Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

He brought up the panel for number zero and frowned.

The higher the level, the slower the energy increases, and the slower the leveling up becomes.

It's been almost a month since Pidgeot last reached level 43, and it's still only at level 44.

At this rate, Pidgey will only be around level 50 at most during the Quartz Conference.

However, although its level has not changed, Pidgeot has made great progress after this period of training.

My physical fitness has improved significantly compared to before, and my skill proficiency has also increased.

However, it seems that it is indeed more difficult for Pidgeot to improve its proficiency and power with skills of different attributes.

Tetsuya squinted as he pondered the Hot Air skill that Pidgeot had mastered, which was displayed on the panel.

After Combusken mastered the Hot Air skill, he had it teach the Pidgeot the same skill.

However, the two Pokémon progressed at completely different speeds in this skill.

At first, the hot winds from both Pokémon were simply high-temperature winds, which did little good except for making people feel hot and accelerating their stamina consumption.

However, with the mastery of Combusken, it can now use its Heat Wave move to cause a burning effect on some Pokémon.

The power of Pidgeot's hot air only increased slightly.

Hot Wind is a powerful fire-type move, but all skills require practice. Otherwise, when you first master it, apart from a few status skills, the damage it deals won't be as impressive as you might imagine.

Fortunately, Tetsuya didn't expect Pidgeot to cause a lot of damage with its hot air attack. It was mainly to increase the attack range of the skill, which was a minor improvement.

Pidgey's greatest progress lies in its mastery of flight and its understanding of the wind.

Although I still haven't mastered the Brave Bird or Divine Bird ultimate moves, mastering the Storm skill was an unexpected bonus.

Moreover, the current Pidgeot has initially met Tetsuya's requirements for it, which is to maintain high-speed movement and lightning-fast speed for a long time without losing its agility.

Tetsuya's requirement for Pidgeot a long time ago was to win by speed and make the most of its strengths.

However, maintaining high-speed movement and lightning-fast movements for extended periods demands extremely high levels of physical stamina and skill mastery.

Before this, even Pidgeot couldn't accomplish this goal very well.

However, during recent training in the pressure chamber, Pidgeot gradually found the ability to maintain high-speed movement and gained a deeper understanding of this skill.

With the constant use of Quick Attack, Pidgeot has now reached its peak in terms of speed.

At least taking Tetsuya with him to escape shouldn't be a problem, as long as Tetsuya takes proper precautions, otherwise he might suffer greatly from the pressure at high speeds.

After watching for a while, Tetsuya walked to the microphone and spoke over the loudspeaker: "Training is over for today. Pidgeot, you can rest now. I've turned off the air pressure device. Take care of yourself."

Chapter 42 Curious Baby

"Beep~"

Pidgeot heard the familiar voice and turned around to see its trainer standing in the observation room.

It called out in response to its trainer's instructions, and with an agility that seemed impossible, Pidgeot's massive body turned and flew to a corner of the room.

Tetsuya watched Pidgeot's movements and quickly turned off the equipment as well.

Before stopping training in the pressure chamber, it's best to communicate with the Pokémon and make preparations. Otherwise, suddenly shutting down the equipment might cause the Pokémon to lose its balance and center of gravity during intense combat, resulting in unnecessary injuries.

This was a key point that Tetsuya was told when he first came.

I pushed open the small door next to me and walked into the quiet training ground.

"Thank you for your hard work, Pidgeot." He combed Pidgeot's messy feathers.

"Beep~" Pidgeot rubbed its head against Tetsuya's body to show affection.

Patting Pidgeot's head, he said, "Alright, you go and rest in your Poké Ball for a bit. I'll take you guys out to eat after Combusken finishes training."

Pidgey nodded, and Zhe took the opportunity to put it into the Luxury Ball.

Tetsuya then went to the energy room and materials room to retrieve the trained Mighty Chicken and Stone Ball back into their respective deluxe balls before heading to the small restaurant.

When we arrived at Xiaogang's personal kitchen, he had already prepared the meal and was waiting for us.

Tetsuya released his three Pokémon and put a pre-designed recipe in each of their bowls, also making one for Brock's Geodude.

As for the Onix, it was too big to fit in, so Xiaogang put it in its living area beforehand.

Yes, Brock usually doesn't put Onix back into its Poké Ball. After all, for a creature over nine meters long, even the largest Luxury Ball is far less comfortable than the outside world.

Tetsuya could only say that it was fortunate that the area behind the dojo was large enough; the rich are indeed different.

As the two began eating dinner, Xiao Gang suddenly remembered the questions he hadn't finished asking at noon.

When are you planning to leave?

"We'll be leaving in ten days," Tetsuya mumbled, his mouth full of synthetic beef.

He picked up the drink next to him and took a sip. "At that time, Shi Wanzi should be around the average level. According to you, he could still get some experience on the field."

Xiao Gang nodded, "Pretty much. Most of the gym leaders from the Kanto region who are participating this year are just over 16 years old, and they all have two Pokémon."

In previous years, it was mostly their older brothers and sisters who participated, but this year they are all older than that.

It's rare for a starter Pokémon like mine to break through to elite level. Most people have two ordinary-level Pokémon or one ordinary starter Pokémon with a beginner-level one.

"Then what's the point of the 3v3 semi-finals and finals?" Tetsuya quickly grasped the key point.

"Doesn't this mean that the trainers who participate can be those who have invested in the project, and not all of them are just over 16 years old?" Brock said speechlessly. "Of course, this is also an unspoken rule. Generally speaking, only the eight gyms in Kanto can send trainers like you."

Generally, those who take over in these situations are around 17 or 18 years old, not exactly 20 years old (that wouldn't make sense), but they usually have three Pokémon.

"So there have never been situations where, in the end, only two Pokémon were left, or only one Pokémon was left on one side?" Zhe persisted, arguing with Xiaogang while eating.

"Yes, we can just change the rules to 2v2," Xiao Gang said casually.

"what?"

"What do you mean 'huh'? It wasn't a particularly formal competition to begin with, so what does it have to do with anything?" Xiaogang glanced at Tetsuya.

"Then why can't you just say I only have two spirits?" Tetsuya quickly found another opening.

"What are you thinking?" Xiao Gang said helplessly. Tetsuya was really persistent. "Although it's not formal, you still have to upload the number and level of your Pokémon before the competition."

"If someone finds out something's wrong, it'll be a disgrace for our Pewter Gym."

Tetsuya scoffed, "Fine, if that's how you put it, what can I do?"

Rubbing his throbbing head, Xiao Gang was also quite exasperated by Tetsuya's antics.

"You will receive information about your opponents and the participants from the other 31 dojos. Take a look at it in the next few days."

"31? Only official gyms?" Tetsuya wiped his mouth, having almost finished eating, and asked Brock like a curious child while drinking his beverage.

"Yes, other dojos aren't qualified," Xiao Gang said calmly.

Tetsuya had nothing to say about this, after all, the Pewter Dojo had the strength and the right to say such a thing.

This can be seen from the fact that only the eight Kanto Gyms can freely send their invested trainers to replace their successors, while other official Gyms can only send trainers when there is really no one else available.

Other official dojo heirs who are 16 years old this year also have to participate in this competition, but Tsuyoshi, who is 16, doesn't have to go; Tetsuya can do it for him.

As for whether there are so many dojo heirs, after all, the people in this world are physically strong and there is no strict rule of monogamy, although most people are still monogamous.

Furthermore, even the sons and daughters of the dojo master's brothers can inherit the dojo, so there are quite a few so-called heirs for each dojo.

Pewter Gym is one of the few exceptions. Brock is the only one who is ten years older than his younger siblings, so he is basically the future heir to the Pewter Gym.

"Your energy level is probably much higher than that of other eagles of the same age, so you will have a significant advantage."

Combusken doesn't suffer from a lower level, and its aptitude is relatively higher, making it quite strong as one of the starter Pokémon.

Furthermore, if we, the younger generation, don't become elite or near-Elite 1 trainers, our elders won't go to the trouble of finding high-level breeders to train our Pokémon. They'll let us do it ourselves, which also helps to strengthen the bond and communication between us and our Pokémon.

Therefore, your training also has an advantage.

Xiao Gang skillfully tidied the table while constantly analyzing the situation.

Tetsuya sipped his drink and said bluntly, "No need for so much analysis. Just say that you're one of the stronger ones, but you can't beat me, so they can't beat me either, isn't that okay?"

Xiao Gang's face darkened.

Indeed, the two of them had several private matches during that month, but Xiao Gang didn't win a single one.

Leaving aside the Geodude that has just been raised, it's understandable that Onix couldn't beat Pidgeot and was kited, but even Combusken could barely defeat Onix.

Xiao Gang estimated that Tetsuya's Mighty Chicken had the potential to be a near-champion, after all, his Onix was also a Champion-level Pokémon, and even with a stage advantage, he could still be evenly matched with it.

While Tetsuya's training of Combusken, primarily using Fighting-type moves to counter Onix, is partly due to its superior aptitude, it wouldn't have been possible without it.

It was precisely because Tetsuya was indeed much stronger than him that he felt comfortable letting Tetsuya participate in the competition in his place after reviewing the information of the other participants.

Otherwise, his grandfather wouldn't let him off easily if he lost face.

Chapter 43 The Saint Anne

"Alright, I'm off now. See you tomorrow." Tetsuya said before running off.

Xiao Gang was used to it and went about his own business.

Tetsuya walked back, thinking about the favors Xiaogang had asked him to do earlier that day.

It's understandable, after all, Xiao Gang has to take care of his younger siblings, and it's said that he doesn't trust outsiders to take care of them. The martial arts master is also very busy and simply can't find the time to go.

In addition, since he is not yet 17 years old and his strength is greater than Xiao Gang's, it is reasonable for him to go.

After so many battles, Xiao Gang should have realized that his Mighty Chicken's potential isn't top-tier, but that's not a big deal.

Tetsuya wasn't afraid of the Alliance or other overt forces, since rules still apply.

As we thought before, as long as Zero is not exposed, even if Power Chicken is exposed as having champion potential, it won't be too dangerous.

After all, Pewter City Gym has already recognized his talent and invested in him, so Pewter City Gym wouldn't stoop to stealing his Pokémon.

Other factions wouldn't risk offending the Pewter Gym to snatch a Pokémon whose Champion potential is uncertain.

Even if you manage to steal it secretly, you'll have to apologize to Pewter Gym and return it if you're discovered, which is not worth it.

What I fear most is being targeted by poaching teams and losing my life.

It doesn't matter since these kinds of competitions are all insider events, but we should be more careful with other competitions.

I glanced at the introductions of other dojo participants that Xiaogang had sent me.

"So basically this is a competition between kids." Tetsuya flipped through the list. Of the 32 participants, 17 had just turned 16 and their starter Pokémon were still at the normal level, not to mention their second Pokémon.

There are also 8 slightly larger ones, two of which are ordinary-level Pokémon, and 3 others whose initial Pokémon have broken through to elite level.

The remaining three, along with him, were all trainers who had received investment, and were all a little over 17 years old.

"So my opponents are the last three people." Looking at the three familiar photos above, Tetsuya fell into deep thought.

Forget it, we'll see when the time comes. Even if we don't win the championship, we'll still have 200 million. He shook his head, trying to control his wild thoughts.

Anyway, it's like helping a friend out.

.........

Ten days later, at four o'clock in the afternoon.

Koroba City is a city in the Kanto region, located at the southern entrance to the sea. It is an international port city that even luxury cruise ships visit.

It is mainly divided into two areas: the central urban area and the port area.

The port area sees numerous cargo ships and cruise ships coming and going every day, driving the continuous development of the regional economy.

The Mizudori travels between Asagi City and Konoha Port in the Johto region; 10 Seafire Horse ferries sail from Konoha Port to Nanashima.

The most famous of all is the Saint Anne, which cruises around the world and only returns to Kuye Port once a year.

Tetsuya arrived at the port of Kureha City, travel-worn, and immediately spotted the luxury cruise ship docked in the distance.

There was no way around it; among a group of ordinary cruise ships, the St. Anne's was simply too huge and magnificent.

The white exterior with gold accents and multiple layers of decks is captivating.

Upon closer inspection, the Saint Anne appeared even larger, and Tetsuya took out his ticket for the guards to check.

The guard scanned the ticket with a machine and respectfully gestured for Zhe to enter.

The residents watching from the sidelines also looked at Tetsuya with envious eyes; they couldn't possibly get on the St. Anne.