Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

Pogaman gave a frantic explanation.

This wasn't leftovers from when it ate Magikarp; it came down from the waterfall, and it took a lot of effort to snatch it from the swim ring weasel.

Although it's inedible, it kept it as a trophy.

Chapter 437 Strange Movements in the Depths (Edited in half an hour)

After learning about the origin of the scales from Pogaman, Tetsuya had some guesses in his mind.

"Has the research been moved to Clear Cliff...?"

He lowered his eyes and thought silently.

It's impossible to hide near Leibo Mountain; there are too many forces belonging to the alliance there, and the flow of people is quite large, making it impossible to conceal oneself.

Tracing back to the source, only Clear Cliff meets the requirements of Team Rocket's experimental base.

From the perspective of geographical location and traffic flow, Clear Cliff is indeed a pretty good place to hide your tracks, and the number and variety of Pokémon in the surrounding area are also quite large.

Moreover, the south of Clear Cliff is the Lake of Rage, where the future red Gyarados will live, which makes perfect sense.

No wonder Wataru searched around the Lake of Wrath to no avail and had to go to the cliff cave in the western part of the Johto region to continue his investigation.

Even someone as strong as Du wouldn't be willing to search Clear Cliff unless absolutely necessary.

That would require an enormous amount of effort.

The question is, where exactly is Team Rocket hiding in Clear Cliff?

The area of ​​Qingche Cliff is neither too large nor too small; it is more than enough to accommodate a research institute.

Not to mention that this research institute is most likely located in a cliff or underground.

Due to environmental factors, finding it is extremely difficult.

Moreover, given the Rockets' capabilities, they would be able to react immediately and evacuate quickly if a major operation were to occur.

Don't forget that although it originated in the Kanto region, the Rocket Group, which was officially established by Giovanni, was first listed on the stock exchange in the Johto region before expanding its operations to the Kanto region.

Its power in the Johto region is by no means weak.

After all, this is a company that Giovanni built from scratch.

Tetsuya would never underestimate Team Rocket's boss, who is arguably the strongest villain in the Pokémon world, and would only exaggerate his abilities.

"Forget it, I'll just give it to Watari later and let him have a headache."

He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on, and, knowing his own limitations, decided to leave the matter to Du.

Anyway, Lance has been investigating Team Rocket's research recently, so it's reasonable for him to find some clues and follow them back to Clear Cliff.

Although Tetsuya felt that as long as Giovanni didn't personally intervene, he could handle even if a high-ranking member of Team Rocket came looking for trouble, or at least run away, he would still try to avoid unnecessary trouble if possible.

If you think about it carefully, Tetsuya has unknowingly ruined several of the Rockets' big operations.

If this happens again, Sakaki might actually be interested in coming to see Tetsuya himself.

"What's wrong?"

Xiao Gang looked at Tetsuya, who was deep in thought, and asked him a question.

This guy's behavior has been a bit strange ever since I got the scale. Could it be that there's something special about this scale that I haven't noticed?

Xiao Gang curiously examined the red scales that Tetsuya was holding in his hand.

Tetsuya didn't hide anything: "During the Gyarados riot in Vermilion City, I found a scale that was extremely similar."

That's half true and half false.

The main reason was that he was too lazy to explain why he could tell it wasn't an ordinary carp king when he found a red scale while fishing.

The result is the same anyway; it's all the Rockets' fault.

The process itself isn't that important.

Xiao Gang's expression visibly turned serious.

As the next successor of the Pewter City Gym, he also knows a lot about the incident that occurred in Vermilion City, which is also part of the Kanto League.

"So, there's a secret Team Rocket research facility here?" He immediately realized this.

The next moment, Xiao Gang denied himself: "No, it should be further north."

His thinking was exactly the same as Tetsuya's.

"Anyway, we can't control this matter. I'll contact Mr. Du directly after I get out."

Tetsuya carefully put away the red scales and said to Kogoro.

Xiao Gang nodded: "If all else fails, we can just say that I provided the intelligence, and I'll contact the alliance."

He wasn't trying to steal credit from Tetsuya.

Compared to Tetsuya, he was less worried about the Rockets' retaliation.

Unless the Rockets directly attack Nibe, Xiao Gang, who will likely remain in Nibe City, will not be in any danger.

His father and grandfather were no pushovers.

In contrast, Zhe, who has always been traveling in the wild, is different.

Even if someone is strong, if they walk by the river long enough, they're bound to get their shoes wet.

Xiao Gang was still very worried about his friend if anything happened to him.

Tetsuya, of course, understood what Tsuyoshi meant: "Don't worry, I'll talk to Mr. Watari about it. It's just that if we contact each other alone, no one else will know."

As for Xiaogang, who also knew about this, secretly informing the Rockets, Tetsuya felt that the joke should be dropped.

Xiao Gang didn't say anything more.

"Boga"

After the two finished talking, Bogaman, having tidied up his things, tossed the bag behind him and excitedly carried his luggage to the place where the two had just rested.

It wanted to see what smelled so good.

"Want to drink?"

Seeing Piplup staring intently at the coffee in its hand, Gallade communicated with it using its psychic powers.

"Po...Poga!"

Piplup, who had never encountered a psychic Pokémon before, was startled by the sudden exchange of voices.

Then they discovered that it came from a powerful spirit in front of them.

It opened its mouth wide in considerable surprise.

"Want a bite?" Gallade asked again.

"Poga Poga"

Bogarman nodded excitedly.

A flash of blue-purple light appeared in Gallade's eyes, and a stream of brown water flew out of the cup in front of it.

Bogaman opened his mouth without being taught.

The thin water stream entered precisely under Gallade's control.

Pigasman, who was fantasizing about tasting something delicious, suddenly turned deathly pale: "Pega~"

The water that entered my mouth was not only not delicious, but also extremely bitter.

Bogaman thought the green, protruding fruit it had eaten last time was much tastier than this one—and that was the worst fruit it had ever eaten.

"Down"

Blaziken laughed heartily to itself.

It likes spicy food, but after trying coffee once, it refused to eat it.

When Bogarman suggested trying it, it was already anticipating the other's reaction.

Gallade tilted its head: "Is it not to your liking?"

It could sense the resistance emanating from the depths of Pogaman's heart.

Bogaman shook his head frantically; this stuff tasted absolutely awful.

Why would you like drinking this kind of stuff? Piplup looked at Gallade with an even more strange expression.

Gallade silently took another sip of coffee. Yes, it tasted pretty good, even better without sugar.

After taking a bite, it felt quite invigorated.

This is a very good feeling for Psychic-type Pokémon.

Tetsuya and Kogoro exchanged a glance.

"That's just because your coffee-making skills are too good," Tetsuya said with a smile.

Xiao Gang was also helpless, and pulled out another cup of coffee from somewhere: "Why don't you try this one? You should like it."

Looking at the familiar brown liquid in the glass, Pogaman instinctively took a step back.

Tetsuya, standing to the side, pulled out a water-type Passion Fruit from his spatial backpack: "If that doesn't work, this one will definitely suit your taste."

After hesitating for a moment, Pogaman quickly accepted the blue and yellow passion fruit from Tetsuya's hand.

It took a small, cautious bite.

The dry texture and surging water energy made Bogarman instantly fall in love with this tree fruit he had never seen before.

Its review was that it tasted much better than the blue berries it had eaten before.

As a breeding material for water-type Pokémon, the Water Blue Fruit is much lower grade than the Thousand Passion Fruit, and its taste is also inferior.

Of course, the price is also higher.

"You should really try this one, you'll definitely be satisfied."

Xiao Gang, still unwilling to give up, held the coffee and wanted Bogarman to try it.

This is his dignity as a Pokémon breeder.

"Boga"

As Bogarman ate the passion fruit, its body stiffened, and its eyes unconsciously drifted toward Tetsuya beside it.

It was filled with a sense of pleading for help.

Seeing this, Tetsuya quickly smiled and pulled Tsuyoshi away, saying, "Never mind, the elves don't drink coffee much anyway."

Most elves don't really like human food; they prefer things like berries or energy cubes because they can make them stronger.

However, under Tetsuya's influence, his companions all developed some fondness for human food, which is quite unusual.

Xiao Gang immediately froze on the spot.

I must say, traveling as a couple is quite interesting.

The two humans and three elves rested by the waterfall for a while before embarking on their journey into the underground caves once again.

Compared to before, Pogaman, who was perched on Tetsuya's left shoulder, was now carrying a small bag on his back and holding a cup in his hand.

"Poga~"

After taking a sip of coffee, Pogaman let out a satisfied sigh.

The problem is simple: Xiao Gang made the coffee so well that it had no astringency and was entirely bitter.

The later cup had a more sour and astringent taste with very little bitterness, which was exactly the type of drink that water-type spirits liked.

Just now, at Tetsuya's urging, Pogaman mustered up the courage to give it a try, and surprisingly found that it was actually not bad, which is why we are in this situation now.

The Blaziken leading the way looked completely puzzled.

It couldn't understand why Pogaman had changed so much.

It was as if Bogarman was watching a warrior as it stuffed spicy cherry into its mouth.

The differences between water-type and fire-type Pokémon are quite significant.

However, when it evolves into Emperor Naboo in the future, Bogaman's flavor will gradually become spicier.