Two months later, Lu Chen's farm had changed completely.
All thirty Starf Berry saplings had survived. With Lapras watering them carefully every day and Gabite patrolling around the clock, they were growing exceptionally well.
The tallest had already shot up to Lu Chen's chest. Their leaves were thick and deep green, their branches sturdy, and a faint silvery sheen glimmered over them in the sunlight.
Starf Berries truly deserved to be called the king of Berries. Their growth alone was far beyond anything ordinary Berries could match.
At this rate, they would enter their fruiting stage in just another month.
Lu Chen would soon see a return on his efforts.
Meanwhile, Zorua had now fully adapted to life on the farm.
During the day, it wandered through the fields with Gabite, occasionally using its illusions to play harmless little pranks.
For example, it would make Gabite suddenly see an enormous Berry. Gabite would pounce excitedly, only to crash headfirst into a tree.
Gabite chased Zorua all over the farm, while Gengar watched from the sidelines, laughing away.
Incidentally, after more than two months of hard training, Gabite's strength had reached the peak of Gym Level!
It was only a step away from evolving and advancing to the Elite Four level.
Lu Chen had also successfully caught the Aerodactyl discovered in the Grand Canyon.
Now, he was as docile as a puppy in front of Lu Chen's own Aerodactyl.
To make management easier and distinguish him from his own Aerodactyl, Lu Chen gave the Aerodactyl from the Grand Canyon a nickname.
Scout No. 1.
The Kabuto and Omanyte lived leisurely lives in the stream.
Omastar's severed tentacle had completely grown back, without even a scar remaining at the wound.
Life was peaceful and fulfilling.
Lu Chen could not help remarking,
"Life really is relaxing."
But that peace was shattered by a paper from Professor Oak.
The paper had a very academic title.
"The first discovery of living Kabuto in the Kanto Region and its significance for research into Ancient Pokémon ecology."
But what truly set the entire academic community buzzing was the name listed as the third author-Lu Chen.
In the paper, Professor Oak detailed his observations of that Kabuto, from its feeding habits to its activity patterns.
Professor Oak also cited numerous deductions and hypotheses about Ancient Pokémon ecology, many of which clearly went beyond the current understanding of the modern academic community.
That material had clearly come from Lu Chen.
The moment the paper was published, it sent shock waves through the entire Pokémon research community.
"Living Kabuto! There are actually still living fossil Pokémon in the Kanto Region!"
"Professor Oak hasn't lost his touch! This paper is outstanding!"
"Wait, who's the third author, Lu Chen? I've never heard that name before."
"I looked him up. He has no academic background, and I couldn't even find a single other paper."
"How could someone with no academic background contribute to a paper of this caliber?"
Discussion raged online. Some were stunned by the contents of the paper itself, while others were intensely curious about the unfamiliar name, "Lu Chen."
But what truly complicated matters was another group of people.
In a laboratory at Pokémon League headquarters, a middle-aged researcher in a white coat pored over Professor Oak's paper again and again.
"If... if we could extract the complete genetic sequence of a fossil Pokémon, then combine it with the cellular structure of modern Pokémon..."
His eyes lit up.
"We might be able to build a machine that revives Ancient Pokémon."
"If we could obtain living specimens, then combine them with the Ancient Pokémon ecological data mentioned in this paper, it would be entirely possible in theory to reconstruct a stable revival system."
"Then it wouldn't just be Kabuto. Omanyte, Aerodactyl, Kabutops... any Ancient Pokémon with surviving fossils could potentially be revived."
"But that would definitely require living specimens."
"I have to find time to visit the Kanto Region myself!"
Meanwhile, in Pallet Town.
Ash had finally collected all eight Badges from the Kanto Region.
He stood outside the Viridian Gym, clutching his final Badge, so excited he nearly jumped into the air.
"Pikachu! We did it!"
"Pika-pi!"
Pikachu perched on his shoulder, waving his little paws just as excitedly.
Misty and Brock stood behind him, their faces also wearing pleased smiles.
They had been through so much along the way. From their stumbling beginnings to their smooth teamwork now, Ash's growth had been clear for everyone to see.
In fact, Lu Chen had something to do with how quickly Ash had collected his Badges.
The sight of Lu Chen sending Charmeleon flying with one punch and Gengar knocking out Charizard with a single punch that day in the Grand Canyon had left an indelible impression on Ash.
Since then, Ash had taken training his Pokémon much more seriously. He carefully considered his tactics before every battle, no longer the reckless rookie who only shouted, "I choose you!" before charging in.
Although he had obtained quite a few of his Badges through luck.
Still, among the three Gyms reputed to be the hardest to challenge in the Kanto Region, the Fuchsia Gym and the Cinnabar Gym,
were both victories Ash had earned through his own strength!
Charmeleon had also evolved into Charizard after that incident. Although he was still somewhat disobedient, at least he no longer breathed fire at Ash.
"Let's go! Back to Pallet Town!" Ash put his Badge away and took off running.
"Slow down! Your house isn't going anywhere!" Misty shouted as she chased after him.
"I'm going to see Big Brother Lu Chen!" Ash's voice carried back from a distance without him turning around.
"Last time, Big Brother Lu Chen told me I had to come find him in Pallet Town. I can't wait to show him how strong I am now!"
"Pallet Town! I, Ash, am back!"