Pokémon: Start with an Admiral Crab!

"Oh! By the way—there's one more thing!"

Wang Yao turned around and said to Shizuka.

"On my way to Crimson Island, I accidentally rescued a trainer who got lost in a storm."

"——Her name is Xiao Feng. I guess she will come to Vermilion City in a while..."

"...If she comes to see me, tell her I'm going to Crimson City."

Wang Yao originally planned to stay in Vermilion Leaf City for a few more days. If he left now, he would definitely not be able to wait for Xiao Feng to come over from Gemini Island.

"... saved someone again? The two kids from last time... were they called Guangshu and Kuoye?"

Shizuka thought Wang Yao had rescued another lost child.

"It's Ishiya - Hiroki and Ishiya. It seems that they are staying in the Deep Gray Gym as apprentices now..."

Wang Yao corrected him and added some information about their recent situation.

"That's it. There's nothing I forgot to tell you this time... I'm leaving!"

Wang Yao led Ponyta and the Armored Warrior out of the Pokémon Center's gate. Before the automatic door closed, he turned around and waved goodbye to Shizuka.

"..."

Joey waved to Wang Yao blankly and watched the automatic door of the Pokémon Center close quietly.

"Lucky!"

Jigglypuff handed over a pink yukata.

There are irregularly distributed colorful Butterfree silhouettes on it. This is the pattern that Wang Yao chose for Joey.

"Really... I clearly said I don't have time for vacation..."

Joey muttered something as he took the yukata and found that it was a perfect size.

"Jelly Egg—do you think he's listening?"

Joey seemed to be asking Chansey, but also seemed to be asking himself.

"Lucky?"

Jigglypuff blinked, not quite understanding what Joey was asking.

……

Wang Yao's route was from Vermilion City to the east, taking Route 11. This road was not well-known... but Route 12 connected to it was very famous in the Kanto region.

Route 12 is also known as the Silent Bridge—a fishing mecca for anglers!

The reason why it is called the Silent Bridge is because the fishermen on the bridge are afraid that the Pokémon in the water will be scared away by the sound of people, resulting in empty air...

However, after a period of experimentation, the fishermen discovered that if a Pokémon battle was held on the bridge, the sound of the fight would be more likely to attract curious wild Pokémon!

From then on - the Silent Bridge gradually became a lively Battle Bridge!

After every exciting Pokémon battle... the probability of fishermen encountering rare water Pokémon will increase in a short period of time!

……

The entire Route 12 runs north-south, surrounded by mountains and the sea, and is connected by multiple wooden piers. From this bridge to the north, you can reach Ziyuan Town in less than a day.

However, the road to Qianhong City is much more rugged. After reaching the end of the pier, you still need to pass through several small paths...

Even if you walk faster, it will take about three days to reach Qianhong City.

But even so, Wang Yao did not plan to take a shortcut and fly over directly on the toucan, because the fishermen here are quite strong.

And the reason why so many fishermen gather here... is of course because there are abundant wild Pokémon resources!

There are even rumors that Dratini and Haxorus have appeared near this boardwalk built along the sea.

Dragon Pokémon native to the Kanto region are extremely rare... Unlike places like Alola - any tree cut down on the roadside will have dragon blood!

Unfortunately, the rumors about fishermen...are often exaggerated far beyond your imagination!

Tilapia weighing two taels...as long as the thread is cut, it can be said to be ten kilograms of white strips!

Maybe the rumors about the Haxorus are just sophistry after the grouper fish got away from the hook...

Wang Yao is more concerned about the Pokémon battle.

After all - the moment the trainers' eyes meet, the battle begins!

Since this is a fishing paradise, the Pokémon used by trainers here are naturally mainly water and electric...

Why is there an electrical system?

You know, in the Pokémon world... there are no regulations restricting electric fishing...

"Come back - Giant Claw Crab!"

Wang Yao defeated another middle-aged fisherman.

"Thank you for your hard work...Goldfish King!"

Uncle Mingyan took back the goldfish king who had lost his strength.

"As expected of the trainer Keizo and I mentioned... He is indeed quite capable."

Mingyan is also a member of the fishing association, and Keizo shared a new fishing spot in Dead Leaf Harbor with him just half a month ago.

This goldfish king was the one he captured in Dead Leaf Harbor...

It’s a pity that the pattern is not eye-catching enough, otherwise he would not be willing to take it out for battle.

"As a commemoration of your victory, I'll give you this specially made lure!"

There are also customary rewards for battles between fishermen.

That is my own treasured handmade lure!

"Uh-thank you!"

Wang Yao took the bow-shaped lure with a strange look on his face.

How come this uncle has such a girlish side...

"Ahem... the shape of this lure was designed by my daughter."

Akihiko coughed lightly... and then explained.

"Don't underestimate it. It contains a small piece of natural bird feathers... It is particularly attractive to aquatic Pokémon with Psychic attributes."

After all, as a veteran angler, Uncle Mingyan is very confident in his lures.

"Oh? There is such an effect?!"

Wang Yao didn't expect that a lure could have so many tricks.

"...A Psychic-type water Pokémon?"

Wang Yao thought about it and solemnly put the bow-shaped lure into his backpack.

……

After that, Wang Yao continued to fight with more than a dozen fishermen who had nothing to do...

There are wins and losses during this period...after all, fishermen can do everything except catch no fish.

Therefore, Wang Yao also collected a lot of lures of different shapes.

However, he didn't have his own special bait to give away for the lost game...so he gave each person a piece of handmade soap from Red Lotus Island.

These fishermen are quite satisfied... After returning home, they wash their hands with soap, which can also reduce the fishy smell at the beach.

……

Even though it took some time to fight, Wang Yao still followed the plan and crossed the Silent Bridge before dark.

But because Wang Yao was too absorbed in the battle during the day, he missed the opportunity to camp.

Fortunately, he had left the plank road and came to the forest in the south.

"——Everyone come out!"

Releasing the Pokémon from the Poké Ball, Wang Yao commanded Steelix to quickly clear a space in the forest.

"...Go find some ore underground to sharpen your teeth. You won't need to build a house tonight."

Wang Yao would occasionally send the giant steel snake out to dig for ore.

For Steelix... time flies by very fast. Not to mention a few months... even a few years, in its eyes, just pass by in the blink of an eye...

So if there is no battle to consume physical strength, it doesn't matter whether it eats or not, but Steelix will occasionally want to use ore to sharpen its teeth.

After seeing off the Steelix, Wang Yao will start preparing for today's dinner...