Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 184: Arceus' Fragmented Fighting-Type Plate

"Ryozuki's Lucario is still alive?! Then what about Ryozuki?"

Once the townspeople confirmed the Lucario's identity, the crowd buzzed with excitement.

Most of the older residents in Aura Town remembered Ryozuki's glorious past.

If he was still alive—

If he returned with Lucario and competed in battles—

Aura Town would regain its former prestige.

So—

Regardless of whether this Lucario was truly Level 90,

The residents surrounded it with warm greetings and questions about Ryozuki's whereabouts.

Lucario—

Shook its head.

---

"He's dead."

---

Three simple words froze the entire crowd.

Their smiling faces instantly turned solemn.

So it was true…

That once high-spirited youth—

The boy who had almost reached the World Pokémon Championship with Lucario—

Was gone.

Many had already suspected it.

But hearing it out loud still felt like a punch to the gut.

---

Trainers—

Especially those who traveled—

Lived with constant danger.

Each year, thousands of trainers went missing in mystical zones.

Whether they survived or perished—

Was often unknown.

Mystical zones were lands of both opportunity and peril.

---

"My condolences…"

Someone tried to comfort Lucario,

But it simply waved a paw dismissively—

"It doesn't matter."

---

Its deep gaze carried a weight that only time could forge.

More than a decade had passed.

Those memories—

Had long been buried deep within.

Yet—

It could never forget the moment Ryozuki shoved it aside,

Standing before the World Tree's core, pleading—

"If I'm gone… Protect the World Tree. Protect Aura Town."

---

And so, for years—

Lucario had maintained the balance of Qinling's ecosystem,

Ensuring that no powerful wild Pokémon threatened Aura Town.

But recently—

It had focused on its own strength,

Entering seclusion to refine its Aura abilities.

And in its absence—

The trouble had escalated.

Now—

It turned to Hikaru, the one who had resolved the crisis.

With a single glance—

Latias, standing beside Hikaru, instinctively gripped his hand.

It felt as though its disguise had been seen through.

Lucario stepped closer, its calm voice resonating directly in Hikaru's mind—

"Thank you, human trainer."

It could sense—

That this human had also been acknowledged by the World Tree.

And even more—

It could feel the familiar presence of another Lucario's Aura on him.

Hikaru awkwardly rubbed his eye,

Feeling a little undeserving—

"It was nothing, really…"

Compared to what Ryozuki sacrificed,

What he had done was hardly anything at all.

Lucario—

Quietly extended a mysterious slab towards Hikaru.

"This… is something Ryozuki gave me long ago. It is useless to me now."

"I sense another Lucario's Aura within you… consider this a token of gratitude."

The moment Hikaru saw the slab,

His expression froze.

Even though it was stored within his system space,

His Normal-Type Plate suddenly began vibrating violently.

---

[Arceus' Fragmented Fighting-Type Plate]

— A SSS-Rank Relic containing a fragment of Arceus' divine essence.

— Possesses unfathomable power.

**— Though incomplete, prolonged exposure can enhance a Pokémon's potential.

⚠️ Warning: Direct energy absorption may cause irreversible harm to a Pokémon's body!

---

A Fighting-Type Plate from Arceus…

No wonder.

Back when Hikaru watched the first Time Flower's memory,

Ryozuki's Riolu had only been of Elite Potential.

But by the time it reached the World Tree's core—

It had become a Tier 3 Legendary Pokémon.

This was the reason.

---

This was far too valuable.

And yet—

Lucario was giving it away so easily.

Seeing Hikaru's hesitation, Lucario simply said—

"It is of no use to me anymore."

---

With Aura guiding the slab,

It floated gently toward Hikaru's hands.

Instinctively, Hikaru caught it.

His expression complicated.

He had barely begun searching for these plates,

And yet—

Another one had just landed in his hands.

---

[Collecting all of Arceus' Fighting-Type Plates will unlock an additional Yearly Trait Unlock.]

---

The system's cold notification rang out.

Hikaru bowed deeply—

"Thank you."

Lucario raised an eyebrow in surprise.

This human recognized the plate?

It was odd.

Even Ryozuki had never understood its significance.

In fact—

The two of them had searched for years,

Trying to unravel its secrets—

But ultimately gave up.

Yet, this young man—

Had understood it at a single glance.

Lucario was tempted to ask,

But what would be the point?

Ryozuki was gone.

Its only purpose now was to protect this town.

It turned away, facing the gathered farmers—

"I will use my Aura to communicate with the wild Pokémon."

"Those willing to work will be compensated with food."

With that—

Lucario walked off, taking its place as a guardian once more.

---

Hikaru glanced at the plate in his hands, then at Lucario's retreating figure.

And laughed wryly.

"So… This is my reward for nearly dying in Qinling?"

Not bad.

He hadn't expected Lucario to be the first one to receive a legendary opportunity.

But—

Wouldn't Lucario's return bring unwanted attention to Aura Town?

Wouldn't more people start digging into the past?

For better or worse—

This small town's peace might not last much longer.

Still—

At least it meant Mew would have more reason to stay put.

And…

A Level 90 Lucario wouldn't want to see history repeat itself, would it?

---

"Whatever. I need to head back to the World Tree and set up my [Teleportation Marker] with Mew."

As Hikaru pondered his next steps—

He suddenly felt a tiny vine tug at his pant leg.

A soft voice—

"Bulba… bulba…"

---

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