Splash!
Water sprayed everywhere.
Under Bai's struggle with the fishing rod—and under the eager gazes of Iono and the hundreds of thousands of viewers in the livestream—
The hook finally broke through the water's surface!
A large Magikarp, with crimson scales and a vacant, philosophical stare, flopped out of the lake and landed awkwardly on the grass with a loud plop.
It blinked its big, bewildered eyes at the sky…
Then began using all its strength to perform a completely meaningless move on land—
Splash.
Flop! Flop! Flop!
The scene fell into absolute silence.
A few seconds later, Rei silently stood up.
He walked over to the Magikarp, which was still flopping around in deep contemplation about the meaning of fish life.
Then he raised his mascot-costumed foot.
THUD!
With one clean kick, he sent the still-philosophizing Magikarp flying back into the lake, splashing up a modest plume of water.
The world seemed peaceful again.
Iono stared at the scene, her mouth slightly open, unsure what to say.
Meanwhile, the livestream chat completely exploded with laughter.
"My Dratini! Where's my Dratini?!"
"Fatty? Oh! You mean Dragonite! I'm dying of laughter!"
"You said Flying-type earlier, didn't you? Didn't you?! The International Police are watching!"
"Lance: Let me repeat—I'm the Champion of Kanto now, not a Flying-type Elite Four member!"
"Magikarp: Am I even a Pokémon? Am I?!"
The fishing session finally ended after Rei caught eighteen Magikarp in a row.
In the end, it was Iono who successfully hooked two Dratini.
Although they successfully formed a bond with Dratini and achieved their goal, Rei Akagi's voice carried an obvious hint of gloom.
"Let me clarify—this is most likely some kind of rare probability bug in the game. It definitely has nothing to do with my fishing skills."
"Mhm~ sure, sure~"
Iono's voice clearly carried suppressed laughter as she tried to sound obedient.
"So can you show me that surprise now?"
"If you're bad, then train more!"
"LOL the game developer just publicly said his own game has bugs!"
"Salted Fish: You think I don't know whether it's a bug or not? You guys know what I mean."
Now that they had Dratini, Rei Akagi finally had the necessary condition to show Iono the surprise.
Their true destination was the small island in the center of the lake, surrounded by lush greenery.
Without a reliable Water-type Pokémon to carry them across, trying to swim through the lake alone would be far too dangerous.
Rei and Little Iono jumped into the clear lake water, leaning against the smooth, cool bodies of their newly captured Dratini.
Two white trails cut across the calm lake surface as they sped toward the island.
They arrived on the island and prepared themselves.
Rei led Little Iono along a narrow path deeper into the island.
Gradually, the sound of flowing water grew louder, and the air became thick with mist.
Rei Akagi spoke.
"Ready, Iono?"
"Always ready, commander!"
Iono straightened her back and gave a playful salute toward the screen.
The two characters walked out of the dense forest side by side.
Instantly—
The roar of a waterfall exploded in their ears.
A massive silver curtain of water crashed down from above into a deep pool below, sending mist into the air.
Under the sunlight, a faint rainbow shimmered in the spray.
And within the waterfall—
A flashing crimson glow pulsed like a beating heart.
BOOM—
The waterfall suddenly split apart.
A terrifying giant beast covered in crimson scales burst into the sky!
Its dragon-like head lowered, monstrous eyes locking onto the two tiny intruders who had entered its territory.
An overwhelming pressure descended upon them.
Gyarados — Lv.40
Ability:Intimidate
(Lowers the opponent's Attack upon entering battle.)
In that instant—
Iono was completely captivated by the Gyarados's overwhelming aura.
Her heart pounded wildly.
I must form a bond with it.
That was the only thought in her mind.
But before she could act—
Gyarados suddenly opened its massive jaws.
A terrifying concentration of high-pressure water energy rapidly condensed inside.
"Ivysaur, use Leech Seed to interfere!
Gastly, Taunt it and draw aggro!
Growlithe, Protect Gastly!
Dratini, use Safeguard!"
Rei Akagi's commands rang out instantly, entering battle mode without hesitation.
After the earlier encounter, Iono clearly understood the dangers of wild exploration. She immediately focused, fully displaying the composure of a Gym Leader.
"Pikachu, support Gastly with Electroweb!
Wartortle, Protect together with Growlithe!
Psyduck, use Zen Headbutt!
Dratini, use Helping Hand!"
Ivysaur moved first.
Its Vine Whip snapped through the air as countless green seeds shot toward Gyarados like rain.
Gastly appeared out of thin air not far away, its grotesque grin stretching wide in silent mockery.
Gyarados was enraged.
It shifted its direction, the energy in its mouth rapidly condensing.
Just before the Hydro Pump fired—
A crackling Electroweb appeared like a cage, wrapping around Gyarados's enormous body and slowing its movement.
At that exact moment—
Growlithe and Wartortle dashed forward like twin streaks of light, standing in front of Gastly and raising a blue protective barrier.
The two Dratini shimmered with mysterious starlight.
Part of the light formed a protective field around the battlefield.
Another portion flowed precisely into Psyduck's body.
Psyduck's eyes suddenly glowed pink.
Invisible psychic waves gathered above its head, building power.
BOOM—
Hydro Pump finally broke free from the Electroweb.
The torrent blasted forward violently.
After breaking through the psychic interference, it slammed directly into the double Protect barrier—
But only created violent ripples of energy.
The barrier did not move at all.
In the blink of an eye—
All the Pokémon repositioned themselves.
With perfect coordination, they formed a pincer formation, trapping Gyarados in the center.
Seeing this—
The raging expression on Gyarados's face suddenly froze.
Though it tore free from the Electroweb, it did not attack immediately.
Instead, it cautiously scanned the aggressive Pokémon surrounding it.
For a moment—
The battlefield fell into an eerie silence.
Rei Akagi's voice broke it.
"Gyarados! We're here to negotiate!"
He deliberately paused for one second.
"Form a bond with us—and we'll help you take revenge!"
The moment those final four words fell—
Gyarados suddenly threw its head back and unleashed a roar filled with fury and resentment.
Then—
Under the tense gaze of Iono and the entire livestream audience—
The terrifying crimson beast suddenly turned and dived straight toward Rei like an arrow.
Its speed left a red afterimage in the air.
Iono's heart jumped to her throat.
But trusting Rei Akagi, she forcibly suppressed the urge to command a defensive move.
When Gyarados was less than ten steps from Bai—
Its massive body suddenly stopped.
It roared toward the sky again.
But this time, the roar carried far less brutality.
Then—
Before everyone's disbelieving eyes—
The monstrous dragon lowered its head toward Bai.
Without hesitation, Rei took out a Great Ball.
With a swift motion, he threw it directly toward the lowered dragon head.
A flash of red light—
Gyarados vanished.
The Great Ball began shaking violently in midair.
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