Ultimately, losing the forced function of the Pokédex, Caterpie successfully evolved into a green, banana-shaped Pokémon, with a somewhat dazed expression. Anyway, it was miles away from the Rayquaza in the image.

“Metapod, nickname: Rayquaza, hard Pokémon, Pidgeot’s favorite thing, super crunchy.”

The Pokédex automatically announced.

Helpless, Ash could only slowly pick up the immobile Metapod. It was surprisingly heavy; even with his strong arm strength, he felt the strain. If he couldn’t defeat others in the future, throwing his Pokémon would also be an excellent option.

“Metapod, we won’t think about Rayquaza anymore, but a bright future is still in our hands!” Ash said with tears in his eyes.

“Pod! Pod!” Metapod also responded with tears in its eyes.

Misty: “...”

This scene, how did it look so bizarre?

“By the way, which bastard pressed my B button?”

Ash glanced at the Pokédex; the marks on it were clean, with no extra smudges. It was clear the culprit was a seasoned veteran. Upon closer inspection, he found a line of small text written below the B button.

“Be a good person.”

Seeing this, Ash immediately became furious. When he found out who the culprit was, he swore he would smash them in the face with Metapod.

Red: “...”

The two packed their luggage, intending to continue towards Pewter City. Although Viridian Forest was a paradise for Bug-type Pokémon, a whole day had passed, and they hadn't seen anything except Caterpie and Weedle. Even with Ash’s hyperactive personality, he couldn't help but feel aesthetically fatigued.

Continuing forward, as they walked, Ash suddenly noticed a figure rushing towards them. Then, a vertical slash came down towards his head.

A sharp blade chopped down!

“Clang!”

Ash subconsciously raised his hand to block, and the blade was directly broken into two halves.

“Damn it, such powerful strength!”

The figure quickly grabbed the broken blade and retreated repeatedly, with a shocked expression.

Ash: “???”

What strength are you talking about? Are you pretending to be a samurai with a plastic soft blade?

Looking closely, it turned out this figure was wearing blood-red armor and a hideous helmet on his head.

“Hello, I am Bug Catcher Jack, currently undergoing powerful and resilient samurai training!”

Ash frowned and replied:

“No, you are a Bug Catcher.”

Wearing two plastic helmets and pretending to be a samurai? Can you at least cover your vest and shorts first?

Jack: “...”

“Anyway, I’m looking for a Trainer from Pallet Town. You’re from Pallet Town, right? Let’s have a battle!” Bug Catcher Jack shouted sternly.

“Okay, Bug Catcher, then I, this super rookie from Pallet Town, accept your challenge!” Ash immediately raised his Poké Ball with surging excitement.

“I am a Bug Catcher!” Jack was furious and was the first to throw a Pokémon.

A red light flashed, and a grayish-brown bug appeared, with a muscular body and two hard, sharp horns on its head.

“Pinsir, not a common Bug-type Pokémon. It’s very strong, and its meat doesn’t taste good.”

The Pokédex automatically announced.

Jack: “???”

Why is this Pokédex as sarcastic as the Trainer!?

“Since that’s the case, then it’s decided, Pikachu!”

Ash sent out his top three super generals.

“Pika...”

However, Pikachu had already made a bed on the spot and was sleeping soundly, even letting out small snores.

Ash: “...”

“Since that’s the case, then it’s decided, Pidgeotto!” Ash was not discouraged and once again sent out his top three general.

“Not bad, Ash. Pidgeotto’s Flying-type just happens to counter Pinsir’s Bug-type.” Misty couldn’t help but praise.

“Ah, then come back, Pidgeotto.” Ash recalled Pidgeotto.

Misty: “???”

Did I memorize the type effectiveness chart wrong?

Then Ash released another one of his top three generals.

“Metapod? Isn’t this Pokémon just a pure target?” Seeing this, Jack sneered and commanded:

“Go, use Vice Grip!”

Pinsir charged like a bull, raising countless dust, lowered its head, and placed Metapod in the center of its giant pincers, then began to exert force, trying to snap it in half.

“Don’t lose to it, use Harden!” Ash quickly commanded.

Metapod’s eyes narrowed, a metallic sheen shimmered slightly, and a blue light symbolizing defense lit up.

It hardened.

“Crack...”

Under the immense force, several cracks actually appeared on the sharp thorns of Pinsir’s horns due to this hard shell.

“Damn it, come back, Pinsir!”

Jack quickly recalled Pinsir and released his second Pokémon. It was another Metapod!

“Since that’s the case, Metapod, we’ll also use Harden!” Jack said confidently.

In terms of hardness, he wouldn’t lose to anyone! A metallic luster also lit up on its body, and it even seemed to shimmer with more golden light than Ash’s Metapod.

“Damn it, we’ll also use Harden!” Ash refused to give in and shouted.

“Then we’ll continue to use Harden!” “Then we’ll be even harder than it!” “Harden!” “Harden!”

...

“Mine is harder!” “Mine is clearly harder! Don’t believe me, feel it!” “I’ll feel it then!” Jack’s temper flared, and he rushed forward, touching it up and down randomly. “Mine is clearly harder!” he retorted.

Ash couldn’t bear it anymore and also rushed up, touching it all over.

“Yours is already soft! Mine is harder!” “Harden!” “Harden!”

Misty: “???”

Why did these lines carry a subtle implication? She seemed to hear a bestial, primal roar in her ears.

...

The battle lasted for over an hour. At this moment, both Metapod were shining with golden light, indicating that their hardness had reached its peak.

“Damn it, have I reached my limit of hardness?” Jack was a bit annoyed. “Damn it, can I not get harder anymore!” Ash also frowned, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

“Then use Tackle!” Jack suddenly launched a surprise attack.

Metapod’s body was covered in golden light, transforming into a charging golden war god. It rammed its head into Ash’s Metapod, emitting a metallic clang that echoed through Viridian Forest.

HP-0.

“Clang!”

Ash’s Metapod showed no weakness, also transforming into a golden blur and ramming into it, causing a terrifying metallic clang.

HP-0.

“Tackle!” “Continue to use Tackle!”

Misty: “...”

What’s more torturous than watching Harden is, are they going to continue watching Tackle for several more hours?! Have I arrived in hell?!

...

Soon, Tackle reached 10 rounds, and both Metapod’s HP remained at a full health peak state.

Jack gasped for air, unable to help but exclaim, “So strong… As expected of a Trainer from Pallet Town, every one of them is so amazing…”

“Phew, have you met other Trainers from Pallet Town?” Ash asked, panting.

“Yes, I’ve met three people: Trainers with Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Charmander, respectively. Especially the Trainer with Squirtle, incredibly strong.”

“Squirtle? Is it Gary, that guy!”

Ash remembered that Gary had once said when they were kids that he wanted to get a Squirtle when he turned 10 and started his journey.

“Then who do you think is stronger, me or him?” Ash couldn’t help but ask.

“You? Haha, you can’t even defeat me, you’re even weaker than that girl with Bulbasaur!”

“The girl with Bulbasaur?”

Ash quickly remembered again. When he and Gary played together as children, there was always a little girl who wanted to join, but he always ruthlessly refused her. Men naturally play with men.

That girl seemed to be called Blue, right…?

Red: “!!!”

“Hmph, then I can’t lose to you here!”

Ash suddenly turned his hat, and a fiery glow shone in his eyes. He was going to become a Pokémon Master in the future; how could he be blocked by a small Bug Catcher?

“Metapod, use Electric Net!!”

A golden Electric Net spewed out, firmly entangling the immobile Metapod. The next second, countless currents burst forth and surged, directly electrocuting Metapod into charcoal.

Hmph, what if its defense is maximized? Electric Net is a special attack!

“Beep beep, Metapod is unable to battle. Rayquaza wins!”

The Pokédex automatically announced.

Jack’s eyes widened, his face full of disbelief. He then shook his head and loudly accused:

“That’s not right! In our generation, there’s no distinction between special attacks and physical attacks. Your Electric Net definitely won’t have any effect!”

“Beep beep, buddy, times have changed. Electric Net Metapod is not from the first generation.”

The Pokémon Pokédex automatically replied.

Ash nodded. Although he didn’t understand it either, this Pokédex seemed to finally be reliable for once.