《Pokémon: A Trainer Who Masters the Six Powers from the Start》


 Chapter 1: The Beginning of Training

    The dimly lit cave echoed faintly as Ron strained to open his eyes, every cell in his body screaming in protest from the pain.


    For most people, this kind of agony¡ªlike their body had been shattered¡ªwould have driven them to cry out. But for Ron, it was tolerable. As an extreme sports enthusiast, he had long lost count of how many times he''d been injured.


    Staring blankly ahead, Ron was preoccupied with organizing a sudden influx of foreign memories into his mind.


    The first image was vivid: a memory of himself failing during one of his extreme challenges, the moment of death etched sharply in his mind.


    Then, without warning, unfamiliar memories surged in.


    They belonged to a 14-year-old boy, also named Ron, with a clich¨¦d backstory¡ªan orphan, often bullied and living a life of constant humiliation.


    But even the meekest person can snap. One day, the boy had grabbed a knife¡ªsharpened meticulously over who knows how long¡ªand ended the lives of those who had tormented him the most.


    After the murders, the boy had joined Team Rocket, passed their selection process, been assigned a Pok¨¦mon, and sent to a remote region to undergo a trial.


    Tragically, just as the boy was ready to prove himself, a bolt of lightning struck and ended his life.


    At this point in the memories, Ron felt his mind spinning.


    From these scenes, he had realized something startling: he had transmigrated into the Pok¨¦mon world.


    This revelation hit him like a ton of bricks.


    "Seriously? Ash gets electrocuted how many times and walks it off? And I take one hit and that''s it? Is this the difference between a protagonist and a nobody? Terrifying!"


    Understanding his circumstances, Ron shifted his attention to the Machop that had been silently watching him since he awoke.


    This Machop had carried him¡ªjust struck by lightning¡ªinto the cave.


    In his previous life, aside from extreme sports, Ron''s favorite pastime was watching anime, Pok¨¦mon included. His curiosity had driven him to study the mechanics of the Pok¨¦mon world and even imagine how he would train each Pok¨¦mon if given the chance.


    He had also attempted to replicate the Six Powers from One Piece¡ªthose legendary combat techniques said to be attainable only by superhumans. Every attempt had ended in failure, but his love for pushing limits had kept him trying.


    With a smile, Ron extended his hand to Machop.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "My name''s Ron. From now on, we''re partners. Let''s work together."


    Machop regarded the human before him with growing intrigue.


    Before the lightning strike, this human had felt like someone masking desperation with madness. Now, though, he exuded confidence¡ªa quiet belief that everything was under control.


    For a Pok¨¦mon driven by a desire to grow stronger, the second version of Ron was far more appealing.


    Their hands clasped tightly¡ªone large, one small, both still damp with rainwater. Little did anyone know, this humble cave would give rise to a trainer and his ace Pok¨¦mon who would someday evoke fear at the mere mention of their names.


    "Machop, show me the moves you know," Ron said, leaning back against the cave wall. The searing pain in his body was gradually fading, and he intended to use the time to assess Machop''s capabilities.


    From the inherited memories, Ron had learned the purpose of this trial: to identify suitable recruits for Team Rocket.


    Unlike the Pok¨¦mon League''s gentler methods, Team Rocket''s selection process was brutal.


    For Ron''s group, each participant had been provided with two days'' worth of food, three Pok¨¦ Balls, and tasked with surviving a full month. At the end, the survivors would battle, and the losers would face immediate elimination.


    Elimination meant death.


    What made this trial even more daunting was that none of the participants¡ªRon''s predecessor included¡ªhad formal knowledge of Pok¨¦mon training. They could only rely on instinct and their bond with their Pok¨¦mon.


    Ron felt a twinge of gratitude toward the previous Ron, who had managed to build a rapport with Machop. Many participants had died at the hands of the very Pok¨¦mon assigned to them by Team Rocket.


    Getting a Pok¨¦mon to obey through sheer human will was no easy feat.


    Upon receiving the command, Machop began demonstrating his moves.


    To ensure fairness, Team Rocket had provided Pok¨¦mon with levels averaging around 10. Ron''s Machop was no exception.


    Machop''s current moves were Leer, Focus Energy, Karate Chop, and Foresight.


    But every Pok¨¦mon also inherits moves from its parents, and stronger Pok¨¦mon pass down more powerful moves.


    Ron''s Machop had inherited Bulk Up, Encore, Counter, and even Close Combat.


    Judging by its moveset alone, Machop already possessed significant potential. With effort to raise its level, passing the trial wouldn''t be too difficult.


    But Ron wasn''t aiming for mere survival¡ªhe wanted first place.


    The brutality of the trial was balanced by its rewards.


    Team Rocket, under Giovanni''s leadership, spared no expense in nurturing its elites. At least, that''s what Ron surmised based on his memories.


    As for whether Ash¡ªthe so-called chosen one¡ªhad started his journey yet, Ron had no idea.


    After showcasing its moves, Machop stood firm despite its labored breathing, awaiting Ron''s next command.


    For some reason, since the lightning strike, Ron seemed to radiate an inexplicable allure, compelling Machop to follow his lead.


    Ron staggered to his feet, feeling a strange energy coursing through his body. It was this energy that had allowed him to recover so quickly.


    Years of consuming all kinds of media had taught Ron one thing: this must be his cheat code. But it felt oddly underwhelming. Was he supposed to fight Pok¨¦mon himself? Even mastering the Six Powers wouldn''t guarantee survival against them!


    Then, a sudden realization hit him, and his gaze turned fiery as he looked at Machop.


    Machop flinched, sensing something unsettling in Ron''s expression. The last time Machop had seen such a look, it had been between two Pok¨¦mon during mating season.


    But this was different. They were both male, after all!


    Just as Machop was about to toss Ron out of the cave to cool off, the rain outside stopped. A ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, forming a rainbow over the forest.


    Entranced by the scene, Machop didn''t notice Ron stepping closer. Suddenly, Ron gripped Machop''s shoulders with both hands, sending a chill down the Pok¨¦mon''s spine.

 Chapter 2: The Trial Begins

    Heavy, labored breathing echoed through the air. Machop leaned weakly against the mountainside, sweat dripping off its body like a stream.


    In contrast, Ron stood with a satisfied expression, the fire in his eyes undiminished.


    Ever since the idea of mastering the Six Powers came to him, Ron had been entertaining the thought of teaching them to his Pok¨¦mon.


    While the concept might not apply universally to all Pok¨¦mon types, Ron believed it was well-suited for Fighting-types like Machop. After all, in the One Piece world, mastering the Six Powers was the domain of individuals with exceptional strength. Transplanting that idea to the Pok¨¦mon world, who better to embody that strength than Fighting-type Pok¨¦mon?


    Though Machop''s current strength was far from sufficient to fully grasp the Six Powers, that didn''t stop Ron from laying a solid foundation. He knew that as Machop leveled up and grew stronger, it would eventually be able to master not only the Six Powers but also their derived techniques and even advanced moves like Life Return.


    Machop''s ability to inherit four moves by breeding also hinted at its innate potential.


    And so, Machop found itself thrust into an intense regimen. What was supposed to be a trial turned into relentless training under a Trainer who had recently been struck by lightning, only to then devise rigorous exercises without a single mention of battling wild Pok¨¦mon for experience.


    If not for some special bond or sense of goodwill, Machop might have long since given up.


    "You''re doing great, Machop. Take a break and eat something to replenish your energy. Afterward, just two more sets, and we''re done for today," Ron said with a bright smile, handing over the meager amount of food he had.


    Machop froze. Two sets? The training that left me, a Fighting-type, utterly drained? That''s what you call one set?!


    As Ron passed the food into Machop''s hands, a warm flow of energy emanated from his touch, surging into Machop''s body. It restored Machop''s depleted stamina at an astonishing speed.


    Ron, as the source of this phenomenon, could clearly sense every detail, down to Machop''s physical condition. Despite its exhaustion, Machop''s body showed no signs of lasting damage, which reassured Ron about the intensity of the training.


    At the same time, he realized that the seemingly unimpressive "golden finger" ability he had might have a far greater use than he initially thought.


    Machop, for its part, felt like it was soaking in a hot spring, its energy returning rapidly. Within thirty seconds, it was back to full strength. Ron, meanwhile, silently decided to increase the training load to ten sets while using the process to explore the unknown power within himself.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Stepping out of the cave, Ron inhaled the fresh post-rain air.


    Using a puddle as a makeshift mirror, he got a good look at himself: black hair and striking violet eyes that bordered on otherworldly. While Ron wasn''t one to dwell on appearances, even he had to admit he looked rather handsome. If he had a flair for acting, he might even make it as a top celebrity.


    But such thoughts held no appeal. Now that he was in the Pok¨¦mon world, Ron''s ambitions were far grander¡ªhe wanted to challenge this world''s very pinnacle.


    Ron wondered how far he could go without the protagonist aura of someone like Ash. Could he stand toe-to-toe with the Legendary Pok¨¦mon of this world?


    "Let''s do our best, Machop. This will be our first battle together. Let''s start strong."


    At his words, Machop nodded and instinctively moved ahead of Ron¡ªa vital survival habit for Trainers in the wild.


    Unlike Ash''s often idyllic encounters, real wild Pok¨¦mon didn''t always play fair. Some would go straight for the Trainer, targeting the weakest link.


    Though Ron was no stranger to extreme sports in his previous life and felt comfortable navigating forests, this was the first time he''d experienced one where death could lurk behind every tree.


    Yet the thrill only sharpened his focus.


    Not long after the rain stopped, a Rattata emerged from the underbrush. About the size of a medium house cat, it carried enough strength to kill an unarmed human with ease, a stark reminder of the inherent power of Pok¨¦mon in this world.


    "Machop, use Focus Energy," Ron commanded.


    For speed-oriented Pok¨¦mon like Rattata, reckless attacks would only expose vulnerabilities. The key was to bide time and deliver a decisive blow.


    This was no hasty decision¡ªRon had simulated countless battles like this in his mind, and now his execution was smooth, devoid of a rookie Trainer''s hesitation.


    As Machop clenched its fists, an invisible force began to radiate from it, focusing its power for a critical strike.


    Rattata, guided by its wild instincts, sensed the rising danger and opted to strike first. With a flash of white light, it executed Quick Attack, zigzagging toward Ron in a blinding burst of speed.


    "To the left! Use Leer!" Ron''s voice rang out, just as Machop finished gathering its focus.


    Machop turned sharply, its eyes glowing menacingly as it unleashed Leer, its intimidating gaze enveloping Rattata. The move lowered the opponent''s defense while briefly unsettling it.


    "Now, Karate Chop!"


    Ron''s calm command went unnoticed by him, but his violet eyes glimmered faintly with an eerie brilliance, their magnetic allure deepening.


    Caught mid-attack, Rattata''s proximity became its undoing. Before it could react, Machop''s powerful Karate Chop landed a critical hit, sending it flying.


    "Follow up with Close Combat!" Ron called, not wasting a moment.


    Before Rattata could hit the ground, Machop charged forward, fists already primed. As the Rattata flailed in mid-air, Machop''s relentless barrage of punches landed with the force of a storm.


    The sheer power of Close Combat¡ªa move with a base power of 120¡ªinstantly knocked out the Level 9 Rattata.


    The victory brought enough experience for Machop to level up to 11, breaking through its plateau.


    Normally, Trainers couldn''t pinpoint their Pok¨¦mon''s exact level without some external indicator, relying instead on newly learned moves as clues. But Ron realized he could see Machop''s level rise as clearly as if it were displayed in his mind.


    Reflecting on the battle, Ron also noticed how clearly he''d perceived Rattata''s movements, almost as if they were slowed down. Between the energy that healed Machop and this newfound clarity, it dawned on Ron that his abilities were far from ordinary¡ªand neither, it seemed, were his striking violet eyes.

 Chapter 3: Exploration

    "Well done, Machop!"


    Ron placed a hand on Machop''s shoulder, his praise unreserved. As he spoke, he swiftly helped Machop recover its stamina.


    Earlier, Ron had tried to discern whether his newfound ability was akin to the fabled "Viridian Power." His experiments revealed that, while his power could rapidly restore a Pok¨¦mon''s stamina and heal its injuries, it wasn''t exactly Viridian Power¡ªit was something entirely new.


    Adding to the mystery were Ron''s now-purple eyes. He was certain this ability was his "golden finger," a gift unique to him. In both his previous life and this one, his eyes had always been black¡ªuntil the lightning strike that changed everything.


    To make things easier, Ron named this special ability "Fighting Aura," signifying its role as a combat aid.


    After restoring Machop, Ron turned to tend to the injured Rattata.


    It wasn''t that Rattata had shown any extraordinary potential or that Ron wanted to recruit it, but rather, it was a matter of practicality.


    Facing this unfamiliar forest, Ron considered the likelihood of encountering Pok¨¦mon that Machop alone couldn''t handle. At Machop''s current strength, that scenario was a real possibility.


    To ensure Machop could face suitable opponents to gain experience and to locate food sources, Ron decided to make the cave his base of operations. From there, he would systematically challenge all the wild Pok¨¦mon in the vicinity.


    This method would increase his safety in the forest. It was cautious¡ªsome might say overly so¡ªbut undeniably practical.


    Wandering aimlessly from the start could lead to encounters with overwhelmingly strong wild Pok¨¦mon or struggles with food scarcity, any of which could spell disaster.


    Moreover, the final elimination test for Team Rocket required two Pok¨¦mon. Ron estimated that, while raising Machop, he could only manage to train one additional Pok¨¦mon effectively. His current experience and resources simply couldn''t support more than that.


    As such, Ron was selective about capturing Pok¨¦mon. That said, he was willing to temporarily recruit a Pok¨¦mon under special circumstances, though he wouldn''t invest significant effort in raising it.


    Once satisfied that Rattata was out of immediate danger and unlikely to wake up soon, Ron ended the treatment and moved on with Machop, continuing his exploration. His plan was to quickly familiarize himself with the surrounding wild Pok¨¦mon while gathering food and water.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    He wasn''t concerned about Rattata fleeing once it woke up. Unless significant changes occurred, wild Pok¨¦mon rarely abandoned their established territories.


    As Ron resumed his journey, he adopted a cautious demeanor, watching every rustling bush with sharp focus.


    In the Pok¨¦mon world, apart from Pok¨¦mon, other animals existed too. These animals were often the prey of carnivorous Pok¨¦mon, forming a delicate balance in the ecosystem.


    This dynamic led to territorial boundaries among wild Pok¨¦mon, reducing conflicts over food. Even a minor injury could prove fatal if left untreated, making survival in this environment incredibly challenging.


    For Ron, however, detecting the movements of wild Pok¨¦mon became much simpler thanks to his heightened perception.


    "Machop, to the left¡ªuse Leer!"


    Having gained trust in Ron''s commands during previous battles, Machop immediately turned and unleashed a Leer attack.


    Almost simultaneously, a purple figure darted out from the bushes.


    The faint breeze carried a foul stench¡ªan unmistakable sign of poison.


    Affected by the Leer, an Ekans poised to ambush them froze momentarily, exposing itself to Ron and Machop.


    "Focus Energy¡ªand watch out for its Poison Fang!"


    Ron had only tested his power''s effectiveness on stamina and injuries, not poison. Until he could confirm whether his ability could neutralize toxins, he chose to err on the side of caution.


    Machop clenched its fists, its focus intensifying as it used Focus Energy.


    Recovering from the Leer, the Ekans assessed its distance from Machop. The space between them provided a safety buffer, prompting Ron to hold off on ordering an attack.


    For now, it was a standoff, dependent on Ekans'' next move.


    After a brief hesitation, the Ekans decided not to give up its potential prey.


    Both Pok¨¦mon were at level 11, and Ekans saw no reason to fear Machop.


    Its lithe body coiled and swayed before launching Poison Sting¡ªa volley of purple needles enveloping Machop. At the same time, Ekans lunged at Ron, aiming to eliminate the trainer swiftly.


    "Machop, Leer again!"


    As Ron''s command rang out, Ekans opened its maw, unleashing Acid¡ªa hereditary move¡ªstraight at Ron''s face.


    Relying on his enhanced reflexes, Ron dodged the attack with ease, retreating toward Machop for safety.


    Machop''s Leer hit its mark once more, reducing Ekans'' defense further. The shimmering scales on Ekans'' body dulled visibly.


    Frustrated by the interruptions, Ekans shifted its focus entirely to Machop.


    It unleashed another Acid attack, this time followed by Leer.


    Machop evaded the Acid with practiced ease but couldn''t escape the effects of Leer, freezing in place.


    Seizing the opportunity, Ekans charged, its venomous fangs bared.


    "Stay put and use Focus Energy¡ªthen strike with Close Combat!"


    Feigning paralysis, Machop continued to charge its strength.


    Ekans approached cautiously, testing the waters with another Acid attack before committing to its assault.


    The toxic spray missed as Machop deftly dodged. In the next instant, Machop closed the gap with a powerful dash, launching into Close Combat.


    The energy from two Focus Energy boosts amplified Machop''s assault, striking Ekans'' weak points repeatedly.


    With its defense lowered by two Leer attacks, Ekans'' once-resilient scales crumbled under Machop''s onslaught, leaving it battered and broken on the ground.


    Unlike Rattata, Ron didn''t spare Ekans.


    Without antidotes on hand, Ron couldn''t risk letting a highly aggressive and venomous Pok¨¦mon roam nearby.


    Ekans, known for holding grudges, could endanger Ron''s safety in the coming days. To ensure peace of mind, Ron chose to eliminate the threat entirely.

 Chapter 4: Battle for Food

    "Machop, use Leer, then Karate Chop!"


    The wild rabbit froze in place, trembling uncontrollably as Machop''s Leer took effect. Immobilized by fear, it could only stand still as Machop delivered a decisive Karate Chop, ending its life.


    In this world, ordinary animals had it rough. Beyond humans, countless Pok¨¦mon could hunt them with ease.


    With the rabbit dealt with, Ron decided to wrap things up for the day.


    After spending half the day exploring, Ron had gained a better understanding of the surrounding environment while taking care of particularly dangerous wild Pok¨¦mon in the area.


    Now, he and Machop could look forward to a brief period of stability, using the resources and wild Pok¨¦mon nearby to prepare for the next phase of exploration.


    Just as Machop moved to pick up the rabbit, a yellow blur darted out of nowhere.


    "Machop, watch out!"


    Unlike the Ekans they had encountered earlier, this new Pok¨¦mon showed no hostility before attacking, catching Ron completely off guard. He could only shout his warning after the ambush had begun.


    Facing away from the attacker, Machop didn''t immediately counter but instead rolled to the side to escape the strike zone.


    The failed attack revealed the assailant¡ªa Meowth, a Pok¨¦mon rarely seen in the wild.


    "Machop, use Leer!"


    After a brief moment of surprise, Ron realized that Meowth wasn''t targeting him or Machop¡ªit was after the rabbit.


    This bold act of stealing from under their noses called for a harsh lesson.


    Machop activated Leer, but Meowth, sensing danger, quickly countered with Hypnosis. Both moves hit their marks. Despite Ron''s attempts to wake Machop with urgent shouts, it took a few moments for Machop to shake off the effects of Hypnosis. By then, Meowth had already broken free from Leer''s intimidation.


    "Focus Energy, Machop. This one''s a tough opponent¡ªstay sharp!"


    From Meowth''s quick reactions and skillful responses, Ron could tell this Pok¨¦mon was far more cunning than the average wild Pok¨¦mon he had encountered.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Instead of bothering with the rabbit, which would only slow it down, Meowth immediately disrupted Machop''s Focus Energy with a Fake Out, then began an intense hit-and-run style of battle, relying on its agility.


    "Machop, don''t let its attacks throw you off balance. Stay defensive!"


    Ron''s voice rang out from a distance.


    Although Ron could track Meowth''s movements with ease, the crafty Pok¨¦mon was adept at cutting its losses. The moment it sensed trouble, it would abandon its attack and use Iron Tail to defend itself. Like Hypnosis, Iron Tail was a move Meowth had inherited.


    Meowth''s strategy of wearing Machop down through repeated, high-speed attacks would quickly drain its stamina, but if it could disrupt Machop''s rhythm or provoke it into making rash decisions, the battle could end swiftly in Meowth''s favor.


    This was a hallmark strategy of speed-oriented Pok¨¦mon: a high-risk, high-reward approach akin to walking a tightrope. One misstep could spell disaster, but success could lead to a quick victory.


    Without additional crowd-control moves, even Leer struggled to pin down such a nimble opponent. Ron instructed Machop to remain on the defensive, waiting for Meowth to tire and expose a weakness.


    After using Iron Tail to create some distance, Meowth accelerated again, this time activating another inherited move¡ªCharm.


    Locking eyes with Machop, Meowth''s endearing expression momentarily distracted its opponent, simultaneously reducing Machop''s Attack stat by two stages.


    "Machop, use Bulk Up! Don''t let Meowth''s tricks get to you!"


    Ron''s sharp command snapped Machop out of its daze. Responding immediately, Machop used Bulk Up to recover some of its lost offensive power and refocus its mind.


    While Machop regained its composure, Meowth leaped high into the air, twisting its body mid-flight to amplify the force of its Iron Tail with centrifugal motion.


    "Machop, engage in close combat!"


    The raw power of Machop''s counterattack neutralized Meowth''s Iron Tail, forcing the agile feline to retreat once again. This time, however, Meowth didn''t linger. It bolted from the battlefield at top speed, giving Machop no chance to pursue.


    "So close¡­ If we''d been just a little faster, we could''ve caught it," Ron muttered, watching Meowth disappear into the distance.


    Meowth''s outstanding performance had already impressed Ron, but its tactical retreat sealed the deal. It wasn''t just skillful¡ªit was pragmatic, a quality Ron admired.


    With Machop as his warrior, Ron was beginning to think it might be worth adding an assassin-like Pok¨¦mon like Meowth to his team.


    However, Meowth were notoriously difficult to tame. They often pretended to accept capture, only to escape at the first opportunity.


    After considering his options, Ron decided it wasn''t the right time to pursue this Meowth. He needed to solidify his and Machop''s position in this area first. Machop would also need to grow stronger before they could attempt another encounter.


    Back at their cave, Ron inspected the surroundings to ensure no other creatures had entered before preparing the rabbit for dinner.


    With no seasonings, Ron could only roast the rabbit over a fire, sharing most of it with Machop while saving the rest as dried meat for future expeditions.


    Once their hunger was satisfied, Machop resumed its rigorous training outside the cave. With Ron''s healing and support abilities acting as a safety net, Machop could push itself to the limit, following Ron''s exacting training regimen.


    This intense training would lay the foundation for Machop to one day master techniques like the Six Powers, paving the way for their continued survival and growth in this harsh new world.

 Chapter 5: Machop’s Rapid Growth

    The grassy area in front of the cave was noticeably bare, a clear testament to Machop''s training efforts over the past few days.


    Since their first day of simple drills, Ron had crafted a comprehensive training regimen for Machop.


    7:00 AM: Morning run


    8:00 AM: Breakfast


    8:30 AM: Hunting and battling wild Pok¨¦mon


    12:00 PM: Lunch


    1:00 PM: Training resumes


    7:00 PM: Dinner and rest


    8:00¨C9:00 PM: Final training session before bedtime


    For most Pok¨¦mon, such an intense routine would undoubtedly lead to burnout, even with carefully prepared Pok¨¦mon food and energy supplements.


    But Ron had a secret weapon¡ªFighting Aura. This extraordinary ability ensured Machop remained brimming with energy, making him immune to the physical toll of high-intensity training.


    Beyond that, Ron personally joined Machop''s training, not only setting an example but also helping alleviate the monotony. Thankfully, Fighting Aura worked on Ron as well, healing his body and revitalizing him after each session. Unlike most people, Ron genuinely enjoyed the grueling process, which helped him stick with it.


    "Hang in there, Machop! Just 20 more reps!" Ron''s voice strained as he slowly squatted with a heavy boulder on his back.


    His veins bulged, and beads of sweat dripped steadily onto the muddy ground beneath him. Nearby, Machop was mirroring his movements, hefting an even larger boulder, his sweat forming a small puddle.


    "Twenty!" Ron exhaled sharply, setting down his boulder as the Fighting Aura kicked in, rejuvenating him instantly.


    Machop, however, didn''t stop. He continued the exercise with unwavering determination. Ron was no longer surprised by this behavior¡ªafter a few days together, he had identified Machop''s Guts ability.


    Unlike the games, a Pok¨¦mon''s ability could subtly influence their personality. In Machop''s case, Guts endowed him with resilience far beyond that of ordinary Pok¨¦mon. Every time he completed Ron''s prescribed routine, Machop would add his own "extra credit," pushing himself to the brink of collapse.


    With such a strong desire to grow, Ron couldn''t bring himself to intervene, especially since Fighting Aura ensured Machop could handle the strain.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Machop was now trembling, his muscles nearing their limit after finishing the regular training. Yet, he pressed on, striving to break past his limits. Each squat was a herculean effort, accompanied by searing pain as if his muscles were tearing apart. Yet, he stood up again and again, his sheer determination carrying him through.


    Suddenly, Machop''s vision went black as if he were losing consciousness.


    Having seen this happen countless times in his previous life, Ron immediately realized what was happening. He sprinted toward Machop, aiming to help him stabilize the massive boulder before it fell.


    In the darkness, Machop saw the haunting memory that fueled his relentless drive¡ªa moment of deep, unforgettable pain. It was this memory that ignited his burning desire to grow stronger.


    A roar erupted from Machop, a cry of defiance against his own limits. His body, previously faltering, straightened with newfound vigor. Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was Ron rushing toward him, his face filled with worry and concern.


    It had been a long time since Machop had seen Ron so visibly shaken¡ªthe last time being when Ron had been struck by lightning. Machop couldn''t help but grin.


    "Don''t push yourself like that again," Ron said softly, patting Machop''s head. "Getting stronger doesn''t happen overnight. It takes consistent effort over time."


    Ron then collapsed onto the ground, exhaustion catching up to him. Machop placed the boulder aside and lay down next to him, soaking in the comforting warmth of Fighting Aura as it replenished his strength.


    "Let''s go, Machop! Use Leer!"


    The familiar command echoed, much to the dismay of a nearby Rattata.


    The wild Pok¨¦mon groaned inwardly. Could you imagine being challenged twice a day, every single day? If not for the recent decrease in wild Pok¨¦mon around here, forcing Rattata to expand his hunting grounds, he would''ve fled long ago.


    Even so, Rattata moved swiftly, activating Quick Attack to evade Machop''s gaze.


    Eyeing Ron and Machop carefully, Rattata didn''t dare launch a direct attack on Ron. Past defeats had taught him that targeting Ron would only result in Machop finding an opportunity to counter and defeat him even faster.


    Instead, Rattata used Tail Whip to distract Machop before circling around with another Quick Attack, aiming to strike from behind.


    Machop stood motionless, seemingly oblivious. It wasn''t until Rattata was in position behind him that Ron''s command rang out.


    "Machop, Close Combat!"


    With a powerful leap, Machop launched Rattata into the air, following up with a flurry of relentless punches. The poor Rattata didn''t stand a chance. The difference in levels was too great¡ªMachop was now Level 14, a full four levels above his opponent.


    The gap was insurmountable. Even with debuffs like Tail Whip, Machop could take down Rattata in just two hits. A dazzling burst of white light marked Rattata''s defeat as his small frame was sent flying.


    "Finish it! Low Sweep!" Ron commanded.


    Without hesitation, Machop closed the distance and delivered a sweeping kick, bringing the battle to a swift conclusion.


    The ease with which Machop defeated Rattata was a clear sign that this area''s wild Pok¨¦mon were no longer a challenge. The experience they provided was dwindling, and it was time for Ron and Machop to move on. But first, Ron had one last goal for the day: defeating every Pok¨¦mon in the vicinity again and attempting to capture a certain Meowth.


    Through their shared Fighting Aura, Machop understood Ron''s intentions with just a glance. His fighting spirit ignited, knowing he was just one step away from reaching Level 15.


    On a nearby tree, the Meowth in question stirred from its nap, suddenly feeling a chill. It scanned its surroundings cautiously, but seeing nothing amiss, it yawned and settled back to sleep, unaware of the looming danger.

 Chapter 6: Rematch with Meowth

    "Machop, Close Combat!"


    Though their training had lasted only a few days, Machop could clearly feel its newfound strength.


    Take this moment, for instance: the Paras, at level 11, stood no chance against Machop''s relentless strikes. Its small frame was sent flying, unable to withstand the onslaught.


    Combining the disruptive move Leer with the explosive power Machop had developed during training, it became clear that weaker Pok¨¦mon hit by Leer were effectively immobilized. Before they could act, Machop''s Close Combat would land decisively, ending the battle swiftly.


    After defeating the last wild Pok¨¦mon in the area, Machop''s energy surged. Its level rose from 14 to 15, and it even learned a new move: Seismic Toss.


    "Machop, let''s take a break and work on mastering Seismic Toss. After that, we''ll go back and settle things with that Meowth once and for all," Ron said.


    Even though Machop hadn''t expended much energy, Ron instinctively approached and tended to his Pok¨¦mon''s condition, ensuring it was in peak form.


    Machop, eager to perfect its new move and put it into action, fully supported Ron''s plan.


    It wasn''t until a little past 1 PM that Ron and Machop leisurely arrived at the area where Meowth resided.


    Over the past few days, Machop had faced Meowth several times. However, each time, just as victory was within grasp, Meowth managed to escape.


    But this time, Ron was determined to bring things to a conclusion.


    It didn''t take long before the familiar figure of Meowth appeared, almost as if it had come looking for them.


    Unlike other wild Pok¨¦mon that often grew impatient, Meowth''s eyes brimmed with fighting spirit¡ªa quality that had caught Ron''s interest and made him want to capture this particular Meowth.


    "Meowth!"


    The sharp cry signaled the start of the battle as Meowth lunged at Machop, opening with a Fake Out to seize the initiative.


    "Machop, Leer!"


    The wide-area move forced Meowth to abandon its attack, shifting its focus to a flanking maneuver against Machop.


    "Left side¡ªKarate Chop!"


    Machop responded instantly to Ron''s command. Its arm, glowing faintly, slashed through the air with precision and power, like a sword unsheathed.


    Meowth, quick on its feet, abruptly halted its attack and darted to Machop''s rear. Dark energy swirled around its fangs as it prepared a Bite.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    If the attack landed, the added Dark energy would inflict even greater pain on its opponent.


    "Behind you¡ªLeer!"


    Once again, Meowth chose to evade rather than confront the move head-on.


    Since Machop had broken free from Hypnosis with its level advantage back when it was only at level 13¡ªdelivering a heavy blow to Meowth¡ªMeowth had avoided using Hypnosis against Machop ever since.


    Now at a distance, Meowth stood off against Machop, carefully gauging its next move.


    At level 11, Meowth had been training hard over the past few days, but it still fell four levels behind Machop. The level gap meant its attacks were easily countered by Machop.


    Under these circumstances, most wild Pok¨¦mon would have opted to flee. But Meowth was different. Unless there was truly no chance left, it would never retreat.


    Or rather, when Meowth did run, it was purely a survival tactic. If it died, its ambitions would amount to nothing.


    "Meowth!"


    Another sharp cry marked Meowth''s renewed charge. It used Fake Out once more, attempting to draw Machop''s attention.


    "Left side¡ªKarate Chop!"


    This time, Meowth didn''t dodge. Instead, it attacked head-on.


    Its Technician ability activated, boosting the power of its Fake Out to 60, surpassing the 50 base power of Karate Chop. This helped offset some of the disadvantage from its lower level.


    The moment the moves collided, Meowth felt as though its paw had shattered.


    Still, it stubbornly held its ground, preparing to unleash its strongest move, Iron Tail.


    It was Meowth''s last resort. With Machop''s increasing level, its earlier tactics only delayed its inevitable defeat. Only by attacking with all its might could it hope for victory.


    "Machop, Close Combat again!"


    Before Meowth could execute Iron Tail, a white glow surrounded it.


    The move Encore had taken effect, forcing Meowth to repeatedly use Fake Out.


    Confused but resigned, Meowth realized it was done for. A faint smile crossed its face as it braced for the end.


    Machop''s Close Combat struck with overwhelming force, sending Meowth sprawling.


    Following up with Leer, Machop ensured Meowth couldn''t flee. It then displayed a hidden burst of speed, closing the gap instantly and delivering another Karate Chop that sent Meowth flying.


    Machop stood still, watching as Meowth hit the ground.


    Though battered, Meowth had not yet fainted. It struggled to stand, using the last of its strength to rise.


    But after several attempts, it collapsed, utterly drained.


    "See, Meowth? This is the difference between having a Trainer and going it alone!" Ron said, crouching before the exhausted Pok¨¦mon.


    "At first, you could hold your own against Machop. But now, even at your best, you can barely scratch him."


    "If you want to grow stronger, join me. I''ll help you reach new heights. And if the day ever comes when you feel I can''t help you anymore or I become a burden, I won''t stop you from leaving."


    Ron extended his hand sincerely toward Meowth.


    He believed that day would never come. He would push Meowth to become its strongest self, to scale the highest peaks.


    Meowth stared deeply into Ron''s eyes, sensing his honesty and determination.


    Its claws suddenly shot out, aiming straight for Ron''s face.


    At such close range, even Machop couldn''t react in time, rushing toward Meowth with all its might.


    But Ron, the target, didn''t flinch. He simply watched Meowth without fear or the slightest intention of dodging.


    Just centimeters from Ron''s face, Meowth''s claws froze. With a resigned sigh, it placed its paw in Ron''s outstretched hand.


    A warm, restorative energy flowed from Ron to Meowth, rapidly healing its injuries and replenishing its strength.


    "Welcome aboard, Meowth!"


    Excitedly, Ron retrieved a Pok¨¦ Ball and tossed it at Meowth.


    Though Ron had imagined this moment countless times, experiencing it firsthand stirred an uncontrollable excitement in him.


    The ball opened upon impact, enveloping Meowth in a red light.


    Without any resistance, Meowth willingly entered the Pok¨¦ Ball, becoming Ron''s second Pok¨¦mon.

 Chapter 7: Setting Out to Explore

    After capturing Meowth, Ron didn''t return to the cave. Instead, he set out immediately.


    The jerky and wild fruits he had gathered over the past few days were enough to sustain him for a while. Coupled with Machop''s increased level and Meowth''s addition to the team, Ron now had the strength to explore the area more thoroughly.


    Meeting other trial participants would be ideal¡ªRon wanted to measure how much his own strength had improved by comparing it to theirs.


    During the exploration, Machop led the way, clearing obstacles ahead, while Meowth stayed close to Ron for protection.


    Given Meowth''s superior speed and reflexes compared to Machop, it was perfectly suited to handle sudden threats near Ron.


    Not long after venturing beyond the area where Meowth had been living, Ron sensed a hidden hostility lurking in the shadows. However, the presence of Machop and Meowth, along with their numbers, clearly deterred the opponent from showing itself.


    "Meowth, let''s see how our first battle together feels. Remember to follow my instructions."


    Meowth nodded enthusiastically before darting forward.


    Thanks to its keen hearing, Meowth quickly located the wild Pok¨¦mon hiding in the shadows¡ªor rather, the wild Pok¨¦mon was so poorly hidden that it would''ve been hard for Meowth not to find it.


    With a Fake Out, Meowth vanished from its original position, while Machop silently returned to Ron''s side, taking on the role of a bodyguard.


    Leaping deftly into a tree, Meowth confronted its opponent: a wild Mankey.


    Mankey, known for its short temper, had initially refrained from attacking due to the combined presence of Machop and Meowth. But after Meowth''s provocation, the flames of fury in Mankey''s heart were fully ignited.


    With an enraged screech, Mankey charged at Meowth, unleashing Karate Chop.


    "Meowth, dodge and counter with Iron Tail!" Ron commanded.


    Meowth didn''t act immediately. Instead, it waited until Mankey was right in front of it before gracefully sidestepping the attack and whipping its metallically glowing tail into Mankey''s side.


    The sheer force sent Mankey flying. Despite the pain, it forced itself to stand, its eyes now burning with rage, its body temperature rising visibly.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Ignoring its earlier mistake, Mankey launched another Karate Chop, charging recklessly at Meowth.


    "What a pity," Ron sighed, losing interest. "I didn''t expect our first opponent to be this dim-witted. Meowth, finish it off however you like."


    Meowth nodded in mild disappointment, ready to end the fight quickly and move on to a more challenging adversary. It, too, had little enthusiasm for battling an irrational opponent.


    With another Fake Out, Mankey froze in confusion for a moment, just enough time for Meowth to rake its claws across Mankey''s back, leaving three deep gashes.


    Before Mankey could react, Meowth followed up with a heavy Iron Tail, striking directly on the wounds it had just inflicted.


    As Mankey tried to swing a counterattack, Meowth deftly darted away, activating Foul Play. The dark energy coiled around Meowth''s claws struck Mankey''s back once more.


    The repeated blows and accumulating injuries proved too much. Overwhelmed by pain, Mankey collapsed, unable to continue the fight.


    With the battle cleanly resolved, Meowth returned to Ron''s side, recharging its energy. Observing Ron''s approach, it began to understand why Machop had grown so strong¡ªhaving such a "walking fountain of strength" as a trainer made progress almost inevitable.


    Realizing this, Meowth felt it might be tied to Ron for life. Yet, surprisingly, it didn''t mind at all.


    Before Ron could tend to the injured Mankey, Meowth suddenly tensed, adopting a defensive stance and staring into the forest ahead.


    "Hide!" Ron ordered quickly.


    Leaving the unconscious Mankey where it lay, Ron climbed swiftly into a tree, while Machop and Meowth guarded his position.


    Minutes later, faint rustling came from the nearby bushes. Ron, alert, caught the sound immediately.


    A moment later, three figures emerged: a fellow trial participant named Carson, accompanied by a Geodude and a Bellsprout.


    Carson, though appearing calm, could barely contain his excitement. His joyful eyes and trembling hands betrayed his emotions.


    Like Ron, Carson had little prior experience with Pok¨¦mon. Fortunately, he had encountered a friendly Geodude early on, giving him a chance to participate in the trial. With Geodude''s strength and his cautious nature, Carson had managed to survive and even capture a Bellsprout.


    Now, seeing a defenseless Mankey lying before him, Carson believed his luck had finally turned. He didn''t stop to wonder why the Mankey was there or notice the traces of a recent battle nearby.


    As Carson tossed a Pok¨¦ Ball, Ron signaled Meowth to act.


    The moment Carson''s Pok¨¦ Ball left his hand, Meowth unleashed Hypnosis, enveloping Carson, Geodude, and Bellsprout in a wave of psychic energy.


    Simultaneously, Machop, having been building up its strength with Focus Energy since sensing Carson''s approach, leapt from the tree and delivered a devastating Close Combat to Geodude and Bellsprout, knocking them out instantly.


    Taking advantage of the distraction, Meowth moved behind Carson, claws poised.


    When Carson awoke from the hallucination induced by Hypnosis, he found himself in a nightmare. A sharp claw hovered over his throat, his Pok¨¦mon lay unconscious on the ground, and a menacing Machop stood before him, ready to strike.


    "You''ve got an 11-level Geodude and a 10-level Bellsprout?" Ron''s mocking voice came from Carson''s left. "Looks like I''ve found another waste of space."


    Carson didn''t dare turn his head, fearing the claw at his neck. Before he could beg for mercy, Meowth, following Ron''s signal, slashed decisively.


    As Carson fell to the ground, clutching his bleeding wound, he could do nothing to stop his life from slipping away. Even at the end, he never saw Ron''s face.

 Chapter 8: A Chance Encounter with a Swarm of Beedrill

    With both Carson and his Pok¨¦mon left to perish in the wilderness, Ron took it as a harsh reminder for himself.


    This world wasn''t as idyllic as he might have hoped. A single misstep could see him sharing Carson''s fate, his body abandoned in the wild.


    To acclimate himself to this reality, Ron had allowed Meowth to finish off Carson, along with his Pok¨¦mon.


    Next time, the one taking action would be Ron himself.


    After scavenging all the food and supplies from Carson''s corpse, Ron moved on without haste, venturing deeper into the forest.


    From Carson''s lackluster performance, Ron judged that the man was among the weaker participants in the trial. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have been dealt with so easily.


    The silver lining was that Machop had spent most of its time training rather than battling, leaving plenty of room for growth.


    Now that Machop had adapted to its current training regimen, it could dedicate more time to battles. With Ron playing the role of a medic, its level was bound to rise quickly.


    Meowth, on the other hand, needed a few days to adjust to its training schedule. Ron hoped it would develop enough endurance to last longer in battle.


    As they traveled, Meowth suddenly shivered, turning its head to find Ron smiling at it¡ªa smile that sent a chill down its spine.


    Having survived in the wild for some time, Meowth trusted its instincts.


    The last time it had felt this kind of dread, it ended up getting pummeled by Machop.


    This time, though, Meowth didn''t believe Ron meant it harm. Perhaps it was just struggling to adapt to being a Trainer''s Pok¨¦mon?


    Pushing the thought aside, Meowth refocused on its job as a bodyguard, staying alert to any movement in the surroundings.


    In the Pok¨¦mon world, wild Pok¨¦mon territory was divided by strength. The further one ventured into the forest, the stronger the Pok¨¦mon became.


    It was like a video game: weaker creatures patrolled the outskirts, while the "bosses" lurked in the depths.


    For now, though, even these weaker "minions" posed a significant threat to Ron.


    Thanks to his special vision, Ron could discern the levels of Pok¨¦mon around him.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    In the forest''s outer ring, most Pok¨¦mon were around Level 10. But as he pressed further in, Level 12 Pok¨¦mon began to appear.


    Ron left most of the battles to Machop, only letting Meowth take on weaker opponents to ensure it could keep up.


    In just three days, Machop''s level had risen by three, reaching Level 17, while Meowth had climbed to Level 13.


    While Machop averaged one level per day, its progress was a testament to its grueling battle schedule and Ron''s continuous healing support.


    The difficulty of leveling up would only increase as they grew stronger.


    Unfortunately, Ron hadn''t encountered any other trial participants in the past three days. It was as if he were the only person in the entire forest.


    "Take your time¡ªno need to rush," Ron said, watching Machop and Meowth wolf down their meals. He handed each of them another ten strips of jerky.


    Watching the anime, Ron hadn''t given much thought to Pok¨¦mon''s eating habits. But raising two Pok¨¦mon himself, he realized their appetites grew along with their levels.


    Take Machop, for instance. It used to eat about as much as Ron. Now, its intake was equivalent to two of him.


    Ron shuddered to imagine how much Machop might consume when its strength reached greater heights. Could a Pok¨¦mon''s appetite be a measure of its power?


    Swallowing the last bite of his own jerky, Ron considered the trial''s structure.


    Of the 500 participants, some, like Ron, were desperate risk-takers. Others were Rocket Grunts who had found a way to participate through connections.


    The Rocket Grunts weren''t overwhelmingly powerful¡ªtrial rules ensured a level playing field¡ªbut their presence added a layer of danger.


    The trial''s second phase, the current wilderness survival segment, would last three months.


    At the end of that period, if more than 100 participants remained, the Rocket supervisors would begin a ruthless purge until only 100 were left.


    Ron couldn''t help but notice discrepancies between the Rocket Grunts in his memory and those he''d seen so far. Their uniforms were different, but the distinctive "R" logo left no doubt about their affiliation.


    Before Machop and Meowth could finish their meal, a faint buzzing sound reached Meowth''s sensitive ears.


    It froze, instantly alert, jerky forgotten.


    Over the past few days, the trio had developed a strong rapport. Noticing Meowth''s reaction, Ron and Machop sprang into action.


    While Meowth kept watch, Machop quickly erased any signs of their presence, and the group scrambled up a large tree for cover.


    The buzzing grew louder, heading straight for them. Beneath it, they could hear the sound of something crashing through the underbrush.


    A moment later, a purple blur burst from the bushes¡ªa Level 14 Arbok, fleeing in terror. The snake Pok¨¦mon''s usually menacing face was twisted in panic.


    Seconds later, its pursuers appeared: a swarm of Beedrill, one of the forest''s most fearsome inhabitants.


    Unlike most wild Pok¨¦mon, Beedrill lived in aggressive, tightly-knit groups. Anyone foolish enough to provoke them faced relentless retaliation.


    Every year, countless Trainers were chased by Beedrill swarms after attempting to capture Weedle.


    With their overwhelming numbers, even Pok¨¦mon far stronger than individual Beedrill often fell victim to their coordinated assaults.


    The Arbok, despite being Level 14, didn''t dare fight back against the swarm of Level 12 Beedrill.


    As its speed flagged, the Beedrill changed tactics.


    Some ascended, raining down Poison Sting attacks like a deadly shower.


    Desperate, the Arbok countered with Acid Spray, clearing a small area around itself.


    But the swarm quickly surrounded it, their twin stingers gleaming ominously.


    Known for its cruelty, the Arbok now looked utterly defeated, letting out a plaintive cry as it realized there was no escape.

 Chapter 9: Training Grounds

    Two minutes later, the battered and bruised Arbok lay helpless on the ground, barely clinging to consciousness.


    Since evolving from Kakuna, Beedrill''s diet had changed drastically. While they still collected nectar, they had also become carnivorous.


    Creatures that dared provoke Beedrill without sufficient strength typically met a grim fate¡ªreduced to nothing but bones.


    Watching the swarm of Beedrill slowly carry the defeated Arbok in the direction they came from, Ron''s eyes gleamed with anticipation.


    Even in the depths of the forest, encountering wild Pok¨¦mon took time and luck.


    Whenever Ron stumbled upon wild Pok¨¦mon, he employed a "grind strategy"¡ªdefeating them repeatedly, healing them in between battles, then fighting them again.


    However, this wasn''t a video game. In reality, most Pok¨¦mon would become fearful or outright refuse to battle after a few defeats. In such cases, winning yielded minimal experience.


    Now, with this many strong Beedrill in front of him, Ron couldn''t help but think about their colony. Surely, it must also include weaker Weedle and Kakuna. It was the perfect training ground.


    Ron was confident that after Machop and Meowth defeated the Beedrill swarm, their strength would grow immensely.


    Moreover, Beedrill weren''t just ferocious combatants¡ªthey also produced honey.


    Unlike ordinary honey, Beedrill honey was not only sweeter but also enhanced a Pok¨¦mon''s physical constitution. With sufficient consumption, it even boosted their experience, though achieving noticeable results required a large quantity.


    Weighing the potential benefits, Ron began formulating a foolproof plan.


    The last thing he wanted was to become the Beedrill''s next meal instead of successfully training his Pok¨¦mon.


    After the Beedrill had flown a safe distance, Ron followed cautiously. He intended to locate their nest first and use the terrain to devise an escape route to ensure his safety.


    To avoid being detected, Ron kept his distance, relying on Meowth''s keen sense of hearing to track the Beedrill''s movements while maintaining a safe gap.


    Thanks to the Beedrill clearing the way, Ron and his team progressed much faster. Even so, it still took over twenty minutes to reach the Beedrill nest.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Four towering trees formed a circle, with the Beedrill hive nestled in the center. A dense swarm of Beedrill buzzed around it, filling the air.


    Including the Beedrill that had pursued the Arbok earlier, Ron estimated that there were at least a hundred in this colony.


    Such a large swarm indicated that their leader was likely a particularly powerful Beedrill, with a level of at least 20. And that wasn''t even accounting for the surrounding Kakuna and Weedle.


    After carefully surveying the terrain and estimating the levels of the Beedrill, Ron quietly retreated with Machop and Meowth.


    "Meowth, you''ve spent a lot of time living in the wild. Could you help us find a river or lake nearby that we can dive into if needed?"


    Having located the Beedrill colony, Ron moved on to the next step of his plan: identifying a safe escape route.


    Though Beedrill were fierce, they shared a critical weakness with ordinary bees¡ªthey couldn''t pursue targets underwater.


    Only by finding a suitable hiding spot could Ron safely plan how to use the Beedrill swarm to train Machop and Meowth.


    Upon hearing Ron''s request, Meowth immediately began searching.


    Pok¨¦mon accustomed to the wild had their own methods of finding water sources, and Meowth was no exception.


    The agile Meowth darted through the forest, occasionally climbing trees for a better view.


    Ron and Machop, less skilled in such matters, watched quietly from the sidelines, content to let Meowth take the lead.


    An hour later, they came upon a pristine blue lake.


    Ron couldn''t help but marvel at the wonders of the Pok¨¦mon world¡ªsuch a crystal-clear lake, even in the heart of a dense forest!


    Wild Pok¨¦mon had also gathered around the lake. They glanced at Ron''s group briefly before resuming their drinking, as though he were invisible.


    This didn''t surprise Ron. In shared water sources like these, wild Pok¨¦mon rarely fought, ensuring the safety of the water supply.


    With two key conditions met, Ron led Meowth and Machop back into the forest to search for one final essential tool: reeds or similar plants that could be used as makeshift snorkels.


    Though reeds weren''t native to the forest, Meowth managed to find a plant matching Ron''s description¡ªhollow, sturdy, and about two meters long.


    Just to be safe, Ron collected over a dozen of these "lifesaving straws." When it came to survival gear, he believed more was always better.


    With everything ready, the next step was simple: lure enough Beedrill to serve as effective training targets.


    If there weren''t enough, he could always try again. But if there were too many, they''d have to flee, wasting valuable time.


    As they returned to the outskirts of the Beedrill territory, Ron still hadn''t found an ideal method for baiting the swarm. These weren''t NPCs programmed to behave predictably¡ªthey were living creatures.


    Reluctantly, Ron decided to observe the Beedrill''s habits more closely, hoping to find a solution.


    Unbeknownst to the industrious Beedrill, someone was already watching their every move, planning their downfall.


    From the treetops, three pairs of eyes fixated on the Beedrill hive with ill intent.


    Determined not to miss any details, Ron and his team took turns monitoring the hive, even throughout the night.


    By dawn, as groups of Beedrill ventured out in small teams to forage, Ron had his answer.


    The offspring of the Beedrill¡ªthe Weedle on the outskirts¡ªwere off-limits.


    Attacking them would provoke the entire colony.


    The only viable targets were the foraging Beedrill themselves.


    To ensure their safety, the Beedrill leader had organized them into groups of four. This tactic seemed foolproof¡ªuntil today.


    Spotting one such group, Ron and his team descended from the treetops and quietly followed.


    A slaughter was about to begin.

 Chapter 10: The Beedrill’s Rampage

    In the depths of the forest, four fearsome Beedrill moved with unusual unease.


    Since leaving their nest, a peculiar insect-like instinct had warned them of impending danger.


    This feeling was exceptionally rare; the last time it occurred, the culprit had been an Arbok¡ªone that had since become part of their nourishment.


    With this lesson etched in their memories, the Beedrill were confident that no other wild Pok¨¦mon in the vicinity would dare to provoke them. Yet, this confidence only added to their inner conflict: their instincts screamed danger, but their rationality rejected it.


    Thankfully, they wouldn''t have to wrestle with their doubts for long. Danger was already here.


    In an instant, an invisible force enveloped the four Beedrill.


    Each one saw themselves as the new leader of the swarm, victorious over their former queen. They were surrounded by the most exquisite mates and feasting on the sweetest nectar.


    These dreams, often figments of their imagination, now felt vivid and real, trapping them in an intoxicating delusion they had no desire to escape from.


    Facing the teetering Beedrill, Machop struck decisively.


    Enhanced by Focus Energy, it unleashed a series of Close Combat blows, landing critical hits that knocked them unconscious while they were still lost in their dreamscape.


    Meowth also contributed, handling two of the Beedrill to lighten Machop''s burden. Otherwise, it would have been nearly impossible for Machop to take down all four at once.


    This teamwork highlighted why even Pok¨¦mon stronger than Beedrill sometimes fell victim to their swarm: numbers mattered. Against attacks coming from all sides, even defending was a challenge, let alone counterattacking.


    After swiftly defeating the Beedrill, Ron didn''t finish them off. Instead, he left them where they lay.


    Whether they were later discovered by other Beedrill¡ªigniting the swarm''s wrath¡ªor attacked by other wild Pok¨¦mon, Ron stood to benefit from either outcome.


    Under normal circumstances, Ron wouldn''t have resorted to such a method. But this was a Rocket Trial. In this cruel test, if you didn''t become stronger, the only thing waiting for you was death.


    Ron wasn''t about to gamble his survival on the whims of luck.


    Moreover, he sensed that this trial wouldn''t be so simple. Surviving the wild didn''t guarantee safety later on.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Having dealt with the four Beedrill, Ron set his sights on their nest. His plan was to ambush a foraging team returning to the hive.


    At 10 o''clock, two hours had passed since the Beedrill left to gather food. The absence of eight members had alarmed the hive.


    Immediately, dozens of Beedrill split into five teams, each led by ten individuals, to begin a search.


    From the canopy of a nearby tree, Ron watched the Beedrill mobilize alongside Machop and Meowth.


    Normally, no wild Pok¨¦mon dared to provoke these Beedrill, let alone lurk near their hive. By exploiting this sense of security, Ron had hidden in plain sight¡ªright under their noses.


    So far, his gamble had paid off.


    Gazing at the remaining 30 to 40 Beedrill guarding the hive, Ron adjusted his next move.


    Despite their aggressiveness, the Beedrill had avoided encroaching on other Pok¨¦mon territories during their foraging. This was why the eight Beedrill Ron defeated earlier were quickly retrieved by their swarm.


    Though all eight were unconscious, only the ones attacked by Meowth bore serious injuries, with visible claw marks. Wild Pok¨¦mon lacked access to effective healing methods, leaving them to rely on honey for treatment.


    In contrast, the Beedrill struck by Machop had merely fainted and quickly recovered after receiving honey.


    Unfortunately for the hive, neither Meowth nor Machop''s victims could provide any useful information. However, their inability to report didn''t quell the Beedrill''s rage.


    Such an audacious attacker deserved a severe lesson.


    The entire hive mobilized. As before, they divided into teams to comb their territory, this time focusing on ensuring no intruders remained within their range. Meanwhile, Weedle and Kakuna were pulled closer to the hive for protection, shielding them from opportunistic predators.


    Within minutes, the hive was on high alert. This level of coordination was what allowed their numbers to grow to over 100 strong.


    For three hours, the Beedrill''s exhaustive search persisted. Ron and his companions remained motionless in the canopy during this time.


    To become a skilled hunter, patience and composure were indispensable.


    When dozens of Beedrill returned empty-handed, the search only intensified.


    The hive leader finally emerged, leaving just 20 guards at the nest while taking the rest to expand the search into other Pok¨¦mon''s territories. With its formidable strength¡ªaround Level 20¡ªthe leader hoped to uncover the culprits behind the attack.


    Unbeknownst to it, the real offender was mere steps away, his gaze fixed on the hive''s 20 remaining guards.


    With Machop and Meowth, Ron wasn''t yet strong enough to challenge all 20 guards directly. But that didn''t deter him from targeting this "prize."


    Using the tree trunk as cover, Ron''s group quietly descended to the forest floor.


    A few moments later, one of the outermost Beedrill caught a whiff of a sweet, enticing scent¡ªnectar.


    It didn''t take long to locate the source: a cluster of vibrant flowers, seemingly inviting it to feast.


    Starving after four hours of vigilance, the Beedrill hesitated, torn between hunger and its leader''s orders to guard the hive.


    Despite its internal struggle, the Beedrill''s body betrayed it. Slowly, it edged closer to the flowers.


    The other Beedrill didn''t notice or simply chose to ignore this subtle disobedience, focusing instead on their own tasks.


    Just a few meters from the flowers, the Beedrill finally lost control, lunging toward its prize.


    In the next moment, its dream turned into a nightmare.


    A gray blur shot out from the underbrush, taking down the Beedrill in seconds and dragging it back into the shadows.


    The entire process took mere moments. None of the other Beedrill realized one of their own had vanished.


    With their target eliminated, the flowers disappeared, reappearing in another location to lure the next victim.

 Chapter 11: Gradual Encroachment

    High above the hive, a level 15 Beedrill was strictly following the orders of its leader. It surveyed the entire hive from above, keeping an eye on the surroundings.


    Unlike the regular Beedrills who were often attracted to the scent of nectar, this one was a loyal subordinate of the leader, and one of the higher-ranking Beedrills in the group.


    The only downside was that with so many Beedrills around, the absence of five or six of them didn''t seem to make much of a difference, which meant that this Beedrill didn''t notice its kin steadily disappearing one by one.


    To the left of the hive, a Beedrill hovered in front of a cluster of flowers. Naturally, this caught the attention of the Beedrill high above, but it paid no mind.


    After spending so much time searching for the mysterious attacker, it was only natural that some Beedrills would grow hungry and search for food.


    As long as it didn''t interfere with their guarding duties, the Beedrill had no reason to intervene.


    What it failed to notice was that as it turned to check on another area, a gray shadow darted out and, in the blink of an eye, both the Beedrill and the flowers vanished.


    Buzz!


    After the eighth Beedrill disappeared, the Beedrill at the highest point finally realized something was wrong and sent out a call to assemble.


    In the next moment, the remaining Beedrills gathered together and, upon close inspection, realized only fifteen Beedrills remained.


    Normally, if someone dared attack a Beedrill, the rest of the group would swarm out and teach the attacker a lethal lesson.


    But now, with the leader and most of the Beedrills absent, the strength of the attacker was unknown. Coupled with the earlier ambush, the remaining fifteen Beedrills hesitated to act recklessly, not because they were afraid, but because the situation was far more dangerous than it appeared.


    While the Beedrills were on high alert, two unconscious Beedrills were suddenly tossed out of a nearby bush and landed in front of them.


    Before the remaining Beedrills could process what had happened, another two unconscious Beedrills were thrown out.


    The strongest of the Beedrills, upon seeing this, felt an uncontrollable surge of anger rise within it.


    Not only had it failed to complete the task entrusted by the leader, but now it was being openly provoked.


    This kind of humiliation would be unbearable for most Pok¨¦mon, let alone a temperamental Beedrill.


    Buzz!


    The strongest Beedrill, gritting its teeth through the anger, issued another command. The remaining Beedrills turned into arrows, charging in the direction the Beedrills had been tossed.


    As they rushed through the bushes, a Meowth suddenly appeared before them. Its eyes gleamed with an almost mystical power, causing the Beedrills to freeze mid-motion.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    At the same time, Machop leaped from its hiding place and engaged in close combat. Thanks to the focus it had gained from the earlier Focus Energy, Machop quickly dealt with the two weakest Beedrills.


    Due to the level disparity, the lead Beedrill woke first, but was still caught off guard by Meowth''s swift slap attack, leaving three deep gashes across its abdomen.


    Buzz!


    The Beedrill, gritting its teeth against the pain, let out a roar to rouse the others. As the remaining Beedrills regained their senses, this level 15 Beedrill charged toward Meowth, followed by two others, preparing to take it down.


    Meowth, showing a hint of disdain, turned and began running, putting more and more distance between itself and the Beedrills.


    Meanwhile, the remaining ten Beedrills launched a fierce assault on Machop.


    Using "Leer," Machop, now at level 18, gained a considerable advantage. The Leer paralyzed the remaining ten Beedrills, causing them to falter.


    Seizing the opportunity, Machop charged again, quickly knocking out two more Beedrills in close combat.


    Ever since the trial began, Machop had been training and also studying Ron''s Sixth Power: Soru/Shave.


    It wasn''t that Ron was hiding anything; after all, you can''t rush progress. For Machop, Soru was the best fit for now.


    Though Machop couldn''t yet properly execute Soru, it had mastered using the technique of accelerating by stomping on the ground to gain speed in battle.


    Once the remaining eight Beedrills recovered, they quickly scattered in all directions.


    Before they could fully disperse, Machop took another chance and knocked out another Beedrill.


    Taking advantage of the time gained by this Beedrill, the others flew into the air, all preparing to use "Toxic Spikes" on Machop.


    A flurry of poisonous spikes rained down, but Machop, undaunted, swiftly evaded the attack, darting into the bushes to hide.


    Elsewhere, three Beedrills were in hot pursuit of Meowth.


    Sadly, in the dense forest terrain, the Beedrills'' flight speed could not match Meowth''s agility.


    Following the strategy Ron had laid out, Meowth avoided direct confrontations, using the environment to its advantage.


    Meowth hid in the bushes and treetops, waiting for the Beedrills to get close, using "Hypnosis" to stall them, then quickly launching an attack and retreating.


    Meanwhile, Machop did the same, using the cover of bushes and treetops to engage in guerrilla tactics.


    Though the Beedrills had the advantage in air combat, their greatest weakness was their individual fragility.


    In narrow spaces like the bushes and treetops, they were forced to either enter one by one or use "Toxic Spikes" to bombard the area.


    However, the power of their toxic needles wasn''t enough to break through the layers of cover and deliver effective hits.


    This left the remaining eight Beedrills in a difficult position, forced to repeatedly fire "Toxic Spikes" at the surrounding bushes and treetops, trying to flush Machop out.


    Just as they wished, a gray shadow descended from the sky, and the ensuing close combat, combined with the impact of the fall, instantly took out one Beedrill.


    Without attempting to defeat more Beedrills, Machop quickly rushed into the nearest bush to hide.


    The forest had become a spider''s web, with the Beedrills trapped like prey, and Machop acting as the hunter, steadily consuming them one by one.


    Though the web lacked sticky threads, the Beedrills had no escape. Their nest was not far, and their offspring waited there.


    Meanwhile, under Meowth''s guerrilla tactics, the three increasingly wounded Beedrills began to lose their will to fight.


    After another of Meowth''s retreats into the bushes, the three Beedrills decided to abandon the chase, heading back to their hive.


    Despite Meowth''s provocation, they didn''t engage, intent on returning and gathering reinforcements.


    By the time they arrived back at the hive, they stumbled upon the sight of the last Beedrill being defeated by Machop. They froze in shock.


    At that moment, Meowth returned as well.


    Exchanging a glance, Meowth charged forward first, using "Hypnosis" again.


    The level 15 Beedrill was the first to react, escaping the influence of Hypnosis, but it crashed straight into the waiting Machop.


    In close combat, the Beedrill was sent flying like a broken doll.


    With a quick succession of "Slap Attack" and "Bite," the remaining two severely injured Beedrills were taken out in the blink of an eye.


    With that, the Beedrill hive stood before Ron and his team as if it had never existed at all.

 Chapter 12: The Final Ambush

    After defeating the weakened high-ranking Beedrill, Ron led Machop and Meowth toward the Beedrill nest.


    Ron had been eyeing the honey in the nest for a long time. He couldn''t wait to taste it and find out how potent its effects might be.


    As they approached the nest, the remaining Kakuna and Weedles stood their ground.


    Though they were still weak, they showed the courage to defend their home against the invaders.


    Instead of having Machop or Meowth attack, Ron let the both of them used Hypnosis and Leer to immobilize them.


    The reason Ron attacked the Beedrills earlier was solely to rapidly level up Machop and Meowth.


    As for the Weedles and Kakuna, Ron had no desire to harm them.


    Given the level gap, even if he defeated them all, it wouldn''t provide much experience for Machop or Meowth.


    Once the opponents were incapacitated, Ron had Meowth start moving the honey from the nest.


    With the combination of Hypnosis and Machop''s support, the slow-moving Kakuna and Weedles couldn''t stop Meowth from completing the task.


    After transferring about a third of the honey, Ron told Meowth to stop.


    Ron had no intention of completely wiping out the Beedrills. Even now, he left enough honey behind to ensure their survival.


    In other words, as long as they didn''t pose a threat to Ron or his Pok¨¦mon''s safety, he would spare them.


    Even in a world where power can defy the rules, Ron felt it was important to maintain some personal boundaries.


    After getting what he wanted, Ron, along with Machop and Meowth, began enjoying the honey, not too far from the nest.


    Since the start of the Beedrill search, Ron and his Pok¨¦mon had not eaten. Now, with the sweet honey in front of them, it was impossible to resist.


    Especially for Machop and Meowth, who had fought for so long. Despite Ron''s ability to restore their stamina, hunger couldn''t be easily erased.


    Moreover, after their recent training, both Machop and Meowth had grown hungrier, with a much larger appetite.


    The untreated honey was both sweet and fragrant, with a unique aroma that wasn''t overwhelming.


    After a while, Ron felt warmth spread through his body as the honey began to generate a heat from within.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "This must be the unique property of Beedrill honey. I wonder how much power it could give me," he thought.


    In this world where humans possess special abilities, Ron was curious if he could learn the Six Powers.


    Therefore, he was willing to try foods that could enhance his physical abilities, including the honey. This was one of the reasons he had trained with Machop earlier.


    Unfortunately, Ron''s stomach had a limit, and he could not eat more honey.


    Meanwhile, Machop and Meowth were eating greedily, still devouring the rare treat.


    Ron didn''t stop them, silently waiting for them to finish, as it was part of his final plan.


    The small group of Beedrills, numbering just twenty, didn''t warrant such detailed calculations from Ron.


    Elsewhere, the Beedrill leader had led her swarm to search other Pok¨¦mon territories, but had found nothing.


    The hunger they were feeling only intensified as the Beedrill leader and her subordinates returned empty-handed.


    When the Beedrill leader arrived, she saw the Beedrills she left behind lying on the ground, guarded by Weedles and Kakuna.


    The moment the Weedles and Kakuna saw their leader, their eyes welled up with tears as they desperately recounted Ron''s group''s actions.


    Upon hearing their reports, the Beedrills lost their hunger and were overtaken by fury.


    Blinded by anger, several Beedrills soon noticed the honey dripping on the ground and quickly reported it to their leader.


    The Beedrill leader didn''t immediately send them after Ron. Instead, she left fifty Beedrills to guard the nest while leading the rest in pursuit.


    After a long pursuit, the Beedrills'' physical endurance began to show.


    The lead Beedrill, at level 23, was far ahead, followed by two level 16 Beedrills, with the rest gradually falling behind in terms of strength.


    Ron''s target was those few lagging behind, the Beedrills at level 11.


    The reason Ron had stayed near the nest, enjoying the honey earlier, was to leave a strong scent trail for the Beedrills to follow.


    Since the Beedrills had been out for a long time, Ron knew Machop and Meowth would have enough time to enjoy the honey, and he could then lead the Beedrills towards the lake.


    On the way to the lake was where Ron intended to make his final move.


    From the beginning, Ron''s goal had been to defeat the level 23 Beedrill leader.


    If he could defeat her, along with the other Beedrills, Machop''s level would increase drastically.


    After crossing another tree, and before the last few Beedrills could catch up, the scene before them began to blur.


    Bug-type Pok¨¦mon generally lacked the stamina for extended battles, and with their hunger, they were no match for Meowth''s Hypnosis.


    A gray figure leaped from the treetops, swiftly knocking out the three Beedrills under Hypnosis.


    Afterward, Machop and Meowth hurriedly followed, while Ron himself was nowhere to be seen.


    Given his limitations, Ron wasn''t capable of pursuit. Instead, he hid at the end of the route, allowing Machop and Meowth to carry out his plan.


    This path hadn''t been chosen at random; it was deliberately filled with obstacles to hinder the Beedrills'' speed and visibility.


    The goal was to give Machop and Meowth enough time to catch up with the straggling Beedrills, and for them to act safely when needed.


    Ron had no guarantee that this risky plan would succeed.


    If Machop and Meowth were discovered, they would be no match for the Beedrill leader''s leadership. And if that happened, Ron would have little chance of surviving in the forest alone.


    Yet, Ron took the gamble. It was either success or complete failure.


    After carefully assessing the distance between the lagging Beedrills and the rest of the swarm, Machop and Meowth set their plan into motion.


    Once again, Hypnosis was used, but before Machop could charge forward, one of the leading Beedrills suddenly turned around. It noticed the few Beedrills at the rear had stopped, sensing something was off with their numbers.

 Chapter 13: The Battle Against the Beedrill Leader

    When the three Beedrill stopped, Machop, who was in charge of the assault, rushed forward. However, it was Meowth, assigned to control and scout the surroundings, who first noticed that the Beedrill in front had halted.


    With no time to warn Machop, Meowth dashed out from its hiding place and used Hypnosis, managing to influence one Beedrill just enough to prevent it from immediately sounding the alarm.


    The delay of just one or two seconds was enough for Machop to take down the last three Beedrill while also sensing the anomaly ahead.


    Days of teamwork during frequent attacks allowed Machop to react quickly, charging forward to try and take down the Beedrill in front.


    Hypnosis had worn off, and Machop''s Leer followed suit, preventing the Beedrill from sounding the alarm.


    In just a few seconds, the remaining Beedrill had flown far away, making it difficult for them to notice what was happening behind them.


    Taking advantage of this, Meowth launched a surprise attack with a Scratch, combining it with a Bite. Leaping into the air like a tiger, Meowth brought the Beedrill down from the sky.


    In the plan to attack the Beedrill swarm, most of the Beedrill had been dealt with by Machop, which left Meowth at only level 15. Even with the combination of two moves, Meowth couldn''t defeat the Beedrill.


    Before the Beedrill had a chance to struggle, Machop dashed forward, engaging in close combat to finish the battle.


    With the Beedrill dealt with, both Machop and Meowth exhaled in relief, but there was no time to rest.


    After catching their breath, they charged forward again, determined to take out more Beedrill along the way.


    Using their knowledge of blind spots, they repeatedly employed a strategy of first using Hypnosis to control, then attacking. One Beedrill after another fell along their path.


    Normally, the Beedrill, known for their teamwork, wouldn''t be so careless and would have noticed the attack right away.


    However, the combination of hunger and anger had dulled their senses, which gave Ron and his Pok¨¦mon the opening they needed.


    Or perhaps, Ron''s plan from the beginning was designed to exploit this very opening.


    Bursting out of the forest, the Beedrill leader saw the clear blue lake, with wild Pok¨¦mon drinking from it.


    Having lived in the forest for so long, the Beedrill leader knew this was the shared water source for many Pok¨¦mon, and the scent of honey was no longer around.


    Fortunately, from what the Weedle and Kakuna had shared, the Beedrill leader knew the culprits were a human and his Machop and Meowth, which prevented an immediate attack on the Pok¨¦mon at the water''s edge.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Warily eyeing the wild Pok¨¦mon near the lake, the Beedrill leader kept a close watch on any that left the water while waiting for the rest of the Beedrill to arrive and begin searching.


    The wild Pok¨¦mon near the water were curious about the Beedrill leader''s anger but lacked the courage to approach and ask. After drinking, they quickly left.


    After about two or three minutes, the Beedrill leader began to feel something was wrong.


    Even though some of the Beedrill were slower, they should not have been this delayed in catching up.


    When the Beedrill leader turned to check, Hypnosis hit, causing a brief moment of disorientation.


    The level difference came into play. The Beedrill leader woke up in just two seconds, but for Machop, that was enough.


    Leaping out of the bushes, Machop charged forward with a close-combat attack.


    As the Beedrill leader regained its senses, it saw Machop right in front of it.


    In an instant, the Beedrill leader realized that this was one of the ones responsible for attacking its swarm.


    Before it could react, Machop''s close-combat strike landed, knocking the Beedrill leader down with tremendous force.


    Thanks to previous battles with many Beedrill, Machop had gained experience and reached level 21, just two levels away from the Beedrill leader.


    With Machop''s innate strength, the Beedrill leader could not block the attack without using any skills.


    As it hit the ground, Machop immediately charged again, but the Beedrill leader reacted faster.


    Using Toxic Spikes to disrupt Machop''s momentum, the Beedrill leader quickly soared into the air, distancing itself.


    At that moment, the Beedrill leader still didn''t realize that its swarm had already been defeated.


    Fueled by intense rage, it fired multiple Toxic Spikes in a triangular formation toward Machop.


    With a quick movement, Machop dodged the attack and leaped back into the air.


    Before the Beedrill leader could capitalize on this opportunity to strike, another Hypnosis took effect, interrupting its next move.


    Although the Beedrill leader''s awakening speed was fast enough, it couldn''t defend in time and was once again knocked down by Machop''s close-combat strike.


    During the fall, the Beedrill leader quickly used Toxic Spikes to force Machop to retreat.


    Having been knocked down twice using the same tactic, the Beedrill leader retreated from the bushes to avoid further interference from Hypnosis.


    Seeing this, Meowth no longer hid. It emerged from its cover, standing guard behind Machop.


    In the bushes, Ron carefully watched the battlefield.


    If the Beedrill leader used its aerial advantage to engage in a prolonged fight, Machop and Meowth would alternate, taking turns to recover while continuing the assault.


    At the same time, Ron reaffirmed his resolve to become stronger. Otherwise, with no Pok¨¦mon to fight on his behalf, the helpless feeling of having to hide from every opponent was unbearable.


    Exchanging a glance, Machop and Meowth charged together, one to the left and one to the right.


    Judging quickly, the Beedrill leader decided to focus on eliminating the weaker Meowth first to prevent it from using Hypnosis to disrupt its plans.


    With this decision made, the Beedrill leader launched another three consecutive Toxic Spikes at Machop.


    Then, moving at lightning speed, it rushed forward and used Toxic Sting and Twin Needle to block Meowth''s movements while preparing for a decisive strike.


    As Hypnosis took effect and created an opening, Meowth swiftly dodged the Toxic Sting and leaped up to use Iron Tail on the Beedrill leader.


    On the other side, Machop exploded into action, avoiding the Toxic Spikes and charging straight for the Beedrill leader.


    The collision of Iron Tail and Twin Needle resulted in a standoff. Despite Iron Tail''s superior power, it wasn''t enough to break through.


    As Meowth was knocked down, the Beedrill leader followed up with Bug Bite, aiming straight for Meowth''s throat.


    In midair, Meowth couldn''t avoid the attack, but it twisted its body just enough to avoid a fatal blow.


    Blood splattered as the Beedrill leader''s Bug Bite struck Meowth on its left front leg.

 Chapter 14: Faux Six Powers- Soru!

    After successfully capturing Meowth, the Beedrill leader once again used its Twin Needle attack, targeting Meowth''s heart and throat.


    Hidden in the bushes, Ron had rushed out the moment Meowth leapt, but still couldn''t stop Meowth''s actions in time.


    Though Machop''s leaps had consistently caused significant damage to the Beedrill leader, this was only possible because the Beedrill leader had been under the influence of Meowth''s Hypnosis.


    Otherwise, even Machop, who was a similar level to the Beedrill leader, would not have dared to leap and attack recklessly. A single mistake could lead to the current situation.


    Before the Beedrill leader''s Twin Needle attack could land, Machop, who had been rushing toward them from the start, reached the Beedrill leader''s back. With a powerful Karate Chop, it struck Beedrill leader''s back.


    The sudden pain caused the Beedrill leader to falter, giving Meowth the chance to strike with its claws in a surprise attack aimed directly at the Beedrill leader''s throat.


    In a desperate bid to protect itself, the Beedrill leader had no choice but to abandon its prey, using Twin Needle to block Meowth''s assault.


    In this double attack, Machop followed up its Karate Chop with close-quarters combat, knocking the Beedrill leader out of the air once again.


    Machop landed with Meowth in its arms, while the Beedrill leader crashed to the side.


    Machop quickly handed Meowth over to Ron and readied for another charge, planning to end the battle while the Beedrill leader was still reeling from its setbacks.


    Thanks to the healing power of Fighting Aura, Meowth''s wounds began to scab over visibly, and within just a few seconds, Meowth was fully recovered.


    During this time, Machop reached the Beedrill leader''s side. As it struggled to get up, Machop landed another close-quarters attack.


    Due to Beedrill''s dual Bug/Poison type, it had a 4x resistance to Fighting-type moves, meaning Machop''s attacks only dealt a quarter of the normal damage.


    Even though two of Machop''s Karate Chops landed critical hits, they still failed to incapacitate the Beedrill leader.


    Using the force of the Karate Chops, the Beedrill leader managed to pull away from Machop, taking to the air once again.


    Before it could take action, Meowth, fully healed, cast Hypnosis again.


    Before falling under its effect, the Beedrill leader saw Machop leaping from the ground, but was unable to seize the opportunity to counterattack.


    On the fifth use of Karate Chop, Machop mounted the Beedrill leader, sending it crashing to the ground, and then followed up with another Karate Chop to end the battle.


    The moment the Beedrill leader was defeated, Machop, who had been just one level away from level 21, instantly leveled up to 22.


    "Meowth, in the future, unless you have backup, you shouldn''t be so reckless when facing flying Pok¨¦mon. Not every situation can be turned around like this."


    Ron fixed a serious gaze on Meowth as he spoke.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Ron had always been relatively gentle with both Machop and Meowth, even consulting them on training plans. To him, these Pok¨¦mon were not tools but partners, and he saw no harm in discussing tactics or joking around together.


    But this time, Ron was truly angry.


    If Machop had been just a little slower, Meowth would have either been killed or severely injured.


    Over the past few days, Ron had come to see Meowth as a true partner, so he couldn''t bear to watch it take such a dangerous risk.


    Especially considering Meowth''s speed and fragile defenses, this reckless style of fighting was highly dangerous.


    Therefore, Ron decided that he needed to correct Meowth''s behavior thoroughly to prevent similar incidents in the future.


    Seeing Ron genuinely angry, Meowth couldn''t help but feel a little scared.


    It wasn''t just Ron''s authority as a trainer that intimidated Meowth, but the fear of losing Ron and Machop.


    Having been separated from its family at a young age and being naturally wary of outsiders, Meowth had never experienced such a deep sense of belonging before. For it, this connection to Ron and Machop was a rare and cherished bond.


    So, Meowth wasn''t scared of being scolded by Ron; it feared that Ron and Machop might abandon it.


    The atmosphere became slightly tense as Meowth felt the weight of the situation. Machop, too, had lost its usual joy from leveling up. It obediently sat in front of Ron, reflecting on its own performance during the battle. This habit had been instilled in it by Ron over the past few days.


    Regardless of the outcome of the battle, Ron made it a point to have Machop and Meowth reflect on their mistakes. If they made any, they should correct them; if not, they should strive for improvement and keep aiming to grow stronger.


    Seeing Meowth looking so afraid, Ron didn''t soften. He pointed out the mistakes Meowth made earlier and gave it a stern scolding, before softening his tone and gently petting Meowth''s head to comfort it.


    After a day full of this tough but caring approach, Meowth was left stunned but had certainly internalized the lesson.


    "Congratulations, Machop, you''re getting stronger. You did well in battle, but there were still a few small mistakes. For example¡­"


    After addressing Meowth, Ron gave Machop an evaluation of its performance. He then asked Meowth and Machop to describe their solo attack on the Beedrill leader, so they could analyze how they performed while fighting alone.


    Once this was done, Ron suddenly remembered that he needed to heal a few Beedrills to wake them up.


    Otherwise, if they were left incapacitated in the wild, they could easily be attacked by other wild Pok¨¦mon.


    Fortunately, there had been no wild Pok¨¦mon sightings on their journey so far, so the Beedrills were safe for now.


    As for the Beedrill leader, who had nearly killed Meowth, Ron didn''t feel the need to finish it off.


    After all, it had been Ron who had first provoked the Beedrill and used various methods to challenge it. It wasn''t surprising that the Beedrill responded aggressively.


    Since Meowth had escaped unharmed and had learned a valuable lesson, Ron decided to let it go this time.


    After using Fighting Aura to heal a few Beedrills and ensure they''d wake up in a minute or two, Ron quickly led Machop and Meowth away, avoiding any chance of the Beedrills noticing them.


    ...


    "Machop, Soru!"


    As Ron''s voice rang out, a blurry gray figure dashed past him, crashing heavily into a large tree.


    The combination of Karate Chop, Soru, and Machop''s strength caused the tree to slowly topple as if it had been chopped down with an axe.


    Beside Ron, Meowth''s eyes burned with excitement.


    For Meowth, which sought speed, if it could achieve this kind of speed, it could easily toy with opponents of equal or even higher levels.


    "Good job, Machop, but don''t get complacent. That wasn''t the perfect Soru yet, and there are still five more moves waiting for you."


    "Meowth, you too. If you follow the training plan I''ve set for you, as your strength improves, you''ll be able to learn Soru and become even faster and stronger!"


    Ron couldn''t hide his excitement upon seeing Machop perform a simplified version of Soru, but as a trainer, he knew he had to balance motivation with caution to keep Machop and Meowth focused and driven to improve.


    The reason Ron called Machop''s Soru a simplified version was that it had only just managed to hit the ground with its feet a few times, using that power to charge forward.


    Not only was its speed far from the level required for the full Six Powers, but Machop couldn''t yet control its direction and could only attack in a straight line. It was similar to the way the pirate Kuro used his spoon, essentially a faux version of the Six Powers Soru.


    But this proved that Ron''s vision was correct¡ª with enough time and training, Machop, and eventually Meowth, would surely master the Six Powers!

 Chapter 15: Meeting Another Trial Participant

    In the early morning, while most wild Pok¨¦mon were still deep in their sleep, Ron and his group had already begun training.


    The scarcity of training equipment didn''t matter¡ªRon decided to make do with what he had.


    He found some tough vines, wrapped them tightly around a large rock, and selected stones of varying weights based on the area''s safety. Then, they started running around the area that had been previously surveyed for safety.


    Compared to the massive rock behind Machop, the stones behind Meowth and Ron were certainly much smaller.


    Nevertheless, they were enough of a challenge for Ron, an ordinary person, and Meowth, who wasn''t particularly skilled in physical strength.


    Especially with the soft soil in the forest, the stones constantly kicked up dirt as they ran, causing the dirt to accumulate in front of the stones and gradually form mounds that acted as obstacles.


    As they progressed, the burden of the stones behind them grew heavier, particularly as their stamina waned, making the running even more difficult.


    But neither Machop nor Meowth nor Ron uttered a complaint. They simply kept pushing forward.


    For them, once they set a goal, they would push through to the end, no matter how difficult. They didn''t let the hardships of the process deter them.


    By the final stretch, Ron was nearly using all fours, sweat pouring down his arms and clothes, dripping to the ground in torrents.


    Seeing the last few meters, Ron let out a fierce roar and made a final burst of energy to overcome the last few obstacles.


    At the finish line, Machop expertly caught Ron''s falling body, its movements so practiced that it was almost painful to watch.


    With a firm grip on Machop and Meowth''s hands, Ron activated his training ability, the Fighting Aura, to rapidly recover their stamina and repair any muscle damage.


    The muscle soreness immediately dissipated, replaced by the soothing feeling of warm water as if they were relaxing in a hot spring. The comfort was so intense that it made Ron involuntarily sigh in relief.


    Despite the grueling nature of the "devilish training," Ron was quite satisfied.


    Although the process was painful, it had greatly helped with his mastery of the Soru technique and would assist him with mastering Geppo and Tekkai in the future.


    Once his body felt rejuvenated, Ron waved for Machop and Meowth to follow him. They then ran back to their temporary shelter, carrying the stones on their backs. Only then did they complete the full training.


    Back at their shelter, Ron began preparing breakfast. Ten days had passed since they defeated the Beedrill leader.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    During these days, most of Machop''s time had been dedicated to training, striving to master Soru perfectly.


    Meowth, on the other hand, had begun its own battle journey, continuously fighting wild Pok¨¦mon. Unconsciously, it had reached level 20 and learned Scratch and Screech.


    Machop''s battle count was lower, but it still leveled up to 23, learning Revenge and Fling.


    In almost a month, Ron had grown from a novice trainer to this point, and the results were significant.


    Now, Ron felt it was time to continue exploring. With the rate at which Machop and Meowth were leveling up, he was confident that they could break through to level 30 before the trial ended.


    However, he wasn''t as optimistic about their progress with the Six Powers. As long as Machop and Meowth could master Soru by the end, Ron would be satisfied.


    Learning the Six Powers was undoubtedly more difficult than leveling up, especially since they needed to maintain physical conditioning to keep up with the training.


    After gathering the rations they''d accumulated, Ron led Machop and Meowth deeper into the forest.


    Watching their retreating figures, the nearby wild Pok¨¦mon breathed a sigh of relief, feeling lighter.


    Their previously leisurely days¡ªwaking up and sleeping whenever they wished, eating whenever they liked, and battling when their energy overflowed¡ªhad all been interrupted since Ron and his group arrived.


    Now that Ron and his team were finally leaving, those carefree days were about to return.


    If it weren''t for the fear of being dragged into a battle, these wild Pok¨¦mon might have even thrown a farewell party for them.


    Ignoring the wild Pok¨¦mon''s antics, Ron''s goals were clear: continue sweeping through the area, focus on leveling up, and prepare for encounters with other trial participants.


    In the beginning, the wide area made it difficult for the trial participants to encounter one another. However, as the trial progressed, any remaining trial participants would head deeper into the forest in search of strength, increasing the likelihood of crossovers.


    If the first part of the trial was about survival and getting stronger, then the second half would inevitably turn into a battle for survival, where any two trial participants meeting would likely result in a fight.


    With only 100 spots available, when two trial participants met, they would undoubtedly clash.


    Under the threat of death, alliances between trial participants were rare. No one would risk their life on a gamble.


    Deep in the dense forest, the silence was occasionally broken by the calls of birds and insects.


    Stepping on the accumulated fallen leaves, Gloom leisurely wandered through its territory, unaware that it had wandered into danger.


    In the next moment, a long-honed survival instinct kicked in, alerting Gloom to the incoming danger.


    Before Gloom could react, a gray blur slammed into it, sending it flying.


    The impact against the tree trunk left Gloom writhing in pain, unable to move, slowly sliding down the bark.


    Ron had always agreed with the words of Borsalino (the lazy admiral) in One Piece¡ªspeed is power.


    Just like now, even though Machop used a surprise attack, a single strike was enough to incapacitate a level 22 Gloom.


    Tossing a Pok¨¦ball, Ron easily captured the fainted Gloom.


    The reason Ron caught this particular Gloom wasn''t because he saw great potential in it, but because he intended to use it to save time in the future.


    Before Ron could release Gloom to heal, Meowth, who had been on watch, noticed something amiss.


    Without hesitation, Machop returned to its previous hiding spot, and Ron left the battle traces untouched.


    Hiding among the treetops, Ron quickly observed the movements in the nearby bushes.


    "It''s clear now, Nidorino, Koffing, it looks like the fighters from earlier have already left."


    After closely inspecting the remnants of the battle in the bushes, Ch¨­n¨­, accompanied by Nidorino and Koffing, stepped out.


    Unlike the previous trial participant Carson, Ch¨­n¨­ was not only stronger but also had a better understanding of the terrain and how to hide his presence.


    Had Meowth not discovered them early, Ron would have had a much harder time spotting them, and they might have been ambushed with casualties.


    However, now that the situation had changed, Ron was not about to let Ch¨­n¨­ leave easily.

 Chapter 16: Shave Unleashed

    "Too bad. I can''t tell if that was a battle between wild Pok¨¦mon or a fight among other challengers."


    "If we''d arrived just a bit earlier, we might''ve reaped some easy rewards," said Ch¨­n¨­, inspecting the marks left on a tree trunk with a tinge of regret.


    In Ch¨­n¨­''s eyes, compared to those who had only a superficial understanding of Pok¨¦mon, he was ahead of the game. By capturing a Nidoran and evolving it into a Nidorino, his clear objectives and relative luck placed him firmly in the first tier of challengers.


    With a Level 21 Nidorino and a Level 20 Koffing, most opponents would struggle to be a match for him. If he had arrived sooner, eliminating a potential competitor would''ve been simple.


    Shaking off his regret, Ch¨­n¨­ ceased his investigation and prepared to move forward. Koffing floated ahead to lead the way, while Nidorino stayed close by, acting as a bodyguard.


    Unbeknownst to them, a Meowth hidden in the shadows had already activated Hypnosis.


    With no time to react, and given the comparable levels of the Pok¨¦mon, the attack hit with remarkable effect.


    Seizing the opportunity, a Machop sprang from its hiding spot, using a simplified version of Shave/Soru to streak forward like a feral beast. With a swift and brutal charge, it knocked Koffing out of the air.


    In that moment, Meowth faced a choice: engage the potentially troublesome Nidorino or target the vulnerable Ch¨­n¨­. It didn''t hesitate.


    Its claws gleamed and slashed. Crimson blood spattered in the air. Ch¨­n¨­''s demise was so swift and clean he didn''t even have time to register pain.


    Meowth, fully embracing its role as an assassin, retreated immediately without lingering for further attacks.


    Meanwhile, Machop had already subdued Koffing.


    From the very start, Ron had given a clear order: leave no survivors.


    In mere moments, only Nidorino, freshly shaken out of its hypnotic stupor, remained standing.


    The sight before Nidorino''s eyes¡ªthe lifeless forms of its trainer and companion¡ªfilled it with rage and confusion.


    How could everything fall apart in a single moment? Was it all just a nightmare?


    "Machop, the rest is up to you. Show me the extent of your abilities now that you''ve mastered Shave."If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    With victory nearly assured, Ron handed the stage to Machop.


    Hearing this, Meowth returned to Ron''s side, assuming a protective stance while observing the scene unfold.


    Machop, eyes brimming with fighting spirit, stepped forward to face Nidorino.


    Within seconds of Ron''s command, Nidorino seized a brief opening to counterattack. Poisonous barbs shot forth as it charged, preparing for a close-quarters fight.


    Facing a Pok¨¦mon like Nidorino required caution¡ªnot only against its sturdy horn but also the toxic spikes on its body, which carried potent venom.


    Dodging the poison barbs with a swift Shave to the left, Machop turned into a blur. As Nidorino dashed forward, all it caught was a flicker of grey before Machop vanished from sight.


    To halt its momentum, Machop dug its hands into the ground, executing a sharp, controlled stop. It then used Shave again, reappearing behind Nidorino to land a devastating close-range strike.


    Anticipating the danger, Machop carefully avoided contact with Nidorino''s poisonous spikes, minimizing the risk of being poisoned.


    With Nidorino briefly stunned, Machop pressed the advantage, launching another high-speed charge.


    Struggling to stand, Nidorino''s left side felt numb, almost paralyzed. Before it could recover, Machop''s next blow landed, sending it hurtling into a massive tree. The impact was so powerful that the tree snapped in half, leaving Nidorino collapsed at its base, glaring in frustration at Machop.


    Nidorino''s indignation wasn''t from facing an overwhelmingly stronger opponent but from the maddening speed and precision that left it utterly helpless.


    Ron observed the battle with satisfaction. Nidorino''s potential as a Pok¨¦mon was undeniable, especially its final evolution into Nidoking. A fully trained Nidoking could master a variety of powerful close-combat and ranged moves, from Ice Beam to Blizzard.


    If a Nidoking with the Sheer Force ability crossed his path in the future, Ron would gladly nurture it into a fearsome powerhouse. But this particular Nidorino, having been captured by Ch¨­n¨­, wasn''t worth the effort. Ron decided to grant it a swift and painless end.


    With Ron''s signal, Machop executed another Shave, disappearing from sight.


    A dull thud marked the end of the confrontation.


    Ch¨­n¨­''s ambitions, along with his Pok¨¦mon, were extinguished entirely.


    The fight gave Ron a clear sense of Machop''s capabilities. With Shave mastered, Machop could easily handle opponents up to five levels higher, though this theory would require further testing¡ªperhaps with the help of Ron''s newly captured Gloom.


    After tidying the battlefield, Ron quickly led his team to a quieter location.


    Releasing Gloom from its Pok¨¦ Ball, Ron noted that the specialized tool had helped it recover from its earlier fainting spell.


    Unfortunately, Gloom''s signature unpleasant odor was far more intense than usual, thanks to its Stench ability¡ªa rare trait that made its natural aroma several times more potent.


    While Ron wasn''t overly bothered, having endured worse smells in his previous life, Machop and Meowth were visibly struggling but held on, inspired by Ron''s composure.


    "Gloom, I captured you to use your Sweet Scent to lure other Pok¨¦mon. I promise I won''t force you to battle. In two months, I''ll release you back into the forest. How does that sound?"


    Ron gently stroked the flower-like growth on Gloom''s head, his voice soft and reassuring.


    Gloom, stunned by the unexpected kindness, shyly wiggled its body. For the first time since evolving, it experienced such close contact with another being. Overwhelmed with joy, it nodded in agreement.


    Unbeknownst to Ron, his actions had left an indelible mark on Gloom''s heart.

 Chapter 17: Fishing

    In an open area, Meowth kept a vigilant watch over the surroundings, while Machop alternated between using Focus Energy and Meditate to prepare.


    On the other hand, Gloom appeared much more relaxed. It had found a comfortable spot and was using Sweet Scent, releasing an enticing fragrance.


    Sweet Scent wasn''t just a move to slow down opponents in battle; it was a perfect technique for luring prey in the wild.


    Whether it was Pok¨¦mon or other creatures, they couldn''t resist the allure of Sweet Scent and would inevitably be drawn to its source.


    Ron''s plan was simple: let Gloom attract wild Pok¨¦mon, then have Machop and Meowth handle them, maximizing results in the shortest possible time.


    The pinkish mist spread outward, and even standing behind Gloom, Ron could feel its pull. This gave him a clear sense of how potent Gloom''s Sweet Scent was.


    The wind carried the fragrance further, diluting its color but retaining its rich, sugary aroma.


    For Pok¨¦mon with a sweet tooth, it was irresistible, and they began following the trail to find its source.


    Before long, a Rattata appeared.


    Hidden in a nearby thicket, Machop, already in a heightened state of focus thanks to Focus Energy, remained unaffected by the drifting Sweet Scent.


    In contrast, the approaching Rattata grew more dazed the closer it got to the aroma, completely oblivious to the danger lurking nearby.


    A gray blur streaked by, hitting Rattata with the force of a speeding car. The unfortunate Pok¨¦mon flew backward and landed motionless, the gray figure looming over it.


    Moments later, silence returned, as if the Rattata had never been there.


    Perched atop a tree, Ron silently gave Machop a thumbs-up. He then used Fighting Aura to restore Gloom''s energy, ensuring it could continue producing Sweet Scent.


    Not long after the Rattata, another Pok¨¦mon¡ªa Weepinbell¡ªappeared.


    Compared to the unsuspecting Rattata, the Weepinbell was noticeably more cautious but still fell into Meowth''s sights from the shadows.


    Although Meowth hadn''t yet mastered Shave (Soru), its rigorous training had significantly improved its speed and agility.


    Silent and stealthy, Meowth approached the Weepinbell, activating Fake Out before it could react. Three deep cuts appeared on Weepinbell''s body before it could register the attack.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Meowth immediately followed up with Hypnosis. Even though the pain jolted Weepinbell into momentary awareness, it wasn''t enough to stop Meowth from landing additional attacks.


    Using Iron Tail, Meowth sent the Weepinbell flying. Watching the Pok¨¦mon''s trajectory, Meowth closed in on its landing point and delivered another Iron Tail, followed by a swift Fake Out, finishing the battle quickly.


    The appearance of Rattata and Weepinbell seemed like a prelude, as more Pok¨¦mon began to show up around the area soon after.


    Unaware of the looming danger, they walked straight into the hunting net set up by Machop and Meowth, unwittingly becoming stepping stones for their growth.


    "All right, Gloom, you can stop now."


    Seeing Machop defeat the final Venonat, Ron instructed Gloom to cease releasing its scent.


    In just two hours, Machop and Meowth had defeated nearly twenty wild Pok¨¦mon.


    This pace was far faster than if Ron had led them to search for targets individually.


    Next, Ron planned to move to a new area.


    The wild Pok¨¦mon in this spot, having experienced their trick once, wouldn''t fall for it again so easily.


    Some might even band together to retaliate against Ron and his team for setting traps.


    While this scenario was unlikely, Ron wasn''t taking any chances¡ªhe wasn''t about to let his plan backfire on him.


    After assisting the defeated wild Pok¨¦mon to recover in hiding, Ron set out with Machop and Meowth to quickly leave the area.


    Once in a new location, Ron focused on finding a suitable hiding spot for himself while setting up ambush positions for Machop and Meowth.


    By the time he finished preparing, it was already 4 PM.


    From the treetops, Gloom began releasing Sweet Scent again, drawing in nearby Pok¨¦mon who hadn''t yet learned the hard lessons of survival.


    As dinnertime approached, the sweet aroma hinted at a bountiful feast, luring in new prey.


    Patiently waiting in their hiding spots, Machop and Meowth didn''t move a muscle, no matter how much the wild Pok¨¦mon lingered near the edge of their range.


    Meanwhile, Gloom gave it everything it had, pouring its strength into producing Sweet Scent.


    In just twenty minutes, two more wild Pok¨¦mon were defeated and hidden away to avoid scaring off future targets.


    Another fifteen minutes later, as Meowth finished dealing with another Pok¨¦mon, its ears perked up at the sound of buzzing from behind.


    A group of Beedrill, drawn by the scent, was now heading straight for Gloom in the treetops.


    There was no time to hide. Meowth and Machop immediately dashed back toward Gloom.


    Unfortunately, the distance was too great. Even though Machop used Shave to close in, it couldn''t arrive in time.


    Before the Beedrill could attack, Gloom unleashed Secret Power.


    Due to their treetop location, Secret Power''s added effect was Sleep, instantly incapacitating two of the nearest Beedrill.


    The remaining Beedrill, sensing trouble, emitted a piercing alarm.


    "All in! Finish them quickly!" Ron shouted, realizing the Beedrill were calling for reinforcements.


    Gloom reacted first, activating Secret Power again.


    Machop leapt from the ground, using Close Combat to attack the Beedrill Meowth had immobilized with Hypnosis.


    With a coordinated pincer attack, most of the Beedrill were defeated within seconds, and the few that remained were left injured.


    The battle was over in less than fifteen seconds.


    Fearing retaliation from a larger swarm, Ron abandoned his fishing plan for the day. He returned Gloom to its Pok¨¦ Ball and fled with Machop and Meowth.


    Even during their retreat, Ron maintained a strict formation:


    Machop led the way, clearing any obstacles.


    Meowth stayed vigilant, watching their flanks.


    Ron kept a moderate distance behind Machop, ensuring he could avoid direct danger while remaining close enough to receive protection if needed.


    By the time the enraged Beedrill swarm arrived, Ron and his team had long since disappeared, leaving the Beedrill fuming at their failed chase.

 Chapter 18: The Hunting Ground

    Within the massive hive, a swarm of Beedrill buzzed about, diligently attending to their tasks.


    In the shadows, Ron silently observed the Beedrill''s every movement.


    Compared to the previous swarm Ron had encountered, this group was undoubtedly stronger. He had already spotted two Beedrill at level 20, though the strength of the swarm''s leader remained uncertain.


    However, this swarm was smaller in number than the last one Ron had faced.


    After careful observation, Ron estimated there were only about sixty Beedrill in this group¡ªnearly half the size of the previous swarm.


    Given this reduction in numbers, Ron, now far stronger than before, felt confident about taking on this Beedrill swarm.


    With the added advantage of Gloom''s abilities, his plans became even more intricate and foolproof.


    Silently committing every detail of his observations to memory, a strategy began to take shape in Ron''s mind.


    Before dawn, the Beedrill in the hive were already bustling about, preparing for their first collection of fresh nectar before sunrise¡ªa task that demanded significant effort.


    As the Beedrill darted through the familiar thickets, they failed to notice someone lying in wait.


    A sweet, alluring fragrance wafted through the air, momentarily distracting the hungry Beedrill. At that precise moment, Meowth''s Hypnosis struck, followed by Machop emerging like a gray shadow.


    Machop targeted the strongest Beedrill first, taking them out swiftly, while Meowth and Gloom handled the cleanup.


    Through their seamless teamwork, the entire Beedrill scouting team was eliminated within seconds.


    Ron concealed the defeated Beedrill in nearby shrubs, knowing they were in no real danger while surrounded by their territory.


    As the first rays of sunlight broke through the trees, the Beedrill returned to their hive, busying themselves with transforming the collected nectar into honey.


    Within their domain, the Beedrill''s vigilance dropped to its lowest.


    Unbeknownst to them, many were still under the influence of Hypnosis, imagining they had safely returned and were enjoying their meals.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Above the hive, Machop suddenly leaped using Soru (Shave), the force of his movement snapping a branch as he propelled himself forward.


    Elsewhere, Gloom unleashed repeated Secret Power attacks, supporting Machop''s offensive.


    While the main assault occurred, Meowth emerged to finish off those outside Machop''s range, using Fake Out with agility and precision.


    Caught in a pincer attack, the stunned Beedrill had no chance to react. Within moments, the area fell silent again, leaving no trace of the battle.


    Inside the hive, the Beedrill leader directed the workers in processing nectar into honey. Occasionally, it dispatched small teams to investigate the two missing scouting groups.


    This lack of cohesion and responsibility marked a stark contrast to the previous swarm leader, who commanded a more unified and disciplined group.


    From his hiding place, Ron noted the hive''s disorganized response, increasing his confidence in defeating the entire swarm by another 20%.


    In the forest, a 15-member Beedrill team began to grow agitated. Hunger gnawed at them as they searched for their missing comrades, resentment bubbling beneath the surface.


    When they spotted signs of movement in the underbrush, the Beedrill charged forward recklessly, oblivious to the potential dangers.


    Emerging from the thicket, their guard was at its weakest. Machop, lying in wait, immediately launched an attack, sending the lead two Beedrill flying.


    Before the rest could counter, Meowth and Gloom struck. Hypnosis combined with the sleep-inducing effect of Secret Power incapacitated many.


    Machop quickly turned to attack the immobilized Beedrill, while Meowth, forgoing further control tactics, darted into the fray with Fake Out, weaving between foes like a shadow.


    Gloom maintained its role as support, never stepping into the battlefield but continuously using Secret Power to aid its allies. True to its supportive nature, Gloom didn''t claim a single knockout.


    Some Beedrill attempted to retaliate but to no avail. Neither Machop nor Meowth could be caught by their sluggish counterattacks.


    Within a few minutes, only one Beedrill remained standing.


    Realizing the futility of resistance, the last Beedrill let out a piercing cry for help before being struck down by Machop''s final blow.


    Days of relentless combat had paid off. Machop had reached level 26, Meowth level 22, while Gloom remained steady at level 20.


    With this level of strength, Ron was confident enough to wait for the swarm leader and its remaining forces to arrive.


    Carefully choosing a concealed position, Ron set up an ambush. Gloom and Meowth hid nearby, while Machop stayed out in the open amidst the defeated Beedrill.


    Back in the hive, the Beedrill leader sensed the distress signal and mobilized immediately with the remaining 30 Beedrill.


    Leaving eight behind to guard the hive, the leader, a level 25 Beedrill, led the rest to the scene of the ambush.


    Hidden in the shadows, Gloom spread its Sweet Scent across the area while Meowth stayed upwind to avoid being affected.


    In the open, Machop focused on using Focus Energy and Bulk Up, sharpening its senses and boosting its attack power to resist the effects of the scent.


    [TL/N: Yoga Pose changed to Bulk Up. Haha, sorry for the wrong translation.]


    As the Beedrill rushed through the thicket, they unwittingly entered the range of the Sweet Scent, lowering their guard.


    Seizing the moment, Meowth used Hypnosis, targeting the group''s strongest members.


    Machop immediately lunged at the leader with Soru, leaving the weaker Beedrill disoriented and vulnerable to the combined attacks of Meowth and Gloom.


    The battlefield transformed into a carefully orchestrated hunting ground, with Ron''s team controlling the flow of combat at every step.

 Chapter 19: Preparations Before Evolution

    Struggling to rise from the ground despite the searing pain, the Beedrill leader''s eyes burned with rage, though an undercurrent of fear was undeniable.


    Only through direct confrontation could one grasp the raw strength of a Machop who had mastered Soru (Shave).


    The Beedrill leader, already one level below Machop, had no chance of overpowering its might. Without reinforcements, fear took hold, and it sought to escape as quickly as possible.


    But Machop wasn''t about to let that happen. Utilizing Soru to close the gap, the Beedrill leader''s flight speed was negligible by comparison.


    The remaining Beedrill buzzed their wings in an attempt to assist their leader, but they were intercepted. Gloom''s Secret Power and Meowth''s alternating Fake Out strikes kept the swarm at bay.


    Even a mere ten seconds was enough for Machop.


    Rushing in, Machop knocked the Beedrill leader from the air with a powerful Close Combat. It followed up with consecutive Karate Chops, mercilessly targeting the wings and crushing any hope of escape.


    Despite the excruciating pain, the Beedrill leader found the courage for a desperate counterattack.


    Staggering to its feet, it launched Venoshock, forcing Machop to dodge, then lunged forward with a frenzied Fury Attack.


    Dodging to the left using Soru, Machop braked mid-movement and launched another assault. The Beedrill leader, overwhelmed by pain and the lingering effects of Gloom''s Sweet Scent, couldn''t react in time. A decisive Close Combat struck, sending the Beedrill leader flying.


    Before it hit the ground, it had already lost the ability to fight.


    Turning his focus back to the chaotic skirmish, Machop immediately used Soru to strike down two Beedrill attempting to intercept Meowth. Seizing the moment, Meowth slipped out of the swarm''s center and began using its agility to support Machop in the ongoing battle.


    Gloom had stopped emitting Sweet Scent by this time and instead focused on spamming Secret Power, which in the thick underbrush carried a Poison effect. Those Beedrill who managed to remain standing after being hit were inevitably poisoned, significantly weakening their combat effectiveness.


    Using the high mobility granted by Soru, along with the interference from Meowth and Gloom, Machop moved like a ghost among the Beedrill swarm. One by one, the Beedrill fell to Machop''s or Meowth''s attacks.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Despite facing an unwinnable battle against such a foe, the Beedrill swarm fought with unyielding determination. They refused to retreat¡ªnot because they sought victory, but because their hive housed countless young Weedle, Kakuna, and unhatched larvae.


    Their tenacity, born from a desire to protect their offspring, moved Ron deeply. For this reason, he instructed Machop to avoid inflicting fatal injuries. Each Beedrill was merely incapacitated.


    Amid the fray, Machop struck down another Beedrill from behind. Soon, only one remained¡ªa lone Beedrill that glared unwaveringly at Machop, attacking with reckless abandon.


    A final Close Combat effortlessly brought the last opponent down.


    Even as it trembled in pain, its gaze held a mix of defiance and fear. Machop refrained from delivering a finishing blow.


    "Don''t worry. We won''t kill you, and your young will be safe," Machop reassured the Beedrill leader in the Pok¨¦mon language.


    Though they were of different species, Pok¨¦mon shared a common tongue. Hearing this, the female Beedrill sighed in relief and collapsed, panting heavily. It had fought past its limits to protect the hive.


    Ron, observing the exchange, couldn''t understand Machop''s words but discerned their meaning from the interaction. He silently treated the fallen Beedrill, even refraining from collecting the honey he could have easily claimed.


    Once everything was in order, Ron and his team made a hasty retreat. The female Beedrill might have relented, but the rest of the swarm might not have been so forgiving.


    After distancing themselves from the hive, Ron reflected on the battle.


    Progress Report:


    Machop: Level 27 (+1)


    Meowth: Level 23 (+1)


    Gloom: Level 20 (unchanged)


    Machop was now just one level away from evolving into Machoke. Upon evolution, it would have the potential to evolve further into Machamp. However, such a transformation would require trading, something Ron planned to defer until Machoke reached level 40. Rapid or consecutive evolutions could strain a Pok¨¦mon, so timing was critical.


    Of course, Bug-type Pok¨¦mon were exceptions, known for their fast evolution¡ªa beneficial trait.


    Ron also took the opportunity to review the battle performances of his team. Even though Gloom would be released after the trial, he provided feedback to help it thrive in the wild.


    By the time he finished, it was lunchtime. Despite lacking honey for dessert, the team enjoyed their rations of preserved meat.


    In the afternoon, Ron focused on finding a suitable location for Gloom to continue fishing while carefully managing Machop''s experience gains. The goal was to prepare for evolution by timing a controlled encounter with a lone wild Pok¨¦mon.


    Balancing efficiency and safety, Ron allowed himself a short nap to sharpen his focus.


    Under his guidance, Machop and the team became exceptionally cautious, strictly following his commands.


    Ron understood that he was treading a fine line. If Machop evolved mid-battle, wild Pok¨¦mon wouldn''t wait for the process to finish¡ªthey would continue attacking. An interrupted evolution could lead to failure or, worse, permanent harm to Machop.


    Still, with Machop''s consent, Ron took the risk.


    The sweet aroma of Sweet Scent spread through the air, drawing wild Pok¨¦mon closer. Though these encounters would be easier than the morning''s Beedrill swarm, the team treated them with heightened caution.

 Chapter 20: Machoke

    Hidden in the tall grass, Machop carefully observed the movement of a wild Pok¨¦mon approaching the area. After determining the perfect moment, it vanished with a sudden burst of Soru.


    Sensing the sudden gust of wind, the Mankey barely turned its head before being struck by Machop''s expertly executed Close Combat.


    The commotion in the bushes didn''t escape the attention of a Paras nearby. It turned instinctively toward the source, only to be caught off guard by Meowth''s silent ambush.


    Meowth moved like a predator through the tall grass, striking from the shadows with Sneak Attack. It pounced on its prey, biting down with fierce precision.


    After delivering its attack, Meowth retreated back into the dense grass, avoiding prolonged confrontation.


    Paras staggered from the pain of its back wound. The eerie silence after the initial attack made the Pok¨¦mon nervous, pushing it toward retreat. However, its cautious movements only revealed more openings to the vigilant Meowth.


    Seizing the opportunity, Meowth launched another Sneak Attack, striking the same vulnerable spot and further worsening the Paras''s injury.


    As Paras faltered from the excruciating pain, Meowth swiftly finished the battle with a combination of Fake Out and Iron Tail.


    Once the fight concluded, Meowth blended back into the grass, lying in wait for its next target.


    After receiving Ron''s approval, Machop followed suit, ready to quickly accumulate experience points by ambushing any wild Pok¨¦mon that wandered into the area.


    Despite having two skilled "scouts" on the hunt, unwitting wild Pok¨¦mon continued to stumble into the tall grass, becoming easy prey for Machop and Meowth.


    The sweet aroma drawing them in served as a deceptive lure, masking the true danger lurking within.


    With each successful ambush, Machop rapidly gained experience, though it still had not reached the critical threshold for evolution.


    When a Weepinbell entered its hunting range, Machop charged in decisively.


    Using a combination of Close Combat, Karate Chop, and its newly learned Seismic Toss, Machop quickly overpowered the unprepared Weepinbell, leaving it unconscious.


    Machop wasted no time, racing back to Ron with its quickest burst of speed.


    Its Pok¨¦mon instincts told Machop it was nearly time¡ªit had to stop fishing for prey and prepare for what came next.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Before Machop could use Soru to return, a Ponyta appeared, blocking its path.


    Glancing at the fallen Weepinbell nearby, Ponyta quickly realized it had walked into a trap. Its fiery temperament flared, and it launched a direct attack at Machop.


    Uninterested in a prolonged battle, Machop vanished with Soru to escape, but Ponyta relentlessly pursued, its keen eyes tracking Machop''s movements.


    Unbeknownst to Ponyta, another predator had locked its eyes on it.


    Meowth struck with Sneak Attack, using the tall grass as cover to ambush Ponyta. It leapt out suddenly, leaving three fresh claw marks on the unsuspecting Pok¨¦mon''s side.


    After the attack, Meowth melted back into the grass, disappearing without a trace.


    With Meowth''s interference, Machop vanished entirely from Ponyta''s view.


    Fueled by rage, Ponyta''s flaming mane blazed more intensely, with its Flame Body ability turning the fire into a nearly tangible shield.


    Using Flame Charge, Ponyta turned into a speeding fireball, tearing through the grass in pursuit of Meowth. The flames left a trail of singed grass behind, though the moisture in the plants and humid air fortunately prevented a larger fire.


    As the sweet aroma dissipated, Meowth noticed the subtle change, understanding it was time to end this battle quickly.


    Once Ponyta''s rage subsided and its flames began to dim, Meowth reemerged for another Sneak Attack, targeting the injured side to worsen its wound.


    The sharp pain fueled Ponyta''s anger further, reigniting its flames. Before it could unleash its fury, Meowth used Hypnosis.


    Against an enraged Pok¨¦mon with emotional vulnerabilities, Hypnosis proved particularly effective.


    Seizing the moment, Meowth followed up with Fake Out to rouse Ponyta from its hypnotic state and immediately struck with Iron Tail, slamming Ponyta to the ground.


    As Ponyta struggled to stand, Meowth unleashed Screech, reducing its defenses while further disrupting its rhythm.


    Though Ponyta''s fiery spirit refused to give up, Meowth used Hypnosis again, lulling it into a dazed state before delivering a decisive combination of attacks to end the fight.


    With Ponyta defeated, Meowth returned to Ron, who tended to the fallen wild Pok¨¦mon before leading his team away from the area.


    Machop was now one battle away from evolution. The thought of witnessing a real-life Pok¨¦mon evolution filled Ron with anticipation.


    Eager to make it happen, Ron quickly found another wild Pok¨¦mon, a low-level one barely above level 20.


    Machop needed no guidance this time. Using two bursts of Soru, it easily overpowered its opponent, ending the battle in moments.


    As Machop reached the critical point, its body began to glow with the light of evolution.


    The defeated wild Pok¨¦mon was carefully moved aside, ensuring it wouldn''t disrupt Machop''s transformation.


    The radiant light wasn''t blinding but carried a calming warmth.


    To Ron''s surprise, his Fighting Aura began circulating within him. His violet eyes perceived faint threads of purple energy drifting from his body toward the evolving Machop.


    Though unsure about this mysterious phenomenon, Ron''s instincts told him it would benefit Machop rather than harm it.


    The evolution process didn''t take long. As the light faded, a newly evolved Machoke stood before Ron.


    Compared to its previous form, Machoke was taller, more muscular, and now sported a signature belt and briefs¡ªan amusing quirk of Pok¨¦mon evolution that never failed to amaze Ron.


    Along with its outward changes, Machoke''s strength and abilities had also improved. It would take time to fully acclimate, but Ron looked forward to the challenge.


    "Congratulations, Machoke!"


    Ron extended a hand, which Machoke eagerly grasped, showing the same loyalty it had before its evolution.


    Even in its new form, Machoke was still the dependable Pok¨¦mon Ron could count on.

 Chapter 21: The Power of Evolution – Mastering the Full Technique of Soru

    To gauge Machoke¡¯s newfound strength after evolving, Ron decided to have it repeat its previous training regimen for a simple comparison while reflecting on key information about Machoke.


    For instance, Machoke¡¯s belt¡ªgifted upon evolution¡ªwas designed to limit its overwhelming power. After evolving from Machop, Machoke¡¯s muscle strength and durability increased exponentially. To prevent Machoke from injuring itself due to the recoil of its immense power, the belt acts as a limiter.


    Additionally, Machoke has developed a greater resistance to fatigue, enabling it to endure more rigorous training and prolonged battles. However, contrary to what some descriptions might suggest, this doesn¡¯t mean it never tires.


    These are common facts about Machoke¡¯s evolution. Another notable aspect is the significant boost in Machoke¡¯s base stats¡ªa hallmark of evolution beyond mere physical appearance.


    Taking Machop and Machoke as examples, Machoke¡¯s stats are universally superior at the same level, illustrating the transformative effects of evolution.


    Of course, exceptions exist where evolution may result in a reduction in certain stats. For example, Scyther and Scizor: while this branch evolution enhances their attack and defense, Scizor¡¯s Speed stat drops by a substantial 40 points compared to Scyther.


    This is why trainers must carefully consider the development path of Pok¨¦mon with branch evolutions to avoid the unintended consequence of weakening their partner after evolution.


    Watching Machoke handle its previous training effortlessly, Ron decided it was time to seek out Pok¨¦mon closer to Machoke¡¯s level. Without access to proper training equipment, he couldn¡¯t find a better way to fully assess Machoke¡¯s capabilities.


    For now, Ron set aside plans to test Machoke¡¯s raw strength and instead had it attempt the Soru technique in full.


    Even before evolution, Machop could perform a simplified version of Soru. The question now was whether the evolved Machoke could fully master it.


    Finding a spacious area, Machoke began warming up.


    Starting with its simplified Soru, Machoke demonstrated greater control, now able to stop itself easily¡ªa stark contrast to the earlier ¡°manual braking¡± days.


    Then, Machoke began increasing the frequency of its ground stomps, striving for both speed and control to ensure it could halt itself before losing command of the technique.


    15 stomps: Mastered.


    17 stomps: Mastered.


    19 stomps: Mastered.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    With each burst forward, Meowth and Gloom could only see a faint blur becoming harder to track. However, thanks to the power of his violet-hued eyes, Ron observed Machoke¡¯s every move with perfect clarity.


    When Machoke reached 21 stomps and maintained complete control, Ron felt a surge of excitement. According to descriptions of Soru within the Six Powers, Machoke had now fully mastered the technique. The next step was to increase the number of stomps gradually, inching toward even greater speeds.


    But 21 stomps wasn¡¯t Machoke¡¯s limit. On its next attempt, Machoke reached a staggering 24 stomps, overcoming the intense momentum with sheer strength.


    Adjusting slightly, Machoke charged again, this time pushing the count to 29 stomps.


    Though it might seem like a minor increase, adding five stomps beyond 20 significantly amplified the resulting momentum. This time, even Machoke couldn¡¯t perfectly control it, resorting once again to manual braking.


    Understanding that 29 stomps marked its current limit, Machoke began dialing down the count, searching for the highest number it could manage with perfect control.


    Eventually, it settled at 27 stomps as the sweet spot.


    With this mastery of Soru, Machoke¡¯s technique began to resemble the finesse of Lucci and his peers when they first showcased it.


    Meowth watched with envy but resolved to catch up quickly, determined to first master the simplified Soru and then gradually close the gap with Machoke.


    Gloom, on the other hand, didn¡¯t overthink it and simply felt genuine happiness for Machoke¡¯s progress. Despite its laid-back demeanor, Gloom always gave its all in training tasks assigned by Ron, often exceeding expectations and steadily growing stronger.


    ¡°Well done, Machoke. Let¡¯s head deeper into the forest and see if we can find a worthy opponent for you.¡±


    ¡°Meowth, Gloom, don¡¯t be discouraged. Machoke started training earlier and has always been stronger. It¡¯s only natural that it mastered Soru before you.


    ¡°As long as you keep up with your daily training and push yourselves in battle, you¡¯ll eventually master it too.¡±


    After praising Machoke, Ron offered words of encouragement to Meowth and Gloom.


    With Machoke¡¯s strength now at Level 28, Ron felt a surge of confidence as he ventured into the forest depths, seeking wild Pok¨¦mon at Machoke¡¯s level for battles.


    Along the way, Ron had Meowth handle all the wild Pok¨¦mon they encountered. At Level 24, Meowth was just four levels away from evolving.


    Based on Machoke¡¯s performance, Meowth only needed to train diligently to master the simplified Soru. However, Ron wondered if Meowth¡¯s quadrupedal stance might make mastering the technique harder than it was for bipedal Pok¨¦mon like Machoke.


    Initially, the wild Pok¨¦mon ranged around Level 21, but their strength steadily increased, reaching Levels 23 and 24, all of which Meowth handled capably.


    When a Level 26 opponent appeared, Gloom stepped in to support Meowth.


    Ron refrained from letting Machoke battle unless they encountered wild Pok¨¦mon so strong that Meowth and Gloom together couldn¡¯t handle them.


    During their journey, Ron crossed paths with another challenger.


    Confident in his growing strength, Ron faced the opponent head-on, easily defeating their team.


    Unfortunately, their strongest Pok¨¦mon was only Level 25.


    Against Machoke, who was Level 28 and had mastered Soru, they stood no chance. Even with skillful commands, they were swiftly overwhelmed by Machoke¡¯s superior strength.


    As they ventured deeper into the forest, the wild Pok¨¦mon grew stronger, averaging Level 28.


    Under Ron¡¯s guidance, Meowth and Gloom could still triumph through teamwork. But Ron decided to let Machoke shine, eager to see how it would fare against an equal opponent.


    At last, after holding back for so long, Machoke¡¯s eyes burned with fighting spirit when it spotted a Primeape, whose power matched its own. The fiery gaze alone made the Primeape, despite its inherent aggression, hesitate for a moment.

 Chapter 22: Uninvited Guest

    Rapid, panicked breaths echoed through the forest. Primeape, a Pok¨¦mon known for its fiery temper, was unnervingly calm.


    On closer inspection, fear flickered unmistakably in Primeape¡¯s eyes.


    The battle had lasted only a few seconds, but Primeape had already been struck countless times by Machoke.


    It wasn¡¯t just the beating¡ªPrimeape could handle pain. What truly terrified it was that it hadn¡¯t even seen Machoke¡¯s movements.


    Each time Machoke struck and returned to its original position, it was as if nothing had happened. The eeriness of such an opponent reminded Primeape of ghostly beings, and dread gripped its heart.


    Machoke, looking at the trembling Primeape with a hint of impatience, had already lost interest in the fight.


    An opponent incapable of even retaliating couldn¡¯t stoke Machoke¡¯s battle spirit. Still, the match had started, and it had to be finished.


    With that thought, Machoke used Soru again, vanishing from its spot to end the dull battle swiftly.


    The wind howled as Primeape lashed out blindly with Fury Swipes, only for Machoke to intercept effortlessly from the front and end the fight with precision.


    After the victory, Machoke calmly returned to Ron¡¯s side.


    The skirmish was so trivial that Ron didn¡¯t even need to use his Fighting Aura to heal Machoke.


    Although Ron had expected this outcome, seeing Machoke dispatch an equal-level Pok¨¦mon with such ease left him marveling at its strength.


    "Perhaps it''s time to find an elite-level Pok¨¦mon to truly test Machoke¡¯s abilities," Ron mused, making a mental note for the future. For now, the focus shifted to Meowth.


    Machoke¡¯s training could plateau for a while. It just needed additional practice to fully harness its newfound power from evolution.


    Meowth, however, required a dual approach: mastering the simplified version of Soru as a foundation for learning the full technique and engaging in battles to level up.


    The wild Pok¨¦mon they had encountered so far were already a challenge for Meowth, requiring Gloom¡¯s assistance to secure victory.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Pushing deeper into the forest would overexert Meowth and Gloom, potentially endangering Ron¡¯s life as well.


    Weighing the risks, Ron decided to remain in the current area, focusing on improving Meowth and Gloom¡¯s combat prowess while keeping an eye out for challengers to give Machoke some fun.


    Having realized the growing gap between itself and Machoke, Meowth threw itself into intense training.


    Previously, its efforts had been diligent but methodical. Now, Meowth pushed beyond its limits, continuing until it was utterly exhausted.


    Gloom, on the other hand, maintained its calm demeanor, sticking to its training routine and adding extra practice only as needed.


    Its steady, unhurried approach embodied the phrase: "Neither elated by success nor distressed by failure." Ron couldn¡¯t help but admire Gloom¡¯s mindset.


    While this mentality might not yield rapid results in the short term, Ron believed it promised greater potential in the long run.


    Settling into this rhythm, Ron spent eight consecutive days in the area.


    During that time, he rarely paired Meowth and Gloom for battles. Instead, he focused on pushing their current capabilities to their limits.


    Thanks to Ron¡¯s guidance and rigorous training, Meowth¡ªalready strong in level and physicality¡ªhad managed to grasp the simplified version of Soru, inching closer to Machoke¡¯s mastery.


    Ron estimated that if Meowth kept up the momentum, it could fully master Soru upon evolving at level 28, just as Machoke had.


    This breakthrough proved that even four-legged Pok¨¦mon like Meowth could learn Soru, implying that the rest of the Rokushiki techniques might also be within reach.


    Meanwhile, Gloom quietly gained experience and leveled up to 21, thanks to the shared battles.


    More notably, its physical agility improved¡ªa remarkable feat for a typically slow Pok¨¦mon. While it couldn¡¯t yet match Meowth or Machoke, Gloom was far superior to others of its kind.


    Machoke, as expected, faced no challenges. Its daily routine of training and occasional wild Pok¨¦mon battles alongside Meowth and Gloom was never enough to push its limits. Only an elite-level Pok¨¦mon could give it a real fight.


    Over the eight days, Ron also encountered two challengers. Both were swiftly defeated by Machoke, whose Soru left them unable to last beyond two minutes.


    With just over a month remaining in the three-month trial, Ron resolved to accelerate Meowth and Gloom¡¯s progress. Once they were ready, he would venture deeper into the forest, facing stronger, elite-level Pok¨¦mon and aiming to elevate Machoke to elite status.


    With such a strategy, Ron was confident of clinching the top spot in the trial.


    Unbeknownst to him, a trial participant was sprinting through the forest, away from something terrifying.


    The ground trembled as trees crashed to the ground behind him, as if some monstrous predator were on his heels.


    Desperate, Takumi flung a Pok¨¦ Ball behind him, releasing a level 20 Mankey into the forest. Without sparing it a glance, he abandoned the non-essential Pok¨¦mon, hoping to buy some time.


    A few seconds later, Mankey¡¯s terrified screech was cut off abruptly, as if crushed by an immense force.


    Shivering, Takumi dared not stop, fearing he might meet the same fate.


    Unbeknownst to him, his flight was leading him directly toward Ron¡¯s camp.


    Just as Meowth finished its rest and was about to resume training, the group heard the commotion of an uninvited guest approaching.

 Chapter 23: Battling an Elite-Level Pokémon

    As Takumi sprinted through the forest, his primary companion, Arbok, stayed steadfastly at his side, never leaving him for a moment.


    In Takumi''s arms was a bulging backpack, held tightly even amidst his desperate flight. No matter how perilous the situation, he refused to loosen his grip.


    Relying on Arbok''s natural heat-sensing ability, Takumi deftly evaded wild Pok¨¦mon, avoiding unnecessary entanglements while creating obstacles for the pursuing wild Pok¨¦mon behind him. This was his sole sliver of hope for survival.


    For now, Takumi had only one objective: to flee as far as possible until his pursuer gave up the chase.


    Glancing around once more, Arbok suddenly detected the presence of hidden creatures nearby. Before he could alert Takumi to change course, a primal instinct urged him to flee immediately.


    Without hesitation, Arbok trusted his instincts¡ªbut it was too late.


    A Machoke, lying in wait, emerged like a ghost and struck Arbok from behind with a devastating Close Combat. The sudden attack sent shockwaves through the forest, startling Takumi, who froze in place. He scrambled to release another of his Pok¨¦mon, but Machoke''s speed was unmatched.


    With brutal efficiency, Machoke dislocated Takumi''s arm and snapped his neck in an instant. The predator wasted no time, turning its focus back to Arbok.


    Though Arbok''s heat-sensing ability pinpointed Machoke''s location, its speed left Arbok helpless. Forced to endure repeated blows, Arbok collapsed after only three strikes.


    Takumi, who had narrowly escaped death at the hands of a pursuing Pok¨¦mon, now lay lifeless at the hands of Ron¡¯s Machoke.


    Emerging from the shadows, Ron''s gaze lingered on the bulging backpack Takumi had clung to so desperately, even in his final moments. This unrelenting grip piqued Ron¡¯s curiosity.


    Even as his Meowth warned him of another Pok¨¦mon rapidly closing in, Ron decided to inspect the contents of the backpack instead of seizing a strategic hiding spot.


    Unzipping it, he discovered a single, unassuming item: a glowing, purple Pok¨¦mon egg.


    Ron had already suspected as much. Given the trial setting¡ªa dense forest¡ªvaluable finds were typically rare Pok¨¦mon, materials, or items. But from Takumi¡¯s desperate struggle, it was clear this egg had extraordinary potential.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    It didn¡¯t take much to deduce the truth: the Pok¨¦mon that had been chasing Takumi was likely the egg¡¯s rightful guardian, and its strength was far beyond that of Takumi¡¯s level-28 Arbok. In other words, it was an elite-tier Pok¨¦mon.


    As if to confirm Ron¡¯s suspicions, a Nidoqueen-like roar echoed from the forest depths. Moments later, a towering Nidoking, its presence akin to a monstrous kaiju, emerged. The aura of an elite-tier Pok¨¦mon radiated from its body, suppressing weaker creatures within the vicinity.


    Ron quickly pieced together the story. Takumi must have stolen the egg from Nidoking¡¯s nest, setting off the relentless pursuit that had culminated here.


    Three days prior, Takumi had ventured into the habitat of elite-level Pok¨¦mon with his Arbok, lured by the prospect of rare materials or Pok¨¦mon with exceptional potential. Takumi¡¯s gambler-like mentality told him that even if he couldn¡¯t win a fight, he could always escape with something valuable.


    When he stumbled upon the Nidoking¡¯s nest and spotted the egg, Takumi¡¯s instincts as a former Pok¨¦mon breeder¡¯s apprentice kicked in. He recognized the egg¡¯s unparalleled quality at first glance¡ªits surface shimmered faintly, marking it as extraordinary. Confident in his skills and planning, Takumi spent two days observing Nidoking¡¯s routine and ensuring it was alone, without a Nidoqueen to guard the nest.


    However, luck turned against him. Just as he escaped with the egg, Nidoking returned and began its relentless pursuit.


    Though Ron didn¡¯t know the full story, he grasped the essentials. The egg in his hands belonged to Nidoking, and its quality was remarkable.


    Having considered capturing a Nidoran¡á previously, Ron saw this as an unexpected opportunity. He turned to face Nidoking, his expression calm but resolute.


    ¡°Nidoking, the thief who stole your egg is dead by my hand. The egg is safe now,¡± Ron declared, his tone firm. ¡°I challenge you to a battle. If you win, I¡¯ll return the egg to you. But if you lose, the egg becomes mine. Do we have a deal?¡±


    Nidoking¡¯s fury, stoked by the long chase and now Ron¡¯s bold provocation, erupted like an inferno. It charged without hesitation.


    Ron¡¯s Machoke sprang into action, intercepting Nidoking¡¯s charge with a Soru-enhanced strike, combining Karate Chop with precise footwork to block the attack and push Nidoking back.


    Despite the powerful counter, Nidoking barely flinched, its elite-tier resilience evident. Seeing this, Machoke¡¯s eyes glimmered with excitement, its battle spirit igniting further.


    Ron activated his special link with Machoke, gauging Nidoking¡¯s power through their shared perception. ¡°Level 32,¡± Ron muttered, noting Nidoking¡¯s strength. It was indeed a freshly ascended elite-tier Pok¨¦mon.


    In the Pok¨¦mon world, strength is divided into clear tiers. Below level 30, strength scales directly with level. However, upon reaching level 30, Pok¨¦mon experience a profound transformation every ten levels, ascending through Elite, Advanced, and Master tiers. Those who surpass level 60 achieve the coveted Champion tier.


    Elite-tier Pok¨¦mon, like Nidoking, gain more than just raw power. They exude an oppressive aura, capable of suppressing weaker opponents and even mitigating the effectiveness of their attacks.


    This explained why Nidoking shrugged off Machoke¡¯s initial blow as if it were nothing.


    ¡°Machoke, Bulk Up!¡± Ron commanded, his voice steady.


    Machoke immediately entered a meditative stance, fortifying its body while awaiting Nidoking¡¯s next move. The tension between the two Pok¨¦mon was electric, each one poised for an epic clash.

 Chapter 24: Fierce Battle

    Under the searing pain, Nidoking¡¯s fury burned brighter. It launched Megahorn, its horn elongating and glowing with a dazzling white light as it charged directly at Machoke.


    Machoke, however, stood firm in its stance (Bulk Up), unfazed by the incoming attack, waiting for Ron¡¯s next command.


    ¡°Machoke, Soru, then Seismic Toss!¡±


    At the last moment, just as Nidoking closed the distance, Ron barked the order.


    In a blur of movement enhanced by its elevated attack from the Bulk Up, Machoke vanished from its spot, shifting swiftly to Nidoking''s side.


    Executing Seismic Toss, Machoke grabbed Nidoking¡¯s arm, utilizing both its strength and Nidoking¡¯s momentum to hurl it away with great force.


    Nidoking slammed into the ground with such impact that the earth trembled, but the beast seemed impervious to pain. It quickly got back on its feet, unfazed by the blow.


    Learning from its previous errors, Nidoking refrained from charging recklessly again. Instead, it hurled two nearby, uprooted trees to block Machoke¡¯s paths of escape.


    Machoke, undeterred, used Karate Chop, cleanly splitting both trees in two. Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Nidoking lunged forward, using one of its inherited moves, Iron Tail.


    ¡°Machoke, Soru, then Low Sweep!¡±


    Seizing the opening created when Nidoking swung its tail, Machoke struck with a Low Sweep, knocking Nidoking off its feet.


    The move¡¯s secondary effect kicked in, lowering Nidoking¡¯s speed.


    ¡°Machoke, create distance and use Focus Energy!¡±


    Ron¡¯s strategy was clear. By leveraging the Bulk Up earlier to boost Machoke¡¯s attack, he ensured that Machoke could maximize its potential against Nidoking. Now, by using Focus Energy, he aimed to increase the odds of landing a critical hit.


    Meanwhile, Nidoking rose slowly, its movements hampered by the effects of Low Sweep. This delay allowed Machoke to safely complete Focus Energy and retreat with Shave once again.


    Repeatedly outmaneuvered, Nidoking grew increasingly calm instead of enraged.


    Having evolved from a weak Nidoran into its current form, Nidoking had endured countless brutal battles and dangerous trials. Its combat instincts rivaled those of Pok¨¦mon trained under skilled trainers.


    Now, with its mind clear, the true battle was about to begin.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    With Iron Tail, Nidoking¡¯s tail gleamed with a metallic sheen, carving a groove in the earth as it swung. Charging forward, it unleashed Toxic Spikes, scattering venomous traps across the battlefield to restrict Machoke¡¯s mobility.


    ¡°Machoke, engage with Close Combat!¡±


    Hearing Ron¡¯s command, Machoke, eager to fight, dashed forward using Soru.


    Sensing danger, Nidoking lashed out with Iron Tail in retaliation.


    There were no fancy tactics this time¡ªjust a pure clash of raw power.


    Iron Tail collided with Machoke¡¯s fist, generating a shockwave that rippled outward, shattering the ground beneath them.


    Both Pok¨¦mon staggered back, cautiously eyeing each other.


    For Machoke, this was the first time since mastering Soru and evolving that an opponent had directly withstood its combined Soru and Close Combat attack.


    ¡°Machoke, retreat with Soru and use Bulk Up!¡±


    At Ron¡¯s command, Machoke quickly disengaged, leaving the field of Toxic Spikes while activating Bulk Up once more.


    Despite being momentarily impressed by Machoke¡¯s strength, Nidoking launched another offensive. It hurled a barrage of Toxic Spikes, aiming directly at Machoke.


    Unflinching, Machoke maintained its stance as the toxic projectiles drew closer.


    The instant Bulk Up was completed, Ron shouted another command, and Machoke sprang into action.


    Using Soru, it dodged the incoming spikes and delivered another Low Sweep, toppling Nidoking once again.


    This opening allowed Ron to order another Focus Energy.


    The earlier clash had shown Ron that, without relying on Soru, Machoke still lacked the raw power to fully match Nidoking. He needed to stack boosts to withstand Nidoking¡¯s powerful moves with a base power of 120 or more.


    Realizing this, Nidoking resorted to spamming Toxic Spikes, hoping to disrupt Machoke¡¯s momentum. Unfortunately, the two successful Low Sweeps had lowered its speed by two stages, affecting not only its movement but also the speed at which it could release moves.


    Thanks to Soru''s superior mobility, Machoke avoided every attempt at entrapment while continuing to set up. Nidoking, growing increasingly desperate, charged forward with Iron Tail, its powerful strikes carving paths through the battlefield.


    As soon as Bulk Up was successfully completed for the third time, Machoke vanished with Soru, but Nidoking was prepared this time.


    Blue energy flared in its eyes as it unleashed Confusion, one of its inherited moves. The psychic force caught Machoke mid-movement, sending it flying.


    Exploiting the type advantage, Confusion dealt significant damage, knocking Machoke off balance. Nidoking followed up by hurling Toxic Spikes and charging with Double-Edge, its head wreathed in rock-type energy, forming the shadowy outline of a double-edged axe.


    ¡°Machoke, release the belt! Close Combat!¡±


    Caught off guard by Nidoking¡¯s psychic attack, Ron made the call to release Machoke¡¯s power-limiting belt.


    Once unrestrained, Machoke¡¯s muscles bulged, visibly increasing in size and density.


    With a stomp, Machoke launched itself forward with Soru, its enhanced strength carving a crater in the ground.


    Now moving at an astonishing speed¡ª35 steps per second¡ªMachoke barreled headfirst into Nidoking.


    The two collided once more, their clash generating a shockwave that sent debris flying and obscured Ron¡¯s view.


    ¡°Machoke, use Soru repeatedly with Karate Chop!¡±


    Even without visibility, Ron continued issuing orders.


    Unleashed, Machoke moved like a phantom, relentlessly striking Nidoking with Karate Chop.


    Meanwhile, the recoil from Double-Edge began taking its toll on Nidoking, especially after its earlier head-to-head clash with Machoke left it visibly disoriented.


    Now caught in a defensive spiral against Machoke¡¯s relentless onslaught, Nidoking struggled to keep up, its speed and stamina dwindling further.


    Victory seemed to edge closer for Ron and Machoke as they capitalized on every advantage in this grueling battle.

 Chapter 25: Preparations Before Hatching

    The gleam of a metallic Iron Tail swung through the air, barely buying enough time for a breather.


    After evading Nidoking¡¯s counterattack, Machoke didn¡¯t immediately press forward. Instead, it took a moment to catch its breath.


    Under the strain of relentless offense, all of Machoke''s muscles ached faintly, though the Pok¨¦mon forcibly suppressed the pain.


    ¡°Machoke, use Soru to retreat and adopt a Bulk Up!¡±


    At Ron¡¯s command, Machoke, still slightly winded, immediately sprang into motion.


    The high-intensity battle was pushing Nidoking to its limit as well. Its gaze, fixed on Machoke, was heavy with a newfound seriousness.


    Though Machoke hadn¡¯t yet reached elite-level strength, it had forced Nidoking into such a predicament. For a fleeting moment, Nidoking wondered if leaving its offspring in Ron¡¯s care might indeed lead to better growth.


    Shaking its head to clear the thought, Nidoking inhaled deeply. The battle wasn¡¯t over yet; its focus had to remain on the fight.


    With a thunderous roar, Nidoking launched a final charge.


    Executing Double-Edge, it fully committed to the attack. Regardless of whether the strike landed, Nidoking knew the move¡¯s recoil might render it unable to continue fighting.


    ¡°This is it, Machoke! Close Combat!¡±


    Ron chose not to let Machoke evade with Soru to secure an easy win. Instead, he respected Nidoking¡¯s final offensive.


    The effects of multiple Bulk Ups combined with the Power Save Belt''s release had brought Machoke¡¯s power to a staggering peak.


    At the moment Ron gave his command, Machoke vanished from its spot with Soru.


    In the next instant, a violent shockwave erupted outward, surging in all directions.


    At the eye of the storm, Machoke and Nidoking clashed with all their might, each trying to overpower the other.


    But the injuries Nidoking had sustained earlier began to take their toll, causing it to exhaust its strength first.


    Seizing the moment, Machoke lifted Nidoking¡¯s massive body and hurled it away with all its remaining power.


    Though Nidoking landed heavily, it hadn¡¯t completely lost its ability to fight. It struggled to rise, refusing to concede, until finally collapsing in defeat.


    Only after confirming Nidoking¡¯s loss did Machoke breathe a sigh of relief and fall backward.


    Defeating an elite-level Pok¨¦mon in a battle of this intensity, especially one as formidable as Nidoking, had drained Machoke of every ounce of energy.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Fortunately, Machoke didn¡¯t hit the ground. Gloom caught it, and Ron¡¯s Fighting Aura began to heal Machoke¡¯s body.


    Meanwhile, Meowth helped Machoke reapply its Power Save Belt, sealing away the excess power once more.


    As warmth coursed through Machoke, the injuries it had sustained quickly healed, and its stamina was restored at an astonishing rate.


    In just a minute or two, Machoke was back on its feet, full of vitality once again.


    ¡°You did great, Machoke. I¡¯m proud of you.¡±


    Ron grinned, patting Machoke¡¯s firm chest.


    Who would have thought that in just two months, Ron could go from a newcomer to someone capable of defeating an elite-level Pok¨¦mon?


    After the battle, Machoke¡¯s level rose again, reaching Level 29.


    Once the joy of victory subsided, Ron turned to Nidoking and began using his Fighting Aura to heal its wounds.


    The earlier wager had been meant to ignite Nidoking¡¯s fighting spirit. If Nidoking were unwilling to part with its offspring, Ron wouldn¡¯t force it to surrender the egg.


    As the warm energy of the Fighting Aura worked its magic, Nidoking¡¯s eyes fluttered open.


    Still lying on the ground, Nidoking felt the soothing heat within its body. Though it didn¡¯t understand the specifics, it was clear the phenomenon was tied to Ron.


    Gazing at Ron, Nidoking found itself unable to comprehend why this human¡ªwho had just directed his Pok¨¦mon to pummel it and boldly claimed he¡¯d take its child¡ªwould dare to approach so closely, let alone heal it.


    Ordinarily, Nidoking would have swiped at him with a claw.


    Yet, for some reason, Nidoking held back today. Perhaps it was simply exhausted.


    ¡°Nidoking, I won the battle,¡± Ron said plainly, ¡°but I still want to hear your thoughts. Will you entrust your child to me?¡±


    He didn¡¯t extol Machoke¡¯s strength or make lofty promises about what he could achieve. Instead, he spoke with simple, direct words.


    Nidoking felt its temper spike momentarily.


    I was just about to talk things out with you peacefully, and this is how you open? You¡¯re really testing my patience!


    But the blow it considered delivering never landed. Nidoking understood that while it might still grow stronger, its potential was limited. Its hopes rested on its only child.


    In the wild, lack of strength meant enduring humiliation, scarcity of food, and constant danger.


    Originally, Nidoking had believed its power was sufficient to safeguard its child¡¯s growth.


    But today¡¯s battle with Ron had shown otherwise. If Ron could defeat it now, others might one day do the same.


    Moreover, there was something about Ron¡ªa unique energy that stirred trust and respect. It was this very energy that led Nidoking to consider the unthinkable.


    With a faint, reluctant nod, Nidoking gave its answer.


    Ron didn¡¯t dwell on the moment. Instead, he began discussing methods to care for the yet-to-hatch Nidoran egg with Nidoking.


    Though he couldn¡¯t understand Pok¨¦mon speech directly, Nidoking¡¯s gestures and explanations, along with Machoke and the others¡¯ help, allowed them to communicate.


    In the end, they reached a simple arrangement: the egg would stay with Ron while Nidoking returned to its territory to guard against intrusions.


    Nidoking would periodically visit to check on its child.


    Based on its experience, Nidoking estimated that the egg was close to hatching, making it essential to prepare sufficient food. While newly hatched Nidoran didn¡¯t require milk, they did need easily digestible and nutritious meals.


    When Nidoking mentioned this, Ron immediately thought of Beedrill honey.


    In the past, obtaining Beedrill honey might have been challenging.


    But with Machoke¡¯s current strength, all they needed was to locate a Beedrill hive. If necessary, Nidoking could even lend a hand.


    With two elite-level Pok¨¦mon, no swarm of Beedrill would pose a serious threat.


    After finalizing the details, Nidoking reluctantly headed back to its territory, while Ron began cleaning up the battlefield and erasing signs of the skirmish.


    Only much later did Ron have the time to carefully examine the Pok¨¦mon egg cradled in his arms.


    Unfortunately, Ron knew little about Pok¨¦mon eggs and couldn¡¯t gauge its quality.


    Resigned, he decided to wrap the egg in his Fighting Aura daily.


    Though the effort was minimal, it might yield unexpected results.


    Unbeknownst to Ron, as the egg was enveloped in his aura, faint flickers of purple light occasionally danced across its shell.

 Chapter 26: The Golden Caregiver

    As one of the most common Pok¨¦mon in the forest, Beedrill has always been a species trainers would rather avoid.


    Defeating one Beedrill often means inviting a second and third until their overwhelming numbers force you to retreat.


    For this reason, novice trainers instinctively avoid Beedrill when spotted¡ªhiding or fleeing to avoid direct confrontation.


    Today, however, that unspoken rule was broken by Ron, a trainer with less than two months of experience.


    ¡°Go, Machoke! Just get enough honey; that¡¯s all we need.¡±


    Carefully steering clear of the areas where Beedrill could use him as a weak point, Ron commanded Machoke to charge toward the Beedrill hive. Their goal: the sweet honey inside.


    When dealing with Beedrill swarms before, Ron had to execute his plans step by step meticulously.


    But now, with Machoke''s sheer power, he could easily sweep through an entire swarm if he wanted to.


    Fortunately, Ron held no such reckless ambition. Machoke had only recently evolved, barely half a month ago. Pushing it to reach elite-level strength prematurely would risk leaving much of its potential untapped.


    Upon receiving Ron¡¯s command, Machoke disappeared from sight with Soru (Shave).


    In the blink of an eye, the Beedrill swarm¡¯s alarm rang out, though the enemy''s sudden and mysterious approach unsettled them.


    Machoke didn¡¯t bother attacking the Beedrill. Instead, he used the high-speed mobility granted by Soru to bypass their defensive perimeter and reach the hive.


    Moments later, the Beedrill swarm turned to see their hive shattered and Machoke holding handfuls of their precious honey.


    The sight of their home being raided sent the Beedrill into a frenzy.


    Machoke remained unbothered, using the same swift techniques to evade their furious assaults. When he couldn''t avoid a strike, he would counter and knock them aside.


    In less than two minutes, Machoke completed his mission and retrieved the honey.


    Watching from a safe distance, Ron didn''t regroup with Machoke immediately. Instead, he headed to their designated rendezvous point, leaving Machoke to shake off the enraged Beedrill swarm on his own.


    About an hour later, Ron and his team returned to their temporary campsite.


    Retrieving a container obtained from other challengers, Ron carefully processed and bottled the honey, saving it for when Nidoran hatched.


    While awaiting the Nidoran''s arrival, Ron¡¯s Pok¨¦mon kept busy.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Machoke continued training diligently, adding the Moonwalk (Geppo) technique from the Six Powers to his regimen. Occasionally, Nidoking would spar with Machoke, honing both their skills.


    Meanwhile, Meowth and Gloom focused on combat training, their levels rising rapidly.


    Meowth had reached level 26 and learned Taunt, while Gloom showed even more significant growth, likely due to battling stronger opponents, climbing to level 24 and learning Lucky Chant.


    Time always seemed to fly during the trials, leaving Ron feeling like he couldn¡¯t give Machoke and the others enough training.


    But now, as he waited, time stretched endlessly, giving him a rare chance to truly appreciate how exceptional his Pok¨¦mon had become.


    After five long days¡ªone month remaining before the trial¡¯s end¡ªthe Nidoran egg finally hatched.


    If the dazzling light of evolution symbolizes a Pok¨¦mon taking the next step in its growth, then the glow of a hatching egg radiates pure vitality.


    When the light faded, Nidoran¡¯s first sight was of Ron.


    Much like some animals, Pok¨¦mon instinctively bond with the first being they see upon birth.


    Since Nidoking hadn¡¯t been present for the unpredictable moment of hatching, Ron became the object of Nidoran¡¯s attachment¡ªsomething that would make it easier for Ron to bring Nidoran along when they eventually left.


    ¡°Welcome to the world, Nidoran,¡± Ron whispered, gently stroking the tiny horn on Nidoran¡¯s head. He also offered a bottle of the prepared honey.


    Drawn by the sweet aroma, Nidoran began licking it eagerly, letting out satisfied little hums as it ate.


    As Nidoran enjoyed the honey, Ron took the chance to observe it more closely.


    Standing about 40 centimeters tall, its body was covered in purple fur with darker spots scattered across its back.


    Sharp purple spines along its ears and back provided both offensive and defensive capabilities, while its bright red eyes and slightly elongated front teeth gave it a resemblance to a rabbit.


    Before Ron could examine Nidoran further, Nidoking appeared, its gaze landing on the newly hatched Pok¨¦mon.


    Though it spent most of its time nearby, Nidoking had still missed the birth. It sighed, accepting this as the workings of fate.


    Adjusting its emotions, Nidoking approached Ron and the others. Before Nidoran left, it would do everything in its power to teach the young Pok¨¦mon and ensure its path forward would be smooth.


    Ron modified the backpack that had once held the egg, turning it into a pouch to carry Nidoran on his chest. Several bottles of Beedrill honey were stashed alongside it, always ready for use.


    If not for Meowth currently locked in battle with a Raticate, the scene would have been entirely heartwarming.


    For its part, Raticate couldn¡¯t believe it was facing a trainer who juggled battling Pok¨¦mon and taking care of a baby.


    If only it could break through Meowth¡¯s defenses, it would teach this human a lesson!


    Unconcerned by the Raticate¡¯s frustration, Ron felt as though the past few days had drained him completely.


    Newborn Nidoran¡¯s daily routine consisted of eating, sleeping, playing, and the occasional mischievous prank to release its boundless energy.


    Ron even set aside his usual training to care for Nidoran, ensuring the little Pok¨¦mon grew up healthy and happy.


    Thanks to Ron¡¯s care, Nidoran quickly outgrew its infancy within five or six days, ready to begin basic training.


    Awakened by the noise of battle, Nidoran, still half-asleep, nuzzled against Ron¡¯s chest.


    Skilled in handling its needs, Ron promptly offered another bottle of honey, which Nidoran happily devoured before drifting back to sleep.


    Meanwhile, Meowth seized an opening in Raticate¡¯s defense and ended the battle with a decisive Iron Tail.


    Now at level 27, Meowth was on the brink of evolution.


    Once Nidoran completed its infancy, Ron planned to evolve Meowth, train Machoke to master its power, and push it toward elite strength before the trial ended.


    Gloom¡¯s strength would also need to rise, serving as a cover for Machoke, Ron¡¯s trump card, and giving Ron more tactical flexibility.


    Even Nidoran¡¯s training plan was already in place.


    Unaware of what lay ahead, Nidoran finished its honey and slipped back into a contented sleep.

 Chapter 27: Evolution

    Nidoran''s tiny legs pumped furiously as it chased after Ron, who held a jar of Beedrill honey in his hand. Though full of energy, the little Pok¨¦mon couldn¡¯t seem to close the gap between itself and Ron.


    It had been eight days since Nidoran was born.


    With the attentive care of Ron and Nidoking, combined with the nutritious properties of Beedrill honey, Nidoran had matured past its infancy. It could now handle basic training, like running.


    This training served dual purposes: improving Nidoran¡¯s physical stamina and laying the foundation for future mastery of techniques like Shave (Soru). It was a win-win situation.


    Since Nidoran was still just a baby, Ron employed an incentive-based method for training, using Nidoran¡¯s favorite honey as motivation. This strategy, however, came at a cost to the local Beedrill. Every few days, Machoke would launch a surprise raid on their hives, depleting their honey reserves. Were it not for their unfamiliarity with distant territories, the Beedrill colony might have relocated entirely.


    Ron only called for a break when Nidoran was utterly exhausted.


    Although Nidoran had inherited Fighting Aura (D¨­ no Chikara), Ron took care to avoid pushing it too hard, fearing injuries might dampen its enthusiasm for training.


    After each session, Nidoran relished the reward of its hard-earned honey. As the Fighting Aura coursed through its body, revitalizing its strength in soothing waves, Nidoran found itself thoroughly entranced by the experience.


    When training ended, Ron let Nidoran rest under Machoke¡¯s watchful eye. Nidoran, now past infancy, was no longer as vulnerable. Meanwhile, Ron packed up their belongings, preparing to venture deeper into the wilderness.


    There were only twenty days left until the trial''s conclusion.


    In that time, Ron had a packed agenda: helping Meowth evolve, further honing the strength of both Machoke and Meowth¡¯s evolved form, and leveling up Gloom. With so many objectives, Ron had little time to spare.


    As they resumed their journey, Meowth could hardly contain its excitement.


    It had seen the transformation Machoke underwent after evolving and couldn¡¯t wait for its turn. Now, it was eager for a wild Pok¨¦mon encounter to facilitate its final step toward evolution.


    Almost as if in response to Meowth¡¯s wish, a wild Pok¨¦mon entered its radar shortly after they left the area.


    To maximize efficiency and expose Meowth to a variety of opponents, Ron avoided using familiar wild Pok¨¦mon as stepping stones. Even so, he didn¡¯t expect to encounter a new wild Pok¨¦mon so soon. Meowth¡¯s luck, it seemed, was holding strong.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Guided by Meowth, they quickly located the Pok¨¦mon in question: a Victreebel.


    Victreebel, being a Pok¨¦mon that required a Leaf Stone to reach its final form, was relatively rare in the wild. This was unlike Nidoking, which, along with Nidoqueen, actively sought Moon Stones to prepare for the next generation of Nidoran.


    As a result, Nidoking and Nidoqueen were a common sight in the wild, while Victreebel, lacking such parental support, rarely evolved past Weepinbell. Ron¡¯s earlier encounters, which consisted almost entirely of Weepinbell, only underscored this reality.


    Still, this worked to their advantage. A fully evolved Victreebel would pose a tougher challenge than its pre-evolved counterparts, providing Meowth with a more worthwhile battle.


    ¡°Go, Meowth! Use Hypnosis!¡±


    With persistent practice, Meowth¡¯s Hypnosis had become so precise it could disrupt opponents even during an all-out sprint. Sure enough, the moment their levels aligned, Victreebel was immobilized, allowing Meowth to land a clean Iron Tail.


    The sharp pain snapped Victreebel out of its stupor. Just as it prepared to counterattack, Meowth unleashed Taunt, effectively preventing it from using status moves like Stun Spore or Poison Powder.


    Left with no choice, Victreebel retaliated with Razor Leaf. Simultaneously, its trailing vines extended to prepare a Slam attack.


    Unlike the attacks of the Weepinbell Ron had encountered, Victreebel¡¯s Razor Leaf was both more numerous and more powerful.


    Meowth deftly evaded the barrage, its agility enhanced by techniques reminiscent of Soru. Moving seamlessly between the leaves, Meowth waited for an opening.


    Victreebel stood its ground, anticipating Meowth¡¯s strike. But instead of a physical assault, it was met with another Hypnosis.


    Capitalizing on the momentary daze, Meowth struck with Iron Tail, carving three deep gashes into Victreebel¡¯s body and sending it sprawling.


    Calmly, Meowth stepped back, giving Victreebel space to rise while preparing for the next phase of their battle.


    Ron no longer needed to issue commands during battles. His rigorous training and tactical lessons had given Meowth and the others the tools to adapt and outthink their opponents independently.


    Bruised but determined, Victreebel launched another attack: Grass Knot. However, the effects of Taunt wore off, and Victreebel, sensing an opportunity, tried to revert to its signature status moves.


    Meowth was faster. Closing the distance with Soru, it reapplied Taunt, forcing Victreebel to rely solely on offensive moves.


    The repeated Taunts began to take a psychological toll. Anger simmered within Victreebel¡ªone of the skill¡¯s subtle effects. With each successive use, the target¡¯s frustration grew, clouding its judgment.


    Such distractions could prove fatal in battle. A Pok¨¦mon that ignored its trainer¡¯s orders mid-fight risked disaster.


    Meowth alternated between Hypnosis and Taunt, keeping Victreebel on the backfoot and rendering its usual strategies useless.


    A final Hypnosis immobilized Victreebel long enough for Meowth to deliver a decisive Iron Tail to its head, ending the battle.


    As the experience took hold, Meowth was enveloped in the radiant glow of evolution, just as Machoke had been.


    Without needing Ron¡¯s instruction, Machoke swiftly carried the unconscious Victreebel away, standing guard to ensure Meowth¡¯s evolution proceeded undisturbed.


    Like before, Ron¡¯s Fighting Aura radiated outward, intertwining with the glow of Meowth¡¯s transformation. From his perspective, the usual white light of evolution was tinged with a faint golden hue.


    This time, Ron wasn¡¯t surprised. He simply waited for the process to complete.


    As the light faded, Meowth¡¯s evolved form¡ªPersian¡ªstood proudly before him.

 Chapter 28: A Frenzy of Battles

    After its evolution, Persian¡¯s fur turned a creamy white, save for a ring of black fur encircling its ears. The coin atop its head had transformed into a brilliant red gem.


    Its sleek limbs, piercing eyes, and the three prominent whiskers on either side of its face gave Persian the commanding presence of a majestic lion.


    As it strode leisurely toward Ron, the sharp aura emanating from Persian gradually subsided.


    In the Pok¨¦mon world, it¡¯s not uncommon for certain species¡ªespecially those with dragon bloodlines or feline traits like Persian¡ªto grow distant from their trainers post-evolution.


    But at this moment, there wasn¡¯t a trace of arrogance in Persian¡¯s demeanor.


    Reaching Ron, Persian lowered its head without hesitation, a clear gesture of submission and loyalty.


    ¡°Congratulations, Persian. But this isn¡¯t our destination¡ªit¡¯s merely the starting point of our journey to become stronger!¡± Ron encouraged, gently stroking Persian¡¯s head.


    Persian nodded firmly, basking in the affection like a contented kitten, shedding all signs of its earlier majesty.


    After leaving the Victreebel¡¯s territory, Ron began training Persian to master the full version of Soru (Shave).


    As Ron had anticipated, Persian¡¯s evolution significantly improved its physical abilities, bringing it to the threshold required to learn the Six Powers technique.


    Yet mastering Soru wasn¡¯t guaranteed. Even in the world of pirates, not everyone who met the physical requirements could master all Six Powers. Talent and physique both played critical roles.


    For Pok¨¦mon, however, every level-up or evolution represented not only physical enhancement but also untapped potential.


    To accelerate the growth of Persian and Machoke, Ron led his team into a zone inhabited by elite-tier Pok¨¦mon.


    Guided by Nidoking, Ron quickly located a Scyther¡ªa Pok¨¦mon whose strength was slightly inferior to Nidoking¡¯s.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    At Level 31, Scyther was a glass cannon, boasting high attack but low defenses. While it could easily be overpowered by Nidoking, it was a perfect opponent for Machoke.


    Standing by Ron¡¯s side, Persian¡¯s eyes gleamed with battle intent but refrained from acting. Having just evolved, it needed time to acclimate to its newfound strength and body.


    ¡°Machoke, go! Soru and Karate Chop!¡±


    Scyther, already wary of Machoke¡¯s combat spirit, tensed as the battle began. However, Machoke¡¯s sudden burst of speed caught it off guard. Scyther immediately used Double Team to create decoys and confuse its opponent.


    But Machoke¡¯s speed outmatched Scyther¡¯s reaction time. The clones barely materialized before Machoke had already destroyed most of them, sending Scyther flying with a single strike.


    ¡°Machoke! Glare, then follow up with Soru and Close Combat!¡±


    As Scyther scrambled to its feet, Machoke¡¯s Glare froze it momentarily. In that brief window, Machoke launched a devastating Close Combat assault, sending Scyther crashing to the ground once again.


    Scyther¡¯s nimbleness allowed it to recover quickly, but its attempt to avoid Machoke¡¯s Glare failed to account for Machoke¡¯s relentless pursuit.


    A Vacuum Wave forced Machoke into view, prompting Scyther to counter with X-Scissor. Machoke dodged skillfully, countering with a Low Kick that sent Scyther sprawling.


    ¡°Machoke, dodge! Glare! Follow up with Soru and Close Combat!¡± Ron commanded as Scyther retaliated despite its injuries. Machoke avoided the attack and executed the combo seamlessly, exploiting Scyther¡¯s lowered defenses from repeated Close Combat hits.


    Weakened and battered, Scyther attempted one final X-Scissor, leaving a deep gash on Machoke¡¯s arm before collapsing in defeat. Despite the injury, Machoke stood victorious, its strength now at Level 29¡ªcloser to the elite threshold.


    Thanks to Ron¡¯s Fighting Aura (D¨­ no Chikara), Machoke¡¯s wound healed rapidly. After treating Scyther, Ron pressed onward, searching for more elite-tier Pok¨¦mon to challenge.


    Unlike the steady approach of most trainers, who preferred pitting their Pok¨¦mon against similarly-leveled opponents, Ron sought out stronger foes.


    Machoke, now mastering Soru to maintain an edge in battle, dominated Pok¨¦mon at around Level 31. Using Glare in tandem with its newfound speed, Machoke controlled the flow of every encounter.


    Defensive Pok¨¦mon managed to withstand Machoke¡¯s assaults longer, but frailer ones were swiftly overwhelmed, succumbing to Machoke¡¯s powerful strikes after a single Glare.


    Ron¡¯s relentless approach drove Machoke into a frenzy of battles, forcing it to grow rapidly. Without Ron¡¯s Fighting Aura aiding its recovery, the sheer intensity of these fights would have pushed Machoke¡¯s body to its limit.


    By evening, back at Nidoking¡¯s territory, Ron recounted Machoke¡¯s accomplishments. Realizing the gap between their abilities, Nidoking abandoned the idea of another sparring match, unwilling to risk humiliation in front of Nidoran.


    At dawn, before the elite-tier Pok¨¦mon awakened, Ron and Machoke were already on the move. A new round of intense battles awaited them.

 Chapter 29: The Hunt of the Persian King

    Jim treaded cautiously through the dense forest. Even though his Raichu had reached the Elite tier, in a region teeming with Elite-level Pok¨¦mon, he dared not let his guard down.


    The trial was set to end in two or three days. Jim¡¯s plan was simple: retreat to the border between areas inhabited by Elite-tier Pok¨¦mon and weaker ones, and wait for the trial to conclude.


    If more than 100 participants remained by the trial¡¯s end, Jim was prepared to escape deeper into the forest, aiming to survive until only 100 participants were left.


    As noon approached, the pangs of hunger reminded Jim to halt his trek and eat.


    A Level 31 Raichu and a Level 28 Primeape¡ªthese two were the fruits of his three-month trial effort.


    Though it might not seem like much, this combination of power placed Jim comfortably among the stronger trial participants.


    While Jim enjoyed his meal, he failed to notice a pair of crimson eyes watching him from the shadows of a nearby thicket.


    Raichu, with its twitching ears, picked up on the faint rustle, its instincts instantly going on high alert.


    Noticing Raichu¡¯s reaction, Jim quickly prepared his Pok¨¦mon for defense. Raichu¡¯s keen hearing had repeatedly helped him escape danger, much like the Persian at Ron¡¯s side.


    Before Jim could issue a command, a flash of pale white darted through the air, and Primeape was sent flying.


    Blood splattered across the clearing, pooling around Primeape''s motionless body.


    Real combat was nothing like friendly battles. Pok¨¦mon with fangs and claws often targeted vital points, making lethal strikes with terrifying efficiency.


    Without needing instructions, Raichu remained vigilant, scanning the surroundings.


    Realizing the danger, Jim released his third and final Pok¨¦mon¡ªa Level 25 Doduo. While not expecting much in terms of combat prowess, Jim hoped Doduo could at least distract their unseen attacker or serve as an escape mount.


    ¡°Show yourself!¡± Jim shouted into the forest, his voice ringing out.


    Simultaneously, Raichu sharpened its focus, listening for the faintest noise, ready to unleash a Thunderbolt at the first sign of movement.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    But their plan yielded no results; the forest remained eerily silent.


    Had it not been for Primeape¡¯s lifeless body, Jim might have believed the earlier attack had been a figment of his imagination.


    Sweat dripped down Jim¡¯s face as he strained his senses, yet he dared not move a muscle to wipe it away.


    Minutes passed with no further signs of the predator, yet Jim knew better than to let his guard down. He refrained from letting Raichu attack blindly, fearing that any misstep would give their foe an opening.


    From the shadows, the Persian stalked its prey with the patience of a seasoned hunter. It understood the value of tension, using the oppressive silence to wear down its victims, pushing them toward inevitable mistakes.


    Another ten minutes crawled by, and Jim¡¯s patience began to fray. The harder he tried to remain calm, the more the mounting pressure ate away at his composure.


    Doduo, too, grew restless, its claws scraping at the dirt in agitation.


    Just as Doduo was about to screech in frustration, the shadowy figure reappeared.


    Raichu, reacting instantly, unleashed a Thunderbolt without waiting for orders. But the electricity struck only Doduo¡¯s lifeless body, further tainting the air with the stench of blood.


    The stark reality of the situation dawned on them¡ªstaying here any longer meant certain death.


    Forced into a desperate choice, Jim decided to take a gamble.


    ¡°Raichu, use Thunderbolt to clear a path! Form a protective barrier with the electric field!¡±


    Raichu immediately obeyed, sending arcs of orange electricity crackling in random directions to ward off the hidden foe. The energy created a semi-circle of safety around them, but the strain on Raichu¡¯s stamina was immense.


    Jim hoped the strategy would allow them to escape the predator¡¯s territory before Raichu¡¯s strength gave out.


    But he had underestimated the predator. The Persian had already anticipated their movements and lay in wait along their escape route.


    As they dashed forward, Persian used Hypnosis, exploiting the brief moment of hesitation it caused.


    Seizing the opportunity, Persian struck with lethal precision.


    This time, Jim clearly saw the pale, sleek figure of the attacker¡ªPersian.


    Crimson blood splattered across his face as Raichu fell, extinguishing Jim¡¯s final hope for survival.


    The ever-cautious Jim, who had survived by hiding and avoiding danger, now found an unexpected calmness in the face of death. He watched quietly as Persian closed in for the final blow.


    The pain was swift, and Jim soon lost consciousness, passing away in an oddly peaceful state.


    Moments after finishing its hunt, Persian turned to find Ron and his Machoke standing nearby.


    Ron had entrusted this kill to Persian from the moment they spotted Jim. Using Soru and Persian¡¯s honed hunting skills, they had left Jim and his team no room for resistance.


    ¡°Good work!¡± Ron praised, scratching Persian affectionately behind the ears.


    After clearing the area of any evidence, Ron led Persian back to their temporary hideout.


    This territory now belonged to them. Any trial participant foolish enough to enter would meet the same fate.


    Back at the hideout, Ron released his other Pok¨¦mon¡ªGloom and Nidoran.


    Gloom had reached Level 29, on the brink of breaking into Elite tier, while Nidoran had grown to Level 8, gaining some basic combat ability.


    With Machoke and Gloom as his aces, Ron had spent the past three months steadily growing stronger.


    Now, he awaited the trial¡¯s final confrontation, eager to see who could withstand him the longest.

 Chapter 30: The Safe Zone

    The sharp claws of a feline slashed through the air, sending a spray of crimson blood arcing outward.


    With increasingly refined hunting techniques, Persian effortlessly dispatched another trial participant attempting to pass through Ron¡¯s territory.


    Emerging from his hiding spot, Ron skillfully began cleaning up the aftermath.


    With just one day remaining until the trial''s conclusion, more and more participants sought shelter, opting to wait out the remainder in hiding.


    Until the final results were revealed, no one could be certain if only a hundred participants were left standing.


    For safety, most chose to hide and observe the situation, providing Ron with additional opportunities to strike.


    In the name of fairness, Persian and Machoke took turns handling the attacks. Their styles, however, were worlds apart.


    Machoke relied on sheer brute strength, facing opponents head-on and overpowering them with raw force. Persian, on the other hand, moved from the shadows, fully leveraging its predatory instincts.


    In just a couple of days, the duo had eliminated five trial participants.


    As the final day approached, the remaining participants secured their hiding spots, denying Ron further chances to act.


    Pulling out the signal device he had worn around his neck from the beginning, Ron couldn¡¯t help but marvel at its durability against electricity.


    A small screen displayed the number 98¡ªan unambiguous message that 98 participants remained.


    After a moment, the display updated with a new message:


    ¡°All remaining 98 participants must reach the safe zone within two days. Failure to comply will result in immediate elimination!¡±


    ¡°Well, well. It seems this is the final hurdle of the trial,¡± Ron remarked with a smile as he read the message.


    The "safe zone" referred to their initial starting point.


    Though the message announced the trial''s conclusion, participants were still fair game until they stepped into the safe zone.


    In other words, anyone foolish enough to let their guard down would likely meet their end.


    Stowing the signal device, Ron began making his way leisurely toward the safe zone.


    Having already eliminated enough participants, Ron now aimed to only confront those who provoked or stumbled upon him, rather than actively seeking targets.


    Near the safe zone, several participants¡ªhaving grasped the true implications of the message¡ªprepared ambushes to hunt those returning.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    To reduce their competition and improve their final rankings, many set traps and awaited their prey.


    Whether someone was the hunter or the hunted would be decided in battle.


    About two hours later, the first sounds of combat rang out, marking the beginning of the hunt.


    Like a lit fuse, the battles erupted one after another, blood beginning to pool on the ground.


    Similar clashes occurred deeper in the forest. Compared to the skirmishes near the safe zone, the forest''s confrontations were swift and ruthless.


    In one such encounter, Persian struck swiftly and lethally, its claws slashing the throat of a participant attempting to ambush Ron.


    Ignoring the lifeless body behind him, Ron continued onward with Machoke and Gloom, while Persian remained hidden, guarding from the shadows.


    Near the safe zone, a cold-faced youth with grayish pupils walked calmly toward the safe zone, followed by an Arbok slithering ominously at his heels.


    No one dared challenge him. The corpses of Pok¨¦mon and participants littering his path served as a stark warning.


    Shortly after his arrival, another figure approached the safe zone from the opposite direction¡ªa red-haired youth with a hooked nose, laughing maniacally.


    In front of him stood a towering Nidoking and a trial participant pleading desperately for mercy.


    The outcome was clear. The red-haired youth¡¯s target lay lifeless on the ground, his Pok¨¦mon reduced to corpses as well.


    ¡°P-please¡­ s-spare me¡­¡± the participant stammered, terror rendering him almost incoherent.


    ¡°Nidoking, crush this trash¡¯s skull!¡±


    Ignoring the pleas, the red-haired youth delivered his sentence coldly.


    Nidoking¡¯s massive fist swung down, the sound of impact echoing as red and white mingled grotesquely.


    Inhaling deeply, the red-haired youth savored the metallic tang of blood in the air before striding into the safe zone, a look of satisfaction on his face.


    By dusk, Ron emerged from the forest.


    Glancing at the blood-soaked ground ahead, Ron seemed unfazed by the evident danger as he walked straight toward the safe zone.


    Under the cover of darkness, some participants grew emboldened, making fatal mistakes¡ªsuch as Makino, who decided to attack Ron with his Arbok.


    Slithering silently through the darkness, the Arbok¡¯s venomous fangs targeted Ron¡¯s neck.


    As it lunged, Arbok envisioned the moment its fangs would pierce Ron¡¯s flesh.


    But in the next instant, a flash of white streaked past its vision.


    Flying through the air, Arbok felt its strength rapidly draining. Collapsing to the ground, its lifeblood seeped into the soil.


    Makino, hidden in the shadows, instinctively tried to flee but was intercepted by Persian.


    With another swipe of its claws, Persian added another stain to the bloodied ground.


    After Makino¡¯s defeat, Ron¡¯s dominance was undeniable, and no one dared to challenge him further.


    ¡°Pick any available room. Meals will be delivered on schedule,¡± a Rocket grunt said coldly as Ron stepped into the safe zone.


    ¡°Combat is strictly prohibited here. Violators will be executed.¡±


    Even as a novice-level elite trainer, Ron could feel the overwhelming danger radiating from the Rocket grunt.


    Nodding in acknowledgment, Ron selected an empty room and flipped the wooden sign outside to indicate occupancy before locking the door.


    The exterior of the room appeared unremarkable, but inside, Ron found it spacious and well-equipped, complete with a private bath and toilet.


    Releasing Machoke and his other Pok¨¦mon, Ron allowed them to familiarize themselves with the space while he headed to the bathroom.


    Although he wasn¡¯t a neat freak, the prolonged time in the forest had left him with an unpleasant stench that even occasional river baths couldn¡¯t eliminate.


    After cleaning up, Ron heard a knock at the door. It was the food delivery, as promised.


    Given the Rocket grunt''s earlier warning, no one dared stir up trouble within the safe zone.


    Examining the portions, Ron realized the meals had been carefully prepared to accommodate his Pok¨¦mon as well¡ªa subtle reminder that the room was likely under surveillance.


    Ron didn¡¯t mind. Under these circumstances, it was best to endure such inconveniences. Besides, the Rockets¡¯ vigilance likely served to weed out spies among the trial participants.


    Enjoying the meal provided, Ron quietly waited for the trial to officially conclude.

 Chapter 31: The Battle Begins

    Leaning casually against the doorframe, Ron observed the carnage unfolding just beyond the safe zone.


    Everyone seemed intent on reducing the number of potential competitors. Anyone who approached would inevitably be ambushed. If they died, so be it. If they survived, they would retreat quickly to avoid pursuit¡ªrisking a counterattack was too dangerous.


    Shifting his gaze to the surrounding Team Rocket members, Ron''s heightened instincts, a gift of his Fighting Aura, alerted him to the lethal threat each one of them posed.


    This realization had struck Ron earlier when he returned to the safe zone.


    At first, he believed this intuition stemmed from his years of survival training in the wilderness. But as he observed others, he noticed key differences.


    For example, the staff delivering meals gave off a completely harmless vibe, meaning they couldn¡¯t threaten him no matter how hard they tried.


    Next were the trial participants. Most of them didn¡¯t feel particularly dangerous, signaling their lack of strength.


    Through extended observation, Ron identified only two individuals who posed any real threat to him: one was cold and emotionless, while the other was easily recognizable with their fiery red hair.


    Based on his evaluation, this sense of danger likely factored in their Pok¨¦mon as well, not just their personal capabilities.


    With this newfound insight, Ron began spending his downtime leaning against the door, observing the trial participants to see who might warrant attention.


    Unfortunately, apart from the two individuals he had already noted, none posed a significant threat. The gap between their strength and his remained vast.


    When yet another skirmish ended, Ron, bored, returned to his room.


    Five hours remained until the trial concluded. To conserve energy for the upcoming battles, Ron decided to rest.


    Outside, others seemed to follow the same idea, retreating into the safe zone like a retreating army. Only the bloodstains on the ground bore witness to the earlier, brutal combat.


    Five hours later, the trial officially ended. The signal device displayed the number 60, signifying that only sixty participants remained.


    ¡°The final battles will begin tomorrow. Opponents will be paired based on sequential numbers. On the battle platform¡ªlife or death is at your discretion!¡±


    The announcement confirmed what Ron had already suspected. Even those who passed the trial were not guaranteed safety; the danger of death lingered on the platform.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Learning that he was No. 30, Ron put other thoughts aside and began preparing.


    With his Fighting Aura-enhanced perception, he was confident none of the remaining participants could defeat him. His sole focus was to crush them one by one and claim the championship.


    At 9:00 AM, the battles officially began. Guided by Team Rocket members, Ron was escorted to face his first opponent.


    ¡°Release your first Pok¨¦mon. The battle will only end when one side concedes defeat.¡±


    After a brief explanation of the rules, the battle commenced.


    Behind the living quarters lay individual battle chambers designed to ensure privacy during combat. This setup dashed Ron¡¯s earlier plan to conceal his true strength.


    With stealth no longer an option, Ron decided to end the battle swiftly. He released his Persian immediately.


    The elite-level aura it radiated caused a moment of hesitation in Nishimura, his opponent.


    Passing the trial didn¡¯t guarantee having elite-level Pok¨¦mon. In fact, nearly half of the sixty remaining participants hadn¡¯t managed to evolve their Pok¨¦mon beyond standard levels. For those who had, most hovered around levels 30 or 31, with their secondary Pok¨¦mon falling between levels 27 and 28.


    Typically, trainers with elite-level Pok¨¦mon would lead with weaker ones to test their opponent¡¯s strategy.


    Ron¡¯s decision to unleash his Persian right from the start was rare, catching Nishimura off guard¡ªbut not for long.


    A flash of white light revealed Nishimura¡¯s choice: a Vileplume, also at the elite level.


    Vileplume.


    An evolution of Gloom using a Leaf Stone, Vileplume is one of Gloom¡¯s two evolutionary paths. The other, Bellossom, requires a Sun Stone. The quality of these evolutionary stones also influences the resulting Pok¨¦mon.


    Recalling this information, Ron immediately ordered Persian to act.


    Using a combination of Soru (Shave) and Fake Out, Persian vanished from its original position.


    ¡°Vileplume, surround yourself with Poison Powder!¡± Nishimura yelled, attempting to shield his Pok¨¦mon from Persian¡¯s speed.


    But before the powder could disperse, Persian struck with Fake Out, interrupting Vileplume¡¯s attack, and followed up with Iron Tail, sending the Pok¨¦mon flying.


    Without giving Vileplume any time to recover, Ron pressed the assault, combining Soru with Slash.


    Persian¡¯s claws tore through Vileplume¡¯s chest. Within seconds, the battle was over.


    ¡°How... how is this possible?¡± Nishimura muttered, staring in disbelief at his fallen Vileplume.


    Ron wasted no time, commanding Persian to end the battle.


    The rules were clear: unless a participant conceded, the battle would not officially end. Attacking the opposing trainer was fair game.


    With a flash of ivory, Persian eliminated Nishimura, leaving the Team Rocket referee astonished.


    Even the fastest Pok¨¦mon the referee had encountered couldn¡¯t match Persian¡¯s incredible speed. How could Ron achieve this with an elite-level Pok¨¦mon still in its early stages?


    Suppressing his curiosity, the referee calmly declared Ron the victor.


    Instead of leaving immediately, Ron approached Nishimura¡¯s body. He hoped the trainer might have other valuable items besides the Leaf Stone that had evolved his Gloom.


    Disappointed to find nothing, Ron glanced briefly at Nishimura¡¯s lifeless form before leaving with Persian.


    The battles were recorded by surveillance cameras and broadcast elsewhere. The same applied to fights in other chambers.


    Before returning to his room, Ron was escorted to a healing station for his Persian. However, considering Persian had barely exerted itself and Ron¡¯s Fighting Aura provided additional stamina, he declined the offer.


    The Team Rocket member didn¡¯t insist and led Ron back to his room to await his next match.


    From this, Ron deduced a critical fact: unless a Pok¨¦mon was killed or sustained injuries requiring extensive recovery, its condition wouldn¡¯t affect the next battle.


    This meant every opponent Ron faced would be in peak condition¡ªjust as he preferred.

 Chapter 32: Battle for the Final Four

    Half an hour later, the battles resumed.


    The venue remained the same¡ªRon¡¯s previous battle room. The Team Rocket member overseeing the match was also unchanged, with the only difference being Ron¡¯s opponent: a trial participant named Marl.


    As a flash of white light illuminated the room, Ron once again sent out his Persian. Meanwhile, Marl chose to battle with a Mothim.


    Although Mothim is also a Bug-type Pok¨¦mon, it¡¯s one of the few that evolves slowly, requiring a Burmy to reach level 31 before evolving. As such, Ron had encountered numerous Burmy during the trial, but this was his first time seeing its evolved form, Mothim, and certainly not in battle.


    "Mothim, Spider Web, then Signal Beam!" Marl commanded decisively, taking the initiative.


    Spider Web wasn¡¯t just a move to immobilize a Pok¨¦mon¡¯s movements; it also blocked them from switching out. However, instead of targeting Persian, Mothim¡¯s Signal Beam was aimed directly at Ron!


    Marl had seen Persian in action at the safe zone and understood its prowess. He developed a clear strategy: slightly hinder Persian¡¯s movements while launching a fatal attack on its trainer.


    Ron clenched his jaw in anger but also chastised himself for letting his guard down. He had been aware that Team Rocket allowed trainers to attack each other directly during battles, yet he had mistakenly assumed it could only occur after one Pok¨¦mon was defeated, using the window of opportunity to strike. This oversight stemmed from the false sense of security he had developed since arriving at the safe zone, forgetting that Team Rocket¡¯s battlefield had no rules against bloodshed.


    Gripping the Pok¨¦ Ball containing Machoke tightly, Ron reviewed Team Rocket¡¯s rules in his mind. As long as Machoke didn¡¯t interfere directly with an opponent¡¯s Pok¨¦mon¡¯s actions or attacks, summoning it was still within the rules. However, Ron chose not to release it immediately, deciding to rely on Persian for now.


    Shaking off the effects of Mothim¡¯s Spider Web, Persian darted forward with Soru (Shave), using its incredible speed to deflect Mothim¡¯s Signal Beam with Iron Tail.


    "Mothim, Sleep Powder!" Marl yelled, adjusting his tactics.


    "Persian, Hypnosis!" Ron countered without hesitation.


    The shimmering powder was no match for the speed of Hypnosis. Before Mothim could fully execute its move, the sleep-inducing powder scattered harmlessly to the ground, and Mothim itself began to sink into a deep slumber.


    Ron gave Persian a quick glance, signaling his next move. In an instant, Persian vanished with Soru, reappearing right in front of Marl. Without hesitation, it struck Marl¡¯s throat and swiftly broke all four of his limbs. Marl collapsed in agony, unable to make a sound, left writhing helplessly on the ground.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    "Persian, use Hypnosis again, then finish Mothim," Ron ordered coldly.


    While Ron advanced toward Marl, dagger in hand, Persian carried out its task. Mothim, still reeling from the first Hypnosis, succumbed again, falling into an even deeper sleep. With a powerful leap, Persian executed Iron Tail, knocking the sleeping Mothim out of the air. The sudden attack woke Mothim momentarily, but the brutal pain that followed left it incapable of resisting. Persian delivered a calculated finishing blow, deliberately avoiding vital areas to prolong its suffering.


    As blood pooled beneath Marl, Ron spoke with chilling calm. "Thank you for teaching me the invaluable lesson to always remain vigilant. As repayment, let me show you my gratitude."


    He immobilized Marl with a precise strike and plunged the dagger into his left arm, pinning it to the floor. Crimson blood spread quickly, staining Marl¡¯s clothes and pooling on the ground. Ron methodically repeated the process on Marl¡¯s other arm, then both legs, until Marl was drenched in his own blood.


    Ron didn¡¯t finish him off immediately, choosing instead to watch Marl struggle helplessly. On the other side of the battlefield, Mothim lay motionless, its body marred by scars, lifeless.


    According to the rules, Ron could have ended the battle then, allowing Marl to receive medical treatment. But Ron¡¯s pause wasn¡¯t out of mercy; he intended for Marl to die slowly and painfully. Marl¡¯s attempts to beg for mercy were futile, as he could barely make a sound. His life ebbed away, second by agonizing second, until he finally succumbed, his lifeless eyes filled with venomous hatred and desperation.


    Ron stepped off the stage. The Team Rocket member overseeing the battle approached, asking if Persian required healing. Receiving a negative response, they escorted Ron back to his room.


    The Rocket member admired both Marl¡¯s and Ron¡¯s resolve. In Team Rocket, abandoning morality and using every means necessary to kill was the only path forward. The difference was simple: Ron won; Marl lost.


    With Marl¡¯s lesson in mind, Ron and Persian grew more cautious, preparing for future opponents who might employ similar underhanded tactics. Though Persian¡¯s combination of Soru and Hypnosis was well-suited for taking down trainers directly, Ron aimed to use these battles to strengthen Persian¡¯s abilities.


    At level 31, Persian was on the brink of advancing further. This trial battle offered the perfect opportunity for growth. Ron decided he would fight his remaining opponents head-on unless they resorted to treachery.


    After dispatching his next opponent¡¯s two Pok¨¦mon with brutal efficiency, Ron secured his third victory and advanced to the top eight.


    The remaining participants were strong, but in Ron¡¯s eyes, only two posed any real threat: a red-haired youth and a cold, expressionless boy. Against the others, he was confident of victory.


    In the confined battle arenas, Persian excelled. Its mastery of Soru allowed it to strike swiftly and repeatedly, leaving opponents in despair. Despite being only an elite-tier Pok¨¦mon, Persian could easily outmatch opponents several levels higher, a feat Ron attributed to their grueling three-month trial.


    Ron¡¯s strategy was clear: strike swiftly and decisively. Any hesitation could lead to disaster, and he had no intention of giving his opponents the same opportunity they would exploit against him.


    As he advanced to the final four, Ron entered a new training room to face his next opponent¡ªthe red-haired youth he had observed earlier.

 Chapter 33: Advancement

    ¡°Remember this well! My name is Montson. That way, when I crush you, you won''t die a clueless fool!¡±


    The moment the battle began, Montson, a fiery red-haired young man, announced his name loudly. Without hesitation, he released his Nidoking onto the battlefield.


    Facing such a dramatic introduction, Ron couldn''t help but feel a twinge of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, as though he''d stepped into an anime duel. If not for the latter half of Montson''s statement, he might have even found it amusing. But that didn¡¯t matter¡ªRon had already decided that this loudmouthed redhead wouldn¡¯t leave the arena unscathed.


    Two flashes of white light burst forth as Montson¡¯s Nidoking and Ron¡¯s Persian materialized on the battle stage.


    Unlike his previous opponents, Montson was taking no chances. He immediately sent out his strongest Pok¨¦mon, leaving Ron no opportunity to call out a second Pok¨¦mon.


    ¡°Go, Nidoking! Use Earth Power and crush that little kitty!¡±


    Montson¡¯s command echoed across the battlefield, and Nidoking prepared to attack.


    What Montson didn¡¯t realize, however, was that calling Persian a ¡°little kitty¡± only made its gaze grow darker and more menacing.


    ¡°Play along with him for now,¡± Ron said calmly, ¡°Move aside and use Swift!¡±


    As Persian¡¯s final battle of the tournament, Ron opted to avoid his usual combination of Hypnosis and high-speed takedowns using the Soru (Shave)  technique. He wanted to see just how much pressure a Level 32 Nidoking could exert against his Persian.


    Effortlessly dodging the slow-moving Earth Power without even needing Soru, Persian leapt gracefully into action. It retaliated with Swift, sending a barrage of shimmering stars flying toward Nidoking.


    ¡°Nidoking, counter with Poison Sting!¡±


    Unlike in the games, moves like Swift could be blocked in this world with the right techniques. Nidoking¡¯s well-timed Poison Sting intercepted Persian¡¯s attack, neutralizing the barrage of stars mid-air.


    ¡°Charge forward, Nidoking! Use Poison Tail!¡±


    Realizing that Earth Power was ineffective against Persian¡¯s speed, Montson switched tactics, directing Nidoking to close the distance.


    The enormous Pok¨¦mon surged forward, its sheer size and presence creating an oppressive atmosphere.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°Screech! Then follow up with Swift!¡±


    Ron instructed Persian to stand its ground, launching a counterattack instead of evading.


    Opening its mouth, Persian unleashed a series of ear-piercing waves. The sonic vibrations spread like a tangible force, causing Nidoking to falter, clutching its ears in agony.


    Persian wasted no time, unleashing another round of Swift. Though Nidoking managed to block the attack with its prepped Poison Tail, the effects of Screech were already evident¡ªNidoking¡¯s defenses had dropped significantly, its skin loosening as its stamina waned.


    ¡°Nidoking, use Earth Power repeatedly! Get Iron Tail ready!¡±


    As Nidoking focused its Ground-type energy, a series of stone pillars erupted from the battlefield, targeting Persian. Montson kept his gaze locked on Persian, searching for an opening.


    ¡°Now, Nidoking! Use Poison Sting! Close in and strike with Iron Tail!¡±


    Montson seized his chance as Persian leapt to avoid the stone pillars. Nidoking¡¯s Poison Sting shot forward, but Persian swiftly countered with another volley of Swift. With the projectiles colliding mid-air, Nidoking closed the gap and swung its metallic tail downward with force.


    ¡°Soru! Then use Bite!¡±


    Before Nidoking¡¯s Iron Tail could land, Persian vanished in a blur, reappearing behind its opponent. Nidoking¡¯s attack struck the ground instead, leaving a deep crater in the battlefield.


    Taking advantage of the opening, Persian leapt onto Nidoking¡¯s back and sank its fangs into its opponent. The earlier Screech made Nidoking¡¯s softened hide an easy target, leaving a deep wound.


    Springing away to create distance, Persian continued its assault. Montson, now wary, restrained himself from ordering reckless attacks.


    Montson¡¯s Nidoking was powerful, but speed-oriented Pok¨¦mon like Persian were its natural counters. Without a wide arsenal of ranged attacks to keep its opponent on the defensive, Nidoking could only wait for an opportunity to retaliate.


    ¡°Giving up already?¡± Ron smirked disdainfully. ¡°How boring.¡±


    Montson gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain calm. Unlike his previous opponents, Ron¡¯s Persian displayed an unusual and unpredictable movement style. Every failed attack chipped away at Nidoking¡¯s stamina, making defeat inevitable if the battle dragged on.


    Seeing Montson hesitate, Ron decided it was time to end things.


    ¡°Let¡¯s finish this, Persian! Use Screech, then Hypnosis! Follow up with Iron Tail!¡±


    The combination of Screech and Hypnosis immobilized Nidoking, leaving it defenseless as Persian¡¯s Iron Tail landed a critical blow. The repeated effects of Screech had drastically lowered Nidoking¡¯s defenses, amplifying the impact of the attack.


    Before Montson could react, Persian dashed through the toxic traps and Earth Power pillars, delivering a final, decisive strike.


    Nidoking fell.


    As Montson frantically reached for Nidoking¡¯s Pok¨¦ Ball to recall it, Persian¡¯s razor-sharp claws glinted menacingly as it turned its attention to Montson.


    ¡°I surrender!¡± Montson screamed, panic-stricken.


    ¡°Stand down, Persian!¡± Ron¡¯s command came just in time.


    Persian stopped mere inches from Montson, its claws stained with Nidoking¡¯s blood. Behind it, a Crobat¡ªone clearly at an elite level¡ªhovered ominously, ready to intervene if needed.


    ¡°The winner is Contestant No. 30!¡± announced the Rocket Grunt overseeing the match.


    As Ron walked away, Montson¡¯s eyes burned with hatred, silently vowing revenge.

 Chapter 34: The Final Battle

    Back in his room, Ron found himself increasingly perplexed by the nature of this trial.


    First was the participants'' strength. Among the 60 survivors, more than half had elite-tier Pok¨¦mon.


    This number was no small feat. To survive while simultaneously training Pok¨¦mon to elite levels was not easy. Even if they hadn''t fully explored every aspect of their Pok¨¦mon''s potential, as Ron did, it still required significant effort.


    For comparison, among the League¡¯s rookie trainers, only a select few could raise a Pok¨¦mon to elite initial-tier strength within three months. This demonstrated that the Pok¨¦mon provided by Team Rocket for this trial likely possessed excellent natural talents, enabling such rapid growth in power.


    Then there were the trial staff. From the Rocket member earlier, it was clear that even the staff were at least mid-tier elite trainers.


    In Team Rocket, such strength would be sufficient for the rank of a squad captain, yet here they were relegated to mere staff roles. This alone showed how seriously Team Rocket regarded this trial.


    Finally, there was the trial¡¯s selection method. While the purpose of any trial was to select talent, this one felt more like a bloodbath.


    For example, there was the merciless slaughter of Pok¨¦mon. Over the past three months, some participants had painstakingly raised an elite-tier Pok¨¦mon, only to have it fall outside the safe zones or in the arenas.


    This meant that, aside from their three months of experience, these participants'' strength was not much different from rookie trainers who had only just started their journeys.


    Thus, Ron couldn¡¯t help but feel that this trial was akin to a Gu ritual¡ªa brutal selection process to cultivate the strongest survivor, like nurturing venomous insects to find the deadliest one.


    Unfortunately, with the limited clues at hand, Ron could only surmise that the trial was extraordinary but couldn¡¯t deduce Team Rocket¡¯s ultimate goal.


    His thoughts were interrupted as the final battle began.


    Entering the battle chamber, Ron saw that his opponent was indeed the cold-faced youth. The only difference was that there were now four Rocket members stationed in the room instead of two.


    With four mid-tier elite trainers present, any unforeseen incidents would be firmly under control.


    As the battle commenced, the cold-faced youth, Akita, released his Arbok.


    Compared to Montson¡¯s Nidoking, Akita¡¯s Arbok was stronger, reaching level 34.


    For this decisive match, Ron decided to let Machoke have its turn in the spotlight while showcasing his strength to Team Rocket.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    If this trial was truly about cultivating the deadliest competitor, Ron had no qualms about becoming the chosen one. Only by doing so could he ensure his survival.


    As Machoke entered the field, its level 35 aura rippled outward, filling the room with palpable intensity.


    Upon sensing Machoke¡¯s power, a subtle change flickered across Akita¡¯s otherwise stoic expression. However, he quickly regained his composure.


    ¡°Arbok, Poison Sting and Glare!¡±


    ¡°Machoke, Soru to evade! Glare back, then Karate Chop!¡±


    The commands were concise but effective, and the Pok¨¦mon launched their attacks.


    Purple-tinged poison needles shot forth, while Arbok¡¯s undulating patterns attempted to paralyze Machoke with its hypnotic glare.


    Machoke vanished with a burst of speed from Soru, causing both the Poison Sting and Glare to miss their mark.


    Machoke countered with a powerful Karate Chop, sending the upright Arbok flying backward.


    However, Ron didn¡¯t instruct Machoke to follow up. Instead, Machoke stood in Arbok¡¯s previous position, calmly watching it rise again.


    Just like with the previous battle against the Persian, Ron didn¡¯t want to end things too quickly. Allowing his Pok¨¦mon to savor the fight was also a display of strength.


    ¡°Arbok, sweep with Poison Sting! Prepare Ice Fang!¡±


    Once again, the battlefield filled with venomous projectiles as icy energy coalesced around Arbok¡¯s fangs.


    ¡°Machoke, Soru, then Karate Chop!¡±


    ¡°Arbok, counter with Iron Tail!¡±


    Arbok¡¯s tail gleamed with metallic sheen, slicing through the air like a sword.


    ¡°Machoke, Counter Throw!¡±


    At Ron¡¯s command, Machoke grabbed Arbok¡¯s tail with impeccable timing. With a swift pivot, it hurled Arbok across the battlefield.


    The serpent slid along the ground, its scales scraping audibly against the arena floor until it came to a halt at Akita¡¯s feet.


    Unshaken, Arbok rose again, its heat-sensitive senses locked onto Machoke. Yet, no matter how hard it tried, it couldn¡¯t keep up with Machoke¡¯s movements.


    Meanwhile, Akita, who had been observing Ron, began to lose his earlier confidence.


    Having watched both Montson and Ron perform during the trial, Akita initially believed neither posed a threat to him. But now, with Ron¡¯s Machoke standing before him¡ªa Pok¨¦mon far superior to the Persian he had dismissed earlier¡ªAkita realized this fight was slipping out of his control.


    Akita clenched his jaw, determined to use his command skills and Arbok¡¯s strength to turn the tide. But the ghostly speed of Machoke and its precise execution left him reeling.


    Without a solution to counter Machoke¡¯s agility, Akita hesitated to order further attacks.


    Ron noticed this hesitation and sighed inwardly. Sometimes, being too strong was its own curse.


    ¡°Machoke, Soru, Glare!¡±


    ¡°Arbok, stay vigilant and use Glare as well!¡±


    For the first time, Akita¡¯s cold demeanor cracked, his face betraying tension.


    ¡°Machoke, Karate Chop!¡±


    Understanding the simplicity of its trainer¡¯s orders, Machoke leaped high into the air, avoiding Arbok¡¯s glare zone entirely, and struck down with devastating precision.


    To Arbok, Machoke seemed to vanish from sight before suddenly reappearing, its blow landing squarely on Arbok¡¯s head.


    ¡°Machoke, Close Combat!¡±


    Machoke unleashed a flurry of brutal strikes. Even Akita, standing nearby, could feel the gusts of air generated by the relentless onslaught.


    Still, Machoke didn¡¯t pursue a finishing blow. It stepped back, watching as Arbok struggled to rise once more.


    Akita, paralyzed by indecision, found himself unable to maintain his composure. He stared at Ron, torn between strategies.


    ¡°Arbok, Acid Spray¡ªfire continuously!¡±


    Backed into a corner, Akita resorted to covering the battlefield with Acid Spray, forcing Machoke into close quarters with Arbok.


    Ron¡¯s eyes narrowed. Observing Akita¡¯s reaction, he grew more certain of his suspicions about the trial.

 Chapter 35: Trial’s End

    "Finish the fight, Machoke! Soru, use Close Combat!"


    With blinding speed, Machoke executed Soru, dashing forward with no regard for the consequences of its momentum.


    "Arbok, one final strike¡ªIron Tail!"


    Arbok unleashed two Acid Spray attacks before twisting its body to enhance the power of its Iron Tail. However, the strike, though forceful, failed to provide Arbok with the defense it desperately needed. A searing pain coursed through its tail, spreading throughout its entire body. In that moment, the proverb like a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot flashed through Arbok¡¯s mind.


    Seizing Arbok''s tail, Machoke used its brute strength to swing the serpent-like Pok¨¦mon around as if it were nothing more than a ragdoll.


    Dizzy and wracked with pain, Arbok quickly succumbed, losing all ability to fight. Yet, Machoke didn¡¯t stop, its menacing gaze fixed firmly on Akita.


    As Akita hesitated, his hand moving toward his second Pok¨¦ Ball, the fierce glint in Machoke¡¯s eye made him freeze. He didn¡¯t doubt for a moment that if he dared act, Machoke''s iron fists would be upon him.


    The scene was brutal. Arbok lay on the ground, scales shattered and streaked with blood, resembling nothing more than a broken rope. Its lifeless form bore no signs of vitality.


    Seeing Machoke approach, step by step, Akita decided to gamble. But before he could release his second Pok¨¦mon, a sharp pain exploded in his arm. Numbness spread as Machoke grabbed him by the neck and hoisted him into the air.


    "Victory or death... Fine, I admit defeat!" Akita growled, his gaze locking onto Machoke as if trying to see Ron through the Pok¨¦mon¡¯s form. Refusing to concede, his uninjured hand reached for another Pok¨¦ Ball.


    A quick glance from Ron was all the instruction Machoke needed. With a swift motion, Machoke snapped Akita¡¯s neck. The Pok¨¦ Ball slipped from his lifeless hand, clattering to the ground. Akita hadn¡¯t even managed to release his second Pok¨¦mon.


    What should have been a fierce clash between evenly matched opponents had devolved into a one-sided massacre. The surrounding Team Rocket members watched without surprise. Though they were impressed by Ron¡¯s strength, their expressions remained icy.


    "Congratulations on passing the trial," one Rocket member said coldly. "The final challenge awaits."


    The words carried no warmth. As the battle room door opened, surviving trial participants were ushered in. They were bound tightly, their mouths gagged, leaving them powerless to resist.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Arranged in a neat row on the floor, each captive had a sheet of paper placed beside them. A Team Rocket member set up a camera, pointing it at Ron and Machoke.


    "Your final test is simple: kill them. If you fail, you die. Begin."


    Ron showed no surprise or hesitation. Wordlessly, he pulled out a dagger and approached the captives.


    The choice was no choice at all¡ªhis life or theirs.


    As Ron drew near, he noticed that the papers contained the captives'' personal information. Most weren¡¯t Team Rocket members; they were law-abiding citizens under the League¡¯s protection. Killing them would brand Ron as a criminal beyond redemption, should this ever be exposed.


    But the weight of future consequences didn¡¯t sway Ron¡¯s decision. Ignoring their pleading eyes, he plunged the dagger into the first captive''s heart.


    In the Pok¨¦mon world, craftsmanship extended even to cold weapons. This dagger, though simple, was honed to lethal sharpness. It pierced the heart with ease, extinguishing life in moments.


    If Ron lacked a strong mental constitution, the act could have broken him. Yet, with the first act of violence done, the subsequent executions came easier. One by one, he ended their lives, each strike precise and merciless. The Team Rocket members recorded everything.


    When he reached Montsong, a fellow trial participant he had once fought, Ron paused. In a twisted show of kindness, he saved Monsong for last, giving the man a few extra moments to remember everything he¡¯d seen.


    The dagger plunged into Montsong¡¯s chest. After wiping his hands clean on Montsong¡¯s clothes, Ron left the bloodstained weapon embedded in the body.


    "Well done," a Rocket member said. "You¡¯ve passed. Your reward will be delivered shortly."


    Despite their words, two Rocket grunts flanked Ron as he left, their presence a clear reminder that he was under constant surveillance. How many more eyes watched from the shadows, Ron couldn¡¯t guess.


    Outnumbered and outmatched, Ron harbored no illusions of escape. He returned to his room, washed his hands thoroughly, and lay on the bed to rest. There was no sign of the massacre he had just carried out on his face.


    After all, if those people hadn¡¯t died, it would have been him. Framing it this way made the situation easier to accept.


    Hours later, a cloaked figure wearing a silver half-mask entered Ron¡¯s room. The Rocket grunts stationed outside lowered their heads respectfully as the man passed, a testament to his authority.


    Pushing open the door, the man saw Ron sitting calmly, unshaken by the intrusion.


    The man¡¯s sharp gaze assessed Ron¡¯s composure, his satisfaction hidden behind an impassive mask.


    "I¡¯ll introduce myself," he began, his raspy voice carrying authority. "My name is Shadow, one of the two captains of the Ghost Corps, Giovanni¡¯s personal guard. From now on, you¡¯re part of the Ghost Corps."


    Shadow continued, "Your reward will come later. Now, let¡¯s discuss your mission.


    "The purpose of this trial was to select someone for a critical task: infiltrating the League."


    Shadow paused, giving Ron a moment to process the information before pressing on.


    "You don¡¯t need to worry about the how. Once inside, you¡¯re not expected to act unless called upon. The stronger you become, the more valuable you¡¯ll be. You understand the implications, I¡¯m sure."


    "And don¡¯t entertain the idea of defecting to the League," Shadow warned. "Not only do you carry the weight of your actions today, but Giovanni¡¯s reputation ensures you wouldn¡¯t live long enough to regret it."


    "I¡¯ll give you three minutes to ask any questions."


    Ron¡¯s mind focused on one thought: This man is powerful. The gap between their strength felt insurmountable, a chasm too vast to bridge.


    As for the mission, Ron knew he had no choice but to comply. For now, survival was all that mattered. Whatever came next, he would face it as it came. After all, as long as he grew stronger, the future held no fear for him.

 Chapter 36: Reward Selection

    Ron spent three minutes asking Shadow for a rough outline of his next steps. Once he received the necessary details, he asked no more, quietly awaiting Shadow¡¯s instructions.


    Shadow was quite satisfied with Ron¡¯s tact, just as he had been with his earlier performance.


    For an undercover operative, it¡¯s essential to project a generally likable personality.


    Ron might not be overly warm or charismatic, but he gave off no unpleasant or unapproachable vibes. That alone made him a suitable candidate.


    Beyond personality, an ideal undercover agent needed a steady mindset. The ability to remain calm and composed, even in the face of catastrophe, was non-negotiable. A minor slip could easily expose their identity.


    Next came discretion. As Shadow had mentioned earlier, Ron¡¯s mission was straightforward: to gradually climb the ranks and serve as a nail driven deep into the league by Team Rocket.


    To accomplish this, curiosity had to be curbed. Overly inquisitive agents inevitably raised suspicions.


    Lastly, there was ambition¡ªa hunger for power. Shadow didn¡¯t need to test Ron on this front; he could see the burning desire for strength in Ron¡¯s eyes.


    Initially, Shadow hadn¡¯t placed high hopes on this trial¡¯s outcome. However, now he was thoroughly pleased with Ron, who had emerged as the final candidate.


    ¡°Well done. From here on out, everything will be arranged for you. Take note of this¡ªthis is how we will stay in contact,¡± Shadow instructed, handing Ron a communication device.


    ¡°And one last thing: without permission from either myself or Lord Giovanni, never reveal your true identity, no matter whom you encounter in Team Rocket. You are, however, allowed to act against Team Rocket members if necessary, as long as it¡¯s within the limits.¡±


    After delivering his final instructions, Shadow left Ron¡¯s room without lingering, leaving Ron to process everything.


    Ron¡¯s way of processing was simple: he lay on the bed and waited for his rewards to arrive.


    It wasn¡¯t that Ron was particularly nonchalant; it was just that his choices were limited from the start. Accepting this mission was his only viable option.


    Shadow¡¯s involvement made it clear that Giovanni himself was pulling the strings. Even if Ron refused, Giovanni could easily find someone else.


    In fact, if Ron hadn¡¯t stepped up, the now-deceased Akita would have eagerly taken on this task.


    Unless Ron¡¯s strength someday reached a level where he could negotiate even with Team Rocket holding leverage over him, he had no room to maneuver.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Back in his previous life, Ron had learned a lot about Pok¨¦mon through various mediums, including anime and manga. Among them, Koga, the Fuchsia City Gym Leader, had left a strong impression.


    Though officially a Gym Leader of the League, Koga secretly collaborated with Team Rocket.


    Unlike Ron, Koga was powerful enough to walk the line. Even after the League discovered his ties with Team Rocket, Koga managed to navigate the situation without offending either side. He eventually rose to the rank of Elite Four.


    For Ron, Koga was a benchmark. Only by reaching a similar level of strength could he begin considering his future options.


    At the moment, Ron¡¯s goal was simple: become as strong as Koga. Any long-term plans could wait until he gained control over his own destiny.


    Besides, accepting this mission meant smoother access to resources. As long as Ron continued to grow stronger and prove his worth, Team Rocket would grant him increasingly abundant resources.


    After giving it some thought, Ron concluded that there was no downside to accepting the mission.


    Shortly after Shadow left, a Team Rocket member entered the room.


    ¡°For your trial rewards, you may select two items of any quality, five Technical Machines (TMs) of your choice, and one Pok¨¦mon in its baby stage. Any species is allowed¡ªeven pseudo-Legendaries,¡± the member announced.


    ¡°You have five minutes to decide. Let me know when you¡¯ve made your choices.¡±


    Team Rocket understood that if you wanted a horse to run, you needed to feed it well.


    The item options included evolutionary stones like the Moon Stone and powerful items like the Life Orb.


    Through observation, Ron had already confirmed that his Nidoran¡á had the Hustle ability, which would change to Sheer Force upon evolving into Nidoking¡ªa trait Ron highly anticipated.


    Thus, the optimal choices were a high-quality Moon Stone and a Life Orb.


    Even though these items weren¡¯t immediately necessary, Ron estimated that in four to five months, Nidoran¡á would grow strong enough to benefit from them. Acquiring such rare items within that time frame would otherwise be a challenge.


    The only dilemma lay in his Gloom¡¯s evolution items.


    Ron had initially planned to release Gloom after reaching a safe zone, fulfilling a promise he had made.


    However, to his surprise, Gloom had refused to leave. It had begged to stay by Ron¡¯s side, even if it meant being overlooked.


    Since evolving into Gloom, its Stench ability had driven away its former friends. Ron¡¯s presence had been a beacon of light in its otherwise dark life.


    After much deliberation, Ron decided to keep Gloom.


    Having captured Gloom, Ron felt responsible for its future. Moreover, its Hidden Power signaled good potential, and its performance thus far had been commendable.


    This meant Ron now had to consider Gloom¡¯s evolution path.


    Gloom could evolve into either Vileplume with a Leaf Stone or Bellossom with a Sun Stone.


    Ron believed Bellossom suited Gloom better. Upon evolving, its Stench ability would change to Healer, allowing it to occasionally cure allies of status conditions after using a move.


    After careful consideration, Ron opted for a Sun Stone and a Moon Stone as his two items. The Life Orb could wait for another day.


    Next came the TMs. Currently, Machoke¡¯s strongest move was Close Combat with 120 base power. While sufficient for now, it might become less effective later.


    The strongest moves suitable for Ron¡¯s Pok¨¦mon included Focus Blast, Hyper Beam, and Giga Impact.


    Machoke: Focus Punch


    Persian: Hyper Beam


    Gloom: Hyper Beam or Giga Impact


    Nidoran¡á: Both Hyper Beam and Giga Impact would be considered later.


    Ron decided on the following TMs:


    One Focus Punch


    Three Hyper Beam


    One Protect


    Though Protect was merely a defensive move, it could block a single attack, making it an excellent survival tool.


    Finally, it was time to choose a Pok¨¦mon.

 Chapter 37: A New Identity

    Since the Team Rocket members had already made the offer, there was no way Ron would give up the opportunity to obtain a pseudo-legendary Pok¨¦mon.


    As pseudo-legendary Pok¨¦mon, they all shared a critical drawback: slow growth.


    This slowness wasn¡¯t just about their physical development; it meant that during their infancy, and even well past that stage, their strength remained far below average.


    Moreover, pseudo-legendaries required immense resources to reach their full potential. For ordinary Pok¨¦mon, consistent battles and training were enough to unlock their abilities. But for pseudo-legendaries, it wasn¡¯t so simple.


    Battles were often out of the question early on, as their combat strength was relatively weak. Their development depended heavily on both specialized training and rare resources¡ªresources that weren¡¯t easy to come by.


    For instance, Dragonite, a Dragon-type pseudo-legendary, needed vast amounts of specific resources during its infancy, including many that were exclusive to Dragon-types and exceedingly rare and expensive. Similarly, Larvitar needed to consume energy-rich rocks during its early stages. Each pseudo-legendary presented unique challenges when it came to raising them.


    Without sufficient resources, a pseudo-legendary¡¯s growth would either stagnate, making it difficult to build combat strength, or result in a flashy but ineffective Pok¨¦mon that failed to live up to its potential.


    In addition to resource challenges, pseudo-legendaries came with another issue: their allure.


    The Kanto region might seem harmonious on the surface, but behind the scenes, theft and poaching of Pok¨¦mon were rampant. Unlike the bumbling Team Rocket trio seen in the anime, these criminals were highly skilled and ruthless, with no shortage of trainers who had met their end at their hands.


    If Ron¡¯s pseudo-legendary were ever discovered, he would undoubtedly become a target for wave after wave of poachers¡ªunless he could amass enough strength to protect himself.


    Considering all these risks, Ron made his decision: he would hold onto the opportunity for now, saving it for a more opportune moment.


    ¡°That¡¯s a wise choice. The rewards will be delivered to you soon, and someone will escort you out of here,¡± said the Team Rocket member before leaving Ron alone in the room.


    A day later, Ron stood at the edge of a forest, dumbfounded, struggling to believe what had just happened.


    The events of the past day replayed in his mind. After the Team Rocket member delivered his rewards, no one showed up to further brief him.


    Ron had expected them to fabricate a new identity for him or stage some event to earn the League¡¯s trust, thus facilitating his infiltration as an undercover operative.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Instead, he had spent the time training his Pok¨¦mon to learn new moves. His Machoke practiced Focus Punch and Protect, while Persian and Gloom both trained to master Hyper Beam. For his young Nidoran, Ron planned to hold off on teaching it Hyper Beam until it gained more strength.


    Despite Nidoking¡¯s eventual massive build, Ron envisioned it as a versatile long-range attacker. He pictured a Nidoking darting about with Soru (a high-speed movement technique) while firing powerful long-range attacks¡ªan intimidating combination indeed.


    As for Gloom, Ron had been preparing it for its next evolution. Gloom had already evolved once at Level 21, and in the interim, Ron had helped it fully develop its strength and even grasp a simplified version of Soru.


    Now, with its evolution into Bellossom imminent, Ron believed it would master Soru completely. Beyond its newfound power, Bellossom¡¯s elegant and radiant appearance would also boost its confidence.


    Handing the Sun Stone to Gloom, Ron watched as it began to glow, its body enveloped in radiant light. The evolution progressed smoothly, and soon Bellossom emerged, his Fighting Aura manifesting as golden energy threads intertwined with the evolutionary light.


    When the glow faded, the now smaller but dazzling Bellossom stood before him. Its bright eyes sparkled as it inspected its new form. After a brief adjustment, Bellossom leapt into Ron¡¯s arms, nuzzling against his chest affectionately.


    Unlike Machoke and his other ¡°rough and tough¡± companions, Bellossom was a true lady. Though it hadn¡¯t been as noticeable when it was Gloom, its evolution had amplified its charm immensely.


    As Ron gently stroked the two vibrant flowers atop Bellossom¡¯s head, he couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how he had become such a visual creature, appreciating its beauty.


    With no opponents nearby and the surrounding area not particularly safe, Bellossom would have to wait until they left to begin its training and battles.


    The following morning, just as Ron had woken up, Team Rocket members arrived.


    Prepared to dive into his undercover mission, Ron was caught off guard when they unceremoniously bundled him into a helicopter, flew to an isolated area, and dropped him off with little explanation.


    The only consolation was that they left him with a standard League trainer¡¯s backpack and a Pok¨¦dex.


    Though seemingly ordinary, the backpack utilized spatial-folding technology, allowing it to hold a vast number of items without feeling heavy¡ªjust like the ones seen in the anime. Without such a device, Brock wouldn¡¯t have been able to carry so many supplies.


    The Pok¨¦dex, another trainer staple, was invaluable. It had to be bound to a trainer¡¯s identity to function and contained a wealth of information, from maps to Pok¨¦mon stats and moves¡ªa compact yet indispensable tool for any trainer.


    While the backpack could be stolen and reused, the Pok¨¦dex was strictly trainer-specific, rendering it useless to others. This safeguard prevented infiltrators from exploiting the device to penetrate the League.


    What the League likely hadn¡¯t accounted for, however, was that their fortress would be breached from within. Team Rocket had provided Ron with a Pok¨¦dex already bound to his identity.


    Resigned to the situation, Ron packed his belongings and ventured into the forest.


    For Ron, the priority now was to train Nidoran, help Bellossom acclimate to its new powers, and prepare it to break through to elite-level strength. Machoke and Persian also needed to advance to the next level.


    Since the Team Rocket had given no further instructions, Ron decided to focus on increasing his strength first. Afterward, he would collect eight badges and participate in the Indigo League as part of his undercover mission.


    Having only seen these events unfold in the anime during his past life, Ron was eager to experience them firsthand.


    Setting his sights on a small but ambitious goal, Ron resolved to win the Indigo League Championship and attract the League¡¯s attention, solidifying his place as an undercover operative.


    With that in mind, Ron released his Pok¨¦mon and stepped into the forest, ready to take the next step on his journey.

 Chapter 38: The Uprising

    After spending three months training in the forest, Ron found himself returning again shortly after. To his surprise, he felt no aversion this time¡ªrather, it was like a bird returning to the woods, a sense of belonging.


    Once released from its Pok¨¦ Ball, Nidoran excitedly dashed through the forest, with Bellossom trailing behind at a leisurely pace, watching over the little one. Meanwhile, Machoke remained quietly by Ron''s side, and Persian nimbly darted among the treetops, startling flocks of wild birds into flight.


    Since joining Ron¡¯s team, Machoke and the others had spent most of their time in the forest. The brief stint at a cramped safe zone had left them feeling stifled, but now, back in the open woods, their spirits were soaring.


    Wanting to give his team some well-deserved relaxation, Ron didn¡¯t rein them in. Instead, he joined them, soaking in the tranquil ambiance of the forest.


    On the forest''s outskirts, the local Pok¨¦mon were no match for Machoke or Persian, ensuring that Ron could stroll through the woods without worry. Compared to his previous life, the forests of the Pok¨¦mon world exuded a refreshing vitality, as if his very soul was rejuvenated.


    By noon, an exhausted Nidoran returned to Ron¡¯s side, looking up with pleading eyes. Persian, on the other hand, maintained a more composed demeanor but subtly echoed Nidoran¡¯s sentiment without admitting its own hunger.


    Fortunately, the Rockets had been thorough in their preparations, supplying Ron with ingredients beforehand. Otherwise, Machoke and the others might have had to go hunting for food.


    With seasoning at hand, Ron no longer had to endure the unseasoned taste of plain meat. He carefully prepared their meal, and soon, wisps of smoke curled into the sky.


    Around the campfire, Machoke and the others fixed their gazes on the roasting meat as if it were an adversary that might strike at any moment.


    ¡°You can eat now,¡± Ron announced, his voice like music to their ears. Yet, his Pok¨¦mon didn¡¯t immediately move, their eyes still fixed on him expectantly.


    Understanding their hesitation, Ron didn¡¯t say more. He picked up a piece of meat, blew on it to cool it, and took the first bite himself. Only then did Machoke and the others start eating, a reflection of the authority Ron had instilled in them.


    Though Ron allowed playfulness in their daily interactions, when it came to critical moments, his Pok¨¦mon knew to follow his commands without question. Even in seemingly trivial matters, his authority was evident.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    After a relaxed morning and a satisfying meal, Ron began the afternoon¡¯s training by seeking out weaker wild Pok¨¦mon for Nidoran to battle.


    As a League trainer, the starting level for a newly acquired Pok¨¦mon was typically around Level 10. To ensure new trainers could battle safely early on, the League regularly cleared areas near common routes, ensuring the wild Pok¨¦mon there were relatively weak. Even in the forest¡¯s deeper parts, strong wild Pok¨¦mon rarely ventured out due to the League¡¯s consistent efforts in maintaining balance.


    This system worked to Ron¡¯s advantage, providing an ideal environment for Nidoran to gain experience and grow stronger.


    With Persian¡¯s sharp instincts leading the way, they soon encountered their first target.


    ¡°Get ready, Nidoran!¡± Ron called out. Nidoran eagerly bounded forward, filled with excitement. Having witnessed Machoke and the others in countless battles during its infancy, it was finally Nidoran¡¯s time to shine. Adrenaline surged through its tiny body, a mix of nervousness and anticipation taking hold.


    In contrast, the wild Rattata they encountered seemed far less motivated. To it, the situation was bleak¡ªit could sense the overwhelming strength of Ron¡¯s team. Resigned to its fate, the Rattata adopted a laissez-faire attitude, as if thinking, Let it be over quickly.


    ¡°Nidoran, use Leer, then follow up with Peck!¡± Ron commanded.


    Nidoran¡¯s Leer caused the already unnerved Rattata to freeze in fear. Seizing the opportunity, Nidoran charged forward, landing a precise Peck on its opponent.


    ¡°Now, use your horn to toss it!¡± Ron ordered.


    Despite being a young Nidoran, its strength had already grown noticeably. With a powerful lift, Nidoran sent the Rattata flying, its light body tumbling through the air.


    ¡°Chase it! Leer again, then Peck!¡±


    Before the Rattata could steady itself after landing, Nidoran was upon it with another Leer. It followed up with Peck, this time cleverly using its horn to launch the Rattata once more.


    After just two rounds of attacks, the weakened Rattata couldn¡¯t stand back up.


    With this initial battle under its belt, Nidoran quickly adapted, incorporating its inherited moves and techniques taught by its parent, Nidoking. With each successive victory, Nidoran¡¯s strength surged, eventually reaching Level 9 and even learning Double Kick.


    Though Ron occasionally spotted other trainers in the forest, he avoided them. He reasoned that letting Nidoran battle wild Pok¨¦mon would be a more efficient way to gain experience than engaging in trainer battles.


    Unbeknownst to him, time flew by, and the sun was already dipping below the horizon. Just as Ron was about to find a place to rest for the night, his Pok¨¦dex chimed urgently.


    As a League-issued device, the Pok¨¦dex not only recorded Pok¨¦mon data but also had a mission system. Trainers could accept tasks issued by the League through their Pok¨¦dex. Completing these tasks earned contribution points, which could be exchanged for items, TMs, or even rare Pok¨¦mon.


    The sharp, sudden tone of the alarm indicated an emergency. Opening his Pok¨¦dex, Ron saw a flashing red message:


    ¡°Pok¨¦mon Uprising: Nearby trainers are requested to subdue rampaging Pok¨¦mon. Rewards vary based on the strength of the defeated Pok¨¦mon.¡±


    Below the message was a detailed chart listing the contribution points rewarded for Pok¨¦mon of various levels.


    Emergency missions like this offered far greater rewards than regular assignments. For Ron, this was an unexpected opportunity¡ªa chance to earn enough points to exchange for a high-quality Life Orb.

 Chapter 39: The First Step to Fame

    "Damn it, what on earth is going on? Why have the Pok¨¦mon suddenly gone berserk with rage?"


    Deep in the forest, a group of rangers clad in green uniforms worked tirelessly to command Pok¨¦mons in an attempt to quell the chaos. Despite their efforts, many wild Pok¨¦mon were still charging out of the forest.


    Even before the emergency alert was issued, the League¡¯s rangers had detected signs of unrest among the Pok¨¦mon in the forest¡¯s depths and rushed to suppress it.


    In the Pok¨¦mon world, rangers, police officers, and investigators make up the League''s three prominent armed forces. The primary responsibility of rangers is to combat poachers, protect Pok¨¦mon habitats, and intervene during Pok¨¦mon uprisings.


    These uprisings often stem from powerful wild Pok¨¦mon being attacked by poachers or other individuals, causing the enraged Pok¨¦mon to pursue their attackers beyond their territory. This in turn intimidates weaker wild Pok¨¦mon in the vicinity, prompting them to flee their domains and creating a chain reaction of chaos.


    Sometimes, dominant Pok¨¦mon recruit others as their subordinates. If a leader becomes enraged, its followers typically join in the pursuit, escalating the situation.


    The ranger who had arrived first on the scene was only of elite rank, ill-equipped to contain an uprising of this scale. Fortunately, a League-certified Pok¨¦mon Champion was en route, and higher-ranking elite rangers were heading deeper into the forest to tackle the core of the problem. Without their imminent arrival, the fragile defensive line would have already crumbled.


    Now, the rangers could only hope the Champion would arrive swiftly and that other rangers and nearby trainers would lend their strength to prevent the maddened Pok¨¦mon from reaching surrounding towns.


    Time was running out. As dusk fell, the urgency grew. Should the uprising persist into the night, the situation would become even more perilous. Certain Pok¨¦mon grow more aggressive under the cover of darkness, while humans struggle with limited visibility, drastically reducing their chances of survival in an encounter.


    Amidst the mounting tension, a lone figure darted toward the heart of the forest like an unbridled stallion¡ªRon.


    After accepting the mission, Ron swiftly shifted his Pok¨¦mon to "mission mode," enabling him to log defeated Pok¨¦mon for the League¡¯s evaluation. This would serve as proof of task completion.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    On his journey, every wild Pok¨¦mon he encountered fell to Bellossom, while Persian provided support, and Machoke stayed close to protect him. Though Ron sought to accumulate as many contribution points as possible, his safety remained his top priority.


    Being on the forest¡¯s outskirts, the Pok¨¦mon Ron faced were mostly around level 10. Against Bellossom¡¯s overwhelming attacks, they could barely withstand one hit, let alone two.


    With shimmering green Magical Leaves swirling around her and brandishing Leaf Blade in hand, Bellossom seemed like a Valkyrie incarnate. Persian prowled nearby, eliminating any Pok¨¦mon Bellossom might miss.


    Wasting no time, Ron pressed on toward the forest¡¯s depths, where elite-level Pok¨¦mon awaited. He had three goals for this mission: strengthen Machoke and his team, accumulate contribution points, and make a name for himself.


    Although Team Rocket had not set a deadline for Ron to establish himself within the League, he understood that the sooner he achieved recognition, the better. It would earn him more attention and open opportunities for future endeavors. To him, this chaos was the perfect stage to shine. A stellar performance would ensure he was noticed by both peers and superiors in the League, paving the way for his plans.


    Elsewhere in the forest, a group of rookie trainers struggled against an onslaught of wild Pok¨¦mon. With Pok¨¦mon barely above level 10, they initially believed they could handle the situation. However, as time passed and more opponents emerged, their confidence waned. Surrounded by enraged Pok¨¦mon, escape seemed impossible.


    Just as they braced for a desperate stand, a commanding voice pierced through the chaos:


    "Bellossom, use Magical Leaf!"


    "Persian, go for Feint Attack!"


    In an instant, a dazzling green light filled their vision. Razor-sharp leaves streaked through the air, striking down Pok¨¦mon one after another. A pale, lithe figure moved with deadly precision, felling every Pok¨¦mon in its path.


    Within moments, the battlefield fell silent, every wild Pok¨¦mon incapacitated.


    Ron, mindful of his image, had instructed his Pok¨¦mon not to inflict fatal injuries unless absolutely necessary. The defeated Pok¨¦mon were merely unable to fight, not seriously harmed.


    "My name is Ron," he said, stepping forward. "Like you, I¡¯m here on a League mission."


    He paused briefly, surveying the group of trainers. "The deeper you go, the more Pok¨¦mon you¡¯ll face. It¡¯s safer to stay on the outskirts and prevent any wild Pok¨¦mon from escaping the forest."


    Without waiting for a response, Ron turned and disappeared into the forest.


    "D-"


    Before they could utter their thanks, Ron¡¯s silhouette vanished into the shadows.


    "We¡¯re so lucky that guy, Ron, showed up. Otherwise, we¡¯d be done for."


    "Yeah! Did you see his eyes? They were purple! So cool!"


    Grateful and awestruck, the trainers couldn¡¯t help but discuss their savior. With his overwhelming strength and striking presence, they quickly began referring to him as "Sir Ron."


    Emboldened by his initial success, Ron made a habit of assisting other trainers in distress. His remarkable power, distinctive violet eyes, and habit of introducing himself left an indelible impression. Word of his deeds spread rapidly among the trainers, and his reputation began to grow.


    As Ron ventured deeper into the forest, he entered territory where the wild Pok¨¦mon were stronger, with levels exceeding 20. His journey to fame had only just begun.

 Chapter 40: Reinforcements Arrive

    As Ron stepped into the area, he was struck by the sheer scale of the chaos¡ªthis was what a riot looked like.


    A wall of rangers and supporting trainers had formed a barricade, holding back wild Pok¨¦mon that raged within. Behind them stood others, ready to replace the frontline fighters, but just as numerous were the injured¡ªboth trainers and their Pok¨¦mon, many gravely wounded.


    Despite their efforts, the wall would occasionally be breached, allowing some wild Pok¨¦mon to slip past. These were the ones Ron had encountered on his way here.


    Amidst the chaos, trainers darted through the lines, targeting elite-level Pok¨¦mon to prevent them from breaking the defensive line entirely.


    When another elite Pok¨¦mon broke through, Ron reacted immediately, commanding his Machoke.


    ¡°Machoke, Soru, Close Combat!¡±


    The gray figure dashed forward with incredible speed, weaving through the battlefield until it collided with the rampaging elite Pok¨¦mon. In the next moment, the opponent was hurled back with even greater force, crashing through several large trees before coming to a halt.


    Throughout the advance, Ron had made sure to have Machoke use Bulk Up to enhance its power, and now was the moment for it to shine.


    The sight of another elite-level ally arriving on the scene drew cheers from the crowd.


    ¡°Persian, use Feint Attack!¡±


    ¡°Machoke, Karate Chop to clear out the surrounding Pok¨¦mon!¡±


    As Ron advanced to the frontline, he directed his Persian and Machoke into action. The tight space restricted their movements, making it difficult to fully utilize Soru, but the technique still allowed them to accelerate quickly, avoiding being swarmed.


    With two elite-level Pok¨¦mon joining the fray, the pressure on the nearby rangers and trainers eased significantly, allowing them to breathe a little easier.


    ¡°Bellossom, use Grassy Terrain and support the surrounding Pok¨¦mon with Magical Leaf!¡±


    At Ron¡¯s command, the Bellossom standing beside him released a wave of Grass-type energy. Vibrant green grass sprouted from the ground, covering the battlefield in a lush carpet.


    The Pok¨¦mon within the grassy field immediately perked up, their energy replenished and their resolve renewed.


    Grassy Terrain not only restored the stamina of allied Pok¨¦mon but also amplified the power of Grass-type moves.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    With both offensive and restorative support, the trainers in Ron¡¯s area rallied with newfound strength, pushing back against the wild Pok¨¦mon¡¯s assault.


    ¡°Everyone, my name is Ron! My Bellossom can use Grassy Terrain to recover your Pok¨¦mon¡¯s stamina. Please rotate your Pok¨¦mon through my area to maximize its effects.¡±


    With the situation stabilized, Ron seized the opportunity to spread the word about his support capabilities.


    Following the rangers¡¯ instructions, trainers began cycling their Pok¨¦mon into the Grassy Terrain. Soon, Ron had Bellossom focus solely on maintaining Grassy Terrain, foregoing Magical Leaf to concentrate on healing the Pok¨¦mon in the vicinity.


    The continuous support from Bellossom tipped the balance, as more trainers began recovering and the number of wild Pok¨¦mon gradually dwindled. The pressure on the defensive line finally began to ease.


    ¡°Winston! You¡¯ve been hogging the Grassy Terrain for long enough¡ªlet others and their Pok¨¦mon in!¡±


    Suddenly, a voice called out, directing everyone¡¯s attention to a trainer within the Grassy Terrain. Winston had taken up a prime spot and was refusing to budge.


    Ron recognized Winston. On several occasions, he had attempted to steal kills when Ron¡¯s Persian or Machoke were about to finish off an opponent, but his attempts had always failed. Winston¡¯s contributions had been minimal, mostly targeting weakened wild Pok¨¦mon left over from other trainers¡¯ battles.


    With someone finally speaking up, others who had been silently resenting Wen Tai joined in, voicing their disapproval.


    ¡°What gives you the right? Can¡¯t you see everyone¡¯s fighting just as hard as you?¡±


    ¡°Your Pok¨¦mon are barely doing anything, and you think you deserve to stay here all day?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re so brave, why don¡¯t you and your Pok¨¦mon take on the elite wild Pok¨¦mon like Ron and the others?¡±


    Winston, however, wasn¡¯t fazed and fired back, ¡°I¡¯m putting in effort, too! Without Grassy Terrain, my Pok¨¦mon wouldn¡¯t last! You don¡¯t know how much it takes to fight these wild Pok¨¦mon!¡±


    ¡°And maybe those elite trainers should just leave Bellossom here and go deal with the stronger wild Pok¨¦mon. Better yet, give me their Pok¨¦mon¡ªI¡¯ll take care of it myself!¡±


    As Winston¡¯s words turned pointedly toward Ron, the hostility in his tone was unmistakable.


    Ron had heard of people like Winston, those adept at weaponizing moral arguments to guilt others. But before Ron could respond, a ranger stormed up to Winston, grabbing him by the collar.


    ¡°Shut your mouth! Do you even realize how little you¡¯ve contributed? Someone like you has no right to lecture others. You¡¯re a disgrace to the League!¡±


    With that, the ranger unceremoniously tossed Winston out of the Grassy Terrain. ¡°Get lost! One more word, and I¡¯ll revoke your trainer¡¯s license!¡±


    The crowd watched in silence as Winston sprawled on the ground. Instead of sympathy, the other trainers began distancing themselves from him, their disdain evident.


    Winston shot a resentful glare at everyone before stalking off to a quieter corner, muttering under his breath. ¡°Damn that Ron... and that ranger. Just you wait¡ªI¡¯ll make you pay when I get stronger.¡±


    Unbeknownst to Winston, Persian had already locked onto him, its hypnotic gaze narrowing. As Ron leaned down, he quietly issued an order.


    Moments later, Winston, lost in his muttering, began to stumble toward the raging wild Pok¨¦mon, his movements sluggish and unnatural.


    In the chaos of the battle, no one noticed as the enraged Pok¨¦mon swarmed him. Within seconds, Winston was no more.


    [TL/N: Dang, that was ruthless. Squashing the seed before it could even sprout. I like that, haha!]


    With its task complete, Persian returned to Ron¡¯s side, as though nothing had happened.


    Meanwhile, deeper in the forest, a powerful, champion-level Pok¨¦mon unleashed its overwhelming aura, keeping even the elite wild Pok¨¦mon at bay.


    Finally, the champion-level trainer arrived.