https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-166-Giovanni-He-Knows-Rocket-Better-Than-I-Do/12830750/
Chapter 167: Professor Oak's Laboratory
Chapter 167: Professor Oak's Laboratory
"Is that it, then?"
In the car arranged by Shigeru, Jing He wiped the sweat from his brow.
To be honest, chatting with Giovanni was quite stressful.
Even though he seemed friendly, knowing that he was the leader of Team Rocket made it impossible for Jing He to treat him like a regular Gym Leader.
"I wonder if Giovanni took my advice."
Jing He wasn't entirely sure if he had convinced Giovanni.
After all, this was the most prosperous period for Team Rocket. They held significant underground power in two regions, had deeply infiltrated the League, and had successfully created Mewtwo.
Other regional underground forces, like Team Magma, Team Aqua, Team Galactic, or Team Plasma, all aimed to achieve their goals using the power of legendary Pokemon.
But Team Rocket...
They created a legendary Pokemon themselves!
And they succeeded!
Would such a powerful Team Rocket even listen to him?
If it were the first or second time Team Rocket had disbanded, there might have been a chance.
"Whatever."
Let Red and Lance worry about Team Rocket in the future.
There's also a possibility that Silver's appearance might change Giovanni.
"By the way..."
In the special episodes, Silver was kidnapped by Masked Man at the age of two, and the Masked Man was actually Lysandre.
Along with Silver, Blue, Gama, Carter, Erika, and Ichigo were also kidnapped.
"But didn't Erika and Koga mention they were classmates?"
He seemed to remember Koga mentioning this before.
"Whatever. The timeline is a mess, and it's impossible to tell if this is from the special episodes, the anime, or the games."
But if there is no Masked Man in this world, who kidnapped Silver?
"This question can only be answered by finding Silver."
At least there's no Masked Man.
Masked Man, or Lysandre from the special episodes, was incredibly powerful.
Each of his Pokemon was terrifyingly strong, whether it was a Pidgeot, a non-evolving Swinub, or the legendary Ho-Oh he had tamed.
Putting aside these thoughts, Jing He's gaze returned to the small metal can in his hand.
This was a gift from Giovanni before he left, the "benefit" he promised to Gengar when asked if there was any benefit to the battle.
A "Metal Coat."
It allows Onix to evolve into Steelix and Scyther to evolve into Scizor.
While Ground and Rock types often go hand in hand, adding Steel types isn't out of the question.
Compared to the TM for "Earthquake," the "Metal Coat" was more useful to him.
At least, Jing He could already imagine how excited Forretress would be when he saw this "Metal Coat."
Apparently, "Metal Coats" are extremely rare in the wild, only forming in mineral-rich, deep areas under natural high pressure over long periods.
This is why wild Steelix exist.
The one in Jing He's hand was artificially compressed, and only a handful of companies in the Pokemon world possess this technology.
The Steel-type elements it contains, being artificially balanced, are even rarer and more valuable than those found in nature.
Jing He estimated that a single "Metal Coat" would cost no less than five million, possibly even more.
"This is the benefit of being associated with Team Rocket."
How could anyone not be enthusiastic?
The car continued its journey, crossing through the Viridian Forest.
Initially, Shigeru suggested arranging a helicopter, but Jing He felt it was too flashy and opted for the car instead.
Pallet Town, Kanto.
A verdant, tranquil, and ordinary town.
The compact dirt roads, with the shimmering river occasionally revealing the silhouettes of Magikarp and Poliwag.
Pallet Town is known as "Pure Town" in some games or versions, as "Pallet" means "pure."
Stepping out of the car, the fresh air invigorated Jing He.
By the roadside, a few young children were engaged in Pokemon battles.
Their high-pitched voices made it hard to believe their Pokemon could understand them.
But Jing He didn't dare underestimate them.
These are the children of Pallet Town!
Who knows which one might become a "Super Pallet" or a League Champion, or even a "Five-Minute Champion."
If he ran into a young Red, Jing He wouldn't know whether to bully him a bit or offer some guidance.
If he met a young "Ash," he might teach him a bit about the harsh realities of the world before his journey begins.
He released his four Pokemon: Gengar, Vulpix, Forretress, and Dratini. Apart from Gengar, who was a bit intimidating, the other three blended perfectly with the children's Pokemon!
"Could I have the potential to become a Pallet Town resident?"
He half-joked to himself and then walked toward Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Professor Oak's Laboratory was easy to recognize in the sparsely built Pallet Town.
It was the building on the hill with the prominent windmill.
Following the winding path, Jing He ascended the stairs.
"Gengar!"
Gengar cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted into the forest, startling a few Pidgey into flight.
"Don't say I didn't warn you. This place is home to some very powerful Pokemon," Jing He said with a sideways glance.
"Gengar."
Gengar waved his hand dismissively.
How powerful could they be? I can handle them.
"Champion's retired Pokemon," Jing He said calmly.
"Gengar! Σ(дlll)"
He quickly lowered his hand and followed Jing He up the stairs, step by step.
Gengar: I'm being good now.
As for Minidoran, Jing He has long gotten used to its clumsy attempts at climbing stairs.
If one day Minidoran's bad luck were to disappear, that would probably signal a major issue.
Aside from Gengar, there's another little one that makes Jing He a bit uneasy.
That's the Iron-Forged Smith.
Despite looking intimidating with a hammer in hand, it's actually searching for metal.
'I hope Professor Oak's lab has fewer Steel-type Pokemon.'
Leading the little ones to the entrance of the lab.
Knock, knock—
Jing He gently tapped on the door.
The door quickly opened.
The person who opened it was taken aback upon seeing Jing He.
"Shigeru, it's been a while," Jing He greeted.
"It's been a while, Teacher Jing He," Shigeru replied.
After being rescued by Jing He on Mount Coronet, Shigeru had thoroughly investigated Jing He's background.
He then learned about Jing He's identity and the many feats attributed to him online.
This is "The Strategist"!
So, the usually proud Shigeru, much like Gengar now, was being very polite.
"Sent by Professor Zhenghui, I've come to see Professor Oak," Jing He said with a smile.
"Grandpa is in the back observing Pokemon. Please follow me, Teacher Jing He."
Shigeru opened the door and led Jing He through the cluttered lab, then to a side door.
"Here we are."
It's pretty close, Jing He thought to himself.
However, when Shigeru pushed the door open, what Jing He saw was—
A vast plain, rolling hills, and a shimmering lake.
Jing He: ???
Is this supposed to be the back yard?
While he knew that truly powerful professors often had extravagant yards, Professor Oak's was just... too extravagant.
Shigeru scratched his head helplessly.
"There's no helping it. This place houses over three thousand Pokemon, not counting the wild ones and those my grandpa keeps."
Three thousand...
Jing He nodded expressionlessly.
No wonder Shigeru is known as "The Breeder," with unique insights and techniques in raising Pokemon.
Just raising the Pokemon in this back yard would be too much for anyone else.
Jing He admitted that just raising his own four was already exhausting.
"Grandpa is probably observing Kangaskhan right now, not far from here. We don't need to take a car."
Shigeru glanced at Professor Oak's schedule and said.
Jing He looked at the Jeeps parked nearby and twitched his eye.
Who needs a Jeep to tour their back yard?
So, the two walked a short distance.
Finally, they saw the elderly man in a white lab coat with graying hair—Professor Oak!
He was crouched on the ground, holding a magnifying glass and observing a baby Kangaskhan eating.
"It's already grown teeth, no wonder it's weaning."
As Professor Oak muttered, he gently took the baby Kangaskhan out of its mother's pouch.
Holding the magnifying glass, he examined the baby's mouth, then looked enlightened.
Then—
"Grrr!"
The mother Kangaskhan, seeing her baby about to cry, snatched it back and swung her tail.
Professor Oak flew through the air in a beautiful arc.
Thud!!
He landed solidly on the grass.
Jing He: "."
Shigeru continued walking as if nothing happened.
He was used to it.
It would be strange if his grandpa wasn't being bullied by the Pokemon he was observing.
"Ha-ha-ha, but it's just weaned, still can't fully leave its mother's protection."
Professor Oak stood up, unbothered, and chuckled to himself.
So... the Super Newbie trait is really genetic!
"Grandpa!"
Shigeru approached and said, "Teacher Jing He is here."
Hearing this, Professor Oak's eyes lit up as they fell on Jing He.
"It's Jing He. Zhenghui already told me. Thank you for coming."
The two had met at the Pokemon Researcher Conference on Mount Coronet, so they weren't strangers.
"It's my pleasure."
Jing He smiled in response.
As long as he delivered the items, he could go home.
He turned and called out to the shadow:
"Gengar."
However, the shadow remained calm.
A few Murkrows flew overhead.
"Caw—caw—"
Professor Oak and Shigeru: "?"
Cold sweat trickled down Jing He's forehead.
When did Gengar slip away?
This yard has over three thousand Pokemon...
Suddenly,
Gengar emerged from Professor Oak's shadow, making a sinister face.
"Ha-gha!"
Seeing this, Jing He let out a long sigh of relief.
Thank goodness...
But Professor Oak's expression turned complex.
He gently patted Gengar's head, much to its confusion.
"Thank you, Gengar."
"Ha-gha?"
Gengar was even more confused.
Thank you?
For what?
Wait a minute...
Did my "Fear Technique" fail?
Shigeru, who was also startled by Gengar, didn't understand either.
But Jing He seemed to get it.
Professor Oak was thinking of someone.
Gengar approached Jing He and pointed to its head.
"Ha-gha?"
Is this old man's mind a bit off?
(End of Chapter)
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