MTLNOVEL Chapter 23: CHAPTER 23
That night, during dinner, Aoki and Norman sat together, discussing Pokémon training in depth.
Norman shared his experiences as a Gym Leader, particularly his struggles to balance Slaking's raw power with its Truant Ability. Aoki, in turn, explained his specialized training methods and how Pokéblocks played a crucial role in enhancing a Pokémon's potential.
However, before their conversation could go any further, a loud commotion erupted outside.
"What happened?" Norman frowned.
Without hesitation, he rushed out. Aoki followed, with May and Max hurrying close behind.
As soon as they stepped outside, they saw Boss Lairon and Vigoroth engaged in a heated argument. The normally composed Boss Lairon looked particularly furious, stomping the ground aggressively.
Nearby, Combusken and Frogadier were also quarreling, both of them glaring at Slaking, who stood awkwardly, looking guilty.
Norman, sensing something was off, turned to his Pokémon. "Slaking, what's going on?"
Slaking scratched its head, unable to explain.
Before it could respond, Combusken and Frogadier ran to Aoki, each grabbing one of his legs while chirping and croaking furiously.
Aoki instantly understood.
"Uncle, it looks like your Pokémon stole my Pokéblocks, and that started a fight."
Norman's face stiffened.
A Gym Leader's Pokémon stealing food? That was embarrassing. It almost sounded like he wasn't feeding them properly.
But when Norman glanced at the food in question, he was taken aback.
Aoki's Pokéblocks weren't the ordinary type. Each cube shimmered with a faint, multicolored glow—high-grade Pokéblocks infused with optimal nutrients.
Norman picked up a piece of Celadon Pokéblock, inspecting it closely.
Curious, he took a small bite.
The moment it touched his tongue, his eyes widened in shock.
"These are delicious! No wonder my Pokémon wanted them so badly… Aoki, you made these yourself, didn't you?"
Aoki nodded.
"That's right. My Pokémon's strength comes from training, but these Pokéblocks play a huge role as well."
May suddenly chimed in. "Yeah, Dad! My Aron loves them too!"
Norman glanced at his Pokémon.
Slaking, Vigoroth, and the others still had Covet in their eyes, clearly craving more of Aoki's Pokéblocks.
He then looked at Aoki's Pokémon.
Their coats were sleek, their muscles well-defined, and Boss Lairon's steel armor shined with an almost mirror-like finish.
It was clear—these Pokéblocks were top-tier Pokémon food.
Aoki wasn't just a great trainer. He was also an exceptional Pokémon Breeder.
"Aoki, would you be willing to sell me some of these Pokéblocks?"
Norman wasn't the type to take advantage of others. Even though Aoki was practically family, he wouldn't ask for the recipe outright.
Besides, if Aoki and May grew closer in the future, he might not even need to.
Aoki's eyes gleamed.
A business opportunity!
He had plenty of high-end Pokéblocks, but he lacked the funds to buy rare Berries in bulk.
Norman, a Gym Leader and a future Elite, was loaded.
A perfect customer.
"That's no problem, Uncle, but these Pokéblocks require rare Berries, so the price—"
"The price doesn't matter." Norman waved his hand dismissively. "I'll buy as much as you can make."
Aoki grinned.
He had found himself a big spender—no, a valued customer.
He could make a small fortune from this deal.
After all, the best-quality Berries were monopolized by major corporations, making them ridiculously expensive.
Thankfully, his system had gifted him Celadon Berries in bulk. But at this rate, his supply wouldn't last forever.
That night, Aoki stayed over at the Petalburg Gym.
The next morning, as he prepared to leave, he left behind a generous amount of basic Pokéblocks.
But as for Celadon Pokéblocks?
Absolutely not.
"Uncle, I also made these basic Pokéblocks. I don't have enough materials for Celadon Pokéblocks, but these are still great quality."
Norman accepted them without hesitation.
He released Slaking and the others, letting them inspect the Pokéblocks.
The Pokémon sniffed them briefly before eagerly grabbing them and munching away.
Even though these were only beginner-level Pokéblocks, their flavor and nutrition were still top-tier.
"It seems these are pretty good too. We'll use these."
Norman wasn't a picky man.
As Aoki picked up his backpack, he turned to May one last time.
"May, I'm heading out on my journey. Take good care of Aron, alright? With these Pokéblocks, he'll grow much stronger."
May clenched her Ultra Ball, her expression determined.
"Brother Aoki, don't worry! I'll train Aron well!"
Max, standing nearby, looked at May's Ultra Ball with envy.
He wanted a Pokémon too.
But Aoki wasn't about to give him one for free.
With that, Aoki slung his backpack over his shoulder and left the Petalburg Gym.
He was back on the road.
The Diamond Treasure Chest
As Aoki entered the forest, he suddenly recalled something.
The treasure chest!
After defeating Norman, his system had rewarded him with a Diamond Chest.
He quickly opened his system log.
According to the system:
• Bronze and Silver chests were ordinary.
• Gold chests were for beating strong Gym Leaders.
• Diamond chests were reserved for defeating Elite-level trainers.
• King chests were tied to Legendary Pokémon battles.
Aoki still remembered seeing the King Chest atop Sky Pillar.
But at his current level? No chance.
The fact that Norman's battle had awarded him a Diamond Chest confirmed something.
Norman had already reached Elite-level.
It was only because the current Hoenn Elite Four hadn't retired that he remained a Gym Leader.
But when the time came for a new Elite to be chosen…
Would Norman take the spot?
Or would Aoki have surpassed him by then?
Shaking off his thoughts, Aoki opened the chest.
Ding!
Congratulations! You have obtained:
- A Steel Z-Pure Crystal
- A Z-Bracelet
Aoki's breath caught.
A Z-Crystal?
Just like Mega Evolution, Z-Moves were rare and incredibly powerful.
And the Steel-Z was perfect for Boss Lairon.
It could only be used once per battle, but its destructive force was overwhelming.
Without hesitation, Aoki took out the Z-Bracelet and snapped it onto his right arm.
Now, he had:
• The Mega Evolution Keystone on his left arm.
• The Z-Bracelet on his right arm.
Two powerful battle mechanics—both within his grasp.
His journey had only just begun.