Chapter 321: A Challenge Letter from Agatha
By Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"I've lost..."
Seeing this scene, Bruno and Machamp lowered their heads in dejection. The latter immediately dissipated the silvery-white energy ripples around its body, exiting its Ultra Instinct state.
To have just achieved a breakthrough and reached the peak he had imagined, only for someone else to casually step onto a new level—and a level he completely failed to grasp—was a tremendous blow to one's mental fortitude.
Even for a steady martial arts grandmaster like Bruno, it was a considerable shock.
Although he didn't know what had happened, in terms of pure realm alone, he had been utterly defeated.
He felt that the difficulty of defeating this silver Metapod before him was now comparable to trying to beat Champion Lance.
"This youth..."
Bruno glanced at Ash, whose shock was no less than his own.
"Whew... thankfully, we're all just armchair trainers..."
Bruno felt a small sense of relief and let out a deep breath. It seemed this extraordinary Metapod was most likely something this youth had stumbled upon by sheer luck, rather than one he had trained himself.
He couldn't accept Ash having stepped into this supreme realm at such a young age.
Since neither of them understood, the misunderstanding was cleared.
Unconsciously, Bruno had already placed himself and Ash on the same level.
"You... Metapod."
Ash stared at the Metapod, shimmering with silver light, completely stunned. Amidst his shock, there was also a sense of unfamiliarity, leaving him unsure whether to advance or retreat.
Was this still his silly, dorky Metapod?
"Pod..."
But soon, hearing Metapod's cry, which sounded like a sob, Ash rushed forward and hugged it tightly.
Sure enough, no matter how much its appearance and aura changed, it was still his green Metapod.
"It's okay. On the path to becoming a powerhouse, you don't need women!"
Ash quickly consoled it, while secretly reaching back to recall the bird and bug on the sidelines who were showing off their affection into their Poké Balls.
Boy and pupa hugged each other tightly, just like the scene of their first meeting.
Misty: "..."
This scene... she found it a bit familiar...
In Viridian Forest, on the night his Pokedex's B Button was broken, it seemed it was the same scene...
The battle was over. Metapod naturally exited the Perfect Ultra Instinct realm. The silver light faded, and its body returned to its glossy green color.
It stood there, looking completely unremarkable, but now no one would ever consider this Bug Pokémon unremarkable.
"Pffft..."
Then came a sound like a deflating balloon. Metapod's body seemed to have sprung a leak, suddenly shrinking by more than half. It even felt strangely shriveled to the touch.
"Brother Red, I need help."
Seeing the drastic change in the situation, Ash quickly called for assistance.
"It's fine. Just make sure it eats well for the next few days."
Red's reply was this.
If you were in a hospital and a doctor said that to you, you'd probably faint on the spot, but Red wasn't a doctor.
His words were meant to be taken literally.
Perfect Ultra Instinct was already the highest tier of power in this world. It was a realm that top players, who could no longer level up, would explore.
According to normal logic, one should first reach max level, then pursue the ultimate state, and only then what lies beyond the ultimate.
But this Metapod had barely gained a few levels and had skipped straight to the main event.
"Its body is too weak."
Even the highest realm needs a physical body to support it.
It could be said that the "Ultra Instinct" secret manual was a shortcut, allowing a Pokémon to reach the highest realm in the fastest way possible. But he had never expected a low-level Bug Pokémon could also reach this realm.
The author of the secret manual was probably turning in his grave.
This was a secret manual written specifically for Fighting Pokémon. With the resilient bodies of Fighting Pokémon, they could just about withstand the burden even if they reached this realm before hitting max level.
But Metapod... couldn't take it.
"Pod..."
Soon, Metapod finished 'deflating,' turning into a shriveled, dried-up husk of a Metapod, gasping weakly in Ash's arms.
"Eat more, get some nutrients. It's not a big problem."
Hearing this, Ash finally relaxed completely. Cradling the Metapod in his arms, he hesitated for a moment before secretly asking:
"So, can it still use this... Ultra Instinct thing?"
Honestly, the temptation was too great.
With an Ultra Instinct Metapod, even his grandmother could win with her eyes closed. Master Bruno's concession just now wasn't just some polite remark; the man genuinely had no confidence he could win.
If he could use this power at the Indigo Plateau Conference...
Good heavens!
Ash's scalp tingled.
Champion right from his debut... it seemed truly possible!
"Before it reaches a high enough level, its body will need a long time to recover after just one use, and the state won't last long either."
Red replied.
It was too idealistic to think he could sweep the entire Indigo League with just one Metapod. But if it was just to go in, take a hit or two during a critical moment, and then be immediately switched out, it was barely feasible.
Metapod was already standing on a step that countless people could only dream of reaching. All it needed now was time to grind its level.
In other words, all it had to do now was eat and sleep on time every day. When the time came, it would naturally become truly invincible.
"It can take a hit or two? That's more than enough!"
Hearing this, Ash's heart lit up. He hugged the shriveled Metapod tightly. Both boy and bug were filled with future potential...
That night.
At Ash's home in Pallet Town, a small banquet was being held to celebrate Brock's official apprenticeship under Elite Four Bruno.
Ash's group, along with Blue, Bruno, Professor Oak, and others, all came to feast. His mother, Delia, welcomed everyone, preparing a huge feast. The atmosphere was joyous and festive.
She liked lively gatherings.
Of course, Blue had given a heads-up beforehand and had put on an unfamiliar face, quietly eating in a corner.
Bruno and Professor Oak were chatting off to the side, not intruding on the youths' dinner.
Bruno watched Ash, who was beside them, furiously feeding Metapod, and couldn't help but say:
"Professor Oak, it seems these youths all have great future potential! Haha!"
Professor Oak laughed along, also saying with a smile:
"Indeed. It's a shame my grandson, Gary, isn't here, though."
He wanted to put his grandson in the spotlight.
"Gary?"
"Ahem, ahem..."
Unexpectedly, as soon as he said this, Bruno's expression suddenly changed. Even Blue, who was quietly eavesdropping while eating nearby, choked. She had to down three glasses of water to recover before continuing to listen in secret.
"Ah? Elite Four Bruno knows my grandson?"
Professor Oak was baffled but impressed.
However, Bruno just gave a meaningful, cold smirk and slowly said:
"Heh heh, that grandson of yours... he certainly has the most future potential..."
Professor Oak: "?"
What kind of riddle was this?
Just then, Bruno remembered his reason for coming to Pallet Town. He took a letter out of his pocket and took the opportunity to hand it to Professor Oak personally.
"This is a letter Agatha asked me to give to you."
Professor Oak took the envelope, once again completely bewildered and confused.
It's 2020 and people are still writing letters?
However, looking at the letter reminded him of his youth, when he was as handsome and charming as Gary, a true heartbreaker among girls.
Back then, Agatha, who was still a girl herself, would often secretly write him love letters.
"Hiss... that woman. Could she possibly still have old feelings for me...?"
Professor Oak sucked in a breath of cold air. After hesitating for a long time, he finally opened the letter.
"Oak, you #@￥@ Squirtle! &￥%￥#"
The letter began with several hundred words of... fragrant language.
Professor Oak's brow furrowed. He had no choice but to fast-forward to the end of the letter.
"You shameless old coot, always giving those lectures that make people want to fall asleep! I hear your grandson is also participating in this year's Indigo Plateau Conference, right? Haha, what a coincidence! My grandson, Kikuzuke, is participating too. This time, I'll have him teach your grandson a good lesson!!"
This was a Challenge Letter.
Number of people targeting Gary: +1.
Professor Oak: "..."
(end of chapter)