Pokémon: This Is Definitely Pokémon!

"Mu, hurry up!"

On the training field, Gabriel looked exhausted, watching the tiny Dratini dashing around. Training a Pokémon was truly a tiring endeavor.

Sitting in his reclining chair, Gabriel sighed under the shade of a parasol. The blazing sun above felt like it was baking his throat dry.

No good, I need a drink.

Gabriel grabbed the chilled drink from the table beside him, taking a sip. Instantly, a refreshing wave swept through his body, dispelling his fatigue.

I'm so diligent. I should arrange more training sessions like this in the future.

On the field, Dratini dragged its tired body to Gabriel after completing all its tasks.

"Mu!?" (Weren't you going to run with me? Where'd you go?)

Dratini glared angrily at Gabriel. How could this human go back on his word and vanish halfway through their run?

Gabriel let out a helpless sigh.

"Mu, wasn't I watching you the whole time? My heart was always running alongside you."

"Mu!" (So mad!)

Dratini's large, watery eyes were filled with fury. Something was stuck in its throat—something it had to unleash!

In its anger, Dratini opened its mouth wide. A blue flame surged forth, flying toward Gabriel. Startled, Gabriel dodged to the side just in time, but his lounge chair wasn't so lucky—it was scorched, leaving a black mark.

Both Gabriel and Dratini were taken aback, while the maid, Elle, who had been observing nearby, quickly stepped behind Dratini to prevent a second attack.

Gabriel reached out to touch the charred lounge chair, his eyes wide with shock.

"Is this... Dragon Rage?!"

Dratini is a timid and relatively weak Pokémon that usually hides beneath waterfalls or at the bottom of lakes. However, when facing extreme danger, it can release blue flames to fend off enemies. This attack is known as Dragon Rage.

But Dratini had just hatched and hadn't learned this move yet. Could this be a natural talent?

Dragon Rage, as an innate skill, only triggers under intense stimulation. Judging by its current power, this couldn't truly be called Dragon Rage—it would need more practice.

Looking at the blackened chair, Gabriel's face turned red.

Dragon Rage is only awakened when Dratini is extremely angry. It seemed he had truly upset Dratini this time.

"Dratini, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have slacked off," Gabriel apologized sincerely.

But Dratini was having none of it. Turning its head away, it ignored Gabriel entirely.

"Mu!" (I won't forgive you!)

Sigh... Dratini was genuinely angry.

"How about doubling the Pokéblock for dinner?"

"Mu~!" (No take-backs!)

At the mention of food, Dratini immediately forgave Gabriel. No matter how big the problem, nothing could compete with food. Food was innocent!

Dratini's eyes sparkled with visions of Pokéblocks, completely forgetting about the earlier incident.

Elle, the maid, sighed wearily nearby. These two were a handful, constantly wearing her out.

Oh well. It seemed there was no real issue between them.

For a young master who had only recently started interacting with Pokémon, it was surprising how well Gabriel understood them. His bond with Dratini was already approaching the level of her own connection with Garchomp. How odd!

Elle glanced at the peaceful training ground before quietly slipping away. Neither Gabriel nor Dratini noticed her departure.

On the field, having just calmed Dratini, Gabriel began reflecting on Dragon Rage.

Dragon Rage channels Dragon-type energy to attack. In the games, it deals a fixed 40 damage, but in this world, things weren't calculated the same way.

Dragon-type energy is among the most powerful in the Pokémon world. Moves utilizing Dragon energy, such as Dragon Rage, are naturally formidable. If Dratini could truly master it, it would gain a significant edge in its youth.

Additionally, Dragon Rage taps into Dragon energy, making it an excellent foundation for mastering future Dragon-type moves.

In Gabriel's memory, the Z-Move "Devastating Drake" required a Dragon Z-Crystal and a Pokémon capable of channeling Dragon energy to unleash its full power.

But those were matters for the distant future. Gabriel hadn't even seen a Z-Crystal yet.

If Dratini could fully master Dragon Rage, it would refine its control over Dragon energy, paving the way for more advanced Dragon moves in the future.

"Dratini, do you remember how you felt when you got angry just now?"

Gabriel looked at Dratini expectantly. Dratini opened its mouth but nothing happened—it was clear that the earlier phenomenon had been a fluke.

"No luck, huh? Dratini, give it one more shot. Try to recall how furious you were just now. Maybe you can use it again."

But Dratini, having already forgiven Gabriel, couldn't muster the same anger. It only managed a faint blue glow around its mouth—far from the earlier display.

Hmm... could it be tied to emotions?

...

"Dratini, we're out of Pokéblocks tonight. Elle just called to say the last batch is gone, and we'll have to wait until tomorrow's delivery..."

Before Gabriel could finish his sentence, Dratini's mouth ignited with blue flames, its eyes burning with fury.

It opened its mouth wide, launching a blue fireball straight at Gabriel. Startled, Gabriel scrambled to dodge, leaving a scorched mark on the ground where he had stood.

The move had clearly improved from earlier, showing greater power and control. Dratini was clearly becoming more adept at using Dragon Rage.

Gabriel's face lit up with excitement.

"Dratini, that was amazing! Your move is getting stronger! Dratini? Dratini!!"

Dratini: (╥﹏╥)

"Mu!" (No Pokéblocks? This hurts—this hurts so much!)

Overwhelmed by fury, Dratini couldn't hear anything else. Its Dragon energy gathered in its mouth as it unleashed attack after attack at the "liar" in front of it, clearly enraged.

"Dratini, there are still Pokéblocks! I lied! Dratini, I was wrong!"

But furious Dratini refused to forgive him, unleashing a steady stream of Dragon Rage attacks that forced Gabriel to dodge frantically around the field.

Nearby, Elle watched the chaotic scene with a calm demeanor, sipping her coffee. Beside her, Garchomp chuckled at the spectacle.

"Rawr?"

"Are you asking why I'm not helping the young master? Can't you tell? Even in its angriest state, that Dratini is deliberately avoiding him. Dratini would never actually hurt the young master. It's just venting. If you want, go ahead and save him yourself."

Garchomp snorted, clearly uninterested in intervening. But its intent to enjoy the drama was unmistakable.

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