"If only we had a Berry Blender."
Dak awkwardly chopped various oddly shaped fruits in the kitchen.
With a Berry Blender, it would be easy to make a small amount of PokéBlocks, and with a PokéBlock machine, it would be possible to produce them in large quantities. Such a machine would be indispensable once there were more customers coming to buy PokéBlocks.
"Dak?"
Darkrai curiously circled around Dak, watching his actions with some confusion.
"I'm trying to make food. When I get better at this, you'll be in for a treat."
Dak couldn't help but grin. If a single PokéBlock could make a Pokémon show a happy smile, he would feel a great sense of accomplishment.
"Dak."
Darkrai nodded, patiently waiting by the side. The eggs were still in his dark space.
'Machines can easily produce a large quantity of PokéBlocks, but the highest quality PokéBlocks are always handmade.'
This was a line from the breeding book, something Dak at his current level of breeding couldn't understand. Could human hands really be more precise than machines? That seemed unlikely.
"Uh, success, and it was pretty easy."
On his first attempt, Dak successfully made three small black PokéBlocks.
[Main Quest: Breeding Lesson 1 - Crystal Making, Completed]
[Reward: Shop Expansion - Production and Living Areas]
The quest was easily completed. Though Dak was eager to see how his shop had changed, he still had much to do.
"It's always busy when you first open a shop. It'll get easier after a while."
Dak comforted himself.
"Dak?"
Darkrai approached and poked the PokéBlocks Dak had made. The black PokéBlocks, about the size of a candy and lacking any luster or elasticity, crumbled easily under Darkrai's gentle touch.
"Dak?!"
Darkrai looked panicked, then lowered his head. Although Dak couldn't yet understand Darkrai's emotions, he guessed Darkrai was feeling guilty.
"It's okay, these aren't precious or took much effort. Want to try some?"
Dak nonchalantly rubbed Darkrai's head. Darkrai's white, flame-like hair felt strange to touch, akin to touching water, somewhat cool.
"Dak."
Darkrai looked up at Dak, then nodded. He picked up a PokéBlock and placed it into his 'red scarf,' then began to chew. He couldn't help but sneak a peek at Dak after a few chews. Despite Darkrai's cautious gaze, Dak noticed.
"Ha ha ha, doesn't taste very good, does it?"
Dak realized what Darkrai meant and smiled awkwardly. He was prepared for this; a mix of avocado, banana, and kiwi was unlikely to taste good.
Though the PokéBlocks weren't great, Dak's experiment was confirmed. Even fruits from the pirate world could be used to make PokéBlocks, possibly leading to new varieties in the future.
"Dak."
Darkrai shook his head, then swallowed the remaining PokéBlocks. He didn't need to eat, but nightmares of living beings were delicious to him.
"Darkrai, let's take the eggs out for a walk and some sunlight."
Dak brought over a small cart, seemingly used by the Whitebeard Pirates for grocery shopping and transporting food. Darkrai nodded, and with a wave of his hand, the eggs gently landed on the cart - all nine intact.
Ensuring the eggs were unharmed, Dak nodded and began to push the cart outside. Upon reaching the deck, the eggs received a lot of attention.
Many overly friendly people crowded around, asking various questions about the eggs, clearly curious.
Dak explained what he knew while walking the eggs around. About fifteen minutes later:
[Daily Task 2: Take Pokémon eggs out of the shop for a walk, Completed]
[Reward: A slight increase in 'Agility' experience]
The daily task was completed.
"I can feel it."
Dak looked down at his body, which showed no outward change, but he could clearly sense his physical condition improving, especially his speed and reflexes, which was notably evident.
Though it was a 'slight' amount of experience, for someone as ordinary as Dak, this was a significant improvement. Continuing like this, he could eventually achieve physical enlightenment.
Dak nodded, already dreaming of a bright future.
"Hey, Dak, when will these little ones hatch?"
Marco held the pink egg, appearing indifferent, but he turned away from anyone else who wanted to hold it.
"Pokémon usually hatch within a month. If it suddenly starts shining one day, it means it will hatch within that day."
Dak wasn't sure when the eggs would hatch, as this was his first experience. He didn't even know the eggs' ages; they could all hatch by tomorrow.
He answered Marco based on what he had read in the breeding book.
"Bring these little ones over when they're born. We really want to see them."
Sachi pointed at the colorful eggs in the cart, showing genuine interest. He was extremely curious about these magical little beings!
"Sure, I'll bring them over to see the world when the time comes."
Dak smiled and nodded, not refusing.
The little ones couldn't always stay in the tiny space of the shop; they needed to go out and play.
Time flew, and fearing the New World's evening breeze might chill the eggs, Dak returned them to the shop first, placed them under the tree, then hurried back.
As the sun fully set, Newgate's birthday party began.
The Moby Dick came alive with celebration, with the Whitebeard Pirates engaging in traditional activities like singing, dancing, arm wrestling, and drinking games, far more personal and lively than going to karaoke or eating out in Dak's previous world.
Attending a 'pirate party' for the first time was a unique experience for Dak.
However, amidst the lively Whitebeard Pirates, Dak felt lonely and isolated, drinking in a corner.
Although he was accustomed to solitude in his previous world, witnessing the camaraderie among the crew members magnified his sense of loneliness, making him realize his own isolation.
"Dak?"
Darkrai, puzzled, wondered why Dak wasn't joining the fun.
"Right, I have you."
Seeing Darkrai suddenly appear, Dak was momentarily stunned, then smiled warmly, draping his arm around Darkrai and pulling him close, leaving Darkrai utterly confused.
He was no longer the same as before.
He would have many family members in the future.
(End of Chapter)