Decision

Previously, Yuga had always been puzzled about why Noctowl would have any interest in Chatot. Chatot lacked strength, didn't possess striking looks, was flirtatious, talkative, and idled around.

It wasn't until today that he finally understood why.

Noctowl understood Chatot and comprehended how it had come to be the way it was today. That's why Noctowl treated Chatot with the utmost tolerance, quietly following it with her child.

"I'll take you to find Ho-oh!" Yuga suddenly spoke, looking at the despondent Chatot.

Given Chatot's current condition, there was probably no one else besides Ho-oh who could help. Though Hope was faint, having a chance was better than simply waiting for the worst.

"Ho-oh?"

Chatot, who had only been to Sinnoh and Hoenn, was unfamiliar with the legend of Ho-oh. So when Yuga mentioned the name, it left Chatot bewildered.

"Yes, Ho-oh! It's a Legendary Pokémon in the Kanto and Johto regions, holding the Sacred Fire and the power to resurrect the deceased. If we find it, you will definitely be saved."

Yuga briefly introduced the origin of Ho-oh.

Hearing Yuga's words, Chatot exclaimed, "Are you out of your mind? How could we possibly find it? Even if we do, why would it help us?"

"Cross that bridge when we come to it!"

Yuga's response was clear-headed and calm. His decision wasn't impulsive; he was determined to find Ho-oh, regardless of whether Chatot agreed or not.

The Ho-oh is the Legendary Pokémon who possesses the power of life. As long as we find Ho-oh, Chatot will definitely be saved.

Watching Yuga's questioning expression, the Chatot slumped onto the table and said weakly, "Why bother with this?"

"Because you don't want to die, right?" Yuga's response left the Chatot stunned.

Indeed, it didn't want to die. If it did, it wouldn't have ended up like this today. It still had the Noctowl who loved it, cute children, and plenty of beautiful experiences waiting in life. Quietly and meaninglessly passing away like this was something it couldn't accept.

The Chatot didn't say anything, but its expression conveyed its thoughts clearly to Yuga.

"Since you don't want to die, what's there to hesitate about? At worst, it's just a wasted trip. There's no worse outcome than what you're facing now."

Yuga decisively made the decision for the hesitant Chatot.

With the determination to seek out Ho-oh in the Kanto and Johto regions, Yuga immediately began preparations.

He didn't plan to delay any longer because he could sense that Chatot's condition had deteriorated to a critical level. This matter was best addressed sooner rather than later.

Besides the travel essentials he needed to pack, there wasn't much else for Yuga to arrange or explain.

He could entrust the shop's business to Suzuki Koen, who was well-versed in managing it. The Ecopark was efficiently overseen by Audino and the Miltanks, so there were no concerns there.

Watching Yuga busily prepare for the journey, Chatot, in a weak voice, asked, "Are we really going to find Ho-oh?"

Yuga paused his work and looked at Chatot. "What? Do you have any other ideas?"

Chatot quickly shook its head. Then, Yuga gave it a stern look, silently conveying that it should remain quiet.

With an uncertain return date for this journey, Yuga had a pile of things to prepare. He packed all the items he could think of for the trip into his system backpack, knowing it wouldn't run out of space.

When it was suddenly heard that their boss was going to Kanto and Johto, Suzuki Koen and the others were quite surprised. However, they didn't inquire about Yuga's purpose. They simply wished him a swift return.

Chatot naturally didn't keep this trip to find Ho-oh a secret from Noctowl. She immediately expressed her intention to accompany them, but Chatot managed to dissuade her.

The outcome of this trip to Kanto and Johto was uncertain. Perhaps Chatot might not return once it went there. It didn't want to experience a heart-wrenching separation from Noctowl, especially with their child still at YoYo Day Care.

Yuga was accompanied by two pseudo-Elite Ghost-type Pokémon for personal protection. As long as they didn't do anything reckless, their safety was guaranteed, mainly because Elite level Trainers were a rare sight.

Even if they encountered an Elite level opponent, with the eerie abilities of two Ghost-type Pokémon, escaping would certainly be an option.

Of course, the premise is that they didn't meet someone as formidable as Cecilia's father.

Before departing, Yuga found Beidou and handed him a Poké Ball containing a Teddiursa.

This Teddiursa was the child of the Ursaring Yuga had captured on Illuma Island.

Yuga had promised Akihito that he would reward him with a Pokémon once his Shroomish evolved into Breloom. Some time ago, Yuga noticed that Akihito's Shroomish was on the verge of evolving. Considering that he wouldn't be returning for a while, Yuga decided to give the Teddiursa to Beidou for now.

As Beidou took the Poké Ball, Yuga couldn't help but feel like he was making arrangements for his possible departure. Was he really not going to return from this trip?

On the third day after deciding to go to the Kanto and Johto regions, Yuga and Chatot arrived at the airport in Verdanturf Town.

"Where are we going?" Chatot asked curiously, as Yuga hadn't yet told it where in Johto they were going to search for Ho-oh.

Yuga replied, "We'll first visit Ecruteak City in Johto to visit Bell Tower."

Ecruteak City was deeply connected to Ho-oh, making it Yuga's first choice for finding leads.

However, for Yuga, Ecruteak City wasn't the friendliest place. Both Ecruteak Gym and Ecruteak Tower had many Trainers skilled in Ghost-type Pokémon, precisely the type of Trainers Yuga wanted to avoid right now.

Encountering them would make it easier for his aura emanating from the Ghost Realm Origin Stone to be detected.

Fortunately, Mismagius and Gengar provided Yuga with a temporary solution by sealing the spread of his energy using the power of Cleanse Tag.

The reason Yuga waited until the third day to depart was to receive the Cleanse Tag he had ordered.

However, the Cleanse Tag had very limited effectiveness. Yuga couldn't easily utilize the King of Ghost ability within him. Otherwise, the Cleanse Tag would fail to contain the Ghost Realm Origin Stone's energy.

The Pokémon Yuga brought with him on this journey included Absol, Chimecho, Charmander, Bellossom, Roserade, Ivysaur, and Shroomish.

Because he had Mismagius and Gengar with him, Yuga didn't bring his most powerful Pokémon. Instead, he chose to bring the ones he had been training recently, hoping they would all continue to grow.

Especially Bellossom, Shroomish, and Ivysaur. Yuga intended to train them jointly, so bringing them along was essential.

The Cleanse Tag's function was creatively adapted by the author based on its name.