The afternoon sun filtered through dense branches and leaves, casting fragmented spots of light onto an open clearing in the forest.
Shinji and Hikari sat leaning against a Sturdy tree trunk, a simple picnic cloth spread before them holding their lunches.
Not far away, several of their Pokémon were gathered around their respective food bowls, eating with relish.
This food was specially prepared by Shinji according to each Pokémon's type and physique, precisely tailored to their Growth needs, and all made from high-quality ingredients exchanged from the system panel.
Although meticulously prepared, his face remained expressionless as he quietly ate his sandwich, unhurried in his movements.
"Shinji, the food you prepare is so popular with Pokémon!" Hikari swallowed a mouthful of rice ball and turned to the boy beside her, her azure eyes full of admiration. "Look at Pachirisu, usually so mischievous, but now eating so seriously."
Shinji gave a faint "Hmm" and said nothing more.
For him, Pokémon nutrition was part of the training plan. Ensuring they had ample stamina and condition to face subsequent challenges was merely the most basic preparatory work.
The two soon finished their lunch, and the Pokémon also filled their bellies, lazily lying on the ground to digest.
Watching Shinji pack up the utensils, Hikari sighed contentedly, leaning back onto the soft grass with her hands behind her head.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, warm on her face.
"Ah—I feel like sleeping a bit after eating," she said, squinting her eyes, her voice tinged with laziness.
Shinji had no objection. After packing up, he leaned against the tree trunk, closed his eyes, crossed his arms over his chest, and soon entered a light sleep.
Only the rustling of wind through leaves remained in the forest, peaceful and serene.
However, this tranquility was soon shattered.
"Aaaaaah—Help—!"
"Run, run! It's catching up!"
"How annoying! Why is it always us, meow!"
A burst of panicked screams and running sounds approached from a distance, instantly breaking the forest's calm.
The resting Pokémon were instantly startled, springing to their feet, assuming offensive stances, and warily looking in the direction of the sounds.
"Shinji, did you hear that?" Hikari stood up, nervously looking toward the sound. "It seems like... someone's calling for help?"
Shinji's eyelids trembled imperceptibly, but they remained closed.
Hikari walked to his side and gently pushed his shoulder. "Alright, Shinji, stop pretending to sleep. Let's go check it out. Probably someone's in trouble."
Her face held a helpless smile—this guy was clearly already awake but insisted on acting indifferent.
Shinji finally slowly opened his eyes. His dark purple eyes held no trace of sleepiness, only their usual clarity and coldness.
He glanced at Hikari, seeing the undeniable insistence in her eyes, and sighed inwardly.
If he refused, this girl would definitely recklessly charge over on her own.
Shinji had no choice but to stand up expressionlessly, brushing grass off his pants. "Troublesome."
"I know, I know. Let's just go check it out first," Hikari, long accustomed to his way of speaking, replied with a smile.
The two quickly shouldered their backpacks. Shinji raised his hand and tossed out Poké Balls, recalling the Pokémon one by one, then headed toward the source of the sound.
Hikari also hurriedly recalled her Pokémon and followed closely behind Shinji, walking quickly toward the sound.
Intermittent screams guided their direction. Passing through a dense thicket, they soon arrived before a lush shrubbery.
Shinji signaled Hikari to stop. The two carefully parted the branches and leaves, peering outside.
The scene before them made Hikari's eyes widen instantly—Ash and Brock were running desperately with Pikachu, followed by Team Rocket's trio, Jessie, James, and Meowth, screaming as they ran, looking utterly disheveled.
Not far behind them, a massive Steelix was angrily pursuing them. Its steel-gray body weaved through the forest, shaking trees and sending rocks flying with every movement, accompanied by deafening sounds.
Seeing this, Shinji's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, a sense of familiarity washing over him.
This scene was so similar to what happened in the Illusion Forest before—Ash and his group provoking a powerful Pokémon and then being chased around.
It seemed he had to clean up their mess again.
A wave of impatience surged in his heart. Shinji inwardly complained: Why was he so fated with these people? Every time he encountered them in the wild, it was this kind of trouble. No strength yet provoking Pokémon everywhere—simply asking for death.
Complaints aside, his gaze involuntarily fell on the enraged Steelix.
Out of habit, a thought stirred. The pale blue system panel instantly unfolded in his mind, precisely locking onto the Steelix, its data clearly displayed:
[Steelix♦]
Level: 45 (Gym Leader Level)
Type: Steel + Ground
Ability: Sturdy
potential: Medium
base stats: 51
Moves: Crunch, Dragon Breath, Bind, Iron Defense, Protect, Screech, Dig, Iron Tail, Hyper Beam, Double-Edge
The moment he saw the data, a flicker of surprise flashed in Shinji's eyes.
Gym Leader Level at level 45, yet its potential was only "Medium." Generally, for a Pokémon with medium potential, reaching Gym Leader Level was already its limit.
This Steelix, without a Trainer's cultivation, had actually reached this level on its own power, which was truly somewhat unexpected.
He thought of his own Torterra, with an Excellent potential, which had only reached level 5 after his meticulous training.
Although its potential limited its future Growth potential, a strong interest rose in Shinji's heart. A Gym Leader Level opponent at level 45 would be perfect as a sparring partner for the Pokémon in his team.
Facing an opponent of this level would greatly benefit the practical experience accumulation of Monferno, Lairon, and the others.
"Shinji, hurry up and help Ash and the others!" Hikari's anxious voice interrupted his thoughts. "Only you can deal with this Steelix!"
She tugged at Shinji's sleeve, her azure eyes filled with worry.
Shinji had no particular opinion on Hikari's helpful nature, but he had to admit she was right on point.
Given Ash and his group's limited strength, they were no match for this Steelix. If not him, then who? Those guys fleeing in panic?
Plus, he already intended to capture the Steelix. Shinji didn't hesitate further.
With a flick of his wrist, a Poké Ball was instantly tossed out, his cool command ringing clearly: "Ursaring, Focus Blast."
A flash of white light, and the mighty Ursaring landed like a small mountain, precisely blocking the path between Ash's group and the Steelix, exuding a powerful aura the moment it appeared.
Upon receiving the command, Ursaring quickly clasped its palms together. Pale blue energy rapidly condensed in its hands, forming an Energy Ball containing formidable power.
"Ursa—" Ursaring let out a low roar, its arms exerting force as it hurled the Focus Blast fiercely toward the pursuing Steelix.
"Boom—!"
A loud explosion. The Focus Blast squarely hit the Steelix's head. The pale blue Energy Ball instantly exploded, releasing a powerful impact that abruptly halted the Steelix's massive body, completely stopping its advance.
It let out a pained roar, its attention instantly captured by the Ursaring before it. Temporarily abandoning its pursuit of Ash and the others, it turned its head, glaring viciously at Ursaring, its eyes burning with even fiercer anger.
This sudden turn of events finally gave the running Ash and his group a chance to catch their breath. They collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
"W-we're saved..." Ash said, gasping for breath. Looking up at the tall purple figure ahead, a complex expression appeared on his face. "It's Shinji..."
"Ash, come over here quickly," Hikari, seeing this, hurriedly called Ash and the others over.