"Very efficient..."
The private message was naturally from Sakuragi, about the latest batch of experimental data and analysis.
Thanks to Sakuragi's relentless efforts and having a clear direction as a premise, results were yielded quickly.
The power of the Gratitude Technique is indeed related to "Affinity"; the more harmonious the relationship with the Trainer, the greater the power when using the Gratitude Technique, as expected, showing a proportional phenomenon. This confirmed Natsuhiko's hypothesis.
This successful validation undoubtedly made Sakuragi very excited, so he informed Natsuhiko about it at the first opportunity.
However, the specific power value of the Gratitude Technique and the numerical ratio with "Affinity" has not yet been calculated.
Sakuragi found that Natsuhiko casually mentioned that the maximum value of "Affinity" is 100, which somewhat doesn't match the power ratio of the Gratitude Technique.
But it's believed that with a little more time, the correct numbers and ratios can soon be converted.
This way, their first hypothesis can be successfully validated.
Upon receiving this private message, Natsuhiko expressed that the maximum "Affinity" value of 100 points was just a casual suggestion, and he proposed Sakuragi consider more unique numbers like 150 or 255.
Natsuhiko certainly knows that the true maximum "Affinity" value is 255 points, and the full power of the Gratitude Technique is 104 points, but he couldn't say it outright. He had to use indirect hints to minimize the detours Sakuragi might take during the experiment, making it smoother.
Sakuragi also stated that he would try and compare these values.
Once the ratio is successfully confirmed, he might immediately collaborate with other researchers to develop a tool to test "Affinity," and Natsuhiko, being one of the most important participants in this experiment, could get early access to this tool.
Natsuhiko, of course, wouldn't refuse this offer.
Because he also wanted to see how much his Affinity with Togepi had progressed.
When would Togepi meet the requirements to evolve into Poksky?
...
...
Two days later.
After completing resupply and allowing passengers ample leisure time, the Saint Anus set sail again, leaving Little Orange Port.
Some people chose to stay on Little Orange Island, and the staff of the Saint Anus would refund an appropriate proportion of the cost based on the sailing route and ticket price.
At the same time, new passengers boarded, and naturally, ticket prices were also discounted accordingly.
However, the cruise events proceeded as scheduled.
With Natsuhiko analyzing battle information and providing help, Gerwin successfully defeated her opponents and became the Champion.
She got the sea chart she wanted, and Natsuhiko received a reward of 300,000 Alliance Coins.
It was a win-win situation for both of them.
Natsuhiko's funds successfully surpassed the new height of 4 million Alliance Coins.
Everything seemed to be on track.
The Saint Anus also successfully left the Kanto Region's waters, completely entering the Johto Region's maritime territory.
During this time, there were a few expected Wild Pokémon attack incidents.
But for these attacks, the crew on board was evidently well-prepared, causing no damage or harm.
The experienced captain and crew provided a great sense of security to the passengers on board.
Sailing gradually reached a lull.
...
...
Two more days of research passed.
Natsuhiko, following his routine, took Togepi to the restaurant for dinner.
After a day's training, it was only when it came to enjoying delicious food that Togepi became extra excited.
Except.
This period always saw the timely appearance of an "unexpected guest" before Natsuhiko.
Seeing Gerwin across from him, eating heartily without any sense of "being a girl," and vying with Togepi for the title of "Best Foodie," Natsuhiko was left speechless.
"I say, our deal is over."
Natsuhiko used his fork to shove a piece of slightly bloody steak into his mouth, the juices bursting in his mouth as he chewed. The hemoglobin had no trace of a gamey taste and instead offered a faint sweetness.
Since his "net worth" surpassed 4 million Alliance Coins, giving him a bit of financial leeway, Natsuhiko had been less strict with himself.
No need.
He's no longer the Trainer who starved himself just so Weedle could grow up smoothly.
Save where necessary, but there's no need to forcefully deprive himself.
Hearing Natsuhiko's words, Gerwin tilted her neck, swallowing the food in her mouth.
She gestured with her fingers, showing a tiny gap between her index finger and thumb to Natsuhiko.
"Natsuka, really not reconsidering? Our Captain is only five to six to seven to eight years older, otherwise perfect, looks slightly inferior to me by a little, but much stronger, with a ship and hundreds of underlings..."
"Stop right there." Natsuhiko interrupted her.
The more Gerwin promoted her captain, the more unreliable Natsuhiko felt it was.
If he were that good, wouldn't he have found a partner?
Natsuhiko hadn't considered relationships much; given his body's age, at most, he's seventeen or eighteen. Too early.
Besides, Gerwin's captain is seven or eight years older.
And most importantly, she's a pirate.
Being a pirate is not as good as joining the Rocket Team; doesn't Giovanni's strength and charisma sound more appealing?
For some reason, whenever Gerwin mentioned her captain, an image of Alvida from a pirate manga Natsuhiko watched popped into his head. Of course, this was Alvida before eating the Slippery Fruit.
So, he wasn't interested in Gerwin's captain, even slightly resistant.
"I'm not interested in this Alvi... ahem, I'm not interested in your 'Charming Binina' at all. If you keep pestering me, I wouldn't mind throwing you to the sharks." Natsuhiko put down his fork.
Gerwin propped her head.
Why did she feel Natsuhiko seems more like a pirate than her?
"Forget it, forget it."
She waved her hand.
Let him be.
However, just as Gerwin was about to continue her "battle," her phone suddenly rang.
"Sister Binina?" Seeing the number, Gerwin was momentarily stunned.
Then she collected her smile, casually wiped her mouth, and quietly answered the call.
Natsuhiko noticed her change in expression.
"Hey, Little Ger, still on the ship?" A soft voice came through the phone, not loud, but Natsuhiko could hear a bit.
"What's up, Sister Binina?" Gerwin asked.
"Latest news, our people discovered that Henry guy has moved out in full force, direction unknown, target unknown." Binina's voice sounded a bit heavy.
Hearing this, Natsuhiko paused with his fork, his eyes glinted beneath his lowered gaze.
"So, the target might be 'Saint Anus'?" Gerwin's expression also became serious.
"Can't rule out that possibility."
After a pause, Binina on the other end of the line added, "If something goes wrong, make your escape quickly, I'll arrange for people to pick you up at the usual place."
With that, the call ended.
Slowly putting down her phone, Gerwin's eyes met Natsuhiko's gaze.
At this moment, the two of them seemed to have a sense of momentum, simultaneously saying, "You go tell the captain about this news."
Then both were momentarily stunned.
"Me?"
"What does it have to do with me? (I'm a pirate.)"
They looked at each other again.
Fell into silence.
Gerwin was a pirate; although her identity hadn't been discovered, if the captain asked where she got the information, it would be hard to explain.
And Natsuhiko?
He couldn't explain it either unless he exposed that Gerwin was a pirate.
So...
Both stood up simultaneously.
Regardless of whether the Saint Anus could defend against the attack, it was better to avoid the storm's center.
Make a break!