Chapter Twenty-One: Successful Creation of the Crude Fruit Ball Prototype!

"Mr. Steel!"

"Abi, you're as energetic as ever. I'll trouble you today."

Abi, a delicate-looking young man, waved at Steel. "It's no trouble. You've helped me plenty in the past. So, this gentleman needs to borrow the grounds, right?"

As Abi got a clear look at Zhu Suihan, he froze in place.

"Are you... the one who dealt with those three criminals?"

Zhu Suihan was a bit surprised. "Did Miss Joy tell you, or was it that kid with the blue Crocodile?"

"Miss Joy mentioned it, and I remember you quite well." Abi gave an awkward laugh. "The leader is still unconscious, his concussion rather severe. The other two only left intensive care late last night."

Zhu Suihan nodded. "Yes, the situation was urgent, so the methods were a bit harsh."

To survive being hit with Poison-type moves by a crowd of Pokémon—it really speaks to the resilience of humans in the Pokémon world.

As for the gang leader? Just unconscious, not dead. Nothing more than a random passerby meant to add some amusement.

Old Liu and Professor Oak, Abi and Mr. Steel, and even Cuihua, whom he'd yet to meet but who had surely heard tales of his appetite—all of them were different from those villainous strangers.

Their suffering wasn't Zhu Suihan's concern, just as NPCs on the roadside who challenge you in games are merely there to hand over money.

When rummaging through other people's homes for hidden items and TMs, no one considers it trespassing.

This was a deeply ingrained double standard, hard to eradicate.

Abi instinctively shrank back, unable to meet Zhu Suihan's gaze. Steel's expression shifted as well, unsure which words had triggered the amnesiac beside him.

It was a strange feeling, as if facing a block of ice hiding a Darkrai. Not only cold, but fear-inducing, as though one's spirit might be dragged into panic.

"Ahem, let's not talk about that. No punishment for those criminals is too harsh, so long as you don't get hurt yourself."

Steel spoke. "Abi, are you coming with us?"

"If I may, thank you, Mr. Steel."

Though a bit unnerved, Abi's curiosity was piqued. He wanted to see what skills this mysterious person, for whom Mr. Steel would lend a hand, possessed.

Surely it couldn't be just giving people concussions.

...

They arrived at a clearing surrounded by woods. Steel sat down directly.

"Suihan, first I need to give you a clear concept—something modern, really."

"How much do you know about berries?"

Zhu Suihan was puzzled. "Different flavors, different effects, different growing times. Is there more?"

"There is: the concept of fruit hanging."

Steel explained, "Ordinary fruit, once ripe, if not picked, will rot on the tree and fall, becoming fertilizer for the soil and trees. But berries don't do that."

"If left unharvested, berries won't rot or drop, nor will the tree bear new fruit. Instead, the berries continue to grow, accumulating even more nutrients."

Abi pulled out a thick notebook and flipped it open.

"For example, the common Oran Berry. Beyond filling you up, it only slightly restores stamina. But if you let it keep growing, the effect is much better."

Zhu Suihan twitched at the corner of his mouth. What use is that? Does it go from restoring 10 HP to 20 HP?

Abi said, "That sounds unconvincing. Let me show you some photos."

Zhu Suihan took them with a thanks. Two pictures of Oran Berry trees: one of regular cultivation, the other supposedly two years without being picked.

There was indeed a difference. Apart from size, Zhu Suihan felt he saw a glow in one photo.

Was this real?

Abi handed over a few more photos. "Here, something more direct."

"Golden Sitrus and Silver Nanab Berries—depending on how many years they've grown, they evolve into silver or even gold variants. They're quite precious."

Zhu Suihan understood.

Oh, why talk about Oran Berries? Just say this and I'd get it. Whether in Pokémon Go or Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, golden and silver berries exist—much stronger than their regular counterparts.

A reasonable setting, though it felt like seeing legendary treasures in the Pokémon world.

Then again, berries like Starf, legendary ones, are indeed akin to rare treasures.

Steel was curious. "Suihan, don't you think berry studies are mystical?"

Zhu Suihan spread his hands. "My memory hasn't recovered, but logically, I should've seen even more in my era."

Even with the Pokémon world's top-tier environment, after all these years, it can hardly match the wildness of ancient nature.

"True," Steel nodded, but Abi was already bewildered.

What does 'my era' mean? You look about my age, but you speak as if you're older than Mr. Steel!

"What I told you before is just the natural scenario. Cultivating berries can also be done artificially—by scientifically supplementing nutrients, and sometimes Pokémon can summon nature's power for better growth."

Yes, that surely relates to moves like Grassy Terrain.

Steel snorted. "Xuecheng's lab has a grove like that—he treasures it, won't let us pick much."

Zhu Suihan wondered, "Is this related to Poké Ball crafting?"

"It is. Apricorns vary in color and their crafted balls differ, but essentially they're the same. The older the apricorn, the better for beginners to practice with."

Steel explained, "Scientifically, a mature apricorn's nutrients withstand novice mistakes better."

Zhu Suihan asked, "So, using older apricorns, does the Poké Ball work better?"

"No. When I tried advancing the craft, I experimented, but the internal nutrients are relatively constant. Once they reach their limit, they don't increase with age."

Steel shook his head. "Apricorns are quite special—perhaps that's why they were used for ancient Poké Balls."

Zhu Suihan pondered.

High EQ: After extensive data research, we've concluded that apricorns can make Poké Balls.

Low EQ: Throwing apricorns at Pokémon works—should we explore their deeper potential?

'Early Hisui Poké Ball Crafting Log'

Zhu Suihan nodded. "Mr. Steel, what's the entry-level method? Do you round the apricorn?"

"No need. They're already round."

Steel laughed. "The method is simple. Apricorns and berries aren't that different, but with fire forging and hammering, they harden quickly."

"Depending on the type, you add different materials to make the best berry balls."

"During crafting, materials must be distributed evenly, minimizing any error."

Steel said, "That's why traditional methods are fading—compared to companies like Silph, it's worlds apart."

Zhu Suihan weighed a black apricorn in his palm. "Aside from the apricorn itself, is there a type that's easiest for beginners?"

"There is—the Heavy Ball, made from the black apricorn."

Steel explained, "Just add simple things—aside from ores, mainly Ground and Rock-type resources."

"Of course, if you're crafting for a specific Pokémon, you can add matching components."

"For beginners, keep it simple: hard stones, Ground-type energy ores, soft sand, for a standard Heavy Ball."

Steel rolled up his sleeves. "I'll demonstrate—watch my movements, and I'll correct you as you try."

Zhu Suihan nodded, eyes focused intently.

Lucky streak activated! Learning mode activated!

Steel's movements were concise and powerful. Forging apricorns wasn't much different from smelting iron.

The clang of tools echoed. Special devices held the apricorn steady so Steel could strike each part evenly.

Next, a machine spun the apricorn for uniform application of ground materials, followed by another round of hammering.

As the materials fused, the apricorn's qualities changed—a glossy black sheen enveloped it.

Considering the color of the Heavy Ball apricorn, it seemed as if it was coated in oil.

After five cycles, Steel finally put down his hammer, wiped his sweat, and took a deep breath.

"As your skill improves, you won't need to repeat the material addition so many times. This was just a demonstration."

Zhu Suihan flexed his fingers. "Mr. Steel, if you hit too hard, can you break the apricorn?"

Steel: ?

"In principle, not likely. After fire roasting, the apricorn's properties change—the nutrients inside start to react."

Given Zhu Suihan's unpredictability, Steel added a caveat to avoid being proven wrong too quickly.

"Of course, ultimately it's up to you."

Zhu Suihan nodded. "Understood. Is this the finished product?"

"No, this is just a rough shell. It needs a second fire forging, with temperature and time varying by ball type."

Steel shook his head. "That's the finer part. Focus on what I've taught you first."

"This—easy."

Zhu Suihan mimicked Steel, rolling up his sleeves and placing the black apricorn in the holder, then igniting the fire.

"Easy?" Steel shook his head. If crafting berry balls were truly simple, they wouldn't still be considered 'advanced artisanal goods' in this day and age.

But as the steady rhythm of hammering began, Steel and Abi exchanged uneasy glances.

Something wasn't right—very wrong!

"Now, time to infuse soul!"

Zhu Suihan scattered the remaining materials and began the final round of hammering.

"It's done!"

Steel, Abi: ???