Chapter 220: Arrival in Spring City
Kenji understood Snivy's reaction perfectly.
Losing the protection of its clan at such a young age meant it had to develop a strong sense of vigilance. If it hadn't, it would have long since become food for some predator in the forest.
"Hello, Snivy."
Kenji crouched down to eye level with the small Pokémon.
He also kept a respectful distance.
Just in case Snivy had a stress reaction and decided to whip him with a Vine Whip. Kenji wasn't keen on getting slapped.
"Snivi..."
Snivy eyed Kenji warily, taking two small steps back as it sized him up.
The image of the boy in front of it began to overlap with a blurry memory.
Indeed, after Kenji rescued Snivy from the Ariados and administered the medicinal potion, Snivy had briefly regained a semblance of consciousness.
In its hazy state, it had felt the tight, restrictive spider silk being peeled away from its body, layer by layer.
Then, a cool, refreshing liquid was poured into its mouth, spreading warmth throughout its body.
Vaguely, it recalled seeing a human holding it gently.
Now, that blurry figure perfectly matched the boy in front of it.
He saved me.
Thinking this, Snivy lowered its guard slightly, though it still watched Kenji nervously.
"My name is Kenji. I saved you from an Ariados. Do you remember?" Kenji asked tentatively.
Honestly, he didn't expect Snivy to remember anything. He assumed it had been completely unconscious.
He only said this to convey that he meant no harm.
Unexpectedly, Snivy nodded in response.
Kenji was stunned for a moment, then delighted. So it wasn't fully unconscious.
This made things easier. It gave him an opening to build a connection.
Kenji continued, "You were badly hurt. I had no choice but to catch you in a Poké Ball so I could bring you to the Pokémon Center for treatment."
"Snivi..."
Kenji couldn't understand Pokémon speech literally, but from Snivy's demeanor and tone, he guessed it was expressing gratitude.
This relieved Kenji greatly. It seemed Snivy wasn't resentful about being caught.
"Where is your clan? How did you get caught by an Ariados?" Kenji asked probing questions while observing its expression closely.
At his words, a look of profound loneliness and sorrow washed over Snivy's small face.
Seeing this, Kenji confirmed his suspicion. Snivy had been caught because it had been abandoned.
"Were you... exiled by your clan?"
Snivy didn't answer. Instead, it hugged its large, leaf-like tail to its chest and took two steps back, looking utterly dejected.
"If that's the case, we're kind of in the same boat. I'm an orphan too. My parents abandoned me right after I was born. I don't even know who they were," Kenji sighed, his voice dropping an octave.
Sure enough, hearing this, Snivy looked up at Kenji with empathetic eyes. It had found a kindred spirit.
This human... seems just as miserable as me.
Wait, no. I know who my parents are. And they loved me. They only drove me away because the clan pressured them to do so once I was old enough to survive on my own.
Compared to me, this human... is actually a little bit more miserable.
Thinking this, Snivy actually started to pity Kenji.
And this was exactly the effect Kenji wanted.
"Snivy, become my partner."
After a pause, Kenji slowly extended his hand, issuing a sincere invitation.
Snivy stared at him blankly.
After a long moment, it hesitantly extended a Vine Whip from the collar-like protrusions on its neck and placed it in Kenji's hand.
Agreed!
Kenji was overjoyed. Like a magician, he produced a High-Grade Pokéblock from his hand and offered it to Snivy.
Snivy took the block with two Vine Whips, sniffed it, and eventually succumbed to the temptation, eating it elegantly in small bites.
Although Snivy had accepted Kenji as its trainer, the prolonged stress of surviving alone in the wild left it timid and reserved.
However, Kenji believed it would relax once it got used to the environment.
Following his routine, Kenji released all his other Pokémon to introduce them to the new member.
The most enthusiastic welcomer was Bellossom.
Since Snivy was also small—about the same size as Bellossom—and a fellow Grass-type, they bonded quickly.
Bellossom even proactively shared its Special-Grade Grass-type Pokéblocks with Snivy.
Snivy was shy at first, but faced with such warm hospitality and the irresistible allure of Special-Grade food, it eventually gave in.
Kenji was happy to see them getting along. He decided to give Bellossom a break from training to keep Snivy company and help it adjust.
The other Pokémon continued their training in preparation for the upcoming Gym Battle.
According to the schedule, Kenji's challenge at the Southern Cloud Gym was set for the day after tomorrow.
Over the next two days, Snivy began tentatively joining Bellossom in light training. Kenji decided not to rush the Star-Up process for Snivy just yet, fearing that a sudden surge in power might frighten the already skittish Pokémon.
He would wait until Snivy felt more at home.
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