The next morning, Tianlin said goodbye to Ash and Misty as he prepared to leave.
Ash still needed to rest for a while due to Pikachu’s recovery, while Misty was still waiting for Ash to compensate her bicycle.
“Goodbye, Ash.
Do your best.
I’m really looking forward to battling you at the Pokémon League in the future.
I asked Aunt Delia to tell you about it, right?” Tianlin said.
Ash nodded.
“Yeah, my mom told me.
Don’t worry, I’ll definitely defeat you and Gary in the future.
But… can you tell me what the Pokémon League is?”
Tianlin was speechless.
You nodded so confidently without even knowing?
And you said it so passionately too…
“The Pokémon League is the biggest annual tournament in each region,” Tianlin explained helplessly.
“It gathers the strongest Trainers in the region.
The winner can enter the Champion League and challenge Champions from other regions, even the Elite Four.
It’s the first step toward becoming a Pokémon Master.
And you didn’t even know that?”
Ash immediately became excited.
“Then how do I enter the League?”
“To participate, you need Gym Badges from that region.
Only those who collect at least eight Badges can enter.
But Gym Leaders are strong.
In my opinion, with your current strength, you’d get defeated immediately,” Misty said bluntly.
As a Cerulean Gym Trainer, she knew this well.
“I won’t lose!
I’ll definitely collect all the Badges!
Tianlin, where’s the nearest Gym?” Ash asked.
“There’s a Gym right in Viridian City,” Tianlin replied, “but I suggest you don’t go there yet.
The Viridian Gym Leader is extremely strong.
It’s better to wait until you’ve collected seven Badges first.
For now, I recommend going to Pewter City and challenging the Pewter Gym like I will.”
“Pewter City… got it!
I’ll catch up to you soon, Tianlin!” Ash said confidently.
“Alright, good luck.
I’m heading out now.”
After parting ways, Tianlin arrived at Viridian Forest.
It was a paradise for Bug-type Pokémon.
He planned to train Treecko and Feebas here and also capture a Bug-type Pokémon—ideally either Pinsir or Scyther.
Two days later
In an instant, the Caterpie was knocked down.
After the battle at the Pokémon Center and several days of training, Treecko had learned Quick Attack.
Its strength had now fully surpassed the beginner stage, reaching between mid and high Normal-tier.
“Alright, Treecko, take a break.
We’ll head toward Pewter City today.
Sigh… we stayed here for two or three days, and while your strength improved a lot, we still haven’t found a decent Bug-type Pokémon.
What bad luck.”
At that moment, a young man wielding a wooden sword suddenly jumped out of the bushes and slashed at Tianlin.
Tianlin reacted quickly and dodged effortlessly.
“That was dangerous.
Do you even realize that?”
“Impressive reflexes.
You must be a Trainer from Pallet Town,” the young samurai said.
“Yes.
So what?” Tianlin replied.
“Accept my challenge!
I’ve already challenged three Trainers from Pallet Town and lost every time.
You’re the fourth.
Today, I will win!”
“I’m not interested.
I don’t feel like battling today,” Tianlin said, unimpressed.
“Wait!
I heard you’re looking for a strong Bug-type Pokémon.
I know where one is.
If you defeat me, I’ll tell you.”
“…Really?
Fine, I accept.
A 2-on-2 battle.”
“Agreed.”
The samurai immediately sent out Metapod.
Tianlin chose Feebas.
Although Feebas struggled on land, Metapod was no better.
And Feebas could use Dragon Breath from range.
“Feebas, use Dragon Breath!”
“Metapod, Harden!”
As expected, just like in the anime, Metapod only used Harden.
But Dragon Breath is a special attack—raising physical defense was useless.
After three consecutive Dragon Breath attacks, Metapod fainted.
The samurai recalled it.
“As expected of a Pallet Town Trainer… you’re strong.”
Next, the samurai sent out a mid-tier Pinsir.
Tianlin recalled Feebas and sent out Treecko.
“Pinsir, use Focus Energy!”
“Trying to land a critical hit?
Then we won’t hold back—Treecko, Quick Attack!”
Treecko struck instantly.
“Pinsir, use Vice Grip!”
“Dodge it and hide in the grass!”
The battlefield was a forest, and Treecko’s color blended perfectly with the surroundings.
Its small body made it nearly impossible to track inside the grass.
Rustling sounds came from behind Pinsir.
“There!
Behind you!
Vice Grip!”
“Leer, then Quick Attack!”
Treecko burst out, disrupting the attack with Leer before slamming into Pinsir’s abdomen.
It was a critical hit.
“Damn it!
Pinsir, bind it!”
“Dodge and use Absorb!”
Treecko avoided the attack and released a green glow that struck Pinsir, draining its energy.
Tianlin narrowed his eyes.
That’s not normal Absorb… it’s Mega Drain.
It evolved already?
The weakened Pinsir collapsed.
The samurai recalled it and sighed.
“I lost again… completely defeated.
You’re stronger than the three Trainers from Pallet Town before you.
I accept my loss.”
“As promised, go east into the deeper forest.
After about an hour, you’ll find a centuries-old giant tree.
A powerful Scyther lives there.
I’ve challenged it many times, but never succeeded.
You can try your luck.”
With that, the samurai turned and left without hesitation.
Scyther… not bad, Tianlin thought.
But Treecko and Feebas have just finished battling.
Better let them rest first.