‘So much for just “passing by,” huh?’
Looking at the boy decked out with a travel backpack and a fully equipped outdoor jacket, Natsu couldn’t help but inwardly ridicule him.
As ntioned before, Trainers and anglers share so similarities to a degree: they both seek out uncharted territories. Only the greenest of greenhorns would obediently stick to well-trodden paths.
More experienced Trainers, however, constantly search for untouched, unspoiled regions.
Remote mountains, desolate wilderness, barren landscapes—none of these faze them. The fewer the people, the better.
Fewer people an more treasures and rare Pokémon. At least, that’s the idea; fewer visitors usually equate to greater rewards.
What’s that? You think places with bad environnts might not have Pokémon?
Don’t underestimate the adaptability of Pokémon!
Sky, land, deep sea, rainforests—there’s hardly a corner of the world where Pokémon don’t exist. Even space and alternate dinsions are known to harbor Pokémon.
As for this kid, Fu Gu, who called himself a "traveling Trainer," it reflected one of two major classifications of Trainers in this world: Travelers and Academics.
Traveler Trainers often forgo higher education after high school, embarking on journeys to explore and challenge gyms. So even start traveling right after middle school.
Of course, for safety reasons, officials recomnd beginning such journeys only after completing high school.
On the other hand, Academic Trainers progress through the traditional route—studying, taking exams, and pursuing degrees. Many continue into postgraduate studies before embarking on their Trainer careers.
The rivalry between the two groups has always been a hot topic, with both sides exchanging plenty of derogatory nicknas over the years.
While both paths ultimately lead to similar destinations, that doesn’t stop the two camps from looking down on one another.
This divide also shows up in competitive recruitnt during college entrance exam season—similar to those annoying telemarketing calls.
Natsu had been through this before. In the end, between Traveler and Academic, he chose a third option: not becoming a Trainer at all.
Instead, he declared, “I’m heading ho to inherit the farm!”
And as fate would have it, here we are.
“So, what brings you here, young man?”
Natsu’s thoughts returned to the present as he eyed the boy in front of him, along with the Aipom and Weepinbell at his side. Judging by their overall energy, the boy wasn’t bad.
For context, Pokémon strength in this world is broadly categorized into six levels:This international system has so flexibility depending on the region, but it generally applies across the board. In Natsu’s ho region, the translations align with these levels.
Based on observation, Fu Gu’s Pokémon seed to hover around Level 20, marking him as a rookie—but a competent one.
“If possible, I’d like to challenge you to a battle.”
Fu Gu bowed slightly, his eyes sparkling with excitent. His gaze kept drifting to the shiny Furret by Natsu’s side.
A shiny Pokémon! It was his first ti seeing one in real life.
Anyone capable of capturing a shiny Pokémon had to be strong, right?
The boy’s thoughts were innocent enough.
“...”
Though Natsu had already guessed as much, he couldn’t help but feel a little exasperated. Trainers, after all, were like this—always hunting for battles wherever they went.
The whole “our eyes t, so we must battle” thing was practically a motto.
Compared to Trainers, anglers seed like a much quieter bunch. At least they stayed still while fishing. Well, except for when they got lost trying to find their way ho.
Natsu glanced at his own Pokémon lineup.
Rookie (1–10)Standard (11–25)Elite (26–40)Gym Leader (41–55)Elite Four (56–70)Champion (71–80)Shiny Furret: Level 25, barely on par with the opponent’s strength. Having recently joined the farm, Furret hadn’t undergone any rigorous training yet.Butterfree: Level 29, trained early on as both a mainstay and a tactical support Pokémon. It specialized in varied and... well, dirty strategies.Persian: Level 53, by far the farm’s strongest battler. This Pokémon had been with Natsu since childhood, benefiting from years of specially-crafted Pokéblocks.“Well, why not?”
Scratching his head, Natsu shrugged and agreed. Might as well treat it as morning exercise.
“Would a 2v2 battle work for you?”
“No problem!” Fu Gu nodded eagerly, ready to go.
Since this wasn’t an official match, the two skipped the formalities and got right to it.
“Aipom, prepare for battle!”
“You good to go, Butterfree?”
Unlike Fu Gu’s enthusiasm, Natsu calmly turned to his Butterfree for confirmation.
“Freee~”
After a mont of thought, Butterfree nodded. It had been a while since its last fight—ti to stretch those wings.
“Alright then. Let’s begin.”
The battle comnced with Aipom flashing a mischievous grin before letting out an ear-piercing screech.
Scary Face, designed to startle opponents and make them flinch.
But Butterfree remained unfazed, quickly gaining altitude. A blinding flash of light followed, leaving Aipom’s vision entirely white.
“Screeech—!”
“Ah, crap!”
The sudden flash not only blinded Aipom but also Fu Gu himself, leaving him teary-eyed. By the ti his vision cleared, the sight before him was... unsettling.
A thick, purplish liquid coated Aipom’s face.
Above, Butterfree’s wings glimred, scattering a mix of glittering powders—paralysis powder, poison powder, and rage powder—all drifting toward Aipom.
Purple liquid? Likely Toxic.
The combination of powders? A Sleep Powder Air Cutter Supersonic cocktail, garnished with disruption tactics.
Floating leisurely in the air, Butterfree continued bombarding Aipom with poison and ranged attacks, occasionally tossing in Psybeam or Air Slash to interrupt any counter-moves.
A few minutes later, Aipom lay sprawled on the ground, covered in unidentifiable purple fluids, tongue lolling out, with an oddly serene expression of relief.
As Fu Gu frantically administered antidotes, he glanced at Natsu with a hint of grievance.
Natsu, utterly unbothered, simply remarked, “Dirty tricks are an essential part of a Trainer’s repertoire, young man. If this rattles you, you’ve still got a long way to go.”
“Weepinbell, your turn!”
Taking a deep breath, Fu Gu steadied himself.
Fine. You want tricks? My Weepinbell can play that ga too! Paralysis Powder, Poison Powder, Growth, and Vine Whip—it could outlast Butterfree through sheer attrition.
That was his plan, at least.
Until he heard Natsu issue the next command:
“Butterfree, Psychic Earth Toss. Ready.”
Fu Gu could only watch, dumbstruck, as his Weepinbell was lifted high into the air—then slamd down with brutal force.
Fu Gu: ...
Damn it!
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