Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

"Well then, teacher and trainer, have a great time in Enju City."

The mayor gave a sheepish smile, said hello, and left.

"Ah, this is also a student I taught at Rainbow University."

Seeing Tetsuya's somewhat puzzled expression, Professor Oak explained with a smile.

Tetsuya then realized that the kind-hearted and peaceful old man in front of him was not only a Pokémon professor, but also a teacher with countless students.

Given Rainbow University's prestige and status, it seems quite normal for its graduates to rise to high positions.

The older members of the League are gradually retiring, and those around thirty years old are now the main force in governing the city and the League. Considering Professor Oak's age and teaching experience...

"Holy crap (‵o′)凸, does this mean all those high-ranking members of the league will have to call Professor Oak 'teacher'?" Tetsuya suddenly realized his blind spot.

Sure enough, in the Pokémon world, clinging to Professor Oak's coattails is the key; compared to that, cheat codes don't seem so appealing.

As they chatted, the conversation turned to the progress of the Pokémon's strength.

"Hmm, if you want Blaziken to understand the power of fire, I suggest you go and take a look at the Burnt Tower."

After hearing Tetsuya's story, the knowledgeable Professor Oki offered a suggestion.

"The Burnt Tower?" Tetsuya asked, somewhat puzzled. "Wasn't that place abandoned and used as a nest for Ghost-type Pokémon?"

Professor Oak thought for a moment and said, "Well, if you're scared, I can find someone to protect you?"

"That's not what I meant!" Tetsuya covered his face. Was he the kind of coward? "I meant, what can Blaziken learn from inside?"

"Destruction and rebirth of flames." Professor Oak wasn't embarrassed by his misunderstanding and simply answered Tetsuya's question.

......

"Destruction and rebirth?"

The next morning, Tetsuya stood in front of a dark ruin, Professor Oak's answer still echoing in his mind.

Professor Oak didn't go into more detail, leaving it to him and Blaziken to experience it for themselves.

Professor Oak, despite being a trainer specializing in Normal-type Pokémon, still has considerable authority to speak on the training of Fire-type Pokémon.

Not only because he is a Pokémon Professor, but more importantly because his starter Pokémon was a Charmander, which is now a very powerful Charizard.

Tetsuya once had the good fortune to witness the fire-breathing dragon make its move on the back mountain of the research institute.

In an instant, truly in an instant, a huge rock was burned to charcoal by the flames it spewed out.

Moreover, unlike typical Fire-type Pokémon, the Charizard's flames had a rather strange cyan color.

Then the other party glanced at him and flew away, seemingly not caring.

"call"

Shaking his head to clear his mind of unnecessary memories, Tetsuya began to carefully examine the ruins before him.

The walls were scarred and broken, covered with scorch marks and rubble.

The only words that can be used to describe it are these.

The charred tower, with only a few stories remaining, has long lost its former majestic and beautiful appearance, but Tetsuya can still feel a considerable sense of weight and solemnity from it.

It probably stems from that period of history.

"go!"

Tetsuya released the Blaziken, and together they pushed open the half-closed door.

"Squeak-"

A strange sound rang out, and the human and the elf officially entered the scorched tower that had been desolate for who knows how long.

"Just like the rumors say, it's pitch black even during the day, with only a sliver of light occasionally," Tetsuya muttered to himself as he looked around.

Over time, the dust and coke have long since blended into the environment inside the tower, becoming pitch black and unable to reflect light.

He could hardly imagine just how massive the fire was.

"Let's go up and take a look."

There was nothing at the bottom, just an empty ruin, so Tetsuya led Blaziken up the stairs.

"crunch"

It's called a staircase, but because it's made of wood, it's long been broken and dilapidated, just like the rest of the stairs.

When humans and elves stand side by side, it inevitably feels as if the ground is about to collapse.

Tetsuya is highly skilled and daring, so he's not flustered at all. In any case, Blaziken will catch him if things get really bad, so he won't get hurt.

Layer by layer, the environment gradually became gloomy, and the surrounding air subtly grew cold.

It's summer now, but the tower feels like late autumn.

"Down"

Blaziken gradually approached Tetsuya.

"Relax, we are the guests, they are the hosts."

Tetsuya comforted it with a smile on his face.

But it was clear that the owner of the place did not welcome the two of them.

"call!!"

Without warning, a huge fire suddenly broke out all around.

Flames gradually spread out from all directions, including around us, and even overhead.

In just a moment, Tetsuya and Blaziken were as if they were in a sea of ​​fire.

"Hmm, it's just okay. It's visually striking but lacks other aspects. You should create some smoke or something, or add some will-o'-the-wisps."

At this moment, Tetsuya still had time to offer his comments.

"Guo Xi~" "Ehehehehehehe~"

The indigenous people hiding in the shadows were clearly surprised by his actions and began to exchange information "secretly".

They said they were sneaking around, but they were actually making a lot of noise.

"Are you interested in coming out and having a detailed discussion? I swear I will absolutely not disturb your lives."

Zhe also wanted to resolve the issue peacefully.

But the fake flames continued, and the indigenous people showed no intention of showing themselves.

He shrugged. "Well, there's nothing I can do about it. Electric Dragon, smell detection."

With a flick of his wrist, a luxurious ball instantly enlarged and was tossed out.

"Buwoo"

After the long howl, a circle of white light swept across the entire floor.

"Guo Xi~"*n

One after another, spherical Pokémon emanating black gas appeared, with large white eyes and terrifying fangs—these were Gastly.

There were also quite a few Gastly mixed in.

Gastly's body is more solid than Gastly's, and it is purple. It has a pair of hands that are separate from its body, with three fingers floating in front of its body like a wandering ghost.

Of course, Gengar isn't included, since it's quite rare.

"Blazing chickens, let them taste what real fire is like. Be careful not to destroy the tower."

Tetsuya snapped his fingers and gave the order.

For most trainers, Ghost-type Pokémon are quite terrifying, but he wasn't afraid at all.

The only concern is whether these Gastly and Haunter will release gas that comes into contact with an open flame and cause an explosion.

Although no one comes to the Burnt Tower, as a former sacred site, if it is destroyed by him, even with the Rainbow Feather, he will probably be driven out of Enju City.

"Down"

Blaziken knew this, so it didn't use a very powerful flame.

Instead, it emitted tiny flames.

Hehe~~

Upon seeing this, Gastly and Haunter, who had been on high alert, burst into laughter.

Such a small flame, how could it possibly hurt any spirit? It's a shame this big guy is so big.

Having gotten used to pranks, they felt like they were the ones being pranked, which was quite amusing.

"boom"

The next moment, flames struck their bodies one after another.

Amidst the incredulous gazes of the tribespeople behind them, the tiny flame unleashed astonishing power.

Everything that was hit, whether it was Gastly or Haunter, was sent flying.

"Down"

Blaziken strode up to a Gastly and asked, "What are you looking at, bro?"

A powerful and forceful fire punch landed directly on the opponent's body before the opponent could react.

Then, without even glancing at it, it twisted its waist and bent its legs, appearing in front of another one.

Throw a punch, then retract it.

The blazing chicken repeats simple actions.

------

Note 1: Explanation of Chapter 359

Note 2: Explanation of Chapter 118

Chapter 407 The Vanished Holy Ashes

Soon, the floor of the scorched tower was covered with unconscious Gastly and Haunter.

Blaziken, which is not far from breaking through to the Elite Four level, could easily deal with these wild Pokémon, whose highest level is only Elite.

If they weren't Ghost-type, the process would have been even simpler.

"Electric Dragon, could you please keep the scent detection going?" Tetsuya patted Electric Dragon's head.

"Buwoo"

The electric dragon nodded obediently, controlling the ball on its tail to emit a bright but not dazzling light.

Tetsuya already knew that Ghost-type Gastly and Haunter roamed inside the Burnt Tower; this was hardly a secret, as most of the citizens of Enchantress City were aware of it.

Otherwise, the surrounding area wouldn't be so desolate that there wouldn't be a single person in sight.

It was, after all, Ho-Oh's former residence. Even if he felt guilty, he would at least come to pay his respects occasionally.

However, the fact that Ghost-type Pokémon could reside there easily dispelled this idea.

Although Gastly is generally well-regarded as a Ghost-type Pokémon, at least aside from being poisonous and absorbing life energy, they mostly do pranks and scare people.

Compared to other Ghost-type Pokémon that often pull people into the spirit world or devour their souls, Gastly is, in a sense, a kind of gentle Pokémon.

Moreover, the Gastly and Haunter here cannot be considered truly wild Pokémon.

Don't forget, the Enchantress Gym in Enchantress City is primarily Ghost-type, and its members are all Ho-Oh trainers.

Therefore, the fact that these Gastly and Haunter are released here is partly to protect the already damaged Burnt Tower.

When necessary, these Ghost-type Pokémon are quite obedient under the command of Morphling's Gengar, the current Gym Leader of Enchantress City.

Ignoring the Gastly and Haunter, Tetsuya led Ampharos and Blaziken upwards.

He found nothing worth exploring up to the existing top floor.

Touching the black wall thoughtfully, could it be that Professor Oak meant for Blaziken to look at these remains and learn something from them?

Blaziken shook its head at Tetsuya.