Chapter 468: Teacher Lu - Poison Types Are My Specialty
Jubilife Radio Station, 7th Floor, Recording Studio.
Jigglypuff stood on tiptoes, leaning forward with a perfunctory expression as it opened its mouth:
"Puff~"
Lu Ye fed it a cube of Oran Berry. Jigglypuff gobbled it up, cheeks puffing out like a hamster.
"How's the taste?" Lu Ye teased with a smile.
"Puff! Puff! (o｀ε´o)"
Jigglypuff's body inflated and turned red as it angrily turned its head away from Lu Ye, extending a small hand.
No more feeding! Jigglypuff can eat by itself!
Lu Ye chuckled: "Here, take it all!"
The Team Rocket Trio had salaries to collect, while Ash had agreed to participate out of friendship. Teacher Lu was quite grateful that Jigglypuff was willing to stay and teach. As payment, a few Poffins were nothing to worry about.
"Puff! (◦`~´◦)"
Jigglypuff stuffed all the cubes into its mouth at once, cheeks bulging as it patted its tiny hands.
Meowth translated: "It says we can continue training now, meow~"
Ash sat cross-legged on the floor, scratching his head:
"Didn't Teacher Lu say there'd be a band coming today?"
Lu Ye glanced at the wall clock:
"They're scheduled for this afternoon... they should be arriving soon."
After playing with the round, puffy Jigglypuff for a while, Sylveon opened its large azure eyes, the air thick with jealousy.
Lu Ye crouched down to rub Sylveon's head as its snow-white ribbons wrapped around his arm.
"Vee~o(´^｀)o"
I wasn't really angry just now~ Hmph~
"Gengarrr~♪"
Haunter wore headphones, looking every bit the professional musician as it curiously turned its head.
Knock, knock.
A nervous radio assistant entered: "Teacher Lu, Team Plasma has arrived."
"I'll go greet them."
"They seem... rather impatient."
The assistant said cautiously: "Perhaps the production scale isn't what they expected..."
Team Plasma had held several overseas tours with top-tier skills, their fame rivaling Alola's "Diglett Leo" band. If not for Roxie's personal connection with BW Productions, they wouldn't have taken this gig.
However, traveling across oceans only to meet non-famous singers and amateur producers... this disappointed Roxie somewhat.
The seasoned assistant explained Roxie's dissatisfaction before adding helplessly:
"As a rock singer and Unova Gym Leader, she can be quite temperamental..."
"I'd better meet her first."
Lu Ye understood Roxie's disappointment, but his team was far from amateur. Setting aside the all-rounder Team Rocket, just Jigglypuff's singing ability might only be matched by the mythical Meloetta.
Under its guidance, Ash's progress had been remarkable.
"Regardless, they came a long way," Lu Ye smiled.
"Teacher Lu, I'll go with you!" Ash scrambled up.
Meowth crossed its arms to block him: "You still need to practice singing, kid!"
"Just a short break~"
Ash clasped his hands together with a grin. Today might present a chance to challenge Gym Leader Roxie...
At the very least, observing Teacher Lu's battle would be highly educational!
Meowth grumbled reluctantly: "Just a short break, meow..."
Looking around, it found the others had already vanished.
"Jessie! James! Where'd you go? Wait for me, meow!"
......
Jessie and James walked angrily into the elevator, gritting their teeth:
"Who does this Roxie think she is, looking down on us!"
"Right! Let's have Jigglypuff sing her a real song later!"
"Puff! ٩(๑`^´๑)۶" Jigglypuff puffed its cheeks.
Lu Ye smiled: "She hasn't done anything wrong yet... We should demonstrate our ability and sincerity first."
Respecting strength seemed a universal concept in rock culture, even more so among trainers.
'Only the strong deserve respect; accompanying the weak is just wasting time.'
In a way, it was refreshingly straightforward.
Teacher Lu's task was simple—have Jigglypuff sing one song. With Roxie's musical expertise, she should recognize Jigglypuff's extraordinary talent.
"Jigglypuff, give a great performance later and there'll be candy," Lu Ye said with a smile.
"Puff!"
Jigglypuff pulled its eyelids down, sticking its tongue out at Lu Ye while making a face.
Only babies eat candy! Jigglypuff isn't a baby!
"Gengarrr~"
Haunter grinned, pulling out a rainbow lollipop from its pocket and licking it happily.
Jigglypuff glared at Haunter, cheeks puffing up as tears welled in its eyes.
Finally, Jigglypuff reluctantly agreed to Lu Ye's request.
"Puff!" It turned its head away.
Just one song—singing is what Jigglypuff does best!
......
Jubilife Radio Station, 3rd Floor Lounge.
The white-haired loli sank deep into the circular sofa, her studded boots dangling above the floor.
"So comfy and soft~"
Roxie said lazily with closed eyes.
The bassist wearing a headband and sunglasses coughed:
"Boss, maintain your image—Teacher Lu is coming soon!"
"Oh right, Teacher Lu!"
The petite girl sat up straight, oversized sleeves draping at her sides, a purple-black electric guitar case between her legs.
"I wanted to ask him for advice too!"
As a poison-type expert, Teacher Lu's most iconic strategy was the simple yet effective Substitute + Protect + Toxic combo. Roxie had seen that video.
She never expected her band's collaborator would be Teacher Lu himself.
Though the client's musical team disappointed her, if she could challenge Teacher Lu to a battle...
A free performance wouldn't be impossible...
Roxie absentmindedly propped her cheeks with hands tucked into empty sleeves.
Footsteps approached as Ash announced energetically:
"Teacher Lu, it's that little girl over there!"
Instantly, the band members paled, nervously eyeing their leader.
"Little... girl!?"
Roxie bared her shark-like teeth, her spiky ponytail bristling as she jumped up to glare at Ash:
"Who are you calling little!?"
"Huh?" Ash scratched his cheek. "But you look younger than me..."
Lu Ye looked skyward.
Roxie stood under 150cm, shorter than Ash. Not quite a legal loli—probably around 16.
A 16-year-old rock vocalist punk loli... what an unusual character design!
"Grr..." Roxie glared at her snickering band. "No laughing!"
The band members immediately straightened up: "Yes, ma'am!"
These weren't just musicians—they were Roxie's gym apprentices. Music and training weren't mutually exclusive, just like being both movie star and champion.
Kalos had a chef Elite Four member and scientist Gym Leader... Roxie being a vocalist wasn't strange at all.
"I came to provide accompaniment for the Pokémon Company project," Roxie said fiercely, looking up at the 183cm-tall Lu Ye.
"But first, I need to evaluate your team's capability!"
Since when do contractors evaluate clients...
Lu Ye's expression turned complicated as he considered calling it off.
Ash clenched his fists excitedly: "Fine! We accept your challenge!"
Teacher Lu: ???
"Whether it's music or battles, Meowth will beat you!"
Meowth stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ash for once, arms crossed with fiery determination.
Because singing was one of the few things Meowth truly believed in!
"Hmph..."
Roxie narrowed her eyes with a dismissive snort.
Then she opened her guitar case, brandishing a sleek purple-black electric guitar as she shouted approvingly:
"Good! Great fighting spirit! Let's communicate through battle!!"
Lu Ye crossed his arms, feeling ambivalent.
Just like card players settling disputes with duels, in the Pokémon world, battles solved everything.
Roxie meant no harm—just a straightforward, fiery-tempered loli.
"Let's use the first-floor battle arena then," Lu Ye suggested.
"Jubilife Radio happens to have professional facilities for performances."
Roxie shot a glance backward; her band solemnly picked up their instruments.
"What's that for, meow?" Meowth blinked curiously.
The bassist whispered: "We play during battles... it's the Gym Leader's tradition!"
"Personal soundtrack? Meow!" Meowth's eyes sparkled before hardening. "Don't think you can charm me—we're opponents!"
The bassist smiled awkwardly.
He was actually a fan of Teacher Lu and his music. Accompanying his idol was an honor.
Besides, challenging Teacher Lu...
Wasn't this just asking to lose?
"If it were that kid, the boss might stand a chance..." the bassist muttered, glancing at Ash.
"Teacher Lu, let me handle this!"
Ash eagerly volunteered, fists clenched. "Pikachu and I are ready!"
"Pika-chu! ⚡" Pikachu crouched low, electricity crackling.
"No, save your challenge for when you visit Unova."
"Huh?"
Lu Ye slipped on fingerless gloves, spinning a Poké Ball before snapping it shut.
Turning back, he smiled.
"Because poison types... are my specialty too!"
......