Natsuhiko lightly stroked his chin.
He said with a smile, "Not that I understand too much, just know a bit about the reproductive possibilities between different Pokémon."
After a brief pause, he continued, "Recently, I took my Beedrill on a trip in the wild and encountered a group of Combee and a Vespiquen, and that Vespiquen immediately took a liking to Beedrill and insisted on following it..."
Dr. Yamanashi and Hilona blinked, exchanging glances.
"Hahaha—when a girl chases a boy, it's easier to succeed." Dr. Yamanashi joked with a laugh.
There's a thin veil between a woman chasing a man, applicable anywhere.
"Indeed. Same logic, I think the various Pokémon in this ecological box all belong to species that can reproduce with each other." After saying this, he quickly added, "Of course, that's just my guess."
"Tell us why you think that."
Hearing Natsuhiko hit the point, Dr. Yamanashi put away his joking expression and asked quite seriously.
Hilona glanced slightly amusingly at Natsuhiko and Dr. Yamanashi.
As Dr. Yamanashi's assistant, she naturally knew what major puzzle Dr. Yamanashi was trying to solve next.
It's about the reproductive issues between different Pokémon types.
For this reason, he was even prepared to leave the Sinnoh Region, visiting various regional Doctors and Researchers, and his first goal was Professor Oak from Shinshin Town in the Kanto Region, the true authority in the Pokémon Studies field, a treasure-level person in all regions of the entire Alliance.
Natsuhiko seemed not to notice Dr. Yamanashi's change in expression.
He simply continued, "Torterra, Venusaur, Meganium, they are all Grass-type Pokémon, just like I mentioned about Beedrill and Vespiquen, they are all Insect-type Pokémon. I think Pokémon with the same attributes should have a higher probability of reproducing."
Dr. Yamanashi nodded, unsurprised.
Because the current basic understanding in the Pokemon Realm about whether different types of Pokémon can reproduce is their attributes.
But attributes can't represent everything.
"What about Aggron?"
It's critical to put this Aggron together with the three Grass-type Pokémon.
"I think... aside from attributes, looking at it from another angle, whether it's Venusaur, Meganium, Torterra, or Aggron, they're all considered reptiles, right? Although after evolving, Aggron stands and walks on two feet, the walking method isn't the standard for judging whether it's a reptile..."
Venusaur, Meganium, and Torterra are Grass-type Pokémon from the Starter Trio, belonging to both the Plant Group and Monster Group, and Aggron is also in the Monster Group, so they can naturally interbreed within the group.
Monster Group: This group's Pokémon prototypes are mostly based on monsters from tokusatsu films and reptiles.
"Reptiles?" Dr. Yamanashi's eyes lit up.
Without hesitation, he led Natsuhiko and Hilona to another ecological box.
"Then take a look at these."
Inside, lived Golem, Magneton, Glalie, and Crustle.
Natsuhiko didn't know where Dr. Yamanashi learned that these Pokémon could interbreed; perhaps from some Nurseries, or maybe through some other channels.
His goal was quite clear.
Putting these Pokémon of the same group together, observing them, and organizing their reasons for being able to reproduce.
Regarding this ecological box, Natsuhiko also shared his "understanding."
"As for them... I think whether it's rock, metal, or ice, they all count as a type of mineral, or more precisely, they all count as inorganic."
"Mineral... Inorganic..."
Dr. Yamanashi mumbled as he repeated Natsuhiko's words.
He hurriedly asked, "Then what about Crustle? It's an Insect-type and Rock-type Pokémon, although it carries a big chunk of rock on its back, its main body is actually insect-like, not an inorganic Pokémon."
Crustle is a Pokémon similar to a hermit crab; they can change their shell, and this Pokémon uses the size of the rock it carries to attract the opposite sex and showcase its strength and abilities.
So ultimately, it is essentially an insect.
Yet, facts prove that Crustle can reproduce with the other three Pokémon.
This is a peculiar case in Pokémon reproduction.
"Although the main body of Crustle is an insect, since it has the Rock-type attribute, it implies that the rock on its back is actually a part of its body, carrying inorganic traits, and this inorganic matter already has a significant impact on it."
"Carrying inorganic matter?"
Dr. Yamanashi slowly realized.
Natsuhiko's statements seemed to make sense.
He also recognized that he might have been overcomplicating things.
With Natsuhiko's approach, which seemed not too complicated, things seemed to... make sense?
Was he overthinking it?
Subsequently, Dr. Yamanashi took Natsuhiko on a tour of all the ecological boxes in the entire research center, attempting to ask Natsuhiko to explain his thoughts and understanding on almost every one.
These seemingly uncomplicated "category" understandings made Dr. Yamanashi's eyes shine brighter and brighter.
He had indeed been thinking too complexly.
He even delved into the genetic level.
But listening to Natsuhiko's "simple" explanation suddenly gave him a feeling of enlightenment.
Now he was beginning to understand why Sakuragi recommended Natsuhiko to him so highly.
He indeed had a sense and ability to guide others in the right direction, whether through unique insights, luck, or exceptional abilities.
"Hilona, please assist Natsuhiko; I have an idea I need to work on." Dr. Yamanashi said to Hilona.
He then sincerely turned to Natsuhiko, "Natsuhiko, sorry, I've thought of something and need to leave for a bit, but thank you for your help! When the experiment yields results, I definitely won't forget your name."
Saying this, he quickly turned and left even before Natsuhiko could respond, impatiently.
For researchers, inspiration is akin to a second life.
Natsuhiko opened his mouth.
That simple?
Casually getting a signature in the future "Egg Group" experiment?
This is similar in difficulty to the "Affinity" project, also significantly impacting the Pokemon Realm.
Although he didn't directly become one of the main project leaders like in the "Affinity" project, it's quite impressive.
Hilona might not even earn a signature.
One can imagine the attention Natsuhiko's name will attract once the "Affinity" project and this "Egg Group" project release their results.
'Second only to the discovery of Fairy Type and the announcement of Super Evolution...'
"By the way, there are lots of cakes and desserts on the table, remember to eat them." Dr. Yamanashi suddenly appeared at the door, saying this to the two, finally leaving.
Natsuhiko and Hilona exchanged a glance.
It seems that although Dr. Yamanashi appears serious, he's actually a really nice person...
"Let's go, Dr. Yamanashi loves desserts; high-calorie food helps him replenish his energy," Hilona said.
Natsuhiko nodded.
"Just right, I also want to ask you about something."
"What?"
"If... I mean, if I want to buy a plot of land in Sinnoh, or... become a Dojo Leader in a town, what do I need to prepare?"
Hilona: "???"