Pokemon: Rising From The Dark

During the morning, Murkrow trained its wing strength, practicing gusting skills, and learning how to better utilize its Flying-type abilities. Whenever its wings grew too tired to move, it would rest briefly and then diligently resume the training regimen Aoki had set.

Aoki spent the entire morning making Pokéblocks. This time, the Pokéblocks were significantly more complex than the previous Yellow Berry Pokéblocks. Due to the simplicity of the tools, he managed to produce more than a hundred Pokéblocks by midday.

Looking at the stacks of Pokéblocks in the containers, Aoki exhaled a long breath and patted his legs, which had grown stiff from sitting for so long.

Standing up, he called to Murkrow, "Murkrow, that's enough for now. Take a break. It's time to prepare lunch."

"Caw! Caw! Caw!" Murkrow gave a final few flaps of its wings, creating small whirlwinds that blew some of the Zubat droppings out of the cave, before settling on Aoki's shoulder.

Feeling the weight on his shoulder, Aoki almost stumbled due to his numb legs. He smiled as he stroked Murkrow's smooth feathers, saying, "It's okay. It looks like you've recovered your full size, though I might have a hard time carrying you now." He spoke softly. Despite his thin frame, Aoki, like many humans in the Pokémon world, had a physique more resilient than those from his previous life on Earth.

Some humans in this world possessed exceptional physical capabilities, comparable to certain Pokémon. In Aoki's mind, the most vivid example was Bruno, one of the Elite Four in the Kanto region, whose strength rivaled that of Fighting-type Pokémon like Machamp.

Others, like Sabrina, the Psychic-type Gym Leader from Saffron City, wielded psychic powers stronger than most Psychic-type Pokémon. Sabrina was also one of the top three Team Rocket cadres, and Aoki had met her once in his previous life, a memory he held with some pride.

Thus, while training Murkrow, Aoki also made sure to train his own body. He didn't aim to reach Bruno's level, but he wanted to ensure he wouldn't be a burden to his Pokémon.

At lunchtime, the advantage of living near the lake became clear. The lake, untouched and teeming with fish, was a perfect spot for Murkrow to practice fishing. After several attempts, Murkrow slowly mastered the skill, catching enough fish to satisfy them both.

Back at the Team Rocket base, Aoki had managed to grab some seasoning. After grilling the fish simply, he and Murkrow enjoyed a delightful lunch together.

After a brief rest, Aoki announced, "The lunch break is over. It's battle time this afternoon. Are you ready, Murkrow?"

"Caw! Caw!" Murkrow flapped its wings eagerly, ready for battle. While it enjoyed training, fighting was its true passion.

"Such a battle enthusiast!" Aoki chuckled, gently patting Murkrow's head as he admired its energy.

The forest was teeming with wild Pokémon, providing ample opportunities for encounters. With keen observation of the forest's signs, they quickly found Pokémon to challenge. Occasionally, some wild Pokémon even initiated the confrontations.

With the aid of his system, Aoki could scan any opponent's data instantly. If the opponent was too strong, he would retreat. When he found a suitable match, he sent Murkrow into battle. Together, they navigated the challenges of the Pokémon world without fear.

As the sun set, Aoki and Murkrow returned to the cave, both exhausted. While Murkrow fought, Aoki quietly exercised his body. His once frail frame had begun to fill out, with muscle definition slowly emerging from consistent training and proper nutrition.

Examining one of the Pokéblocks he had made, Aoki turned it over in his palm. The black-and-white block had a jelly-like texture, its surface smooth and free of impurities. He sliced off a small piece and tasted it.

A slightly bitter, dry flavor filled his mouth, the combination of herbs and dried berries making him grimace slightly despite being prepared for the taste. The intricate blend of flavors would be nearly impossible for anyone but an experienced breeder to discern.

Though the taste wasn't pleasant, it was precisely what Pokémon enjoyed. After sampling the Pokéblock, Aoki felt a slight relief in his muscles, a testament to its efficacy. For Pokémon, the effect would be even more pronounced.

He fed the remaining Pokéblock to Murkrow. As Murkrow eagerly awaited more, Aoki carefully placed the rest into the storage compartment of his Team Rocket belt.

Watching Murkrow's longing eyes, Aoki chuckled, "Greedy little thing! You'll get more later. For now, you still need to eat two more Yellow Berry Pokéblocks."

Murkrow had been eating Yellow Berry Pokéblocks for five days, and while their effect was diminishing, there were still two more days left in the regimen. Aoki wanted to maximize their benefits before switching to the new Pokéblocks. Mixing different types too soon might cause adverse reactions, so Murkrow had to be patient.

"Caw! Caw!" Murkrow shook its head, then nodded in agreement, as if trying to suppress its craving for the new Pokéblocks while acknowledging Aoki's plan.

Aoki sat down and stroked Murkrow's smooth feathers, massaging it with techniques he had learned in his previous life. After a day of training and battling, a proper massage helped Pokémon recover faster.

"Mmm... mmm..." Murkrow murmured contentedly, its muscles relaxing as it closed its eyes and enjoyed the massage.

After about half an hour, Murkrow was fully relaxed, its muscles loosened.

Aoki then prepared dinner. Tonight, it was a hearty fish soup, with creamy broth and tender fish. After enjoying their meal and tidying up, Aoki and Murkrow, tired from the day's activities, fell asleep against the rocks.

The forest at night was bustling with activity, but the Zubat cave remained a quiet haven. Its long-term occupation by Zubat made it a safe retreat. The only sound in the cave was the steady breathing of Aoki and Murkrow.