At the Water Village fishing tournament, trainers lined the riverbank, casting rods to hook Water-type Pokémon. Some released their own Water-types to battle wild ones in the water, aiming to weaken and capture them.
Jun Shafeng scanned the area and spotted an empty spot nearby. As he moved to claim it, a teenager reached the same spot simultaneously. The teen glared at him, sneering, "Kid, do you know who I am? You dare steal my spot?"
Jun Shafeng bristled at the teen's arrogance. "I don't care who you are. Let's settle this with a battle."
The teen smirked, pulling out a Poké Ball. "You asked for it. One match decides it."
He tossed the Poké Ball, and a Vaporeon emerged in a flash of red light. Jun Shafeng's system quickly scanned it.
[Vaporeon]
[Type: Water]
[Level: 32]
[Gender: Male]
[Ability: Water Absorb]
[Moves: Aqua Tail, Protect, Quick Attack, Swift, Scald, Toxic]
Noting Vaporeon's Toxic, Jun Shafeng summoned Growlithe with a toss of his Poké Ball.
The teen, seeing a Fire-type, laughed. "Vaporeon, use Scald—give that Growlithe a bath!"
"Growlithe, Quick Attack!" Jun Shafeng countered.
Before Vaporeon could react, Growlithe slammed into it with Quick Attack, knocking it back. Jun Shafeng frowned. "It didn't even try to dodge. Is its level boosted artificially?"
The teen's face flushed with anger. "You jerk! Vaporeon, use Toxic!"
Jun Shafeng focused. "Growlithe, use Double Team!"
Growlithe split into four clones, encircling Vaporeon. When Vaporeon fired Toxic at one, Growlithe dispelled the clone, recovering some stamina.
The teen, frustrated, shouted, "Vaporeon, use Aqua Tail! Blast them one by one—I'll find the real one!"
As Vaporeon prepared Aqua Tail, Jun Shafeng repeated his Ursaring strategy. "Growlithe, run and use Flamethrower to form a Fire Spin!"
The three Growlithes sprinted, their Flamethrowers twisting into a fiery vortex that trapped Vaporeon. Despite its Water typing, the intense heat overwhelmed it, evaporating much of its moisture. After a few minutes, Vaporeon collapsed.
Jun Shafeng called off the attack. A system notification chimed: [Ding! Congratulations, Growlithe has gained enough experience to reach level 31.]
"The higher the level, the more experience it takes," Jun Shafeng mused. "Level 31 took beating a level 32 Pokémon. It'll only get tougher."
He recalled Growlithe, glanced at the teen—who glared venomously while recalling Vaporeon—and claimed the fishing spot.
Ignoring the teen's departure, Jun Shafeng baited his rod with bread and attached a Poké Ball. If a Pokémon took the bait, it might trigger the Poké Ball for an easy catch. Otherwise, he'd need to battle it. "Most auto-captures are weak Pokémon like Magikarp, though," he thought.
Soon, his line tugged. He reeled it in, feeling strong resistance. The struggling Pokémon hit the Poké Ball's switch and was sucked inside. Jun Shafeng pulled the ball ashore, but it burst open, revealing a Slowpoke.
His system scanned it.
[Slowpoke]
[Type: Water/Psychic]
[Level: 18]
[Gender: Male]
[Ability: Own Tempo]
[Moves: Water Gun, Yawn, Confusion, Tackle, Agility]
Jun Shafeng studied Slowpoke, sensing something off. Unlike the typical dopey Slowpoke, this one seemed agitated. Before he could react, it fired a Water Gun at him. He dodged, grabbing a Poké Ball.
As he threw it to summon Growlithe, Slowpoke shot another Water Gun, knocking the Poké Ball away, then dove into the river.
Jun Shafeng stared, baffled. "Is that really a Slowpoke? It's way too sharp!"
A Water Village staff member approached. "That Slowpoke's different. It's got a fiery temper and doesn't fit in with others. It was abandoned, so it distrusts humans. We staff only see it when delivering food. Deep down, it's kind, but it's been hurt too much to trust again."
The staff member left. Jun Shafeng gazed at the water, empathy stirring. "Abandoned, huh? No wonder you're so prickly. I'm going to catch you—not just for strength, but because you've got spirit."
Determined, he packed his rod and left. After he was gone, Slowpoke resurfaced, watching his retreating figure with sharp, wary eyes.
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