Chapter 142: The Cat's New Ability, Preparation Complete

The Commander attached great importance to these Pokémon, as they could bring significant changes to hunting methods. He was willing to try and promote anything that benefited the exploration of the New World and the hunters' expeditions.

Afterward, Su Yi had a long conversation with the Commander, mainly to help the Rookidee settle into life here and to prepare for the potential arrival of other Pokémon in the future.

"Will you also evolve into a strong and handsome Corviknight?" Aiden squatted down, looking curiously at the tiny Rookidee.

"Chirp~" The Rookidee flew onto Aiden's head, pecked at his mohawk hairstyle, and then settled down as if it were a nest.

"Hahaha, this is really interesting." Aiden wasn't upset; instead, he smiled and patted the Rookidee on his head.

"How about it? Want to be my partner? Let's grow stronger together!" Aiden asked eagerly.

Upon arriving in the New World, many novel things always attracted Aiden, and he was more than willing to try them.

Just like how he once experimented with various hunter weapons and eventually became a master of all of them, this brand-new form of partnership also appealed to him.

While acting alongside the Corviknight, he had envied Su Yi for having such a partner capable of mutual communication, and he was deeply intrigued by Pokémon evolution and moves.

"Chirp?" The Rookidee flew down, circled around Aiden once, and then landed on his shoulder.

"Is that a yes?" Aiden asked.

"Chirp!" The Rookidee nodded, extended a wing, and gently touched Aiden's shoulder.

"Hahaha! Take care of me, partner!" Aiden smiled and gently bumped his fist against the Rookidee's wing.

"It seems you two have already become friends." Su Yi, having finished his conversation with the Commander, walked over and handed Aiden a Poké Ball.

"This is its Poké Ball. Take good care of it. Later on, I'll give you a detailed introduction on how to care for and train it."

In Astera, when it came to Pokémon interacting with hunters, Su Yi trusted Aiden, the Sun Bro, the most. After all, he was the true man who, under Fatalis's breath, would risk his life to push a hunter to safety.

Moreover, accompanying hunters on hunts in Astrera would likely accelerate the Pokémon's growth significantly.

"I will definitely take good care of it!" Aiden solemnly took the Poké Ball, then curiously retrieved the Rookidee into it before releasing it again.

At night, Su Yi temporarily stayed in a dormitory within the stronghold.

Since the dormitories were converted from ship cabins, the surrounding structure consisted of wooden panels, and the furnishings were simple. Because the cabins were built against the rock face and close to the sea, the sound of the waves could be constantly heard.

The rooms surrounding Su Yi's were occupied by members of the Fifth Fleet, with Aiden's room right next to his.

"Su Yi, meow! Which outfit should I wear tomorrow, meow?"

By the bedside, Luffer looked at the four sets of equipment before him, unsure of how to choose. He loved every single one of them dearly.

That's right, Luffer's equipment had been fully crafted.

Using materials from Paolumu, Tobi-Kadachi, Odogaron, and Legiana, there were a total of four sets.

Normally, each set of equipment should come with a weapon, but since the Palico had decided to specialize in the Long Sword, those oddly shaped weapons were no better than toys, so he simply saved some materials.

The Long Sword had also been crafted—a basic bone long sword named the Elegant Scimitar, specially adapted to the Palico's size.

At this moment, Luffer's abilities had become quite versatile.

[Name: Luffer]
[Race: Palico (Male)]
[Type: Normal]
[Ability: Palico Assault (Palico's type changes based on the equipped gear)]
[Tobi-Kadachi Palico: Electric Type, Static (30% chance of inflicting paralysis when attacked by contact moves)]
[Paolumu Palico: Flying Type, Fur Coat (Halves physical damage dealt by opponents)]
[Odogaron Palico: Fighting Type, Odogaron's Mystery (Increases cutting-type moves power by 50%)]
[Legiana Palico: Ice Type, Legiana's Grace (Doubles the probability of additional effects when using moves)]
[Moves: Palico Assault (Changes based on equipment)]
[Moves available when wearing the corresponding set (Learnable):]
[Tobi-Kadachi Palico: Quick Attack]
[Paolumu Palico: Air Cutter]
[Odogaron Palico: Brick Break]
[Legiana Palico: Powdersnow]
[Scratch, Growl, Foresight (Sight-Cut), Swords Dance]
[Special Move (Requires musical instrument) Inspiring Performance: Omitted.]

Because of Luffer's Ability, he could handle a vast array of situations, but it should be noted that fully activating the Ability required a complete set of equipment—except for the weapon, every piece was indispensable.

After donning the corresponding outfit, the signature move Palico Assault would transform into a move of the corresponding type, and other moves of that type could be learned subsequently, though wearing the matching gear was required to execute them.

It was equivalent to Luffer gaining types and corresponding powers through his equipment, which also enhanced his attack and defense capabilities.

"If the opponent is an Anjanath, Electric or Ice types would be slightly better, but Anjanath uses fire, which counters Ice. Let's go with the Tobi-Kadachi Palico set," Su Yi analyzed.

"Then it's this one, meow!" Luffer put on the fluffy outfit and hopped onto the bed.

"Uh, Luffer, do you plan to sleep in your gear?" Su Yi was stunned.

"It's just the right amount of cozy, meow~" Luffer hugged himself, a comfortable expression on his face.

Su Yi chuckled and said, "Have it your way then."

Lying in bed, Su Yi opened the "Hunting Guide" and turned to the [Mission] page.

[Mission: Forest Ruffian - Anjanath (Hunt Anjanath)]
[Mission Support: None]
[Mission Rewards: 10 Capture Balls, 5 Target Materials.]
[Time Limit: 5 Days]

This mission was somewhat special because it wasn't triggered during the pursuit of Anjanath's tracks, but rather when the Commander finalized the operation plan and he agreed to it.

No wonder no mission was triggered when they previously encountered Anjanath; it was reserved for this moment.

Moreover, judging by the mission name, this wasn't an investigation quest at all—it was clearly a main story quest!

"Oh no, I'm really going to become the 'Blue Star' now," Su Yi wryly smiled.

With the timeline shifting, the future Blue Star arriving in the New World, the cheat code depicting the Blue Star, the hunter card recording his name and likeness, and now coupled with this mission, it was hard for Su Yi not to overthink.

"Go to sleep!" Su Yi's head ached from thinking, so he simply emptied his mind, lay down, and quickly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Su Yi and Luffer came to the Canteen and the Smithy, where they ran into the A-Lister enjoying a hearty meal.

At the dining table, Aiden was sharing a bit of his Palico meal to feed the Rookidee, while his Handler was reviewing upcoming assignments.

After a brief greeting, Su Yi and Luffer used the meal vouchers given to them to purchase a lavish meal.

"Yo, everyone's getting ready! We'll be supporting you from the perimeter," the Field Team Leader said with a smile as he walked over, a walkie-talkie hanging from his chest and a blue crow perched on his shoulder.

"Oh? Have you won the recognition of this blue crow?" Su Yi asked curiously.

The Leader smiled, stroked the blue crow on his shoulder, and said, "I tried interacting with it, and it seemed to approve of my thoughts."

"Then take good care of it," Su Yi nodded. Catching a Pokémon didn't necessarily require battle; sharing the same mindset could also bring a Pokémon and a Trainer together.

"I will."

(End of chapter)