Pokémon: Start with an Admiral Crab!

Rumble——!

The Steelix uses its crusher-like jaws to crush the rocks that block its path.

A large hole was soon chiseled in the circular rock wall.

"Everyone line up and go down the mountain, don't run around!"

Wang Yao and Shizuka drove the armored rhinoceros team down the mountain.

"Ji Ka~"

The armored warrior grabbed a baby iron-armored rhinoceros that ran away from the team and returned it to its parents.

Just after a full meal, this group of armored rhinos became particularly energetic.

"Ayao, where do you think we should place these armored rhinos after we get down the mountain?"

Shizuka asked as she looked at the armored rhinos marching in formation.

"If the quantity is not large, Professor Oak should be able to receive it..."

Wang Yao stroked his chin and said.

"But there are forty-six armored rhinos here..."

Shizuka emphasized.

When they first estimated the number, they did not notice some small one-horned rhinos hiding in the herd. When they finally counted them, they found that there were many more than they estimated.

"Why don't you give a few to your relatives? Look how cute the armored rhinoceros is when it walks clumsily!"

Wang Yao suggested, pointing at an armored rhinoceros that was staggering forward.

"……Are you stupid?"

Shizuka covered her head and cursed speechlessly.

Although the armored rhinoceros is very strong and has good endurance...

But because of my poor brain, sometimes I even forget why I am running...so I can't help others with work.

But she did tame a newly-adult armored rhinoceros...

Due to the lack of food during its growth period, the armored rhinoceros is relatively small in size and lacks the ability to survive independently.

So Shizuka plans to adopt it and keep it by her side. If she takes good care of it, it will be able to make up for the individual defects during its growth period after evolution.

"Hey - I think we can pick a few and send them to the Dark Gray Gym!"

Wang Yao suddenly thought of his good friend Xiaogang.

Even Wang Yao himself already has a small herd of armored rhinos in Dr. Oak's backyard!

However, Brock, who is the leader of a rock-type gym, doesn't even have a Kanto region's signature Armored Rhino.

It's so shabby!

"The rest will be sent to the wilderness area of ​​​​Fuchsia City... I am very familiar with the administrator there."

Thinking about it this way, Wang Yao discovered that he did have quite a lot of friends.

……

A day later, the two men driving the herd of armored rhinos finally returned to the alliance venue on the Quartz Plateau.

Although it caused a little commotion at the beginning, the problem was quickly resolved with Shizuka stepping in.

"Forty-one, forty-two...forty-six!"

Shizuka counted the number again.

"Great! No one is left behind!"

Shizuka patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'll leave the physical examination to you. I'm going to go buy some Poké Balls."

Most of the balls on Wang Yao's body are high-end products... He is reluctant to use them on the armored rhinoceros that he is going to give away.

"Go ahead, go ahead~ With so many armored rhinos, it will probably take until the afternoon to complete the physical examination."

Shizuka waved at Wang Yao. She didn't expect him to be of any help in this regard.

Although the elimination rounds have ended, most of the contestants and spectators are still waiting at the venue for the results of the finals.

These players and spectators often engage in friendly matches during this period, so the Pokémon Center at the venue is always busy.

"Sixty Poké Balls - do you have any more commemorative tournament stickers?"

Since the red and white balls were not expensive, Wang Yao simply bought some more.

"Yes, do you need me to put it on?"

The salesperson at the prop store counted out sixty red and white balls and six commemorative balls as gifts.

Because Wang Yao bought a lot, he was also given a large cardboard box for Poké Balls.

"I need six. Please help me put them on."

Wang Yao took out the commemorative ball and put it in his bag.

Then pick out six red and white balls and ask the clerk to paste the paper.

Rumor has it that the commemorative balls given as gifts are of better quality than ordinary Poké Balls.

This is of course false.

However, the white commemorative ball looks very beautiful, and Wang Yao plans to keep it for himself.

As for the stickers, they make the Pokémon shine nicely when they come out of the ball.

Similar to the colorful bows that decorate the cover of a birthday card.

It has no practical use, but there are always people who like to dress like this.

Wang Yao estimated that Xiaogang would give the Armored Rhino to his younger brothers and sisters or the apprentices in the gym...

So I thoughtfully prepared gift packaging for it.

……

"Haha~ It's Yao, are you calling me now to exchange spare Pokémon?"

Professor Oak seemed to have just woken up from a nap.

"Doctor, look—!"

Wang Yao picked up the lampshade with the flamingo feathers and displayed it in front of the video phone.

"Feathers? They're still burning with flames... Could this be?!"

Professor Oak rubbed his eyes, suspecting that he had not yet woken up.

"It's the feather of the flamingo!"

Wang Yao gave a definite answer.

"What! You met Moltres—?!"

Professor Oak perked up instantly.

"Doctor, what are you talking about, Moltres?"

A strand of aqua blue hair appeared in the corner of the picture.

"Xiao Feng, you've already arrived at the research institute?"

Wang Yao greeted Xiao Feng.

"I arrived the day before yesterday... The reporters at the venue are so annoying."

Xiao Feng complained with a bitter face.

"I was already unhappy after losing, and they kept asking me about Articuno... These reporters are so annoying!"

She fell in the fifth round of elimination with Articuno.

The opponent defeated her Articuno, Direjah and Moth with just one Banguirus.

He is an extremely formidable opponent.

The eliminated Xiao Feng came to Dr. Oak's research institute under the introduction of Wang Yao.

"So that's it..."

Wang Yao thought Xiao Feng would wait until the conference was over before leaving.

"Anyway, Shizuka and I found something near Mt. Silver..."

Wang Yao told Dr. Oak what he had seen and heard over the past two days.

From the nursery of the Swamp King, to the cave-dwelling Armored Rhinoceros... and finally to the aging and dead Moltres.

Although it's a bit long-winded, Dr. Oak likes Wang Yao's long-windedness.

Because these are very valuable research materials.

"I didn't expect that you, Ayao, could have such a wonderful experience in just three days... I am so envious!"

Professor Oak sighed.

"..."

Wang Yao still remembers the photo of Professor Oak and Celebi that he saw in Professor Oak's study.

It always seems hard to believe when these words come out of old man Damu's mouth.

"I will ask someone to bring this feather to you, Doctor, but you will have to wait a little longer to truly study the flamingo."

Wang Yao put away the flame bird's feathers.

"Thank you for your hard work - don't delay your training because of this!"

"I heard that you were hailed as one of the three people with the best chance of winning this tournament!"

Professor Oak often accompanies Satoshi and his friends to watch the highlights of the Quartz Conference.

I heard that there are three strong contestants in the elimination round who are touted as the favorites to win the championship, and A Yao's name is one of them.

"Now there are two of us—because the other one is me..."

Xiao Feng raised her hand weakly.

“Ah…hahahaha…is that so?”

The call was hung up amidst Professor Oak's awkward laughter.