"There has always been a debate in the academic circles of the Pokémon world over whether Phione is truly a Legendary Pokémon," Hiroshi began, his voice echoing through the panoramic projection in the Kamisato study.
He paused, letting the weight of the topic settle before continuing. "But let's put Phione aside for a moment. Let's talk about its parent, Manaphy."
"In terms of raw combat power, Manaphy appears weak. It is far inferior to the heavyweights of the ocean like Lugia or Kyogre, the true masters of the sea. However, Manaphy possesses a terrifyingly impressive ability."
Hiroshi raised a finger. "Heart Swap. It can ignore language barriers and transcend the segregation of species. It can communicate directly with the hearts of all living creatures."
"This is a skill that defies logic. In the records of the Pokémon world, Manaphy relies on this ability to maintain a massive social network of Mythical beasts. Therefore, while Manaphy might not be good at fighting one-on-one, it has the ultimate ability: it can call for backup."
Hiroshi smirked. "It's essentially a 'Dial-a-Hitman' service. And the 'people' it calls? They are usually the brothers and sisters of top-tier gods like Groudon, Kyogre, and Lugia! Are you scared? Because that ability alone can scare an opponent to death."
The group chat scrolling across Ayaka's Pokédex exploded with realization.
Hu Tao: "Not bad, not bad at all! I was so scared just now. I thought someone in the group chat got a Mythical Pokémon before Klee did!"
Yelan: "I've gathered a lot more intelligence... So there is a Mythical Beast called Manaphy, the Prince of the Sea. Then, as the descendant of Manaphy, this Phione must be the 'Eldest Miss' among the gods."
Jean: "Does it have another title?"
Hiroshi caught a glimpse of this question on the screen of Kamisato Ayaka's Pokédex. He started to laugh internally.
"Another name for Phione?" Hiroshi asked, a wicked, teasing smile spreading across his face as he looked at the Kamisato siblings. "Well... of course there is!"
"The Commoner of the Sea."
"A... commoner?!"
Kamisato Ayaka's expression froze, the light in her eyes dimming slightly. Yoimiya, Thoma, and even the composed Kamisato Ayato looked like they had been struck by lightning.
Its parent is a serious Mythical Beast, the Prince of the Sea. But... it is just a "civilian"?
So, it really didn't inherit even a shred of that divine power?
Hu Tao: "Ha, hahaha! Commoner!"
Xiangling: "Forgive me for laughing unkindly."
Kaeya:
Klee:
Liyue – Pokémon Research Institute
While the group chat was filled with mirth, Zhongli breathed a sigh of relief for reasons only he understood.
He turned his gaze away from the screen and looked out the window. Under the moonlight, in the park on the institute's lawn, his Kubfu (Bear Apprentice) was still training non-stop, throwing punches at the air with unwavering dedication.
Zhongli suddenly sighed with contentment.
"If anyone in the group chat must obtain a Divine Beast, let it be them," he mused. "But if someone is to cultivate a Pokémon into a God... that must be my Martial Arts Bear Master."
Zhongli didn't know what a "Solo Main" fan was in gaming terms, but right now, he had completely identified with his Kubfu. Until the little guy evolved into Urshifu, Zhongli had no plans to cultivate a second Pokémon. He would forge a god with his own hands.
Inazuma – Kamisato Estate
"A commoner of the Sea?"
Kamisato Ayaka had received an excellent upbringing. In the words of Yoimiya, she was a classic, elegant lady. But even ladies had emotions. To go from the "Prince of the Sea" to a "Commoner" in the span of a few seconds... the gap made Ayaka taste bitterness.
However, as she looked down at the small blue creature in her arms, her gaze hardened.
"Even if it doesn't gain any divine power from its parents," Ayaka whispered, her voice trembling but firm, "I will still do my best to cultivate it!"
Ayaka hugged Phione tightly.
Phione, sensitive to emotions, felt the pure and sincere heart of the "Shirasagi Himegimi." It realized that its new trainer wasn't disappointed in it, but rather protective of it.
"Fi-oh, oh, oh, nir~!"
The little blue beast waved its hand frantically, trying to explain something. (I'm really strong, Trainer! Don't listen to him!)
Ayaka, misunderstanding, thought Phione was trying to put on a brave face. After all, it was still the descendant of a Divine Beast; it had that deep-seated pride.
She understood that pride. It made her sympathize with Phione even more.
Wasn't it the same for her and her brother? In the Yashiro Commission, after their parents died one after another, only the siblings knew the burden they carried. To become the worthy heirs of the Kamisato family, to ensure the long-term prosperity of the clan, and to restore their glory... how much effort had they put in? How much sweat, blood, and tears?
"Your noble bloodline has become the shackles that bind you," Ayaka said softly, stroking the gem on Phione's chest. "But, Phione, I believe in you. If you break these shackles, you will become a real Divine Beast!"
Ayaka's state of mind at this moment was tough and resilient, just like her unstoppable fighting spirit when she practiced her swordsmanship in the dead of winter.
Woohoo!
Phione realized it didn't have to defend itself anymore. It felt Miss Ayaka's feelings, and its large, spiritual eyes filled with tears of gratitude.
"Fi-oh, oh, oh, nir~!" (I will help you become a Pokémon Master!)
Hiroshi smiled as he watched the harmonious scene between human and Pokémon. As a store manager, he silently stared at Phione's data panel, which was invisible to everyone else.
All he could say was that the System's judgment of "Radiant Gold" quality was never without reason.
Pokémon Data: Phione (Variant)
Type: Water
Qualification: False God (Pseudo-Divine)
Level: Baby (Lv. 1)
Ability: Hydration
Hidden Ability: Primordial Sea (Inactive)
"It is said that a treasure called the Blue Orb (Indigo Orb) can restore Kyogre to its original form," Hiroshi thought, analyzing the data.
"This Phione is the offspring of Manaphy and a Ditto. As an egg, it seems to have spent some time next to the Blue Orb, thereby acquiring a trace of the Primordial Sea power from the original Primal Kyogre!"
Hiroshi's internal evaluation was simple: Awesome.
Damn it. How can it be this broken?
This "Commoner of the Sea," with a base stat total of only 480, was born from Manaphy. Normally, without inheritance, the future of such offspring is mediocre. However... who could have expected that an egg would be incubated next to a legendary artifact like the Blue Orb?
Was the egg the companion to the treasure? Or was the Blue Orb the companion to the egg? This question was very philosophical.
However, seeing the Primordial Sea characteristic... what else could Hiroshi say? This is insane!
This is the unique and exclusive ability of Primal Kyogre. It didn't inherit the political power from its father, the Prince, but instead stole the apocalyptic power of the Sea God Kyogre?
From a game perspective, this ability means that when Phione enters the battle, the weather turns to "Heavy Rain"—a condition where Fire-type moves fail completely and cannot be overridden by normal weather moves.
But this was reality. The application of "Authority" in reality was not as superficial as changing the weather in a game. Heavy Rain was just the overflow of power; the true nature was the manipulation of the very concept of the ocean.
"Interesting," Hiroshi mused. "Is Phione special? Not surprising. In the history of Champions, many protagonists have Pokémon with special abilities. Just look at Cynthia's Spiritomb; who would have thought a Ghost-type could use Psychic telekinesis to freeze an opponent?"
As for the judgment of "False God" qualification—it placed Phione somewhere between a standard Leader-class Pokémon and a Tier-3 God. Except for its lower base stats, Kamisato Ayaka's Phione had absolutely no shortcomings.
"Besides," Hiroshi thought, glancing at the vast inventory of his store, "there are many treasures in reality. If she feeds it enough resources, there are many ways to add attributes and break through limits!"
The Revelation
Hiroshi turned off the live broadcast to the general group chat, leaving only the panoramic meeting active for the Inazuma guests. He decided to reveal some of Phione's extraordinary nature to these important customers.
"However," Hiroshi said, breaking the silence in the study, "Ayaka, your Phione has a hidden potential called 'The Sea of Origin'."
"Eh? The Sea of Origin?" Ayaka was surprised.
Her brother, Kamisato Ayato, was even more astute. "Can it grow directly into a 'False God'?"
Thoma couldn't help but chime in, "Manager Hiroshi, what kind of state is a 'False God'? How does it compare with the Youkai and monsters of Inazuma?"
Hiroshi shrugged. "A 'False God' is a Master-level Pokémon that possesses the power of 'Authority.' As for the combat power... I suggest you take a look at the promotional video on the official Pokémon website. There is a battle between me and a Champion Trainer from the Hisui region."
"The 'Leader' level shown there is even higher than the Championship level. It is enough to become a strategic pillar guarding a country or a region!"
A question mark popped up in Yoimiya's head.
Ah, this.
Store manager, that video you mentioned... could it be the one where you went to the Hisui area and beat up Adaman, the leader of the Diamond Clan?
I'm reporting you! This is just promoting your own bravery!
"Regarding Pokémon knowledge," Hiroshi continued, "You can ask Yoimiya. Certainly, you can also contact me through the Pokédex, but if I am busy, the reply will depend on the situation."
With that said, Hiroshi made an invitation gesture. He sent a digital invite to the Kamisato siblings.
"I've been a guest at the Kamisato estate long enough. Hey, are you interested in visiting the Pokémon Home main store in Liyue?"
The siblings were quite curious. Even Thoma enthusiastically raised his hand to participate.
"Panoramic Transfer: Activate."
Liyue Harbor – Pokémon Home Main Store
In an instant, the scenery shifted. Though separated by a vast ocean, the projection made it feel as though they had stepped through a door. Inside the store, the lights were bright despite the late hour.
The figures of Ayaka and Ayato were projected into the lobby, followed by Yoimiya and Thoma.
"I'm back~"
Yoimiya looked around, and tears suddenly filled her eyes. Although she had only been back in Inazuma for a week, the bricks and tiles of the main store in Liyue were deeply imprinted in her mind as the place where her life changed.
Ayato looked at the shelves lined with Poké Balls, Potions, and evolution stones. The air hummed with a different kind of energy than the Electro-charged atmosphere of Inazuma.
"So this is the source," Ayato murmured.
Early in the morning, in the dead of night, Hiroshi ended the panoramic meeting. Yoimiya also left the Kamisato Estate, escorted by the Shuumatsuban.
However, this "sermon" was a massive success.
Both Thoma and Kamisato Ayato paid for a Pokémon Egg and a large batch of cultivation resources on the spot.
[System Notification: Thoma (Inazuma/Kamisato Housekeeper) has joined the group chat.]
[System Notification: Kamisato Ayato (Inazuma/Yashiro Commissioner) has joined the group chat.]
In the "Inazuma" column of the group chat member list, the roster was growing.
Previously, it was just the Arataki Gang with Kuki Shinobu and Itto. Now, there were the heavyweights of the Yashiro Commission.
None of them slept that night.
Including Kuki Shinobu, who had been studying the content of various apps on her new Pokédex. She scrolled through the group chat system information and was very surprised.
"This is too fast," she whispered to herself in the quiet of the Arataki Gang's hideout. "I didn't expect that Inazuma, which seemed to be a solid block of ice under the Sakoku Decree, would be broken open like this."
The isolation was ending, not with a bang of cannons, but with the beep of a notification.