Chapter 197: The Hatching of Gible

Chapter 197: The Hatching of Gible

[Pokémon: Latias]

[Ability: Levitate]

[Gender: Female]

[Potential: Tier 3 Legendary]

[Strength: Level 52 (Weakened)]

[Moves: Wish, Helping Hand, Safeguard, Dragon Breath, Water Sport, Guard Swap, Dragon Pulse, Dream Projection, Healing Source...]

[Description: A guardian Pokémon of the water capital.]

Although the "Weakened" label remained, now that Latias had fully recovered to the Master level,

Without a doubt—

It was currently the strongest member of Hikaru's team.

September 8th.

If all went as planned, this would be Hikaru's last day at the World Tree.

On a grassy clearing atop the World Tree—

All of Hikaru's Pokémon gathered around, watching expectantly as he held a blue-striped Pokémon egg in his hands.

It was Gible's egg.

[Pokémon: Gible (Estimated hatching in 3 minutes)]

[Potential: Champion]

Nearly a month had passed in the blink of an eye.

And yet—

At this moment, those three minutes felt incredibly long.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Then—

Crack.

With the sound of eggshells breaking, a flash of white light burst forth.

When the light faded,

What appeared before them was a round-bodied Pokémon,

Its face resembling a miniature shark, with jet-black eyes like polished onyx.

A sharp fin jutted from its head, and it had stubby arms and legs, along with a small, short tail.

Its large mouth revealed rows of tiny, razor-sharp teeth that gleamed with a chilling light.

[Pokémon: Gible]

[Ability: Rough Skin]

[Gender: Male]

[Potential: Champion]

[Strength: Level 11]

[Moves: Tackle, Dragon Breath, Metal Claw, Mud Shot, Dig]

[Description: This Gible has been nurtured with Verdant Force while in the egg, greatly enhancing its stamina.]

Born at Level 11, and with a boosted endurance from Verdant Force...

This little guy showed great promise!

"Gible?"

The newborn Gible blinked in confusion, surrounded by so many curious gazes.

Hikaru waved his hand in front of its face, greeting it.

But then—

To everyone's surprise,

Gible's pitch-black eyes suddenly focused—

Then its already wide mouth opened even larger...

And chomp!

Hikaru's entire hand was inside its mouth.

For a moment, everyone was stunned.

Gardevoir almost activated its Psychic powers on instinct.

Even though Gible had just been born,

its teeth looked incredibly sharp.

However, Hikaru quickly raised his free hand, signaling for them to stop.

"Gib-Gib~"

In reality, Gible wasn't biting down hard.

Its bright black eyes squinted into cheerful crescents,

Tiny stubby arms clung tightly to Hikaru's wrist.

While it was still in the egg,

It had sensed a warm and comforting energy—

And that same energy was coming from Hikaru.

During its hatching period, Hikaru's Verdant Force had been continuously nourishing it.

Now, after hatching, Gible could instantly recognize that familiar aura.

And it was so excited that it just didn't want to let go.

("Oh no... is this another clingy Pokémon?")

Seeing Gible stubbornly latched onto his hand, Hikaru mentally sighed.

Fortunately—

Just as that thought surfaced, Gible finally let go, its gaze curiously sweeping around the area.

First, it turned toward Mew.

Then—it suddenly hopped in place, as if trying to reach out and touch it!

However—

Mew effortlessly blinked out of existence,

And Gible chomped at nothing but air.

It paused for a second, unfazed, before rushing forward again.

The group watched in amusement as the little shark persistently leaped toward Mew.

But—

With its newborn strength, compared to a legend like Mew...

Let's just say—

Mew could play with it like a puppet.

Watching Gible bouncing around in vain, Mew giggled mischievously.

"Meow? Meow~" (Hmm? This is fun! This is fun!~)

Hikaru stood nearby with his arms crossed, shaking his head.

The other Pokémon watched curiously, unsure what Gible was trying to accomplish.

After repeatedly missing,

Gible finally realized that the floating pink cat was completely out of reach.

Then—

With teary eyes, it turned toward Hikaru.

And charged straight into his arms.

"Huh?"

Hikaru was momentarily stunned.

Wait—was it actually crying?

"Hey, Hikaru—it's crying…"

Latias, who had shifted into her human form, peered over with curiosity.

But the next second—

A sly grin flashed in Gible's eyes.

In a sudden burst of movement,

It launched itself out of Hikaru's arms—

Leaping toward Latias!

Just like it had tried with Mew earlier—

Clearly intent on grabbing her this time.

But—

Latias' reaction speed…

Was far beyond what a newly hatched Gible could handle.

"Huh? What are you trying to do?"

Latias narrowed her golden eyes, her expression turning wary as she hovered slightly out of reach.

"Gible..."

Failing again,

Failing again,

Failing over and over again...

Gible's expression darkened.

The tears were gone—

Replaced by a frustrated pout.

("Looks like... another troublemaker...")

Watching Gible's playful antics, Hikaru massaged his forehead.

Just as he was about to call Gible back—

It suddenly locked eyes with Charizard.

Then, without hesitation—

It ran over, bouncing toward the fire dragon.

Charizard didn't move,

Instead, it stood still, watching curiously as Gible wrapped its stubby arms around its leg.

Charizard was curious to see what the little one would do next.

And then—

Gible suddenly opened its jaws...

And lightly bit down on Charizard's leg.

Then, grinning smugly, it stepped back and let go.

"Gib-Gib!" (I bit you—so now you have to protect me!)

Charizard: "..."

Hikaru: "..."

This little guy…

Was choosing a leader.

No wonder its first targets were Mew, Latias, and then Charizard.

It was looking for the strongest Pokémon to follow!

Wait—but how?

Hikaru quickly realized something odd.

Mew and Latias never released their energy aura.

Even his Aura Vision couldn't detect them if they hid their presence.

And yet—

This newborn Gible had immediately singled them out.

Hikaru's curiosity was piqued.

Activating Aura Vision, he carefully analyzed Gible again.

The result surprised him.

[Description: Having been exposed to frequent Aura Power during incubation, this Gible has developed an extraordinary sensitivity to energy.]

"Wait… what?"

A question mark appeared in Hikaru's mind.

As Gible's eyes shifted toward Greninja next—

Hikaru's interest grew stronger.

("It can naturally sense energy levels?")

This Gible…

Might just become something special.

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