Kazuki finalized a simple battle route for the next few Gym challenges.
He decided to hit Celadon Gym, Fuchsia Gym, and Cinnabar Gym in order, knocking out all mission targets along the way.
With those rewards, he'd be able to give his whole team a solid power boost.
As he wrapped up his planning, Misty finished feeding the Pokémon and clapped her hands as she came over to report.
"Everyone ate decently. Better than back in Porta Vista," she said.
"But... they still didn't seem all that into it."
"Look, there's still some left."
Kazuki swept a glance across the Pokémon.
"So even paying almost double didn't make it work, huh…"
"Looks like we need a real professional for this."
"A professional? You know any good breeders?" Misty tilted her head, curious.
"I don't know any personally, but I do know there's a super famous place near Celadon City called Scissor Street," Kazuki explained.
"They've got tons of experts who take amazing care of Pokémon. We can ask around once we're there."
In truth, Kazuki already had someone in mind—a top-tier candidate.
Suzie, the beauty who'd won Scissor Street's Best Breeder title three years in a row.
Her feeding skills were unquestionable. And with Celadon Gym nearby, it'd be the perfect opportunity to tackle both objectives in one trip.
"Celadon City? That's our next stop?" Misty lit up the moment she heard the name.
Kazuki caught her excitement and raised an eyebrow as they walked. "What? Got some gossip about Celadon too?"
"Gossip?" Misty smirked and gave him a side-eye. "Well, I have heard that the Gym Leader there is a total beauty."
"You perv. What kind of scheme are you cooking up this time?"
Kazuki raised his hands, mock-defensive. "Me? Scheme? Nah. I just heard she's a Grass-type specialist. Into nature and stuff."
"If possible, I'd like to… you know, discuss sowing methods with her."
"Sow—Sowing?" Misty narrowed her eyes. She was sure he was being weird again, but she had no proof.
"You're into that kind of thing? I never took you for a gardener," she muttered.
"I've got all kinds of hobbies. We can explore them slowly," Kazuki teased.
"She's a Grass-type Gym Leader. That means she's got type advantage over you, you know."
"And so what? It's not like I'm battling her right now."
Since there were no ominous rumors about Celadon Gym, Misty wasn't too worried about Kazuki claiming the badge.
"As for whether Erika's into sowing, I don't really know," Misty said. "But her perfumes are legendary!"
"I have to ask her for something really special."
"Officer Jenny said scent is one of the key ingredients to a woman's charm!"
Kazuki leaned in to sniff the curve of Misty's neck. "Hmm... well, sure, buying perfume sounds like a good idea."
"Excuse me?" Misty puffed up in protest. "Are you saying I don't smell nice? I used the bath gel Nurse Joy recommended last night!"
"You don't think I smell good?!"
"No, no. You do. You do! You're the one who wanted perfume, and I'm just saying sure!"
Flirting with Misty was a great way to pass the time, and Kazuki had even developed a few secret hand tricks to keep her flustered.
Of course, Misty was still too shy to take it further during broad daylight, so for now, teasing would do just fine.
Playful banter carried them through the peaceful road to Celadon.
By lunchtime, the two found a big tree and settled under it, unwrapping their packed food.
"Can't wait to reach Celadon," Misty said, biting into her bread. "Finally get to eat real food again!"
"I thought you said you were learning to cook?" Kazuki asked, tossing bits of food to Pikachu.
"Ugh... don't remind me." Misty leaned her head against his shoulder, pouting.
"Cooking's hard! Harder than training Pokémon!"
"Maybe…"
She suddenly rolled over, laying her head on his lap, and gazed up at him with a cheeky smile.
"Maybe I should find you a girl who can cook. That way we can both enjoy hot meals!"
Kazuki flicked her forehead. "Are you recruiting a girlfriend for me or hiring a maid?"
"One who cooks, no less!"
"Ow!" Misty sat up, rubbing her head. "It's not like I'd make her do everything! I'd help!"
"If you're the assistant, we might as well just let her do it alone. I still remember what happened to the iron pot…"
"That—that was because your Charmeleon's flames were too strong! It couldn't control itself!" she protested, trying to explain away the last kitchen disaster.
"And you expect it to control heat? It's not aiming to be a chef, you know. It's training to be—"
"Ahhhh! I don't wanna hear it! Shut up and eat, Kazuki!" Misty shoved bread into his mouth and then kissed his cheek, pulling her classic girlfriend move trio.
Just then, a pair of curious eyes peeked out from the nearby bushes.
"All right, be good and eat," Kazuki said as he pulled Misty into a comfortable hug, making her settle down.
"What's wrong? Danger?" Misty asked, alert.
"There's a Pokémon," Kazuki nodded, pointing toward the brush.
Out popped a white-furred head. Kazuki immediately recognized the Pokémon—it was a Mankey.
Right, he remembered now.
The road near Celadon was known for one particularly strong Mankey.
[Ding! Mission triggered: Capture Mankey without enraging it!]
[Reward: Basic Rare Candy x3
Calm Aura — Prevents wild Pokémon from going into rage mode!]
Kazuki reviewed the reward.
Normally, an aura like this would be kinda useless.
After all, who just wanders into the rage zone of random Pokémon for fun?
Unless you think you're a Fighting-type yourself, you're just asking to get smacked.
But for catching this Mankey? Perfect.
If he remembered right, this one was close to evolving.
And once it did, Primeape was a powerhouse—angry, yes, but with excellent combat potential.
Even more so when it evolved again into Annihilape.
Its battle strength was not to be underestimated.
Charmeleon was still working with the Elite Trainer Kit, so this was a great time to catch another member.
Kazuki sighed. "Man, I really wish I could expand my party slots. So many high-potential Pokémon out here… I wanna raise them all!"
Accepting the mission, Kazuki selected the best-looking bread and a pack of feed, then cautiously approached the Mankey.
According to the original script, this Mankey was just hungry—looking for a snack from passing Trainers.
Feed it well, and its affection would rise naturally.
The catch? It was very food possessive.
If it got disturbed during a meal, it would immediately fly into a rage.
Does the Pokémon world have some kind of behavioral correction center? Like a Mankey rehab for food aggression?
Kidding aside, this Mankey wasn't that bad.
Kazuki carefully handed over the bread and food.
Mankey sniffed the offerings, confused.
"Pika~ Pika~!"
Diplomat Pikachu stepped in to explain that it was all good stuff.
Understanding, Mankey clutched the food and scrambled up onto a nearby rock, munching away happily.
Just one bite, and its eyes lit up in joy.
Turns out, while Kazuki's team didn't like this feed much, it hit Mankey's tastes perfectly.
Made sense.
A wild Mankey eating scraps and whatever it could find… a meal like this was gourmet-level in comparison.
As Mankey ate, Kazuki released Pidgeot and Charmeleon to stand guard.
In the original story, Team Rocket was supposed to appear and cause trouble here—James even used the legendary "Evolution Kick" to forcibly evolve Mankey.
That sent Primeape rampaging until everyone—including Team Rocket—had to team up just to subdue it.
But his Mankey wasn't going through some cheap forced evolution.
That last bit of EXP? Kazuki would earn it the proper way.
And sure enough, as expected, the ever-persistent Team Rocket were watching from a nearby hill through binoculars.
"Wow, that's one big bird," Jessie muttered in awe.
"If we just go back and get a bigger machine, we could snatch that Pidgeot and Pikachu both! Double the bonus! Our future's gonna be bright!" James babbled excitedly.
"Meowth! But we're broke right now!"
"Boss said the Dream Project is at a crucial stage—we can't spend money right now!!"
"Our pay's been delayed! We gotta fend for ourselves for now!"
"What?! Delayed?! I've only got two coins left!" James shouted, before Jessie smacked him down with her fan.
"Shut up! You'll alert the patrol Pidgeot! We're outta cash, but Celadon City's right up ahead!"
Jessie's mind was already churning with schemes.
"Celadon Gym's perfumes are famous worldwide! If we can swipe their secret scent formula…"
"We'll be rich overnight!"
"Jessie, you've got the villain mindset down to a science!" James cheered. "Let's do it!"
"Meowth! Steal perfume, turn it into cash! Purr-fect plan"
Thanks to Kazuki's precautions, Team Rocket skipped causing a scene this time.
Instead, they slinked off toward Celadon, their eyes set on the Gym's secret perfumes.
---
Next Goal:- 500PS
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