Chapter 161: Apricorn
"Blastoise~" Blastoise murmured as they ventured into the northern part of the forest. His voice carried a hint of familiarity with the area.
Kanraku, interpreting Blastoise's murmur, informed the group, "He's saying this is where he found Cherrim and Cherubi."
Floyd, considering the opportunity, suggested, "If we have a chance to encounter them, I think we should try to bring them in."
Kanraku, however, expressed his concerns. "We should be careful. Disturbing their habitat could be problematic. Compared to Weedle and Caterpie, Cherrim and Cherubi have slower reproductive rates. Removing even a few could significantly impact their population."
Floyd nodded thoughtfully, then explained his perspective. "In the forest, species like Cherubi and Cherrim aren't predators; they're often prey for insects and bird beasts. Providing them a safe habitat could actually be more beneficial than leaving them vulnerable in the wild."
Kanraku, mulling over this, sighed. "I wish I had known our plans earlier. If so, I would have taken Cherrim and Cherubi directly from the Beast's Sanctuary. It might have been easier to convince them that way."
"Don't worry, Professor," Floyd reassured him, picking up a container of honey. "If anything can attract them, it's likely to be this honey."
Kanraku, catching on to the plan, added, "Cherrim and Cherubi are flower-type beasts, right? If Beedrill could exchange some pollen from them for honey, it might create a beneficial cycle." He paused, touching his chin in thought. "But no, that might lead to an imbalance. Beedrill could outnumber Cherrim."
Floyd agreed, emphasizing a crucial point. "Beedrill and Butterfree's home are wild; they aren't meant for domestication. We need to be ready to release them eventually. For now, our focus should be on establishing a strong relationship with their leaders."
Kanraku nodded, resigned to the complexity of their task. "I understand. It's a delicate balance we must maintain, without interfering too much with nature's course."
Floyd concluded, "Exactly. And by the way, direct contact between different groups could cause issues, especially for the Cherrim. It's our responsibility as humans to act as mediators in this situation, ensuring a peaceful coexistence without disrupting the natural order."
"Yes, by introducing a variety of flowers into Beedrill's territory, they can produce their own honey. In turn, we can trade this honey for items they need, like Pokéblocks. Additionally, we could potentially exchange some of the honey with Cherrim. They could assist us with tasks such as using Sunny Day to rapidly accelerate plant growth," Kanraku elaborated, outlining each step of the plan.
Floyd, surprised by Kanraku's foresight, remarked, "You've already thought this through?"
Kanraku nodded, "After you explained their roles, I just connected the dots. It's similar to how we utilize Caterpie's wool. I simply expanded on the concept."
Floyd, with a smile, asked, "You initially planned for an industry based on manpower, right? But did you ever imagine it would grow to this scale?"
Kanraku shook his head, "No, I didn't. Originally, I focused on efficiency and manpower. But the developments, like your Pokéblocks, healing powders, clothing production from Caterpie's wool, honey, and other agricultural aspects, have far exceeded my initial vision. The roles of 'Breeder' and 'Trainer' that you mentioned have vast potential, especially in breeding. It could very well set future trends."
Listening, Floyd internally reflected, 'In terms of business, Breeding might become one of the largest industries. The professor might be right about that. However, the role of 'Trainer' shouldn't be underestimated. They might become the trendsetters, while 'Breeders' provide crucial support behind the scenes.' Despite this, he acknowledged the immense potential in both areas.
Kanraku then shared his introspection, "Some of my ideas were perhaps too idealistic, like envisioning a world where humans and beasts coexist seamlessly. It's a vision I can still see as possible, but I now realize that not every beasts is suited to live alongside humans. They have their own natural habitats. For now, we're doing what we can."
He then turned to Floyd with a look of genuine gratitude. "I truly appreciate all your help. I couldn't have made it this far without everyone's support, especially yours." His words were steeped in a mix of nostalgia and hope, recognizing the journey they had embarked upon and the future possibilities it held.
Floyd, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the praise, shifted uncomfortably. He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit, and responded with a modest tone, "Well, you're giving me too much credit. If it wasn't for your initiative in bringing us together, none of this would have happened. You're the true cornerstone here, the founder of the Alliance. History will remember your name."
Kanraku, now on the receiving end of the exaggerated praise, couldn't help but blush and feel a bit sheepish. He waved off Floyd's words, "You're exaggerating!"
Floyd stood his ground, "I'm only stating facts."
Kanraku chuckled, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "Well, if history does remember us, I'll ensure you're right there beside me. They'll say, 'Floyd, the ingenious inventor of pokeblock, the pioneering breeder, the first self-proclaimed dragon trainer!'" he said, a hint of teasing in his voice.
Floyd's cheeks turned a shade redder as he protested, "Self-proclaimed? I'm the real deal, you know!"
Kanraku rolled his eyes in mock disbelief, "Sure, sure, the 'real deal'."
Floyd sighed, half in exasperation, half in jest. He pointed a playful finger at Kanraku, "Just for that, if you dare to use my face for anything, I swear I'll curse everyone - your ancestors, your descendants, your family, and even your future grandson…"
Kanraku raised an eyebrow, "Grandson? I don't even have a girlfriend, and you're already cursing my future grandson?"
Floyd shrugged nonchalantly, "You'd better find someone soon, or the Village Chief might have a few words for you," he hinted with a sly grin.
Kanraku paused mid-sentence, his face reddening as he realized what Floyd was implying. He shot Floyd a mock-angry look, which quickly softened into a smile. "Oh, really? Speaking of gossip, there's an interesting rumor going around about you. Care to hear it?"
Floyd, who had been enjoying the moment, suddenly turned a shade of red and raised his voice in mock indignation, "Oh, so even with all your research, you still find time to indulge in gossip?"
Kanraku, not missing a beat, replied with feigned offense, "What do you mean? I'm human too, hmph…"
At this, Blastoise, Pidgeot, Gyarados, and Fraxure, who had been subtly eavesdropping on the conversation, couldn't help but smile at the friendly squabble between the two.
Floyd, gearing up for a witty comeback, was suddenly distracted by something in the periphery of his vision. He paused mid-sentence and exclaimed, "Wait, can we pause for a moment?"
His sudden outburst brought everyone to a halt.
"What is it? Did you spot something?" Kanraku asked, his curiosity piqued. He knew Floyd had a keen eye for detail and might have noticed something significant.
"There," Floyd pointed towards a nearby tree, "Can we check that out for a moment?"
Everyone's gaze followed Floyd's pointing finger, and they moved towards the indicated tree. As they approached, Floyd felt a rush of excitement mixed with a bit of anxiety. His heart pounded in his chest, a reaction to what he had glimpsed.
Apricorn Tree
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone