The next morning, Fuyuki and Raikou quietly left Cerulean City and headed towards Vermilion City.
The distance between Cerulean City and Vermilion City was not short. Looking at the map, not only was there a forest in between, but they also had to pass through several small villages and towns.
Although some towns had never appeared in the anime, they indeed existed in this real world.
Fuyuki rode on Raikou, stopping and starting along the way. Near noon, the person and Pokémon arrived at a forest.
The two found a clearing to rest.
Fuyuki released Squirtle and Gastly from their Poké Balls and then began preparing lunch for them.
The lunch for both Pokémon was Fuyuki's specially made Sacred Ash Mixed Rice.
Squirtle ate very happily, enjoying this magical dish that could make its body stronger.
Fuyuki looked Squirtle up and down.
After these days of dietary supplements and battle training, Squirtle's originally thin body had become increasingly robust.
In terms of level, Squirtle had already broken through to Lv11, which could be said to be progress at Extreme Speed.
As for Gastly—
Because this Gastly was suspected to be the reincarnation of Meowth's soul, Fuyuki hadn't really let it participate in battles, instead keeping it by his side throughout the journey.
After a moment of contemplation, Fuyuki called out, "Gastly."
"Keke?" Gastly, who was licking the plate with its tongue, turned its head to look over.
"Do you want to become stronger like Squirtle and battle other Pokémon?" Fuyuki asked.
Fuyuki didn't have high requirements for the strength of the Pokémon by his side; rather than battling, he hoped to enjoy the journey.
And incidentally experience the feeling of a traditional Trainer raising Pokémon by hand.
"Keke—" Hearing Fuyuki's words, a thoughtful expression appeared on Gastly's face, and then it nodded happily, "Keke!"
In Gastly's view, battling was also a way to play with Fuyuki!
If it could play with Fuyuki, it didn't mind battling other Pokémon!
"I see!" Fuyuki smiled. "But you might get hurt in battles!"
"Keke!" Gastly crinkled its eyes, not afraid at all. It had seen Fuyuki give Squirtle a pack of delicious food after it got hurt, and then Squirtle's injuries healed instantly.
"Alright, in that case, you'll train together with Squirtle from now on," Fuyuki said.
Sacred Ash was not only effective for Squirtle but also had a significant effect on Gastly.
If consumed over a long period, its constitution would surely get better and better.
Having finished feeding the two Pokémon by his side, Fuyuki took some food to Raikou.
Raikou was originally lying across from the campfire with its eyes closed, resting. Hearing Fuyuki's footsteps approaching, it immediately opened its eyes.
"Dad, time to eat!" Fuyuki grinned.
Raikou nodded. It had long since grown accustomed to eating the food Fuyuki made; sometimes when it hadn't eaten, it would miss that feeling.
The aroma of the food attracted some wild Pokémon living nearby.
Fuyuki naturally noticed those little guys.
Among them were Butterfree, Rattata, Oddish, and even several Pikachu.
They seemed a bit afraid of Raikou, so they only dared to watch from afar, not daring to get too close.
At this, Fuyuki proactively took out some food to share with them.
This group of wild Pokémon showed happy expressions.
Looking at the human before them, their favorability kept going up and up.
Raikou watched this scene without saying a word.
Meanwhile, Fuyuki stared with interest at those wild Pikachu.
"As expected, Pikachu in the Kanto Region are as common as stray dogs on the roadside."
Unfortunately, not every Pikachu is Ash's Pikachu.
As a special talent who had mastered the Pokémon language, Fuyuki soon mingled with the group of Pokémon and heard many interesting stories about the vicinity from them.
For example, a group of fierce Beedrill lived in the forest not far away.
Heading east, one could see a river with many Magikarp in it.
And a special place called the "Pokémon House," which was a habitat for a group of injured Pokémon.
Hearing this news, Fuyuki was a bit surprised. "Pokémon House?"
"Pika— Pika pika!" Pikachu nodded its head and explained, "Pikachu!" (There is a human there named Melanie who helps take care of everyone in the forest. Melanie is the owner of the Pokémon House!)
"Melanie—" Fuyuki felt this name was strangely familiar for some reason.
The Oddish nearby also nodded gently. "Na-kusa~" (Whether they were injured in battle or abandoned by humans, Pokémon go there to recover. There is no fighting there, and everyone can encourage each other and live together~)
It had met an Oddish there before.
That Oddish originally had a Trainer, but that human Trainer abandoned it because he felt the Oddish was too weak.
That Oddish's spirit was traumatized, so it stayed at the Pokémon House to recuperate and receive treatment.
"So that's how it is—" Fuyuki nodded thoughtfully.
In the early days of the anime, many Trainers indeed chose to abandon their Pokémon because they were too weak.
Fuyuki remembered that Ash's Charmander was also a Pokémon abandoned by another Trainer.
"Na-na~" This Oddish was very happy. It looked up at Fuyuki and the Gastly and Squirtle beside him and said, "Na-kusa~" (You are a good person~)
"No need to give me a 'good person card'!" Fuyuki rubbed his head, a bit embarrassed. He turned back to Raikou and said, "Dad, let's go over there and have a look together?"
Raikou nodded, having no objection.
"Pikachu?" Pikachu was a bit surprised. This human was going to the Pokémon House?
"Yeah." Fuyuki nodded. "I want to see the Pokémon living there. You guys might not know, but besides being a Trainer, I'm also a Pokémon Doctor. No matter what kind of injury a Pokémon has, I can help treat it."
Hearing this, the group of Pokémon showed expressions of admiration.
The Pikachu looked at each other, then turned around and said, "Pika pika!" (Then we'll take you there!)
"Thanks!" Fuyuki grinned, quickly packed up the camp, and followed behind the group of Pokémon with Gastly and Squirtle.
They passed through a forest and reached a cliff. After crossing a suspension bridge connecting to the other side, Fuyuki soon saw a small wooden cabin by a river ahead.
Many Pokémon were gathered around the cabin.
Rattata, Oddish, Caterpie, Paras—
And in front of these Pokémon, a young girl wearing coveralls was gently preparing food for them.