Ch.153 If I Say It’s True, Then It’s True

"Divine gifts?"

Someone couldn't help but let out a mocking laugh.

"You might as well call yourself a divine apostle. After all, these Pokémon and your 'Pokémon Manipulation' technique are unique to you. You can say whatever you want."

Akira didn't hold back against such people:

"If I really wanted to say whatever I wanted, would I be holding this symposium here? I might as well follow Suguru's example and start a Pokémon-worshipping cult. Do you think I don't have the ability to do that? Or do you think Suguru, the curse user, was right?"

Akira emphasized the term "curse user." It wasn't just them who could throw around labels. The ancestors of China had been playing this game for centuries.

"I never said that. I'm just raising reasonable doubts within a reasonable scope," the person, whose name Akira couldn't even be bothered to remember, clearly wasn't willing to back down.

"Then my doubts are equally reasonable, aren't they? I now suspect that you're a mole from Suguru's cult infiltrating the Union—"

"Slander! Pure slander! Chairman, esteemed directors—"

"Funny, I was just about to ask everyone to judge this. You questioning me is reasonable, but me questioning you is slander? What a double standard. How about this: if I can prove that my theory about Pokémon is correct, then my doubts about you would also be reasonable, wouldn't they?"

If you can throw wild accusations, I can twist the narrative too.

Debating? Who doesn't know how to do that? You think you can look down on me, a keyboard warrior?

If the heavens hadn't created keyboard warriors, the way of the keyboard would have remained in eternal darkness.

Now, it's just shifting from online punches to offline punches.

Akira was ready for anything.

Of course, the seasoned veterans among the higher-ups weren't fooled by Akira's tactics, nor would they let him continue to stir up trouble. They stepped in with their usual mediating tone:

"Let's keep one thing separate from another. If there's a mole, we won't tolerate it. But a new theory also needs evidence to support it. Akira, please present your evidence to convince everyone."

"The evidence is right here," Akira said, picking up Serperior. "One of my Pokémon, Serperior, as you can see, has characteristics of both a snake and a plant. It can eat like a snake and perform photosynthesis like a plant—absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. Here's the data I collected in advance."

The PowerPoint slides switched accordingly.

Akira had prepared all of this long ago. He himself was deeply curious about the existence of Pokémon, so he had done some data collection.

The biggest difference between Pokémon and cursed spirits is that Pokémon can genuinely integrate into the ecosystem, while cursed spirits cannot.

Serperior's photosynthesis, or Larvitar's habit of eating dirt, are real needs that affect their growth and development. Cursed spirits, on the other hand, don't have such ecological requirements.

They only need the cursed energy from human negative emotions to sustain their existence.

On the other hand, Pokémon do possess spiritual traits. The most obvious one—they can damage cursed spirits.

Although Akira hadn't conducted experiments to prove it, the photosynthesis verification experiment was basic enough that no one doubted he would lie about it.

At most, someone might ask: "If that's the case, how does this demonstrate the role of human faith and cognition in their creation? Natural spirits or gods could also create Pokémon based on existing animals and plants."

Akira had an explanation for that too: "Two pieces of evidence. One is my existence—I am the wielder of 'Pokémon Manipulation.' The other is that Pokémon are more affectionate toward humans than wild animals."

Okay, from the way Akira emphasized "Pokémon Manipulation," it was clear he was improvising.

As for how much of it was true, even Akira wasn't sure. He was just using the existing system and information to provide a plausible explanation.

In short, Akira was making up the lore.

As long as it sounded coherent, logically consistent, and somewhat believable, it was fine.

This stage, in science, is called bold hypothesis.

As for the careful verification later…

It's not that Akira looked down on jujutsu sorcerers, but they really weren't cut out for this. Apart from Yuki Tsukumo and the antagonist Kenjaku, there wasn't a single scientist among them. There were a few researchers, but they were all focused on how to harness curses:

- Possessing a human body makes it a jujutsu technique.

- Possessing an inanimate object makes it a cursed corpse if it can move, or a cursed tool if it can't.

Akira, currently channeling the aura of Professor Oak, was confident he could outdo them, whether in research or combat.

In fact, the initial skepticism wasn't wrong. Akira could say whatever he wanted, and the final interpretation was in his hands. What could they do about it?

But whether they had research capabilities or not was one thing; whether they would demand explanations from Akira was another.

The Union's directors whispered among themselves for a while, and one of the executives spoke up: "We've understood Akira's report on Pokémon. For now, we haven't found any flaws or errors, but formal conclusions will require further verification. We hope Akira can cooperate and, if possible, provide some Pokémon as samples."

"I understand the director's request, but that's difficult for now. Firstly, the number of Pokémon is limited. Secondly, as you've seen, Pokémon are very sensitive to human emotions. I personally believe their birth is closely tied to positive emotions. If someone has impure intentions, it's almost impossible to gain their recognition."

"Even if Akira steps in to mediate?"

"That won't work either. During my battle with Suguru, he analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the two manipulation techniques. The advantage of Pokémon lies in their individual potential and intelligence, but the downside is that they aren't very obedient and their numbers are limited. When they're disobedient, they can be quite mischievous, as Specialist Nishino has experienced."

"In that case, is there a possibility that Pokémon could turn against humans and become a threat?"

"Individually, I can't guarantee it, but as a group, I don't believe so. Because their forms are shaped by human positive emotions, they have a natural affinity for humans—but only an affinity. Even dogs, known for their loyalty, can bite when provoked.

As for risks and threats, any lethal weapon carries them. Jujutsu can exorcise cursed spirits, but it can also kill people. Mundane weapons are even more so. At the very least, Pokémon aren't more threatening than nuclear weapons."

This was the real reason Akira insisted on tying human faith and positive energy into the equation.

It created a cycle: treat Pokémon well, and they'll become allies. If you old-timers harbor ill intentions, don't blame Pokémon for attacking you first.

Everyone knows how many good people are among the conservatives, especially when it comes to the question of whether humans are inherently evil.

"The planet, nature, won't destroy humanity. Only humanity can destroy itself—that's a belief I've always held, and it's the reason I've been able to coexist harmoniously with Pokémon.

If anyone doesn't believe it and insists on doing something to my Pokémon—then bring it on. Just be prepared to provoke a Special Grade."