"Natsuhiko, this is Dr. Yamanashi," Hilona introduced as the intermediary.
Standing before Natsuhiko was an elderly man dressed in a meticulously pressed white shirt and a blue vest, with a square face, white hair neatly combed, and a carefully trimmed white mustache. He was the authority of the Sinnoh Region, a leading figure in the field of Pokémon evolution, Dr. Yamanashi.
"Doctor, this is Natsuhiko, known on the forums as 'Dodo'."
Dr. Yamanashi seemed like a very serious and stringent person in his conduct, but in reality, he was quite gentle and patient with people and Pokémon alike.
This was something Hilona had mentioned to Natsuhiko on the way there.
"Dr. Yamanashi," Natsuhiko politely nodded to him.
Dr. Yamanashi curled his lips into what he considered a friendly smile.
"I've often heard Hilona mention 'Dodo', and the recent popularity of the 'Affinity' project has indeed stirred quite a commotion in the Pokémon studies community. I didn't expect one of its key participants, Natsuhiko, to be so young."
One could tell from his words that Dr. Yamanashi indeed was an easygoing person and was quite appreciative of the 'Affinity' project and Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko modestly smiled and said, "Doctor, you're just being polite. It's mostly due to Mr. Sakuragi's effort; I only contributed a little bit."
"Hahaha— I'm quite familiar with that fellow, Sakuragi. He recommended you to me more than once, but unfortunately, it seems he promised not to casually mention your name. However, I have been following the progress of your project."
In just a few words of exchange, Dr. Yamanashi's stern face began to soften.
But what he said was indeed true.
Being an authority in Pokémon evolution, he had long suspected that the conditions for some Pokémon evolutions were stringent, possibly related to Trainers, but he hadn't found a starting point yet. Furthermore, having numerous experiments to handle, he set it aside for a while.
Upon the announcement of Natsuhiko and Sakuragi's research project, he paid close attention and recognized their process and currently known results.
"Doctor, are you going to keep talking here?" Hilona reminded them.
At that moment, they were standing at the entrance of Dr. Yamanashi Research Institute.
"Oh, right, right, Natsuhiko, come on, let's talk inside."
"Okay."
Following Dr. Yamanashi's lead, Natsuhiko walked into the research institute.
Unlike the Eevee Evolution Research Institute where Sakuragi was, the staff here was noticeably fewer, and there weren't as many instruments and equipment. Instead, there were more devices like ecological boxes where some Pokémon lived.
However, these Pokémon were not of the same type or evolutionary chain; various types of Pokémon inhabited together.
A brief observation led Natsuhiko to understand the reason behind this diverse Pokémon arrangement inside the ecological boxes.
Egg Group!
Also referred to as an egg cohort.
It is a classification method in Pokémon breeding.
Nonetheless, based on Natsuhiko's extensive reading and examination of numerous materials, it's clear that the "Egg Group" research hasn't fully taken shape and remains more of an experiential accumulation.
For instance, many nurseries understand that even placing two different Pokémon together might lead to offspring.
Moreover, there's also a chance of inheriting techniques from the other Pokémon.
These rare inherited techniques often significantly impact the Pokémon's value.
Thus, the breeding of different kinds of Pokémon has long been no secret in various nurseries.
Each nursery even has its compilation of Pokémon combination lists attained through experience and accumulated insights.
For example, a Seadra with an insufficient Dragon Type lineage, if combined with a Charizard or Haxorus that knows the Nirvana technique, might produce a Horsea with the ability to inherit the Nirvana technique.
This would exponentially inflate the value of such a Horsea.
Having this thought,
Natsuhiko suddenly froze.
Right, if others knew nothing about the "Egg Group," how could he not know?
Back in the day, to spawn a shiny with inherited techniques, he had gone through many sleepless nights.
Could he leverage this method to open a nursery, specializing in selling Pokémon with highly valued inherited techniques?
Unconsciously, Natsuhiko glanced at the empty space beside him.
The invisible Dragapult suddenly shivered, its scales bristling in shock.
For some reason, it felt a chill run from its tailbone throughout its entire body, and the prickly sensation almost made it reveal itself on the spot.
Fortunately, Natsuhiko gave it a glance and helplessly shook his head.
Regrettably, Dragapult was a female Pokémon. If it were male, at least Natsuhiko could have made it prosper with descendants.
However, this wasn't the game world; Pokémon breeding wasn't without its costs.
Breeding once or twice was alright, but focusing on reproduction to become a "Dragoseed" would definitely be the greatest drain on its strength and potential.
One Druddigon he previously sold had been taken by a nursery to act as a "Dragoseed."
Perhaps it was experiencing both pain and joy now.
This notion faded considerably.
Running a nursery requires a substantial investment of resources, time, and energy, and currently, he couldn't both nurture Pokémon and start a nursery.
Perhaps in the future, when he was stronger and Pokémon enhancements slowed down, he could try it out.
To this, Natsuhiko admitted he somewhat preferred to let Pokémon "fall in love freely."
"Natsuhiko, you seem quite interested in these ecological boxes," both Dr. Yamanashi and Hilona noticed Natsuhiko's demeanor.
Upon hearing this,
Natsuhiko smiled and explained, "Because I can barely count as a half Breeder, so I'm quite interested in these Pokémon."
"Oh?" Dr. Yamanashi's eyes lit up.
Breeder?
Hilona had told him that Natsuhiko was a Trainer who also participated in some Pokémon studies, but he didn't expect him to also be a Breeder?
Dr. Yamanashi didn't think there was no humility in Natsuhiko's claim of being "half a Breeder."
Hilona, too, was slightly surprised.
Natsuhiko was also a Breeder?
This was something she hadn't anticipated.
However, how could one person have so much energy to juggle so many things?
Even as a Trainer who simultaneously studied Pokémon studies, she constantly felt short on time.
Whether it be Trainer, Breeder, or Researcher, all were very time-consuming fields, and juggling so many at once undoubtedly wasn't easy.
Moreover, in every aspect, Natsuhiko had made remarkable accomplishments.
In the field of being a Trainer, he could understand the battle between Elite Four Agatha and Celestial King Liu Bo, even predicting the direction and outcome with accuracy, and this aspect of his ability was undeniable.
In the research sphere, he was now co-researching "Affinity" with Sakuragi, and this project had attracted the Alliance's significant attention; its success could influence the entire world.
He had already made a mark in these two areas, so would he fall short as a Breeder?
The truth was she didn't know.
Researcher?
Natsuhiko's contributions relied largely on past life knowledge plus some resources he dabbled in, merely offering general directions to Sakuragi, while more intricate work was mostly done by Sakuragi.
Have him try operating a precise instrument?
As for being a Trainer,
indeed, he invested a lot of energy into it, but tactical comprehension had been a skill solidified before he came to the Pokémon Realm.
Regarding his Breeder path,
had it not been for psychic abilities, he couldn't efficiently produce Advanced Energy Blocks.
There was, naturally, a significant difference between this and Hilona, who accumulated and learned everything by herself.
Thus, Natsuhiko admired talents like Hilona very much.
Likewise, Hilona inadvertently felt herself to be an ordinary person compared to an "all-rounder" like Natsuhiko.
"Natsuhiko, do you also have insights on breeding and reproduction among different Pokémon?"
Dr. Yamanashi curiously interrupted the mutual admiration between Natsuhiko and Hilona.
——————
There is a tournament tonight!