WebNovels

Chapter 14 - VS Bug Catchers(3)

"Weedle, use String Shot on Butterfree!"

At once, Weedle spat out sticky thread. Butterfree dodged the first strand.

Just when it thought it was safe, the second came flying.

It was too fast, so Butterfree couldn't avoid it.

It was bound tightly by the thread and fell from the air.

Seeing Butterfree crash to the ground, Eichi smiled in victory.

"Weedle, finish it off, use Poison Sting."

Weedle nodded and jabbed the wrapped-up Butterfree with Poison Sting.

After the assault, Butterfree completely lost its ability to battle.

Kyle announced, "Butterfree is unable to battle. Weedle wins. Victory goes to Eichi."

Eichi looked at Butterfree and shook his head. The Bug Catchers really weren't strong.

They didn't know how to raise their Pokémon. Their partners were weak, and their own commanding skills weren't enough.

Butterfree's strength should have been its powder moves.

But Allan never tried to use any of them against Weedle.

If he had, maybe he could have won. Instead, he made Butterfree fight head-on.

What good did that do? None.

Eichi's Weedle was well cared for.

It drank fresh Moomoo Milk and ate Beedrill honey.

It was fed top-quality Pokémon food and even Pokéblocks suited perfectly for Bug-types.

Meanwhile, these Bug Catchers just loitered here every day looking for battles, without really training their Pokémon.

They gave them the most ordinary food, never showing Eichi's level of commitment.

He was willing to spend a fortune raising Weedle.

That's why their strength was like this. No wonder new Trainers called them "free experience."

The same applied to the Youngsters. They weren't much better.

They were only a little stronger because of the type advantage.

As a former Bug Catcher himself, Eichi planned to talk to them seriously sometime.

They couldn't keep going like this.

Whether they listened or not was their choice. At least he would have a clear conscience.

The surrounding Bug Catchers were stunned again. Their leader had lost, and it was to a Weedle.

Weedle: "..."

What about Weedle? Did it steal food from your house?

Allan lowered his head. "I lost."

But the next moment, he raised it again. "It doesn't matter, Eichi. Next time, I'll win."

He was already fired up again.

"..."

Eichi had thought about comforting him, but clearly, there was no need. Why were all these Bug Catchers like this?

Allan smiled honestly. "Eichi, you're amazing. You won every match."

"Yeah! You're the best, Eichi!"

Eichi shook his head humbly. "I'm not that great. There are plenty of trainers stronger than me."

He chatted with them for a while, then said goodbye and went home.

Weedle had fought several matches today. It needed to recover at the Pokémon Center and get a full check-up.

In the afternoon, he would head to Amelie's Day Care. He said it was to hang out, but really it was to help.

Free labor, who wouldn't like that? By now, Eichi had grown familiar with everyone there.

With that plan, he walked toward Viridian City.

When he reached the city, he noticed a large crowd ahead.

Curious, he went closer to see what was happening.

It turned out that a famous department store from Johto was running an event.

At the store entrance, Trainers battled on a stage. The champion would win a shopping card worth 1,000,000p.

From then on, the card could be used for any purchase there.

A wide open space had been cleared in front of the store, with a temporary stage set up.

It was already time for the finals. The last contenders stood on stage.

One was a burly man, the other a delicate-looking youth around seventeen or eighteen.

The man commanded a Machamp, with four arms and bulging muscles, resembling its Trainer.

It may be ugly, but its power could be felt even from afar.

That aura of strength couldn't be faked.

The youth used a Pidgeot. Its presence was stronger than the one Eichi had seen in the Viridian Forest.

Not just stronger, but a lot stronger.

Their battle was about to explode. Machamp rushed forward. Sweeping down with a Karate Chop.

It was a direct hit!

But Pidgeot only took a light injury and immediately flew back up before unleashing Air Slash.

Machamp couldn't dodge and had to endure it, but it barely flinched.

From the sky, Pidgeot had the advantage. Machamp couldn't reach it.

This was bad for Machamp, but the burly man showed no sign of worry.

Even while taking hits, he looked for an opportunity to reverse the situation.

Eichi released Weedle. With so many people here, he found a spot with a clear view.

"Weedle, let's watch too. See how strong Pokémon battle."

Weedle's eyes locked on the fight, watching with focus.

The tension was thick. The crowd held its breath.

Nobody dared blink, afraid to miss a moment.

Both Pokémon's moves carried the strength of a League Conference semifinalist.

The shockwaves of energy made hearts tremble.

On stage, Machamp kept taking hits. But none were decisive.

The youth lost patience.

Running out of composure, he commanded a reckless dive.

That was what the burly man had been waiting for. Machamp feigned an opening.

The youth fell for it.

Pidgeot dove, only to be blocked. Machamp was hurt, but it grabbed its opponent and used Seismic Toss.

Pidgeot was slammed and defeated.

Amid applause, the burly man claimed victory and the 1,000,000p shopping card.

Weedle's eyes shone with longing. The joy of its earlier win faded. It had felt proud, but this battle humbled it.

It chirped, as if asking Eichi, "Can I ever be that strong?"

Eichi smiled. "Weedle, today you fought the weakest opponents. Winning wasn't worth celebrating.

Our goal isn't them. Our goal is those Trainers on stage, and even stronger ones beyond them.

And you will. One day, Weedle, you'll be that strong. No, you'll be even stronger."

"Let's work hard together!"

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