Pokemon: Scientist From One Piece

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Hirito had just stepped out the door when Umbreon leaped onto the windowsill, watching his departing figure in silence.

For a long moment, she simply stared after him, deep in thought.

Should she… just wait here?

Her master was out working hard for her, trying to find a way to devolve her—

And yet, she would just stay home and sleep?

Her tail twitched uncertainly.

Then—

She spotted some familiar faces passing by outside.

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

"I'm so jealous! You're the same age as us, but you're already challenging a Gym! If we were as strong as you, then that guy wouldn't have stolen my Pikachu biscuits…"

Umbreon's ears twitched.

She recognized these two human children.

They were the unlucky kids from two weeks ago—the ones whose snacks had been… liberated by her master.

But this time, they were accompanied by someone else.

A new boy—one or two years younger than Hirito, slightly chubby, with an air of self-importance.

However, what caught Umbreon's attention wasn't them—

It was what they were talking about.

"Gym?"

She had heard this term before, back when she was still with the old woman.

Apparently, it was a title of respect for humans with strong Pokémon.

But—

This raised a question in her mind.

Last night, Giovanni had spoken about Elite Four-level strength.

Now, these children spoke about Gym Leaders.

"Which one is stronger?"

She contemplated it briefly—

Then saw the three boys disappearing into the distance.

Without hesitation, Umbreon pried open the window latch and slipped out.

Like a shadow darting across rooftops, she followed them—silent and unseen.

A middle-aged man with a trim mustache and a muscular physique stood at the center of the gym.

The sunlight streaming through the windows illuminated the six-pack abs of a man who was still in his prime.

His voice boomed across the gym floor:

"I am Chuck, the Gym Leader of Cianwood City!

"State your name, Challenger!"

The young boy stepped forward, his smirk self-assured.

"I am Yishu—a Psychic-type Master currently traveling through Johto!"

He bowed slightly, but his tone lacked respect.

"Hmph, so my name is already spreading this quickly?" Yishu sneered.

"That uncle from Violet City wasn't very strong.

"I hope you won't disappoint me either, Uncle Chuck."

At his words, he opened his collar slightly, revealing three Gym Badges pinned inside—

Including the Zephyr Badge from Violet Gym.

"A talented but arrogant brat, huh…"

Chuck, who was still far from the overweight man he'd become in the future, chuckled.

"Fine, then—let's see what you've got, kid!"

Bracing himself in a karate stance, he tossed a Poké Ball forward.

A Timburr emerged—

A Fighting-type Pokémon from the Unova region.

Clearly, Chuck was holding back.

After all, Yishu was just an eight or nine-year-old kid.

Even if his friend Falkner had lost to him, Chuck wasn't going to bring out his strongest Pokémon just to overwhelm a child.

That would be too petty.

"Hmph~ I'll leave it to you, Natu."

Yishu responded, tossing his own Poké Ball.

A small, green bird-like Pokémon landed gracefully—

Natu, the Psychic/Flying-type.

A direct counter to Chuck's Fighting-type specialization.

The referee raised a flag.

"The Gym Challenge between Gym Leader Chuck and Challenger Yishu begins… Start!"

Instantly, Yishu made his move—

A fast, aggressive strategy that forced Chuck onto the defensive.

As the battle raged on, Chuck's expression changed.

This insolent brat wasn't just all talk—

He had real talent.

"If he was trained under a real mentor…"

"He could reach the level of the Elite Four someday."

However—

Neither Chuck nor the small audience had noticed something.

In a dark corner of the stands,

An Umbreon lay motionless, blood-red eyes locked onto the battle.

"Machoke is unable to battle!"

The referee raised the flag.

"He wins!

"Gym Leader Chuck's Pokémon are all defeated—Challenger Yishu is the winner!"

Chuck rubbed his head, sighing as he recalled Machoke.

"Ahh… Falkner's gonna laugh at me for this one."

Initially, he had used Timburr just to test Yishu's skill.

After seeing the boy's talent, he had sent out Machoke—

A Pokémon in his second-tier team.

And yet—

He had still lost.

"Hmm~" Yishu smirked, adjusting his badge case.

"A little tougher than Violet Gym, but not by much."

His cocky expression made it clear—

This kid was in dire need of a beating.

Chuck sighed but didn't argue.

Strength was strength.

If the kid had it, then let him be arrogant.

Besides—

The Indigo Plateau Conference was approaching.

And after that—

He wondered which Elite Four member would be the one to teach this brat a lesson.

Would it be Lorelei, the Ice Queen?

Or maybe Lance, the dragon-obsessed man in a cape?

Heh. Either way, it'll be fun to watch.

Chuck smiled.

"Alright, Psychic kid—this Knuckle Badge is yours."

He handed Yishu the symbol of his Gym's completion.

And just as Yishu accepted it—

A heavy thud echoed through the gym.

Everyone turned.

A Pokémon most had never seen before was crouched low—

Blood-red eyes focused, knees bent, battle stance ready.

It was Umbreon.

And she was staring directly at Chuck.

"It's that bad guy's Pokémon!"

One of the kids recognized her instantly.

"Damn it! My Slowpoke-tail chips!"

Several spectators murmured, confused.

Could it be a wild Pokémon?

Chuck frowned slightly.

"Hmm? A Pokémon I've never seen before… What do you want?"

In this pre-Pokédex era, even Gym Leaders didn't recognize every species.

Especially newly discovered evolutions like Umbreon.

Umbreon didn't answer.

Instead—

She raised her right paw, lifting a single claw

A silent challenge.

Chuck's eyes widened in surprise.

End of Chapter.

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