Return was a very special move.
When a Pokémon used this move, the closer its bond with its Pokémon Trainer, the more powerful the move became.
With the right calculation method, they could use this move to measure a Pokémon's Friendship.
As long as they could prove that Riolu evolved once its Friendship with its Pokémon Trainer reached a certain level, Chen Shi's proposed Friendship evolution theory would be validated.
By then, his reputation for giving people serious choice paralysis would probably reach a whole new level.
But before any of that, Chen Shi needed to find one, or even two or three, Pokémon that evolved through Friendship.
Then he would have to raise them patiently and teach them Return. Only after extensive testing and calculations could the theory be proven.
Raising the Pokémon was the easy part, but the subsequent testing and calculations required specialized equipment, and he didn't have any of it.
How was he supposed to prove it?
"Vee~"
Just then, an Eevee came running out of nowhere and jumped into Gary's arms beside him.
Gary gently stroked its fur.
Eevee purred contentedly, lounging against Gary.
Seeing this, Chen Shi immediately had an idea.
"Gary, where did you get this Eevee? How long have you had it?"
Gary paused, then quickly replied, "I found this Eevee. I've had it for almost six months."
Chen Shi was practically bursting with joy. A rescued Eevee was perfect, and Gary had already raised it for half a year.
Judging by their bond, Eevee clearly adored Gary. Its Friendship had to be pretty high.
Didn't that give him material for papers on both Friendship evolution and Espeon?
Then Chen Shi asked meaningfully, "Have you decided which evolution you want for Eevee?"
"Hmm..." Gary immediately sank into thought. He had never considered