"Let's see how effective Sakuragi's tool is."
Even though there's no signal, the tool Sakuragi transmitted is already on the phone. As long as it's installed, it can be tested.
Natsuhiko is quite accustomed to the technological advancements in the Pokemon Realm.
As the progress bar on the phone interface fills up.
This initial version of the "Affinity" testing tool is now installed.
He didn't use it directly on Togepi.
Instead, he called over Beedrill.
Beedrill, as Natsuhiko's initial Pokémon, has accompanied him from the times when he was the poorest and weakest.
Lately, Natsuhiko has been interacting more with Abra and Togepi, and less with Beedrill.
It's not because Abra and Togepi are rarer than Beedrill, so he values them more.
Rather, it's because Natsuhiko feels that he and Beedrill have reached a certain level of momentum, where some things can be understood without being said.
Sometimes, Natsuhiko just needs to give Beedrill a look, and it can execute the task perfectly.
Conversely, Beedrill's mindset, thoughts, and intentions can be roughly inferred by Natsuhiko from a change in its gaze or actions.
This momentum is built upon mutual trust.
"Bzzz?"
Beedrill looks at Natsuhiko curiously as he takes pictures of it with his phone, but it doesn't move.
Two minutes later, the tool collects enough data, and after a series of complex calculations and analyses, the screen displays Natsuhiko's affinity with Beedrill.
It's not an exact number, but a range.
"230-240."
An affinity over 200 indicates that the Trainer and Pokémon have reached a high level of momentum.
Although it hasn't reached the maximum value of 255, that level is extremely difficult to achieve.
Even those who have been with their Pokémon for years or decades may not reach the maximum affinity.
It's a subtle thing; it's not a rigid number in a game that can be maxed out just by walking a certain distance or winning a certain number of battles. It requires a natural progression.
The higher the affinity value, the harder it is to reach.
"But this range is quite large; hopefully, Sakuragi will make it more precise in the future."
He pats Beedrill's sturdy Long Needle.
They're old partners, so no need for unnecessary words.
Natsuhiko then calls over Abra.
The affinity he has with Abra shouldn't be low either.
After all, Abra has been with him since birth, and when it first saw Natsuhiko, it even called him "Dad."
The result naturally didn't exceed Natsuhiko's expectations.
Though not as high as with Beedrill, it reached the "210-220" range.
The higher the affinity between a Pokémon and a Trainer, the higher the momentum.
But higher momentum doesn't necessarily equate to the highest affinity value.
After all, the relationship between a Trainer and Pokémon involves not just battles, but also lifestyle, habits, and the feeling of being together.
After these two tests, Natsuhiko also gained a general understanding of this tool.
And the Pokémon finally understood what Natsuhiko was doing.
When it was Togepi's turn, the little guy was nervous, its Soothing Bell on its neck trembling as it walked.
No one wants to be the Pokémon with the lowest affinity with Natsuhiko.
"Toge...pi?"
Really want to test?
Togepi looked at Natsuhiko hesitantly.
Natsuhiko, seeing Togepi's mindset, smiled warmly, "You joined the team last, so it's understandable even if the value is the lowest. Besides, these values only represent the present and don't indicate that it'll always remain the same. No need to pressure yourself."
Togepi wore the Soothing Bell.
Theoretically, its affinity with Natsuhiko shouldn't be low, and it has already fully integrated into the team, getting along well with Natsuhiko, Beedrill, Abra, and even with Shuckle.
Natsuhiko is more concerned about when Togepi will complete its evolution.
In Togepi's anxious little eyes, its affinity with Natsuhiko was also detected.
"200-210."
Seeing this value, Natsuhiko's eyes lit up, and Togepi exhaled a long sigh of relief.
Its small hand patted its chest, creating a pleasant ring from the Soothing Bell.
What a relief.
"Higher than I expected. It seems the Soothing Bell is effective, and Togepi and I have a high compatibility."
Togepi can evolve into Togetic once its affinity with a Trainer reaches 220 points.
Looking at the current situation....
"Togepi, you're about to evolve, aren't you?"
"Togepi?"
Huh?
Actually, even before the concept of "affinity" was introduced, there were Pokémon that needed their affinity to reach a certain level to evolve.
For example, Gerwin's Jigglypuff evolves after the affinity between an Igglybuff and Trainer reaches a certain level.
But due to the lack of a clear concept, the evolution patterns of Pokémon that rely on affinity values for evolution have not been confirmed until now.
The invention of the "Affinity Testing Tool" is destined to bring impact to many Trainers and Pokémon, changing the status of some Pokémon to some extent.
"But, can this thing only measure values above 200?"
To verify this, Natsuhiko turned his gaze to Sharpedo huddled in the corner.
Natsuhiko's gaze made the fierce Sharpedo shiver, and it grinned with its rows of sharp teeth, revealing an awkward smile.
Beep——
"50-60."
"Well, it seems that if the threat is insufficient, it might turn against me at any time...."
Natsuhiko's gaze gradually turned a bit "dangerous."
Sharpedo's expression froze.
Even without looking at the phone, it knew the data wouldn't be high.
Ever since Natsuhiko saw Lapras last time, it had a feeling, which became even clearer after this affinity test.
It always felt that the distance from being a shark to becoming shark fin seemed... not far away....
Beep——
Suddenly, the testing tool beeped again.
"60-70"
Natsuhiko looked surprised.
So it's possible to forcefully increase affinity?
He glanced at the smiling and fawning Sharpedo.
It certainly has a strong survival instinct.
...
...
A peaceful night passed.
Waking up the next day under the influence of a well-formed biological clock.
Holding Togepi, with Abra and Beedrill, he walked out of the space created by Secret Power.
The sky was still a dull gray, and the entire island was caught in a color between day and night, surrounded by a thin layer of mist, making visibility not very high.
This feeling was like...
"Just like being in the Netherworld."
With an attitude of exploring, Natsuhiko did not re-enter the empty small town. Instead, he headed towards the dense forest behind the town.
The ground was covered in fallen leaves and overgrown bushes, making it very difficult to walk.
Beedrill was at the front, clearing the path; Abra floated behind Natsuhiko, while Togepi nestled in his arms, its small eyes looking around.
Natsuhiko held Togepi in one hand, and in the other hand, he clutched the sharp dagger he had snatched from Pates, cutting through the branches along the way.
He could explore this island with confidence because his greatest safeguard was Abra's Instant Movement.
If things went beyond expectations, he could directly return to the pier and leave this mysterious island with Sharpedo.
Gradually.
Natsuhiko discovered.
This island wasn't without Pokémon.
But these Pokémon... were rather peculiar.