The auction continued.
But Natsuhiko had already lost interest in it.
Holding the Pokeball containing Honedge, he gently rubbed its smooth glass, observing Honedge behaving obediently inside.
After thinking it over, he opened the Pokeball.
He released Honedge.
Although Honedge no longer pretended to be weak and timid as before, it still appeared cautious and meek.
"Honedge," Natsuhiko called out.
Honedge looked at him, its eyes showing a hint of awe.
Natsuhiko rubbed his temples in frustration.
How did this personality come about?
"Honedge, Togetic was just joking earlier, don't take it to heart."
Honedge's blade nodded, indicating its understanding.
'Captured means not being eaten, understood.'
But seeing it like this, how could Natsuhiko not know that it hadn't truly let go of its guard?
"Tell me about your past, as I've already shared ours as a gesture of sincerity. It's your turn now, isn't it?"
Having no other option, Natsuhiko decided to start with its unknown past.
Maybe from there, he could find out why Honedge turned out this way.
Honedge fell silent.
In a rare moment, it collected itself and shed its façade.
Now captured, it seemed like it didn't have much room to struggle or resist.
Perhaps Natsuhiko, after hearing its past, would also realize the world's dangers, act more cautiously in the future, and in turn, make it safer.
Then, Honedge began recounting its past, with Yujira translating.
Gradually, Natsuhiko finally understood why Honedge developed such a personality.
And slowly grasped the reasons behind its character development.
To say the least, it was because Honedge had a protagonist's panel.
As is well known, Honedge's only trait is Defenseless.
In battles, the Defenseless trait allows both sides to hit their targets accurately, greatly increasing the precision of techniques, a trait suited to straightforward combat without any trickery.
However, outside of battles, Pokémon with the Defenseless trait become like beacons, attracting Wild Pokémon.
This wasn't initially a big deal; it just meant encountering more Wild Pokémon, much like how troubles in some novels find their protagonists even when they're not looking for it.
But once.
Having just left its long-time home, filled with ambition to explore the Pokémon Realm and, like many other senior members of its kind, leave countless legends, Honedge arrived at Divine Departure Mountain.
It was a typical protagonist panel opening.
But then.
As luck would have it, the Defenseless trait activated once more.
At Divine Departure Mountain, it encountered Giratina, ready to break through spatial barriers and escape Arceus' constraints!
Because Divine Departure Mountain and the Mist Island Natsuhiko visited earlier were like the weak points between the Destroyed World of Giratina and the Pokémon Realm.
Although Honedge didn't recognize Giratina, Natsuhiko confirmed its identity through its description.
Well then.
The previously triumphant and adventurous Honedge had never seen such a powerful and terrifying Pokémon?
Especially since its Defenseless trait successfully drew Giratina's attention, leading to an "intimate encounter."
Having limited worldly experience, Honedge had never witnessed such grandiosity?
The endless fear it felt from Giratina.
Left an indelible mark on its young heart.
Thus, Honedge concluded that the world is exceedingly dangerous.
Determined to face everything with a cautious and prudent character, striving to live until old age.
Moreover, to increase its survival rate, it focused solely on training, ignoring the outside world, rarely showing itself to others.
With the sole purpose of surviving till death.
It was from that time onwards that Honedge no longer needed to absorb others' life energy to replenish itself.
For some reason, after contact with Giratina, Honedge seemed to feel an endless surge of power from within, with life energy no longer a necessity.
Unfortunately, it was discovered by Furong's grandfather, who had keen eyesight, and brought inside Divine Departure Mountain for nurturing.
But how could Honedge, sworn to avoid drawing attention and wanting to be an ordinary steel sword, reveal itself?
Reluctantly, it had to disguise itself.
Unexpectedly, Furong's grandfather had long seen through its disguise and took the opportunity during this descent to better acquaint it with the world.
It was also the only Ghost-type Pokémon among Furong's Pokémon that was there involuntarily.
Despite all its calculations, the long-disguised Honedge was still detected by Natsuhiko.
After hearing Honedge's story and using his imagination, Natsuhiko roughly understood the whole process.
His expression turned peculiar.
Isn't this a typical protagonist's panel and journey?
The normal ending should be Honedge, after thousands of years of training, evolving into Aegislash, yet still believing itself to be weak, staying hidden on Divine Departure Mountain, becoming a feared Pokémon.
And the chickens, fish, etc., in its yard, becoming perceived as top-tier Pokémon by others.
Unfortunately, it couldn't stay hidden.
It was noticed by Furong's grandfather and Natsuhiko for its uniqueness.
Sighing deeply, Honedge stood there, dejected.
No wonder.
Such a simple-minded existence encountered Giratina, one of the most powerful bosses in this world, right from the start, it's strange if there's no shadow in its heart.
Understanding the whole process, Natsuhiko still felt a bit of a headache.
How to adjust Honedge's personality?
Let's not forget, in the games he used to play, there really was a "Prudent" nature for Pokémon.
Except that Honedge seemed to have taken the "Prudent" path a bit too far.
Upon reconsideration.
It's not about fully correcting Honedge's personality. It's actually quite good this way, as Natsuhiko considers himself a cautious person too, which can help avoid many unnecessary troubles.
As long as it's not too prudent or overly timid.
So, the first thing he needed to do was to help Honedge build some basic confidence about its own strength and the general strength in the Pokémon Realm, creating a new and accurate recognition.
Natsuhiko suddenly said to Honedge in a deep voice, "We've also encountered that Pokémon you met."
Upon hearing this, Honedge looked up sharply, full of astonishment.
Its expression seemed to say, "You actually survived?"
Natsuhiko twitched his mouth but continued, "It's not as terrifying as you said."
"Togetic?" Togetic widened its eyes and looked at Natsuhiko.
Before it could finish, Yujira covered its mouth and backed away, giving Honedge a smile.
In a low voice, it said to Togetic, "Yongji."
'Are you invoking power, can't you tell?'
Honedge wasn't affected, just stared at Natsuhiko in shock.
Not terrifying?
Clearly, it was such a terrifying existence!
Then it realized.
This time, it seemed to have followed quite an extraordinary entity, unmoved by something so terrifying and even claiming it wasn't frightening at all!
Its eyes showed admiration.
Natsuhiko's face displayed a subtle curve without any change in expression.
See, isn't the most basic confidence already established?
Even if it was a bit exaggerated.