"A Wano Kuni without Pokemon... there's really a big difference."
"That's not the root of the issue. To put it bluntly, the world is vast, and it would run the same with or without anyone. A world without Pokemon, and a world with even more Pokemon - both exist."
"More than Wano Kuni?"
"Of course. There are already over a thousand types of Pokemon that are known to people from other worlds, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. In unknown places, there are even more Pokemon waiting to be discovered."
Sitting on the windowsill, gazing at the brightly lit Wano Kuni in the night, Yamato's thoughts were somewhat heavy.
The evening lights are a prime example. Over there, once it's night in Wano Kuni, only sporadic fire lights can be seen in other regions, with the most bustling place being Flower Street in the Flower Capital, where only here is maintained in a permanently bright state with lanterns.
This Wano Kuni is different. After years of development, Wano Kuni has already achieved "bringing home appliances to the countryside." Although common people don't have Rotom appliances, there are still regular appliances.
The number of Electivires has increased from the initial two to seven now, which is enough to meet Wano Kuni's electricity demands. To be precise, just one Electivire's power generation is enough to supply the entire Wano Kuni; the additional ones are mainly for alternating rest.
The island's electricity supply still cannot rely solely on one battery.
The process of laying out the electric circuits seemed slow, but a considerable effort was made. In the early days, most people in Wano Kuni thought of thunder and ninjutsu before electric engineering when electricity was mentioned.
Even now, compared to science, the people of Wano Kuni view it as a divine blessing—even the payment for electricity bills is counted as part of a tribute.
The buildings in Wano Kuni have also undergone multiple renovations. Machamp and Machoke have been a great help to the construction teams. With them, workers just need to focus their energy on areas that require skill. In terms of brute strength, most people are no match for the Machamp clan.
There are only dozens of types of Pokemon in Wano Kuni, but these few Pokemon have already dramatically changed the lives of the citizens; life is almost inseparable from these Pokemon.
More than a thousand types of Pokemon... Yamato is very curious about what such a world looks like.
"Haven't you already seen it once? The Dragon Space is fictional, but it also truly exists. You'll have the opportunity to see more."
"I seem to have missed out on a lot..."
Recalling the Pokemon that appeared in the fictional ancient Unova Region, Yamato suddenly realized something. She had been focusing on passing tests and seemed to have overlooked some basic things.
"It's not surprising. Just pay attention next time. Everything there is fake, so you can see the same things when you go there again."
"It's just because I've been thinking about how to pass the exams that I didn't notice!"
Yamato gave herself an excuse, as she seemed to detect a hint of [hopeless, let it be] from Arceus's tone, which was not a good impression.
"Did you pass the exam?"
"Cough, cough, it's too difficult, foster father. Your exam is too strict. I couldn't find a clue at Reshiram."
She couldn't be said to have not tried, as she was indeed striving for this goal, her Supreme King ability even grew stronger by two degrees.
But saying she tried wasn't entirely true either, as there weren't many results. Zekrom was easier to deal with; Reshiram mostly just stared at her with emotionless eyes and then sighs away.
Only rarely would it engage in a few words with her, which was the result of her progress.
For a period, she couldn't even meet Reshiram.
"That's your problem. Even if I directly told you the answer, Reshiram wouldn't change its attitude.
There are many forms of reality. Don't get too confined to your own thoughts.
By the way, you're getting along quite well with another version of yourself, right?"
Reality and ideals are opposing challenges. External help is of no use, only genuine recognition allows the power of the Black and White Dragons to fully unleash.
Using experience bars as a metaphor, the black energy representing Zekrom is constantly rising, sometimes it even surges.
But the white energy representing Reshiram basically stays stagnant, even if it rises, it has never broken through the basic passing line.
If the trip to "Wano Kuni" goes smoothly, Yamato might acquire something, so Arceus wasn't concerned about when she could pass the test but instead asked about some details again.
"Hmm... not bad, I just think the other me is quite pitiful."
"Do you have confidence in her?"
"I do. That's me too. I believe she'll eventually find her true self, and one day realize her ideals.
Even if you're not around, foster father, I definitely won't follow that bastard old man's orders completely...
Speaking of which, foster father, reality and ideals... shouldn't they be inseparable?"
"You need to slowly realize that yourself. Also, let me remind you, be careful of familiar faces when you're out and about."
Arceus noticed a problem. He hadn't directly stated the content of the test. Given Yamato's somewhat indirect intelligence, she might not even be aware of what the answer she needs to submit should be.
So in the second inquiry, he gave this enlightenment.
When she said this, Zekrom and Reshiram also glanced at each other but then turned their heads and never looked at each other again.
Ideal and reality are inseparable; it's not a method to enhance a single energy bar but an indispensable final step.
"Familiar faces??"
The tip Yamato received was upgraded, but unfortunately, the reminder was too vague. Yamato didn't realize what Kaidou, who stepped ahead of her several layers, was thinking, nor did she understand the meaning in Arceus's words.
"Seriously, foster father, your words are like Robin's, mysterious and hard to comprehend."
"You'll understand sooner or later."
...
The time for casual conversation always passes quickly; before you know it, dawn arrives again. Yamato stretched and planned to continue with the next steps. But before she could leave, her ears caught new sounds.
[The flowers in Kuri over there smell great.]
[Better go to the laboratory; the Berries' flowers there smell better.]
[Try a new flavor. Eat the same thing all the time and you'll get sick of it. Queen Bee already agreed we could go there yesterday.]
In the sky, a few large butterflies and moths were flying towards the front, discussing which flower's nectar tasted better.
"Foster father, did new Pokemon appear again?"
"Hmm, if you're heading out, take some away as well; you can leave them on nearby islands."