This seemed somewhat at odds with Bugsy's identity as a Bug-type specialist.
After all, in the eyes of many people, Bug-type Pokémon were often synonymous with weakness.
And this couldn't entirely be called prejudice.
The truth was that the vast majority of Bug-type Pokémon really were quite weak.
If that weren't the case, Pokémon like Caterpie, Weedle, and Wurmple wouldn't be treated as the best practice targets for rookie Trainers just starting their journeys.
Those Bug Catchers—boys and girls alike—would have long since become powerful Trainers.
One major reason for this phenomenon was that many Bug-type Pokémon had relatively low base stats. Another important reason lay in type matchups.
Bug-type Pokémon are resisted by seven different types, while only being super effective against Psychic, Grass, and Dark types.
This kind of matchup spread severely limits the offensive coverage of Bug-type Pokémon.
Not to mention that Bug-types themselves have extremely poor resistance against Fire, Flying, and Rock types.
And those three types just so happened to be among the most popular choices in the Trainer community.
From a purely battle-oriented perspective, Bug-type Pokémon being so easily targeted were not exactly an ideal specialization.
Of course, such thinking was admittedly rather utilitarian.
In reality, there was no shortage of people in the Pokémon world who truly loved Bug-type Pokémon.
Combined with the sheer number of Bug-type species, Trainers who specialized in Bug-types were actually very common—arguably the most numerous of all.
After all, Bug-type Pokémon were also famous for being cost-efficient to raise.
So long as you didn't dump absurd amounts of money into one specific Beedrill, that was.
And even among this vast number of Bug-type specialists, Bugsy was unquestionably one of the most famous and most outstanding figures.
Known as a "Living Bug-Type Pokémon Encyclopedia," Bugsy was not only the youngest officially recognized Gym Leader in the Johto region, but also a genius Bug-type Pokémon researcher with significant academic achievements.
The Bug-type move Fury Cutter was discovered, refined, and popularized by Bugsy himself, and it had since become one of Azalea Gym's most renowned secret techniques.
After all, Pokémon moves were not just about releasing energy—proper technique, rhythm, and movement were all crucial.
Azalea Gym's Fury Cutter manual allowed Bug-type Pokémon to maximize consecutive hits on their opponents without giving them opportunities to evade.
When its power stacked repeatedly, Fury Cutter could sometimes be even more troublesome than the brute-force combo of Defense Curl + Rollout.
At least Rollout could be countered through terrain manipulation. Fury Cutter, on the other hand, often left opponents with only two choices: overpower it head-on, or escape through sheer ability.
In a sense, it was an extremely effective tactical approach.
As the record holder for both most championships and longest winning streak in Johto's regional Bug-Catching Contest, Bugsy's status among Bug-type specialists was self-evident.
Of course, this was also helped by comparison.
Excluding the Alola and Galar regions—which had not yet been formally integrated into the League system, among the remaining six major regions, only Azalea Gym, Castelia Gym in Unova, and Santalune Gym in Kalos were Bug-type specialist Gyms.
And their respective Gym Leaders were individuals deeply devoted to art and photography.
They were certainly strong, and their love for Bug-type Pokémon was genuine but somehow, they lacked a certain convincing edge.
If not for Aaron, the Bug-type Elite Four member of Sinnoh, holding the line, Bugsy would likely be the undisputed most popular Bug-type Trainer in the world.
Seen this way, Bug-type specialists really did have it rough.
That said, Bug-type Pokémon were by no means lacking in powerful individuals.
Whether it was Scyther, the "Elegant Warrior of Bug-types," or its evolution Scizor, the "Battlefield General."
Or Pokémon like Volcarona, the self-proclaimed "Sun Itself," Scolipede, the "Thousand-Foot Predator," and its natural enemy Centiskorch.
There was even Shedinja, known simultaneously as the "Ghost Cicada" and the "Guardian Angel."
All of these Bug-type Pokémon were undeniably exceptional.
Oh and one couldn't forget the true tyrant of the forests: Beedrill.
So if anyone genuinely thought that a Bug-type specialist like Bugsy was weak, all it proved was that they didn't truly understand Pokémon.
As always—anyone who qualifies as a Gym Leader is never weak.
Silas looked at this Gym Leader—whose appearance and actual age were both astonishingly young and had only one thought.
The Pokémon world is full of freaks.
While Bugsy might not quite reach the level of monsters like Cynthia or Lance, the fact that he possessed such strength at only twenty-four years old was already absurd.
If Silas didn't work hard, he genuinely doubted he could surpass people like this.
Bugsy, meanwhile, felt puzzled.
The Trainer before him was clearly friendly and polite—yet for some reason, Bugsy kept getting the feeling that Silas was thinking about something rather impolite.
The two stared at each other in silence.
"All right, Silas, wait here for a bit. I'm helping Bugsy craft a set of custom capture equipment."
Thankfully, Kurt's voice broke the awkward atmosphere.
He picked up a small knife-like tool and walked toward the massive furnace in the open area.
"Custom capture equipment?"
Silas blinked, clearly intrigued.
"That's right."
With nothing better to do, Bugsy was more than happy to chat.
Watching Kurt work alone would've been unbearably boring.
"You know that standard Poké Balls have two invisible nets inside. Once the ball hits a Pokémon, the nets deploy and pull it inside. The red light is simply a visual manifestation of that process."
Bugsy began by explaining the basic working principle of a Poké Ball.
Silas nodded.
He already knew this.
"But when it comes to Bug-type Pokémon, that structure has certain issues."
Bugsy said excitedly.
The moment his beloved Bug-types were mentioned, he—like any passionate specialist became increasingly animated.
He firmly believed that no one could surpass him when it came to Bug-type Pokémon.
"In the case of the 'Silent Warrior of Bug-types,' for example—it prefers to remain completely motionless. My capture net allows it to be restrained instantly, preventing escape.
And then there's the 'Proud Warrior of Bug-types.' While it excels at defense, its offensive power is nothing to scoff at either. The capture net significantly improves my safety during capture.
And then there's—"
His excitement was palpable, his face gradually turning red.
Combined with his androgynous appearance—
Silas shook his head internally.
Nope. Don't look. Don't think. I'm not Hachiman Hikigaya.
"Don't listen to his nonsense."
Kurt—rarely seen looking exasperated, cut Bugsy off.
"Spinarak doesn't move? Then just throw a Poké Ball at it. Its resistance is laughable for someone like you.
And Metapod—you're worried about safety when catching that? You'd be better off worrying whether it can even evolve afterward.
And if Scyther gets tangled in that net, do you think every Trainer has reflexes like yours?
Most Trainers aren't even a match for Pokémon—forget Scyther. They can't even handle Spinarak."
As he spoke, Kurt carefully used his tool to cut the thin threads in his hands.
It was only because his Poké Ball craftsmanship was unparalleled and because Bugsy's custom equipment wasn't particularly difficult, that he could afford to multitask like this.
"Uh…"
Silas could only smile helplessly.
He genuinely hadn't reacted immediately to Bugsy's nicknames for certain Pokémon.
So the so-called "Silent Warrior of Bug-types" and "Proud Warrior of Bug-types" were actually Spinarak and Metapod, huh?
Seen this way, Kurt really wasn't wrong—this device was, to some extent, rather redundant.
If it weren't for the added value that came from Kurt being the one who made it, tossing it aside wouldn't have been a loss at all.
"That's not how it should be seen.
You must understand—every Bug-type Pokémon is a born warrior. Their abilities are incredibly powerful.
You can't just assume that something is easy to catch simply because it doesn't move."
Bugsy protested indignantly.
Judging by his reaction, this clearly wasn't the first time he and Kurt had argued over this topic.
"Yes, yes, of course. Very impressive."
Kurt replied perfunctorily while continuing his work.
Bugsy rolled his eyes, clearly not interested in talking to the old man anymore.
Silas, however, didn't think their relationship was bad at all.
On the contrary, this kind of interaction only happened when two people truly didn't treat each other as outsiders.
Given Kurt's age and seniority, Bugsy had probably grown up under his care after all, Azalea Town wasn't exactly large.
"By the way, Silas are you here in Johto to participate in the Silver Conference? Planning to challenge the Gyms?"
Bugsy turned toward Silas, who had been quietly listening.
"Yes."
Silas nodded quickly.
This routine was all too familiar.
He'd lost count of how many Gym Leaders had already asked him something like this.
"Hmm, let me think…"
Bugsy rubbed his chin.
"I probably won't have time today. Tomorrow, I'm heading into the back mountain to catch some Pokémon, so the Gym will be closed for the day. How about you challenge me the day after tomorrow?"
"It would be my honor."
Silas answered decisively.
When it came to creatively fast-tracking Gym challenges, he was highly experienced.
Aside from a few Gyms where he formally scheduled a challenge, most of the others had gone exactly like this.
It couldn't be helped—many Gym Leaders were elders or acquaintances. Things just worked out conveniently.
After all, battling a Gym Leader was a dream for many Trainers.
While earning a Badge this way was often more difficult, the officially recorded battle carried significant weight afterward.
Not to mention that Gym Leaders usually had a great deal to teach, that was the most valuable part.
"All right, Bugsy come take a look. See if this suits your needs."
As the two were talking, Kurt finished binding a net-mounted Poké Ball to a bamboo pole and called Bugsy over.
Bugsy immediately ended the conversation and ran over eagerly.
"Hah—hah—!"
He grabbed the pole and started swinging it energetically.
"Yes! This is it—exactly!"
Bugsy's eyes practically sparkled.
Watching this scene, Silas felt a strange sense of familiarity.
"Ah—"
Suddenly, something clicked.
"No wonder I always felt that the Bug Catchers and Poké Maniacs I saw in forests were missing something.
A bug-catching net, how could that ever be missing? Without it, there's just no soul."
Silas thought to himself.
The tool Bugsy was swinging looked exactly like the insect nets Silas used as a child in his previous life.
But to the natives of the Pokémon world—whose minds were filled with Poké Balls—this thing was genuinely novel.
After all, Bug-type Pokémon weren't just tiny insects.
Even Caterpie could pose a real threat.
Aside from Bugsy, probably no one else would even consider using something like this to catch Bug-type Pokémon.
Even the worst Pokémon hunters wouldn't dream of getting rich by catching Caterpie.
And that's when Silas had a bold idea.
"I think it's fantastic."
Silas suddenly spoke up in praise.
Bugsy's attention snapped toward him instantly.
"Right? Right? I told you this design was amazing!"
Clearly, Bugsy was delighted to have found a kindred spirit.
Kurt slapped his palm against his forehead.
For a moment, he felt an inexplicable sense of guilt toward Professor Oak.
Had he… accidentally turned the Trainer Oak was optimistic about into an idiot?
But Silas's next words immediately dispelled that thought.
"I think this could be mass-produced and promoted. A lot of Trainers would definitely like it."
Silas said with a smile.
"Promoted…?"
Bugsy froze.
He'd only asked Kurt to make this on a whim, as part of an experiment. He'd never considered that possibility.
"Exactly. Think about it—this… bug-catching net would help more people fall in love with Bug-type Pokémon. With its help, the community of Bug-type Trainers would grow even larger."
Silas began laying out his vision.
It wasn't really deception.
After all, judging by what appeared in the games and anime, even if Silas hadn't said anything, Bugsy would likely have reached this idea on his own eventually.
As Silas painted the picture, Bugsy was visibly tempted.
After all, he was a Gym Leader.
While his youth and obsession with Bug-type Pokémon had kept him from focusing much on business, that didn't mean he didn't understand it.
It was just that Azalea Town's natural limitations had always made doing anything ambitious difficult.
Bugsy never imagined that something he'd casually designed could hold such potential value under Silas's words.
He instinctively looked toward Kurt.
Kurt narrowed his eyes, then glanced at Silas.
"I think it's a good idea. You two can find time to discuss it properly."
At last, under the pleased gazes of both of them, Kurt nodded.
"Then tomorrow, when you head into the back mountain, Gym Leader Bugsy, how about you take me with you?
Let's see what kind of results this bug-catching net can really achieve."
Silas made his request.
Bugsy agreed immediately.
He was curious as well.
This was one of the reasons Silas felt people in the Pokémon world were genuinely kind.
At least compared to his previous life, people here were far more straightforward.
And there was little need to worry about bridges being burned after crossing them.
'Draft a business plan, act as a middleman… I should be able to skim a reasonable cut.'
Silas was already thinking through the concrete details.
The first step to making money, started with Bug Catchers.
..
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