The moment Chimchar nodded firmly, Shinji did not immediately take out a Poké Ball. Instead, he turned around, took a spray bottle from his backpack—this was the most effective Potion he had exchanged for from the system shop.
During the fierce battle between Chimchar and Zangoose just now, Chimchar had gained many scratches and bruises. While not fatal, they needed timely treatment to avoid affecting its subsequent condition.
"Don't move." Shinji's voice remained cool and clear. He crouched down, gently pressing his fingertip on Chimchar's shoulder, signaling it to stay still.
Chimchar seemed to understand and tensed its body, the flame on its tail slightly receding, obediently staying in place.
Shinji unscrewed the cap of the Potion and gently pressed the spray nozzle, aiming at the deepest scratch on Chimchar's back.
"Pssst—"
The moment the icy, mist-like medicinal liquid sprayed onto the wound, a sharp, stinging pain suddenly surged. The intense stimulation caused the already weakened Chimchar to instantly grimace in pain, letting out a "squeak" of distress. Its body twisted uncontrollably as it tried to break free from Shinji's grasp.
Feeling the little creature's struggle under his hand, Shinji's eyes sharpened. His cold gaze fell on Chimchar like a tangible weight, his voice devoid of any warmth: "What? Can't even endure this little bit of pain?"
The icy words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Chimchar. It shuddered all over, its struggling movements instantly ceasing. It looked up and met Shinji's sharp, dark-purple eyes.
There was no blame in that gaze, but a kind of sternness and expectation that made its heart palpitate.
It remembered the helplessness in that desperate situation earlier, remembered the power displayed by this person and his Elekid. A surge of unwillingness and stubbornness rose in its heart.
It gritted its teeth, forcibly stopping its twisting, though its small body still trembled slightly from enduring the pain.
Seeing Chimchar settle down, a flicker of nearly imperceptible satisfaction flashed deep in Shinji's eyes. He didn't speak again, but his movements inadvertently became much gentler.
He sprayed the medicinal liquid more meticulously, avoiding the very center of the most severe wounds, gently brushing aside the surrounding fur with his fingers so the medicine could penetrate more evenly.
Chimchar keenly sensed this subtle change. The pain on its body remained, but after the cold medicinal liquid, a faint, cool, soothing sensation began to emanate from the wounds, dispelling the fiery, burning pain.
More importantly, that tiny, almost undetectable gentleness brought by the slowing of Shinji's movements was like a warm current, quietly soothing its unsettled heart.
It gradually relaxed, its heart growing calmer, even actively moving its injured parts slightly closer towards Shinji.
After simply treating all visible wounds, Shinji put away the Potion. Looking into Chimchar's eyes, his tone remained flat but carried an undeniable gravity: "Remember, endurance is the first step to becoming stronger. In my care, there's no need for useless individuals."
Chimchar lifted its head. Though exhausted, its eyes were unusually bright and firm. It looked at Shinji, nodded forcefully, and let out a light cry, as if saying: I can do it!
Shinji said no more. He took a brand new Poké Ball from the shop, aimed it at Chimchar, and touched the switch to Chimchar's body. Chimchar transformed into a red light and entered the ball.
The Poké Ball landed in Shinji's palm and began to shake. The red light at the switch flickered constantly. After a moment, the Poké Ball emitted a clear "ding" sound, the shaking stopped, and the red light went out.
Expressionlessly, Shinji shrank the successfully captured Poké Ball and casually clipped it onto the hook on the back of his waist.
Just as he finished arranging things, the sound of Elekid's footsteps came from behind. Elekid had already retrieved the Poké Ball containing the captured Zangoose and offered it to Shinji, letting out a soft "beep beep."
Shinji raised his hand to take it. He didn't even spare the Poké Ball a glance, casually pressed the switch to shrink it, and clipped it onto his back alongside Chimchar's Poké Ball.
For him, capturing Zangoose was originally just to give Chimchar practice, to overcome Chimchar's fear of Zangoose. Moreover, this Zangoose's potential was only average. Such a mediocre individual was simply unworthy of occupying his training resources.
After handling everything, Shinji turned and walked out of the forest. Elekid quickly followed, keeping pace closely at his side.
Leaving the forest, Shinji soon found the nearest Pokémon Center. The pure white building had a strikingly conspicuous red Poké Ball emblem on its roof.
"Please restore the stamina of these three Pokémon." Arriving at the front desk, Shinji took the three Poké Balls from his back and handed them to Nurse Joy.
His voice was as cool as ever, but his gaze fell on the ball representing Chimchar as he added, "Especially this Chimchar. It just went through a battle and has injuries. Please ensure it's thoroughly treated, leaving no hidden damage."
"Leave it to me with confidence!" Nurse Joy said with a professional, gentle smile, taking the Poké Balls and placing them on the nearby transfer device.
Shinji currently only had these three Pokémon with him. After the Ever Grande Conference ended, he had sent all his other traveling companions back to the Nursery at his home in Veilstone City, keeping only Elekid with him to continue training.
The wait wasn't long. After retrieving the three Poké Balls with their Pokémon fully restored, Shinji didn't delay any further and directly embarked on the final leg of his journey back to Veilstone City.
...
Veilstone City, a highly distinctive industrial city in the Sinnoh region. It sits upon the wall of a massive meteor crater, with undulating terrain and buildings arranged in distinct layers, full of a robust style combining steel and rock.
The city is far from the sea, with a relatively dry climate. Sturdy rock-constructed buildings and crisscrossing stairway paths are everywhere. The famous Veilstone Department Store building towers into the clouds, the largest shopping mall in all of Sinnoh.
Shinji was extremely familiar with this city he grew up in. Winding through the familiar streets, he soon returned to his home deep in the residential area—the Nursery meticulously maintained and enveloped in a warm atmosphere.
Before he had even fully approached, Shinji could hear the cheerful cries of Pokémon coming from the Nursery, along with a gentle, familiar male voice.
He slowed his steps. Through the Nursery's fence, he saw that figure—his older brother, Raiji.
Raiji had his sleeves rolled up, carrying a large bucket of carefully prepared food, distributing it with a beaming smile to the Pokémon gathered around him.
As he distributed the food, he affectionately patted one on the head, scratched another under the chin, his eyes filled with pure joy and contentment.
It was a kind of complete release from pressure, an ease and delight immersed in the life he loved—a side of him Shinji had never seen on the battlefield.
Sunlight spilled over him, blending with his gentle smile, making it appear exceptionally warm.
Watching his brother's genuinely happy smile as he interacted with the Pokémon, Shinji stood outside the gate. The icy lines of his face softened slightly, and the corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly in a tiny arc.
A moment of clarity surged in his heart, and a corner that had always been tightly wound within him also loosened.
So, this was the life his brother truly loved.
"What you couldn't accomplish, brother, I'll accomplish," Shinji thought silently in his heart, yet with unwavering determination. "The peak of being a Trainer that you couldn't reach, leave it to me to reach. After all, we're blood brothers, aren't we?"
Thinking this, Shinji suddenly felt a lightness throughout his body, as if some obsession and shackle that had lingered in his heart since crossing over—belonging both to the original host and to this body's instincts—had quietly dissipated.
He felt his will was more clear, and his connection to this world had become more real and intimate.
Pushing open the Nursery door, he walked in.
Contrary to his usual aloofness, Shinji proactively walked forward and initiated the greeting: "Hey bro, I'm back."
Hearing the voice, Raiji turned his head and saw Shinji. A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes before a smile appeared: "You're back?"
"Take care of these three Pokémon for me, especially that Chimchar." Shinji nodded in response, simultaneously taking the three Poké Balls from his back and tossing them to Raiji. Then, without waiting for Raiji's reply, he turned and headed towards his own room.
Raiji caught the Poké Balls steadily. Looking at Shinji's slightly hurried retreating figure, then at the Poké Balls in his hand, the smile on his lips grew even gentler.
He felt that upon returning from this journey, his stubborn, cold-hearted younger brother seemed to have undergone some indescribable, subtle change.