Kudo Shiba returned home and didn't even bother changing out of his outdoor clothes. He walked straight through the wide entrance hall and headed for the brightly lit living room.
The air still carried the faint sweetness of post-dinner dessert. His parents, Kudo Kaito and his wife Ogata Hanae, were sitting on the sofa, speaking softly about something.
Hearing footsteps, both of them lifted their heads at the same time.
"Back already?" Hanae's face held her usual gentle smile.
Kudo Shiba nodded. He didn't sit down; he simply stood there in the center of the living room, calmly sweeping his gaze across his parents.
His silence subtly shifted the atmosphere.
"Is something the matter?" Kudo Kaito set down his teacup, his deep voice steady. His hawk-like eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything.
Kudo Shiba took a deep breath, then in a tone that brooked no doubt—simply stating a fact—he dropped a heavy bomb.
"I'm preparing to enter the Dragon Cavern Secret Realm for training."
The living room fell instantly silent.
Hanae's smile froze, quickly replaced by spreading panic.
"No!"
Her voice shot up, sharp with trembling.
"Absolutely not!"
She stood up from the sofa and quickly walked toward Kudo Shiba, her eyes full of fear and worry.
"Shiba-kun, do you even understand what kind of place that is? It's a restricted zone the League hasn't even fully explored! Wild Pokémon of Elite rank roam inside—there are even rumors of stronger beings! You've been a Trainer for what, not even a month!"
"It's too dangerous!"
Kudo Kaito didn't stand, but his brows furrowed into a deep 川 shape, his aura becoming grave and heavy.
He looked at his extraordinarily gifted son, his voice low and resonant.
"Shiba-kun, I recognize your talent. Your drive—I admire it. But the path of a Trainer fears one thing most: reckless advancement."
"Everything must be taken step by step. The Dragon Cavern Secret Realm is not something you should be considering right now."
"When you reach the peak of Elite rank, I will personally go with you. That is my promise."
His words hit like iron, carrying an authority that allowed no rebuttal.
Facing his parents' instinctive, intense refusal, Kudo Shiba's expression did not change in the slightest.
He had predicted all of this.
He didn't waste breath arguing. Words were meaningless before absolute facts.
He merely raised his hand and pressed the buttons on the two Poké Balls at his waist.
Two flashes of red light burst forth.
"ROOOAR—!"
A roar filled with ancient ferocity exploded inside the luxurious living room!
A violent pressure spread out like visible shockwaves. The expensive glass liquor cabinet trembled under the assault!
Aerodactyl spread its jagged stone wings wide, amber eyes burning with fierce, untamed flames. Its aura had already approached the threshold of the Elite tier!
On the other side, a purer Dragon-type energy overflowed into the air.
Dratini hovered gently in midair, its elegant body surrounded by a faint glow—its level had already broken past the milestone of Level 20.
The breathing of both parents stalled.
They were veteran top-tier Trainers; with one glance, they saw through the true strength of both Pokémon.
Hanae raised a hand to her mouth, trembling with disbelief.
The teacup in Kudo Kaito's hand froze mid-air, his pupils suddenly contracting.
"This… this Aerodactyl's aura… it's already touching the Elite level?"
His voice sounded dry.
"And that Dratini… it's only been a few days… I remember when you caught it, it had just hatched, hadn't even made its first real cry! How is its energy level rising this fast?"
This completely overturned decades of their experience in Pokémon raising.
Seeing the shock on their faces, Kudo Shiba knew the moment had come.
He finally spoke—his voice calm, but filled with strength.
"Father, Mother. Please trust me."
"I possess the secret technique Dragon Soul Resonance. In a place overflowing with Dragon-type energy like the Dragon Cavern Secret Realm, Dratini's growth will skyrocket again. For me, that environment is not a danger—it's a sanctuary."
His gaze swept over the fierce Aerodactyl, his confidence rising even further.
"With it as my main combat strength, and with my own judgment, I can guarantee with one hundred percent certainty that I can keep myself safe."
It wasn't youthful arrogance; it was confidence rooted in absolute strength and clear self-awareness.
Kudo Kaito and Hanae exchanged a look. In the other's eyes, they saw hesitation—wavering.
They looked at their son—his resolute eyes, his steady bearing—and for a moment, they felt dazed.
A fledgling eagle must one day leave the nest and soar into the endless sky.
Overprotection would only break his wings and trap a future true dragon in a tiny pond.
After a long silence—
Kudo Kaito exhaled a heavy breath, his tense shoulders finally relaxing.
He gave in.
"You may go."
"But you must make full preparations."
Hearing his father's approval, Kudo Shiba felt the weight in his heart fall away.
But just then, Hanae turned and went into her room. Moments later, she returned holding a Poké Ball he had never seen before.
The Poké Ball was a warm, lustrous purple, carved with intricate patterns.
Hanae held it out solemnly to Kudo Shiba.
"Shiba-kun… inside is my ace—my Goodra, King-rank."
"Take it with you. And remember—unless it is a life-or-death crisis, do not use it lightly. But this Pokémon… it will protect you from any peril."
A King-rank Goodra.
Those five words struck Kudo Shiba like thunder.
This was his mother's stalwart main force—the Pokémon that won her immense achievements in the League. It was the symbol of her status as a King-tier Trainer.
Seeing the unwavering resolve and deep affection in her eyes, a burning heat surged up from his chest, spreading through every limb.
He reached out and accepted the weighty Poké Ball.
It still carried the warmth of his mother's palm.
"Thank you, kaa-san."
The words were spoken with deep sincerity.
The entire Kudo estate went into full operational mode to prepare for Kudo Shiba's departure.
The market's best wilderness survival backpack—its internal space specially modified and enormous.
Rows of top-grade status-curing sprays and premium healing medicine capable of instantly mending most injuries.
A portable Pokéblock maker, ensuring the Pokémon ate freshly made feed even in the wild.
And finally—an entire month's worth of top-tier Dragon-type Pokéblocks crafted by the family nutritionist team, each worth a small fortune.
Everything imaginable—and unimaginable—was prepared.
That night, beneath a sky black as ink—
Kudo Shiba hoisted the heavy pack onto his back. Inside it were not only supplies, but the entirety of his family's expectations and blessings.
He turned once, looking at the brightly lit home behind him.
Then he turned away.
His figure merged with the night.
Alone, he set out toward the Dragon Cavern Secret Realm.
(End of Chapter)
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