Pokemon: I am Gary

After returning from the training ground, Gary first went home to take a shower. There was no choice; the smell of black sludge was so overwhelming that Gary had turned into a smelly man... Erika left with Janine and two elegant girls, one of whom looked quite familiar. Everyone agreed to meet at the café later.

After cleaning up and putting on some nice scent, Gary opened a private training room again, letting Golduck and his other Pokémon stretch a bit. If Nidoking woke up, they could continue training... Golduck, the silly thing, sniffed Nidoking and then looked at Gary with a shocked expression as if saying, "Aren't you and your Pokémon the best? You actually ate something without me..." Gary directly rubbed Golduck's head in annoyance before he felt satisfied enough to head out.

Since Eevee and Togepi also wanted to stay and play in the training room, Gary only brought Charizard, Venusaur, and Squirtle as his backup Pokémon.

"Over here! Young Master Gary, over here!" As soon as he entered the café, Gary spotted an excited Janine. Two girls followed behind her.

"These two~ Wait! Giselle?!" Gary's mouth twitched.

"Good afternoon, Professor Oak~" Giselle, dressed in a JK uniform with white stockings, blushed slightly as she bowed.

"Hello Professor Oak, I am Erika's disciple from Crimson City; my name is Jeanette!" The other girl who had been scared into foaming at the mouth by the black sludge today was indeed Erika's direct disciple, also possessing the grace of a traditional Yamato Nadeshiko.

"Uh... Hello." Gary nodded his head in acknowledgment.

"Erika said she has something to do and will be back soon; let's sit for a while." Janine pulled Gary down to sit, shaking her little head adorably. Seeing Gary again is really nice!

"By the way, these two are participants in the Indigo Conference." Janine said while sipping her cappuccino, gossiping with Gary. The girl ninja with milk foam around her mouth looked unexpectedly cute.

"Oh~ That's great." Gary took a sip of his latte. "Being able to make it into the Indigo League shows that both of you have worked hard; keep an open mind and observe more."

"We came to seek your guidance!" Jeanette stood up confidently. "I wonder if we could have the honor of observing your Pokémon training?"

"Jeanette~ Don't be too aggressive. Young Master Gary is a friend of Erika. You should be polite!" Janine frowned slightly. This girl is talented but too extreme; she thinks winning makes one a flower while losing turns one into a wilted flower...

"I'm sorry, but you are currently my competitors on equal footing, so it's not convenient for me at this time." Gary replied bluntly. "However, after the league competition, I might go for special training at Celadon University; if you're interested, I can let you observe my training."

"Thank you, Professor Oak! I will definitely go! It would be great if you held public classes; everyone is looking forward to your lessons." Giselle said humbly.

This girl has completely been turned around by Gary; aside from being a bit shaky, she has grown quite a lot in other aspects.

"Hehehe~ Young man, do you want to learn some secret techniques? Just give this old lady a cup of hot milk and I'll teach you~" Suddenly, an old woman with white hair and wrinkled skin quietly approached Gary and asked.

Smelling the familiar scent of Gloom No. 5 perfume, Gary was both amused and exasperated. "Erika, what are you playing at?"

"Eh? I don't understand what you're saying…" Erika pretended to be confused.

Gary sighed. "If you want to disguise yourself, at least don't spray such expensive perfume…"

"Uh~ Hahaha! Alright, you caught me!" Dropping her disguise, Erika revealed a playful smile. "As expected of Professor Oak; your observation skills are truly meticulous…"

Gary smiled without saying anything; this trick is called recognizing women by scent—taught by Brock from Pewter City.

"By the way, what exactly did you come to find me for? It can't just be to test my eyesight," Gary asked with a smile.

"Well, I was entrusted by Principal Monet to bring you some gifts." Erika took out three gilded scrolls.

"Oh ho~ How generous of the teacher! What are you preparing to give me?" Gary asked curiously.

"These three secret techniques are called Blast Burn, Hydro Cannon, and Frenzy Plant." Erika stated seriously.

"Hiss~ These are ultimate moves exclusive to the starter Pokémon?!" Gary's eyes lit up. The reason starter Pokémon can surpass ordinary Pokémon is not only due to their higher breeding value but also because they can learn exclusive league skills like "Oath" and these three powerful ultimate moves.

Only starter Pokémon with high friendship levels can train these ultimate moves that maximize their inherent attributes in attacks. After using them, there will be a noticeable period of stiffness; however, their terrifying output capabilities can completely overshadow this drawback.

Each region has specialized skill masters who provide free skill teaching for eligible league trainers. "Speaking of which, that disguise earlier—could it be that you're a skill master?!" Gary suddenly thought of it.

"Hehehe… That's right. I'm the skill master from Kanto." Erika proudly puffed out her chest. "But to make myself look more mysterious, I disguise myself as an old lady; I didn't expect you to see through it!"

"It's really hard not to notice…" Gary retorted speechlessly; in this world, everyone seems like a master of disguise...

"Well then! In any case, keep these three skill scrolls safe. Next is something I personally request." Erika became serious again.

"Alright then; go ahead," Gary accepted the scrolls and nodded in response.

"Could you please help me teach Jeanette?" Erika asked earnestly.

"Master!" Jeanette called out unhappily.

"This child is too proud; she won't accept anyone but me. If this continues, she won't get far." Erika sighed.

"I believe if it were Professor Oak, he could definitely make her realize!" Sayaka used to be just as proud but after being educated by Gary has now become quite obedient. The entire academy praises her endlessly.

Gary raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"Uh…" Erika hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Please be gentle; don't leave any psychological scars on her."

As they say: one shouldn't strike someone who is smiling at them; Gary couldn't directly refuse either.

"How about this? Since I brought Squirtle, would you like to have a friendly match?" Gary looked at Jeanette.

Jeanette smirked confidently. "No problem!" Janine and Giselle frowned slightly; this girl seems somewhat ungrateful for kindness.

Erika also broke out in a slight sweat. "Ahem… In any case, please show mercy~"

With the atmosphere set like this, Gary didn't hesitate anymore and led everyone to the training area.

"Come out, Squirtle." Gary took out his Pokémon.

"Oh~ Is this Professor Oak's newly captured Pokémon? It should be alright; it shouldn't be too strong~" Erika immediately relaxed upon seeing it.

"Kawaii~" Janine and Giselle squealed excitedly.

"Squirtle?" Patting its little bald head in confusion, Squirtle looked at Gary blankly.

"We're just having a friendly match; give it your all," Gary said with a smile.

"Squirtle!" Squirtle nodded seriously.

In battle, life or death is at stake—it cannot be taken lightly! My turtle can stand firm under my command thanks to my caution!

Jeanette covered her mouth while giggling softly. "Oh ho ho ho~ Looks like this little girl got lucky! Go! My ace—Bellsprout!"

Smack! The Poké Ball opened and revealed a slender and weak Bellsprout swaying left and right in front of Squirtle.

"This could be interesting," Gary smirked slightly.

"Professor Oak! Don't underestimate this child's Bellsprout! It's incredibly talented and very strong!" Erika reminded him earnestly.

"Of course! My Squirtle highly respects its power," Gary crossed his arms seriously as he spoke.

"Squirtle!" Squirtle tensed its muscles; this Bellsprout has an impressive aura. It must give its all!

"I won't hold back then! Bellsprout! Use Mega Kick!" Jeanette suddenly launched her attack fiercely.

"It's coming! How will Professor Oak counter Jeanette?" Erika watched eagerly from the sidelines.

"Brick Break," Gary waved his hand nonchalantly without concern.

Bigger strength? Squirtle has never been afraid!

"Squirtle!" Clenching its little fists tightly, Squirtle gathered energy once more before unleashing its power!

Buzz~ White energy coalesced around its fist radiating intense white light as rings of light pulsed outward rhythmically.

"Wait—this isn't Brick Break…" Gary paused for a moment before quickly identifying it.

"Ding Aura Punch… A downgraded version of Aura Sphere that guarantees hits…"

Goodness gracious! Is my turtle about to awaken Aura Sphere?! Gary looked excitedly at Squirtle's little head!

As everyone knows: whether or not Blastoise can use Aura Sphere distinguishes two different Pokémon entirely!

Facing Bellsprout's flying kick coming straight at him, Squirtle took half a step back before stepping forward with its punch!

"Hmph! Useless! This little girl's Bellsprout has such a soft body that it can absorb force while its heavy kick will deal massive damage!" Jeanette said confidently.

Boom! A blue-white beam shot forth from Squirtle's fist as Bellsprout's eyes widened in terror before being blasted away by this force!

"Kubo Kubo…" Spitting out black smoke, Bellsprout fell flat on its face...

"So strong!" Janine watched in shock from the side with wide eyes.

Giselle blushed slightly as she gasped for breath. "Ah~ Amazing! Professor Oak—this way… it might break!"

Janine twitched her mouth slightly and quietly moved two steps away from Giselle...

"How could this happen…" Jeanette sat on the ground holding Bellsprout in disbelief.

"Squirtle!" Squirtle sighed in relief; what an impressive opponent—it almost made me feel abandoned by my trainer...

"This Squirtle belongs to Professor Oak?" Erika curiously approached to ask.

"Oh yes! This little guy is my newly captured Pokémon; I let my main team train at the gym since tomorrow marks the start of round two where I need to take things more seriously," Gary casually replied.

Erika felt uneasy hearing this—did he even realize what he just said?

With your exaggerated breeding level plus those shameless tactical suppressions...

You're going to take things more seriously in round two? If that's true then what about during finals—are you planning on not being human anymore?

Erika suddenly felt that the upcoming Indigo League might become even more brutal...