61 Chapter 61

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When Dak returned to the square, he caught sight of Gion's guilty expression.

Dak's forehead began to sweat slightly, a bad premonition forming as he widened his eyes, searching around.

He couldn't spot Growlithe anywhere.

This was bad!

Dak hadn't expected that, even with a group of Navy soldiers watching, Growlithe could still slip away.

How on earth did that dog manage it?

The other Pokémon, however, were honestly surrounded by a hundred Navy soldiers. It seemed these soldiers had already experienced the chaos of Pokémon running amok.

These seemingly dumb and cute little guys were not as simple as they appeared.

"Sorry, Dak. We didn't expect Growlithe to actually burrow into the ground."

"Burrow?"

Digging!

Dak's eyes widened slightly, immediately thinking of that skill.

But the issue was, Dak had already conducted a physical scan on them when they were newly born, and Growlithe's skill list did not include such an ability.

There was only one possibility then.

Growlithe had inexplicably advanced beyond its juvenile phase and self-taught the Digging skill!

"Where's the hole?"

Dak immediately felt overwhelmed.

Catching Growlithe, who had mastered the digging skill, would be even more challenging. Even Robin might not be able to catch this little guy in the future.

"Over there."

Gion pointed awkwardly in one direction, where seven or eight Navy soldiers were digging down the hole Growlithe left behind with shovels.

"This won't do."

Dak shook his head, then called out to the crowd of Pokémon, "Dedenne, can you help me, please?"

"Dedenne~"

Dedenne immediately ran out, clutching its long tail.

"Follow this hole and find Growlithe for me."

"Dedenne."

Dedenne nodded and quickly burrowed into the hole left by Growlithe.

"Miss Gion, I have to go find Growlithe now. Please take care of the other Pokémon here, and try not to let any more little ones run off."

"Don't worry."

Gion nodded, her face slightly flushed with embarrassment.

Having a newborn Pokémon slip away right under the watch of a Navy Rear Admiral was somewhat absurd.

...

Deep within the Navy base, there's a Navy school.

This school is special, being an elite academy for new recruits. The current three Navy Admirals all graduated from here, as did Smoker and Hina later on.

Now, at two in the afternoon, the school's cafeteria has only one person eating.

The former Admiral 'Black Arm' Zephyr, known for his "No Killing" policy.

Since his family was killed by pirates 21 years ago, Zephyr's life had become lonely and monotonous.

Zephyr had repeatedly asked Sengoku, then the Fleet Admiral, to resign, but out of hope for the Navy and trust in his colleagues, he chose to stay, becoming a behind-the-scenes instructor to nurture students, with Sakazuki and Borsalino being his first students.

Nowadays, he mostly converses with a few close students. Even former colleagues hardly speak when they meet.

Because, he feels everything has changed.

Whether it's Sengoku or Tsuru, everyone has changed since becoming the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku included.

Garp hasn't changed, but due to his laid-back work attitude, which contrasts with Zephyr's, even though they're friends, they seldom talk.

Zephyr usually doesn't dwell on these thoughts, as overthinking about the Navy only leads to doubts. Now, he only thinks about how to make his students stronger.

"Ain and Binz are almost ready to start learning Rokushiki, and in a couple of years, it might be time to take them out to sea for practical experience."

Zephyr muttered as he picked up a piece of braised meat.

Suddenly, he frowned, feeling as if an extra... dog head had appeared in his peripheral vision.

"Woof!"

As if to respond to Zephyr's confusion, Growlithe barked.

"Whose dog?"

Zephyr looked down at the dog that had suddenly clung to his leg, finding it rather baffling.

He also chided himself for being too relaxed, not noticing the dog's approach after over twenty years in the Navy base.

"Woof!"

Growlithe stuck out its tongue, looking expectantly at the braised meat in Zephyr's hand.

"You want to eat? Here you go."

Zephyr placed his plate on the ground, still full of braised meat. He wasn't fond of such greasy food, but the chef insisted on preparing some for him.

Growlithe didn't hesitate, opening its mouth to start eating.

It was delicious.

"Where did you come from?"

Zephyr found the situation somewhat amusing as he watched.

"Woof."

Growlithe shifted to let Zephyr see the hole on the ground behind it.

"You, a dog, can dig holes?"

Zephyr raised an eyebrow, not exactly surprised. After living so long, there wasn't much he hadn't seen.

But this was indeed interesting.

Growlithe ignored him, continuing to enjoy the meal. This braised meat was much tastier than what he had at home.

"Speaking of which, the year my son was born, my wife bought a dog. She hoped it would grow up with my son. We even named it... Growlithe."

Zephyr watched Growlithe, reminiscing about the past.

Since the tragedy 21 years ago, he had never mentioned his family to anyone.

Now, talking to a little dog probably wouldn't hurt.

"Woof!"

Growlithe didn't quite understand what Zephyr was saying, but hearing Zephyr call its name, it lifted its head, tilting it curiously at Zephyr.

"What, your name is Growlithe too?"

"Woof!"

"Then we really do have a connection, hahaha."

Zephyr couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to rub Growlithe's head.

Then he found Growlithe's big head so enjoyable to pet that he ended up rubbing it a few more times.

"Dedenne!"

Suddenly, a voice startled Growlithe.

Zephyr noticed in advance this time. An orange, plump rat ran out of the hole.

Such a strange call.

Zephyr mused internally.

But the next moment, he sensed something odd, as Growlithe sped up its eating, seemingly anticipating what would happen next.

"Dedenne!"

As family, Dedenne arched its back, and Dedenne knew it was about to do its business.

Dedenne didn't waste words, jumping onto Growlithe's tail, holding onto it.

He was buying time for Dak, preventing Growlithe from running off.

Zephyr watched the scene, full of questions, but he didn't plan to intervene, finding the whole affair quite entertaining.

In less than ten seconds, Growlithe wolfed down the braised meat.

The moment Growlithe finished, the cafeteria door was flung open with a bang.

(End of Chapter)