ALL NOVEL Chapter 19: Chapter 19: VS Grotle
The arrival of new recruits had little impact on Rax Chand.
Captain Yusaku personally oversaw the teaching of rules, regulations, and Pokémon training to Rika and Ryota.
After instructing Rika on how to upload intelligence, Rax essentially became a hands-off supervisor. Whether or not the two newcomers would betray the organization was Yusaku's concern, not his.
Rax focused entirely on improving his strength. That's when an uninvited guest appeared.
"Let's battle again...!"
Seeing a whirlwind of ramen broth being sucked into the person in front of him, Rax recalled their previous encounters.
Had he... somehow... offended her?
---
Two minutes later, Caizhong placed the ramen bowl down, drank all the soup, and checked a small notebook with satisfaction.
"#32 Chicken White Soup Ramen: Done √"
Rax blinked, mentally calculating. Had she been eating ramen every day for half a month? Two meals a day?
Moreover, changing the flavor every time?
"Ah~~~ I've finished the last ramen, and you just came back. What a fateful encounter!"
Caizhong rubbed her smooth belly contentedly before fixing Rax with fiery eyes.
"So, let's battle!"
"...1v1. I don't have any other Pokémon suitable for battle."
If she wanted to fight, Rax didn't mind. Holding Cubone's Poké Ball, he was curious about how far his training had brought him.
---
The two quickly found an open field on the outskirts of town. Without a word, they sent out their Pokémon.
Cubone entered the field, twirling its bone club to display its newfound proficiency.
Caizhong's Turtwig, on the other hand, was digging its short legs into the ground, brimming with fighting spirit.
It glared fiercely at Cubone, whose calm demeanor made it angrier.
Without further ado, the battle began!
The Turtwig charged forward on its short legs, roaring as it neared Cubone.
Slam!
Cubone raised its bone club horizontally, meeting the charge head-on.
The collision created a whirlwind that rippled through the surrounding grass.
"Turtwig, use Leech Seed!"
"Knock it away!"
Both commands rang out simultaneously, and Rax met Caizhong's gaze.
Turtwig fired a tiny seed from the sprout on its head. The seed flew straight at Cubone, the proximity making it nearly unavoidable.
But before it could sprout its parasitic vines, Cubone swung its bone club with pinpoint accuracy.
Crack!
The Leech Seed ricocheted back toward Turtwig, hitting it squarely on its head!
In an instant, vines erupted from the seed, tangling up the startled Turtwig.
The Turtwig yelped as the vines drained its energy, only to pump it back in equal measure. It hurt but also felt oddly satisfying.
"Iron Head!"
Rax's voice was cold and unyielding, matching Cubone's silvery glow as it charged.
Despite Caizhong's shouts to break free, the Turtwig was sent flying and struggled to get back on its feet.
"Use Razor Leaf to cut the vines!"
"Stomp!"
Cubone followed up immediately, stomping with enough force to send shockwaves through the ground. The Turtwig staggered but managed to hold its footing, albeit barely.
The battle continued, but it was clear who had the upper hand. Rax's strategies left no room for retaliation.
Finally, after another precise Bone Club strike and an Iron Head, the Turtwig collapsed, fainting on the spot.
---
Victory!
Rax knelt beside Cubone, gently wiping the dust off its skull.
"Well done. Let's keep it up."
The cracks and lines on Cubone's skull, once smooth and pristine, now stood as proof of its growth.
Caizhong, meanwhile, tended to her Pokémon. Despite the loss, she praised Turtwig's efforts, which reignited its fighting spirit.
Just then, a faint blue glow enveloped the Turtwig.
"Evolution!"
Caizhong's voice trembled with excitement as she stepped back, giving her Pokémon room to grow.
Rax and Cubone watched in awe as the light intensified.
The Turtwig was transforming before their eyes—into Grotle!