Chapter 68: Chapter 68: The Secrets of Mr. Fuji
"I didn't expect this guy to be so outstanding!" the Millennium Gengar exclaimed in surprise, its opinion of Scyther changing significantly. Although Gengar's Ghost/Poison typing gave it a four-times resistance to Bug-type moves, after seeing the sheer sharpness of Scyther's slashes, it was no longer certain it could win.
"Although I don't know how you offended Scyther before, to be honest, as the last of my original six Pokémon, its strength is also above yours. If it weren't for your type advantage, you really couldn't defeat Scyther with your current power," Red said indifferently.
"Then I'll have to be more polite to him from now on," Gengar said awkwardly. Ever since its insubordinate display, it had been looking for an opportunity to apologize. It knew that its negative emotions from being ignored had led it to deliberately oppose Red and the other Pokémon.
But what Gengar hadn't known was that Scyther was almost always in training. Its occasional breaks were only to follow Red's principle of 'balancing work and rest.' Gengar learned from the other Pokémon that Scyther had once suffered a crushing defeat to Red's original ace, Beedrill. To one day surpass that powerful rival, Scyther constantly reminded itself not to slack off, pushing itself with double the effort of its companions. It was precisely because of Scyther's self-discipline that it couldn't stand Gengar's lazy attitude.
'Too weak. Your attacks can't threaten me at all,' Scyther said with disdain, elegantly sidestepping with an Air Slash to dismantle Crobat's Air Cutter, then using Quick Attack to slam the Bat Pokémon to the ground.
"Gengar, control that guy," Red commanded. Seeing Skorpi planning to escape, he ordered Gengar to intercept him.
As Scyther prepared to finish off Crobat, the Arbok on the side bared its venom-filled fangs, intending to bite Scyther's back. But it was suddenly struck in the abdomen by a powerful Dragon Breath from Dratini, interrupting its sneak attack.
'Hmph! Useless!'
Scyther turned and slashed Arbok's head with a single, heavy blow, knocking it unconscious. It then glanced at the Dratini on Red's neck with a surprised expression.
(Is this the junior who absorbed the Ancient Dragonite's bloodline? Its strength is truly not simple!)
After taking a serious look at Dratini, Scyther turned to avoid Crobat's own sneak attack. As a proud Bug warrior, Scyther could not tolerate such underhanded tactics. It vibrated its wings, unleashing a piercing Bug Buzz that made the rising Crobat cry out in pain before being defeated by a final, concentrated Air Slash.
"What a magnificent battle, truly worthy of a proud Bug warrior!" Gengar praised upon seeing this, hoping to ease the conflict between them. However, Scyther merely snorted in displeasure and ignored Gengar's praise, clearly thinking it was being mocked.
Scyther's unappreciative response made Gengar feel awkward, and for a moment, it could only scratch its head to ease the atmosphere.
"Alright. Whatever conflicts you have, resolve them privately. Don't let outsiders laugh at you," Red said, then looked at Skorpi, who was now restrained by Gengar. "Tell me, where is Mr. Fuji now?"
"Don't think I'll tell you this… Ugh!"
Before Skorpi could finish speaking, Gengar delivered a heavy punch to his abdomen. It now greatly admired Red and would not tolerate anyone speaking ill of him.
"You may have misunderstood something. I am giving you a chance to survive," Red said coldly. The Cubone in his arms deliberately revealed its blood-stained bone club, making Skorpi, who had previously doubted the screams from below, understand the horrifying truth.
"Gulp!" Skorpi swallowed nervously, sensing the seriousness in Red's words. If he didn't confess, he might just die here.
"Old Man Fuji is tied up over there!" Skorpi pointed to a nearby corner. "But don't worry, I didn't torture him!" he quickly explained, fearing Red might misunderstand.
To make Mr. Fuji willingly confess the destroyed data from Professor Oak's research institute, Skorpi hadn't dared to neglect him, fearing a desperate struggle. If he had obtained that data, it might have been an opportunity for a promotion. Unfortunately, that beautiful dream ended tonight.
Red walked over with a flashlight. Skorpi was comically tied up by Gengar, his limbs contorted into what looked like some kind of strange bondage art.
"Cubone!"
Upon seeing Mr. Fuji, the Cubone in Red's arms ran over and used its teeth to tear off the ropes binding the old man's hands and feet.
"You are?" Mr. Fuji asked, puzzled.
"I am Red from Pallet Town. Reina asked me to come here," Red explained.
(Pallet Town… that's Oak…)
Mr. Fuji pondered nostalgically for a moment, then pretended not to know Pallet Town. It seemed he wanted to cut all ties with his past life and now only wanted to be Mr. Fuji of Lavender Town.
(Unwilling to mention it?)
Seeing that Mr. Fuji had no intention of explaining, Red didn't force him. His purpose for coming here was to avenge Cubone and rescue the kind old man.
"Thank you for your help, young trainer!" Mr. Fuji said gratefully, not expecting Red alone to have so easily defeated the squad led by Skorpi.
"It's nothing. This little one also contributed a lot," Red said, gesturing to Cubone.
"Cubone! Cubone!"
Seeing Red mention it, Cubone proudly expressed its inner joy to Mr. Fuji, gesticulating lively.
(It seems the gloom deep in Cubone's heart has also dissipated…)
"Thank you for allowing Marowak's wandering soul to go to heaven," Mr. Fuji said emotionally. From the moment he first stepped into the Pokémon Tower, he had recognized that the rumored ghost was merely Marowak's soul, trying to warn people away.
"Marowak was a mother worthy of respect," Red said softly.
"It's getting late, we should leave quickly. After all, I've been hungry all day!" Mr. Fuji joked.
The next day, due to Red's arrival, Team Rocket's plan was thwarted. Officer Jenny, leading the police, also received calls from residents and quickly rushed to Lavender Town early in the morning, arresting the Team Rocket members defeated by Red.
As for the miserable state of the third grunt, everyone remained silent, pretending not to know what happened. Mr. Fuji vaguely stated that it was the work of a vengeful spirit, which had caused the grunt to slip in fear and crack his skull.
Although this lie was full of holes, Jenny chose to gloss over it. She had received a call from her superior, asking her to conclude the incident hastily. It wasn't worth provoking the League's interests for a low-level Team Rocket member. Although she still felt resentful about the matter, Jenny had also learned about Red's character from her sisters. Furthermore, after learning about Marowak's tragic death, she couldn't help but feel a grim satisfaction with the outcome for the scumbag who had abused a Pokémon.
After Team Rocket was arrested, the residents of Lavender Town could finally go to the Pokémon Tower to pay their respects to their deceased Pokémon.
"I won't forget Clefairy… oh no, tears are coming!"
"My Growlithe… why did you have to die?"
The residents cried, feeling sad for their lost partners. They were just ordinary people who only wanted to grow old with their Pokémon, with no concept of fighting or becoming stronger, merely wishing to live a peaceful life with their beloved companions.
***
(End of Chapter)
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