Chapter 473: Black Flame Bird Curry! Chimchar Evolves!
The popularity of "Aim to Be a Pokémon Master!" continued to rise rapidly.
In regions like Galar, Unova, and Kalos... the song soared to the top of music charts across major leagues, reminding people of the days when Teacher Lu's new games dominated the rankings.
"Elesa's new electronic album only reached second place?"
"As everyone knows, besides being a chef and game developer, Teacher Lu is also a musical genius!"
"He doesn't just dominate the Baby Cup... he's crushing music charts and game rankings too!"
Comments kept flooding in as fans swarmed the Pokémon Company's official website, growing increasingly excited about "Pocket Monsters."
"Damn, I came from watching the MV - Red, Green, Lance... what kind of godly licensing does this game have?!"
"Feels like playing a PTCG 'Star Trainer' gacha game - I'll buy it instantly when it releases~"
"Stop talking, I spent ten pulls trying to get 'Red' and got nothing!"
"If I can't pull a UR, it must be Teacher Lu's fault. Can you apologize to me, streamer?" In Pallet Town, at Professor Oak's lab, Lu Ye scrolled through online comments with a complicated expression.
I can't pull "Red" either, so why blame me?
Though this morning I happened to glance at Togepi's account... seems almost complete...
"Wait a minute."
Lu Ye suddenly realized something.
"How did it even spend money?"
A chill ran down his spine.
"Togepri~ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ"
Togepi hugged a tablet as it walked past Lu Ye, its little hands tapping lightly.
[Wow~ Golden Legend!]
With exaggerated sound effects, Lu Ye gulped.
Whatever... with Togepi's luck, completing the collection probably didn't cost much.
"The promotional campaign has been very successful."
A call came in from Olivia, who reported meticulously:
"Our goal of building hype for 'Pocket Monsters' has been successfully achieved."
"Everyone worked hard."
Lu Ye smiled slightly.
This MV project actually had some personal motives behind it.
Besides letting Ash personally sing that classic childhood theme song,
Bringing Pidgeot back also fulfilled one of Lu Ye's wishes.
Of course, there was still one most important thing left—
Lu Ye took out his notebook and wrote:
March 22, Monday, no wind.
Revenge will be served today!
......
In the group chat.
Gold put on goggles, riding on Togetic's back, speaking through Bluetooth:
"Teacher Lu, I'll be there soon!"
Silver hung from Murkrow's claws, expressionless, typing with one hand:
"...I was forced to come."
"Hahaha, you'd just be watching tokusatsu at home anyway, let's go challenge Teacher Lu together!" Gold laughed.
"You call two against one a challenge?" Kris said helplessly.
"What's wrong? I can't beat Teacher Lu alone, so I brought Silver," Gold said shamelessly.
So you're here for free food and want me to be your practice match?
Lu Ye's eye twitched.
But Gold's wilderness battle skills were terrifyingly strong—even Pryce had lost to him before.
Although Lu Ye had narrowly won last time, it was thanks to his bond with "Hypnosis"...
"Wait."
Lu Ye looked down at his palm, slowly clenching it, murmuring:
"Now, my close combat skills are at expert level too, right?"
Headlock, Charged Punch, Crow Takes Flight—all ready!
"Seems like not many people are coming to the gathering tonight," Ash scratched his head.
"Because the new League Conference preparations have started," Lila explained gently. "The Celadon Academy is holding special lectures too."
"I wanted to come..." Aaron adjusted his glasses with a sigh. "But I have overtime."
Lu Ye's heart shook.
Whether Cynthia and I can have a date depends entirely on you!
Thank you in advance, Elite Four Aaron!
"@Red, are you coming back?" Green asked Red, who was far away at Mt. Silver.
As the "Fighting Spirit," Red's "Danger Sense" was practically maxed out as he smiled and replied:
"Bruno challenged me to a battle, so I can't make it back."
"Watch out for his giant Onix—it uses Teacher Lu's strategy."
Green said seriously: "If needed, I can lend you Charizard."
"No need." Red pressed down his cap. "I'll win."
The "Red and Green" duo from Pallet Town had such strong chemistry that Lorelei couldn't help but grin like a fangirl, teasing: "Not bringing Green along?"
Green facepalmed. "I have to teach Ash aerial combat techniques tonight... his Pidgeot has strong potential."
"Master Green!" Ash said eagerly. "My Staraptor is about to evolve too!"
Then he could challenge Paul to a full battle!
Green nodded slightly. "Gold will be here tonight—you can battle him."
"Really?!" Ash's eyes lit up as he realized. "I can team up with Teacher Lu for a doubles match against Gold and Silver!"
Lu Ye paused.
A free-for-all battle, me and Ash versus the Gold-Silver duo?
This time I'll just sit back—go all out, Ash, preferably one-punching them!
In the skies near Pallet Town.
Gold and Silver exchanged glances, both gulping.
"That... red-capped kid from Pallet Town?" Silver murmured.
"He's a monster," Gold said bluntly. "Feels like he could rival Red in wild battles."
"I'm not fighting—you go solo," Silver said expressionlessly.
"What?! We're partners, teammates, comrades-in-arms!"
Amid their bickering, the "dumb and dumber" pair drew closer to the lab.
The dots on the ground grew larger—Professor Oak in his white coat, Teacher Lu cooking outdoors, Green instructing Ash...
"Gengarrr! (￣▽￣)／"
Haunter spotted them first, waving enthusiastically.
"Toge!" Togetic looked fierce at first, but upon seeing Togepi playing below, its eyes softened:
"Toge~✧*｡٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و✧*｡"
"Togebro, what's wrong? This isn't like you!" Gold yelled.
"Toge! (〝▼皿▼)"
Togetic dove sharply, making Gold scream wildly.
Silver landed slowly, still hanging from Murkrow's claws.
"..." Green gave Silver a slight nod.
"..." Silver nodded back expressionlessly.
Neither spoke much, unlike chatterbox Gold, who slung an arm around Ash and teased,
"Yo, little bro, long time no see!"
"Senior Gold." Ash greeted politely before brightening. "Teacher Lu said we can battle tonight!"
"Uh." Gold stiffened, scratching his head awkwardly. "Haha, not today—how about we play pool instead?"
Lu Ye stirred the soup casually. "If you win, Gold, I'll do that practice match with you."
"Deal?"
Gold's eyebrows shot up before he grumbled: "It's not a practice match! I just lose too fast!"
We once suspected Gold was throwing matches, but turns out—
He's just really bad!
But Gold meant no harm.
Thinking about it, aside from being reckless and loving food, drinks, and gambling, he wasn't that bad...
Lu Ye looked up thoughtfully.
Strange, then why does my notebook have so many entries about Gold?
......
The cool night breeze settled over Pallet Town as everything grew quiet.
BAM!!
A sudden battle noise erupted in the backyard.
"Watch out!" Gold used a pool cue to launch a Poké Ball behind Ash.
Sudowoodo emerged, its branch-like fist aiming straight for the trainer.
"Pika!" Pikachu turned to block the attack, but Ash hugged it instead.
Then Sudowoodo punched Ash back—yet he remained unharmed!
"Yikes—" Gold looked horrified.
Even expressionless Silver's eye twitched as he glanced at Teacher Lu.
"Don't look at me." Lu Ye shrugged. "I'm shocked too."
"Ahem. Let's... eat first." Green mediated, turning away. "I'll feed the Pokémon."
Fighting head-on wasn't Gold's style, and ambushes didn't work either.
"Gold the Fifth" surrendered, muttering: "Even Teacher Lu and Red would struggle against this!"
"For me, Hypnosis would work."
Lu Ye rubbed his chin. "As for Red..."
His signature "I'll win" said it all.
As night deepened, steam rose from the cooking station, drawing Professor Oak over.
"Smells amazing!"
Kris watched Teacher Lu's cooking techniques curiously.
"Teacher Lu, why are you having Rotom record this?"
"Oh, I figured this ingredient is rare—perfect for a 'Midnight Diner' special episode."
Lu Ye handled the spicy red peppers—Petaya Berries.
"Beep... recording now, Rotom!"
Rotom Dex made a peace sign, taking a selfie with its phone.
"What's the flavor?"
Professor Oak peered into the pot, sweating at the sight of crimson curry.
"Can... can this really be eaten?"
The curry simmered in red broth, steam swirling into the phantom shape of a Moltres!
But this Moltres wasn't the usual orange—instead, it resembled Galar's black-and-crimson hellish bird!
"This is... truly Moltres-level cooking."
Green wiped sweat from his brow. "But the skill seems even higher now..."
"I'll go first!" Gold swallowed bravely. "I trust Teacher Lu's cooking!"
"Enjoy."
Lu Ye ladled curry into a white bowl, handing it to Gold as purple steam rose...
This was straight-up cursed cuisine!
Yet the aroma was irresistible!
Gold's Adam's apple bobbed as he tremblingly took a spoonful.
Then—
A volcano erupted behind him as a black flame bird burst forth, scorching the sky with rage!
"Delicious!!"
Gold teared up, shoveling curry frantically. "But so spicy!!"
"Let me try too!"
Ash eagerly scooped a mouthful.
Buzz—
His mind blanked as he envisioned himself in Charicific Valley, trapped between two dueling Charizards' flames!
"Did you... overdo it?" Professor Oak asked worriedly.
"It's fine." Lu Ye smiled. "I added other ingredients to balance it."
Keeping the spiciness while reducing bodily harm.
As a chef, Teacher Lu had taste-tested it himself...
This "Black Flame Bird Curry" made with Petaya Berries was top-tier in flavor and heat!
"Amazing!!" Ash and Gold yelled with burning lips.
"Chim?" Chimchar tilted its head curiously.
Explosion Boy opened its mouth to try Gold's offered spoon—its neck flames flared as it suddenly shot fire skyward!
The blaze lit up the night, leaving everyone stunned.
"Teacher Lu's cooking... can train moves too?!"
"Chimchar, you try it~!"
"Chim!" Chimchar climbed onto Ash's shoulder, tasting the curry as its eyes slowly turned gold.
This was rage-fueled fire, similar to Galarian Moltres' exclusive move, "Burning Jealousy."
"Chim!!"
Chimchar leaped down, arms spread as its tail flame surged meters high, dyeing the sky red!
Then, radiant white light burst from its body!
"I-It's evolving?!" Ash gaped.
Green stood frozen.
Teacher Lu's cooking could trigger evolution?
Wait, thinking back, this wasn't the first time...
Maybe you should be the "Breeding Spirit" instead!
"What precious research data!" Professor Oak laughed. "Berries inherently contain power usable by moves like Natural Gift."
"Apparently, under spicy berry stimulation, not just move training—even evolution becomes possible!"
Teacher Lu looked baffled.
I just cooked... and it made Chimchar evolve?
No wonder Arcanine learned "Fire Blast" from my food last time.
"Seems my cooking is exceptionally nutritious..." Lu Ye muttered.
As the light faded, the unruly Monferno roared skyward.
Ash suddenly frowned, recalling painful memories.
Back when Charmeleon evolved...
"Don't worry."
Green placed a hand on Ash's shoulder, smiling.
"Your skills as a trainer are now worthy of recognition."
Ash nodded firmly, stepping toward the defiant Monferno.
Then, he extended his hand, smiling. "Welcome to the team, Monferno!"
Monferno paused before placing its hand in Ash's, flames dimming as it grinned:
"Mon!!"
"So... touching!" Gold stood teary-eyed beside Lu Ye, lips swollen. "This... this is the bond between comrades!"
Lu Ye startled. "Damn, that spicy?!"
Gold said gloomily: "Aren't you going to try it, Teacher Lu?"
"Nah, my stomach's off today—maybe next time!"
Lu Ye laughed. "Haunter, let's get ready to return to Sinnoh!"
"Gengarrr~!"
Haunter grinned mischievously, sticking out its tongue at Gold: "Gengarrr! (⁎˃ꌂ˂⁎)"
Gold clenched his fists, crying.
"D-Damn you, Teacher Lu! o(╥﹏╥)o"
......
With Chimchar's evolution, this Kanto trip was coming to an end.
After the commotion, Professor Oak drank Moomoo Milk with his curry—surprisingly a good combo.
Rotom edited the cooking and eating footage, titling it:
[Teacher Lu's Midnight Diner: Black Flame Bird Curry!]
With Rotom handling editing, Lu Ye didn't even need to lift a finger!
Chuckling, Lu Ye had Rotom upload the video before boarding the flight back to Sinnoh.
"Teacher Lu, isn't Team Rocket coming with us?"
On the plane, Ash asked uneasily.
"What, miss them?" Lu Ye smiled.
Ash scratched his head sheepishly.
"Feels... like something's missing without them around!"
"They'll make their own hot air balloon back to Sinnoh."
Apparently to save (their executive) money.
At their insistence, Lu Ye didn't push further.
Gazing out the window, Lu Ye smiled wryly.
"Such... idiots."
......