In order to pack as many Pokeblocks as possible into his spatial backpack, Chase hadn’t brought many consumable supplies this time.
For example, various fuels used for wilderness survival.
After all, in such a massive forest, even if he really needed to keep warm, he could forage for materials on the spot at any time.
Taking a step back, with enough Pokeblocks and Blaze, Chase didn’t have to worry about the cold weather affecting him at all, right?
Coming out with Zangoose to gather firewood this time was just to keep the rescued Trainer and his Pokemon warm.
As for himself, he just needed to hug Blaze’s warm body every night.
“All done!” With winter approaching, the forest was practically covered in dead branches and fallen leaves from autumn; Chase didn’t need to worry about fuel at all.
However, when the two of them finally finished their work and returned to the camp, they saw Aaron—who was supposed to be resting in the tent—cuddling with his Typhlosion and whispering to it.
As for Blaze, it was boredly lying in front of the dying campfire, pawing at it without a care in the world, not afraid of the heat at all.
“Yo, you guys seem pretty cozy.” Dragging a large bundle of firewood, Chase led Zangoose in front of Blaze, gave the big dog’s head a vigorous rub, and then leisurely added some fuel to the campfire.
“Mr.
Ranger, thank you for saving my life.
I will never forget your kindness!” By this time, Aaron had walked over with Typhlosion, also bowing deeply to him with utmost sincerity.
“It’s nothing, it’s nothing.
Saving a life is a greater virtue than building a seven-tier pagoda, and besides, it’s my duty as a Ranger anyway.” Chase waved his hand nonchalantly, casually revealing the Fine Styler on his wrist.
“Is that…
a Fine Styler?!
Mr.
Ranger, you’re a Top Ranger!!” Aaron couldn’t help but exclaim.
Hearing this, a look of surprise appeared on Chase’s face: “You actually recognize a Capture Styler?!” “Yeah.” Aaron nodded quickly.
“When I was in the Johto region before, I traveled with a senior Ranger for a while.
He told me some related knowledge.” “Come to think of it, I was just a rookie Trainer who had just received my starter Pokemon at the time.
Thanks to Ace’s help, I avoided a lot of detours.” “By the way, Top Ranger sir, have you ever heard of Ace?
Since we parted ways last time, I haven’t heard any news about him.” “Sorry, even though I’m a Top Ranger, I’ve actually only been officially on the job for a short while.
I don’t even know much about my counterparts in the Sinnoh region yet, let alone other places.” Chase shook his head.
“I see, please forgive my presumption.” Aaron looked a bit disappointed.
Then the two didn’t continue on this topic and moved on to a new one.
“By the way, Aaron, your Pokedex says you should be a Trainer from the Johto region.
What brings you to Sinnoh in this season?” Chase asked curiously.
“It should still be several months before the registration for the next Lily of the Valley Conference, right?” “To tell you the truth, I came to the Sinnoh region this time precisely to participate in next year’s Lily of the Valley Conference.” Aaron looked at Typhlosion beside him as he spoke.
“When I participated in the Silver Conference in the Johto region before, it was my first time competing in a grand event of that level, so I didn’t perform very well and only made it to the Top 8.” “But now my Quilava has successfully evolved into its final form, Typhlosion.
Coupled with a few months of ample preparation, I believe I will definitely achieve great results at the Lily of the Valley Conference!” As he said these words, Aaron’s eyes were filled with a fiercely burning fighting spirit.
At the same time, Typhlosion beside him was infected by this will, and the Pokemon exuded a powerful aura.
“Then I hope you get what you wish for.” Chase smiled, a faint trace of envy in his eyes as he looked at the other boy.
Once upon a time, his original vision was just like his.
Unfortunately, things in life are unpredictable.
His reality was right there; he simply had no way to receive his own starter Pokemon at a young age like Aaron and go compete in Pokemon Conferences across various regions.
“By the way, Mr.
Ranger, tell me your story too.
To become a Top Ranger at such a young age, you must have experienced many extraordinary things.” “Ace told me before that Top Rangers are big shots equivalent to Gym Leaders in level, every single one of them is incredibly strong!” Aaron’s eyes were full of curiosity.
“It’s not that exaggerated.” Chase smiled silently.
“Since you could participate in the Silver Conference, it means you defeated eight Gym Leaders and earned their badges.
Looking at it that way, am I still that impressive?” Unfortunately, these words only earned him an eye-roll from Aaron: “Hey, hey, Mr.
Ranger, please don’t treat me like a rookie kid, okay?
Those Gym Leaders were just testing us.
The Pokemon they used were who knows which tier of their gym roster.
If they used their main force, probably any single one of their Pokemon could sweep all my partners!” After speaking, Aaron glanced at Zangoose nearby: “I can’t be completely sure, but if it really came to a fight, my Typhlosion probably wouldn’t even be a match for your Zangoose.” “Typhlosion!” Typhlosion opened its mouth in indignation, but then felt as if it were being pricked by needles.
Looking up, it met Zangoose’s razor-sharp glare, and had no choice but to lie back down on the ground, turning its head away and muttering something under its breath.
Aaron looked at his partner somewhat speechlessly, and then told Chase about when he was traveling in the Johto region.
He had seen Morty, the Gym Leader of Ecruteak City, carrying out a mission assigned by the League, easily suppressing several rioting Pokemon tribes with just a single Mismagius.
It was only then that Aaron understood that the so-called Gym Challenges he experienced were, to those people, no different from children playing house.
“To be honest, I had already earned five badges at the time, and I felt pretty good about my strength.” A look of relief appeared on Aaron’s face.
“But fortunately, seeing that battle with Mr.
Morty completely shattered my pride.
Otherwise, let alone the Top 8, making it to the Top 16 would have been impressive.” The two chatted like this for a long time, though it was mostly Aaron talking and Chase listening.
Because he had never received a starter Pokemon, the vast majority of Chase’s previous life had been spent in the city.
What he knew more about were the plots from the original anime and games, but if nothing went wrong, those stories shouldn’t happen for several more years.
So for now, he could only quietly be a listener.
Afterward, Chase took care of Aaron for another day.
Once he had basically recovered his health, the day of their parting arrived.
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