Tyrunt's actions were actually very simple.
He was a pure-hearted foodie.
Seeing Hatenna staring at him for so long, he naturally assumed she wanted something tasty too.
Although Tyrunt loved food, he wasn't selfish or stingy.
And ever since he was young, his mother had kept him under extremely strict supervision.
Because of that, Tyrunt had almost no friends growing up.
In a sense, Ethan was the first real friend Tyrunt had ever made.
As for Marshtomp and Metagross—
They counted as friends too, of course.
But Metagross slept most of the time.
Unless it was right beside Ethan, it was usually in deep hibernation—hardly a playmate.
Marshtomp, on the other hand, trained nonstop.
Training. Training. Training.
Only during rare breaks would he spend a little time playing with Tyrunt.
So despite having companions, Tyrunt still felt lonely.
That was why he wanted more friends.
And in his eyes, Hatenna felt like a perfect choice.
Back when Ethan and Tyrunt first bonded, it had started with beef.
So now, trying to make a new friend, Tyrunt naturally chose the same method—
A chicken leg.
Seeing Tyrunt主动 approach Hatenna surprised Ethan.
At the same time, he felt a little nervous.
Tyrunt's personality was gentle, but his appearance was undeniably intimidating.
Ethan worried that he might accidentally scare Hatenna.
But his concern turned out to be completely unnecessary.
Faced with the chicken leg Tyrunt offered, the usually silent Hatenna made a rare sound.
"Hate~"
It was clearly a soft expression of gratitude.
Receiving that response, Tyrunt was overjoyed.
He happily trotted back to Ethan's side.
"Tyra~"
"So you're happy you made a new friend, Tyrunt?" Ethan asked with a laugh.
Tyrunt nodded enthusiastically.
"Tyra~"
"Haha. If you're happy, then after she finishes eating, you can go play with Hatenna for a bit."
"But only after you finish all your food too."
Hearing that, Tyrunt immediately nodded again and began devouring his meal at lightning speed.
"Ethan, seriously—what kind of Pokémon is your Tyrunt?"
"He looks fierce, but he's ridiculously well-behaved."
Geng Zhi couldn't hide his envy.
He glanced at his own Fuecoco, which was still eating slowly and ignoring him half the time.
Despite being his Pokémon, Fuecoco wasn't exactly obedient—
and that was what gave Geng Zhi the biggest headache.
Ethan just smiled lightly.
"He's nothing special."
"I met him in the mountains behind my cousin's home."
"His mother entrusted him to me, so naturally he listens."
"And despite his looks, you can tell he has a really good temperament, right?"
Geng Zhi nodded subconsciously.
Thinking back on the journey, Tyrunt really had been the group's mood-maker.
Lively, energetic—but never annoying.
Looking at Fuecoco again, Geng Zhi sighed deeply.
"Sigh… they're all Pokémon."
"So why does everyone else's feel so much better than mine?"
"Am I really not cut out to be a Trainer?"
After finishing his meal at breakneck speed, Tyrunt hopped down and went to find Hatenna.
Hatenna seemed to like him as well.
After finishing the chicken leg, she gently jumped onto Tyrunt's head.
"Tyra~"
Tyrunt turned to Ethan, clearly asking for permission to go play.
Ethan chuckled.
"Alright. Just don't go too far."
"Tyra~"
With that, Tyrunt dashed out of the restaurant like a small whirlwind.
Ethan wasn't worried at all.
Tyrunt was rare and valuable, but more importantly—
he was already Ethan's Pokémon. No one else could take him.
And letting Tyrunt spend time with Hatenna could deepen their bond.
If all went well, Tyrunt might even become the perfect wingman to help Hatenna join the team.
Why would Ethan stop that?
Outside the restaurant, Tyrunt was ecstatic.
Full and energized, he sprinted freely through the forest.
Hatenna sat atop his head, wind rushing past her, blowing aside her hair and revealing eyes of soft white and pink.
"Hate!"
"Hate-hate!"
She laughed.
For perhaps the first time in her life, she laughed so openly.
Though timid by nature, she had often imagined running through the forest with a friend.
Now that dream was real.
And she was genuinely happy.
Feeling Hatenna's joy, Tyrunt became even more excited.
"Tyra~"
He accelerated again, charging through the forest like an untamed little beast.
After more than ten minutes, exhaustion finally caught up.
Tyrunt slowed to a stop.
"Tyra~"
He conveyed that he'd had a great time—but it was time to return.
Otherwise, Ethan would worry.
Hatenna nodded.
Then, as if remembering something, she pointed toward a deeper part of the forest.
"Hate-hate!"
Although Tyrunt didn't fully understand her meaning, he still walked in the direction she indicated.
"It's getting late."
"Tyrunt should be back by now, right?"
Standing at the restaurant entrance, Ethan gazed into the forest, feeling slightly uneasy.
Just then—
A large head emerged from the bushes.
Seeing Tyrunt—and the Hatenna perched on his head—Ethan's worry vanished instantly.
"Tyrunt, you're back!"
"Did you have fun playing with Hatenna?"
Instead of replying, Tyrunt simply nodded.
That made Ethan pause.
Normally, Tyrunt would excitedly shout his happiness out loud.
This quiet reaction felt… strange.
Before Ethan could ask, Tyrunt walked up and gently scratched his hand with a claw, signaling him to open his palm.
"Tyrunt? What is it?"
As Ethan extended his hand, Tyrunt opened his mouth—
And dropped a tooth into Ethan's palm.
At that very moment, the system's voice rang out.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a purple opportunity — Dragon Fang]
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