Pokémon: I have no choice but to do this old thing?

On the morning of the fourth day after capturing Gastly at Lake Heartbeat...

"Clang! Bang!"

Outside the tent, a symphony of pots and pans clattering and wallets shrinking in size could be heard.

With dark circles under his eyes and messy hair, Zhang Jianying stared listlessly at the top of the tent, feeling the overly vigorous vitality of the grassy field in "wild mode" beneath his sleeping bag. A few stubborn grass shoots had even pierced through the sleeping mat and were growing tenaciously at his shoulders.

"I was so stupid. Why did I even bother to catch that Gastly?" he muttered to himself, his voice filled with a weary emptiness. "Oh right, I was just thinking that catching Gastly would provoke Torterra, I never imagined it would provoke it to this extent..."

"Emrido, I apologize to you. Please come and take the crystal and this purple Idea King away quickly..."

He offered a feeble prayer to the air, but only the noise outside the tent answered him.

"Hehehe~" (Ghosts is here! Tortoise, come and meet your end!)

"Ugh!" (You think you're scared of me? Bring it on!)

Early in the morning, Gastly's raspy, maniacal laughter, mixed with the muffled sound of Turtwig skillfully using its moves to counterattack, perfectly illustrated what "chaos ensued."

Zhang Jianying took a deep breath and silently recited a calming mantra: "Don't get angry, don't get angry, life is like a play, no one can take your place if you ruin your health with anger..."

However, with a "whoosh" as pots and pans flew into the air and then landed heavily, the tent flap was suddenly flung open, and a barbecue grill was smacked precisely onto his face.

All of Zhang Jianying's mental preparation collapsed at that moment.

He endured it all, but finally, he couldn't take it anymore. Enraged, he threw off the covers, sprang to his feet, grabbed the barbecue grill from his face, and charged out, yelling, "You two little bastards! I'll fight you to the death today! Die!"

This "warm" daily routine has lasted for three whole days.

Out of a sense of responsibility as an outstanding trainer in the new era, he worried that Gastly might not adapt well upon its arrival, so he decided to stay at Lake Heart for three more days, ostensibly for "team building and getting to know each other better."

So far, the plan appears to be successful and highly effective.

Gastly has perfectly integrated into the team and has established a "deep" revolutionary friendship with Turtwig, although it is a peculiar bond built on mutual sabotage and never giving up.

However, to be fair, there are also downsides.

He swears he now misses the old salted turtle that would rather lie down than stand.

Nowadays, the grass-fed turtle has gone from being a "salted fish" to a "curly king," and Gastly seems to have completely forgotten about its "goddess," focusing all its energy on competing with the turtle.

This made him seriously suspect that something strange had been mixed into the energy cubes he had been feeding recently.

……

The moment Zhang Jianying rushed out of the tent, the grass-sprout turtle, who had been lying in wait, lit up with excitement.

"Whoosh~" (Got it!)

The pre-arranged grass knots were activated instantly. The resilient vines, as if alive, deftly wrapped around Zhang Jianying's ankles, hanging him upside down and binding him like a perfect mummy, swaying in the air. The grass turtle proudly shook the leaves on its head, admiring its masterpiece.

"Hehehe!" (Watch this!)

Gastly, seeing this, excitedly circled in the air, thinking the idea was fantastic! Not to be outdone, it glared at the trainer who had finally managed to pull out his paw and was about to untie the vines, and cast a weak hypnotic spell.

Before Zhang Jianying fell into a deep sleep, an extremely inopportune thought flashed through his mind: "Hiss... the skill combos between these two brats are pretty good, the slapping and kidnapping are absolutely seamless... they're good candidates for dirty work..."

puff.

The world is quiet now. The trainer lies down, sleeping unusually "peacefully."

Kirlia floated to the side, elegantly covering her mouth, her shoulders trembling slightly.

It considerately refrained from reminding the trainer, after all, given Gastly's current level, the success rate of this hypnosis spell is actually incredibly low. The main reason is that someone stayed up all night playing around and overexerted themselves, and their body honestly chose to force a shutdown.

When Zhang Jianying was awakened by the afternoon sun, he found himself floating in the shallow waters of Xinqi Lake, with several carp curiously nibbling at his hair.

"You two get over here right now, extra training today! He won't let this go until you're exhausted and can't get out of bed!"

He climbed ashore, soaking wet, wringing the water from his clothes as he made a grief-stricken declaration against the two culprits.

After Kirlia thoughtfully handed him dry clothes, Zhang Jianying prepared his belated lunch while muttering to himself to his two Pokémon:

"Gast, you little brat, you're a complete lawless outlaw! I'm warning you, don't try that half-baked hypnosis on a strange girl, or Officer Jenny's motorcycle might be shoving me in the face any second now!"

"And you, you bastard! Didn't you hear the forest spirit crying, you idiot! Did the shrine baptism give you its blessing for this kind of thing?! Huh!?"

However, his rambling became nothing more than background noise. The two clowns were engrossed in their "arms race."

Gastly was indignant when it discovered that Turtwig's Energy Balls always accurately hit Kirlia's high-speed moving bullseye, which was made of Psychic power.

So it immediately clung to Kirlia, making Kirlia act as a floating target for it as well.

Then, with great enthusiasm, he launched the Shadowball mass fire version, which he had only recently mastered and whose accuracy was still terrible.

Nine out of ten Shadow Orbs have flown off to some unknown dimension, but one of them is always able to create a "miracle".

For example, at this moment, "Whoosh—Bang!"

A Shadowball that veered off course accidentally struck an innocent Murkrow who happened to be passing by.

"It doesn't do any harm, but it's extremely insulting!" After all, Murkol is immune to Ghost-type moves.

The sudden attack caught Kirlia off guard, leaving her no time to intercept it.

Muck was so frightened that her hair stood on end. She tumbled several times in the air before finally regaining her balance, still shaken.

It angrily screeched a few times in the direction of Gastly, ╰(‵□′)╯: "You just wait! I'll call my big brother Staraptor to deal with you!" Then it flapped its wings and flew away quickly.

This unexpected event caused even the usually composed and elegant Kirlia to begin to doubt the meaning of life. She deeply questioned her own precognitive abilities and reaction speed, and, hugging her knees, floated to the side of her trainer, falling into a brief period of self-isolation.

"Ugh~" (You're so bad, you little devil!) The grass turtle let out a merciless laugh at just the right moment.

Upon hearing this, Gastly became so angry that its entire spherical body swelled up significantly, and the purple mist around it churned violently.

After mocking Gastly, Turtwig turned around and faced the calm lake surface, silently practicing the "Knock Off" move its trainer had mentioned, laying the foundation for learning "Rock Smash" in the future. It aimed at the rocks protruding from the lake surface, continuously firing low-powered rock energy.

then…

The "fried fish" effect was exceptionally remarkable! In my previous life, this would have been enough to warrant several trips to the police station for questioning.

Soon, the Magikarp family became the biggest victims. Amidst the splashing water, several Magikarp were stunned and disoriented.

This harassment successfully enraged the large creatures underwater. With several angry roars, several Gyarados burst out of the water, their scarlet eyes fixed on the Turtwig on the shore.

But the turtle remained calm and composed, with an air of "I made this mess, I'll clean it up myself," and took the initiative to meet him.

A short while later...

A bunch of Gyarados with their eyes spinning in circles lay on the shore.

However, watching his own disappointing descendants line up and be delivered one by one, a land tortoise accepted them all without question.

The Gyarados leader was furious. How could it, with its legendary wisdom and might, have so many incompetent and useless descendants?

The more he thought about it, the angrier Qi Hu became, and he could no longer sit still.

A huge shadow rose from the bottom of the lake, carrying a suffocating sense of oppression, and slowly surfaced.

Its size, significantly larger than its kind, and its cold gaze clearly conveyed the attitude of "parents coming to demand an explanation."

At the same time, an angry eagle's cry came from the horizon, and Zhang Jianying's heart tightened, a sense of foreboding rising within him.

Sure enough, what followed was the "funny" part:

Big Hawk led a group of menacing underlings, while Gyarados led a group of underlings who had just regained consciousness.

First, they exchanged a disdainful look, then tacitly joined forces to hold the leader of the two little ones accountable.

Finally, after Zhang Jianying paid off a large number of high-level energy cubes and pleaded with them, the Gyarados leader and the Staraptor leader reluctantly led their people back to their respective homes.

Zhang Jianying finally succeeded in "redeeming" those two little devils who almost caused the "Lake District War".

"How many times have I told you! Skills aren't about throwing out more attacks! It's about control! Precision! It's about control!" Zhang Jianying lamented, "Although your ability to blindly stumble upon a dead Radamanthys is a kind of talent, I wasn't praising you at all, you idiot! What are you so proud of!"

Gastly didn't listen at all, flicking its tongue and spinning excitedly in place like a top.

"And you, you idiot! Shoot Down is for dealing with Flying-type Pokémon, not for blasting fish and disrupting the aquatic ecosystem!"

He sensed something was off, so he quickly added, "Flying-type Pokémon won't work either!! From now on, Kirlia will be your sparring partner!"

Zhang Jianying sat down listlessly and began to eat. Looking at the two Pokémon still exchanging silent glances, he suddenly felt as if he had aged twenty years in an instant.

That's a kind of bitterness that only a single father, exhausted from raising two unruly children, can understand.

After a few days of "fulfilling" adjustment period, when the iconic building of Black Gold City finally appeared clearly on the horizon, Zhang Jianying was almost moved to tears.

Finally, I can get a good night's sleep!

He rushed to the Black Gold Dojo with great excitement, only to be utterly disappointed by a sign hanging at the entrance:

"Due to a malfunction in the underground water supply system and maintenance of internal equipment, the dojo is temporarily closed to challenges. We apologize for any inconvenience."

"Seriously... Officer, are you kidding me...?"

Zhang Jianying felt that his future was bleak, as if he could hear the sound of his dreams shattering.

Just as he was feeling dejected and considering whether he should go to the black gold coal mine to take the two rascals to experience life there, a gentle yet slightly uncertain voice sounded from behind him:

"Excuse me... are you Zhang Jianying, the player from the Zhuqing Cup?"

He turned around and saw his opponent in the rookie match, Qingye, standing with a young man wearing an orange safety helmet and overalls.

Aoya flashed his signature shy smile: "It really is you. Congratulations on winning the championship. We played against each other at the celebration cup, do you remember me?"

Zhang Jianying was deeply impressed by this clean-looking young man. After all, Kirullian had "seen" a line between them. Although she later realized that it might refer to another kind of fate, her attention to him remained.

"Of course I remember, Aoya. I didn't expect to run into you here," Zhang Jianying replied with a smile. "Are you here to challenge the dojo too?"

"No," Aoya shook his head and gestured to the young man beside him, "I am here on behalf of my family business to discuss cooperation on the application of new minerals with Mr. Hyota of the Black Gold Dojo."

Zhang Jianying then realized that the young man wearing a safety helmet, covered in dust but with a calm gaze, was none other than Piao Tai, the headmaster of the Black Gold Dojo.

Hyota took off his helmet, revealing an apologetic smile: "Hello, young trainer. You're here to challenge the gym, right? I'm very sorry, the gym's underground water supply pipes have been in disrepair for years and suddenly burst, flooding part of the battle arena. We're currently working on emergency repairs."

He paused, then said very seriously, "Holding a dojo match on such an incomplete venue is disrespectful to the challengers and makes it impossible to fairly test each other's strength."

He glanced at Zhang Jianying, then at Qingye, and continued hesitantly, "Besides... I happen to have an urgent request. There's some research data that Dr. Yamanashi urgently needs to be delivered to the research institute in the suburbs. But I really can't leave here, and Miss Joey can't spare any manpower..."

Qing noticed Hyota's concerns and gently interjected, saying to Hyota, "Mr. Hyota, if it's an escort mission, I think Zhang Jianying is a trustworthy candidate. I watched all the matches of the Zhuqing Cup, and the deep bond and tacit understanding between him and his Pokémon are absolutely genuine."

Then, he turned to Zhang Jianying and winked: "Moreover, if you successfully complete this task, you can get priority challenge rights after the dojo is repaired, without having to wait in line."

"Right to challenge first".

These words instantly ignited a light in Zhang Jianying's eyes. Being able to skip the potentially long queue and have a legitimate reason to meet Dr. Yamanashi, this academic giant, was like a windfall!

"Don't worry, leave it to me, Master Hyōta! I guarantee that the information will be delivered to Dr. Yamanashi completely and on time!" He patted his chest and made a serious promise.

"Then I'll leave this matter to you. I've known Qing for a long time, and I trust his judgment."

Zhang Jianying thanked Qingye after receiving the sealed document bag from Piao Tai.

Zhang Jianying excitedly embarked on his journey to the research institute in the suburbs. He was filled with curiosity about Professor Yamanashi; if he remembered correctly, Professor Yamanashi was Professor Oak's senior when he studied at Celadon University, and an absolute authority in the field of Pokémon evolution research.

Perfect timing! I can ask Gastly and Torterra for their unusually active behavior lately. Is it a sign of impending evolution?

Thinking of his recent bouts with the two little ones who had acted like they were possessed, he clutched his chest with a sorrowful expression, telling himself not to get angry...

As expected, on the way to the research institute, Gastly and Torterra's "arms race" continued in full swing.

While helplessly dodging stray bullets that occasionally veered off course, Zhang Jianying pondered how to start the conversation when he met the professor later. Unlike "Super Rookie," he didn't have Professor Oak's connection to him.

When the institute's modern and academic white building appeared at the end of the lush greenery.

He stopped, carefully brushed the dust off his clothes, straightened his collar which had been crumpled by the two Pokémon, took a deep breath, and then solemnly knocked on the door of the research institute.

The door clicked open.

A tall woman appeared at the door.

She had a cascade of gorgeous blonde hair, and wore a simple and neat black coat and skirt suit, with an exquisite black headpiece adorning her hair.

Her temperament is complex and captivating, possessing both the calm wisdom of a scholar and the subtle sharpness and majesty of a seasoned champion, like a goddess emerging from mythological epics.

Zhang Jianying stood frozen in place, his mind going blank. In the midst of this blankness, the oppressive battle background music from his past games seemed to echo back.

"The...the champion?!"

He exclaimed almost instinctively.

A tidal wave of emotions surged within him: "Hiss! It's the living Cynthia! What's she doing here? Right! She's Professor Yamanashi's junior, and also a mythologist, so it makes perfect sense for her to be at the research institute! Oh no, oh no, is the hair I got scratched by Turtle Leaf Blade on the way here still there? My image!!"

Just as his mind was in complete chaos, trying to salvage what might have been his lost first impression, the Poké Ball at his waist seemed to sense the trainer's fluctuating emotions and opened automatically with a "bang."

Gastly darted out happily, as if it remembered that its trainer had just "taught" it something at noon:

"It seems like something's going to happen, like having to use hypnosis on a strange girl. Now that we have a strange girl and the trainer's emotions are very unstable, it must be true."

"Hehehe!" (Now!)

While letting out its classic villainous laugh, Gastly also called out to its little friend Turtwig, wanting it to join it on its journey.

So, under Zhang Jianying's stunned gaze, Gastly aimed at the elegant blonde woman at the door and triumphantly unleashed its move, which it had practiced diligently for many days and believed to have reached its peak—

Hypnosis!

A faint hypnotic ripple shot straight towards Cynthia's face!

"Holy crap, hold on!"

Zhang Jianying's exclamation caught in her throat.

However, Cynthia's eyes did not even flicker when faced with this sudden "attack".

She simply tucked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear with utmost ease, and that slight tilt of her head was just enough to allow the ripples of hypnosis to brush against her cheek by a fraction of a millimeter.

Far from being angry, her deep gray eyes instead fell on Gastly, a hint of interest curving her lips, and her clear, magnetic voice rang out:

"Oh? Such a 'gift' right on our first meeting... Your Gastly is quite unique."

Almost the instant Cynthia finished speaking.

"Bang!"

Another soft sound.

Seeing its "partner" take the initiative, it didn't forget to call it to join in. And the target was none other than the seemingly "unapproachable" champion, which shocked the trainer.

The grass turtle's unique thought process instantly made sense.

It interpreted these actions as Gastly launching a daring "decapitation operation" that required its cooperation!

Its strong competitive spirit and loyalty to "not let Gastly bear the burden alone" made it automatically jump out of the Poké Ball.

With a sharp look in its eyes, the leaves on its head instantly lit up with a bright green light, and it was about to launch a Grass Knot attack that it had also practiced for many days, in order to help Gastly control this "powerful enemy"!

"Ugh!" (Watch my bondage play!)

Just as Zhang Jianying was about to lunge forward to hold off the grass turtle, a figure appeared in front of the grass turtle as if by teleportation.

It's Kirlia! A hint of helplessness and annoyance flashed in its crimson eyes as it reached out its little hand and gently pressed it on the leaf of the Grass Sprout Turtle's head.

"Chiru." (Stop, Turtle. This lady is a stranger; she is not your target.)

A gentle yet irresistible psychic force enveloped the Turtwig, gently suppressing the Grass-type energy it had already gathered. At the same time, a slightly reproachful thought entered its mind: "Stupid Turtwig, do you want Officer Jenny to be captured?"

Grass turtle: "???"

The leaf on its head drooped in confusion. It looked at its body, which was being held down by Kirlia, then at the blond champion opposite it who still wore a faint smile and seemed completely unaffected, and then turned its head to look at the trainer who was rushing towards it...

Although the turtle didn't fully understand, based on its absolute trust in its leader, it obediently restrained its energy, let out a soft "woof," and lay back down in its original spot.

However, its eyes still "wisely" glanced back and forth between Gastly and Cynthia, as if assessing the situation and figuring out how not to fall behind Gastly.

It wouldn't admit it; it simply wanted to help Gastly face that woman who looked so imposing. My Torterra never abandons its companions!

At that moment, Zhang Jianying not only covered his face, but also wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into. "These two living fathers... I'm tired. Let them perish. This world is not worth it."

At that moment, Kirlia also covered her face. "I was caught off guard and let Ghost attack another trainer. Why is my Future Seer always ineffective against Ghost? I'm tired. Let's destroy it. This generation of Pokémon is too difficult to manage."

Zhang Jianying looked at "Idea King" and "Brainless" with a complicated expression and despair.

It's over, it's over.

An outlaw who dared to use hypnosis on the champion to his face, and an accomplice who dared to try to tie up the current champion with a knot of grass to his face—you two have really caused me a lot of trouble…

Now, his impression of Cynthia has probably plummeted so much that it's heading straight for the Earth's core...

It seemed as if tiny bubbles were rising from his head, within which he saw Officer Jenny charging towards him with Arcanine.

Zhang Jianying felt a deep sense of despair.

She slowly raised her head, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace, and said with difficulty, "Miss Champion, if I told you this was all a misunderstanding, would you believe me?"