To communicate more smoothly with this slightly unhinged system, Satoru decided to head back home first.
Fortunately, his composure held, and he wasn't too startled by this "Furiko" who spoke with an Iono-like cadence.
Watching Raichu sunbathing outside, Satoru focused his attention on Furiko.
As for the system's name, that's just what it was. Satoru had a few sarcastic remarks ready but decided to let it go.
His main thought revolved around what Miss Furiko had mentioned on the way back: a starter package.
In this world full of wonders, Pokémon were plentiful, but catching powerful and unique ones required paying a unique price.
That price was often reflected in improving one's own standing. For example, achieving excellent grades in high school could earn you the right to enter a Tera Dome to catch Pokémon.
Otherwise, trying to catch a strong Pokémon in the city was just a pipe dream.
In this world, being a Pokémon Trainer was the most popular profession, and obtaining one through conventional means was next to impossible.
"Furiko... what exactly is in the starter package?"
Sitting on a stool, Satoru flipped through his photo album, trying to jog his memories while talking to Furiko.
His memory hadn't fully returned, so he had to multitask. But he already had a Pokémon he wanted.
Flutter Mane!
In the era of Scarlet and Violet, it was the one true god of battling, boasting the number one usage rate in both singles and doubles!
"Of course, it's a Pokémon egg! You get to choose one of the 'first partners' to become your companion~"
Miss Furiko's delightful explanation gradually ignited Satoru's enthusiasm. His eyes filled with anticipation, and his excitement grew.
"First partners" referred to the starters, plus Pikachu and Eevee.
If he could get a starter, his path to becoming a Pokémon Master would be much smoother.
"Furiko, you are the best system in the world."
Satoru couldn't help but let a small smile grace his lips.
"Ehehe Don't praise me like that Satoru-watoru?~"
What a cringey voice...
Oh well, it seems my system really is defective.
Silently roasting the system in his mind, Satoru's thoughts began to churn.
When it came to first partners, his choice naturally had to be a powerful Pokémon.
To be honest, only a few of the starters were truly competitively viable.
For example, the famous Tiger God—Incineroar!
"Incineroar is a no-go."
However, the moment he thought of Incineroar, Satoru decisively rejected it.
In the current world, single battles were extremely popular. In singles, Incineroar wasn't a top-tier threat, so Satoru didn't consider it.
His choices were actually quite limited. It was basically Rillaboom, Serperior, or one of the Water-types.
Greninja...
The option popped into his head. However, a Froakie with the "Battle Bond" ability wasn't "legal."
He remembered from his past life... didn't he have a friend who used cheats?
A Battle Bond Froakie?
Was it legitimate?
The only way to get one was from the Sun & Moon event Greninja. Obtaining a Froakie that could have Battle Bond was otherwise impossible.
"Furiko, can I choose a Froakie with Battle Bond, but the version that doesn't transform?"
Satoru asked while flipping to the next page of his photo album.
Battle Bond (Old): After defeating an opponent's Pokémon, transforms into Ash-Greninja.
Battle Bond (Generation IX): After defeating a Pokémon, its Attack, Special Attack, and Speed are raised by one stage. This ability can only activate once per battle.
Although it lost its ability to pivot, the damage and speed output of the Scarlet & Violet version was much more efficient than the old Battle Bond.
To be honest, Satoru wasn't sure which was stronger—the transforming Battle Bond Greninja or the non-transforming one. He had never tested it on a battle simulator, so he couldn't say.
But as a competitive power gamer dedicated to battle prowess, Satoru unhesitatingly chose the non-transforming Battle Bond Greninja.
"...? Host, are you in your right mind?! What's the point of a Greninja that doesn't transform!"
Miss Furiko was furious!
"Hmm?"
"It's all about looking cool! What do you know, Host?! Uwaah~ Mega Evolution just won its comeback tour, how can you not choose the transforming Battle Bond Greninja?"
Miss Furiko's voice boomed inside Satoru's head.
What a pain...
But is it cool?... I can't really argue with that.
Satoru's mindset began to shift subtly. It stemmed from his deep understanding of the bond between Pokémon and Trainers, and his realization that Pokémon weren't just data, but real, living beings in this world.
From his interaction with Raichu earlier, he realized that Pokémon were not data. True strength didn't come from a Pokémon's ability, but from the emotional bond and mutual understanding with its Trainer.
No matter which Pokémon he chose as his partner, the key was their rapport and mutual respect. That was true power.
"I get it. In that case, I'll choose Froakie."
"That's great, Satoru, LOVE?~"
After Furiko's emotional declaration, a Pokémon egg slowly descended from the sky. It shimmered with light, as if a miracle of the universe was manifesting before him. Satoru's eyes shone with excitement and anticipation as he quickly reached out and caught the precious egg.
After catching it, Satoru didn't stop. He began to pace back and forth in his room.
Walking around with the egg, letting it sway in his warm embrace.
He was an old pro at hatching eggs.
Even without a Pokémon with the Flame Body ability or a certain rideable motorcycle, this was Satoru's first time hatching an egg in the real world. The joy and satisfaction in his heart were as warm and bright as the spring sun.
The feeling of life inside the egg made his heart beat even faster.
Crack~
After some time, the egg finally began to crack, making a soft sound.
"Kero?"
A small Froakie poked its head out. Satoru immediately extended his hand to greet it.
"It's nice to meet you, Froakie."
"Kero kero" Froakie reached out its own hand, its eyes full of trust and joy.
In the next moment, Satoru was hugging Froakie tightly, feeling its life and vitality.
However, this wonderful moment didn't last long. After about 30 minutes of the two of them—one human, one Pokémon—playing happily...
"Host, I don't mean to interrupt."
Furiko's voice broke in, immediately drawing Satoru's attention.
"What's up?"
"Well, class is about to start. If you're late, you'll lose points."
"Huh?!! Oh no."
Hearing this, Satoru's mood instantly turned anxious. He glanced at the clock; it was already 7:50. He quickly put on his shoes, placed Froakie on his shoulder, scooped up Raichu, and took off in a hurry, dashing towards the school.
"Kero?"
"Rai?!"
If he wanted to challenge the Gyms, as a high school student, he had to participate in the High School League to qualify. If he didn't have enough points, he couldn't participate. That's why Satoru was in such a rush.
Amidst the urgency, his mood gradually turned joyful. This was the first step in chasing his dream.
From this day on, he and his partners would walk the path to becoming a Pokémon Master.
But Satoru didn't notice that behind him, a girl was watching him intently, even running after him while maintaining a certain distance.
"Satoru, when did you catch a Froakie?"
Nagasaki Soyo watched the departing Satoru, glanced at her own unwashed hand, her eyes filled with a mix of tenderness and shyness.
"Oh well, that doesn't matter. I shook his hand yesterday... Today, we should hold hands."
...
Raichu
Type: Electric
Ability: Lightning Rod
Moves: Nuzzle, Iron Tail, Quick Attack, Thunderbolt
Froakie
Type: Water
Ability: Battle Bond?
Moves: Icy Wind, Protect, Quick Attack, Water Pulse
-------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (114 Chapter (Simulpub-Full) )
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (250 Chapter)
Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (225 Chapter)
MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (90 Chapter)
BLEACH: Blade of Purification (100 Chapter)
Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (270 Chapter)
My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (98 Chapter)
The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (120 Chapter)
Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(59 Chapter)
Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live (160 Chapter)
Zenless Zone Zero The Random Kamen Rider (120 Chapter)
Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino (80 Chapter)
Naruto: I Can Synthesize Summoning Beasts (50 Chapter)
Demon Slayer: The Great Swordsman's System, Disciple of Yoriichi (80 Chapter)
My Wife is a General, but I'm an Emanator of Abundance! (90 Chapter)
Type-Moon: My Nine-Fold Path (80 Chapter)
Uma Musume: They're Peeking at My Diary, and All of Tracen is Panickin (65 Chapter)
The Wild History of Type-Moon world (50 Chapter)
Reborn in Conan, But I Refuse to Be the Bad Guy (60 Chapter)
Ruan Mei is begging me to go back? But there's no going back anymore (60 Chapter)
Just a Slacker at Tracen Academy (50 Chapter)
Survival in Blue Archive (30 Chapter)
Kimetsu no Yaiba: Doma Wasn't Hated Today, Either (30 Chapter)
The Vibe of This Chat Group is a Little Off (30 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.