Pokemon: Trait Master

The Viridian Gym Leader was one of the most famous figures in all of Kanto. 

His reputation was on par with the Elite Four. 

Because of this, he frequently had public engagements, 

And some insiders even claimed he owned an enormous business empire. 

So, he was far more than just a Gym Leader. 

Ash, of course, knew exactly who Giovanni was. 

He was the head of Kanto's largest criminal organization—Team Rocket! 

Even people who didn't watch the anime but had played the games would know— 

Giovanni's identity wasn't even a secret. 

For a moment, Ash considered reporting him. 

But after thinking about it carefully— 

What was the point? 

Even if he snitched, without actual proof, 

Not even the Elite Four could find anything on him. 

The Kanto League probably already knew about Giovanni's real identity. 

Reporting him now might just alert him unnecessarily. 

Anyway, back to the main point. 

Since Giovanni wasn't at the Gym, 

Ash had no reason to stay in Viridian City. 

His next stop? Pewter City for his first Gym challenge! 

The Pewter and Cerulean Gyms were known as beginner-friendly Gyms. 

One of them actively guided and supported new Trainers. 

The other was… just plain weak. 

---

By the time Ash and Serena finished exploring Viridian City, 

Evening had arrived. 

Viridian City was pretty big, 

And after walking around the entire city, both of them felt exhausted. 

So, they decided to stay at the Pokémon Center for the night. 

Trainers who owned a Pokédex received an 80% discount on accommodations at Pokémon Centers. 

Plus, the Pokémon Center's lodging conditions weren't bad. 

That's why it was the go-to choice for Trainers on a journey. 

Pokémon Center rooms had bunk bed designs, 

So one room was more than enough for the two of them. 

They had already slept in the same tent before— 

So why would sharing a room with bunk beds be a big deal? 

That night, as they finished their meal at the Pokémon Center's cafeteria, 

An unexpected guest appeared. 

She was a girl with short, orange hair. 

She wore a yellow sleeveless crop top, exposing her slim waist. 

Her shorts were so short they barely reached her thighs, 

Leaving her long, smooth, porcelain-white legs completely exposed. 

It was Misty—one of the original trio! 

---

Ash had assumed that, 

Since he never stole her bike or got caught in the Spearow incident, 

He and Misty wouldn't cross paths this time. 

But unexpectedly, 

They ended up meeting at the Viridian City Pokémon Center! 

Serena followed Ash's gaze and noticed the girl he was staring at. 

Her heart stirred slightly, but she kept her expression calm. 

Then, in a casual tone, she asked: 

"Ash, do you know that girl?" 

Ash shook his head. 

"Not really… but she looks kind of familiar." 

"Oh~ I see~" 

Even though he had spotted Misty, 

Ash didn't have any intention of greeting her. 

After all, they had no real connection in this timeline. 

And besides, with Serena standing right next to him, 

Wouldn't it seem a little shady if he suddenly walked over to chat up another girl? 

BOOM!! 

Just as Ash and Serena were about to head outside for a walk, 

A deafening explosion echoed from above them! 

At the same time— 

The lights inside the Pokémon Center flickered and went out! 

Ash instinctively pulled Serena behind him and looked up at the ceiling. 

A gaping hole had been blasted open— 

The dark night sky was now visible from inside the Pokémon Center. 

And hovering above them was— 

A massive object. 

A… hot air balloon?! 

"What's going on?!" 

A broken ceiling, a power outage, and an unknown intruder— 

The entire Pokémon Center was thrown into chaos. 

Even Nurse Joy, who had always been calm, looked visibly shaken. 

She had never seen anyone dare to attack a Pokémon Center before! 

Who had the guts to do something this insane?! 

If the criminals were put on the wanted list, 

They would be banned from every Pokémon Center for life! 

"Can someone explain what's happening?!" 

Just then— 

A man and a woman's voices rang out from the balloon above. 

"Since you're asking so sincerely—" 

"We'll be kind enough to tell you!" 

The moment Ash heard those all-too-familiar words, 

He immediately knew who it was. 

Who else could it be, other than Team Rocket's iconic trio? 

The reason the dialogue felt strange to him— 

Was because this was his first time hearing it in this lifetime. 

But in his previous life? 

He had heard it countless times! 

"To protect the world from devastation—" 

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!!" 

"Pika—CHUUU!!!" 

A golden bolt of lightning shot into the sky, illuminating the entire night! 

Thunder roared as an explosive shockwave filled the air! 

Team Rocket didn't even get to finish their introduction. 

Before they could get past the second line, 

Pikachu's Thunderbolt blasted their balloon apart! 

BOOM!! 

A huge explosion erupted as the balloon was blown to pieces. 

"Wh-What just happened?!" 

"I don't know! We didn't even finish our lines!" 

"It was that brat's Pikachu who attacked us, Meowth!" 

"That little punk, we won't forget this!!!" 

"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!!!" 

As Team Rocket vanished into the distance, 

Ash still managed to hear their final words fading away. 

His mouth twitched slightly. 

He had attacked so decisively because he wanted to end this nonsense early. 

If he blasted them away in the dark, 

They wouldn't know who hit them, 

And maybe they'd stop chasing Pikachu altogether. 

But who could have guessed— 

Even in the dark, they still managed to recognize him?! 

Are you guys serious?! How is that even possible?! 

[Defeated Team Rocket's Meowth! Obtained Trait: "Viridian Force" (Gold)] 

Ash had turned off the system's notification sounds long ago— 

Because it was too annoying. 

But he still checked the notifications manually. 

---

After launching Team Rocket into the sky, 

Ash instinctively glanced at the new trait drop. 

And when he saw it— 

His eyes nearly popped out of his skull. 

What the hell?! 

Viridian Force?! 

A Gold-tier trait?! 

What kind of bugged drop rate is this?!