And so, after catching Charmander, Xiao Zhi and his group rested for a night at the Pokémon Center.
The next morning, the three of them continued their journey to Kuye City.
"I've caught Bulbasaur and Charmander, when will I be able to catch Squirtle?"
Xiao Zhi was practically walking with a spring in his step now. The other two, seeing this, didn't say anything. They were quite envious of Xiao Zhi, who had managed to catch two starter Pokémon in a row. If he encountered Squirtle next, they would find it perfectly normal.
Li Qingfeng suddenly felt that the road ahead looked familiar and reminded him, "Xiao Zhi, I suggest you throw a stone over there."
Xiao Zhi was about to walk down but pulled his foot back after hearing Li Qingfeng's words. "Is it Team Rocket's trap?"
Xiao Zhi subconsciously assumed it was Team Rocket causing trouble. Although he hadn't seen them for a long time, he still had a feeling it must be them.
"No, it's not. This is very likely the work of your future sixth Pokémon. It's a Pokémon that can lend you money." Li Qingfeng thought for a moment before answering Xiao Zhi's question.
When Xiao Zhi heard that it was his future sixth Pokémon and could even lend him money, he was determined to do as told.
He walked to the side of the road, and just as he was about to bend down to pick up a pebble, he noticed five smooth, blue heads squatting in the grass.
Wow, bald heads!
"Squirtle, the money-lending Pokémon. No matter what you ask them, they'll say, 'Squirtle, Squirtle.'" Li Qingfeng made a joke that almost froze Xiao Zhi.
"Li Dage, I really didn't know you told dad jokes."
Xiao Zhi's words made Li Qingfeng a little embarrassed. This was an old, stale joke, similar to the "kill you, psychic water" type.
"Squirtle, what are you doing here?"
Xiao Zhi bent down, wanting to pet Squirtle's head. The Pokémon, hearing Xiao Zhi's voice, all showed surprised expressions.
"Squirtle." (What's going on with you? You actually discovered our trap.)
The leading Squirtle wore unique sunglasses. It tilted its head up, looking at Xiao Zhi with confusion.
Immediately after, it jumped to the middle of the road, and the other four little brothers followed suit perfectly.
Seeing this, Xiao Zhi sent out Bulbasaur and Charmander: "Squirtle, look, do you five feel a sense of familiarity when you meet?"
The Squirtle: ?
The honest and dutiful Charmander walked forward and greeted the five of them: "Roar." (Hello there.)
"Squirtle." (Don't come over, we are the Squirtle Squad.)
The Squirtle leader raised a hand to stop Charmander from advancing. Seeing this, Xiao Zhi secretly had Bulbasaur circle around, wanting to hit them with a Sleep Powder.
"Li Dage, what did Squirtle say?" Xiao Zhi was curious about what they had said.
Li Qingfeng nodded after hearing him: "They said they are the local Squirtle Squad, Pokémon abandoned by other Trainers."
"Why does someone abandon Pokémon every day?!" Li Qingfeng's words made Xiao Zhi truly unable to understand. These Pokémon were clearly all good kids, so why would someone abandon them?
Xiao Zhi's gaze towards the Squirtle changed. He called over Brock and asked him to bring some Pokémon food.
Brock, hearing this, placed the food he had prepared into Xiao Zhi's hand. Once Xiao Zhi had the food, he walked to the front of the Squirtle, set the food down, and softly said, "You must have suffered, right? Come, eat this food."
The five Squirtle looked at each other. This was the first time they had encountered such a situation. Ever since they were abandoned, they had lived by snatching food from others. This was the first time someone had actively given them food.
Xiao Xia also walked forward and gave a portion of food to one of the smaller Squirtle.
"Squirtle?" (We're bad guys, are you really going to give us food?)
The Squirtle were incredulous, unable to believe that a Trainer would actually give them food.
Could it be a trick?
Charmander saw through Squirtle's thoughts, took a small bite of the sandwich, and chewed and swallowed it. Seeing that Charmander was fine, Squirtle let its little brothers eat first, while it ate what they left behind.
Bulbasaur was about to make a move, but saw Xiao Zhi quickly give him a look, which made him abandon the idea of using Sleep Powder.
Xiao Xia whispered to Brock next to her: "How are there wild Squirtle? Were they abandoned by someone?"
Normally, these starter Pokémon are very difficult to encounter in the wild. The way to obtain starter Pokémon is basically through the league distributing them to Pokémon Doctors, who then give them to Rookie Trainers.
(Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and the Horizons anime added school distribution.)
Brock said in a deep voice: "I guess so. Those Trainers must have lost their minds."
As a Gym Leader, he strongly disliked Trainers who easily abandoned their Pokémon. If Xiao Zhi wanted to catch these Squirtle, he would definitely support it wholeheartedly.
Xiao Zhi could be said to be the person who treated his Pokémon the best among all the Trainers he had met since becoming a Gym Leader.
"Squirtle, do you and your companions want to follow me? Or go live with Professor Da Mu? You can receive preferential treatment there, and food and lodging are included."
Xiao Zhi reached out his hand and asked Squirtle. Professor Da Mu's place was indeed a suitable location.
"Squirtle?" (For real?)
"Yes, for real!"
Squirtle looked at the young boy in front of him, feeling that there was something about him that attracted it, as if they were destined to meet.
Finally, it jumped backward, but was tripped by Bulbasaur, who was blocking behind it.
Squirtle: ???
Turtle, when did you get behind me?
After standing up, Squirtle looked at Xiao Zhi and took a battle stance.
Xiao Zhi now understood its meaning. It seemed it wanted to test his strength through battle.
"For water-type, Bulbasaur, I choose you!" Xiao Zhi originally wanted to send out Pikachu, but after careful consideration, he decided to send out Bulbasaur instead.
After all, this lone wanderer hadn't fought once yet, so he had to make him fight!
Xiao Zhi shouted, "Bulbasaur, Vine Whip!"
Bulbasaur's vines quickly extended, powerfully sweeping towards Squirtle. Squirtle, however, remained calm and dodged nimbly, while simultaneously spewing a thin stream of water from its large mouth.
The stream of water, like an agile water snake, instantly struck Bulbasaur's face, splashing water. Bulbasaur felt the coolness on its face and glared angrily at its opponent.
(My goodness, why is your Water Gun so provocative? That's not fair.)
"Razor Leaf."
Bulbasaur heard the command, reacted immediately, and quickly flung out many sharp leaves. These sharp leaves flew straight towards Squirtle, like rapidly spinning throwing stars.
One of the leaves hit Squirtle's shell, making a crisp impact sound. Squirtle failed to dodge completely, and the rest of the leaves all grazed its face. Intense pain spread throughout its body, leaving a shallow scratch on its shell.
"Now! poké ball!" Xiao Zhi threw a poké ball at Squirtle.
Just like with Charmander, a critical capture!
"Xiao Zhi, leave the small one for me."
The speaker was naturally Xiao Xia. Xiao Zhi understood her meaning and left space for Xiao Xia after catching the other three.
Xiao Xia walked in front of that Squirtle, took out a poké ball: "How about it, do you want to come with me? My goal is to be a water-type Pokémon Master, and I will definitely not treat you badly."
Squirtle touched the poké ball button and was successfully caught by Xiao Xia.
After the Squirtle were caught, Officer Jenny finally arrived on her motorcycle. Seeing Xiao Zhi and the others catch the Squirtle, she also breathed a sigh of relief. She then drove the three to the nearest town.
----
"Professor Da Mu, did you receive those Squirtle?" As soon as they arrived in the new town, Xiao Zhi immediately called Professor Da Mu.
Professor Da Mu nodded repeatedly after hearing him: "Of course, they are doing very well here."
Xiao Zhi patted Squirtle's head and said, "How is it, Squirtle? Are you relieved now?"
"Squirtle." (Yes, thank you. By the way, don't mention lending money to me again.)
Squirtle nodded.
The three then continued their journey to Kuye City.
Perhaps, something strange awaits Xiao Zhi.