I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

“Focus Energy?”

Hunter J swallowed hard, cold sweat pouring down her back.

No—that’s not Focus Energy. Not with this kind of pressure!

This d*mn thing is clearly a boss-level aura!

The crimson glow wrapped itself around Sirfetch’d’s blunt yet heavy leek blade like solid light.

Then, Sirfetch’d leapt into the air, eyes sharp as blades, and slashed down at Drapion.

Behind him, golden light burst forth, forming the image of a majestic bird akin to Ho-Oh. The Brave Bird’s wings glowed brilliantly, as if Sirfetch’d had grown golden wings himself, diving at full speed with a screech!

Brave Bird Assault!!

A dazzling finisher, 100% crit, one slash for 999 damage!

“Quack!!” Sirfetch’d cast aside all hesitation. His gaze was razor-sharp. In the same moment, the leek blade came crashing down!

CLANG! Sparks flew.

“Crack!” Drapion’s pincers were split clean apart, sent flying backward, greenish fluid splattering everywhere.

Mr. Lu, arriving fashionably late, caught the whole scene.

“Hss…” Lu Ye inhaled sharply. “That injury… can the Pokémon Center even fix that?”

Then he glanced toward the utterly pale Hunter J.

Wait… it’s already over?

Lu Ye paused in surprise.

While I was away, Ducklett took out her ace all on his own?

“Quack!” The noble white knight stood calmly, gripping his leek blade.

Lu Ye nodded approvingly. “Well done. I’ll make you some scallion pancakes later.”

“Quack!? (´థ౪థ)σ” Ducklett was instantly offended.

You're clearly just messing with me!

Still… was Hunter J always this weak?

Lu Ye, who had just spent time playing mind games with the air, frowned slightly, feeling a bit conflicted.

Or could it be… my little ones have grown even stronger?

“Tch.”

With defeat sealed, Hunter J gritted her teeth and glanced toward the crater where Salamence lay.

Suddenly, she threw down a smoke bomb and bolted toward the woods.

“Gengar,” Lu Ye snapped his fingers. “Shadow Punch!”

Gengarrr instantly appeared in front of Hunter J, grinning wickedly. Its tiny fist lashed out—

“Gengarr! (σ;Д)=3⁼³₌₃⁼³₌₃) (Stop right there, you wicked wench!)”

Hunter J’s eyes widened. She clutched her abdomen and spat up saliva, crashing hard to the ground.

Rustle—

“Rotom, Thunder Wave.”

Lu Ye strolled calmly across the grass. “Gengarrr, Hypnosis.”

For poachers like this, you’ve gotta give them a proper taste of their own medicine.

“You… you…” Hunter J panted, glaring at Lu Ye with hatred. “How long have you been planning this!?”

“How long?” Lu Ye echoed with a playful tone.

Hunter J’s face was ashen, teeth clenched tightly.

This seemingly easygoing man was a mentor of Team Rocket.

The inspectors, Officer Jenny, and the Sinnoh League had yet to realize the real threat.

Under his leadership, the evil Team Rocket would be reborn!

Sunlight fell on the dark-haired youth’s sharply defined face. Beside him hovered the grinning Gengarrr.

Lu Ye looked up at the sky and murmured:

“Do you remember how many slices of bread you’ve eaten in your life…”

Hunter J’s eyes flew open in horror. A wave of despair swallowed her whole.

This guy… he might actually be a ruthless, killing-machine final boss!

The next second, something wet touched her face. Numbness swept through her body, and a wave of sleepiness engulfed her—

I’m done for!

“Sirfetch’d, tie her up with Grass Knot—make it tight.”

Lu Ye glanced over. “Wrap her up and send her to the authorities. If Lance can’t handle her, he doesn’t deserve to be Champion.”

“Quack!” Ducklett saluted, then began expertly tying Hunter J like he was bundling spices.

Handing her over to the police wrapped things up nicely.

Lu Ye rubbed his chin and looked into the crater where Salamence lay unconscious, falling into thought.

Have I really gotten this strong already?

Even if it was a gang-up, one-on-one… I might not be that far from Elite Four level?

Lu Ye turned to Blastoise, curious.

“Hey, didn’t you learn Heal Pulse?”

“Karmeh!ヾ(⌐■_■)” Blastoise adjusted his shades and nodded slightly.

For Blastoise, learning a lifesaving move like that was a no-brainer!

When things get dicey, fire off a Heal Pulse, activate Aqua Ring, chomp on a Revival Herb, spray some healing spray—

That’s the ultimate survival combo!

“Give Salamence a Heal Pulse.”

Lu Ye rolled up his sleeves and flexed his arms:

“When it wakes up, each of you will fight it one-on-one. Win or lose—extra rations for everyone!”

As Hunter J’s ace, Salamence was near-Elite Four strength.

Using it as a benchmark would help gauge the strength of his little ones.

That way, when he described the “collateral damage” to the renovation company, he’d have clearer metrics…

More importantly—

This might just be the battle that determines Mr. Lu’s family hierarchy!

Suddenly, all the little ones lit up with excitement.

Ghostly cries and “bui bui” shrieks echoed in the air.

“Karmeh…ヾ(⌐■_■)” Blastoise pushed up his shades with a crooked grin and fired a steaming column of water.

Lu Ye blinked. “Wait—I said Heal Pulse. Why is it hot water!?”

Looking closer, Lu Ye realized—

So-called Heal Pulse… was a d*mn Revival Herb tea brewed with hot water!

Red had apparently filled Mt. Silver’s hot spring water into Blastoise’s shell.

You stuffed Revival Herb tea into your shell!? Really now, Blastoise!?

“Raargh…” Salamence, still unconscious, felt a sweet liquid trickling down its face.

Its energy gradually restored, Salamence roared and flapped its wings, kicking up a gust.

“Raargh…”

It squinted, looking down at the small fry below. With a very humanlike gesture, it curled its claw—

Gang up on me, huh? Come face me one-on-one if you’ve got the guts!

Lu Ye: “Gengarrr first. Timer starts now!”

“Gengarr!（๑`▽´๑)۶”

Gengarrr soared into the air, hurling a furious Shadow Ball from his left and a corrosive Sludge Bomb from his right.

Less than five minutes later, Salamence crashed back into the crater, dazed, with spirals in its eyes.

“Nice,” Lu Ye nodded.

“Blastoise, Heal Pulse again. Next up—Sylveon.”

“Holy sh*t, one-shot!? Fairy-types really are monsters!”

Lu Ye gulped.

“Keep the Heal Pulse going. Next—Blastoise.”

“Karmeh!” Blastoise tossed his shades aside and cracked his knuckles.

The little ones cheered wildly. The scene quickly turned downright brutal…

…

At sunset—

Wusong closed his book, puzzled. “Why’s Mr. Lu not back yet?”

“Should I go check?” Ash scratched his head.

Wusong adjusted his glasses, hesitated, then nodded. “Let’s go—just in case.”

The two of them headed to Mr. Lu’s stakeout point.

Explosions echoed in the distance. Wusong’s heart sank, and he broke into a run with Ash.

When they arrived and saw the scene, both of their jaws dropped.

“Togepi is… soloing Salamence!?” Ash shouted.

“Isn’t that thing gonna get swallowed in one bite!?” Wusong was stunned.

But Salamence in front of Togepi looked utterly drained and dead inside.

“Raargh…” Salamence wept.

Seven one-on-ones… even a Champion would’ve collapsed by now!

“Tchajidoo~! ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ”

Togepi wiggled her fingers and fired a Dazzling Gleam straight at Salamence.

“Raargh—” Salamence closed its eyes in resignation.

The next moment, it dropped from the sky, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Silence fell.

Wusong stared, dazed.

Why was Salamence such a monster when it fought me!?

Could it be… ‘Cuteness is Justice’ also applies to Pokémon?

Ash tilted his head and pondered:

“Gold’s Togepi also once beat a Tyranitar when it was little.”

“So Mr. Lu’s Togepi doing this makes sense too.”

“Mm…” Wusong pushed up his glasses, face stiff.

Makes sense my *ss!

I bet Mr. Lu made Togepi hold an Everstone just so it’d qualify for the Baby Cup!

Hunter J, tightly tied up with Grass Knot, slowly came to.

The first thing she saw was the nightmare image—

Her ace Salamence… completely crushed by Mr. Lu’s Togepi.

He’s clearly Champion level, and he’s out here smurfing!!

“Ugh… just kill me!” Hunter J’s eyes rolled back and she fainted again.

“That’s enough for today.”

Lu Ye nodded lightly.

One-on-seven still counts as one-on-one… totally fair!

Wusong and Ash swallowed nervously, slowly walking over.

“Hunter J… is taken care of?” Wusong asked.

Lu Ye looked in her direction. “The rest’s up to the authorities.”

Wusong let out a breath and adjusted his blue glasses.

At last… some time off.

Thanks to Mr. Lu, the whole thing was wrapped up neatly.

Taking down Sinnoh’s poaching syndicate—this was a huge accomplishment.

Wusong rubbed his chin in thought.

Reporting this to the League—

A League-issued reward should be enough to satisfy Mr. Lu…

Meanwhile, Lu Ye turned to Ash.

“You alright?”

“Feeling great!” Ash rolled up his sleeves and grinned proudly.

Lu Ye’s eye twitched.

My bad. Shouldn’t have asked.

If you told me you could one-punch a Tauros, I’d probably believe you!

“I’m headed to Snowpoint City to challenge the local Gym.”

Ash smiled. “Mr. Lu, come with me!”

Lu Ye nodded.

After that field battle, he was beat.

Heading to Snowpoint was a good chance to rest.

Plus, they had specialty ice cream… maybe he could steal a recipe or two.

After contacting Officer Jenny and handing over the rest—

Lu Ye declared with high spirits, “Let’s go to Snowpoint. Dinner comes first!”

“Awesome, Pikachu!” Ash cheered.

“Pika pi~” Pikachu swayed its head adorably.

“Ash, don’t forget to thank Wusong for treating us,” Lu Ye said solemnly.

“Thanks for the meal, Wusong!”

“Wait, why me!?” (ಥ_ಥ)

No overtime pay… and I still gotta foot the bill!?

This debt… Wusong will remember!

…