"Finally, they're here!"
Lu Sheng turned his head and immediately saw five Pidgey flying in a group. However, when they noticed Pikachu next to the Pokémon food, they instantly stopped. As Pikachu's electric sacs sparked with arcs of electricity, intimidating them, four of the Pidgey immediately flew away.
The remaining Pidgey, however, fearless, swooped down, attempting to snatch the tempting food right in front of Pikachu.
Lu Sheng was certain that particular Pidgey was the one he was looking for; it was incredibly brave, daring to steal food from Pikachu, a Pokémon that had an advantage over it.
At this moment, the Pidgey's only commendable trait was its courage. Facing Pikachu, its combat power was lacking. As soon as it got within a meter of Pikachu, it was intercepted by Pikachu's electric shock.
Pidgey's entire body was enveloped by Pikachu's electricity, and it cried out in pain. Before long, it collapsed to the ground.
Just one electric shock was enough to knock out Pidgey!
Thud!
The Poké Ball in Lu Sheng's hand expanded and he threw it towards the Pidgey lying on the ground.
The Poké Ball hit Pidgey's body, opening with a 'bang,' and Pidgey transformed into a red light, entering the Poké Ball.
Dong ~
The Poké Ball landed on the ground and wobbled. After only three wobbles, the Poké Ball emitted a crisp and pleasant sound.
That was the sound of a successful Pokémon capture!
Pidgey had been caught!
"Pika~ Pikachu!"
Pikachu cheered happily.
Lu Sheng picked up the Poké Ball and released Pidgey.
Seeing the slightly charred marks on Pidgey's body, Pikachu scratched its head, a little embarrassed. It wished it had gone a bit easier.
Lu Sheng took out a potion from his backpack to heal Pidgey, and then gave the food to Pidgey to eat.
[Pokémon: Pidgey.
Level: 13 (Novice)
Ability: Keen Eye (Accuracy cannot be lowered, and it can ignore the opponent's evasion boosts)
Moves: Sand Attack, Gust, Quick Attack, etc.
Potential: Pseudo-Elite Four]
The stats were decent, as expected of the boss of Viridian Forest… Lu Sheng received the system's reward.
[Mission complete: Capture the late-stage boss of Viridian Forest!]
[Mission Reward: Beginner Rare Candy * 5 (Can raise a Pokémon below level 30 by one level), Quick Claw (When held by a Pokémon, has a 20% chance to attack first)]
He immediately gave the Quick Claw to Pidgey… Misty watched Lu Sheng heal Pidgey, and her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a green figure. She turned to look and saw her most hated Caterpie… She sprayed it vigorously with bug spray, but the Caterpie paused for a moment and then immediately crawled towards the plate of Pokémon food, as if its eyes only saw the food. Misty had used up all her bug spray, but it had no effect on the Caterpie.
"Lu Sheng, behind you…"
Misty walked over and grabbed Lu Sheng's arm, looking at the Caterpie in horror.
"Hide behind me."
Lu Sheng patted Misty's delicate hand, gently comforting her.
Then he looked at the struggling Caterpie. Lu Sheng was surprised by it; the bug spray had no effect, and it wasn't timid. Just now, when Misty had shouted, the other Caterpie had all run away, but this one was still bold enough to come and eat.
As he pondered, Lu Sheng saw the recovered Pidgey stand up, its gaze sharp as it stared at the Caterpie, about to rush over, but Lu Sheng stopped it.
"(・o・)?"
Pidgey looked at Lu Sheng in confusion.
"No need, I'll do it myself!"
Lu Sheng planned to personally persuade Caterpie with his silver tongue.
He placed the plate of food in front of Caterpie.
Caterpie raised its head and looked at him, its large eyes full of curiosity.
"Eat!"
Upon hearing this, Caterpie buried its head and began to eat.
"Caterpie, do you want me to catch you? I have a lot of delicious food here, and I can give it to you every day."
Lu Sheng saw that Caterpie didn't respond, only munching away. He took out a Poké Ball, gently touched it to Caterpie's head, and captured it in the Poké Ball.
The Poké Ball only shook once before indicating a successful capture. Lu Sheng hadn't expected Caterpie to be so easy to catch.
"Kid, why are you catching just any Pokémon?"
Team Rocket's trio appeared in front of Lu Sheng, looking disdainfully at the Pidgey and Caterpie Poké Balls. When their eyes fell on Pikachu, there was no contempt, only fervor, as if they had discovered some treasure.
"Pi~ Pikachu o(one︿one+)o!"
Pikachu sensed Team Rocket's ill-intentioned gaze. It gave a warning cry, its cheek pouches sparking with electricity. If they dared to make a move, it would shock them immediately.
"You're interested in my Pikachu?" Lu Sheng raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Didn't you say my Pikachu was a dime a dozen? Why are you suddenly interested in it?"
"Your Pikachu is unique, much, much stronger than the Pikachus on the street. After being shocked by your Pikachu last night, we realized it was the rare Pokémon we were looking for."
Pikachu had received Team Rocket's approval. From then on, Team Rocket would relentlessly pursue Pikachu.
"Team Rocket, weren't you arrested? How are you here?"
Seeing Team Rocket's trio appear, Misty's eyes widened. She had seen Officer Jenny take them away last night, so how were they out after just one night?
"Did our arrival interrupt your little date?" James asked with a laugh.
Either they broke out of jail, or Giovanni bailed them out… Lu Sheng looked at Team Rocket's trio and smiled, "Weren't you shocked enough last night? Are you here for another experience?"
"Don't even mention last night! If it weren't for your sneak attack, we would have snatched those Pokémon already!"
Now, as soon as Team Rocket's trio heard about last night's events and saw Lu Sheng, they remembered being played for fools by him. For them, as Team Rocket, it was a complete disgrace.
As well-trained members of Team Rocket, to be outsmarted by a mere brat—if word got out, they'd be laughed to death by their colleagues, especially their arch-rivals.
"Do you know why you failed last night?" Lu Sheng asked.
"Wasn't it because we were too naive, and in a moment of carelessness, we didn't dodge, believing your treacherous words!"
Pfft, you naive? (meaning: you wish)
Lu Sheng didn't deny being cunning, but those three from Team Rocket were really flattering themselves.
"Do you know why there were originally ten lotus flowers in the pond, but now there's only one?"
"Nine were picked!"
"Exactly, nine were picked (cai le duo lian – sounds like 'if you're bad, practice more' in Chinese)!"
?
Team Rocket's trio was stunned, not reacting for a moment. They exchanged glances, not understanding what Lu Sheng meant.
A moment later, James reacted. This brat was mocking them.
'Nine were picked' – 'if you're bad, practice more'… James said exasperatedly, "You brat, you're playing us again! It seems you're tired of living!"
Pfft!
Misty covered her mouth and chuckled. Was Team Rocket really that slow to react?
"Darn it, Arbok, go!"
"Koffing, you too, use Smog!"
Jessie and James released Arbok and Koffing, immediately ordering them to attack Lu Sheng.
"Pidgey, use Gust!"
Lu Sheng let Pidgey show off a bit.
"Pidgey!"
Pidgey flapped its wings forcefully, creating a powerful gust of wind that blew Koffing's Smog back at them. The charging Arbok was also blown back, its body colliding with Meowth.
"Oh no, we're poisoned, Meowth!"
Meowth's face showed symptoms of the poisoned status condition.
"Caterpie, use String Shot!"
Lu Sheng sent out Caterpie, using String Shot to control Team Rocket's trio.
"Woo-oh~~!!"
Caterpie immediately confronted Team Rocket's trio, spraying a large amount of string from its mouth.
"It's spraying so much!"
"Stop spraying, I can't take it anymore!"
"Such a large amount, I'm full here!"
Caterpie's String Shot was endless, almost completely enveloping Team Rocket.
What kind of suggestive words are these… Lu Sheng's mouth twitched. You better be talking about String Shot!
"Since you all like Pikachu so much, let Pikachu shock you again!"
Pikachu gave Team Rocket's trio another plasma perm, electrocuting them and sending them flying!