Inside the pure white Commemorative Ball, Sirfetch'd was sitting with its eyes closed, resting.
Lu Ye slowly nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
As the saying goes: a slight smile, followed by thunderous fury.
In Pokémon battles, mindset is everything.
And this strange-looking Sirfetch'd? Just one look and you could tell—it was a fellow foodie. It even brought its own ingredients to battle.
Who cares about C-rank status—just rely on your jungle daddy for ganks and you're golden!
The aura of dominance that had stretched across ten miles instantly dissipated.
Professor Oak chuckled. "It seems to really like you."
"Yeah." Lu Ye nodded.
Most Trainers around here were greenhorns. Now that an experienced slacker showed up, how could it not be excited?
"Human and Pokémon encounters are truly magical," Professor Oak said with a hearty laugh, then suddenly seemed to remember something. "By the way, Lu Ye, do you have any plans coming up?"
"Uh…" Lu Ye clipped the Commemorative Ball back onto his belt.
Sirfetch'd and Squirtle stared at each other through their Poké Balls.
The two Pokémon from Modu University's Pokemon Breeding House exchanged sharp nods, the same thought surfacing in both their minds—
This guy… is no weaker than me!
"What is it exactly?" Lu Ye asked.
"Well," Professor Oak said, "the newest batch of Pokédexes has been completed, but there's only one special edition. Since Ash helped me gather data on several Legendary Pokémon, I'd like to give him the special edition as a thank-you."
"He captured Legendaries?" Crystal, the Trainer who once caught the three Legendary Birds and Beasts, blinked.
"No, to be exact, he witnessed them and relayed the info to me," Professor Oak explained. "With the special edition, it'll be much easier to record data."
Lu Ye paused.
That goofball is about to become a Special Pokédex Holder!?
But thinking about it again, as the Ultimate Rookie and the TV protagonist for 20 years (though that title's about to expire), Ash really does have the status for it.
"So… another delivery job, huh? Got it," Lu Ye said with a helpless smile. "But this time, you don't need to prepare a reward for me."
"No, no, this isn't a delivery run," Professor Oak clarified. "It involves a Pokédex Holder assessment, and an experienced Trainer needs to accompany him… but Red and Green aren't available to appear in public. So I'd like to ask you to accompany Ash during his assessment and give him some extra guidance."
Me? Acting as Ash's senior?
Teacher Lu grinned.
I can't show off in front of Red… but I can totally flex in front of that fool!
"What kind of assessment is it? It's not dangerous, is it?"
"It's just a handwritten document, not suitable for digital transfer or shipping," Professor Oak said. "And Ash just happens to be returning to Pallet Town, so I figured he could hand-deliver it."
So, it's technically not a delivery gig… but let's be honest, it kind of is. Just upgraded from delivery guy to supervisor.
Lu Ye thought for a moment. "Time-wise, it should be fine."
"Teacher Lu," Crystal tilted her head, "weren't you going to participate in the P1 Fighting Tournament?"
Lu Ye: "Uh!"
Dang, almost forgot!
Wait a sec.
He glanced down at the Commemorative Ball on his belt, face growing oddly serious.
That guy… is a Fighting-type, right?
"Hmm… shouldn't be a problem," Lu Ye muttered.
Just a slacker. No need to stress!
"In that case, decide after the P1 Fighting Tournament," Professor Oak nodded and smiled. "Best of luck in the ring!"
---
Catching Sirfetch'd was easily the biggest win of this trip to the lab.
In terms of looks, with its thick brows and glossy feathers, Sirfetch'd was the cream of the duck crop.
Braised or stir-fried, the flavor must be—uh…
Hmm. Wrong script?
Lu Ye pressed his lips together.
He started thinking about how to raise this Sirfetch'd.
Normally, it's used as a Trick Room attacker.
But with a Base Speed of 65, it's even faster than Sylveon.
With a Choice Scarf or Tailwind, it could go full offense.
With priority moves like Grassy Glide, it could even pull off some iconic "sliding tackle" moments.
And with its signature item, Sirfetch'd gets an absurdly high critical hit ratio.
Combine that with Leaf Blade, which adds one crit level by default, and it can basically guarantee crits.
Not to mention it boasts a whopping 135 base Attack—"Basic attacks hit everything and always crit. Do you like this kind of Sirfetch'd?"
Lu Ye shuddered.
But—
No need to worry now!
If this scallion-wielding duck ever turns on me, I'll dip it in sauce and eat it on the spot!
"Gengarr!"
Gengar floated up beside Lu Ye, staring at the Commemorative Ball, and suddenly had an epiphany.
"Gengarr! (✪ω✪)"
You can't lose to the new teammate, Gengar!
Motivated by the new blood, time to crank up the training!
---
First order of business at home?
Let the new member get familiar with the place.
More than strength, what Teacher Lu cared about most was whether it could fit into the family.
As everyone knows—slacking is contagious.
"With Sirfetch'd here, maybe the others will chill a bit… right?" Lu Ye said, unsure.
Inside the house.
The little ones were lined up, ready for the welcome ceremony.
"Squirtlee!" Squirtle's Water Gun was locked and loaded.
'Gotta test if it's a Ditto in disguise!
"Tchugki~briee~ヾ(●´∀｀●)" (Guess who's ready?~~ I'm ready~~)
Togepi clutched a tiny gift box in its hands, shaking it up and down to show off.
"This is our new member," Lu Ye cleared his throat. "An emergency food supply from Galar—wait, I mean, Sirfetch'd!"
With a flash of white light, the glossy-feathered Sirfetch'd appeared, leek in hand, looking around gallantly.
Suddenly, a bead of cold sweat slid down its forehead.
"Sir~fetched…((;꒪ꈊ꒪;))"
Bro, didn't we agree to be slackers together?
Look at your team—This is how a slacker Trainer treats their Pokémon!?
"Arrooo（¯﹃¯）"
The massive Arcanine lowered its fluffy head and flashed a friendly grin.
"Sir~fetched! =͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪‧̣̥̇)"
Panic aside, with its Guts ability, Sirfetch'd wasn't affected by Intimidate's debuffs.
Trying to look chill, it nodded slightly—though its webbed feet were stiff.
It's a trap.
This is not a place where slackers survive!
If I don't train hard… I might seriously get eaten!!
"Everyone's getting along nicely," Seeing this, Lu Ye nodded calmly, pleased.
Phase one of "infect them with slackerdom" has begun!
Despite being on the verge of tears, the chivalrous Sirfetch'd still bowed politely to Arcanine.
"Sir~fetched~!"
Suddenly, a burst of water drenched it, turning it into a soaked duck.
Sirfetch'd looked confused: (⊙ˍ⊙)
Squirtle and Gengar burst into laughter: o(*≧▽≦)ツ
"Tchugki~briee~ヾ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ"
Togepi rolled around on the floor until Arcanine nudged it back with its paw, and it rolled right back again.
Even the usually smug Sylveon couldn't help but crack a small smile.
"Sir~fetched~?" Sirfetch'd shook off the water, looking back at Lu Ye.
"It's how we do welcomes around here," Lu Ye said with a sheepish smile. "Just a friendly gesture!"
Is… is that so?
Sirfetch'd froze for a moment.
Then it carefully put down its leek and weapon, straightened its feathers with its beak, and gave a solemn nod.
"Sir~fetched!" (Thank you!)
---
Night had fallen.
Under Sylveon's Yawn, Teacher Lu drifted into sweet dreams, "Boss, I'll take one Scallion Pancake with Extra Leek…"
Gengar gently pulled the blanket over Lu Ye's sprawled body and tucked him in.
"Gengarr!" Gengar nodded with determination.
"Sir~fetched~!" Sirfetch'd raised its leek, looking equally righteous and noble.
Gengar's eyes lit up.
"Gengarr?" (Off to train too?)
"Sir~fetched~!" Sirfetch'd twirled its leek and lifted its chin proudly.
Nobody understands training better than me!
Gengar had a sudden realization and reached out to give Sirfetch'd's leek a solid slap.
"Gengarr! (￣▽￣)／"
You're the real MVP, Sirfetch'd!
Despite its brave face, Sirfetch'd was internally freaking out.
It snuck a glance at the hulking Arcanine nearby.
Sirfetch'd couldn't help but shudder.
If I don't fit in with the group… what if they actually eat me!?
"Sir~fetched! /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~" (I just wanna be a slacker, man!)