Of the thirty-six strategies, running was the best one.
In short, get out of here.
With his cheat ability, as long as he had enough time to grow, even a tiny Swinub could one day slay gods.
But obviously, none of that was going to happen.
Entei would never do something like that, and Ho-Oh wasn't the kind of Pokémon to casually blame its subordinates either.
Sensing the Little One's tension, Entei lowered its massive head and gently brushed his cheek. The usually stern voice carried a rare trace of warmth.
"There's no need to worry. Ho-Oh is not a bad Pokémon."
Suicune's pupils shrank.
Had it heard that right?
Entei… was speaking to a human infant in that kind of tone?
After comforting Fuyuki, Entei turned back to Suicune and said in a deep voice, "When Ho-Oh returns, I will report this matter personally."
With that, it turned around and led the child back into the cave.
Suicune was left standing there alone, watching their retreating figures with a complicated expression.
It calmly reviewed the situation.
From what Entei had said, Marshadow and Raikou clearly knew about this already.
Then why hadn't they stopped it?
Marshadow only handled trials for the Rainbow Hero, so ignoring this was understandable.
But Raikou?
As far as Suicune knew, Raikou had always been extremely hostile toward humans.
A memory surfaced, of Raikou staying on Mount Tensei for a time before leaving.
A guess formed in Suicune's mind.
Maybe Entei's stance had been too firm. Raikou might have tried to persuade it, failed, and eventually gave up, choosing to leave Mount Tensei and continue its own mission instead.
Yes. That had to be it.
"Forget it. Ho-Oh will be back soon. I'll leave everything to Ho-Oh," Suicune thought.
After all, it and Entei were equals, and once Entei made up its mind, nothing it said would change that.
With that conclusion, Suicune didn't linger any longer and turned to leave.
It planned to remain on Mount Tensei for a while, waiting for Ho-Oh's return.
Entei brought Fuyuki back into the cave.
It lay down on the rug, its gaze heavy as it looked outside.
The day was finally approaching.
According to Suicune, Ho-Oh would be returning to Mount Tensei very soon.
Seeing how serious it looked, Fuyuki spoke up to comfort it. "Don't be scared, Entei!"
"I'm not afraid. I'm just… worried," Entei thought. It wasn't afraid of Ho-Oh's blame.
What it feared was Ho-Oh ordering it to send the Little One back to the human world.
The child depended on it so much. No, more accurately, it had already grown used to the child's presence without realizing it.
It couldn't bear to part with him.
But as Ho-Oh's envoy, it couldn't disobey a direct order.
Conflicting emotions surged through Entei's heart. It closed its eyes, struggled internally, then made a decision.
If Ho-Oh ordered them to separate, it would take the Little One and leave Mount Tensei, raising him alone.
The world was vast. There would always be a place for them.
When the child grew up, it would return to Mount Tensei and accept Ho-Oh's judgment.
No matter the punishment, it would accept it willingly.
"It's fine." The worry vanished from Entei's face, its voice growing firm and resolute, like a promise. "No matter what happens, I will protect you."
After spending so much time with the big cat, Fuyuki could read its thoughts from its expression alone.
That look was way too serious. It felt like Entei had just made a decision that would shake the heavens.
Was it really planning to defy Ho-Oh for his sake?
An image popped into Fuyuki's head, Entei carrying him through the forest at full speed, while a demonized Ho-Oh chased after them with Raikou and Suicune.
If that happened, wouldn't they really become a pair of star-crossed companions?
No… Ho-Oh probably wasn't that evil. At worst, it would kick him off Mount Tensei and make Entei send him back to the human world.
And if Ho-Oh really did that…
A fierce determination ignited in Fuyuki's heart.
Just you wait. Don't underestimate a kid with nothing to lose.
When he grew up and became a Trainer, he'd immediately exchange for a hundred Rare Candy, raise his starter Pokemon straight to level 100, and return to Mount Tensei for Ho-Oh's so-called ten-year promise.
He'd defeat Raikou, Suicune, Marshadow, and Ho-Oh itself, conquer them with sheer strength, stuff the whole family into Poke Balls, and then no one could stop him from staying with Entei.
So…
"Don't be scared, Entei!" Fuyuki said again.
Entei didn't respond. It simply licked his cheek, like a great tiger grooming its cub.
"Did Suicune leave?" Fuyuki peeked toward the cave entrance.
"No. It will likely remain on Mount Tensei until Ho-Oh returns," Entei replied.
"Alright then."
Thinking of Suicune reminded Fuyuki of that one from the anime that got captured in fishing nets by humans.
Was it the same one?
He had no way of knowing.
Even though Entei was filled with worry over Ho-Oh's return, there were moments when it wished time could stop, letting it stay here with the Little One forever.
But time never waited.
Days passed one by one, and before they knew it, autumn was nearing its end.
The temperature outside steadily dropped, cold winds howling through the mountains from time to time.
Entei stood at the cave entrance, watching the sky with a solemn expression.
It had a feeling that this winter would be especially harsh.
Still, with it around, the Little One wouldn't freeze.
All autumn long, the two of them kept harvesting Berries. In just two months, the Secret Base was filled to the brim.
Looking at the room nearly overflowing, even Entei couldn't hide its shock.
Frowning, it asked with concern, "…Little One, can we really eat all of this?"
Berries could last a long time, but even they would eventually spoil.
"If we can't finish them, we'll share them with everyone in the forest!"
Fuyuki had only wanted enough food to avoid going hungry.
Now there were too many. Letting them rot would be a waste.
Entei had no objections.
One human and one Pokémon, each carrying a basket full of Berries, headed down the mountain together.
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You can read up to chapter 58 and more soon on patreon.com/NiaXD.