After leaving Pokemon Tech, Kazuki and Misty resumed their journey toward Vermilion City.
But just like before, they were aimlessly wandering through the forest.
"Kazuki! Are you sure this road leads to Vermilion City? The grass here is up to my waist!"
"Huh?" Kazuki glanced at her, puzzled. "Weren't you the one who confidently led us this way?"
"Ah? I… I did? Haha…" Misty laughed awkwardly. "Well… I wasn't that confident, honestly!"
"You—! Next time, no more mysterious self-confidence, got it? This time, we go my way!"
Kazuki slapped his forehead.
Can the system give me a special ability like 'Human Compass' next time?
In a world like this, with tiny towns and massive forests, that kind of function would be a lifesaver.
Ah well, we've still got plenty of instant food—we can afford to get a little lost.
Misty obediently followed Kazuki down the new path he picked.
Suddenly, an Oddish waddled out in front of them.
"Ah! It's an Oddish! I want to catch it!"
Ever since her defeat at the academy, Misty had been itching to capture a new Pokémon to strengthen her team.
But thanks to all their wrong turns lately, she'd only seen Flying-types—nothing grounded.
So the moment she saw this Oddish, all her frustration from being lost vanished. She immediately summoned her Starmie to battle and catch it.
Kazuki, meanwhile, eyed the Oddish, then looked around the area.
This Oddish…
Wait a sec, doesn't this place look like the Hidden Village from the original script?
If that's the case, then somewhere nearby… there should be a particularly promising little onion turtle!
And just as that thought crossed his mind, a Vine Whip lashed out, knocking Misty's Starmie aside.
Another Vine Whip wrapped around the Oddish and dragged it away.
Kazuki followed the direction it came from—and sure enough, spotted a little bulb.
Bulbasaur locked eyes with him.
[Ding! Mission Activated—Perfect Starter Trio: Capture Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander in a way that earns their trust!]
[Mission Reward: Exclusive Starter Experience Pack—All three Pokémon join your team and immediately gain 5 levels!
Three-Star Potential Enhancement Mark—Use on a Pokémon below pseudo-legendary tier to increase its tier by one!]
Three-star? Pseudo-legendary?
Damn, does this mean I can create a legendary-tier Pokémon myself?
Even owning a Champion-tier Pokémon is the dream of most Trainers.
As for pseudo-legendaries—getting to see one is a miracle in itself!
And now, right in front of me, is a path to ascend to godhood!
Who wouldn't accept a mission like this in a heartbeat?
If only I could just brute-force the capture—it'd be so easy!
But no, the requirement was to earn the Pokémon's trust before capturing them.
Oh! Wait, back on Mt. Moon, I got that aura that increases wild Pokémon's affection!
Now I finally know when to use it!
Kazuki immediately accepted the mission and approached Bulbasaur with a friendly aura.
Even with his wild Pokémon affinity aura, the Bulbasaur before him still held a clear grudge against Trainers.
The moment it saw Kazuki coming, it dragged the Oddish and darted into the underbrush.
"Hey, don't run! You garlic-headed turtle!" Kazuki shouted as he gave chase. "Misty, wait here! I'll be right back!"
"Garlic... turtle? Where's garlic? Or is that some rare Pokémon I've never seen before?" Misty glanced around but saw no other Pokémon in sight. When she turned back, Kazuki was already gone.
"Hey! Kazuki, wait for me! I want to catch that Oddish too!"
"That garlic thing can be yours, but the Oddish is mine, okay? Don't just go snatching everything!"
Calling out as she ran after Kazuki, Misty plunged headlong through thickets and brambles until she reached the edge of a cliff.
Ahead stood a rope bridge—one of its ropes had snapped. Rushing waters surged beneath, but there was no sign of Kazuki, nor the Oddish.
Misty looked around. "Huh? I followed the noises the whole way… Why can't I see Kazuki now?"
"Did he fly off?" She looked up at the sky.
"Or did he jump in the river?" She looked down.
"Heh… He's not that good." She shrugged and picked a direction at random, wandering off in search.
Turns out, Misty wasn't wrong.
At that moment, Kazuki was drifting downstream in the angry currents below the cliff.
While chasing Bulbasaur, he'd dashed onto the rope bridge—only for it to snap halfway across and send him plunging into the river.
Now submerged and unconscious, Kazuki's body was being carried by the current.
But then—his mind stirred.
[Ding! Side Romance Mission: Help Melanie assist rehabilitated Pokémon in returning to life in the wild, and share an intimate moment with her!]
[Mission Reward: Mental Strength increased by 50%, one Adult Poké Ball!]
What… what the heck? A mission now?
I haven't even opened my eyes yet!
Just as Kazuki was trying to make sense of it all, he felt something soft and warm pressing against his lips…
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Next goal: 600 Power Stones!
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