Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

......

Hinoki Town, the second basement level of Slowpoke Well.

"Double gas, use smoke!"

Arbok, Poison Needle!

"Foretus, spin at high speed!"

"Zoobat, Ultrasonic!"

A group of people dressed in Team Rocket's standard uniforms are directing their Pokémon in a fierce resistance.

They only have one opponent.

That is...

"Flying Mantis, Consecutive Slashes."

Following Abi's command, a green-black afterimage kept weaving among the Team Rocket members' Pokémon.

A faint white light swept across the body of each elf.

"wedge"

The next moment, the Bug-type warrior Scyther, with its arms crossed, swung its sharp scythe-like hands.

"dong dong dong"

Behind it, Team Rocket's Pokémon fell one after another.

"Tell me, what is your purpose in coming to Hinoki Town?"

Ah Bi hoisted the insect net onto his shoulder, tilted his head, and interrogated the man like a villain.

The Rockets members were trembling, but none of them spoke.

"trouble."

Abi frowned.

That's why he said the team he least wanted to meet was the Rockets.

I wonder if their new boss drugged them; they're all incredibly loyal.

It wasn't like this before.

"Scyther," Abi called out.

"Shatelai~"

Understanding its trainer's intentions, Scyther flapped its wings.

"Swish"

The sound of something cutting through the air rang out.

The Pokémon that Team Rocket members had just secretly released collapsed instantly.

The light in the eyes of some of the team members immediately disappeared.

"You won't talk, huh? Very well." Abi laughed angrily. "Cuff them and take them back for interrogation."

"Yes."

Officer Jenny, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally had a chance to shine.

No, that's not quite right either. At least the fact that this underground cave is so bright is thanks to the elves they sent out to use the Flash ability.

Otherwise, this Rockets team would have been secretly thrashed a few times by Abi.

Officer Jenny and her team handcuffed the Team Rocket members, who were already powerless to resist.

During the elevator shaft's operation, the last Team Rocket squad leader, who was left behind, asked Abi with a hint of resentment.

"We've only been here for two days, how did you find us?"

Abi glanced at him but didn't reply.

The squad leader gritted his teeth. Damn it.

But he quickly loosened his clenched fists.

"One day, the Rockets will rule the world, and you will all regret it."

"laugh"

Abi admitted that she had broken down.

"Why should I? Just because you bunch of worthless trash?"

His words were full of sarcasm.

Honestly, it's hard for people who aren't from Azalea Town to understand the residents' faith in Slowpoke.

In Abi's opinion, if he weren't the Gym Leader of Azalea City, then these Team Rocket members who broke into Slowpoke Well would only have one fate.

That means we'll never see the sun rise tomorrow.

In other words, Team Rocket hasn't started attacking Slowpoke yet. Otherwise, even if it's against the rules, I'd let them know what it means for Bugs and Poisons to be inseparable.

"You Rockets should be thankful that the league won't repay you the way you treat the league, otherwise, hmph."

Abi gave a disdainful sneer.

Abi, who grew up with Bug-type Pokémon, is no pushover.

It is in the weak that the cruelty of survival is laid bare.

The diet of extremely hungry caterpillars and unicorns includes their own kind.

Thankfully, the wild resources in the Pokémon world are exceptionally abundant, otherwise, who knows how bizarre the art style of this world would be.

"When you get back, tell the people in town that Slowpoke has not been affected in any way, and that every town resident should be careful of suspicious strangers from outside."

Seeing that the squad leader had shut his mouth, Abi ignored him and turned to talk to Officer Jenny about work.

“Understood.” Officer Jenny nodded solemnly.

Of course, both of them knew it was pointless.

Because the first floor of Slowpoke Well is open to the public as a tourist attraction.

As long as the town of Huipi wants to generate revenue from this tourist attraction, it's impossible to reduce the probability of it being invaded to zero.

All I can say is that I'll do my best.

"Hey."

Ah Bi sighed silently as he looked at the center of the second level of the cave, which was gradually darkening.

There, a crown-like object is quietly embedded in the rock face.

This is the special item that Team Rocket discovered immediately but could not remove from the rock face despite their best efforts—the King's Mark.

"When will the king of Slowpokes reappear?" he thought to himself. "I don't ask that the town be protected, but at least that it become a paradise for the Slowpokes."

Legend has it that the Slowpoke that saved Azalea Town was extremely intelligent, powerful, kind-hearted, and wore a crown.

People at the time believed that this was the king of the Slowpoke tribe, a very special being.

The royal credentials it left behind also demonstrate its leadership position within the tribe.

Unfortunately, after all these years, no second king has ever appeared in the Slowpoke group.

The subsequent rulers were only slightly smarter than their kind, far from being able to speak the truth, and they were also unable to wear the crown and participate in the coronation ceremony of the king.

"Hey~"

As the elevator shaft moved, Abi's sigh remained in the darkness.

"Hey~"

From another patch of darkness, an almost identical sigh echoed.

Zhe was also very confused. What kind of spirit could make a person's footprints disappear at the same time?

Flying is impossible, and superpowered abilities are unrealistic.

Could it be that this group of people were sent back through time by the Celebi?

That's even more ridiculous.

Zhe was also extremely frustrated.

"Beep!" "Xia Mo!" "Cha Ke!" "Dangoro!"

Including Pangyan Monster, who was released again to look for clues, the four Pokémon present looked at each other helplessly.

Chapter 346 The Secret Base Inside the Tree Trunk, The Volcano's Strange Movements (Edited in half an hour)

"No, no, that's not right."

After a brief period of hesitation, Tetsuya decisively chose to change his approach.

What if the opponent isn't using the Pokémon's inherent abilities, but rather the special effects of its skills?

"If I remember correctly, Hoenn seems to have a very unique skill."

He frowned.

"Come out, Serpent Lord."

"Taka"

The monarch snake, which suddenly appeared in the forest, was a little confused.

It instinctively used its rattan whip to hide the snacks behind its back.

Tetsuya glanced at it helplessly.

I don't know how this little guy manages to find the snacks he hides every time.

"This is a one-time exception."

Zhe also said something in an annoyed tone.

"Chirp~"

The Serpent Lord squinted its eyes and let out a happy cry.

It knew that this meant it was safe to steal the food this time.

As for next time?

Next time for sure.

Anyway, this isn't the first time I've been told that.

"Take a look around here and see if there's anything strange about the big trees."

Getting back to the main topic, Tetsuya's face immediately turned serious.

The monarch serpent nodded repeatedly to indicate that it understood.

However, the fact that it didn't forget to stuff the last bite of snack into its mouth before closing its eyes is rather unconvincing.

Under Tetsuya's somewhat helpless gaze, a faint green light emanated from the Serpent Lord.

"Swish"

Influenced by the grass-based energy, the leaves of the surrounding trees began to sway.

About seven or eight seconds later, the monarch snake opened its big eyes.

"Taka"

The little guy pointed with his rattan whip.

Following the direction, the target was an inconspicuous fruit tree.

"really."

Zheye felt certain in his heart.

This means that his guess is most likely correct.