https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-153-The-Mighty-Dragon-Hammer-To-Be-Determined-/12830733/
Chapter 154: Gastly: We Were All Willing
Chapter 154: Gastly: We Were All Willing
Boom!
Jing He, who was holding a "Dragon Fang" and a "Dragon Pulse" TM, froze as he stared at the large hole in the ceiling.
Did my house just get destroyed?
Oh, wait, this is in Blackthorn City, and this is Archer's house.
No worries then.
Regaining his composure, Jing He quickly looked for Gastly's whereabouts.
There was no need to guess; the large hole in the ceiling was clearly the result of Gastly's "Shadow Ball."
And it was probably an extra-large one at that.
The architecture in Blackthorn City, and the entire Johto region, leaned towards the old-fashioned, especially in the Dragon Master's household. The accommodation that Little Sakura had arranged for him was a traditional wooden house with its own garden.
So, the ceiling wasn't too badly damaged; it just had a large hole in the roof.
"Roar!"
At the same time.
Froslass immediately ran to Jing He, crouching slightly with her six tails spread out, and a few ice crystals falling as she assumed a defensive stance.
Forretress, wielding a hammer, leaped onto the ceiling.
"Chu!!"
I'll help you!
Minidragon, who was a bit slower to react, finally swallowed hard and joined Froslass by Jing He's side.
"Rrrooow."
Is it going to be this intense on the first day after being caught?
As the little Pokemon reacted, Jing He's gaze passed through the hole in the ceiling and found Gastly's silhouette.
He also saw a figure dressed in ninja attire, wearing a mask, with a look of surprise and exasperation in their eyes.
Archer!
The current leader of the Vermilion City Gym in Kanto, and one of the future Poison-type Elite Four members in Johto!
At this moment, Archer was also one of the highest-ranking officers in Team Rocket!
Why is Archer in Blackthorn City?
And why is he in the ceiling of my temporary residence?
Jing He's first thought was that Archer was here to confront him.
But then he reconsidered.
That doesn't make sense.
They have no grudges against each other.
And if Archer really wanted to confront him, with his strength, he wouldn't need to sneak up.
Even if he did, throwing out a few "Minimize" Grimer would be enough to cause trouble.
In the special episodes, Archer had several "Minimized" Grimer, which were very practical for offense, defense, and sneak attacks.
When it comes to being dirty, Archer ranks high in the entire Pokemon world.
Probably only a few people like Koga could match him.
Even if we take a step back.
Archer shouldn't be in the Dragon Master's territory, and he definitely shouldn't be confronting Jing He in broad daylight.
"Kyehehe~"
Gastly licked its tongue, its eyes serious.
No wonder Jing He said before to use a big move on ninjas; this guy does have some skill.
"Masu."
The Weezing floating in front of Archer looked somewhat expressionless.
It had just countered Gastly's "Shadow Ball."
"Kyehehe!"
Gastly rubbed its claws together, and a dense Ghost-type energy began to gather on them.
Seeing this, Archer's eyes changed, and he quickly said:
"Teacher Jing He, I am Archer, the leader of the Vermilion City Gym, and I mean no harm."
Under the red mask, a muffled sound came through.
"Gastly!"
When Archer revealed his name, Jing He also raised his hand to call back Gastly and Forretress.
Not an enemy.
"Kyehehe~"
"Chu~"
Gastly gave Archer and Weezing a deep look before returning to Jing He's side with Forretress.
"I have come here to ask for a favor."
Archer, noticing Gastly's wariness, did not come down from the ceiling beam.
"Your way of visiting, Archer, is quite unique," Jing He said with a forced smile, then asked:
"What is it you need?"
Archer was slightly embarrassed.
He was used to acting this way, doing it subconsciously.
However, considering the purpose of his visit, Archer could only muster the courage to say:
"I would like to ask Teacher Jing He for an autograph."
Jing He: "???"
An autograph?
He had thought about what Archer might say.
For example, a visit on behalf of Giovanni, or a Pokemon with psychological issues, or even Archer himself having psychological issues. But he never expected one of the future Johto Elite Four to come for an autograph?
Seemingly noticing Jing He's confusion, Archer coughed twice, his expression becoming even more awkward.
"I have a daughter who admires you greatly. She says—"
As he spoke, Archer took out his phone and played an audio clip.
A girl's voice came through:
"Dad, if you don't get Teacher Jing He's autograph, I won't talk to you for a week!"
"Uh—"
Archer's daughter, Fuu?
After Archer became one of the Johto Elite Four, his daughter Fuu took over the Vermilion City Gym.
Jing He was at a loss for words.
I have a fan?
"Is it because of the 'Toxic Spikes' or 'Stealth Rock' tactics?" he probed.
Those were the only tactics that came to mind.
They were quite suitable for the Poison-type Gym leaders like Archer and Fuu.
But those tactics weren't that advanced, so they shouldn't warrant such admiration, right?
Besides, wasn't Fuu's idol Archer?
Archer removed his mask and shook his head.
"Not."
Another audio clip played, the speaker's face devoid of emotion.
"Talk about dirty, Dad, you're way behind!"
Jing He: "!!"
Was that dirty?
How could tactical matters be considered dirty?
Wait a minute!
Jing He suddenly realized.
Why did Ajie leave so many audio clips?
An assassination list in audio form?
"Please, Teacher Jing He," Ajie said solemnly, making another request.
Jing He glanced at the large hole in the roof, then at the serious Ajie.
Surely, this couldn't be just for a small matter, right?
Jing He didn't believe it.
The main reason was probably related to Team Rocket, but he didn't press the issue, pretending not to know. He sighed lightly and said, "Pavilion Master Ajie, it's just a small matter."
Ajie breathed a sigh of relief.
Rumors were true; the cold and heartless ninja Ajie was indeed a pushover for his daughter. Jing He thought to himself.
Ajie leaped down, bringing along a Double Team Weezing.
Gastly and the other little ones finally realized it was a misunderstanding.
"Kyeek~"
Gastly waved its claw at the Weezing, a mischievous glint in its eyes.
"Mas."
The Weezing was taken aback but responded.
"Thank you, Teacher Jing He."
Ajie landed in front of Jing He and took out a photo from his clothes. It was a formal portrait taken during the mentor evaluation at the academy.
Jing He took the photo and was about to find a pen when Ajie handed him a brush dipped in ink.
"Thank you," Jing He said.
"Teacher Jing He, there's one more thing I'm curious about," Ajie added.
"Oh?"
Ajie's face was serious as he said, "I've been practicing the Iga-style ninja techniques since I was young and consider my stealth skills to be quite good. I wonder where I went wrong that Gastly detected me?"
Jing He looked at Gastly.
He couldn't answer that question.
Gastly, with a sinister grin, had just floated over to the Weezing and noticed Jing He's gaze.
It paused and said, "Kyeek~"
Your scent is too strong!
Jing He translated for Ajie.
"Scent?"
Ajie frowned, lifting his arm to smell it.
It was indeed quite foul.
But he had used a special method to cover the smell, so it shouldn't have been detectable.
"Kyeek~"
It's not the foul smell, but the scent of poison.
Gastly's voice rang out again.
"The scent of poison?" Ajie was taken aback.
He did often mix poisons.
But to be honest, the poisons he mixed usually didn't have a strong smell, and the foul smell should have masked it.
"Kyeek~"
Gastly, having been exposed to too much poison, had become naturally sensitive to it.
Jing He handed the signed photo back to Ajie.
Ajie carefully placed the photo in his inner pocket and thanked him again.
"By the way, this is compensation for the damage to the house. I deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to you, Teacher Jing He."
Saying this, he took out a small, black, mud-like object wrapped in a special film from his clothes.
"This is..."
A small clump of "black sludge"?
Though such a small amount couldn't be considered a proper item, it was highly attractive to Gastly and could enhance its toxicity.
Jing He guessed it was likely produced by Ajie's own Muk.
He took it and smiled, "Pavilion Master Ajie, you are too kind."
Ajie also gave a somewhat stiff smile, pulling up his mask.
"Well, we'll take our leave. Weezing, let's go... Weezing?"
Ajie, having completed his "mission," prepared to leave.
But as he turned around, his expression froze.
He saw that the once vibrant Weezing was now looking quite listless, as if it hadn't slept for two days and two nights and had been drained of all energy.
"Mas."
The Weezing called weakly.
On the side, Gastly, now twice its original size, pouted and looked up at the sky, whistling as if it had nothing to do with it.
"Kyeek~╮()╭"
A black line appeared on Jing He's forehead.
He gritted his teeth and said, "Gastly."
"Kyeek kyeek~"
Gastly shivered and quickly put on a sheepish smile, explaining.
It had just played a little game with the Weezing—rock-paper-scissors.
The loser had to try to poison the other.
And...
It was a tie!
"Mas mas."
The Weezing even nodded in agreement, confirming that it couldn't poison Gastly.
Rock-paper-scissors?!
Jing He's eye twitched as he looked at the body-only Weezing.
And you're both Poison-type Pokemon, trying to poison each other?
Ajie, who had also come to his senses, muttered, "I'm starting to understand what Akane meant."
Jing He: "."
Outside Smoke City, on a small hill, Ajie, masked and shadowy, appeared quietly.
He held a phone, seemingly in a call.
"...Yes, I saw him."
His voice came from under the mask.
"Your impression?"
" impression... He might be better suited for the organization."
(End of Chapter)
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