Chapter 166: Growlithe Joins the Team
Wednesday, September 8th.
The news of Teacher Lu's signing event in Celadon City spread like wildfire. Officer Jennys from all across Kanto revved up their motorcycles and rushed to the event. Among them were all sorts—some with dyed hair, some speed junkies, and others who drowned themselves in perfume.
What was supposed to be a simple instructional event had completely transformed into a massive fan meeting. The enthusiasm of the Jennys was overwhelming, and by the end of the day, Lu Ye was so sore from signing autographs that even his fingers felt numb.
Even the injured officer arrived on crutches, accompanied by Arcanine. "Teacher Lu, I truly can't thank you enough!" The officer bowed deeply.
"It was nothing, really," Lu Ye replied, patting Arcanine's head with a smile. Arcanine affectionately nudged him with its furry head.
"If it's not too much trouble… I hope you'll take this little one in." The officer gestured to the Growlithe sitting obediently at Lu Ye's feet and grinned. "With you as its trainer, I'm sure it'll grow into an exceptional Pokémon!"
"Arf!" Growlithe sat up straight, puffing out its chest as if trying to appear more dignified.
Lu Ye looked down at Growlithe, his expression turning a little strange. Yesterday, he had actually refused Jenny's offer to take in Growlithe. For one, he already had three Pokémon to feed. And two, he wasn't confident he could train Growlithe to be strong.
But all day today, Growlithe had been following him around, shadowing him wherever he went…
Rubbing his temples, Lu Ye sighed. "I'm not exactly the best at training Pokémon… If you entrust it to me, its chances of getting stronger might not be very high."
The officer hesitated briefly before smiling knowingly. "Strength isn't the most important thing. The key is that it trusts you wholeheartedly." He chuckled. "Besides, with your skills, even casual training would make it strong!"
Lu Ye's eye twitched. Why does that sound like a curse?!
"Of course… it's way too gentle to be a police dog," the officer looked slightly regretful. "So if you really don't want it, that's understandable."
Lu Ye hesitated. His approach to catching Pokémon was simple—either they were good for slacking off or they were a good fit with his existing team. And most importantly, there had to be trust between Trainer and Pokémon. A mild-mannered Growlithe… didn't seem like a bad choice. Imagining a home with both cat-like and dog-like Pokémon, Lu Ye couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'll seriously consider it."
The officer beamed. "Thank you!"
Sensing Lu Ye's softened stance, Growlithe wagged its tail eagerly, looking up at him with bright, expectant eyes. "Arf!"
Later that afternoon, Lu Ye followed Officer Jenny to claim his mission reward. Growlithe, tail wagging, happily trotted after him.
"Stay here and don't move," Lu Ye said.
Growlithe immediately flopped onto the ground, blinking its dark eyes, completely still.
Jenny chuckled. "It really trusts you."
"Trust can be a burden too," Lu Ye sighed.
Inside the police department's storage room, Jenny handed him a check. "Including the extra compensation, that's 200,000 Pokédollars, plus reimbursement for your round-trip airfare." She smiled. "There are plenty of battle manuals here, but the higher-ups wanted to prepare something more special for you."
Lu Ye became alert. "Cash is fine—there's really no need!"
"You're too modest," Jenny said, pressing her lips together in amusement. "This is a police-issued Glass Flute—it should be quite useful for a Trainer." She handed him a small wooden box. Inside was a delicate blue flute, its translucent surface shimmering like ocean waves.
[Blue Glass Flute: A flute crafted from blue glass that cures the sleep status. (Are you really still getting put to sleep? You're not a legendary Trainer yet!)]
Lu Ye froze. This damn system—is it trying to tell me something?!
From a practical standpoint, the flute was a great tool. It completely negated Hypnosis and similar sleep-inducing moves, making it a mini-version of the Poké Flute. Lu Ye wasn't exactly a troublemaker, but he found himself casually toying with the flute before accepting it with ease.
With the mission officially complete, he exited the storage room and called out, "Let's go, Haunter—we're heading home!"
"Gengarrr…" Haunter scratched its head and pointed to the front—where Growlithe was still lying obediently on the ground.
"Arf!" The moment it saw Lu Ye, Growlithe's eyes sparkled with joy. Yet, it remained in its spot, wagging its tail and smiling.
Lu Ye hesitated for a moment. Jenny and the officer's words had been on his mind. But was it really the right choice for a Growlithe that wanted to become stronger to follow him?
After a moment of deep thought, Lu Ye crouched down and patted Growlithe's head. "I'm leaving now."
"Arf?" Growlithe let out a soft whimper, tilting its head in confusion.
Lu Ye's shadow stretched under the setting sun. Growlithe whimpered again before curling up on the ground, motionless.
Hiding in a corner, the Team Rocket trio peeked out cautiously. "Boss, it hasn't left yet!"
Lu Ye, also hiding behind a wall, whispered back, "It's been thirty minutes… Did it not understand me?"
Meowth held up a finger. "Growlithe are extremely loyal, meow. Once they recognize a Trainer, it's for life!"
James burst into tears, wiping his face with his sleeve. "How wonderful!"
Jessie squatted beside him, resting her chin in her hands. "Must be nice… having someone waiting for you."
Lu Ye blinked, then let out a helpless chuckle. After a moment's hesitation, he stepped out from his hiding spot and slowly walked toward Growlithe.
"Arf!" As soon as Growlithe saw Lu Ye approaching, its eyes lit up with excitement.
With a click, Lu Ye pressed the button on a Luxury Ball, letting it expand in his palm. He then crouched down, ruffling Growlithe's warm, fluffy fur and feeling the soft heat from its breath. A gentle smile spread across his face.
"From now on… we're family!"
"Gengarrr! (￣▽￣)／" Haunter grinned and offered a high five.
Sylveon gave Growlithe a glance, recalling the landlord's training-dummy of a pet, then gave a subtle nod of approval.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle adjusted its sunglasses, then suddenly blasted a Water Gun at Growlithe's face.
"Arf?" Now drenched from head to toe, Growlithe sat there, looking completely bewildered.
"This is… the final step to joining the team!" Lu Ye burst into laughter as he tapped the Luxury Ball against Growlithe's head. "Welcome aboard, Growlithe!"
Growlithe shook off the water, its tail wagging excitedly before it dissolved into red light and disappeared into the ball. Thunk!
Lu Ye bent down to pick up the ball, striking an exaggerated pose. "Growlithe, Get☆Daze!"
As the sun set in the background, the Team Rocket trio couldn't help but break into gleeful, auntie-like smiles.
"The boss's evil scheme has succeeded, meow!" Meowth cheered, clapping its paws.
"As expected of the boss, capturing a rare Pokémon with such ease!"
Yellow couldn't quite understand what the trio was babbling about, but she simply smiled as she watched Lu Ye. The bond between humans and Pokémon—this was something Professor Oak had always studied. Some saw Pokémon as tools, data, or wealth. Others saw them as partners, friends, or comrades-in-arms. And for Lu Ye… perhaps Pokémon were more like family.
"No wonder he's Teacher Lu," Yellow said with a soft chuckle.
Before leaving the police station, Lu Ye and the others were given a warm send-off by the Jennys. "Thank you all so much!" Jenny bowed deeply.
The Team Rocket trio scratched their cheeks awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with the gratitude.
As they left, Jessie crossed her arms and smirked. "Well… after all, we are the charming and lovable villains!"
"You say that, but you almost blew our cover back there," James muttered.
"Regardless… we successfully caught Growlithe, meow!" Meowth grinned. "This feels great!"
"Arrooo—!" Inspired by the trio, Growlithe let out a howl of its own.
Meowth blinked in surprise before a look of admiration crossed its face.
"What did it say?" Lu Ye asked curiously.
"It said… it wants to become a hero, just like its mother, meow!"
"That's an amazing goal!" James squatted down to Growlithe's level.
"Hmmm… Looks like it's going to grow into a really powerful Pokémon," Jessie mused, rubbing her chin.
Lu Ye suddenly felt conflicted. So… wanting to get stronger, huh? I was hoping you'd just be a lazy little house pet… Why are you all so motivated?!
But as he met Growlithe's determined gaze, Lu Ye sighed and turned to Haunter.
"Gengarrr?"
"Training is your job now," Lu Ye said helplessly. "Make sure you keep an eye on it… and don't let it wreck the house!"
Haunter cackled smugly and patted Lu Ye on the shoulder. "Gengarrr!" Don't worry, leave it to me!
[Inorin Note:
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