Multiverse Gourmet Hunter

Haruto showed no sign of panic at Professor Oak’s question.

In truth, he had already suspected something the moment the professor appeared.

"That’s right. I do come from another world."

Haruto admitted it openly, without trying to hide anything.

Then he asked, "I’m curious, though. How did you find out?"

Even as he voiced the question, Haruto already had a likely answer in mind.

Ever since returning to the forest after meeting Arceus, he had occasionally sensed a faint gaze watching him from somewhere beyond his perception.

At first, Haruto assumed it was Arceus.

He had promised not to use Pokémon themselves as ingredients, but a verbal promise alone carried no real restraint.

Before long, however, he dismissed that possibility. There was no way Arceus had enough free time to watch him constantly.

It was more likely another Legendary Pokémon. Nothing ordinary could have observed him for so long without being discovered.

Professor Oak’s arrival had all but confirmed his suspicion.

Whether that Legendary Pokémon was acting under Arceus’s orders or had simply become curious about him did not particularly matter to Haruto.

After receiving a clear answer, Professor Oak could not hide his excitement.

A living person from another world stood right in front of him.

Fortunately, he retained enough composure to quickly suppress his enthusiasm and explain,

"One of my oldest friends sensed you when you first appeared in Viridian Forest. It was the one who informed me about you."

Haruto considered the professor’s words.

An old friend. A Legendary Pokémon. Viridian Forest.

Those clues gave him a fairly good idea of the Pokémon’s identity.

Still, it was not an ingredient, and Haruto probably could not take it with him anyway.

There was no point in dwelling on it.

When Haruto did not press him for details, Professor Oak said nothing more about his "old friend."

His expression grew serious once again.

"Then, Haruto, what exactly is your purpose in coming to our world?"

That question was extremely important.

An unknown outsider with the ability to cross between worlds had suddenly appeared in the Pokémon world.

No one could reasonably feel at ease without knowing his intentions.

Professor Oak needed to determine whether Haruto should be watched, approached as a potential ally, or handled through other measures.

Haruto answered with the same honesty as before.

"As I already mentioned, I’m a chef and a part-time Gourmet Hunter. My greatest interest is food."

"My only reason for coming to the Pokémon world is to find rare ingredients unique to this world—things that don’t exist anywhere else."

Professor Oak’s expression darkened slightly at the word "ingredients."

Images appeared in his mind before he could stop them.

Roasted Farfetch’d.

Steamed Krabby.

Shellder grilled with garlic...

There had indeed been people in the distant past who treated Pokémon as food.

As civilization progressed and the Pokémon League promoted better protections, however, those species were placed under strict safeguards.

Eating Pokémon was now explicitly forbidden throughout the League.

Haruto noticed the change in the professor’s expression and quickly clarified,

"You don’t need to worry, Professor Oak. I have no intention of using Pokémon themselves as ingredients."

"I already promised Arceus that I wouldn’t."

"What I’m interested in are Pokémon capable of producing renewable ingredients."

"Combee can produce honey. Miltank can provide high-quality milk. Slowpoke tails are edible, detach naturally, and grow back."

"I’m also interested in collecting trees that produce the various extraordinary Berries found in this world."

Professor Oak’s expression changed sharply at the mention of Arceus.

"You met Arceus?"

He stared at Haruto in disbelief.

As one of the world’s foremost Pokémon researchers, Professor Oak naturally knew something about Arceus.

It was the creator deity of the Pokémon world.

"That’s right."

Haruto nodded firmly.

Professor Oak could not help feeling envious, but he also quietly relaxed.

Much of the tension disappeared from his face.

If Haruto had given his word directly to Arceus, then his promise carried considerable credibility.

Professor Oak could accept the collection of renewable resources produced by Pokémon far more easily than the idea of hunting them for food.

Pokémon ranches and Day Cares were common throughout this world.

Raising Combee for honey or Miltank for milk was both legal and perfectly ordinary.

Berry cultivation was widespread in every region as well.

If those were truly Haruto’s only goals, he could hardly be considered a threat.

Even so, Professor Oak could not abandon his caution entirely.

It was impossible to know another person’s true thoughts, especially when that person came from an entirely different world.

He still had no proof that everything Haruto said was true.

Haruto recognized his concerns but did not waste time trying to explain further.

He was more interested in another matter.

"Professor Oak, if you’re willing to help me, I can trade ingredients from other worlds for the Pokémon and Berry trees I need."

"I visited several different worlds before coming here. I’ve collected many unique ingredients that absolutely do not exist in this one."

"As long as you can provide suitable Pokémon and high-quality Berry trees, we can exchange what each of us lacks."

Haruto’s offer to trade with Professor Oak was something he had considered carefully.

Compared to wandering blindly through forests and catching every Pokémon himself, cooperating directly with the professor was clearly the better option.

Professor Oak was the leading authority on Pokémon research in the Kanto region. He had access to many rare Pokémon and maintained close ties with the Pokémon League.

Even if he did not personally possess a particular species, he could likely acquire it through League channels.

It would save Haruto time and effort while avoiding unnecessary trouble.

All Haruto needed to offer in return were ingredients he could eventually gather again.

Professor Oak’s eyes shifted slightly at the proposal.

He was genuinely tempted.

His main field might be Pokémon research, but creatures and ingredients from other worlds would still make extraordinary research material.

Some of those ingredients might even produce unusual effects when consumed by Pokémon.

At the same time, Haruto’s casual statement that he had visited "several different worlds" made the professor even more wary.

Someone capable of repeatedly crossing between worlds could not possibly be as ordinary as he appeared.

After considering the matter for a moment, Professor Oak chose not to agree immediately.

"This is an important decision. I’ll need some time to think it over carefully."

Then he looked at Haruto and extended an invitation.

"Until I reach a decision, would you care to accompany me back to my laboratory in Pallet Town?"

"You can take a look at the Pokémon and Berry trees we raise there."

Although he phrased it as an invitation, his true purpose was naturally to keep Haruto under observation.

Until Professor Oak had confirmed that Haruto held no malicious intentions and had spoken truthfully, he could not simply allow an unknown interdimensional traveler to wander around alone.

Haruto saw through the professor’s intentions immediately, but he felt no resistance whatsoever.

He nodded without hesitation.

"Of course. I’d be happy to."

Haruto understood Professor Oak’s concerns.

Anyone faced with a visitor from another world would act cautiously.

Besides, Haruto did not have any particular destination in mind.

Seeing him accept so readily allowed Professor Oak to relax a little more.

He still could not be completely certain of Haruto’s true goals or the danger he might represent. So far, however, Haruto had behaved openly and shown neither hostility nor resistance.

The situation remained under control.

"Before we leave, Professor Oak, would you like to try the dish I made?"

Haruto gestured toward the food beside him.

Although Professor Oak remained somewhat wary of him, their conversation had been perfectly civil. Haruto saw no reason not to share a good meal.

Professor Oak paused, then gave a hearty laugh and nodded.

"Oh? Then I’ll gladly have a taste!"

He accepted the utensils Haruto offered and bit into a perfectly grilled piece of Slowpoke tail.

The instant it entered his mouth, a deep and mellow savoriness erupted across his tongue.

The meat was soft and creamy, yet retained just enough springiness to create a satisfying texture.

Layer after layer of flavor flowed down his throat and swept through every one of his senses.

Professor Oak released a quiet groan of pleasure.

His eyes narrowed as his entire body relaxed.

For a moment, he felt as though he were standing on a warm, sunlit beach surrounded by gentle, lazy Slowpoke.

Golden sunlight rested softly against his skin while a mild sea breeze drifted past him.

All his fatigue, caution, and complicated thoughts were soothed by the exquisite flavor, leaving behind nothing but pure comfort and peace.

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