Only after preparing medicine and a portion of Poliwrath-style Pokémon food did Julian release Croagunk from the Poké Ball.
He checked the injuries and sprayed medicine over the wounded areas.
After the treatment, Croagunk slowly woke up.
Julian raised the Poké Ball in his hand.
"Reggie decided you weren’t good enough, so he gave up on you. I think you have potential, so I’ll be taking over your training from now on."
"Do you agree?"
Croagunk pushed itself upright, the poison sacs on its cheeks pulsing.
Finally, it looked at Julian and nodded.
He nodded back and pushed the Pokémon food in front of it.
"If you agree, then eat."
Croagunk grabbed the food and began stuffing it into its mouth.
Large mouthfuls.
Croagunk had pride too.
It had wanted to grow stronger together with Reggie.
Since Reggie looked down on it, then it would follow its new Trainer and become stronger.
Once it did, the first thing it would do was give Reggie a proper beating.
It had to prove it was not useless.
After the first bite, Croagunk’s eyes lit up.
It had thought the food in front of it would be like what Reggie gave it: something to fill the stomach and nothing more.
Unexpectedly, it was delicious.
This was Pokémon food Julian had made according to Poliwrath’s tastes.
It also happened to suit most frog-like Pokémon.
In Sinnoh, Croagunk were most commonly found in the Great Marsh near Pastoria City.
Because their habitats were similar, their tastes were also close to Poliwrath’s.
This meal alone gave Croagunk a small sense of belonging.
Julian smiled and said, "This food wasn’t made specifically for you, so it won’t maximise the effect. After I measure your data, I’ll adjust it based on your traits."
"I’m confident I can make the most suitable Pokémon food for you. It should let you grow as quickly as possible and help you achieve what you want most right now."
Julian could tell at a glance that Croagunk was dissatisfied with Reggie.
It had not reached the level of hatred, but it definitely wanted to beat Reggie’s Pokémon badly.
It needed to vent the frustration in its heart.
With that anger held inside, Croagunk would train seriously from now on.
Once it finished all the food, Julian smiled.
"Croagunk, show me the moves you currently know."
Croagunk nodded.
Julian picked up his pen, notebook, and stopwatch.
First was Poison Sting.
Without much warning, Croagunk spat a string of poisonous needles from its mouth.
But the needles did not fly quickly.
Julian wrote that down. This would need strengthening in future training.
When the needles landed, he walked over and touched one lightly with the tip of his pen.
The needle was pale, which meant it did not contain enough poison.
Then it suddenly shattered.
Julian immediately held his breath and moved away.
Short duration
That meant the needle itself was not sturdy enough.
Another point to strengthen.
He returned to Croagunk.
"Continue."
This time, it was Poison Jab.
From gathering energy to thrusting out the palm, it took 1.8 seconds.
"Croagunk, try using Poison Jab while running."
The interference caused by movement meant Croagunk did not manage to use the move until 2.8 seconds.
Julian wrote that down as well.
Croagunk was a close-combat Pokémon. It had to master using moves while advancing.
Based on certain features of its palms, he judged that this Croagunk should have the Poison Touch Ability.
A Croagunk with Poison Touch was more likely to poison enemies when its hands made contact.
The poison would also be stronger.
When raising Poison-type Pokémon, the first thing a Trainer needed to prepare was Antidote.
And they had to carry it at all times.
Even if the Poison-type Pokémon was careful, accidents could still happen.
"Not bad. Continue."
Sludge Bomb.
Four sludge bombs exploded and dyed one of the artificial hills grey-black.
"Use it two more times."
Across three uses of Sludge Bomb, the number of bombs was four, five, then four.
It had basically reached the standard for the move.
"Good. Next move."
Brick Break.
Croagunk leapt high and split a rock in two.
Julian nodded.
"In two months, Pastoria City will hold the Croagunk Festival. We can go together when the time comes. You should be able to achieve a good result."
He said that to help Croagunk build confidence.
It did not mean Croagunk would definitely perform well at the festival.
Croagunk flicked its hand against the ground, sending a clump of mud flying.
Mud-Slap.
The move did not have much power, but if used well, it could still become a turning point in battle.
Julian wrote down two more problems.
The release speed was not fast enough.
The mud clump was not large enough.
"Croagunk, try making the mud clump bigger. Don’t focus on attack power. Just focus on splattering mud over the opponent."
Croagunk seemed confused, but still followed Julian’s instruction and created a larger ball of mud before throwing it at the artificial hill.
He nodded in satisfaction.
Next, they only needed to improve the release speed.
Croagunk tensed its body.
With a faint red glow, its muscles visibly swelled.
Bulk Up.
Good.
This was very good.
Strengthening moves were Julian’s area of expertise.
Because Jangmo-o had not evolved, Julian could only rely on strengthening moves to raise its basic combat values.
Over time, he had become something of a specialist in them.
With Bulk Up, Croagunk was stable.
They could use it to improve Croagunk’s basic numbers, then raise the proficiency of its current moves.
At the very least, it would be able to beat ten versions of its current self.
For the Fighting-type side, Veilstone Gym had enough instructors to train Croagunk.
But Poison type was different.
With Julian’s previously weak body, researching such a dangerous type had been impossible.
So he needed outside help.
Why not ask his all-purpose online friend?
Julian immediately took out his phone.
[Singing Jangmo-o:I remember you have a Roselia. Have you developed her Poison typing?]
Hearing her phone vibrate, Cynthia pulled over to the roadside.
She opened the message.
Suddenly caring about such a niche topic?
[KingGarchomp:Did you catch a new Pokémon? A Poison type?]
She had left less than half an hour ago.
Where had he found a new Pokémon?
[Singing Jangmo-o:A Croagunk with Poison Touch. He was abandoned, so I brought him home. I’m thinking about developing his Poison typing]
Cynthia frowned slightly.
A Trainer who abandoned Pokémon was far too irresponsible.
[KingGarchomp:Poison typing can be developed well by feeding Poison-type Berries and combining that with Toxic training. My family has detailed training methods for Toxic]
[KingGarchomp:I’m outside right now. When I get home, I’ll send you the materials]
Toxic.
That was certainly a simple and direct method.
[Singing Jangmo-o:Thanks. You’re back home? Then you’re in Sinnoh right now!]
[Singing Jangmo-o:We can completely set a time and place to meet. We’ve talked online for five years and still haven’t met in person]
Cynthia smiled.
We actually have met in person
You just don’t know it was me
[KingGarchomp:Next time. I only came home to pick something up, and I’ll be leaving Sinnoh for a mission soon. Let’s do it next time]
[KingGarchomp:That’s all for now. I still need to drive home as soon as possible]
[Singing Jangmo-o:All right. I won’t disturb you]
Julian raised an eyebrow.
That rushed?
Not even enough time to meet and have a meal?
It seemed like his online friend did not want to meet him.
Could there be some hidden problem?
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