Chapter 4: The Treecko That Abandoned Its Trainer!

After understanding the whole situation, Zhang Feng’s curiosity was piqued as he looked at the Exeggutor before him. With the help of the system, the Exeggutor’s attribute panel appeared right in front of Zhang Feng.

Creature: Exeggutor (Hungry)
Class: None
Level: 15
Trait: Overgrow
Type: Grass
Potential: Purple (Potentials rank from lowest to highest as White, Green, Blue, Purple, Gold, Red, Rainbow)
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Skills: Seed Machine Gun, Leaf Blade, Worry Seed, Photosynthesis, Volt Tackle
Affection: 0
Background: Experienced multiple failed encounters with initial trainers, deeply dissatisfied with incompetent trainers, prefers to be alone rather than endure such trainers
Hobby: Likes spicy food, yearns to grow stronger

Seeing the attribute panel of this Exeggutor, along with its history and the fact that it had already reached a purple potential, Zhang Feng’s eyes lit up involuntarily.

An Exeggutor with purple potential can evolve twice, and under such circumstances, after evolving into a Sceptile, there’s a high probability it could achieve gold potential, right?

Ordinarily, most Pokémon have white or green potential — these are the most common Pokémon found along the roadsides.

The initial starter Pokémon prepared for the League’s direct descendants generally have blue potential. When fully evolved, they usually reach purple potential, making them strong allies for trainers.

Purple-potential starter Pokémon are indeed quite rare; typically, only semi-legendary Pokémon start at purple potential.

Now that Zhang Feng had encountered one—an Exeggutor that had actively abandoned its original trainer—how could he not seize this opportunity?

This template is a starter Pokémon to boot—definitely a child of this version!

Moreover, this little one likes spicy food, which could serve as an entry point, and it was currently hungry.

So, looking at the troubled expression on Professor Oden and the crying little Li, Zhang Feng stepped forward and said,

“Professor, I have an idea that might solve your current dilemma!”

For Professor Oden, an initial Pokémon abandoning its trainer was indeed a fault on his part as a professor, since initial starters usually obey their trainers without question.

At the very least, it’s unheard of for an initial starter to rebel against its trainer.

Now, Li’s failure was a headache for Professor Oden.

After all, as the regional professor, those who come to him to receive their starter Pokémon come from affluent families and are generally direct descendants of the League.

The League also assesses the compatibility between starter Pokémon and novice trainers.

Giving a stubborn Exeggutor—hardly suitable as a starter—to a timid rookie trainer leads to situations where the trainer and Pokémon can’t get along. If this is traced back to Professor Oden’s oversight, it could affect his authority and evaluation as the regional professor.

Hearing Zhang Feng’s words, and having a good impression of him, Professor Oden reluctantly asked,

“Xiao Feng, what’s your solution?”

Zhang Feng replied,

“Professor, it’s simple. You could give her a new starter Pokémon with a gentle temperament. This Exeggutor seems too strong-willed and isn’t suited to a trainer who treats Pokémon like accessories.”

Professor Oden sighed,

“I’ve thought about that too. As a professor, I can of course claim new starter Pokémon, but this Exeggutor refuses to follow any other trainer. Until it’s properly settled, I cannot apply for new starters.”

“To get a new starter, I need to find a suitable trainer for this little one first.”

“The Pokémon League has rules for starters; they don’t want these Pokémon to be abandoned due to having a bad trainer. I never expected an Exeggutor to actively abandon its own trainer—this is a first…”

Hearing this, Zhang Feng felt a surge of excitement.

This was a truly golden opportunity!

“Is that so! Professor, I’ve always wanted to travel. If possible, could I try to catch this Exeggutor?”

“If I succeed, you’ll have solved the problem of this Exeggutor lacking a new trainer, you’ll complete your task, and the young lady can reapply for a new, suitable Pokémon.”

“Meanwhile, I’ll get a starter Pokémon for my own adventure. If I truly succeed, I’ll be forever grateful, Professor!”

Upon hearing this, Professor Oden studied Zhang Feng carefully.

At first, his impression of Zhang Feng was one of sympathy. Zhang Feng was sensible, often offered help, and was well-liked by the Pokémon in the research institute. It was a pity that at eighteen, he had yet to embark on the path of a trainer.

Now, hearing Zhang Feng’s enthusiasm to become a trainer and tame this Exeggutor, Professor Oden had no hesitation.

His only worry was whether the Exeggutor could bond with Zhang Feng; failure could harm both of them.

But on second thought, this was the best option currently available.

Moreover, regional professors have the authority to recognize outstanding trainers, grant them starter Pokémon, and issue Pokédexes.

Since Zhang Feng was earnest,

and the Exeggutor wouldn’t follow anyone else until it found a proper trainer, Professor Oden decided it was better to let Zhang Feng try. If it worked out, everyone would be happy.

Even if it didn’t, there were other Pokémon at the institute. If any were willing to accompany Zhang Feng on his journey, they could still give this dreamer a chance.

With that thought, Professor Oden agreed.

He then handed the Exeggutor’s Poké Ball to Zhang Feng.

Seeing that Professor Oden truly gave him this opportunity, Zhang Feng’s heart swelled with joy.

Quickly, he took a spicy berry—the Spicy Berry—from the system’s storage.

“Little one, this is for you!”

Spicy Berries normally restore a Pokémon’s stamina when it’s low, but if a Pokémon dislikes spicy flavors, it becomes confused.

Zhang Feng had many of these berries in his system’s storage, so on a whim, he took one out.

At first, the Exeggutor looked down on Zhang Feng with disdain.

But when it caught the scent of the spicy berry, its hunger stirred. It sniffed and then turned its gaze toward Zhang Feng.

Professor Oden, witnessing this, showed a trace of surprise.

He hadn’t realized Zhang Feng had such knowledge to immediately recognize the Exeggutor’s fondness for spicy food.

Normally, only Fire-type Pokémon enjoy spicy food; it was rare for a Grass-type to like it.

Sure enough, tempted by the food, the Exeggutor reluctantly approached Zhang Feng.

After all, the little one was hungry.

If it was hungry, it needed to eat.

Zhang Feng held out the Spicy Berry, and as the Exeggutor came closer and began eating from his hand, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ding dong, Exeggutor’s affection towards you has increased; current affection is 30!”

It seemed that taming this proud Exeggutor was not impossible after all.

Indeed, Pokémon, so long as there’s no malice, and knowing their preferences, gaining their friendship can be surprisingly simple.

…