"As you can see, I'm a Pokémon Trainer."
"Right now, I'm traveling around looking for new companions. My goal is to keep getting stronger and eventually challenge the Pokémon League."
"So, is there anyone here who wants to leave this island and travel with me?"
In this extraordinary world, almost every Pokémon could understand at least some human language.
That meant Itsuki's words were clearly understood by the Pokémon gathered before him.
Unfortunately, the reverse wasn't true.
As a human, Itsuki couldn't understand what they were saying.
On the other side, the Squirtle and Wartortle exchanged glances after hearing his invitation.
However, none of them responded.
Several seconds passed.
Then, perhaps because it was mischievous, or simply curious about Itsuki, one Squirtle finally stepped forward.
"Squirt! Squirtle!"
"Oh? You're pretty brave, aren't you?"
Looking at the little Squirtle, Itsuki smiled.
"Since you're interested, how about we have a battle?"
"If I win, you'll become my partner!"
Perhaps sensing that a battle was about to begin, the surrounding Pokémon immediately moved aside.
They cleared a large open space for the two opponents.
Interestingly, not a single one attempted to interfere.
It was almost as though they were already accustomed to seeing this sort of thing happen.
Itsuki also moved into position with his Pokémon, standing opposite the Squirtle.
However, before beginning the battle, he decided to learn a little more about his opponent.
He took out his Pokédex and pointed it toward the blue Pokémon standing before him.
The device immediately responded.
"Beep! Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokémon. Water-type."
"Squirtle specializes in Water-type attacks and protects itself using its extremely hard shell."
"When confronted by an enemy, it can unleash a powerful Water Gun attack!"
'Good. Just as I remembered.'
Itsuki had scanned Squirtle not only to learn more about the Pokémon but also to confirm whether its characteristics matched his existing knowledge.
And judging from the results...
Nothing seemed to have changed.
Itsuki glanced toward his feet before waving to Bulbasaur.
"Bulbasaur, I'm leaving this battle to you!"
"Bulba! Bulbasaur!"
Hearing Itsuki's command, Bulbasaur walked forward several steps and stopped in front of Squirtle.
No words were needed.
Their fighting spirits were already beginning to burn!
Seeing that both Pokémon were ready, Itsuki decisively issued his first command.
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"
Following his instructions, two vines shot out from the bulb on Bulbasaur's back!
They lashed straight toward Squirtle!
However, faced with the incoming attack, Squirtle remained remarkably calm.
It waited until the vines were almost upon it.
Then...
Whoosh!
Its head and limbs suddenly disappeared inside its shell!
Smack! Smack!
Two sharp impacts rang out.
Although Vine Whip was a Grass-type move, Squirtle's sturdy shell allowed it to withstand the attack!
The only noticeable effect was that its shell shook a few times.
It had to be said...
'Retreating into their shells really is the greatest defensive advantage of turtle Pokémon!'
Once the attack ended, Squirtle emerged from its shell.
Then, without hesitation, it opened its mouth!
A powerful Water Gun shot directly toward Bulbasaur!
However, just like Bulbasaur's earlier Vine Whip, Squirtle's Water Gun seemed extremely easy to predict!
"Bulbasaur, dodge it!"
Itsuki issued his command just in time.
Unfortunately...
Just as Bulbasaur began moving aside, Squirtle suddenly turned its head!
The stream of water followed the direction of its mouth, continuously tracking Bulbasaur's movements!
Even though Bulbasaur tried to dodge at full speed, the moving stream still managed to drench half its body!
There was no helping it.
Bulbasaur simply didn't have much of an advantage when it came to speed!
However, this also demonstrated something important.
'This Squirtle actually knows how to fight pretty well!'
"Bulbasaur, use Leech Seed!"
A seed suddenly shot out from the bulb on Bulbasaur's back!
However, just as it approached Squirtle...
The little turtle opened its mouth and released a large number of bubbles!
The bubbles collided with the incoming seed and completely neutralized it!
Seeing this, Itsuki couldn't help offering a word of praise.
"For a wild Pokémon, you've actually got some pretty impressive skills!" New chapters come out on g.com first.
"Squirt! Squirtle!"
Hearing the human praise it, Squirtle proudly puffed out its chest!
Unfortunately, combined with its round, comical head, the gesture looked rather hilarious.
Itsuki couldn't help shaking his head.
Then, he pointed forward, becoming slightly more serious.
"Bulbasaur, keep attacking with Vine Whip!"
Two vines lashed toward Squirtle once again!
And just like before, Squirtle immediately used Withdraw, pulling its entire body back into its shell!
However...
This time, Itsuki's attack wasn't over!
Following his command, Bulbasaur didn't retract its vines.
Instead, the two vines began wrapping around Squirtle's shell!
Once!
Twice!
Again and again!
In the blink of an eye, Squirtle's entire shell had been tightly bound!
"Squirt?!"
Squirtle was completely shocked!
It tried to poke its head out.
Unfortunately, every opening in its shell had already been sealed by the vines!
No matter how desperately it struggled, it couldn't move!
"This is what you call getting trapped by your own defenses."
Itsuki smiled slightly before turning to Bulbasaur.
"Now, lift it up!"
"Let's give our little friend a taste of the giant pendulum!"
Following Itsuki's command, Bulbasaur used its vines to hoist Squirtle high into the air!
Then...
BANG!
It slammed Squirtle straight into the ground!
And then came a second time!
BANG!
A third!
BANG!
Even though Squirtle was protected by its sturdy shell, there was only so much punishment it could withstand!