The Hoenn region boasts a variety of natural environments, ranging from tropical rainforests to deserts. However, its most striking feature is its vast expanse of water.
This body of water is nearly as large as the continent itself, forming a sharp contrast with other regions. Numerous islands are scattered around the mainland, accessible only via sea routes.
Some areas can also be explored underwater, and the diverse vegetation and warm climate indicate that Hoenn is much warmer than other continents.
However, the vast waters have also allowed pirates to flourish here, especially the notorious dark force known as Team Aqua!
Even the Pokémon League's dispatched teams are unable to eradicate them from the seas, allowing them to grow unchecked.
Besides Team Aqua, there are also people who, driven by the League's corruption and decay, or have been forced off the land for various reasons, eventually joined the ranks of the pirates, becoming pirates themselves...
---
On board the "Megalodon", an ordinary pirate ship on these seas:
"Sieg, go to sleep already. Tomorrow marks our one-year anniversary as pirates. We'll finally get our own Pokémon. I'm so fuckin' stoked!"
In the cramped ship's cabin, a dozen teenagers squeezed into the dark, damp space.
They chatted excitedly among themselves because tomorrow would be the anniversary of when they were sold onto this ship!
From their initial confusion and fear to later numbness and resignation, they had gradually accepted their fate and fully become pirates!
Thus, the idea of returning to the League and becoming good citizens was almost impossible.
Among these teenagers, there was one with jet-black hair, delicate features, and a calm expression, leaning against the corner.
This young man was Sieg.
He looked indifferently at the group of excited teens in front of him and muttered to himself, "What a bunch of brats."
He ignored these naive kids.
The air was filled with the salty stench of the sea, mixed with the sweat of the teenagers in the cramped, dark cabin.
Sieg frowned slightly. Even though he had been in this world for over a year, he couldn't help but think of Earth.
He had originally been a young man from the 21st century, spending his days playing games and watching anime.
Who would have thought that after closing his eyes, he would transmigrate into the world of Pokémon!
Unfortunately, this world was far less idyllic than depicted in the anime. Not everyone could simply receive a starter Pokémon and a Pokédex to embark on a gym challenge journey.
Here, to have such privileges, you had to start at age six, pay a deposit of 200,000 every year for ten consecutive years, and provide various other documents.
Only then, at sixteen, could you set out on your journey and receive a starter Pokémon and official League recognition.
"Sigh, I guess you could count this as a hell-mode start. Not only am I undocumented, but I've also become a bloody pirate."
Sieg sighed silently, feeling like he had really embarrassed the other Isekai travelers.
Other transmigrators in the Pokémon world always start with pseudo-legendaries, sending Pidgeottos to the shadow realm and toppling Champions.
In the end, they're surrounded by girls like Nessa and Cynthia, ascending to the peak of life.
Sieg's thoughts drifted as he gradually fell asleep.
The next morning, as the sun rose above the sea's horizon.
Unlike the other teenagers still lazing in bed, Sieg got up early. He bent his body, carefully stepping over the sleeping kids, and made his way out of the cramped cabin.
"Good morning, Sieg!"
" Mr. Furuta, your Crawdaunt looks even stronger today!"
Sieg cheerfully greeted the veteran pirates. Unlike the naive teenagers, he, with memories from two lives, understood the importance of building connections.
Even on a small pirate ship, the internal relationships were complex. It had taken him over half a year to gradually figure out everyone's identities and connections.
"Hahaha, it's Sieg, here to help out again," joked a sailor watching the waves and wind direction.
"Yeah, Mr. Furuta, has there been any change in the wind lately?"
Sieg jogged up, assisting the sailors with chores, which earned him their favor.
After all, who wouldn't like a sweet-talking, good-looking, enthusiastic youngster?
"Heh, don't worry. The seas have been calm these days. Looks like we can focus on catching Pokémon to sell on land. A big payday awaits!"
At the mention of selling Pokémon, most sailors showed excited smiles.
As for League laws?
They're pirates. Why would they care about the League's rules?
"Sieg, the Lady is urgently looking for you. Hurry up!" A panting errand boy came to inform him.
"Sorry, Mr. Furuta, I might not be able to help you today," Sieg apologized sincerely.
Furuta, who was carefully observing the waves, was magnanimous, saying, "No worries. If Lady Metako is looking for you, I suppose it's for bookkeeping again?"
"Not really, just helping out with some errands," Sieg replied modestly.
The surrounding sailors, of course, didn't believe that. Everyone on the ship knew that Lady Metako was the captain's wife.
Not only was she powerful, but she was also a rare Pokémon breeder!
She usually stayed in the ship's top cabin, rarely meeting outsiders.
But Sieg was an exception. Within just a year of being sold onto the pirate ship, he had built strong connections with the crew. Besides his adeptness at socializing, his impeccable manners and behavior won him lots of favor.
The key, however, was that Lady Metako had taken a special liking to Sieg, often calling him to help in the top cabin.
Rumors even spread that she might take Sieg as her apprentice and train him as a breeder!
As Sieg walked through the cabin toward the top floor, seeing no one around, he shed his usual bashful demeanor, his face turning expressionless, exuding a cold and melancholic aura.
"Good thing I spent every day learning to read after transmigrating. Now I can be considered the most literate person on this ship." Sieg silently rejoiced.
Most of the teenagers sold onto the pirate ship with him were street thugs or beggars.
Thus, with his refined looks and literacy, Sieg easily stood out.
Through subtle manipulations, he gained Metako's attention and favor.
As for those rumors on the ship? Naturally, they were spread by Sieg himself. Otherwise, how could these ruthless pirates possibly treat a mere kid kindly?
Do you really think just helping out with chores would earn their goodwill?
That's pure wishful thinking. Here, where the League's laws don't reach, only the law of the jungle applies. The weak are destined to be oppressed!
"Fortunately, by leveraging connections, I survived the toughest year without being bullied like the other newcomers."
"Today, I'll finally receive a Pokémon from the captain and officially become a pirate!"
Sieg grew more excited as these thoughts crossed his mind, his steps unconsciously quickening. Before long, he arrived at the door of a cabin on the top deck.
"Come in."
He gently knocked, and a pleasant female voice came from inside. Sieg slowly pushed the door open and entered.
The cabin on the top deck was exquisitely decorated, with elegant sandalwood-scented furniture and finely crafted artworks arranged on the wooden cabinets.
Behind a large desk sat a beautiful, mature woman. Although there were faint wrinkles on her face, the scholarly aura she exuded and her graceful, dignified demeanor made it clear that she must have been stunningly beautiful in her youth.
"Lady Metako."
Sieg lowered his head respectfully and spoke cautiously.
On this pirate ship, the four highest-ranking individuals were the captain, the two first mates, and the very Lady Metako before him.
He watched as Metako gently closed an old, worn book and raised her head to look calmly at Sieg.
"Ah, Sieg, I'll have to trouble you again today."
Metako's tone was gentle, showing great consideration for the subordinates of the pirate crew.
Though she spoke kindly, Sieg still waved his hands humbly. He took out a pair of shoe covers from his pockets, tidied up his appearance carefully, and only then slowly sat down on a nearby stool. Even so, he didn't dare sit properly, his body barely touching the seat, sitting in a cautious and respectful posture.
Sieg began helping to organize the ship's recent financial records.
"Lady Metako, it seems the ship's finances haven't been great lately," Sieg said casually.
Of course, he couldn't just silently do his task; words were necessary to build rapport.
"Hmph, you've noticed something's off, too? Seems like there are some restless individuals on the ship lately, daring to stash goods in secret!"
Metako's gentle expression vanished, replaced by a sharp, cold gaze.
Perhaps to outsiders, Metako appeared to be a gentle nurturer who loved all Pokémon dearly. However, after half a year of close interactions, Sieg had gradually become somewhat of a trusted aide to her and had come to understand parts of her true personality.
"Goods? She's probably referring to the batch of captured Pokémon," Sieg thought to himself.
He continued helping to organize the accounts, marking several suspicious entries. Thanks to the experience he had accumulated over the past six months, he quickly finished sorting out nearly a month's worth of records.
"Lady Metako, I've organized the accounts. Please have a look."
Sieg respectfully handed over the documents with both hands.
Lady Metako flipped through them casually, nodding in approval from time to time. Finally, she looked at Sieg with a gaze full of appreciation.
"Well done, Sieg. If I recall correctly, today is the day you newcomers get to choose your Pokémon, right? How do you feel? Do you miss your life on land?"
A hint of playful amusement appeared on Lady Metako's elegant face.
Sieg's heart tightened. He understood this was a test, an opportunity to become her true confidant. If he failed, his efforts over the past half-year would be in vain.
After all, all the newcomers had either been sold into or captured by the pirate ship. At first, they were filled with hatred. However, over time, they gradually became complicit with these pirates. One could say this pirate ship had completely transformed him from an innocent child into a full-fledged pirate.
"Lady Metako, I, Sieg, have been a street beggar in Lillycove City since my early childhood. My parents' whereabouts are unknown. If it weren't for joining the Megalodon, I would've starved to death long ago."
Sieg hurriedly expressed his loyalty with a tearful and snot-nosed display.
Yet, he wasn't lying. In this world, it was extremely difficult for ordinary people to rise up. Becoming a Pokémon Trainer had an incredibly high threshold. All the resources for advancement were monopolized by the elite families of the League.
"Not bad, Sieg. You're indeed promising. Remember, when you choose your Pokémon this afternoon, lean towards those on the left side."
Metako's beautiful face revealed a meaningful expression.
Sieg abruptly raised his head, his face filled with delight. "Thank you, Lady Metako, for your guidance."
Metako waved her hand, and Sieg tactfully took his leave, moving quietly without making a sound. Before leaving, he even closed the door carefully.
Once outside the door, the heavy pressure on his body suddenly eased. Ever since he had been forcibly made into a pirate after transmigrating here, he had endured the bullying of the veteran crew members. His heart had long been tempered to be incredibly tough.
A true man can bend and stretch!
There was nothing shameful about bowing when weak. Otherwise, he would only be trampled on.
"Right now, I've finally made a decent start on the path of becoming a Pokémon Trainer." Sieg walked onto the deck, facing the sea breeze as he gazed into the distance.
...
In the afternoon, the sun was high in the sky.
The scorching sunlight beat down on the deck as Sieg and a group of newcomers stood in orderly rows, enduring the heat.
Aside from the sailors maintaining the ship's daily operations, most of the veteran crew stood in the shade, pointing and commenting on the newcomers.
This had become an annual ritual. After all, life on the vast sea was monotonous, so they needed some entertainment. Bullying newcomers had become a common occurrence.
Being a pirate was far from smooth sailing, it was extremely dangerous, with deaths every year. As such, new blood had to be continuously replenished.
Their pirate ship, the Megalodon, despite having a few hundred crew members, had long since lost its original founders. Even the current captain had joined later on. This spoke volumes about how high the mortality rate was for pirates.
"Rookies, today is the day you shed that title. Over the past year, you have learned how to be proper sailors."
"But that's far from enough! A sailor and a pirate are two different things. Without experiencing the baptism of blood, you are unworthy of being called a true pirate!"
Standing on a high platform was a burly man with rugged features, scolding the newcomers below.
He was one of the two first mates on the ship, Nagata Shin.
"Now you are qualified to choose a Pokémon as your reward for this year of service."
As his words fell, the dozen or so newcomers below erupted in cheers.
They felt like their year's worth of suffering had finally paid out.
Even Sieg couldn't help but make a joyful expression, his breathing quickening slightly.
This was a real Pokémon!
Although he had seen them on other pirates, owning one himself would be an entirely different experience.