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he knowes pokemon more than i know _Chapter_056_en
Chapter 56
Chapter 56: What Did You Say About Fifty-Fifty?
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander
Six days later, the S.S. Anne cruise ship was about half a day away from reaching the shore.
Right now, the final farewell banquet was being held in the grand hall.
Ash and his group walked together, looking around cautiously from time to time. They had all shared information earlier; it was highly likely that Team Rocket would launch a surprise attack in these final few hours.
"Kidnap the rich to achieve common prosperity."
Blue, however, scratched her head, only just now realizing. She said in surprise:
"Huh? Isn't that a good thing?"
"That's just what the title says to fool idiots. In reality, they rob the rich, but they also rob the poor, so you'll get robbed too," Brock replied seriously.
Blue: "?"
She felt offended.
"Starmie, use Water Gun!"
"Raticate, use Hyper Fang!!"
Two low shouts drew the attention of the four. Pushing through the crowd, they saw a portly, ochre-colored mouse confronting a Starmie, surrounded by a group of idle onlookers.
Following the command of the old gentleman in the black top hat, the stout Raticate actually used its body to break through the impact of the Water Gun, its large, protruding fangs biting down on Starmie's central gem.
*Crack!*
As if the gem had shattered, Starmie was sent flying backward. This one Hyper Fang had completely drained its combat power, and its body went limp.
"I lose."
The random Trainer could only recall his Starmie, casting a look of admiration at the old gentleman.
"Hehe~"
The latter clearly enjoyed this gaze. As an upper-class man, a love for the praise of sycophants flowed in his blood.
The old gentleman gave an elegant bow, then abruptly raised his hand and looked at the surrounding crowd.
"Haha, are there any other brave Trainers who wish to challenge my Raticate?"
"Me, me, me, me!"
Ash, naturally, was the first to jump out excitedly, pointing with his thumb.
"I choose you, Pikachu!"
A Mouse Pokémon, of course, had to be dealt with by an Electric Mouse.
"Pika!!"
Pikachu leaped from Ash's shoulder to the ground, its small eyes sizing up the portly, ochre-colored mouse, electric currents crackling on its cheeks.
"Oh, young man, my Raticate is quite strong, you know~"
The old gentleman said with a smile, not taking Ash seriously.
"Raticate, use Quick Attack!"
"Pikachu, we'll use Quick Attack too!"
Two streams of white light ignited on both mice simultaneously. The next instant, they both launched their attacks.
They were like two swift arrows of white light closing in, but as Pikachu got near, its steps shifted slightly, its body dropping by half a measure.
Then, just as they were about to make contact, it suddenly recoiled and sprang up!
*CLANG!!*
The two mice shot past each other, but at the moment they passed, Pikachu slammed its head directly into Raticate's chin. The powerful force sent the latter's massive body flying backward.
"Such speed..."
The old gentleman was slightly stunned and quickly called out its signature move.
"Raticate, use Hyper Fang then!!"
Stabilizing itself, Raticate's two large fangs began to glow with a sinister red light. After adjusting its position in mid-air, it charged fiercely toward Pikachu!
The power of Hyper Fang was definitely not something an Electric Mouse could withstand!
The old gentleman was very confident.
He had spent 3,000,000 to buy this super rare Pokémon from a middle-aged man. It was said to be an Abnormal Variant with an ancient bloodline, with a chance to awaken into a Golden Raticate.
On the other side, however, Ash's eyes lit up. He thought of a countermeasure in the blink of an eye.
"Pikachu, use Slam on the ground!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu stopped in its tracks, curled its tail, and delivered a powerful strike to the red-carpeted floor.
Using the force of the impact, it leaped high into the air, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Now in mid-air, it was facing Raticate's back. It had already gathered a charge in its cheeks, and a terrifying electric current covered its entire body.
Danger!
Seeing this, the old gentleman quickly held out his hand and shouted,
"Alright, that's enough. Let's call this battle a fi—"
Before he could finish, a yellow lightning bolt erupted from Pikachu. An electric snake shot out, striking Raticate like a falling thunderbolt without any resistance.
Thunderbolt!!
*BOOM!!*
The electric light shot up into the sky, exploding in a shower of sparks. It even blasted a small crater into the deck.
As the smoke and dust cleared, the Raticate had been shocked into an "African Raticate," collapsing to the ground, exhausted. A faint, charred aroma emanated from its body.
Only then did Ash scratch his head and look at the old gentleman in confusion:
"I didn't quite hear you just now. What were you saying about fifty-fifty?"
The old gentleman: "..."
His expression, which had changed drastically, quickly returned to normal. He walked over to Ash with a smile and said slowly,
"It seems you've raised your Electric Mouse quite well. Would you like to trade it for my Raticate?"
"Trade?"
Ash was stunned; this was the first time he had ever heard of this concept.
"A trade. When Trainers meet Pokémon they mutually admire, they naturally choose to trade. It's a very popular option, you know~"
The old gentleman continued to coax him.
*Wait a minute, was I scammed by that crooked merchant!?*
His mind was already set on finding that middle-aged swindler and breaking his legs.
Ash, however, simply gave the old gentleman a look like he was staring at an idiot.
"Do you take me for a greenhorn...?"
He casually took out his Pokedex and scanned the Raticate that was unable to battle.
"Pokedex Beep. Raticate, the Mouse Pokémon. A common Pokémon with little training value, but its teeth can be used as works of art."
The Pokedex announced.
*My Pikachu is exceptionally talented, with the disposition of an emperor. One day, it will surely soar to the highest heavens and command the heavenly thunder to descend upon the world.*
*And you want to trade a common-as-dirt Raticate for him?*
He was trembling with anger.
The old gentleman: "..."
Unexpectedly, as soon as he thought this, the Pokedex beeped again.
"Pokedex Beep. Pikachu, also a common Pokémon. Unremarkable. A pretty face with little value."
Ash: "..."
*When it comes to roasting its own, you've always got a trick up your sleeve...*
"Hehe~"
Just then, a light chuckle came from the center of the stage.
The tone was elegant, yet it carried the noble aura of the upper class, causing everyone's gaze to focus on one spot.
"My dear friends, we will be docking in three hours. In that case, let us hold one final activity~"
Archer had, at some point, walked onto the stage. Holding a microphone, he looked at the crowd with a smile in his eyes.
"Next, I'd like to ask all the rich people to please squat down obediently with your hands on your heads. As for the poor Trainers... please kneel and put your hands on your heads."
The moment he finished speaking, the staff members stationed in every corner of the banquet hall sneered and suddenly ripped off their disguises.
Now, a large, purple "R" was emblazoned on their chests.
The corporate team-building event had finally begun!
"T-Team Rocket!?"
"Since when?!"
Many tourists instantly recognized the symbol. Team Rocket's reputation in the Kanto Region was terrifyingly huge, even vaguely surpassing that of the official Pokémon League.
That purple "R" in particular meant you could do whatever the hell you wanted.
Archer took in everyone's expressions. Seeing that most of them had instantly fallen into a panic, he revealed a disdainful smile.
Then, he gave a slight nod to two people in the crowd, signaling them to remain calm.
*I already reached an agreement with them last night. They won't turn on me and screw me over today, right...?*
Ash & Blue: "???"
The two of them were a bit dumbfounded. *Did that flashy guy just nod at us?*
*Are we that close?*
*So should we, in return, politely nod back at him?*
The two of them frowned, lost in a dilemma.
The Team Rocket Fodder bared their fangs, looking fierce and malevolent. This instantly sent the wealthy guests, who had never experienced a real battle, into a panic, completely extinguishing any thought of resistance.
But there were quite a few Trainers around. Naturally, they wouldn't just surrender without a fight. One by one, they took out their Poké Balls, preparing to battle to their heart's content.
Trainers are, by nature, adventurers who love to battle!
The Team Rocket Fodder still lacked some intimidating presence.
"Hmph!"
Archer's expression didn't change. The Fodder were for intimidating the rich; it wouldn't work on amateur Trainers with experience in the wild.
They had to be suppressed with overwhelmingly superior force!
His gaze turned cold as he casually tossed out a Poké Ball.
*Swish!*
The next second, a jet-black, canine Pokémon appeared before everyone.
It was a large, entirely black dog. Encircling its ankles were menacing white bone-like shells. A pair of white bone horns, similar in appearance to a goat's, grew from its head, and its four limbs were sturdy and muscular.
Its appearance was strikingly similar to the terrifying creature from books of monsters: the hellhound.
"AWOOOO!!"
It threw back its head and howled. The terrifying sound seemed to take physical form, making everyone shudder. It felt as if a massive drum had been struck in their hearts, sending a chill down their spines.
It was a hair-raising sound.
The Move—Snarl!
Next, the large black dog even spewed a ball of flame into the void, its temperature so high that the air filled with a scorched smell.
"Houndoom, the Hellhound Pokémon. The Evolved Form of Houndour. It is extremely dangerous and will tear at targets in packs."
This time, even the Pokedex sounded serious and stopped making sarcastic remarks.
As Archer pointed a finger, Houndoom took a step forward, its front paw landing with a thud. Its ferocious glare was on full display, and in an instant, a vast, murderous aura filled the entire hall.
"!"
This forced the dozens of Trainers, who just a moment ago had been eager for a good fight, to take a step back.
One dog intimidated dozens of people!
Danger!
This was by no means an enemy they could fight at their current level.
Seeing this, Archer gave a disdainful smile, inwardly pleased.
"Hmph, my Houndoom can even take on a regular Elite Four member—"
Suddenly, he saw the two people in the crowd whose gazes toward him had started to flicker. Their brows seemed to be furrowed in thought.
This made Archer's expression falter with panic.
*Did I go too far?*
*Was I too arrogant?*
*They already agreed to let me commit the robbery last night... could they be changing their minds now?*
*What do I do? Should I confront them head-on?*
*No way, that would be suicide! I already confirmed last night that they're both top-tier masters!*
In that instant, countless thoughts flooded Archer's mind. A new storm was brewing...
*RUMBLE...!!*
In the midst of his dilemma, a terrifying tremor suddenly ran through the ship's hull beneath his feet.
Immediately after, the deck and the surrounding walls began to shake with apocalyptic exaggeration. Everyone had to grab onto something just to stay upright.
"What's happening? What's going on?"
Not only the tourists but even the Team Rocket Fodder were stunned.
*Is this also part of Lord Archer's script?*
Just then, an Old Sea Captain rushed into the banquet hall, his face etched with anxiety. He was holding a little loli by the hand.
He was the Old Sea Captain of the S.S. Anne, the one who wrote "The Old Man and the Seafood."
"Everyone, listen to me! The cruise ship has unexpectedly struck a reef! Everyone, jump ship and save yourselves!!"
He shouted anxiously.
Archer: "..."
(end of chapter)
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander
Six days later, the S.S. Anne cruise ship was about half a day away from reaching the shore.
Right now, the final farewell banquet was being held in the grand hall.
Ash and his group walked together, looking around cautiously from time to time. They had all shared information earlier; it was highly likely that Team Rocket would launch a surprise attack in these final few hours.
"Kidnap the rich to achieve common prosperity."
Blue, however, scratched her head, only just now realizing. She said in surprise:
"Huh? Isn't that a good thing?"
"That's just what the title says to fool idiots. In reality, they rob the rich, but they also rob the poor, so you'll get robbed too," Brock replied seriously.
Blue: "?"
She felt offended.
"Starmie, use Water Gun!"
"Raticate, use Hyper Fang!!"
Two low shouts drew the attention of the four. Pushing through the crowd, they saw a portly, ochre-colored mouse confronting a Starmie, surrounded by a group of idle onlookers.
Following the command of the old gentleman in the black top hat, the stout Raticate actually used its body to break through the impact of the Water Gun, its large, protruding fangs biting down on Starmie's central gem.
*Crack!*
As if the gem had shattered, Starmie was sent flying backward. This one Hyper Fang had completely drained its combat power, and its body went limp.
"I lose."
The random Trainer could only recall his Starmie, casting a look of admiration at the old gentleman.
"Hehe~"
The latter clearly enjoyed this gaze. As an upper-class man, a love for the praise of sycophants flowed in his blood.
The old gentleman gave an elegant bow, then abruptly raised his hand and looked at the surrounding crowd.
"Haha, are there any other brave Trainers who wish to challenge my Raticate?"
"Me, me, me, me!"
Ash, naturally, was the first to jump out excitedly, pointing with his thumb.
"I choose you, Pikachu!"
A Mouse Pokémon, of course, had to be dealt with by an Electric Mouse.
"Pika!!"
Pikachu leaped from Ash's shoulder to the ground, its small eyes sizing up the portly, ochre-colored mouse, electric currents crackling on its cheeks.
"Oh, young man, my Raticate is quite strong, you know~"
The old gentleman said with a smile, not taking Ash seriously.
"Raticate, use Quick Attack!"
"Pikachu, we'll use Quick Attack too!"
Two streams of white light ignited on both mice simultaneously. The next instant, they both launched their attacks.
They were like two swift arrows of white light closing in, but as Pikachu got near, its steps shifted slightly, its body dropping by half a measure.
Then, just as they were about to make contact, it suddenly recoiled and sprang up!
*CLANG!!*
The two mice shot past each other, but at the moment they passed, Pikachu slammed its head directly into Raticate's chin. The powerful force sent the latter's massive body flying backward.
"Such speed..."
The old gentleman was slightly stunned and quickly called out its signature move.
"Raticate, use Hyper Fang then!!"
Stabilizing itself, Raticate's two large fangs began to glow with a sinister red light. After adjusting its position in mid-air, it charged fiercely toward Pikachu!
The power of Hyper Fang was definitely not something an Electric Mouse could withstand!
The old gentleman was very confident.
He had spent 3,000,000 to buy this super rare Pokémon from a middle-aged man. It was said to be an Abnormal Variant with an ancient bloodline, with a chance to awaken into a Golden Raticate.
On the other side, however, Ash's eyes lit up. He thought of a countermeasure in the blink of an eye.
"Pikachu, use Slam on the ground!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu stopped in its tracks, curled its tail, and delivered a powerful strike to the red-carpeted floor.
Using the force of the impact, it leaped high into the air, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Now in mid-air, it was facing Raticate's back. It had already gathered a charge in its cheeks, and a terrifying electric current covered its entire body.
Danger!
Seeing this, the old gentleman quickly held out his hand and shouted,
"Alright, that's enough. Let's call this battle a fi—"
Before he could finish, a yellow lightning bolt erupted from Pikachu. An electric snake shot out, striking Raticate like a falling thunderbolt without any resistance.
Thunderbolt!!
*BOOM!!*
The electric light shot up into the sky, exploding in a shower of sparks. It even blasted a small crater into the deck.
As the smoke and dust cleared, the Raticate had been shocked into an "African Raticate," collapsing to the ground, exhausted. A faint, charred aroma emanated from its body.
Only then did Ash scratch his head and look at the old gentleman in confusion:
"I didn't quite hear you just now. What were you saying about fifty-fifty?"
The old gentleman: "..."
His expression, which had changed drastically, quickly returned to normal. He walked over to Ash with a smile and said slowly,
"It seems you've raised your Electric Mouse quite well. Would you like to trade it for my Raticate?"
"Trade?"
Ash was stunned; this was the first time he had ever heard of this concept.
"A trade. When Trainers meet Pokémon they mutually admire, they naturally choose to trade. It's a very popular option, you know~"
The old gentleman continued to coax him.
*Wait a minute, was I scammed by that crooked merchant!?*
His mind was already set on finding that middle-aged swindler and breaking his legs.
Ash, however, simply gave the old gentleman a look like he was staring at an idiot.
"Do you take me for a greenhorn...?"
He casually took out his Pokedex and scanned the Raticate that was unable to battle.
"Pokedex Beep. Raticate, the Mouse Pokémon. A common Pokémon with little training value, but its teeth can be used as works of art."
The Pokedex announced.
*My Pikachu is exceptionally talented, with the disposition of an emperor. One day, it will surely soar to the highest heavens and command the heavenly thunder to descend upon the world.*
*And you want to trade a common-as-dirt Raticate for him?*
He was trembling with anger.
The old gentleman: "..."
Unexpectedly, as soon as he thought this, the Pokedex beeped again.
"Pokedex Beep. Pikachu, also a common Pokémon. Unremarkable. A pretty face with little value."
Ash: "..."
*When it comes to roasting its own, you've always got a trick up your sleeve...*
"Hehe~"
Just then, a light chuckle came from the center of the stage.
The tone was elegant, yet it carried the noble aura of the upper class, causing everyone's gaze to focus on one spot.
"My dear friends, we will be docking in three hours. In that case, let us hold one final activity~"
Archer had, at some point, walked onto the stage. Holding a microphone, he looked at the crowd with a smile in his eyes.
"Next, I'd like to ask all the rich people to please squat down obediently with your hands on your heads. As for the poor Trainers... please kneel and put your hands on your heads."
The moment he finished speaking, the staff members stationed in every corner of the banquet hall sneered and suddenly ripped off their disguises.
Now, a large, purple "R" was emblazoned on their chests.
The corporate team-building event had finally begun!
"T-Team Rocket!?"
"Since when?!"
Many tourists instantly recognized the symbol. Team Rocket's reputation in the Kanto Region was terrifyingly huge, even vaguely surpassing that of the official Pokémon League.
That purple "R" in particular meant you could do whatever the hell you wanted.
Archer took in everyone's expressions. Seeing that most of them had instantly fallen into a panic, he revealed a disdainful smile.
Then, he gave a slight nod to two people in the crowd, signaling them to remain calm.
*I already reached an agreement with them last night. They won't turn on me and screw me over today, right...?*
Ash & Blue: "???"
The two of them were a bit dumbfounded. *Did that flashy guy just nod at us?*
*Are we that close?*
*So should we, in return, politely nod back at him?*
The two of them frowned, lost in a dilemma.
The Team Rocket Fodder bared their fangs, looking fierce and malevolent. This instantly sent the wealthy guests, who had never experienced a real battle, into a panic, completely extinguishing any thought of resistance.
But there were quite a few Trainers around. Naturally, they wouldn't just surrender without a fight. One by one, they took out their Poké Balls, preparing to battle to their heart's content.
Trainers are, by nature, adventurers who love to battle!
The Team Rocket Fodder still lacked some intimidating presence.
"Hmph!"
Archer's expression didn't change. The Fodder were for intimidating the rich; it wouldn't work on amateur Trainers with experience in the wild.
They had to be suppressed with overwhelmingly superior force!
His gaze turned cold as he casually tossed out a Poké Ball.
*Swish!*
The next second, a jet-black, canine Pokémon appeared before everyone.
It was a large, entirely black dog. Encircling its ankles were menacing white bone-like shells. A pair of white bone horns, similar in appearance to a goat's, grew from its head, and its four limbs were sturdy and muscular.
Its appearance was strikingly similar to the terrifying creature from books of monsters: the hellhound.
"AWOOOO!!"
It threw back its head and howled. The terrifying sound seemed to take physical form, making everyone shudder. It felt as if a massive drum had been struck in their hearts, sending a chill down their spines.
It was a hair-raising sound.
The Move—Snarl!
Next, the large black dog even spewed a ball of flame into the void, its temperature so high that the air filled with a scorched smell.
"Houndoom, the Hellhound Pokémon. The Evolved Form of Houndour. It is extremely dangerous and will tear at targets in packs."
This time, even the Pokedex sounded serious and stopped making sarcastic remarks.
As Archer pointed a finger, Houndoom took a step forward, its front paw landing with a thud. Its ferocious glare was on full display, and in an instant, a vast, murderous aura filled the entire hall.
"!"
This forced the dozens of Trainers, who just a moment ago had been eager for a good fight, to take a step back.
One dog intimidated dozens of people!
Danger!
This was by no means an enemy they could fight at their current level.
Seeing this, Archer gave a disdainful smile, inwardly pleased.
"Hmph, my Houndoom can even take on a regular Elite Four member—"
Suddenly, he saw the two people in the crowd whose gazes toward him had started to flicker. Their brows seemed to be furrowed in thought.
This made Archer's expression falter with panic.
*Did I go too far?*
*Was I too arrogant?*
*They already agreed to let me commit the robbery last night... could they be changing their minds now?*
*What do I do? Should I confront them head-on?*
*No way, that would be suicide! I already confirmed last night that they're both top-tier masters!*
In that instant, countless thoughts flooded Archer's mind. A new storm was brewing...
*RUMBLE...!!*
In the midst of his dilemma, a terrifying tremor suddenly ran through the ship's hull beneath his feet.
Immediately after, the deck and the surrounding walls began to shake with apocalyptic exaggeration. Everyone had to grab onto something just to stay upright.
"What's happening? What's going on?"
Not only the tourists but even the Team Rocket Fodder were stunned.
*Is this also part of Lord Archer's script?*
Just then, an Old Sea Captain rushed into the banquet hall, his face etched with anxiety. He was holding a little loli by the hand.
He was the Old Sea Captain of the S.S. Anne, the one who wrote "The Old Man and the Seafood."
"Everyone, listen to me! The cruise ship has unexpectedly struck a reef! Everyone, jump ship and save yourselves!!"
He shouted anxiously.
Archer: "..."
(end of chapter)
