Chapter 114: Attraction

“Bulbasaur, use Petal Dance!”

Under Am’s command, Bulbasaur unleashed Petal Dance, swirling petals filling the air as the last Houndoom was knocked down—since Am had ambushed the trainer and reclaimed the Pokéballs first, these Pokémon were unusually easy to handle.

The confusion caused by Petal Dance was quickly soothed by Am’s use of Heart Link through Animal Sensors.

At the same time...

Bulbasaur began to radiate the glow of evolution.

The shimmering outline expanded gradually, and the flower bud on its back finally blossomed fully!

“Bulba!”

As the evolutionary light faded, Ivysaur stomped its foot and let out a roar.

Am’s eyes lit up. “It evolved? Makes sense, it was almost there before... Here, wear this!” Am tossed the Ivysaur Mega Stone, a gift from the Suzuki Group, into the center of its flower.

This gave them an extra trump card...

Just then, a dull thud echoed—one of the henchmen who had pretended to faint in an attempt to escape for help was suddenly flung back.

“I’m right here, you still want to run?” Pidove strutted back arrogantly.

Am: ...

“So... where were you scared off to before?” Am suspected it had been threatened by Kadabra, since Nana also wanted to uncover the treasure’s location from Yuko.

Pidove evaded the question, saying, “Boss! Leave this to me!”

Am rolled their eyes, then instructed Lala to rescue the orphanage director’s Pokémon before heading toward the cemetery.

It was clear now that the Uchiha treasure— or rather, the ruins of the Nanga Shrine—were indeed located in the graveyard.

The orphanage had been attacked because it was the only place nearby with people. Controlling the orphanage meant that even if the treasure hunt caused a commotion, it wouldn’t alert anyone.

At first, due to the vastness of the graveyard, Am hadn’t yet found where the bald Uchiha and his group had gone...

“Right!” Am suddenly slapped their forehead, chiding themselves for being so foolish.

Taking a few deep breaths, Am composed themselves and re-entered the “Spirit Vision” perspective.

“Dark blue and purple... must be Ghost-type Pokémon... Hmm? So bright!” Am found a spot where the life energy shone brilliantly.

Since the Uchiha treasure came from Ho-Oh and Xerneas, it made sense that it possessed abundant life energy!

Under Spirit Vision, Am saw a small sun glowing in the graveyard.

Rushing toward the small sun, Am arrived just as Brimwynn appeared beside Nana.

Under Brimwynn’s witch’s psychic waves, Am’s head throbbed painfully; Gengar clutched its head and struggled free from Am’s shadow. Clearly, this Brimwynn was no ordinary level fifty or sixty!

At the same time, Am barely managed to re-enter Spirit Vision and saw the “small sun” burst forth from underground.

A small bird appeared, about to fly into Nana’s arms...

Am noticed Nana’s aura had changed—the colors now resembled those of the small sun more closely.

Am deduced that Nana was expressing qualities similar to that treasure, seeking its approval.

That treasure itself...

Was evidently a vibrant, life-filled inheriting power.

After all, Xerneas is regarded as the “God of Life” in the Kalos region, and Ho-Oh symbolizes regeneration and resurrection.

The fusion of their powers was undeniably full of vitality.

Though Nana was strange—Am even suspected she was connected to the Uchiha clan of this world—Am still wanted to give it a try!

After all, it was full of life... No, full of vitality...

Who better than the “Mother Earth” to embody such vigor?

Unfortunately, Am had never truly chosen the “Mother Path” sequence, only the adjacent “Moon Path” power, but...

Am felt their potential was great!

Striving to manifest their potential, Am’s aura gradually turned to resemble a small sun under Spirit Vision.

Meanwhile, the “small bird” emerged from the underground chamber, ready to pounce into Nana’s embrace, but...

At the last moment, it hesitated, circling Nana twice as if observing something.

Nana frowned slightly.

Looking closely, it was clear this “bird” was not a bird at all, but a feather wrapped in the fiery plumage of the legendary bird!

Nana’s gaze grew indifferent—honestly, the Uchiha treasure, while desired, wasn’t of paramount importance to her.

With trainer skills rivaling the Eternal Flame, Nana possessed more than one such power. This treasure held symbolic meaning, as she was a descendant of the Uchiha clan!

Though she no longer bore the Uchiha name and the clan’s legacy had faded, her inherent psychic abilities gradually revealed her Uchiha bloodline...

That the Eternal Flame chooses its master was no surprise, but...

Given her Uchiha heritage, why would the Eternal Flame choose someone else?

Under Nana’s gaze, part disdainful and part intrigued, the “small bird” circled her twice before flying directly toward Am.

Passing near Yuko and the others, the bird tried to be snatched, but even though Yuko struggled through the headache to grab it, the bird deftly dodged and flew to Am, who had the potential of “Mother Earth.”

According to compatibility, Am was indeed the most suitable to wield the Eternal Flame among those present, while Nana was merely a powerful psychic with Uchiha blood.

The Eternal Flame, after all, was a fusion of Ho-Oh’s and Xerneas’s powers, not something created by Madara Uchiha himself...

Compared to a descendant of the previous wielder, the “more suitable person” naturally attracted it more.

The small bird landed on Am, and in the next moment...

Am was engulfed in flames!

Nana watched unhappily and lowered her outstretched arms—indeed, the embarrassment of having opened her arms, waiting for the Eternal Flame, only for it not to come, was more frustrating than mere disappointment.

At the same moment, alarms finally sounded around them...

In truth, Junsha had long been lying in wait nearby, but the disturbances here had been sealed off by an unknown force until Nana gave up, allowing the sound to resurface.

“Don’t move! Routine inspection by Junsha!” Yumi rode in atop a Rapidash, leading the charge, but...

As she approached, her head throbbed violently as well.

Nana ignored Junsha completely; after glancing at the burning Am, she turned and left.

All Junsha’s Pokémon and members trying to block her clutched their heads and slowed down.

Even Jinghua and Ginzi refrained from rushing forward...

“Hmm? That person seems to be...”

“Yes, it must be her.”

“Should we summon her? Nah, it probably has nothing to do with Anzi.”

“Hmph.”

Though Jinghua was displeased, she didn’t argue with Ginzi. Summoning her might be useless—some things even Junsha couldn’t resolve...