only be described as absurdly remote. Furthermore, the building bordered a sprawling woodland teeming with Pokémon.

Its name was the Nichiyo Forest.

Stretching across an area roughly one-third the size of the city itself, the forest held a monopoly over the routes leading from Nichiyo to other neighboring cities. Naturally, the population of wild Pokémon within was staggering. Every year, hopeful souls attempted to venture deep into its heart to capture Pokémon, but unfortunately, the Nichiyo Forest was deceptively vast.

The deeper one traveled, the more ferocious and powerful the wild Pokémon became. Even those who entered with a team of their own were not guaranteed to walk back out on their own two feet.

But today, an anomaly walked the woods.

Along a narrow forest trail, brilliant golden shafts of light pierced through the canopy of ancient trees, dappling the brim of the young man’s black-and-grey cap. His long hair, as lush and green as the forest itself, seemed to radiate vitality under the sun’s touch.

He was an outlier. Possessing the Viridian Power, he was a favorite of nature; his innate affinity allowed the vast majority of wild Pokémon to sense no ill will from him, or at the very least, ensured they would never initiate an attack.

This was why N could stroll through the Nichiyo Forest with such airy nonchalance, his movements as practiced as if he were wandering through his own backyard. Occasionally, a bold Taillow would flutter down to rest on his shoulder, affectionately nuzzling his cheek.

The direction he was headed was straight into the heart of the Nichiyo Forest.

Compared to the skyscraper-clotted city, this dense, towering forest felt like an entirely different realm. As a human, N should have been an interloper in this "world," yet the branches and emerald grasses on all sides seemed to part of their own accord, opening a path for his entry.

Curious wild Pokémon watched from a distance. A few daring Aipom swung through the trees, closing in out of curiosity, while even the usually skittish Caterpie did not flee.

"It should be right about... here, shouldn't it?"

With a soft, self-assured murmur, N dropped into a half-squat, his gaze fixed intently on a hollow at the base of a tree. Before him stood a massive, gnarled tree with a crooked trunk draped in vines, sheltering a naturally formed burrow.

Thud.

N produced a plump, succulent Oran Berry and placed it gently at the mouth of the hollow. As the berry’s unique, delicate fragrance wafted into the burrow, a small figure emerged with unhurried grace.

"Pika-pi!"

It was an electric mouse with yellow fur and brown stripes, the ubiquitous Pokémon known as Pikachu. However, this Pikachu was special. The moment it crawled out, a flash of cunning crossed its eyes, and it quickly extended a paw to snatch the berry.

"Stop pretending."

N rested his chin on one hand, a playful glint shimmering in his emerald eyes. At his words, the "Pikachu" gave a small smirk. Then, the air seemed to ripple with a microscopic distortion.

In the blink of an eye, the yellow electric mouse vanished, replaced by a Pokémon of similar stature.

It was a fox-like Pokémon covered in charcoal-grey fur. Its pale blue eyes sparkled with a smug luster. Burning, crimson fur accented its neck, paws, and the area around its eyes. Even though its cover had been blown, it continued to unceremoniously munch on the Oran Berry.

"Zua!"

The Tricky Fox Pokémon, Zorua.

This was a species born with a powerful talent for Illusion, capable of transforming into humans or other Pokémon to hide their identity or evade danger. They were exceptionally rare in the wild. The vast majority of the Zorua line never revealed their true forms in nature; even if a Trainer were lucky enough to encounter one, they would likely be deceived by its appearance and never discover its true identity.

"My goal is simple: become my partner."

N’s Viridian Power allowed him to see the "Potential" radiating from a Pokémon. In his eyes, the Zorua before him, glowing with a golden aura, possessed the highest potential of any Pokémon he had ever encountered.

[Zorua]

Level: Mid Elite 

Potential: Special Grade

A Pokémon with "Special Grade" potential!

Common wild Pokémon usually possessed "Low Grade" or average aptitude. The "Starter" Pokémon distributed by the League were typically "Middle Grade."

"High Grade" Pokémon were one in a hundred.

A Pokémon with average Middle Grade potential would typically remain stuck at the quasi Elite Four level for its entire life without a significant stroke of luck. However, a High Grade Pokémon had the opportunity to break through the barrier to the Elite Four level.

And a "Special Grade" like this Zorua? It was a different story entirely. One day, it would have the chance to reach the Champion level, touching the very pinnacle of the Trainer world.

"Zua?"

Zorua looked slightly taken naked by N’s directness. It scratched its small head with a paw, looking somewhat troubled. It was a "lone wolf" Pokémon that had left its pack, living solo in this forest for a long time.

By chance, it had encountered this human. Its pride and joy, its Illusion, had been seen through at a single glance. While that had initially given Zorua a fright, it also sparked an intense curiosity.

Usually, the human just came by to drop off a berry. This time, he wanted Zorua to be his Pokémon?

Zorua’s mouth curled into a grin. It took two steps back and crooked a paw at N in a clear come-on. The provocative gesture was unmistakable: it wanted the human to prove his worth through battle!

"Oh dear, that’s a bit of a problem. I don't actually have a Pokémon of my own yet."

N scratched the edge of his black-and-white cap, looking a bit embarrassed. Naturally, his admission reached the ears of the crowd of wild Pokémon watching from the sidelines. Several hopped forward with sparkling eyes, expressing their excitement.

Caterpie, Pidgey, Spearow, Pinsir...

Because N had spent the last few years in the Nichiyo Forest, he had long since become well-acquainted with the local wildlife. Seeing the situation, a group of wild Pokémon crowded around without hesitation, all offering to help.

The sight was enough to leave any onlooker in absolute shock.

"Thank you, everyone... Hmm. In that case, I choose you! I'll have to trouble you to be my temporary partner."

A smile played on N’s lips as he gently picked up a Bulbasaur from the crowd. The chosen Pokémon was momentarily stunned, but its expression quickly shifted to one of surprise and intense excitement. It was clearly raring for a fight.

"Zua, Zua~"

Zorua shook its proud fox head with a sigh. It might excel at illusions, but its actual combat strength was nothing to scoff at. It had already bested almost every wild Pokémon in this sector; few could stand against it.

Rustle, rustle...

The wild Pokémon on all sides instinctively drew back, forming a wide circle around N and Zorua. Bulbasaur stood defiantly before N, dropping into a low combat stance.

"In that case... let's begin."