ALL NOVEL Chapter 42 – Meet at Last
"This place is inside the forest, situated in the backyard of that luxurious Japanese house. Many beasts surround and guard this area. It's the only forest in the village, as the village resides near the beach. Here, we confront and fend off the beasts advancing towards us. We are on top of Takihama Island, and I've named it 'Kemonohaji Forest', which means 'the beginning of the beasts.'"
"Does this place signify the beginning of your plan to conquer the beasts?" Ivan analyzed.
"Exactly. I should clarify: Kame Village is just a small part of Takihama Island at the top of the north. We're in the most remote part of the island. The village's size is only 9 square kilometers including the sea, while the entire Takihama island is over 3,000 square kilometers," Kanraku explained.
Hearing this, Floyd and the others took a deep breath, realizing the challenge ahead.
"Conquering the island in six months. I'm not sure it's feasible," Jonathan commented, deep in thought.
"Nihon experiences all four seasons. Autumn starts this month, followed by winter, which is when beasts are most aggressive in their search for food," Ivan reminded them.
"Professor, can we manage?" Floyd inquired.
"I'm confident about defending the villages. We have a population of Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise. Plus, I've introduced many beasts to the villages, making them our primary defense," Kanraku confidently stated. "The main concern is the food supply. Floyd-san, your pokeblock and healing powder methods are invaluable. You won't have to worry about a shortage of berries. Harvest as much as you need."
"Leave it to me, Professor!" Floyd assured.
Turning to Bianca, Kanraku queried, "Bianca-san, I just knew today that you can create clothing from berries. Which berries do you need?"
"Uhmm, me...Professor?" Bianca was surprised and became nervous.
"Yes, you," Kanraku nodded.
"I, I-I only know a bit... I can make… clothing that adjusts… to cold and heat. There's also… also fabric that, when… the poisoned infiltrate… the body, it… it can… delay or even… neutralize the… the poison, depending on… one's immunity. And… and… lastly… there's cloth… that can heal… burnt," Bianca explained, clearly nervous.
Kanraku and the others were visibly taken aback. "You can do that?"
"I only know… a few… specific berries, and… we'll need… external, external materials… like cotton wool… silk, or the… the substance… produced by… Floyd's beast earlier," she continued, her voice shaking. She was always been nervous every time people talked to her except Swablu, Bird Saint, Absol…
"That's impressive," Kanraku said with amazement.
Astonished, Jonathan looked at Bianca, "Can you really achieve that?"
She hesitated, "There's… a possibility… of failure."
Jonathan turned his attention between his companions, "Bianca, you've been hiding your talents! Floyd seemed to be the only unique one among us. Ivan, do you have hidden talents too?"
"I'm as surprised as you are," Ivan sighed.
Kanraku, with a hopeful look, addressed Bianca, "I'm entrusting you with this mission."
She nervously nodded, "I… I'll do my best."
Observing her, Floyd asked, "Are you always this nervous?"
"Yes, I am… a bit," she admitted.
Eager to have a role, Jonathan queried, "Professor, what tasks do you have in mind for me?"
Kanraku suggested, "How about planting berry seeds, assisting beasts, and attending lessons on beast knowledge?"
"Didn't you mention that earlier? Is there anything else I can assist with?" Jonathan pressed.
"Do you possess any unique skills?" Kanraku inquired.
Regrettably, Jonathan shook his head, "No, I don't."
Kanraku reassured him, "Then focus on what I've assigned. You'll be compensated."
"I want berries," Jonathan said.
"You're good; you know the price, hahaha," Kanraku laughed.
"Of course, that's half a million TWD," Jonathan said.
"Professor, I know scouting. Maybe I can help you with that," Ivan suggested.
"Scouting? You?" Kanraku looked at him with confusion.
"Yeah, managing people on how to observe beasts from far away. It is to warn people earlier about any beast activity," Ivan explained.
"Ivan, you traitor! Even you?" Jonathan pointed his finger at him angrily.
Ivan ignored him.
"That needs many people, right?" Kanraku inquired.
"Not much, even no people needed, just beasts like the caterpillar from earlier. As long as you guarantee they will not hurt anyone, I don't mind doing it," Ivan clarified.
"Shishou, I am tired," Ryota, with the Caterpie on his head, panted as he called Kanraku.
"Climb onto my back," Kanraku said, lowering his body and sitting to wait for Ryota to climb.
Ryota carefully put the Caterpie on Kanraku's shoulder, then climbed onto his back, and placed the Caterpie back on his head. They resumed their journey.
"You can trust them as long as you don't start trouble with them. They won't do anything to you. And your plan seems good. Okay, I will entrust it to you," Kanraku said.
"I just want two healing berries as a salary," Ivan stated his intention.
Kanraku looked at him, understanding his intention, and laughed. "Hahahaha, fine, fine, do it. I'm quite surprised all four of you are so motivated. Ahahaha, I'm so glad!"
…
A few minutes later, Ryota pointed out, "Shishou, we are here. And here they are," pointing to the people who were planting berry seeds.
Some trees were at different stages: some budding, while others were still in a stage of growth or had just started to sprout.
Kanraku and everyone hurried to them. He set Ryota on the ground and announced, "Everyone, I'm back!"
"Kanraku Professor?" Someone recognized him.
"Che, I really thought you would abandon us here and never come back," a beautiful, slender lady with black hair and a Kinh appearance in 20's snorted.
"Hahahaha, how could I? As I said before, my ambition hasn't even started. How would I abandon you here?" Kanraku laughed, giving them a teasing smile.
"Well, I heard you've caused some trouble here?" Kanraku inquired, looking around.
"Isn't it because autumn has started and you're still not here? What would we do if a beast attacked? And your people, I don't know what to say. Are they foreigners, and we are the natives here? Why do they seem more out of place than us?" A man in glasses remarked.
"Hahaha, I'm really sorry about that. I didn't expect it either. As for the beasts, didn't I explain to you? I've promised that they will never attack people here," Kanraku said.
"We cannot guarantee if they will uphold their agreement. After all, they're still beasts," a handsome man in his mid 20s pointed out.
"Now that I'm here, I think you'll be reassured. And here is the last batch of our group," Kanraku said as he gestured towards Floyd, Bianca, Jonathan, and Ivan.
"Eh, there are only a few. Just four?" the black-haired lady asked.
"Yes, only four, but I'm telling you, they are good!" Kanraku praised.
"By the way, Ryota," Kanraku called to Ryota, who was playing with his Caterpie.
"Shishou?" Ryota responded.
"Tell those four guys to come back here within half an hour. We have a meeting. If they're late, tell them I'll increase add a punishment," Kanraku instructed.
"Wakaramashita!" Ryota said, then took out his phone to call them.