Kakureimo

The Kakureimo is an enemy found in the files of. It is a fat, slug- or leech-like creature that is a bit smaller than a Red Bulborb and harbors a circular pink mouth lined with jagged white teeth on the underside of its comparatively small head. It emerges from the ground and then waddles around to explore a small area surrounding its initial burrowing spot, but, upon seeing Pikmin or leaders, becomes alarmed and then rushes quickly to its initial location, where it burrows into the ground again. After being left alone for some time, it will reemerge and repeat the cycle, although it may decide to stay underground completely until the coast is clear, or periodically cautiously poke its head out to survey the surrounding area while it hides, even while Pikmin or leaders are in sight. Placing a bait berry in the vicinity of a Kakureimo will cause it to rush over to the berry and begin consuming it. While eating a bait berry, it will be momentarily distracted, causing it to temporarily ignore Pikmin and leaders until it notices them again or they harm it, in which case it will drop its berry and rush back to its hiding spot to hide. A Kakureimo will occasionally drop a full blob of nectar upon death.

=In fanon games=

In Pikmin Eco
The Kakureimo is an enemy appearing in Pikmin Eco and is found within the overworld of Bounty Canopy. It doesn't immediately attack Pikmin or leaders, and instead flees from them when they come close. It continues doing so for twenty seconds before burrowing into the ground and disappearing, and once it burrows, it will not reappear until the next in-game day.

In Pikmin: Decayed Leaf
The Kakureimo is a new enemy appearing in Pikmin: Decayed Leaf. The large creature resembles a purple slug with yellow stripes and two, large arms. It has numerous green eyes and two noticeably large antennas on the top of its head. When alone, the creature will pop out of its hole and begin to wander around in a circle. If Pikmin or a captain approaches; it will immediately dive back into its den. After it is left alone again, the creature will reappear after a few seconds and continue its wandering. Due to its speed and agility, this slug can not be killed with normal means; the only way to do so is to find at least some of the numerous Bait berries in the sublevel. Throwing one near the den will cause the slug to dash out and eat it for 10 seconds, presenting a chance to attack it. If attacked, it will shake Pikmin off and begin to waddle back to its den. The creature has a lot of health, so it will take a few bait berries to defeat the Kakureimo. Although the creature is harmless, it usually has a treasure, which will pop out of the beast's den after its defeat.

In Pikmin: Infection in Progress
The Kakureimo appears in Pikmin: Infection in Progress, although a small fraction of the size of its original incarnation. They may be found buried partially in wet earth, in large swarms, with only their colorful back exposed. A swarm of Kakureimos will unearth themselves and begin their assault after the President and his Pikmin pass them by. They emerge almost silently from the ground, which often results in sneak attacks. They attack the rear of a Pikmin squad first so as not to alert any Pikmin in front, latching onto the back of a Pikmin's head to alter their behavior, pulling the host Pikmin backward slightly upon doing so. Affected Pikmin may go idle or wander on their own accord, and will ignore any commands issued to it by the President. Kakureimos that are latched onto a Pikmin may be difficult to see to an untrained eye, but their position is given away by quiet, high-pitched squeals.

A Kakureimo is roughly the same size as a Pikmin's head and has a deep purple body, a yellow underbelly, yellow-orange stripes on its back, and three small green eyes on either side of its head. Two long, orange-tipped antennae protrude from the front of its head. Towards the front of either side of its main body is a fin. The bottom of the head harbors a large circular mouth, filled with jagged teeth, that is used to cling to the back of a Pikmin's head.

Kakureimos are extremely easy to kill because they can be killed in a single hit from a Pikmin or the President.