Afterwards, the two clowns stopped making any more noise and calmed down, continuing to search for Pokémon. Not long after walking, a lake appeared in front of them. The lake was estimated to be two acres in size, with a calm surface and no ripples. The water was clear and visible. Standing by the lake, one could even see one's own reflection clearly. Beside the lake, trees were neatly surrounded, acting as loyal bodyguards, making the entire lake more sacred.
Ten Ten, who was in front, noticed the lake and looked back at Might Guy and the others: "Teacher Guy, let's go over and take a rest." After searching all the way here, even though she was a ninja, she felt a little tired at this time. Might Guy nodded: "Okay, let's take a rest before continuing to search." Several people came to the lake, drank some of the clear water, and sat down by the trees beside it. Under the massage of the cool breeze, everyone began to rest.
Gurgle Gurgle—
Just then, a noise came from the lake, and the group stood up and looked over. The once calm lake was now rippling, as if a neat mirror had been shattered. Bubbles surfaced one by one, rising from the bottom and making subtle popping sounds that caught everyone's attention.
Then, a sky-blue sphere slowly emerged from the water. Might Guy and the others stood silently, their eyes sharpening with vigilance. As the creature floated higher and its shape grew clearer, it became obvious what it was.
"Is this also a Pokémon?" Ten Ten raised her eyebrows, watching with curiosity.
No one responded immediately—they were all staring at the floating figure on the lake.
[Tentacool]Category: Jellyfish Pokémon
"It's actually a Pokémon?" Ten Ten pulled out her Pokémon illustrated book, scanned the creature, and blinked in mild surprise. Geodude had already blown away her expectations earlier, but now a jellyfish Pokémon was surfacing from a lake? None of this was within her original scope of imagination.
"Hahahahaha! Not bad at all! Seems we're really lucky today. Who wants to try capturing this one?" Might Guy beamed with enthusiasm, turning toward Ten Ten and Neji.
"Teacher Guy, let me try this time," Ten Ten said confidently."You want to capture it? All right then. Go ahead."
Without another word, Ten Ten stepped toward the lake.
"Tentacool~"
But just as she approached, Tentacool launched a Poison Sting that whistled past and struck the water in front of her.
"Be careful!" Might Guy rushed forward, shielding her, his expression suddenly sharp.
He narrowed his eyes. "It seems... not all Pokémon are friendly."
After the encounter with Geodude, he'd assumed most Pokémon were docile, approachable. But now, that thought was clearly being challenged.
Ten Ten shook her head. "Teacher Guy, it's okay. That attack wasn't aimed at me—it was just a warning shot."
She had seen it clearly. Tentacool had fired at the space before her feet, not directly at her.
Guy studied the situation and exhaled with some relief. "Ti—ah, Ten Ten, since this Pokémon seems unwilling, maybe we should try looking elsewhere?"
Ten Ten didn't even hesitate. "No, Teacher Guy. I want to try."
Guy paused for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. But be cautious."
Ten Ten stepped closer to the edge of the lake and spoke gently: "Tentacool, can I take you with me? Be my partner?"
"Tentacool!"Tentacool shook its head immediately.
But Ten Ten didn't give up. She opened her bag and took out one of the ability cubes she had purchased earlier. Tentacool saw this and couldn't help swallowing as if suppressing temptation.
Ten Ten smiled. "Tentacool, I'll give it to you. We can be friends. What do you think?"
Tentacool hesitated for a moment, then shook its head again. Its translucent body began to sink slowly back into the water.
Seeing that, Ten Ten's expression tensed. Without thinking, she pulled out a Poké Ball and hurled it forward.
Her precision, sharpened by years of kunai training, was deadly accurate. The Poké Ball struck Tentacool cleanly and drew it inside with a flash.
No one seemed surprised. After all, Rock Lee had done the same with Geodude earlier. The novelty had worn off.
"Tentacool!"
Tentacool burst out of the Poké Ball, visibly annoyed. Its eyes narrowed, frustration brewing. If Renji Takahashi hadn't established that the Pokémon couldn't attack humans inside this forest, Tentacool might've retaliated right then.
Might Guy was already prepared to intercept, but seeing Tentacool only fuming in place, he relaxed.
"Tentacool, I still hope you'll be my partner," Ten Ten said with a calm smile.
"Tentacool!"The jellyfish shook its head again and began to sink.
Bang!
Another Poké Ball flew forward and hit it in the head.
Might Guy blinked in confusion. "Wait... what just happened?"
Even Rock Lee and Neji were speechless.
Did she just throw another one?
"Tentacool!"
Tentacool broke free again, now visibly seething, its face warped with rage.
What is wrong with this human?! its expression practically shouted.
Ten Ten, unbothered, just continued, "Tentacool, let's be partners, okay?"
"Tentacool! Tentacool!"
Tentacool's cry rose in pitch and frustration. It was furious. But as it tried to dive again—
Thump!
A third Poké Ball hit it right on the bell-shaped head and drew it inside once more.
Might Guy looked like he had something to say, but paused. "Ten Ten, this… this really doesn't seem right."
Ten Ten shrugged. "Renji Takahashi never said there was a limit on how many times we could throw Poké Balls."
Guy opened his mouth to argue… but then closed it again. "You're… not wrong."
If Renji had been watching, he might've clapped then and there. This kind of interpretive logic? Flawless.
Rock Lee cautiously stepped up beside her. "But Ten Ten, isn't it a little wasteful?"
He had used only one Poké Ball to catch Geodude. Meanwhile, Ten Ten had now used three—possibly four—on a single Tentacool. And it still hadn't worked.
Ten Ten didn't respond. The moment Tentacool broke out again, she hurled another ball.
Then she turned, looking at Rock Lee with a straight face. "Sorry, what did you say just now?""Ah… nothing at all."
Rock Lee's lips twitched. He quietly retreated, finally understanding something crucial.
The rich… live on another plane of existence.