Chapter 50: Salamence’s Mega Evolution Stone

At noon, Ryuu and his cousins, Fujiwara Renji and Fujiwara Haruto, had lunch at Fujiwara Kiyoshi's mansion.

Ryuu had his own reasons for staying—he was here to search for destiny.

As for Renji and Haruto, their true goal was the Electivire egg in Kiyoshi's possession.

But the old man hadn't mentioned it at all, and now, the two brothers were growing impatient.

They were itching to make their move.

Kiyoshi sighed, sensing their urgency.

Before the meal, he had secretly told Ryuu that the Electivire egg was meant for him.

But now that his other grandsons were bringing it up, he had no choice but to address the issue.

"Grandfather, I heard that your Electivire laid an egg recently. Could we take a look?"

Renji tried to sound casual, but his eyes burned with greed.

He couldn't just ask for it outright, so he hinted instead.

Kiyoshi knew exactly what the two brothers were after.

But he was an old man with a soft heart.

Even though he disliked them, they were still his grandsons.

He let out a deep sigh.

"Fine. I'll show it to you."

Renji and Haruto's faces lit up with excitement.

This was it.

Their chance to snatch the Electivire egg.

Ryuu followed along, curious.

It was a champion Pokémon's offspring—if its talent was high, he wouldn't let it go so easily.

He wouldn't mind competing for it if necessary.

After all, his cousins despised him anyway.

If he could steal their hopes and dreams, even better.

---

In the mansion's secret chamber, an incubator hummed softly in the corner.

Inside, a single Pokémon egg lay resting.

The two brothers stared at it intensely, their greedy expressions impossible to hide.

"This egg... It has to be a future champion!" Renji whispered, eyes gleaming.

"Whoever owns this Pokémon will definitely reach the champion level!" Haruto added excitedly.

Kiyoshi remained silent, deep in thought.

Meanwhile, Ryuu's eyes flickered with a hint of excitement before a status Screen hovered in front of him.

[Pokémon: Elekid]

[Ability: Static]

[Potential: Quasi-Elite]

[Status: Potential Damage Due to Intense Combat During Mother's Pregnancy]

Ryuu's excitement instantly vanished.

Quasi-Elite potential?

That was disappointing.

For a champion Pokémon's offspring, it should have at least had Elite potential.

But due to Electivire's battles while carrying the egg, the potential had been permanently damaged.

At best, it could barely reach quasi-Elite level.

Ryuu wasn't interested.

Training it would require finding special Electric-type treasures, and even then, the return wasn't worth it.

Better to focus on his current Pokémon or wait for something better.

He had already decided to pass.

But just as he was about to speak, Renji made his move.

"Cousin, you already have a Salamence in the making. Why not give this to me?"

Renji's hands were already on the incubator, and he wasn't even trying to hide his greed anymore.

He ignored Ryuu completely, acting as if the egg was already his.

Kiyoshi sighed deeply.

This was why he had hesitated—he didn't want to reward this kind of behavior.

But what could he do?

They were still his grandsons.

Ryuu was about to reject the offer outright—until his eyes landed on something unexpected.

A bracelet.

Wrapped around Renji's wrist.

It had a distinct symbol in the center—and a small stone attached to the side.

Ryuu's heart skipped a beat.

That wasn't just any bracelet.

It was a Mega Evolution Key Stone.

And the attached stone?

Ryuu's breathing quickened.

That was a Mega Evolution Stone.

And judging by the spiral-like pattern…

It was for Salamence.

A Salamencite.

A wave of pure excitement surged through him.

This… this was fate.

He was already on the path to getting a Salamence—and now, he had found its Mega Evolution stone.

He had to have it.

No matter what.

His expression remained neutral, but inside, his mind was racing.

He needed to play this carefully.

---

Kiyoshi noticed the shift in Ryuu's expression.

"Grandson, what's wrong?"

Ryuu quickly snapped out of his daze.

He couldn't let them get suspicious.

Taking a deep breath, he put on his best "reluctant" voice.

"I was just thinking… maybe I should let my cousin have it."

The room fell silent.

Renji's face brightened with joyful disbelief.

"Really?!"

Even Haruto looked confused.

Kiyoshi, meanwhile, looked shocked.

He knew Ryuu wasn't the type to give up valuable things easily.

Was this really happening?

Ryuu forced a sigh, pretending to be conflicted.

"Yeah… I guess it's only fair."

Renji laughed excitedly.

"Cousin, I misjudged you. You're a true brother!"

Haruto, meanwhile, looked deeply unhappy.

He had planned to take the egg for himself.

Now, Ryuu was handing it over—to Renji.

That meant Haruto got nothing.

Kiyoshi was even more frustrated.

This egg was meant for Ryuu, not these ungrateful brats!

But before he could say anything, Ryuu casually grabbed Renji's wrist.

"Cousin."

"Yeah?"

Ryuu smiled warmly.

"Your bracelet… it looks amazing. Where'd you get it?"

Renji glanced down at it, then grinned.

"Oh, this? It's nothing. Just something I bought for a few hundred thousand yen."

Ryuu's eyes sparkled.

Bingo.

"I love it." Ryuu said smoothly. "That symbol in the middle—it's so unique."

Renji laughed, pleased with the attention.

"You like it? I'll give it to you!"

Haruto and Kiyoshi: "..."

Ryuu put on his best "reluctant but grateful" act.

"Cousin… I couldn't possibly accept…"

"Nonsense!" Renji ripped the bracelet off his wrist and shoved it into Ryuu's hands.

"We're brothers! This is nothing compared to our bond!"

Kiyoshi watched the entire exchange with an exhausted expression.

Even Haruto looked disgusted.

Did these two actually think they were bonding?

Ryuu, meanwhile, held back his smirk.

He had traded away a damaged egg—for a Mega Evolution Key Stone and Salamencite.

The real prize.

Slipping the bracelet onto his wrist, Ryuu patted Renji's shoulder.

"Cousin, thank you."

In his heart, he was laughing.

This was the best trade of his life.

======

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