Pokémon: The Genetic Researcher Just Wants to Slack Off

Chapter 20 The Unhatched Egg

"Natsuno, you've arrived. It's been a long time. You're truly a formidable young man."

Liu Li Junhao stepped forward to greet Xia Ye warmly and patted him on the shoulder.

Natsuno responded enthusiastically: "Uncle Junhao, it's been a long time."

Xiao Cai's attention was drawn to the egg held in place by the incubation device on the table, and she went over to take a look.

She even reached out her little hand and gently tapped the glass of the incubation device, but there was no response.

Liuli Junhao brought Xia Ye to the egg and began to explain.

"Natsuno, this egg was born in our Unova regional branch, which is quite strange."

"Both parents were artificial cell eggs, and three eggs were born at the same time, but this one has never hatched."

"We tried every possible method, even the unscientific methods recorded in ancient books, but nothing worked."

"Strangely, we had medical experts examine it and they found that the egg has a heartbeat, and even occasionally a faint sound can be heard, though it is indistinct."

Upon hearing this, Natsuno became immediately interested and stepped forward to examine the egg more closely, asking, "Even a X-ray cat can't see inside the eggshell?"

The eyes of the Röntgen cat can emit X-ray-like light that can penetrate walls. They are used in many places as security check assistants, and hospitals also use them to examine patients.

"No. The shell of a Pokémon egg is extremely special. No method can directly scan through the shell to detect the inside, not even for a Velkhana."

"At first we thought it was due to insufficient energy, but this egg doesn't absorb the nutrient solution, nor does it absorb other energy foods such as energy cubes."

"Later we realized that the egg's parents were artificial cells, so we tried to find a Pokémon with superpowers to unleash its superpowers, and found that the egg actually absorbed them."

"The incubation devices we use now are also specially made. They absorb nutrients and convert them into superpowers that are then released to the eggs for absorption."

"Natsuno, I've decided to give this egg to you for research. We really can't think of any way to hatch it. Maybe you can help the little guy hatch successfully."

Seeing the sincerity in the other person's eyes, Natsuno couldn't help but nod: "Okay, I'll do my best."

Tomohiko had finished arranging the food and came over to put his arm around Natsuno's shoulder: "Natsuno, let me tell you, this egg is the chosen one, destined to be the protagonist. Once it hatches, it will crush Dragonite."

"Let's go, all the dishes are served, let's go eat."

As Natsuno walked away, he laughed and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Even a Caterpie can beat a Dragonite."

This was already recorded within the Dragon Envoy clan, as the one who was defeated was a strong member of the Dragon Envoy clan.

300 years ago, a wealthy young man named Wujian raised a team of 6 insect-type Pokémon to level 60, all of them in their initial form and did not evolve.

This insect-catching ancestor, being the only heir of his family, spent the wealth accumulated by three generations of his family to barely raise all the abilities of his six insects to level 60.

He fought a great battle against the powerful members of the Dragon Messenger clan, and finally defeated their Dragonite with his main Caterpie, achieving victory that shocked the world.

This also truly proves a rule to the world: as long as a certain ability value is the same, there is no difference between Caterpie and Dragonite.

For example, if a Caterpie without a cocoon has a speed of Lv60 and the opponent's Dragonite also has a speed of Lv60, then their attack speed and movement speed during battle will be almost the same.

This means that, except for special cases, all Pokémon in this world have the same potential.

However, Pokémon with lower potential need to spend more time and effort to achieve greater growth.

After all, cultivating an insect to have the strength and speed to rival a dragon should require more time and resources, right?

Natsuno and Tomohiko were talking about the deeds of this insect-catching ancestor, which even made Tomohiko itchy to get a green caterpillar to raise.

Xia Ye mercilessly rebuked him: "The reason he has no cocoon is because his caterpillar has been unable to evolve, which is why he has been cultivating it to a high level. With your inconsistent attitude, don't even think about it."

"Besides, it's too expensive. Why bother? With that money, you could raise two late bloomers to the same level."

"Now that I think about it, the main force of the Cocoonless Caterpillars was probably genetically mutated. The records say that no energy of the Everstone was detected in its Caterpillars."

Natsuno picked up a piece of Galar Slowpoke tail meat and put it in the small colorful bowl, but it was too far away for her to reach.

Xiao Cai used a fork to pick up the tail meat and put it in her mouth, revealing an expression of delight.

Tomohiko, standing beside him, widened his intelligent eyes: "So, evolution is also related to genes? That can't be right!"

Xia Ye put a piece of braised wild sea bass into his mouth, closed his eyes to enjoy the flavor bursting on his taste buds, and shook his head.

Because of their extremely high reproductive rate, the Savage Bass can easily become a pest if not properly managed, so it has been included in the League's list of edible species.

"I don't know, I'm just guessing. Wu Jian had all sorts of people check her out back then, ruling out all possibilities, so it must be a genetic issue."

Upon hearing Natsuno mention genes, Ruri Junhao, who had been listening to Fuhiko and Natsuno chatting and joking around, finally couldn't help but speak up.

"Xia Ye, can you tell Uncle Junhao what should happen to the breeding institute after the advent of genetic engineering?"

Natsuno smiled when he heard the question.

"Uncle Junhao, don't worry too much. Believe it or not, when you check the financial report next month, the breeding center's business will actually be better?"

"You should know that there are quite a few opponents online who believe that gene editing is destroying the natural instincts of Pokémon, their original state, etc., even though gene editing is currently impossible to achieve."

"Furthermore, as some netizens have mentioned, it is extremely difficult to breed a Pokémon with all its skills through genetic means."

"I believe genes are like code; messing with them will only lead to collapse."

"Moreover, only a portion of people choose the path of becoming Pokémon trainers. For most ordinary people, choosing Pokémon means choosing friends and family who will accompany them for life; nothing else matters."

"Genes are just a means to better understand Pokémon; the bond between humans and Pokémon is the irreplaceable foundation of this world."

"Don't worry, we're still a long way from gene editing. By then, the breeding center will be able to import them and breed Pokémon with more skills."

Xia Ye's words put Liu Lijunhao at ease, and he continued his meal.

The middle-aged man knew that Natsuno was a man of great loyalty and affection, and would not abandon Ruri Tomohiko.

After finishing his meal, Natsuno drank one last bowl of light cod fruit soup, patted his round belly, and wiped his mouth.

Xiao Cai, who was standing next to her, also ate heartily and touched her round belly, just like Xia Ye.

After carefully wiping the stains around Xiaocai's mouth with a tissue, Natsuno leaned back in his chair and continued chatting and joking with Fuhiko.

After Liuli Junhao finished eating and drinking, he got up, said goodbye, and left.

"Natsuno, your analysis has put my mind at ease a lot."

"I have some business to attend to at Fengyuan, so I'll be leaving now. You two haven't seen each other in a long time, so get together some more."

"This hotel is under my name, and I can stay here tonight."

Natsuno turned his head and glanced at the egg. Xiaocai was bored and was circling around it with Fuyan's pink one.

He got up and walked towards the egg, then suddenly remembered that he was also bound to a system.

"System, scan this egg."

Three seconds later, the scan results came out, and Natsuno's eyes widened.

"He's walking on grass, whose subordinate is he?"