Everyone Else Awakened, But I Just Opened a Pokémon Pet Shop

By the time Su Bai arrived, he was already striding straight toward Zhou Xiaofei's bedside.

The moment the soldier relayed the news, Su Bai had experienced one of the strongest emotional surges he'd had since coming to this world—surpassed only by the death of his parents.

Zhou Xiaofei—kind, thoughtful, and mature beyond his years—had long since been treated by Su Bai as a younger brother in all but blood.

Even though the soldier hadn't gone into detail about Xiaofei's injuries…

Just the fact that he was in the ICU was enough to speak volumes.

Su Bai had rushed to Haicheng without even stopping to ask for more details.

If it hadn't been for the massive, unmistakable Gyarados hovering outside Haicheng Central Hospital, he might not have even found the right ward.

Lu Liangpeng sighed. Su Bai's reaction was within expectations.

Fortunately, he'd arrived in time.

Otherwise, a child with the potential to change the fate of humanity might've turned away from humanity altogether—an outcome that would've been unacceptable for the entire human race.

Su Bai gently placed his hand on Zhou Xiaofei's head, examining him carefully.

Only after confirming the injuries had been treated properly did he let out a long breath of relief.

It was then that Lu Liangpeng noticed Su Bai's clothes were still littered with twigs and leaves.

Clearly, in his rush, Su Bai had tapped into his full potential as a super rookie, crashing through terrain at top speed without a care for the obstacles.

Many innocent trees had paid the price for his haste.

"I heard you made it just in time…"

"Old Headmaster, thank you. Truly."

Su Bai gave Lu Liangpeng a solemn nod of gratitude.

"An elder at home is a treasure indeed."

If Haicheng didn't have someone like Lu Liangpeng—dedicated, experienced, and powerful—the consequences could've been catastrophic.

This wasn't the first time he'd proven his worth.

Had he not been there, it might've been Zhou Xiaofei's lifeless body greeting Su Bai today.

But Lu Liangpeng just waved him off.

"Even if it hadn't been Zhou Xiaofei, I'd have done the same."

"But if you really want to thank someone... it's the Pokémon Center that Haicheng owes another debt to."

His eyes turned toward the massive face peering anxiously through the window.

If that Pokémon hadn't been there, Haicheng might've already become a pile of rubble.

Lu Liangpeng alone could never have held off three S-class Death Beasts.

Even with Su Bai present, Gyarados's gaze hadn't wavered once.

It continued to hover silently outside, eyes fixed on its unconscious trainer.

Only now did Su Bai notice something else—

The battle scars on Gyarados's body.

A torn whisker, a massive gash across its neck, and damaged protrusions on its back.

Every wound was a testament to the fierceness of the battle.

Even Su Bai found himself shaken.

Instinctively, he pulled out his Pokédex.

The screen quickly displayed data on this very Gyarados.

And when Su Bai read through it, his breath caught.

His eyes widened with every line.

Beside Gyarados's name was a label in parentheses:

(Bond Evolution)

Even more shocking—

Next to its original Water/Flying typing, there was now a Dragon-type icon.

Its move list included Aqua Tail, Whirlpool, Ice Fang, Dragon Twister, Brine, Waterfall…

And finally, the Normal-type finishing move:

Hyper Beam!

But the move listed after Waterfall was grayed out—unusable at the moment.

And at the very bottom, a system certification note appeared:

[Special Trait: Limit Break]

Limit Break: A Gyarados that evolved under extreme emotional resonance during crisis. Possesses power beyond its natural species limits (this power is unstable and may only trigger when fighting for its trainer).

"It really is… a Bond Evolution…"

Su Bai gently patted Gyarados's savage-looking face.

But inside, waves of emotion were surging like a tidal storm.

Everyone familiar with Pokémon would immediately think of Ash's Greninja when hearing the term "Bond Evolution."

That Pokémon—despite Ash's legendary roster—was one of his strongest.

Even compared to Pikachu with all its plot armor, it held its ground.

Sure, it didn't defeat Alain's Mega Charizard in the anime, but that was more bad luck—or maybe even plot manipulation.

Greninja was strong enough to duel with Legendary Pokémon!

And now this Gyarados had Bond Evolved?

Didn't that mean… it had the potential to rival Ash's Greninja?

Those grayed-out moves might not yet be fully unlocked—but if Zhou Xiaofei trained it consistently, it was likely he'd eventually develop signature exclusive moves of his own.

And now with the Limit Break trait, the Gyarados had even gained a Dragon typing, completing the legendary "leap of the carp over the dragon's gate."

True, adding Dragon made it vulnerable to Fairy—but the added typing was more than worth it.

This Gyarados… had limitless potential!

"Bond Evolution? What's that supposed to mean?"

Lu Liangpeng looked bewildered. It was his first time hearing the term.

Su Bai explained quietly:

"It means Zhou Xiaofei and this Gyarados have formed a bond so deep… they're ready to live or die together."

But he didn't elaborate further.

Bond Evolution might be powerful, but it wasn't something you could replicate.

Not everyone could be like Zhou Xiaofei—giving his entire heart to a Magikarp.

Even Wang Tao and the others couldn't do that.

Not because they didn't treat their Pokémon well—but because kindness alone wasn't enough.

This kind of bond… could only be formed by someone innocent, pure-hearted, and truly selfless.

Someone like Zhou Xiaofei.

As for how powerful Bond Evolution could be…

Gyarados would prove that in time.

Right now, Su Bai had something else on his mind.

"If Gyarados evolved through Bond Evolution… and took these injuries…"

Su Bai turned slowly, face solemn:

"Then someone better tell me exactly what happened."

For Gyarados to reach that state—evolving and suffering those injuries—meant things had been beyond brutal.

All the soldier had reported was: three S-class Death Beasts, Zhou Xiaofei critically wounded, and Lu Liangpeng saving him in time.

But nothing more.

And Su Bai needed to know.

Who had the audacity to attack the Pokémon Center?

And how did Zhou Xiaofei even end up outside its protection, on the street?

Just as Lu Liangpeng opened his mouth to explain—

A soft voice spoke first.

"I… I'll tell you, Boss Su!"

Liu Qiaoqiao had raised her hand.

Her face was full of guilt, shame, and a deep admiration when she looked at Zhou Xiaofei.

At this point, she still didn't know that Li Jian's target had been the Pokémon Center itself.

She thought it was her fault—that she'd dragged Xiaofei into danger by sneaking into the Pokémon Center and getting caught in the chaos.

"It's all my fault… If I hadn't run off, maybe Xiaofei-gege wouldn't have…"