Chapter 08: #8 - Moon Eevee's Monster Hunting Journey

Su Sheng had just stepped out the door when Umbreon jumped onto the windowsill, watching its owner's departing figure, lost in thought.

Should it… just wait here?

While its owner was out working hard for it, should it just be sleeping at home?

Just then, Umbreon noticed some "familiar faces" passing by outside.

"Brother Yishu, are you finally going to challenge the Cyan Gym today?"

"I'm so envious. He's the same age as us but can already challenge the Gym. If only we were as strong as Brother Yishu, then that guy wouldn't have snatched my favorite Pikachu biscuit…"

Umbreon recognized two of the human children.

They were the two unlucky kids from two weeks ago whose snacks were snatched… oh no, won by its owner.

But this time, there was another person in the group.

Judging by appearance, a human kid one or two years younger than its owner, with a slightly chubby face.

However, Umbreon was more concerned about what these three kids were saying.

Gym?

Umbreon had heard of this before when it was with the old woman.

It seemed to be a term of respect for humans who owned very strong Pokémon.

So the question was, last night, which was stronger, the "Elite Four" that the annoying old human mentioned, or the "Gym Leader" that these little ghosts were talking about?

After a brief moment of contemplation.

Seeing the three kids' backs getting further and further away, Umbreon pried open the window latch and leaped out.

Like a black cat darting across the rooftops, it followed behind the three children.

…

Not long after, inside the Cyan Gym.

A middle-aged man with a small mustache, a strong build, and six-pack abs strikingly visible in the sunlight streaming through the window, shouted:

"I am A-Si, the Gym Leader of the Cyan Gym! State your name! Challenger!"

The boy revealed a self-important smile on his face and introduced himself:

"I am Yishu, a psychic-type master currently traveling through Johto!"

Yishu, who appeared to be one or two years younger than Su Sheng, bowed to A-Si, but from his tone, there wasn't much respect.

"Yishu? I heard Suten mentioned you; your potential seems pretty good."

A-Si recalled briefly.

The Suten he mentioned was the current Gym Leader of the Violet Gym in Johto, and the father of future Gym Leader Hayato.

"Hmph, I didn't expect my name to spread so quickly. That uncle from Violet City isn't very strong; I hope you won't disappoint me, Uncle A-Si."

Yishu opened his collar, revealing three badges pinned inside, one of which was the Wing Badge from the Violet Gym.

"A talented but arrogant young man…"

A-Si, who wasn't as overweight as he would be in the future and still had six-pack abs, smiled slightly.

"Then give it a try! Little one!"

A-Si braced himself, adopting a karate stance while throwing a Poké Ball.

It was… a Pokémon from the Unova region, Timburr!

Clearly, A-Si was holding back.

After all, this kid was only eight or nine years old.

How strong could he be?

Even if his friend Suten lost, A-Si wouldn't choose to use his old partner to overwhelm him with levels just to save face for his old friend.

That would be too low.

"Hmph～ I'll leave it to you, Natu."

Yishu threw a Poké Ball in return.

A small bird-like Pokémon with eyes that seemed unfocused landed.

The Psychic/Flying-type Natu.

Completely countered A-Si, who specialized in Fighting-types.

"Now, the Gym Challenge between Gym Leader A-Si and Challenger Yishu begins… Start!"

The instant the referee announced the start of the match, Yishu immediately launched a quick attack.

As soon as they exchanged blows, A-Si realized that the strength of this insolent child wasn't just in his mouth.

His talent was truly undeniable.

If he could be nurtured by a famous teacher, he could definitely reach the level of the Elite Four.

However, the two battling in the arena, as well as the scattered spectators in the audience, didn't notice.

In a corner of the audience seating.

An Umbreon was lying on the back of a chair, its blood-red eyes staring straight at the battle inside the arena.

…

"Machoke is unable to battle, Jynx wins."

A moment later, the referee raised the flag and said:

"Since both of Gym Leader A-Si's Pokémon are unable to battle, the winner is Challenger Yishu."

"Oh dear, oh dear, Suten is going to laugh at me now."

A-Si rubbed his head and recalled Machoke.

After Timburr was defeated, he had gotten a little more serious and sent out Machoke, which, while not an absolute main force, was still firmly in the second tier of his team.

But he still lost to the other party.

"Hmm～ A little more pressure than the Violet Gym, but that's about it."

Yishu shrugged.

It had to be said, this guy's current appearance was very deserving of a beating.

But A-Si didn't say anything.

What did it matter if he was high-profile with such strength and arrogance?

He wouldn't say something like, 'I lost to you because I didn't use my main force.'

Even if he used a non-main force, the fact that he lost to Yishu in terms of a trainer's command was reality.

"Alright, psychic kid, this Knuckle Badge is yours."

A-Si handed the badge symbolizing the completion of the Cyan Gym Challenge to Yishu.

He was looking forward to this year's Indigo Plateau Conference.

If no new geniuses appeared, he believed that no one could stop Yishu from winning the league championship.

But what he was even more looking forward to was the Elite Four Challenge and even the Champion Challenge after that.

Who would take care of this kid then?

Would it be Lorelei, the bespectacled girl who was young but already had a figure that didn't lose to adults?

Or Lance, the dragon master who wore a cape all day and had a face that looked like everyone owed him money?

Hehe, with those two's personalities, neither of them would indulge Yishu.

A-Si was already looking forward to it.

"Who will be the next Gym Leader to be defeated by me, this genius? To be honest, I'm getting a little bored."

Yishu's tone was still as annoying as ever as he accepted the Knuckle Badge.

Thump!

Suddenly, a muffled thud drew the attention of A-Si, Yishu, and the scattered spectators early in the morning.

They saw a Pokémon that most of them had never seen before.

It was crouching, its knees slightly bent.

Clearly in a battle stance, approaching the two in the center of the arena.

"It's that bad guy's bad Pokémon!"

"Damn it! My Slowpoke tail chips!"

Among everyone present, only the two unlucky kids recognized Umbreon.

But the two looked around and didn't find the figure of that bad guy.

Making them wonder.

Could it be wild?

"Hmm? A Pokémon I haven't seen before, what do you want?"

A-Si took the initiative to speak.

In this era before Professor Oak had developed the Pokédex, even the knowledge reserves of Gym Leaders weren't as complete as in later generations.

Not to mention the Dark, Steel, and Fairy types, which hadn't yet been officially incorporated into textbooks by the League.

Umbreon slightly raised its right forepaw, holding up one of its claws, and beckoned to A-Si.

The meaning was more than clear.