Divine Plan? But I'm a Pokémon trainer.

Chapter 478 The Invincible Milk Tank

With Celebi's little help, Link easily reached the north exit of the oak forest and led the Pokémon all the way to the most bustling metropolis in the Johto region.

Goldenrod City is the economic and technological center of Johto, and the only place where trainers in the region can communicate with foreign trainers. Recently, a maglev train to Saffron City in the Kanto region was also launched.

Under normal circumstances, Link would indeed like to visit the nature park or stadium, but this time his priority is to get the badge.

The Normal-type Gym is located here, and its leader, Akane, is known as an explosively beautiful girl... Let's not even bother to criticize this title, which is completely irrelevant to the challenge. Link is actually more concerned about her friend, Kurumi.

The latter is a radio announcer who regularly records lecture programs with Professor Oak, and occasionally you can hear about Professor Oak being attacked by Pokémon on these programs.

Well, it's not exactly "occasionally".

For some reason, Professor Oak seems to have a constitution that makes him vulnerable to Pokémon attacks, and he is often attacked by Pokémon while making shows.

However, being a top-tier rookie among the Kanto elites, Professor Oak was completely unconcerned about the attacks he received, believing that these deliberately limited-power moves were actually a form of affection between the Pokémon.

Just like Electric-type Pokémon, they also use weak attacks like "Electric Shock" or "Electromagnetic Wave" to communicate.

We've gone a bit off-topic...

Although she may seem like just a normal-type trainer at first glance, Xiaoxi's Miltank is a real source of fear for many new trainers.

Encountering Pokémon like Scyther and Miltank in the second and third gyms is absolutely terrifying. It's not just Chikorita; even Totodile or Cyndaquil often suffer defeats.

Long, long ago, back in the days when you could collect items infinitely due to a bug, Link and Chikorita once experienced a blackout here because of Miltank's "down" attack.

However, he was already used to it by then, because Chikorita had been killed by Scyther's "Cut" before.

Speaking of chrysanthemum leaves...

The super stone that Shirabi had previously given to Eguipong seemed to have some connection with Chicory Leaf, which is why it was given to the latter.

Can Chikorita Mega Evolve?
Link wasn't entirely sure, but it didn't seem to have any plans to evolve to its final form at the moment.

While a theropod like Meganium isn't as physically challenged as Venusaur, the shift from "agile and nimble" to "heavy and sturdy" still requires a certain level of mental fortitude.

Even though Link trained Chikorita from the beginning to be a support and shield, it was still not ready.

This is what it looks like when a girl grows up.jpg
But it doesn't matter; for Link, both chicory leaves and chrysanthemums have their own charm.

As evening approached, after resting at the Pokémon Center in Goldenrod City, he received notification that his gym challenge had been accepted.

The technology and information of Manjin City are advanced, and Xiaoqian had already learned that a former champion was coming to Johto to fish for fish, so she prepared for the battle in advance.

After learning that Link already possessed 7 Johto Region Badges, the well-prepared Akane happily decided to have a full-scale 6-on-6 battle!
It is our duty to restore the glory of the city!
Link was particularly pleased with this.

It's not easy. After the first gym (managed by Wataru), he finally has another gym leader to face off against.

It's a pity it wasn't doubles...

After arriving at the Goldenrod Gym in high spirits, the Gym Leader led Link to the battle arena.

"Hello, I'm Akane, the gym leader of Goldenrod Gym! I've seen you on TV before, and I knew then that you must be an excellent Normal-type trainer!"
"In order to battle you, my Pokémon and I underwent rigorous special training! Let me tell you beforehand, my adorable Pokémon and I are very strong!"

※Actually, they are quite skilled and qualified to participate in the World Gym Leader Tournament and the Attribute Expert Tournament.

Upon hearing this, Link pondered: "This sentence structure... you wouldn't be going to Azure City to get Ah Si to give you special training, would you?"

"Huh, how did you know...?"

"Battle begins!" With the referee's signal, the gym challenge officially started.

"Go, Big-tailed Tanuki!" "Chikorita, prepare for battle."

It all happened so suddenly, Chikorita actually had the advantage this time!?

Seeing that Xiaoxi had actually sent out such a Pokémon, Link was surprised to realize that Normal-type Pokémon actually had a Pokémon like Tanuki that could be used.

The tanuki, with its "simple" and "unpretentious" characteristics, is surprisingly reliable; it's practically a detector of the weak.

"Big-tailed Tanuki, use 'Swords Dance'!"

As expected, Xiaoxi chose to strengthen her tactics.

The seemingly dull-looking raccoon raised its tail, its body tensed as if a martial artist were concentrating and guiding the power within.

Chikorita wasn't idle either. Not only did she use the Imitation Herb to get a huge boost to Tanuki's physical attack, but she also gathered fire-attribute energy in the battlefield.

Inside the venue, the sunlight was intense.

The sunny weather gradually brought the entire chrysanthemum leaf to life.

Xiaoxi, unfazed, shouted energetically, "Next up, 'Rapid U-turn'!"

She chose to switch moves right after just increasing her physical attack, which shows she's very confident she can defeat Link's Chikorita with this move.

However, under the sunlight, the chrysanthemum leaves were full of energy and reacted quickly. They easily caught the trajectory of the raccoon's projectile, and after quickly absorbing the sunlight, they used vines instead of blades to unleash a move called "Sunlight Blade," shattering the raccoon's dream of transformation.

The raccoon dog, with its "simple" and "unpretentious" traits, is indeed a qualified detector of weakness, but the chicory leaf, which greatly enhances its offensive capabilities by imitating herbs...

"The raccoon dog is unable to fight!"

"Eh?"

Xiaoqian, who was determined to win first place, suffered a big loss right from the start and couldn't even understand why she lost.

Link: "..."

We lost because of bad luck.

Luck is also part of strength.

Who knew that Akane would send out Tanuki, and that Link's first pick, Chikorita, would bring along Imitation Vanilla, thus achieving a miracle of defeating the enemy with a single move despite being the weaker one.

A simple Tanuki is strong, but letting the opponent get double the "Swords Dance" and instantly cast the type-advantageous "Sunlight Blade" is a bit...

Chikorita's physical attack isn't outstanding, but it's in such great form today!
"Come...come back, Big-tailed Tanuki."

Xiaoxi was at a loss and recalled her Pokémon. After thinking for a moment, she sent out a Miltank, which had excellent physical defense and durability.

This Miltank is her starter Pokémon. Together they have faced challenges from wild trainers, gym leaders, and the League, and it was the trump card that defeated many challengers!

Cute! Resilient! Invincible! Strongest!
It's an invincible milk tank!
"Make yourself round, then roll over, Milk Pot!"

Upon arriving at the battlefield, the usually docile Big Milk Tank was filled with fighting spirit.

Faced with the beginner sprite that it knew all too well, it leaped upwards, curled into a ball, and rolled over it with increasing speed!

(End of this chapter)