Chapter 162: Abnormalities in the Qinling Mountains!
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In the Sky
Leo Damnson's puzzled voice broke the silence.
"Why didn't you ask Hikaru how he managed to capture Latias?"
Henry Damnson didn't even turn her head.
"You've been in seclusion lately, so you don't know. That boy, Hikaru, used Latias during the High School League."
She continued, "The family elders immediately sent someone to Kyoto to find him. They also instructed us younger members to befriend him in the upcoming Youth League if we encountered him."
"Didn't expect to see him here," she added.
Leo was still confused.
"What does that have to do with how he caught Latias?"
"Nothing," Henry replied bluntly.
Her response only left Leo more perplexed. But given their familial hierarchy, he dared not question her further. Besides, his cousin had always been much sharper than him. Her psychic talent was also among the best in their family.
Henry turned to Leo, her tone firm but patient.
"The family wants us to build a good relationship with him, yet your earlier behavior has already made him uncomfortable. Didn't you notice?"
Henry had been closely observing Hikaru's expression.
When Leo expressed excitement about Latias, Hikaru's demeanor noticeably chilled. It was clear that he didn't want them to bring up Latias.
Pushing the subject further would've been unwise. Instead, she chose to report back to the family and use the promise of future rewards to create another opportunity to interact with Hikaru.
Leo still didn't quite get it.
"So what if he's uncomfortable?"
His tone carried a hint of defiance.
"Yes, Hikaru is the High School League Champion and an Aura user. But I've never heard of a Hikaru family in all of Hua Country. That means he's just an individual trainer. Why be so cautious?"
After all, the Damnson family hadn't even paid much attention to the Aura Guardian of the past.
Latias, however, was a game-changer. Its importance to the family was undeniable.
Seeing Leo's confused expression, Henry sighed inwardly. She decided to explain further.
"Hikaru is only a high school freshman, yet he's already this capable. On top of that, he has close ties with the Leaf Clan."
"A freshman?" Leo was stunned.
"Yes. He's a genius trainer whose talent far surpasses what you can imagine."
Henry didn't elaborate further. She had also noticed Hikaru's distracted demeanor earlier. Clearly, he had other priorities.
For him to leave Kyoto and come to Aura Town in just a few days—it had to be about more than just sightseeing.
Could it have something to do with Aura? Henry silently speculated.
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Back at the Plantation
After resolving the incident, Hikaru was preparing to leave when several planters called out to him.
"Young man, wait!"
Hikaru turned around, puzzled.
He saw a few farmers carrying plastic bags filled with green fruit, waving him over.
When Hikaru landed, one of the farmers—a middle-aged man with a kind face—stepped forward.
"These are fruits from thirty-year-old Green Berry trees. On the market, they're only considered B-rank treasures, but we hope you'll accept them as a token of our gratitude."
The man stuffed the bags into Hikaru's hands before he could refuse.
"We don't have much else to offer as thanks," the man said earnestly.
Hikaru instinctively wanted to decline, but when he glanced at the group, he noticed the anticipation in their eyes.
Finally, he relented. "Alright, I'll accept them. Thank you."
For now, B-rank Green Berries were still useful to him.
After storing the fruits, Hikaru climbed onto Latias. Under the farmers' watchful gazes, he soared into the sky.
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In the Air
As they sped through the sky, Hikaru gently stroked Latias's head and sighed.
"Latias, it seems like more people will be heading to Alto Mare in search of your kin."
By now, Latias had a good understanding of the human world and knew her species held great allure.
Her soft voice replied, "It's okay, Hikaru. Most of my kin don't stay in Alto Mare for long. They usually migrate."
"Besides, I followed you willingly. If they can convince my kin to follow them willingly too, I don't mind."
"Hmm…" Hikaru hummed in acknowledgment, though he still felt uneasy.
He then turned to Gardevoir and took out her Poké Ball. "It's time for you to go back in, Gardevoir."
Gardevoir pouted but nodded reluctantly before returning to her ball.
Next, Hikaru released Lucario.
"Lucario?"
The Aura Pokémon looked at him questioningly.
"Lucario, I need your help. Use Aura to scan the area. If you sense any powerful Pokémon, let me know their location so we can avoid them," Hikaru instructed.
"Lucario!" (Leave it to me!)
Tying a black cloth over his eyes, Lucario sat cross-legged on Latias's back and began focusing.
This trip's goal was to water the World Tree with Xerneas's Life Essence.
As they flew, Hikaru occasionally noticed flying Pokémon passing by. However, Latias's speed was so fast that they barely had time to react.
Still, Hikaru frowned.
Most of the flying Pokémon they passed were heading toward human towns.
"Hold up, Latias."
"Hmm? What's wrong, Hikaru?" Latias asked, slowing to a stop mid-air.
"Lucario, have you sensed anything unusual along the way?"
At their current speed, Hikaru couldn't effectively use his Aura to scan the surroundings. But Lucario could.
"Lucario, Lucario…" (There seems to be a lot of fighting among Pokémon below. Some are migrating, while others are battling over territory…)
Lucario's focus was constantly being tested by Latias's rapid flight. Scanning the ground under such conditions was an excellent challenge for honing his Aura.
"I see…" Hikaru's frown deepened.
If the entire Qinling region was indeed experiencing a reduction in resources, as he suspected, the consequences could be dire.
The strongest Pokémon would drive out the slightly weaker ones, who would, in turn, push out even weaker Pokémon.
Ultimately, the most helpless creatures would have no choice but to encroach on human settlements.
The Raticate swarm near Aura Town was likely an early symptom of this phenomenon.
For now, it seemed like the issue was just beginning. But if it worsened, the situation would only escalate further.
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