Two days later, at the Pokémon Center training grounds on Melemele Island—
"Eevee!!"
A sharp Iron Tail came crashing down from above, striking Turtonator squarely on the head.
"Turto..."
The Fire-type Pokémon let out a pained cry before collapsing with a thunderous crash.
[Ding! Victory against a higher-level opponent achieved.]
[Obtained +1 Special Attack Talent Point.]
[Hidden Mission: Partner Eevee battle progress increased to (7/10)!]
Hearing the system notification, Peter smiled.
"You've gotten stronger again, Eevee~"
"Eevee~!"
The little fox immediately leaped into his arms and affectionately licked his face.
Kiawe recalled Turtonator and shook his head helplessly.
"Sigh... Beating you is way too hard, Peter."
"Well, you're still young," Whitney comforted him. "One day you'll grow far beyond what seems impossible right now."
"That makes me feel better~"
Peter and Whitney exchanged a smile before seeing Kiawe off.
After capturing Bewear, neither of them had rushed to leave Alola.
After all, the Bear God had lived in that forest for years. Saying goodbye to its home couldn't happen overnight.
As a result, Peter devoted his time to training his Pokémon.
Most of all, he focused on developing silent-command battles with Eevee.
Kiawe had merely been dragged over to serve as today's sparring partner, conveniently helping Peter complete another mission battle.
Over the past two days, Peter had also challenged the four Island Kahunas seven separate times.
On average, each Kahuna had battled him twice.
Adding those matches to the battle against Bewear and the team's daily training sessions, nearly every member of his roster had seen significant growth.
Team Progress
Lopunny Lv.58
Attack: 180 → 200
Total Talent: 640
Arboliva Lv.57
HP: 120 → 130
Defense: 150 → 160
Total Talent: 650
Indeedee Lv.56
Special Attack: 200 → 220
Total Talent: 635
Slaking Lv.57
Learned Poison Jab and X-Scissor, expanding its offensive coverage.
Zoroark Lv.55
Attack & Special Attack: 140 → 150
Total Talent: 610
Braviary Lv.54
HP: 100 → 120
Total Talent: 590
Ursaluna Lv.53
Defense & Special Defense: 90 → 100
Total Talent: 630
Blissey Lv.48
Defense & Special Defense: 150 → 160
Total Talent: 600
Eevee Lv.45
Learned Roar.
Also learned how to use Weather Ball under Arboliva's guidance.
Its mastery of Last Resort had advanced to the Transcendent tier.
Pidgeot Lv.44
Special Attack: 140 → 160
Total Talent: 560
Silvally Lv.61
Attack & Special Attack: 110 → 120
Total Talent: 640
Bewear Lv.71
HP: 180 → 230
Total Talent: 650
————
Aside from Bewear, who hadn't participated in battles, Peter's mixed first and second teams had become frighteningly powerful.
Against opponents of the current Alolan level, they could routinely achieve ridiculous feats like winning four-versus-six or even three-versus-six battles.
Of course, that was partly because the Island Kahunas weren't purely battle-focused trainers.
Sophocles' grandfather, especially, wasn't in the best health, and Hapu had often stepped in on his behalf.
After one battle, Peter decided not to trouble him further.
Molayne, on the other hand, seemed determined to help Peter improve.
Over just two days, he had challenged Peter to three full battles.
It was so obvious he was intentionally feeding Peter experience that Peter eventually felt guilty and treated him to two enormous meals.
During that time, Peter also visited Professor Burnet and collected the package she wanted delivered to Professor Juniper in Unova.
Since he'd be passing through Unova on the way back to Sinnoh anyway, it wouldn't be any trouble.
Though the intense training had produced tremendous gains, the Island Kahunas were busy people.
They had disputes between residents to mediate.
Island problems to solve.
Endless responsibilities.
Peter didn't want to keep bothering them.
By now, Bewear had probably finished handling everything back at its forest home as well.
It was finally time to leave.
After lunch, Peter and Whitney headed toward the forest with Eevee and Audino in their arms.
Before they even reached Bewear's nest, a rich fruity fragrance filled the air.
A few moments later, they rounded a corner.
Peter stopped dead in his tracks.
Whitney's mouth fell open.
Before them stood—
A mountain.
Not a mountain of stone.
A mountain made entirely of Berries.
Next to it were two gigantic vats carved from massive trees, each large enough for several people to wrap their arms around.
Both were filled to the brim with Honey.
And that wasn't all.
Beside them sat another barrel.
Filled with golden Alolan Nectar.
In the games, this nectar was used to change Oricorio's form into the Electric-type Pom-Pom Style.
But in the anime world, it was an incredibly rare culinary ingredient.
Far rarer than ordinary Honey.
Peter had absolutely no idea how many neighboring Pokémon Bewear had "borrowed" from to gather this much.
If they used it solely for making Pokéblocks...
They probably wouldn't run out for a year.
After all, the higher the quality of the ingredient, the less was usually needed.
For example, Peter had received dozens of Revival Herbs from Nurse Joy long ago.
Despite feeding more than ten hungry mouths every day, they had only used two of them so far.
The moment Bewear noticed them arrive—
It immediately rushed over and pulled both Peter and Whitney into a gigantic bear hug.
CRACK.
SQUEEZE.
CRACK.
"Stop, stop, stop! My waist is breaking!!"
"Bewear~"
"..."
...
By the time Peter and Whitney finished stuffing everything into the Space Backpack...
Two and a half hours had passed.
At last—
Their journey home could officially begin.
"Braviary, come on out!"
A flash of light appeared.
The dark-blue eagle emerged.
Peter helped Whitney onto its back.
However—
Before he could give the order to depart, his phone suddenly rang.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"Hello, Mr. Peter. This is Nurse Joy from Melemele Island. A package addressed to you has just arrived at the front desk. Please come pick it up when convenient~"
"A package?"
Peter blinked.
"Alright, I'll head over right away."
After hanging up, he turned toward Whitney.
"Babe, did you order more stockings?"
"No!"
Whitney's face instantly turned red.
"Besides... haven't you already bought every style they sell online?"
She lowered her voice.
"Even... those kinds..."
"Hehe~ You're right."
Peter couldn't resist pinching her blushing cheek.
"Well, let's go see. Maybe somebody mailed something to me."
...
A few minutes later, they returned to the Pokémon Center.
Nurse Joy brought out a strangely decorated package.
The colorful design looked oddly familiar.
Peter frowned.
"This thing... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before."
Curious, he opened the box.
Inside rested a Pokémon Egg.
The shell was primarily green, decorated with dark-green tire-like patterns.
"Huh? A Pokémon Egg?"
Whitney leaned closer.
Peter focused on the information panel.
[Cyclizar ♂ Lv.0 (Egg Form)]
Ability: Regenerator
(Gradually restores HP when it has not taken damage for a long time or after returning to its Poké Ball.)
Talent: 490
(Species Maximum: 501)
HP: 70
Attack: 90
Defense: 60
Special Attack: 90
Special Defense: 60
Speed: 120
Inherited Moves:
Iron Tail
Aqua Tail
Power Whip
Description:
A newly laid Pokémon Egg originating from an Elite Four-tier Cyclizar.
————
"Cyclizar..."
Peter's eyes immediately lit up.
Cyclizar was a Pokémon whose body naturally resembled a motorcycle.
It possessed an innate ability to carry riders.
Its temperament was famously gentle and cooperative.
More importantly, it had access to the signature move Shed Tail.
A move comparable to a combination of Substitute and Baton Pass, allowing it to leave behind a Substitute before switching out and bringing in a teammate safely.
Combined with its balanced base stats, broad offensive coverage, and access to the rare boosting move Shift Gear—
which raised Attack by one stage and Speed by two—
Cyclizar was unquestionably an outstanding Pokémon worth investing in.
And judging by the sender's mysterious package...
It seemed Peter's next surprise had already arrived.