Kanto Region, Withered Leaf City.
Eevee Evolution Research Institute.
A slender, messy-haired researcher with slightly greasy hair was repeatedly comparing his experimental results.
Researcher Sakuragi, a Pokémon researcher with notable achievements in various Pokémon.
Although still a researcher now, it won't be long before he officially earns the title of Doctor, maintaining close ties with Professor Oak of the Kanto Region and Professor Elm of the Johto Region.
Recently, he has been studying General Type Pokémon and achieved some significant milestones.
His most famous paper, "General Type Pokémon's High Adaptability to Various Attributes," received unanimous praise from the Pokémon research community worldwide, and was jointly recommended by renowned doctors from various regions.
At this moment, Researcher Sakuragi is deeply involved in the project on the theoretical reason why the General Type Pokémon, Ditto, can transform into all Pokémon.
In the entire Pokémon Realm, excluding some known or unknown Divine Beasts, Ditto can be considered one of the most unique Pokémon.
Because theoretically, Ditto can transform into all Pokémon, and roughly learn the techniques the Pokémon masters, although differences in battle skills, technique mastery, and raw strength exist.
But theoretically, as long as a Ditto is strong enough and has enough understanding of all Pokémon, it can transform into all Pokémon.
Even discrepancies in level and strength can be compensated for.
This way, it can have an extremely wide range of attack.
"Ditto seems to be the Pokémon genetically closest to the legendary Mew, it is said that most of the world's Pokémon devolved from Mew's DNA..."
Researcher Sakuragi carefully collected the substance that Ditto naturally shed under the microscope.
Watching the Ditto in front continuously change its form, one moment a cup, another a table, then transforming to look exactly like him.
He smiled and shook his head.
"No, Ditto can transform into not just Pokémon, but also any object or even humans."
Such an Earth Pokémon is truly too special.
"Speaking of which, among General Type Pokémon, besides Ditto, only Eevee also has multiple possibilities, right."
Researcher Sakuragi's thoughts wandered to Eevee.
As of now, Eevee is known to have three evolutionary forms, each relying on one of three Evolution Stones: the Fire Stone, Water Stone, and Thunder Stone.
"Many researchers are studying Eevee; I wonder if I can gain some insights related to Ditto from them."
Muttering to himself, Sakuragi skillfully logged into the Alliance's official website and entered the Researcher Forum.
Some of his successful papers were also amidst pinned posts, garnering many praiseful comments every time they opened.
Sweeping a glance at these comments, his smile widened.
No one dislikes praise; the difference lies in whether one shows it or not.
But with so many posts, Sakuragi could only search for the keyword "Eevee."
The page quickly displayed numerous theories about Eevee's evolution.
"How can there be so many?"
Sakuragi felt overwhelmed looking at densely packed pages of topics.
But as a professional researcher, adhering to the principle that everything written is knowledge, he started opening them one by one.
Soon, he was frustrated by some bizarre speculations.
Some suggested that if energy absorption was challenging, one could try eating Energy Stones or directly injecting energy using an Energy Transmission Device, and so forth.
Bam!
He slapped the table.
"Nonsense! If everyone researched Pokémon like this, how is it different from malicious research?"
He closed the post and immediately reported it.
Moving on to the next one.
"The possibility of Eevee's evolutionary forms beyond the existing three? A very conventional title."
Even though Sakuragi had little hope for these online topics, he persisted in reading through them.
Gradually, he got drawn in.
Ten minutes later.
Sakuragi, unexpectedly, did not close the page, but instead rested his chin in deep thought.
"Eevee's genetic components are extremely unstable and susceptible to changes in surrounding environment and energy, resulting in different types of evolution; this conclusion is mundane, but some later assumptions..."
"Eevee's genetic composition is also partially dominant, with genes of Water Type, Fire Type, and Electric Type being more pronounced, hence directly influenced by the three Evolution Stones."
"However, some genetic components are recessively present, not easily affected by Evolution Stones, just like human genes also have both recessive and dominant types..."
"And to trigger Eevee's recessive genes, the required conditions are more stringent."
"If Eevee is easily affected by its external environment, why can't this external environment be humans? Trainers?"
"Trainers influencing Pokémon evolution? Interesting! This hypothesis is innovative, even leading down a new path! But unfortunately, the person who wrote this topic seemingly doesn't own an Eevee, otherwise..."
After seeing so many different topics, Sakuragi finally resonated with this one.
"Just like how Ditto can become objects, turn into humans, why can't the external environment's influence be humans!"
"Exactly! Why can't it be humans, can't it be Trainers?"
Excited, he quickly found the author of this topic.
But it was a name he had never heard of.
"Dodo? What a strange name? There's no information about him on the website, and this is even his first posted topic?"
Unable to reach out, Sakuragi felt an itch of impatience, yet had no solutions at the moment.
He could only leave a comment under this topic.
Being the first to comment, and the first one with enough significance to offer positive support.
He typed on the keyboard.
"Very reasonable, great potential, would love to have an in-depth discussion with you!"
Becoming a new sensation in the research world, Sakuragi's word elevated the topic to the homepage.
Many people also, encouraged by his words and after perusing the full topic, shared their own comments and perspectives.
Unknowingly.
"Dodo" became a new buzz in the research community.
However, regarding this matter, Natsuhiko was apparently unaware.
With his non-reply, the situation continued to ferment and brew.
...
...
Wild Pokémon are overly active?
If there's no reason, a region's Pokémon wouldn't be so active, but the causes for this level of activity should be numerous, though it remains uncertain if it's due to some unfavorable reasons.
Under the gaze of several alliance workers, Natsuhiko vanished into the increasingly dense forest.
Once out of the alliance staff's sight, Natsuhiko summoned Beedrill and Pidgeotto.
"Pidgeotto, you go up into the sky, and if you spot any Pokémon approaching, give a call," Natsuhiko instructed.
Pidgeotto nodded, flapped its wings, and swiftly soared into the heights.
Though the forest was lush, and most Wild Pokémon adept at hiding, making discovery challenging, with Pidgeotto's eagle-like vision and its trait of Sharp Gaze, it somewhat had the capability to spot things.
Moreover, Natsuhiko's concern wasn't for ordinary Wild Pokémon, he needed to be wary of sudden attacks from powerful Pokémon.
Beedrill stayed closely by Natsuhiko's side, vigilantly guarding against sudden assaults.
"Beedrill, do you sense anything unusual?"
"...Sss, buzz." After a brief hesitation, Beedrill shook its head.
Seeing its reaction, Natsuhiko appeared relatively at ease.
"Wild Pokémon are too active, Beedrill hasn't responded, is it only affecting Wild Pokémon, or has Beedrill not been here long enough?"
With these doubts, Natsuhiko cautiously proceeded step by step deeper in.
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