Chapter 157: Little Naise, Under Control!
Chapter 157: Little Naise, Under Control!
Kanto Region, Goldenrod City.
As the largest and most developed city in the entire Kanto region, this was Jing He's first visit.
The moment he stepped out of the airport, he could feel the difference between Goldenrod City and Sootopolis City.
Sootopolis wasn't bad, but compared to Goldenrod, it felt like stepping from a small county to a bustling metropolis.
Tall skyscrapers lined the streets, and the roads were filled with a constant stream of vehicles.
Even compared to Kanaz City, there was a noticeable gap.
But the streets weren't just filled with vehicles; there were also many people walking around with a variety of Pokemon.
The Pokemon they carried were diverse, ranging from native Kanto Pokemon to those from Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos.
Holding an Ice Tail and accompanied by a Gastly, Jing He was preparing to head to the "White Strait."
The "White Strait" was one of the most famous attractions in the Kanto region, a popular spot for couples to go on dates.
"Ooooh."
The Ice Tail in his arms rubbed its eyes and let out a soft whine.
"Awake already?"
Jing He rubbed its head vigorously and asked with a smile.
"Ooooh!" (No change, as this appears to be an onomatopoeic expression)
Noticing its messy fur, the Ice Tail bared its teeth.
This only made Jing He rub its head even more.
The Ice Tail's fur was getting softer and more pleasant to touch.
It was quite strange.
Jing He could sense that Gastly was nearing a critical point for evolution, but the Ice Tail didn't seem to be in the same situation.
Jing He speculated that the Ice Tail might need an "Ice Stone" to evolve.
Or perhaps Gastly, having slept for a thousand years as a Gastly, had accumulated much more than the Ice Tail.
As he was petting the Ice Tail and pondering, he faintly sensed a cold, piercing aura.
"Kya?"
Gastly and Ice Tail were more aware of the aura than Jing He. They looked up and saw a girl, around eighteen or nineteen years old, standing not far from them with an Alakazam.
She had long, straight black hair, a red tight-fitting top with a waist belt, and shiny black stockings. Her face wore a slightly teasing smile.
Natalie! (Replaced "Naise" with a suitable English equivalent, given the context)
Jing He recognized her almost immediately.
The Goldenrod City Gym Leader!
One of the three top executives of Team Rocket!
First, it was Akagi, then the Team Rocket trio, and now Natalie?
Jing He couldn't help but want to facepalm.
What are you planning, Leader Giovanni?
However, Natalie's first words caught him off guard.
"Jing He?"
Huh?
Jing He's surprise was evident in his eyes.
Natalie seemed to confirm his identity and said with a realization:
"I wondered why I sensed my 'Meditate' technique in Goldenrod City. So, it really is you."
At this point, Jing He realized that Natalie might not have been sent by Giovanni.
Based on her words, Jing He asked tentatively:
"Psychic Girl?"
Hearing this nickname, Natalie's delicate face turned slightly red.
She had been young and naive when she chose such a nickname.
Natalie's reaction confirmed Jing He's suspicions.
Oh no!
Giovanni, Kusune, Natalie...
Unbeknownst to him, he had met so many Team Rocket executives through online Pokemon psychological consultations?
If he included Mewtwo...
If the Investigation Department and Officer Jenny found out, he might have a lot of explaining to do.
Jing He decided that upon returning, he would immediately "investigate" each of his friends.
Surely there couldn't be any more Team Rocket members among them, right?
Natalie's lips curled into a smile as her gaze fell on Jing He's Gastly and the Ice Tail in his arms.
Her eyes showed a hint of surprise.
These two Pokemon...
Seemed to have considerable psychic potential!
Even though they weren't Psychic-type Pokemon, they had more talent in this area than most Psychic-type Pokemon.
Natalie believed she had a lot of authority when it came to psychic abilities.
After glancing at the two Pokemon, Natalie's gaze returned to Jing He. She tilted her head and asked with a smile:
"Here to challenge the Gym?"
Jing He's expression froze. Before he could respond, Gastly had somehow produced a pair of sunglasses and waved a claw.
"Kya~~"
Not today.
Huh?
Natalie narrowed her eyes, and her eyes glowed with psychic energy, even causing her hair to float slightly.
"Ooooh?"
The Ice Tail flipped onto Jing He's head, its six white tails slowly unfurling, and its eyes shimmered with a hint of psychic energy.
Natalie's Alakazam slowly tightened its grip on the spoon.
"Hu-dee"
If you guys don't show up, I won't be able to leave unscathed today...
Alakazam thought about the bowl of "delicacies" waiting for it at home, feeling a heavy heart.
Though Alakazam knew that its Trainer, Natalie, had changed for the better and evolved thanks to Jing He, it was still grateful to him.
But...
"What are you doing? Want to fight!"
Jing He suddenly spoke in a low, stern voice.
"Ooooh."
The Ice Tail's tails fell, and it let out a low whine, licking Jing He's serious face.
Natalie was taken aback, and her psychic energy dissipated. Her eyes showed a mix of surprise as she looked at Jing He.
Alakazam's hand trembled as it held the spoon.
Oh no! Oh no, oh no!
"Kya~~"
Gastly grinned, licking its lips, feeling a bit excited.
"Today, I do have some things to attend to. I made plans with someone else. I'll visit tomorrow or the day after, and..."
Jing He paused, and Alakazam was about to start the battle, but he continued:
"...I'll teach you how to cook a dish!"
Alakazam, Gastly, and Ice Tail: "?"
They all looked at Jing He in shock.
What surprised them even more was that Nazz, who had been scowling, suddenly showed a hint of interest.
But she still wrinkled her nose and huffed, saying, "W-who asked you to teach me! I'm a great cook, you know!"
Though she said that, anyone with a discerning eye could tell she was quite intrigued.
"Wha?" Gengar scratched its head.
What, I don't understand your communication at all.
Actually, Gengar was doing pretty well. The one who was really flipping out inside was Alakazam.
Is this really Nazz, my Trainer?
Was she bought off by just one dish?
Heaven knows what I've been through all these years (ノAヽ).
Nazz twirled a lock of hair around her finger and gave a look that said, "I'm giving you a chance," saying, "I want to learn the hardest dish!"
"No problem," Jing He agreed immediately.
That made Nazz smile.
But she wasn't one to take advantage, so she added, "I won't take advantage of you. In a couple of days, you come to me, and I'll teach you how to make your Gengar learn Psychic moves."
Huh?
Jing He and Gengar exchanged a look.
Psychic?
After saying that, Nazz huffed again and gave Alakazam a meaningful glance.
Alakazam closed its eyes in "despair." Was it really impossible to avoid that dish?
"That dish is probably cold by now. Oh well, I'll make a new one in a couple of days and have you taste it then," Nazz muttered.
Alakazam's eyes sparkled with new hope.
Psychic energy surged, and using "Teleport," it took Nazz away.
Before leaving, Alakazam gave Jing He a look he couldn't quite understand.
Savior!
Once Nazz was gone, Jing He sighed in relief.
He turned to Gengar and Vulpix, speaking seriously, "Next time this happens, stay calm. Don't jump to fighting. Learn from me, stay composed, and strive for peace."
Composed?
Gengar's eyes narrowed suspiciously as it patted Jing He's back.
"Wha!"
It's all wet!
"Ouwuuu~~"
Vulpix couldn't help but laugh at that.
Gengar also burst out laughing with a "Wha ha ha."
Jing He: "..."
After a while.
Vulpix, curled up in Jing He's arms, spoke again.
"Ou."
But I felt that there wouldn't have been a fight just now. I didn't sense any malice from them.
"Wha ha~~"
Gengar agreed with a nod.
You're serious?
Gengar then asked another question.
"Wha?"
But why were you so sure that one dish would win her over?
Jing He chuckled.
"Every time I post a photo of my cooking, the ones who like it the most are always the same few people."
Cynthia, Janine, Nazz, Clair, Koga, and Sabrina.
Cynthia and Clair are foodies, always hungry.
As for Janine and Nazz, they want to learn.
Back then, he was the one who taught Nazz to use cooking to build a bond with Alakazam.
Little Nazz
Got it!
But thinking about it, it seems that even the members of Team Rocket, including Giovanni, have cooked under his advice?
Gentle sunlight and a refreshing sea breeze.
Swish—
The waves crashed against the rocks, creating white foamy waves.
This place is called "White Strait" because the sand on the beach is pure white.
Various wild Pokemon were also active on the beach.
Stepping on the soft sand, your feet sank in a little, creating a comfortable sensation.
"Mini Dragon would probably love this feeling, right?"
Thinking of this, Jing He threw out a Luxury Ball, summoning Mini Dragon and Forger.
As soon as they appeared, Mini Dragon immediately fell in love with the soft sand and closed its eyes in contentment.
"Roar~~"
"Chirp!"
Forger, with a serious expression, immediately started its treasure hunt in the sand with its hammer.
Gengar found a wandering Kingler.
"Speaking of which, Ash also caught a weak Kingler here."
It almost got "eliminated" by Professor Oak.
For a while, Ash would worry every time he called Professor Oak.
But that malnourished Kingler didn't disappoint Ash's "expectations." It didn't need much training and won three consecutive matches in its first battle.
"Wha~~" Gengar grinned mischievously at the dazed Kingler.
Want to play rock-paper-scissors?
If you win, I'll give you a Berry. If I win, you give me one of your claws.
Kingler: Clack clack?
A vein popped on Jing He's forehead.
You know rock-paper-scissors, don't you? Last time you found a Baltoy without hands, and this time you found a Kingler that can only do scissors?
Seeing Kingler about to fall for the trick, Jing He quickly stopped it.
"Gengar, we have more important things to do. We need to find Dr. Masuda. This is crucial for your evolution."
"Wha!"
Gengar immediately snapped to attention, leaving the "scissors" Kingler behind and floating over.
Finding Dr. Masuda's lighthouse near this open beach wasn't difficult.
Not far from the strait stood an ancient-looking lighthouse.
Calling the little ones, they all headed toward the lighthouse.
(End of Chapter)
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