Professor Oak's Laboratory, located in Pallet Town, is a beautiful place with scenic views.
In the afternoon, when Xia You knocked on the door of Professor Oak's Laboratory, the kind old man with short gray hair, who often hummed Pokémon haikus, revealed a warm and generous smile.
"Professor Oak, I apologize for the intrusion," Xia You introduced himself, "I am Xia You from Sakuragi Research Institute in Vermilion City. I was entrusted by Professor Sakuragi to deliver something to you."
Professor Oak nodded, "I already heard from Sakuragi that you would be coming. I just didn't expect you to arrive here from Vermilion City in just two days. That's incredibly fast."
"I wouldn't dare to delay Professor Sakuragi's request," Xia You first handed the box containing the prototype to Professor Oak, then took out the package given to him by the Viridian City store clerk from his backpack.
Looking at the package, Professor Oak said with delight, "You actually brought this package with you too? That's a huge help! Tomorrow is the day a new batch of Trainers will set off, and without the Poké Balls inside, I really wouldn't know what to do."
Xia You casually remarked, "At this time every year, Professor, you must be very busy, right? It's truly hard work."
"Exactly, exactly. When you get old, you really can't help but admit defeat," Professor Oak spread his hands, "But this year, my good-for-nothing grandson will also be traveling. I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of person he'll become in the future."
Good-for-nothing grandson?
Xia You asked, "Are you referring to Gary?"
"Oh?" Professor Oak said in surprise, "You know Gary?"
"No, I don't," Xia You quickly waved his hand, "I just happened to hear Professor Sakuragi mention him once."
However, despite saying so, Xia You couldn't help but feel excited inside.
Gary is setting off on his journey tomorrow?
Does that mean Ash, who is in the same batch as him, will also start his adventure with Pikachu!
I'm really looking forward to meeting them, but I should also hurry, otherwise, with their growth rate, I'll quickly be surpassed and left far behind!
Declining Professor Oak's invitation to stay for lunch, Xia You continued his journey towards Pewter City.
After passing through Viridian City, no longer in a hurry to travel, Xia You chose to plunge into Viridian Forest this time.
Viridian Forest, located between Viridian City and Pewter City, is densely covered with various trees, forming a natural maze. Even with a map, countless people get lost in this huge, light-impenetrable forest every year.
The most common Pokémon here are Bug and flying-type, and because of the wide variety, some people jokingly call it a paradise for bug catchers.
After entering the forest, Xia You relied on his intuition, moving through it and defeating many Pokémon that suddenly attacked him. He also encountered Pidgeotto and Butterfree, both of whom he used to like, but after a slight hesitation, he chose not to try and capture them.
As for his four Pokémon, they also gained experience in this forest, and each of them had made some progress, more or less.
After walking for a long time, the bushes in front suddenly began to shake. Just as Xia You thought it would be another Pokémon trying to attack him, a Martial Artist Boy, wearing armor, with a net on his back and a long sword at his waist, jumped out of the bushes.
"Tch, I heard a sound and thought it was some rare Pokémon. Turns out it's just a Trainer," the Martial Artist Boy scrutinized Xia You's Pokémon. "How about it, want to have a battle?"
Xia You was startled, "Huh? That direct?"
"Of course! As a Pokémon Trainer, eye contact is the start of a battle!" The Martial Artist Boy finished speaking, and without waiting for Xia You's agreement, he directly threw out his Poké Ball, "Come out, Pinsir!"
The Poké Ball opened, and a ferocious-looking Pokémon with two large sharp horns, resembling a stag beetle, appeared before Xia You.
Pokédex: "Beep, Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokémon, Bug-type. It possesses two powerful horns. Once it clamps onto its prey, it will not let go unless it tears the opponent apart."
"I can't do anything with you," Xia You sighed, his gaze sweeping over his four Pokémon. "Squirtle, I'll leave it to you."
In terms of type, both Bulbasaur, a Grass-type, and Kirlia, a Psychic-type, would be at a disadvantage against Bug-type Pinsir. Only Eevee and Squirtle had no type disadvantage against Pinsir.
"Squirtle, Squirtle!"
Squirtle leaped to the center, its eyes filled with fighting spirit.
However, just as Xia You thought this would be an evenly matched battle, Squirtle won the battle cleanly and decisively with just a few moves.
"What!?" The Martial Artist Boy said in disbelief, "My Pinsir was defeated so quickly!?"
"There's nothing strange about it," Xia You sighed, "It's still because your Pinsir... um... Pinsir, is too low level. If you have the chance, I advise you to train it more."
The Martial Artist Boy's face turned red, and he clenched his fists, "Damn it, don't speak too soon! Watch my second Pokémon, come out, Caterpie!"
A red light flashed, and the Martial Artist Boy sent out his second Pokémon.
Ah, so it's a baby Rayquaza, no wait, it's a Caterpie!
Caterpie is a typical Bug-type Pokémon. Its back is green and its belly is white. Its most prominent feature is the Y-shaped red antenna on its head.
Pokédex: "Beep, Caterpie, the Worm Pokémon, Bug-type. It can use the suction cups on its abdominal feet to climb trees and munch on the leaves it likes."
Xia You was too lazy to switch Pokémon and continued to use Squirtle, quickly and easily defeating this Caterpie again.
Seeing the Martial Artist Boy's unwilling expression, Xia You was about to leave when he suddenly seemed to remember something, paused, and turned back, "Oh, right, I'm from Pallet Town. If you're not convinced, then quickly improve your strength and give those new Trainers who come after me a good lesson."
The Martial Artist Boy murmured, "Pallet Town? New Trainers?"
"That's right," Xia You nodded slightly, a joyful, smug smile on his face, "Our Trainers from Pallet Town are all very strong. I don't think you'll be a match for anyone you encounter."
"Damn it! Don't get too smug!" The Martial Artist Boy's eyes were firm, and he shouted loudly at Xia You's disappearing back, "Remember my words! No matter how strong your Pallet Town Trainers are, next time, I'll make sure you all look bad!!"