Though Hayashi had clarified that Gigantamaxing isn't necessarily stronger than Dynamaxing, this revelation did nothing to dampen Sabrina's enthusiasm—for her, whether Dynamaxing or Gigantamaxing was stronger was one thing, but whether it was fun was another!
Who could resist the thrill of recalling their Pokémon, throwing it back out, and watching it transform into a brand-new form with brand-new moves?
This kind of transformation might be too complex for children, but for adults, it was just right.
"Hum, hum, hmm—"
Humming a cheerful tune, Sabrina walked at the front of the group. The greedy Skwovets and Blipbugs that popped up around them didn't even get a chance to cry out before Alakazam's Psychic seized them, subjected them to an Ultimate Storm Assault Spin Cycle in midair, and then mercilessly tossed them to the side of the road—like orcs in butter after an elven raid.
It was truly a pitiful sight.
Hayashi, holding Erina's hand, sighed and said, "Sabrina's way too hyped up. At this rate, we won't get a chance to do anything."
Erina glanced at him and said, "Isn't that better? Saves us some energy."
Hayashi puffed his cheeks and replied, "Well, yeah, but… ah!"
"?"
Erina and Hisako suddenly turned to look at Hayashi, who had a sudden realization. What new discovery had this guy made now?
"I just thought of another reason why regular Pokémon trainers travel—" Hayashi turned to Erina and said, "Battles! Battles! Regular trainers, like Sabrina right now, would naturally encounter wild Pokémon and battle them during their journey. These battles undoubtedly help their Pokémon grow stronger—"
Hisako also had an epiphany and said, "Ah, I see! So it's because we haven't been engaging in frequent battles that Erina's Pokémon are generally lower-leveled?"
Hayashi nodded. "Exactly."
Erina asked, "Then should I have Pikachu and Klahh battle more to level them up?"
"I think it's a great idea! If you're worried about the hassle, you could also ask Professor Oak for help—" Hayashi tilted his head and glanced at his girlfriend's exquisitely beautiful face—so flawless that even internet celebrities couldn't Photoshop it—and said, "You've been to Professor Oak's backyard before. It's a real treasure trove, with Pokémon of all types, abilities, and levels. You could practically go from beginner to buried there."
Erina pinched Hayashi's hand in annoyance and said, "What do you mean 'from beginner to buried'? Can't you say something nicer?"
"Then, how about 'from losing to everyone, to losing to everyone'?"
"Pfft—"
Up ahead, Sabrina was tickled by the joke again and burst into a fit of giggles, sounding like a honking goose, which made Hayashi cover his face in embarrassment.
Might as well call you a loser (lol) from now on.
Erina nodded thoughtfully, then followed Hayashi's footsteps at a leisurely pace through the Monster Kingdom, seemingly deep in thought.
Hayashi turned to look at her and asked, "What's up? What are you thinking about?"
"I was just thinking... while improving our Pokémon's strength can give us some security, but..." Erina hesitated for a few seconds before continuing, "But we can't always rely on Pokémon's power, right? Shouldn't we also develop some combat skills of our own?"
Hayashi blinked, seemingly surprised that Erina would bring up such an idea.
Seeing his silence, Erina tilted her head and asked, "What? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, you're absolutely right." Hayashi smiled and gazed into Erina's eyes, which resembled the finest amethysts, then said softly, "Actually, I've thought about the same thing—once our journey in the Pokémon world is over, I plan to go to a world where I can train and improve my own strength."
Erina's eyes widened slightly—she hadn't expected Hayashi to already have such plans.
"Surprised?" Hayashi raised an eyebrow and gently pinched Erina's cheek with his other hand. "Now that I'm your boyfriend, I can't just slack off like before. I should at least become a man worthy of you, right?"
Erina subconsciously tightened her grip on his hand and whispered, "I don't think you're unworthy of me."
Hayashi didn't dwell on the topic and instead smoothly shifted gears. "The next world is one where I can build a foundation in combat. I need to lay a solid groundwork there before moving on to the worlds beyond."
Realizing that Hayashi already had a clear plan, Erina pursed her lips and said, "Since you've already got everything figured out, I feel reassured."
Hisako chimed in from the side, "Um, not to interrupt your important conversation, but Sabrina-chan seems to have wandered pretty far ahead. Shouldn't we catch up?"
Shit, hurry up and follow!
...
...
Under the protection of the three powerhouses (referring to Alakazam, Gengar, and Banana Dragon), the group arrived safely near the Lake of Outrage.
"Hmm—"
Sabrina stretched lazily, then said excitedly, "So this is the Lake of Outrage? The habitat of Hatterene!"
I can't wait!
Hayashi glanced at Sabrina, who seemed to be possessed by Anya, and asked, "By the way, are you planning to catch a Hatterene directly, or a Hatenna?"
"Hmm—" Sabrina thought for a few seconds before replying, "I think I'll catch a Hatenna! Wild fully evolved Pokémon inevitably waste some of their potential. It's better to raise one from the start."
For a Pokémon to achieve perfect growth, ample nutrition, appropriate battles, and proper healing conditions are all essential factors—things wild Pokémon rarely have access to.
Hayashi nodded and said, "Then let's begin!"
And with that, it was Sabrina's showtime!
Her method was simple yet brutal. She sent out her Alakazam, Mega Evolved it, then infused it with her own psychic power, pushing it into an overclocked state!
Like Lancelot charging into a monster girl cave, she rampaged through the Lake of Outrage, overwhelming every Hatterene in sight. The once alluring Pokémon were left wailing in distress.
"That's just savage," Hayashi clicked his tongue.
Hisako remarked sourly beside him, "Mr. Hayashi, surely you're not sympathizing just because Hatterene are particularly good-looking, are you?"
To be fair, Hatterene, much like Gardevoir, fall into the category of "even as Pokémon, they're not off-limits." If one were a follower of the Church of Baphomet, making advances on them wouldn't be surprising.
Incidentally, Hatterene, like Miltank, is an all-female Pokémon species, while Tauros and Grimmsnarl are exclusively male. So rest assured, you won't encounter a Hatterene with a certain appendage like you might with Gardevoir.
...
...
Upon hearing Hisako's words, Hayashi's face darkened as he flicked her forehead with a knuckle. "What on earth is going through that little head of yours? I already have a lovely girlfriend like Erina—why would I ever make a move on a Pokémon?!"
I'm not part of the Church of Baphomet! I'm into kemonomimi, not the actual beasts, okay??
Erina beamed sweetly at Hayashi's words.
'Shipping fuel, shipping fuel—' Hisako rubbed her forehead, sighing in relief. "Good! I was worried you had some strange interests, Mr. Hayashi!"
"Though I suppose it's not entirely out of the question?"
Hayashi mused aloud, his gaze unconsciously drifting to Erina's legs. The intensity of his stare made her feel as if her skin were burning.
Not only that, but it also reminded her of the "compensation" he had demanded last time. The memory of that overwhelming shyness—as if his words had burrowed straight into her heart—turned her cheeks and even the tips of her ears a delicate pink, lovelier than cherry blossoms.
For a moment, Hayashi was utterly entranced.
Sensing his gaze, Erina nervously averted her eyes and whispered, "W-what are you looking at?"
Reluctantly, Hayashi tore his eyes away, clearing his throat before saying, "I..."
At that moment, accompanied by hurried footsteps, Sabrina's figure burst into their line of sight.
"Erina! Hayashi! Look quickly—"
Hayashi's words caught in his throat. Sharing a helpless smile with Erina, he turned toward Sabrina—only to see her sprinting over while holding up a small pink ball.
Wait, pink?
"Holy—" Hayashi's eyes widened as he exclaimed, "A shiny Hatenna!?"
Only shiny Hatenna were entirely pink!
"Correct!"
Sabrina lifted the little treasure in her hands and said, "After I had my Alakazam beat up all the Hatterene here, I told them I wanted a Hatenna to train as one of my main Pokémon. After some discussion, they gave me this little cutie!"
"Ha—"
The Hatenna raised by Sabrina waved its hair-like sideburns like tiny hands toward Hayashi and the others.
Hello, I'm Hatenna!
"Damn, Magic Bounce ability with a Calm nature?"
"Yep!"
"Good grief, what kind of luck is this?"
Shiny, Hidden Ability, perfect nature!?
This is reality, not a game where you can use items to change colors, abilities, or natures!?
Are you cheating?
"Luck, just luck—" Sabrina nuzzled the Hatenna in her arms and said, "She's so adorable in pink!"
Hayashi couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. "Your luck is downright insane."
Referee, I officially report someone here is cheating!
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