Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

Bored, Tetsuya started chatting with Ji Ke.

But Ji Ke is no longer a child.

She smiled slightly: "It's okay, if we can't beat them, we can't beat them."

But if I've already done it, I can still give it to you as a thank you.

Tetsuya immediately retreated.

Ji Ke was several years older than him, so he could make jokes of this level with ease.

Seeing that Zhe was also silent, Ji Ke smiled smugly.

However, seeing the abs that were faintly visible under the other person's sweat-soaked clothes, she smacked her lips in regret.

Sensing the ill-intentioned gazes around him, Tetsuya instinctively ran to Blaziken's side and unleashed his Ice Vulpix.

"Keio"

The newly emerged Ice Vulpix was overwhelmed by the intense heat.

It desperately tried to burrow into Tetsuya's arms, as if it were cooler inside.

Tetsuya, both amused and exasperated, stopped it, saying, "Good boy, use the ice shards."

"Kaiokaio"

Seeing its trainer covered in sweat and sticking out its little tongue to cool down, Vulpix immediately obeyed and used its move.

Several blocks of ice, emitting a chilling aura, appeared out of nowhere.

Tetsuya immediately felt much better.

As for catching a cold? It's so hot, who cares about that?

But the good weather didn't last long. In the high temperature, the ice quickly melted into water and flowed onto the ground.

Without Tetsuya saying much, Hyōryū (the Ice Vulpix) readily took on the role of a proper ice storage.

Ji Ke also sneaked over.

Although she's long been used to the high temperatures, she wouldn't refuse to cool off if it were an option.

After doing this three or four times, the Ice Six-Tails inevitably showed signs of fatigue on its face.

As a Pokémon that has just passed its infancy stage, using skills repeatedly still consumes a lot of energy.

"Thank you, little one. Go back and rest."

Without saying a word, Tetsuya recalled Vulpix into its Poké Ball.

Although the little guy still insisted on making ice, Zheke couldn't bear to part with it.

The sweltering heat enveloped the two of them once again.

More than twenty minutes later, Blaziken, having barely recovered, stood up refreshed, while the three Pokémon beside it were exhausted.

Tetsuya, covered in sweat, recalled the spirits: "Thank you for your hard work. Get some rest now."

He never expected that before this final hurdle even began, the environment would give him a rude awakening.

"However, this also shows that the volcano is indeed abnormal; it wouldn't normally get this hot at this distance."

He said to Ji Ke, who was standing beside him.

Ji Ke nodded solemnly: "That's right, and the scope is even expanding."

She was holding a round instrument in her hand, which was used to measure temperature.

The red area above is expanding and its color is deepening.

After looking around, the two of them immediately and decisively headed deeper into the area.

The crater is not far away.

After walking along the rugged path for about ten minutes, Tetsuya and Kiko saw a group of fire-breathing dragons gathered together.

"Roar--"

A cry unlike that of a typical fire-breathing dragon rang out, sounding more composed.

"This is the leader."

Ji Ke only had time to say this hurriedly before a huge fire-breathing dragon appeared in front of them.

Tetsuya's pupils shrank.

This Charizard looks very different from the usual Charizard.

It actually has three horns on its head, with the middle horn being much longer than the two on the sides, and three more spikes on the front of the flame at the end of its tail.

"Y form? No, it's not that perfect. It should be semi-atavistic."

Tetsuya's expression was very solemn.

This Charizard's characteristics are very similar to its Mega Evolution Y form, but the changes are not that significant.

According to the research of the Pokémon Doctors, this state is usually called semi-atavism, and only exceptionally powerful Pokémon possess it.

Simply put, Pokémon's Mega Evolution is considered to be a more aggressive ancient form, while its current form is more benign.

In order to further enhance themselves, some powerful wild elves will explore the power within their bloodline.

This leads to the phenomenon of semi-atavism.

Without exception, after activating some of the ancient power, their strength increased to varying degrees, and their appearance also changed accordingly.

That's what they say, but this was also the first time Tetsuya had ever seen a half-regressed spirit.

Even the Venusaur from the Garden of Wonders wasn't atavistic.

However, according to Professor Oak, that Venusaur was actually a semi-atavistic creature in the past, but it is now too old to continue.

"Roar"

Unlike the previous Charizard, this half-atavistic Charizard was very polite; it let out a cry and then nodded at the two people.

Tetsuya tentatively asked, "Um, we're here to check on the unusual activity at the volcano. Is there anything we can help you with?"

He felt that there was no need to play the last game.

That would be wonderful.

Despite having made ample preparations, Tetsuya considered himself a gentleman and preferred to avoid taking action if possible.

The Charizard leader, sporting three large horns, nodded, signaling for them to follow.

"dong dong dong"

The heavy body made a loud noise as it walked on the ground.

Wherever they went, the Charizards lowered their proud heads, not even glancing at the two people and the Pokémon.

Strangely, Tetsuya and Kiko, who were following behind the Charizard leader, didn't feel that hot.

The two exchanged a glance, realizing that the Charizard leader had deliberately absorbed the heat from the surrounding area.

It seemed exceptionally easy to talk to and kind.

Tetsuya wondered if atavism could actually help improve intelligence, otherwise this scene would be hard to explain.

As the terrain rose higher, the two soon arrived near the crater.

Even with the help of the Charizard leader, Tetsuya still felt a wave of heat wash over him.

Looking over the latrine, one could see heat and smoke spreading across the lava, and the smell of sulfur was unusually pungent.

Ji Ke pulled out another black, round detector from somewhere.

Without saying a word, she threw it into the lava.

"laugh"

The probe melted the moment it came into contact with the magma.

But that's enough; the relevant data has already been transmitted to Ji Ke's watch.

It has to be said that the technology in the world of elves is quite impressive.

Ji Ke looked at it and said, "The temperature hasn't reached the critical point of an explosion yet, but it looks like it's coming soon. At this rate, it should be able to hold out for another four or five days."

This is indeed good news.

In this way, even if her and Tetsuya's operation fails, they will have ample time to find Wataru to resolve the issue.

"What caused the volcano to suddenly become active?" Tetsuya asked.

Ji Ke looked at the data and shook his head: "I don't know. The curves above don't seem to match any of the known situations."

"Roar"

The Charizard leader, who had been watching them silently, suddenly called out.

"It says it knows."

Blaziken's Aura resonated in Tetsuya's heart.

Tetsuya found it a bit strange.

If the Charizard leader knew the reason for the sudden volcanic activity, then with its strength, it should have a way to solve the problem.

"Down"

The Blaziken started communicating with it.

After translating, Tetsuya finally understood why.

"A volcanic stone? This volcano actually has its own conditions for formation?" Ji Ke was also surprised when he heard his report.

The reddish-yellow rocks, with flowing lava inside, perfectly match the description of the Fire Dragon leader; the Volcanic Rock is undoubtedly the perfect item.

Moreover, its formation can indeed lead to volcanic activity and even eruption to some extent.

What truly made the Volcano Stone famous wasn't this, but rather the fact that it corresponds to a legendary Pokémon—Seadraon, the harsh king of Sinnoh.

The life fragments created by the collision of the powerful forces of Dialga and Palkia in ancient times combined with the volcanic rock, which is the origin of Heatran.

Without the former, Volcanic Rock would naturally not be able to become a legendary Pokémon, but that does not change its powerful nature.

After all, not every object has the quality to withstand the power of two powerful first-level gods, who are the Twin Dragons of Time and Space.

The reason why the Charizard leader couldn't remove it was simple: the volcanic rock inside the volcano was stuck in a deep crevice in the rock.

Considering its size and short arms, the Charizard leader wisely refrained from violently destroying the gap.

It also fears that a strong stimulus could cause the volcano to erupt prematurely.

Although it could escape with its strength and not be seriously harmed, its people could not.

Tetsuya and Kyokaku never expected that the reason the other couldn't solve the problem would be so... hilarious.

Indeed, strength alone cannot solve everything.

Now that we know where the problem lies, things are much easier to handle.

Compared to the Charizard leader's exaggerated size, Tetsuya's Pokémon is much smaller.

"Kirullian, I'll have to trouble you this time."

He threw out a spectacular ball.

I didn't choose Serperior because having a Grass-type Pokémon use Vine Whip to retrieve a Fire-type Volcanic Stone from the crater is probably a joke.

Conversely, Kirlia, a Psychic-type Pokémon with telekinesis and telekinetic abilities, does not have this concern.

Tetsuya was once again grateful that he had met this little guy in Hinoki Town.

Psychic-type Pokémon are just so appealing.

Without hesitation, the fire-breathing dragon leader flapped its wings and flew towards the crater.

Tetsuya gave Kirlia an encouraging look, and the little girl used her Nen to cover her entire body and slowly flew up.

It's unrealistic to have the Flame-Breathing Head carry Kirlia; while the other party is friendly, it doesn't diminish its arrogance.

If you want to ride on its back or head, even if you come across it, it might not be possible.

Smoke billowed.