After receiving 150,000 PokéDollars in sponsorship from Professor Oak, Ash's funds were replenished again.
With 230,000 PokéDollars in total, he was practically a small-time rich kid now.
At this point, Professor Oak was probably camping beside that waterfall every day.
For some reason, whenever Ash thought of Oak, he couldn't help imagining him cooking instant noodles over an alcohol lamp.
Maybe that was the professor's true form.
"This trap could at least be made more realistic…" Ash muttered.
He looked at the shallow pit in front of him. The soil covering the trap was way too obvious.
It was probably made by the Squirtle Squad.
Ash doubted Team Rocket would make something this amateurish.
After walking around the trap, Ash reached the riverbank.
Since Squirtle are Water-type Pokémon, their hideout was likely somewhere near water.
"Squirtle squirtle!"
Suddenly, a blue turtle head popped up from the calm water—
Water Gun!
Ash quickly grabbed Pikachu and dodged.
Two Squirtle blocked his retreat from behind.
And in front of him stood the Squirtle Squad leader.
"Squirtle… squirtle."
The leader's sunglasses glinted as it stepped forward.
Using turtle-language, gestures, and a bandaged Squirtle as evidence, it began explaining the situation.
Ash more or less understood.
You injured one of my guys.
How are you going to settle this?
Ash was speechless.
So they were acting like street gangsters now?
Your Squirtle tried to rob me first.
The fact that I didn't demand compensation already shows mercy!
"Pika-pika!"
Pikachu argued angrily with the Squirtle leader.
Clearly this whole thing was their fault, yet they still came looking for trouble.
Ash glanced at the data in his system.
Pokémon: Squirtle
Level: 30
An Elite-tier Squirtle leader.
No wonder it could defeat visiting Trainers and evade Officer Jenny's pursuit.
Its subordinates weren't weak either.
Most were between Lv. 24–27.
They had gained plenty of experience following their boss.
Judging from the way they were advancing…
It looked like they didn't plan on fighting one-on-one.
Were they seriously planning to jump him all at once?
"Gyarados. Bulbasaur."
Two Pokémon appeared beside Ash—
One enormous.
One small.
Next to the Shiny Gyarados, Bulbasaur looked like a tiny seed.
The massive, ferocious face of Gyarados suddenly filled the Squirtles' vision.
They had never seen such a terrifying Pokémon before.
Compared to that monster, the small Bulbasaur seemed much friendlier.
"ROAR!"
(Hey little guys… what do you think you're doing?) 🐉
Gyarados made its usual dramatic entrance, squinting down at the Squirtle that weren't even as big as its face.
"Squirtle! Squirtle!"
(Boss! We ran into a tough one. Maybe we should retreat and plan again!)
The Squirtle quickly gathered beside their leader, visibly nervous.
"Squirtle…"
(Retreat.)
The leader removed its sunglasses and stared at Ash deeply.
Kid… I'll remember you.
Then the Squirtle Squad withdrew.
"Were they scared off?" Ash asked.
He patted Gyarados's body.
Gyarados responded with a gentle smile.
Unfortunately… with that face, it looked more terrifying than friendly.
"Twerp! Why didn't you chase them?!"
Team Rocket suddenly jumped out from hiding.
They urged Ash to pursue the Squirtle.
Ash narrowed his eyes.
"You're not planning to capture Pikachu while I'm fighting them, are you?"
"You were hiding nearby the whole time."
"That's definitely suspicious."
"How could we possibly do that?" Meowth quickly denied.
Its eyes shifted slyly.
"The Squirtle are local bullies."
"They robbed you yesterday too."
"Can you really swallow that humiliation?"
Just then—
[ New Mission Triggered!]
Recruit the Squirtle Squad and convince them to follow a legitimate path.
Ash recalled Gyarados and Bulbasaur.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to bring Team Rocket along.
Mainly because:
Meowth could track Squirtle by scent
If Team Rocket secretly built another revenge machine, the Squirtle Squad wouldn't stand a chance
"Hurry up!" Meowth said while leading the way.
"The Squirtle will reach their hideout soon!"
Its nose twitched as it followed the scent trail left behind by the escaping Squirtle.
Ash couldn't help thinking—
Meowth had clearly invested all its skill points into non-combat abilities.
In terms of battle strength, it felt like even a Rattata could bully it.
Behind them, Jessie and James exchanged looks.
They both understood each other perfectly.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Ash said suspiciously.
"You're definitely planning something."
"You walk in front."
Ash kept a careful distance from Team Rocket.
They were smiling at Pikachu in a very unsettling way.
"Pika… Pikachu…" ⚡
Pikachu's cheeks sparked with electricity.
Team Rocket immediately froze.
They remembered the Thunderbolt punishment very well.
Neither Pikachu nor Ash ever held back.
They definitely didn't want another lightning treatment.
"Squirtle! Squirtle!"
One of the Squirtle scouts spotted Ash approaching.
"Boss! The red-hat guy is here!"
"And he brought those useless Trainers we robbed earlier… and a stupid cat!"
Meowth translated—
And grew angrier with every word.
Jessie and James remained expressionless.
Just wait.
They would show the Squirtle the true power of Team Rocket later.
"Twerp! They're insulting you!" Meowth said.
"They said you're useless—and so is Pikachu!"
"Squirtle!"
(Liar! Don't twist our words!)
The Squirtle leader immediately blasted Meowth with Water Gun, knocking it over.
Then it removed its sunglasses dramatically.
It pointed directly at Pikachu.
A challenge.
Meowth wiped the water from its face and translated.
"It wants to battle Pikachu."
"If it wins, we leave food and go away."
"If it loses… we can deal with them however we want."
"Pikachu, it's up to you."
Since the Squirtle leader had specifically challenged Pikachu—
Ash had no choice but to accept.
Out of all possible choices…
It had picked Ash's strongest Pokémon.
"Squirtle! Squirtle!"
(Boss! You've got this!)
The Squirtle Squad cheered.
In their memories, their boss had never lost a battle.
Even against type disadvantages.
The leader used the same trick as before.
It retreated into its shell and began spinning toward Pikachu.
But unlike its subordinates—
It could skillfully dodge Thunder Shock and Quick Attack while increasing its spin speed.
"Iron Tail."
Pikachu's glowing tail collided with the spinning shell.
A shockwave rippled outward.
The Squirtle leader was launched into the air—
Floating down slowly like a glider.
"Squirtle! Squirtle!"
(Boss is flying!)
"Squirtle!"
(Boss is amazing!)
Encouraged by the cheers, the Squirtle leader forgot all about Pikachu.
It popped its head out of the shell to greet its teammates.
Ash sighed.
Same mistake as the others…
"Thunderbolt."
Pikachu immediately fired.
A bolt of lightning shot forward like an arrow—
Direct hit.
Super effective.
"Squirtle!!!"
(Boss is crashing!!!)
"Squirtle!"
(Nooooo, Boss!)
Seeing their leader falling from the sky—
The Squirtle Squad rushed forward in panic to catch him.
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