Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! [145] [100 PS]

Your support has carved the path for these bonus chapters—may they bring you joy.

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Luo Yuan noticed that his Ground-Type Affinity had some differences from his other affinities. For example, Fire-Type Affinity not only boosted bond and move power with Fire-types but also granted him immunity to burn damage.

Similarly, his Poison-Type Affinity made him immune to poison.

These traits specifically benefited him as a Trainer.

But Ground-Type Affinity didn't offer immunity to Ground-type attacks. Instead, it provided a slow stamina recovery while he or his Pokémon were on solid ground.

"System, does this stamina recovery apply to me or to my Pokémon?" Luo Yuan asked.

This distinction was crucial.

If the recovery only applied to him, it wouldn't be particularly useful. But if it could restore his Pokémon's stamina as well, then it would be a game-changer.

Imagine a grueling battle where both sides were draining their strength.

If his opponent's Pokémon was steadily wearing down while his own was gradually regaining energy, victory would be all but assured.

[Stamina recovery applies to both Host and Pokémon.]

The system's answer left Luo Yuan more than satisfied.

"Excellent…!"

With the aid of Ground-Type Affinity, his confidence in winning the Indigo League and one day challenging the Elite Four grew even stronger.

"Let's draw again!"

If the reward for beating Viridian Gym was this powerful, he wondered what he'd receive for defeating Giovanni.

[Ding! Drawing... please wait.]

[Congratulations, Host! You have received the Pokémon 'Mimikyu.']

[Mimikyu, the Disguise Pokémon. Covered in a Pikachu costume, it mimics Pikachu to become more popular. Legend has it that any Trainer who glimpses Mimikyu's true form beneath its disguise will be cursed with terrible misfortune!]

"Mimikyu?"

He was surprised; the second draw had granted him another Pokémon.

Luo Yuan was very familiar with Mimikyu. In his previous life, its "Disguise" ability was an excellent defensive move in battles.

But he couldn't help feeling a bit conflicted.

He'd drawn a total of four Pokémon so far. Aside from Ditto, each one—Dragapult, Gengar, and now Mimikyu—was a Ghost-type.

Was the system trying to turn him into a Ghost-type Master?

"Well, then give me a Ghost-Type Affinity first," he muttered.

Still, he wasted no time as he focused and summoned the newly acquired Poké Ball into his hand.

Flash!

A Poké Ball, black with yellow patterns, appeared in his hand. It looked like an ordinary Ultra Ball, but with an eerie, foreboding aura swirling around it.

The coolness of the ball's surface would have sent a chill down an average Trainer's spine.

But, with Gengar and Dragapult already under his belt, Luo Yuan was practically a Ghost-type veteran, so he didn't feel the slightest fear.

"Come on out, Mimikyu!"

Luo Yuan released Mimikyu.

Poof!

In a burst of light, Mimikyu materialized, draped in a ragged, yellowed cloth resembling Pikachu, complete with a crude wooden tail and a face drawn with thick lines of crayon.

The moment Mimikyu appeared, the room temperature seemed to drop, just like when Gengar first emerged.

"Eevee?"

Luo Yuan's Eevee peeked out of his arms, curious about this odd new companion, and tilted its head to get a closer look at Mimikyu.

Seeing Eevee's head tilt, Mimikyu's eyes—hidden under the cloth at its belly—blinked. Then, with a slight creak, its head tilted to match.

Snap!

The tilt was so extreme it seemed as though its neck had broken.

"Ee-vee!"

Eevee jumped, fur fluffed out in fright, and dove back into Luo Yuan's arms, leaving only a trembling, fluffy tail exposed.

It was clear Mimikyu had given Eevee quite a scare.

"…"

Watching Eevee's reaction, Mimikyu's posture slumped as a wave of loneliness and sadness washed over it.

Sensing this, Luo Yuan realized Eevee's startled reaction had inadvertently hurt Mimikyu's feelings. He was about to console it when he heard a soft shuffle from the pool.

Slowpoke had somehow wandered back inside, dragging Shellder along on its tail.

Slowpoke blinked, taking in Mimikyu's "broken" neck, and, with its usual dopey expression, showed no sign of fear.

Or rather, Slowpoke wasn't afraid of anything besides Luo Yuan.

After curiously sizing up Mimikyu, Slowpoke tried to mimic its head tilt.

The result…

Crack!

"Poke!"

Slowpoke yelped, clutching its neck in pain.

"…"

The tense atmosphere in the room immediately evaporated.

Mimikyu watched Slowpoke roll around, holding its neck, and its hidden eyes conveyed a sense of deadpan disbelief.

Shellder, clamped onto Slowpoke's tail, seemed to question its life choices, observing its less-than-brilliant partner.

Seeing Slowpoke in distress, Luo Yuan sighed.

Activating his powers of Viridian, he used a bit of bone-setting technique he'd learned in the past, gripping Slowpoke's neck and giving it a quick twist.

With a small pop, Slowpoke's neck was back in place.

"If your body isn't built for it, don't try stunts like that."

Luo Yuan suspected that, had he not intervened, Slowpoke might have become the first Pokémon to accidentally break its own neck.

In a sense, catching this clumsy creature had saved a life, so he could count that as doing a good deed.

Meanwhile, after a bit of soothing, Eevee poked its head back out from Luo Yuan's arms, looking sheepishly at Mimikyu.

"Eevee-Eevee~!"

It chattered apologetically to Mimikyu.

Mimikyu didn't seem too troubled by it. Thanks to his Viridian powers, Luo Yuan could sense that Eevee and Mimikyu had patched things up.

He then released all his Pokémon except Gyarados to properly introduce them to Mimikyu.

Gengar, in particular, was very intrigued by Mimikyu.

It kept trying to sneak under Mimikyu's cloth to catch a glimpse of its true form.

Clearly, as a Ghost itself, Gengar wasn't too concerned about Mimikyu's rumored curse.

But Mimikyu guarded itself fiercely, refusing to let Gengar peek beneath its disguise.

Ditto transformed into Mimikyu's form, engaging in a friendly conversation, before shifting to mimic Eevee, Gengar, and Slowpoke one after the other.

Thus, between introductions and playful exchanges, the night slipped away.

The next morning, Luo Yuan packed up his things, gave Madam Boss a call to say he'd take her out for a meal in a few days, and mounted the bike he'd rarely used since buying it, heading toward Pallet Town.

The Indigo League was still two months away.

Before it began, he planned to visit Professor Oak in Pallet Town to seek his support.

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Greetings, esteemed Readers,

Your steadfast support throughout this journey has been as constant as the tides and as enduring as stone. In the spirit of gratitude, I am pleased to announce the release of bonus chapters, a reflection of your unwavering dedication and enthusiasm.

Should you wish to continue fortifying the foundation of these tales, WiseTL's efforts can be supported here:

[patreon.com/WiseTL].

Even the humblest contribution becomes part of an enduring legacy, a cornerstone for tales yet to unfold.

As my time here concludes, may the strength of stone guide you forward. Until we meet again.

With utmost sincerity,

— Zhongli