The tunnel came to an abrupt end, and a dark shadow burst through the ground.
Boom!
Rocks flew like rain, and a massive shadow blotted out the sky, its body flickering with the cold gleam of stone.
"Onix—!!"
The Onix, with a long rocky horn on its head, reared up, its eyes bloodshot, letting out a furious roar!
The nearly ten-meter-long behemoth was right in front of them, its massive rocky body exuding an overwhelming pressure.
Yet, Granny Chihiro remained calm, her expression saying, "Is that all?"
Natsume let out a long sigh.
Now I understand why the Pokémon at the Tokyo Metropolitan University Pokémon Day Care are so battle-hungry.
With a breeder like this and such a competitive environment, it's no wonder they're so aggressive!
Wait a minute…
Then why is this Squirtle so relaxed?
Natsume instinctively looked down at the Dive Ball in his hand, his expression odd.
Granny Chihiro patted Natsume on the shoulder.
"Alright, stop daydreaming. Let Granny see your wild battle skills!"
Natsume looked up at the Onix, gritted his teeth, and shouted:
"Go, Squirtle!"
This was Natsume's first wild battle, and honestly, he was a little excited.
But the thought that this Onix might directly attack the Trainer quickly wiped the smile off his face.
He threw the Dive Ball toward a tree, and Squirtle nimbly leaped onto a branch, securing a strategic position.
Though its sunglasses nearly fell off.
Squirtle fumbled to catch the sunglasses, only to tumble off the tree and land face-first in the dirt.
"Squirtle ( ? `▽′? )?"
Squirtle, covered in dirt, proudly waved the sunglasses, signaling that Natsume's gift was unharmed.
Natsume didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
I'm about to get crushed, and you're worried about the sunglasses?
The Onix was also stunned, staring at Squirtle before bursting into uncontrollable laughter, the sound echoing like thunder.
"Onix—"
At that moment.
A glint flashed in Squirtle's eyes.
Its previous clumsiness vanished without a trace.
Feign weakness to strike with strength!
The moment Natsume's command rang out, Squirtle sprang into action.
"Squirtle, Water Gun!"
Squirtle opened its mouth wide, and a thick stream of water took shape, a powerful jet of water slamming into the Onix with a resounding "Boom!"
"Onix—!!" The Onix was blasted back by the Water Gun, water splashing everywhere as it let out a pained roar.
Natsume was dumbfounded.
What the hell? You call that a Water Gun?
The powerful jet of water roared as Squirtle, with a determined gaze, poured all its energy into the attack, the water column relentlessly striking the Onix.
Nearly half of Onix's body was caught in the torrent, howling in pain, almost taken out by a single Water Gun!
Natsume stood frozen.
If it weren't for this Onix's Ability being 'Sturdy,' would you have taken it out with one Water Gun?
You're a Squirtle, for crying out loud!
Using Water Gun…
How does it have the power of Hydro Pump?!
"Onix—!!"
The Onix hastily burrowed into the ground, fleeing as if its life depended on it.
The yard was left in shambles.
The chirping of birds resumed, and the surroundings grew quiet once more.
Granny Chihiro nodded in satisfaction.
"This little one has a natural talent for wave-based moves."
"Though it's a Water Gun, it incorporates the technique of Water Pulse, making its power quite impressive!"
Natsume was still replaying the battle in his mind, stunned for a long while before finally speaking with a strange expression.
"But Granny, it doesn't seem to have mastered Water Pulse yet…"
"It will soon!" Granny chuckled, patting Natsume on the shoulder.
Natsume was speechless.
In his mind, he could already see Haunter using Will-O-Wisp and Squirtle using Water Gun…
He turned stiffly, looking at Squirtle with a mix of despair and confusion.
Is there something wrong here?
Its move list doesn't have a single hereditary move…
And now it has some kind of aura-type talent?
Can't your System's Pokédex even detect that?!
[Ding— The Pokédex cannot detect special talents beyond moves. Please identify them yourself, Host.]
Natsume looked up at the sky.
A tear accidentally rolled down his cheek.
System, you're screwing with me again!!
Seeing Natsume moved to tears.
Squirtle adjusted its sunglasses and slowly gave a thumbs-up.
As a Water-type Pokémon, it's only natural for my Water Gun to have the power of Hydro Pump, right?
Even though I haven't evolved yet, taking out an Onix in one shot is something any decent Pokémon should be able to do, right?
At the same time, a warm glint flashed in Squirtle's eyes.
This was only my first battle, and he's already this moved.
It seems this Trainer is truly worth following!
The outside world is so dangerous.
Even if it's just to repay him, I need to work hard to strengthen myself!
...
And so.
Natsume walked out of the Pokémon Day Care in a daze, followed by a Squirtle wearing sunglasses, swaying its head as it walked.
Granny Chihiro waved from behind, smiling. "Come visit often!"
"Squirtle (￣▽￣)／!" Squirtle also waved its little paw.
Seeing this, Takashi laughed heartily and patted Natsume on the shoulder.
"Natsume, don't be shy. You deserve this!"
Natsume forced a smile, feeling somewhat helpless.
But he quickly regained his composure, exchanging a glance with Squirtle.
"Squirtle?" Squirtle scratched its head, confused.
"I was thinking, you and those two little ones might have a lot in common," Natsume said with a smile.
Since he had caught Squirtle, treating it as family was Natsume-sensei's way.
"Anyway," Natsume shook Squirtle's paw.
"Let's get along well from now on!"
Squirtle was stunned for a moment, but for some reason, a warm feeling flowed through its heart.
The encounters between humans and Pokémon, between Pokémon and Pokémon… are always so magical.
A new environment, new companions, new… family.
Squirtle suddenly felt a sense of anticipation.
Taking off its sunglasses, Squirtle blinked its light purple eyes and shyly scratched its head.
"Squirtle (????ω????)?"
Natsume and Squirtle took the bus back home.
Along the way, Squirtle sat in the child seat, its little feet swinging nervously.
Though its nature was a bit careful, Natsume had asked Granny Chihiro, and this guy had only just been born.
It should have a lot in common with Eevee and Haunter.
Natsume suddenly sighed. "I just hope the topic isn't about house-wrecking!"
Before they even reached the door, Haunter had already recognized the footsteps and eagerly opened the door.
Eevee also darted out from the side, wagging its tail, eyeing the Squirtle behind Natsume with a curious tilt of its head.
"Eevee?"
"This guy's new," Natsume said. "These two are your big brother and big sister."
Squirtle scratched its head and extended a paw. "Squirtle? (￣▽￣)／"
Haunter's eyes widened, feeling like it had found a kindred spirit.
"Eevee! (￣▽￣)／"
Eevee glanced at Squirtle's shell, nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly turned its head away, giggling quietly.
Squirtle and Haunter shook paws amicably.
Then, to Natsume's astonishment.
Squirtle opened its mouth wide and shot a Water Gun at both Eevee and Haunter, the power more playful than serious.
Haunter and Eevee were instantly drenched.
Haunter & Eevee: (⊙?⊙)
"Squirtle!" Squirtle crossed its arms, nodding in satisfaction.
Looks like these two Pokémon aren't Ditto or Zorua in disguise!
Natsume's expression changed.
Haunter didn't mind, instead bursting into laughter.
But Eevee's face darkened, as if burning with anger, a faint mist swirling above its head.
"Eevee! (╬￣皿￣)"
Above Squirtle's head, a giant "Danger" sign appeared!
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