The crystal material on the Crystal Onix is even superior to the quality of the crystals in the mines. After all, the crystal texture and hardness on its body improve with its power growth.
So... if we use the crystals from the Crystal Onix, won't we solve the crystal shortage issue?
To this, Ash immediately refused! How could we think of using a companion for materials? Although it doesn't physically affect the Crystal Onix, the psychological impact is significant!
When Gardevoir suggested this, the Crystal Onix looked at Gardevoir like it was seeing a devil. Listen, is this even human speech? Oh right, she's not human.
In the end, Ash couldn't bear Gardevoir's resentful gaze and promised to collect some crystals from the cave on their return journey to make a special sculpture for Gardevoir.
Under Ash's promise, Gardevoir stopped dwelling on the matter.
...
A week later, Ash and his friends finally arrived at the Seven Berry Islands. Although there are other berries on the islands, the Sitrus Berry is the most abundant, scattered across all seven islands.
The effect of the Sitrus Berry automatically activates when a Pokemon's physical strength falls below half, restoring a quarter of the Pokemon's peak strength, making it a quite useful item.
However, the effect varies depending on the Pokemon; the stronger the Pokemon, the less strength the Sitrus Berry can restore, but it doesn't affect normal level Pokemon.
Only Elite-level Pokemon will experience reduced effects from Sitrus Berries, requiring special techniques to combine several Sitrus Berries into a suitable fruit for consumption by Elite-level Pokemon.
Additionally, using Sitrus Berries to make Pokemon feed or Energy Blocks can quickly restore the Pokemon's strength, and cooking them with special methods can even increase the Pokemon's strength limit, making them a basic yet essential fruit.
The price of a single Sitrus Berry is as high as five hundred, enough for a family of three for two to three days, and this is just for one berry.
Sitrus Berries are a one-time use item; once used in battle, they're gone. So, five hundred bucks only covers one battle or one instance of physical recovery, making it a rather extravagant use!
No wonder they say, don't play with Pokemon if you're broke!
Upon reaching the Seven Berry Islands, their first impression was of trees laden with Sitrus Berries, the golden fruits shining brightly in the sunlight, looking sweet and delicious.
"Is this a Sitrus Berry?"
"This is my first time seeing so many Sitrus Berries!"
"Are these just left open here? Aren't they worried about theft?"
The three had different thoughts. Serena was seeing Sitrus Berries for the first time, as she just started her journey and Sitrus Berries aren't common fruits, but are used by Pokemon—although humans can eat them too.
Sitrus Berries are like grapefruit to humans. Even though the former tastes much better than the latter, who would eat a five hundred-dollar Sitrus Berry as a fruit?
Thus, most who know about Sitrus Berries are Pokemon Trainers, and regular people rarely see them.
Misty marveled at the sheer number of Sitrus Berries here, looking at the hills covered in berries was truly shocking. Such wealth in the sheer number of berries!
One Sitrus Berry costs five hundred; a tree holds several dozens. Calculating the value, a tree easily holds a thousand-dollar worth of berries, and these are large and full, likely yielding even more when sold. Calculating the potential sale price, each tree should be worth at least twenty thousand.
This island alone boasts thousands of Sitrus Berry trees; those who plant them must be making a fortune!
However, Ash was first to question the security system here. Is it due to the honest folk or because there's no precaution at all? This place lacks any security system; if someone steals these berries, how would they be alerted?
These aren't ordinary grapefruit or apple trees but trees with magical properties. Such precious items are left unprotected. Isn't that overconfidence?
Considering these different issues, Ash and his friends approached Sitrus Berry-laden trees, eyeing the plump, round fruits that looked delicious.
"Who are you people? What do you intend to do?" Before Ash could act, a sharp voice rang from afar. Looking towards the sound, they found a young girl seemingly in her twenties.
The girl wore a pink jumpsuit, presumably working here, and her shout was because she suspected Ash and his friends were there to steal Sitrus Berries.
Ash's group quickly raised their hands, signaling they hadn't done anything.
Seeing this, the girl's anger and seriousness faded somewhat. After a good chat, Ash learned the girl was called Nainai, who realized Ash and his friends were here to buy berries, not steal them.
Generally, those buying berries arrive by ship from the island front, but they were at the last island of the Seven Berry Islands, leading to her misunderstanding.
Had Ash's group not seemed honest and a bit familiar, Nainai wouldn't believe their words.
"...Wait a minute, you say your name is Ash? Are you the Ash I know?" Nainai pondered as she examined Ash's familiar yet strange face then suddenly clapped her hands and exclaimed.
"Well... if you're talking about the Quartz Conference Champion, that's indeed me." Ash laughed sheepishly, pointing at himself.
Floating at sea these past few days, sometimes resting on uninhabited islands, Ash hadn't asked Mewtwo to continue masking their faces, so he used his real appearance.
Assuming half a month had passed and the Quartz Conference's influence had faded, he hadn't expected to still be recognized here.
"It's really you! My brother loves watching your matches; he aspires to be a strong Trainer like you. Not just my brother, many young trainers on Seven Berry Islands idolize you~" Upon confirming Ash's identity, Nainai dispelled all doubts.
If he's truly Ash, he couldn't be a berry thief—he had no need to be!
With his fame and status, he could easily obtain a heap of berries. Why trouble himself traveling from the Kanto Region to steal berries?
"Haha~ Am I really that popular?" Ash scratched his head, smiling in contentment. He's not fond of fans swarming for photos and autographs, feeling they're more interested in selling the memorabilia.
Fans like Nainai's brother, young trainers on Seven Berry Islands aiming to journey inspired by him; it's being their role model that makes Ash proud. He's somewhat vain, being only fifteen. Others often forgot his true age due to his achievements.
"Alright, Ash, don't get too cocky. Remember our purpose here on the island!" Misty softly tapped Ash's head to remind him.
"Oh right, we're here on Seven Berry Islands for berry purchasing. Miss Nainai, there should be other berries besides Sitrus Berries here, right?" Misty's reminder snapped Ash out of his revelry.
"Yes, but those are planted in the center of Seven Berry Islands. Plus, they're not in abundance and... their price is a bit high."
"No worries, money's not a concern. Lead us there!" Ash waved his hand confidently, flaunting their wealth!
Nainai nodded, preparing to guide Ash and his group to the central island when a blue-jumpsuited worker rushed over, panting heavily. "Not... good! The Sitrus Berries are being consumed completely!"
Ash and company: !!!