Chapter Eleven: The Future Path of New Leaf Meow

Endless Blade, Giant Slayer, Lifesteal Sword!

The seasoned trainer Xia Chi instantly thought of these three basic items and the crafting path to the Storm Greatsword within a second.

At first glance, the Endless Blade seemed the optimal choice.

This completed item would most likely increase the chance and damage of critical hits, enabling the most brutal output.

But does Shinoba Meow lack damage?

Yes, but not so much that it’s critical.

Every Pokémon lacks damage to some extent—the more, the better.

However, Xia Chi’s plan for Shinoba Meow’s future wasn’t just to be a burst assassin.

Relying on the ability [Protean], Shinoba Meow could completely fulfill defensive roles by changing its type.

Not to mention it also had the Grass-type affinity and the Triform Power as two trump cards, providing considerable durability.

This was practically the perfect template for an all-around warrior!

So the last missing piece for Shinoba Meow was obvious.

Sustain!

With that in mind, Xia Chi didn’t hesitate: “I choose the Negative Cloak to craft the Lifesteal Sword!”

[Negative Cloak forging successful!]

[Successfully crafted Lifesteal Sword: +10% physical attack, +10% special defense, unique passive: physical attack moves restore 20% of damage dealt as HP!]

Tsk, the stats were slightly nerfed, and the lifeshield effect was gone—did the visa not get approved?

Xia Chi muttered lightly before equipping the Lifesteal Sword onto Shinoba Meow.

As long as the lifesteal effect remained, the rest was secondary.

After setting up the equipment, Xia Chi summoned the system interface to the [Pokémon] screen, where Shinoba Meow’s chibi avatar sat alone.

[Shinoba Meow]

[Type: Grass]

[Ability: Protean]

[Gender: Female]

[Level: 13]

[Stats: HP 38 (+22), Physical Attack 24 (+18), Defense 20 (+12), Special Attack 22 (+13), Special Defense 20 (+15), Speed 28 (+17)]

[Moves: Falling Petals, Bite, Shadow Claw, Magical Leaf, Scratch, Acrobatics, Protect, Grass Whip…]

[Equipment: Triform Power (+33% physical attack, special attack, physical defense, special defense, speed, HP, skill casting speed!)]

[Equipment: Lifesteal Sword (+10% physical attack, +10% special defense, physical attack moves restore 20% of damage dealt as HP!)]

[Affinity: Dark Type (2) Defeating opponents accumulates Fear Points. Every 100 Fear Points grant 5% extra damage and a Fear Treasure Chest, which gives rewards upon opening! (Fear Chest evolves with layers. Current Fear Points: 0, Extra Damage Bonus: 0)]

[Affinity: Grass Type (not activated) ...]

[Affinity: Rush Type (not activated) ...]

[Special: Chosen Pokémon (all stats +20%, Dark Type affinity +1, exclusive skill enhancement [pending activation])]

Oh, and it even came with the classic “Eye of Information” essential for the protagonists of old Pokémon tales.

Though this feature seemed a stripped-down version, only showing basic six stats and moves of one’s own Pokémon.

Despite the critique, Xia Chi was quite fond of this function.

Numbers cannot represent everything, but they are the most direct reflection of strength.

Moreover, this data revealed a crucial piece of information about the attribute bonus calculation for equipment and affinities—it appeared to be an exaggerated exponential formula—

The Triform Power’s and Chosen Pokémon’s all-stat bonuses were not a simple 20% plus 33%, but rather 120% multiplied by 133%, equaling a 1.6 coefficient.

This meant that any future equipment or affinity bonuses would multiply on top of this 1.6 coefficient!

“As long as I stack enough affinities, I’ll even kill Arceus for you!”

Xia Chi was about to boast, but remembering this world was created by such a grand figure, he swallowed his irreverent words.

Regardless, Shinoba Meow’s strength already surpassed many Pokémon of the same level by a wide margin.

At least now, Xia Chi had some confidence entering the modestly ranked HuBao Cup.

But that didn’t mean Xia Chi could slack off.

No matter how strong the system’s equipment and affinities were, they were ultimately just embellishments.

Only if the Pokémon’s own strength was sufficient could the true potential of the master’s guidance be fully realized.

Accompanied by Teacher Zhou’s rhythmic lectures, Xia Chi found an online course featuring the Grass-type Gym Leader Rika from the Kanto region.

Since he had never considered the path of a proper trainer before, he knew little about raising Shinoba Meow or his other Pokémon.

He had to admit, Miss Rika’s universal insights on Grass-type Pokémon training were truly excellent.

At least for Xia Chi, who had never systematically studied Pokémon cultivation before, it was like a ray of sunshine clearing the fog.

He hid his phone inside his textbook, put on headphones, and took frantic notes.

He also pretended to listen attentively, occasionally looking up at Teacher Zhou to nod in understanding.

This made Teacher Zhou quite pleased, thinking that this usually gifted but wayward student was finally turning over a new leaf.

After a whole morning of devoted online lessons, when the bell rang, Xia Chi was eager to head to Silph Pokémon Department Store to purchase the items he had learned about.

Teacher Zhou watched Xia Chi briskly approach and inwardly smiled, deliberately slowing down as he packed up his handouts.

He cleared his throat and said, “Xia Chi, about that Giratina you talked about in class last time…”

Teacher Zhou originally wanted to say, “I’m glad you finally gave up that baseless myth called Giratina. I hope you’ll stop reading so much unofficial history…” and so on.

But Xia Chi was in a hurry to shop at Silph. He glanced at Teacher Zhou and said, “Teacher, do you want to hear the legend of Giratina’s exile? I’ll tell you next time. I’m busy now!”

Then he bypassed Teacher Zhou and headed straight out the door.

Teacher Zhou’s raised hand froze mid-air, his stiff face twitching slightly at the corner of his mouth.

“...If I believe this guy’s ever going to turn over a new leaf again, then call me Kartana!”

——————

On the free afternoon, Xia Chi indulged himself at Silph Department Store.

Though it belonged to Team Rocket, and every penny spent today might fund their evil plans.

Putting that aside, Silph’s goods were undeniably top quality but truly expensive.

Xia Chi’s earnings from live streaming over the past two months barely covered the costs.

To buy everything on the list with his current funds, he’d have to resort to that one trick—

“Give me your phone; I’ll help you upgrade your account!”

Xia Chi wasn’t in a rush, though. After buying all the items Shinoba Meow needed for a month, he decided to return to the dorm.

“Shinoba Meow, don’t you think this place is a bit small?”

After putting away the items and looking around, Xia Chi said thoughtfully.

Having caught his starter Pokémon, he now criticized the dorm he was quite satisfied with just a few days ago.

“There isn’t even a place for your daily training.”

Shinoba Meow obediently shook its head, “Meowfee~”

During its time wandering the wilderness, it had no fixed home. Having a roof over its head now was already very satisfying.

Although Xia Chi believed “No child should suffer hardship; no education should be impoverished,”

With his current tight finances, renting a place was impossible.

So he had to put that idea on hold for now.