Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

"Groundhog!" The boy in shorts exclaimed in disbelief.

"Keep the fossil. You can go back to the Pokémon Center now. The battles there are more suitable for you."

Tetsuya didn't care how badly his opponent was being beaten; this was for his own good, to teach him a lesson.

This is something that every experienced trainer often likes to do.

Chapter 38 New Elf

"I'm such a great person," Tetsuya was still marveling.

The shorts-wearing boy, looking utterly dejected, put his Geodude back into his Poké Ball, walked over to Tetsuya, put down the broken fossil, and ran off without a word.

"Don't come into the forest to take risks if you don't have to. It's not fun." I gave him a well-intentioned reminder, but I don't know if he listened.

Every year, many newcomers enter Viridian Forest and lose their lives.

After all, every trainer initially thinks their Pokémon is the best, without any assessment of the opponent's strength, and rushes in blindly, just like before.

"Alright, Mighty Chicken, let's continue training."

Tetsuya didn't take it to heart; it was just a minor incident during training. This place was already quite remote, and it wasn't easy for anyone to come here.

Tetsuya told Pidgeot to be mindful of its surroundings during aerial training, but didn't make any other arrangements.

That was just an exception; generally, he would be on guard himself.

While the Mighty Chicken and Pidgeot were training hard, Tetsuya was also busy on the side.

After preparing medicine to replenish the two elves' nutrition, he also began to study and review various kinds of knowledge.

Nothing in this world comes without effort, and Zhe's current abilities and strength are not solely due to Zero's abilities.

If it weren't for his persistent learning over the years, Zero wouldn't have been able to provide so much information.

After training, instead of taking a break as usual, Tetsuya headed towards the Nibi Dojo.

He needed to prepare the materials for raising his third Pokémon companion.

As for why it's Pewter Gym, it's because you can get a 50% discount on materials there.

This could save at least several million, so we have to seize the opportunity.

Get everything ready and return to your room.

I calculated the time, and it's been fourteen hours since the incubation officially started. The little guy should be able to hatch in fifteen hours normally.

Tetsuya took out the incubation equipment and fixed it on the table, while he continued to study.

After an unknown amount of time, the eggs inside the incubator began to emit a white light.

Zhe calmly put down his computer. After all, he was an experienced midwife trainer, and this scene was all too familiar to him.

They quickly organized everything and prepared the necessary supplies for the baby elf.

He squatted in front of the incubator, quietly waiting for the birth of the new member.

“Dangoro”.

A strange sound, both crisp and muffled, rang out, and Tetsuya's lips gradually curled into a smile.

"Hello, Stone Ball."

"Dangoro!" The horn on Ishimaru's head twitched, and the same voice came from his body again.

Stone Golem is different from other Pokémon.

Its entire body is a dark blue-green stone, its feet are two multi-faceted stones, and its head has a cone-shaped brown stone standing upright, which is believed to be its horn.

There is a pale yellow hexagonal hole in the center of its body; this is actually its ear, not an organ like a mouth or eyes.

The core at the very center of the cave is black; this is the core in the middle of the stone ball's body, and it is its energy core.

The way they eat is by absorbing energy from objects through the nucleus.

Tetsuya placed the specially prepared nutritional materials in front of its core. Hearing the movement, the stone ball carefully moved its body and began to absorb the energy it needed.

This is also a rather peculiar aspect of the stone ball; it moves entirely by hearing. In its infancy, it will walk towards the direction of the sound, but once the sound stops, it will fall down in confusion.

You also must not put your hand into its core, or it will become enraged.

After watching that Grit had finished eating everything, Tetsuya took out a Luxury Ball: "Grit, come into the Poké Ball and rest for a bit."

“Dangoro.” Ishimaru quickly agreed to the owner of the friendly voice’s request to be subdued.

A flash of red light, and Shiwanzi entered the luxury sphere to rest.

This is the third Pokémon that Tetsuya chose in the breeding room of the Pewter Gym.

Originally, the stone pellets were not within his consideration, because there was only one section of evolutionary mantle rock.

However, as he learned some of the information about Pokémon evolution from the Pewter City Gym, he discovered that Rock Slug could also evolve into Gigantamax through the recently introduced trade evolution method.

The so-called communication evolution involves placing a mantle rock inside a Poké Ball and transmitting it through a special Pokémon transmission device. Under the influence of an unknown force, the mantle rock will evolve into a giant rock monster during this process.

There are many other types of Pokémon that evolve in this way, and some even require the use of items.

It was after reading about the Giant Rock Monster that Tetsuya chose Rock Golem as his third Pokémon.

The evolved Gigantamax performed just as well on both offense and defense as his original tank choice, Aggron.

Compared to Aggron, which focuses more on defense, Grimstone's offensive and defensive capabilities are basically equal and both are excellent.

The two are about the same speed, but the Giant Rock Monster is more agile in a small area, while the Aggron is faster when it sprints.

The only downside is that it can't Mega Evolve, but Mega Evolution can't be used at the same time either, since Mega Evolution is destined to be exclusive to Blaziken, so this downside is negligible.

Moreover, the Stone Golem series of Pokémon are extremely sensitive to sound, and can be used as a warning in the wild.

Furthermore, this stone ball possesses Heavenly King-level aptitude, making it highly valuable and promising for cultivation.

Tetsuya had originally thought that if he didn't have a Stone Golem, raising an Onix and having it evolve into Steelix with Metal Coat for communication would be a good option.

However, if you have stone pellets, that's the first choice. Otherwise, you'll have to spend money to prepare a metal film, which is quite rare and extremely expensive.

Although the cost of cultivating it is not cheap due to the special nature of the stone ball, the materials are not uncommon.

Thanks to the Pewter City Gym, which has an incredibly complete range of Rock and Ground-type Pokémon, basically all of them have Pokémon eggs stored in the hatchery, except for ancient fossil Pokémon and a few pseudo-legendary Pokémon of the corresponding type (Gible).

"With this, the basic setup of the team is complete."

Tetsuya thought to himself.

Once Rockruff evolves into Mantle Rock, Combusken will probably evolve into Blaziken around the same time. Paired with Pidgeot, this lineup is excellent in various ways in the wild and can handle most situations.

Now it just needs more time to develop.

After some consideration, I realized I could easily stay in Nibi City for another month.

Make full use of the Pewter Gym's training grounds for the remaining 50 days, plus do missions and buy materials, and try to set off only after achieving your goal.

As for spending less time, you can stay in places like Rainbow City and Cinnabar Town for a short while, collect the badges, and leave.

"What a pity," Tetsuya sighed. He had originally planned to take advantage of the time to shop around, soak in a hot spring, and relax.

It seems like there's no chance.

Plans never keep up with changes.

Tetsuya never expected that his words would come true so quickly.

Chapter 39 Xiaogang's Request

Just as Tetsuya was about to begin training Ishimaru after he passed his infancy, his plans were suddenly interrupted.

"What? You want me to ride the St. Anne's ship for you this year?" Tetsuya looked at Kotsuya, a little confused.

Xiao Gang smiled sheepishly, "Hehe, I've just been a bit busy lately."

The St. Anne invites representatives from our dojos to visit every year, which is also a social occasion.

I was supposed to go, but I really don't have time. You know my family situation, so please help me out.

Xiao Gang clasped his hands together and pleaded with Zheye.

After all, the two had gradually become familiar with each other during the nearly one month they spent together.

Putting aside their identities, the two are very similar in age, interests, and other aspects, so their interactions are naturally not as awkward as before.

"No, you're busy but I am. I still have to cultivate the stone pellets," Zhe said irritably. "Besides, what would it mean if I went?"

I don't want to get involved in the social gatherings of these descendants of high-ranking alliance officials right now; it's far too early for me.

"Really not willing?" "Really won't do it." "200 million for the delivery fee." "Deal."

As the saying goes, it's not that I don't have time or I'm unwilling to do it, it's just that the price you're offering isn't high enough.

Zhe readily agreed to Xiaogang's labor dispatch, since it was paid and the trip would only be a week-long ship journey.

All things considered, I actually made a profit. The St. Anne's is a large ship, and it's not like you can't train on it; you can also enjoy high-class treatment.

"I knew it! You just have to talk about money. It's so hurtful to our relationship," Xiao Gang said, sounding annoyed.

Over the past month, Xiao Gang has finally seen through this guy's true nature; it's all about money.

"This is my legitimate earnings. Besides, talking about feelings is expensive. Do you know how hard it is to make money these days? I'm not some rich dog like you."

Tetsuya dismissed this with a sneer, saying, "What do you mean, 'My mind is entirely shaped like money'? That won't do. I need to take it out and exchange it for money right away."

"By the way, there will be a competition on the ship. The prize for the champion seems to be an evolution stone with any attribute to choose from, plus a charcoal with a 10% effect."

The sponsors are supposedly three brothers from Ston Town. How outrageous! They're incredibly rich.

Xiao Gang spoke casually, made a few more complaints, and then ran away.

"Shh."

Tetsuya quickly approached Kogoro and pinned him to the ground.

"What? So you're the one who made me go up and compete for you?" he said indignantly. "With your small frame, you think you can run away? I can give you a handicap and you still won't escape, believe it or not."

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! If you really win the championship, all the rewards are yours, and by the way, the delivery fee will be increased to 500 million!" Xiao Gang hurriedly begged for mercy, and at the same time used his ultimate move on Zheye - throwing money.

"No problem, please get up, be careful, I'm so sorry." Tetsuya apologized four times in a row, immediately changing his demeanor.

Xiao Gang patted the dust off his clothes. "Hmph, you're lucky you changed it quickly."

He casually pulled a ticket from his pocket. "Here, this is your ticket to board the Saint Anne. Don't lose it, there's only one."

"Don't worry." Tetsuya naturally knew how valuable this thing was. Regardless of whether he won the championship in the competition on the ship or the so-called errand fee given by Xiaogang, the ticket for this week alone was being sold for a high price of 500 million Alliance Coins on the market.

Besides, Xiao Gang definitely didn't give me a regular room; a VIP room costs at least 1200 million.

No wonder, the St. Anne, the world's most luxurious ship, only docks at the port of Kurenai twice a year, once for departure and once for return, with a week in between.

Everyone wants to go up and experience it, and there are quite a few wealthy people in Kanto, many of whom are willing to spend a fortune to enjoy it.

"What do you think about me selling this?" Tetsuya suddenly had a whimsical idea.

"If you dare to sell me, I'll kill you." Xiao Gang's face darkened immediately upon hearing this.

Tetsuya quickly raised his hands above his head to show that he knew he was wrong and that he would never do such a thing again.

Xiao Gang shook his head helplessly. This was just Tetsuya's personality. He was a very steady person when it came to battles and training, but he would occasionally have a brain fart.

"You'd better get a good ranking in the competition and bring some honor to our Pewter Dojo."

Seeing Tetsuya's puzzled look, Kotsuya gave a brief explanation.

"This can be considered an annual exchange meeting. Usually, the dojo sends its future successor, or someone like you who has been invested in attends as a representative."

Let the elves fight it out and see what outstanding offspring they produce. Then the old folks can have a good time and have a chat.

Most of the participants are around the same age; those under 16 or over 20 are not allowed to participate in this competition, so your skill level is quite high.

Tetsuya nodded to show he understood, but then realized something was wrong: "What kind of competition format is this?"

"It's 2v2, the semi-finals and finals are 3v3." Xiao Gang smiled awkwardly.

He glanced at Xiao Gang speechlessly, "Where am I going to get three Pokémon to fight in the semi-finals and finals?"

"Isn't your Stone Golem one too? Besides, your Mighty Chicken and Pidgeot are so strong, who can beat those two? You can also let Stone Golem gain some experience or something."

Xiao Gang knew he was in the wrong, so he tried to explain.