Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

A confident smile spread across his flushed face. "Now, it's time for us to strike back! Unleash the barrage of slaps!"

Mosquito Coil sprang to his feet, shaking off his sleepiness, and roared in response to his trainer, also cheering himself on.

"Perly!"

However, the sight of Ibrahimovic's slightly open mouth evoked a familiar feeling in his mind.

That feeling made his eyelids involuntarily droop again.

"Per...Perli?"

I just woke up, and you've already knocked me down again?

How could there be such a despicable elf...?

"Mosquito Coil, you can't fall down now!"

Before his consciousness faded, the trainer's voice still echoed in his ears, but this time, he could no longer respond to Crimson's shouts.

There was a moment of silence in the audience, followed by the loudest discussion in the area since the start of the qualifying rounds.

"How could there be such a despicable Pokémon! How could there be such a filthy trainer!"

"I feel like if I were the trainer of that Poliwag, I'd be furious!"

"If you ask me, you're just making things difficult for yourself. It's like watching NTR (Netorare) stories; why do you have to empathize with the victim? Just empathize with the blond guy instead... It's the same with these kinds of matches. When you watch from the perspective of an Eevee trainer, tell me, isn't that satisfying?"

"Holy crap, that makes sense! It actually does seem... kind of fun?"

"But I still have to say, this Eevee's trainer is really dirty!"

…………

The audience below the stage was bustling with activity, while Xia Chen on stage looked completely bewildered.

It's not my business?

I didn't give the second yawn command, so why are you yelling at me?

Just because a Pokémon did something dirty doesn't mean the trainer has poor character!

I didn't teach elves to be cunning!

Ibrahimovic, you're ruining my reputation!

Chapter 50 The Three-Year Promise with Crimson

If one yawn can't solve an opponent, then two yawns will.

This isn't a famous quote from a trainer, but rather Ibrahimovic's post-match summary of this game.

In fact, in her past life, she used a very violent and extreme output style of play, combining meditation with the power of the moon, or perhaps a powerful voice.

Its unique characteristic is its fairy-like skin, making it a nightmare for almost all dragons.

For some reason, after being reborn, she suddenly became interested in some strange fighting styles.

But how could a gentle and adorable little Eevee like myself think about getting others dirty every day?

"One is influenced by one's surroundings," and I was definitely too deeply influenced by Xia Chen!

Xia Chen had no idea what Ibu on his shoulder was saying about him.

He was at the Pokémon Center in the Battle Park, chatting with Red while waiting for Mei.

The reason Red stayed here is that his Poliwag was beaten up by Eevee and is now in the hospital, where he is still receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic was almost unharmed in the previous match and was currently perched on Xia Chen's shoulder, eating the heart-shaped energy cubes he had made.

……

"So you came to the Eastern Region to collect Gym Badges to participate in the Eastern Tournament?"

Xia Chen took a sip of mango juice and asked curiously.

"Yes, I've heard that the Eastern Huang region is the largest region in the world. I think an adventure here would be very exciting!"

Chi Hong laughed cheerfully, showing no sign of being upset by the frustrating battle she had just experienced.

"Sure enough, before the trip even started, I encountered such outstanding opponents as you and Ibrahimovic as soon as I arrived in Zhijiang. This match has really benefited me a lot."

Xia Chen coughed lightly twice, "It's mainly because Ibrahimovic played well..."

If Eevee hadn't reacted quickly and immediately yawned, it might have been defeated by Red's Rejuvenating Roar, which seemed to have the protagonist's aura.

Crimson shook her head seriously, "No need to be modest, I'm not someone who hates failure."

Xia Chen shrugged helplessly, offering no explanation; he was slowly getting used to it.

Why do you all think I'm being modest...?

Without elaborating on the topic, Xia Chen took the initiative to ask, "Is your only Pokémon currently Pokémon Pokémon?"

Red scratched his head. "There's still a Pikachu, but right now I'm a bit... in a bad mood..."

"Huh? Xia Chen, what are you laughing at? It's not that Pikachu doesn't approve of me!"

Xia Chen suppressed a laugh as he watched Chi Hong, who was so anxious that she was already trying to cover up her mistake.

For a trainer, not being recognized by the Pokémon they have already caught is a tremendous disgrace.

I should give this future fighter some face.

…………

Xia Chen proactively changed the subject, "So, Chi Hong, where do you plan to start your trip next?"

Red had clearly planned ahead and answered without hesitation, "I plan to go west along the Yangtze River, because this is the route with the most gyms in the Eastern Huang region, and also the area with the richest Pokémon."

"I will travel with Poliwag, Pikachu, and the friends I will catch in the future, improving our strength and challenging the gyms along the way."

"The Yunze Dojo, standing atop the vast Yunze Lake... the Shanming Dojo, perched atop the Eastern Gate of Nandu... the Qingkong Dojo, towering atop the mountain city... the Liuhuo Dojo, uniquely situated in the Funan Basin..."

"Three years from now, I will collect all eight gym badges and participate in the next East Glory Tournament!"

The boy adjusted his baseball cap, revealing a face brimming with confidence and ambition.

As expected of the adventurous and never-say-die Crimson!

The dangers of the wild, the hardships of the journey, the difficulties of the dojo challenges... these obstacles seem to him to be nothing more than stepping stones.

What doesn't kill him only makes him stronger.

Xia Chen suddenly felt a pang of emotion, "That's wonderful... I wish you a safe journey!"

Chi Hong stared at Xia Chen for a while, then suddenly smiled and extended her hand to him.

"Xia Chen, do you want to go on a trip with me? I can sense that you and I are the same kind of people!"

Are they the same type of people?

Xia Chen subconsciously wanted to refute Chi Hong, "How could someone like me, who aspires to be a lazy gym leader, be the same kind of person as you?"

But he couldn't deny how moving the images that Crimson had just described were in his mind.

…………

"Ee~" Eevee's little paws tugged at Xia Chen's arm, as if trying to get his attention.

Xia Chen looked down and saw Ibu staring at him intently, a rare sight for him.

"Buyi—(No matter what you choose, I will always be with you.)"

Xia Chen read this meaning from Ibu's bright and determined eyes, and he smiled slightly.

Picking up Eevee, he met the red, inviting gaze.

“Maybe I’ll travel in the future, but not now,” Xia Chen smiled. “I have my own path to walk.”

If they were to travel, Sylveon and Milotic's evolutionary research would definitely be delayed.

In any case, since he is currently destitute and not yet destitute, he must first establish a solid economic foundation.

He gently scratched the sensitive flesh beneath Eevee's creamy fur on its neck and said, "I think that as long as I'm with my favorite Pokémon, every day is wonderful enough, even without taking any risks."

"However... you'll see me at the Eastern Empire Tournament three years from now. I'll beat you up again then!"

Xia Chen raised his eyebrows at Chi Hong provocatively.

Ibrahimovic nodded in agreement, "I'll beat you every time I see you, even Arceus can't save you, that's what I, Ibrahimovic, say!"

Crimson laughed, straightening his hat which wasn't crooked. "It's a deal. When the time comes, you'll definitely see a different Crimson!"

"Snapped!"

The two smiled at each other and made a vow with a high five.

"Um...sorry I'm late." Mingyi stood by the table holding the Snivy, suddenly having a strange feeling.

Coming on my own...is it just the wrong time?

She gave Xia Chen a rather strange look; how could he always become friends with the trainers he had just battled?

While it seems like there's nothing to worry about since they're all of the same sex, there's still... something just feels a little strange...

…………

Although Chi Hong was eliminated by Xia Chen in the Bogaman Cup qualifying rounds, he was not in a hurry to leave Zhijiang. After all, Yunze Dojo in Zhijiang was one of the stops in his travel plans.

However, given Red's current strength, unless the gym leader goes all out, he has no chance of obtaining the Cloud Badge.

Although Chi Hong was confident to the point of being arrogant when he first debuted, he still had basic common sense.

He decided to first go to the countryside around Zhijiang for a period of time to train.

To put it in game terms, the gym leader's Pokémon level is too high, making it impossible to beat them; you need to level up first.

Before parting, Xia Chen gave Chi Hong a brand-new amphibious multi-functional bicycle from Silver Company.

"Consider it as traveling with you in my place," Xia Chen said.

Chi Hong was deeply moved and returned the favor by giving Xia Chen the hat that he had been wearing for who knows how long.

After some thought, Xia Chen decided to keep it as a precious keepsake rather than carry it with him to inherit the will of the fighter.

A bright red hat... what a meaningful keepsake for Pokémon fans!