There was no doubt about it—
Not long after news of the Pikachu Cup spread, it immediately sparked nationwide discussion.
Within a single day, the number of registrations had already surpassed one thousand.
Inside the Pokémon Nest group chat—
When someone posted a screenshot showing that the Pikachu Cup's registration count had exceeded a thousand participants, it instantly triggered a flood of discussion.
[So there are already this many trainers in our country!? It's only been one day and registrations already passed a thousand. I'm getting nervous…]
[Nervous my ass. Just fight. I can't wait to battle all of you on the arena stage already.]
[Honestly, over a thousand registrations is completely normal. Think about our group chat. Even excluding duplicate accounts, we still have over three hundred members. And according to the previous poll, more than half of them already own Pokémon. Now think about our country's population—over a billion people. Sure, not every place has capture conditions as ideal as Anping City, but there are still plenty of people capable of catching Pokémon. Exceeding a thousand registrations is nothing.]
[I wonder if the Pikachu Cup champion will come from our group.]
[Definitely possible. Everyone in this group is a hardcore fan of Teacher Mo. We've watched so many livestreams—we definitely understand Pokémon better than ordinary people. Not to mention some of the big shots here obtained Pokémon really early. They already won at the starting line.]
As they chatted, the excitement in the group grew stronger and stronger.
Everyone wished the tournament could begin immediately.
Right then—
A new message suddenly popped up.
[@Everyone Teacher Mo just posted a new update. Since registrations have exceeded one thousand, the rewards for champion, runner-up, and third place have now been revealed.
Third place receives a special "Mysterious Egg" gifted by Blissey, along with ten commemorative Poké Balls from the tournament.
The runner-up receives triple the third-place rewards, plus a special bell called the "Soothe Bell."
The champion receives five times the third-place rewards, along with a gift package containing Evolution Stones—Fire, Water, Thunder, Ice, and Leaf Stones, all five types included.
Also, the tournament has now officially confirmed that Teacher Mo himself will not participate. However, the champion of the Pikachu Cup will earn one opportunity to challenge Teacher Mo personally.]
The chat went silent for a moment.
Then it exploded completely.
[HOLY SHIT, Hui-ge, are you serious!?]
[The Soothe Bell—that's the bell the little Pichu wore before, right? Teacher Mo said Pokémon carrying it can become closer to their trainers more easily. Honestly though, I still think the bell is completely useless…]
[Dear user, it helps you cuddle with your Pokémon more efficiently.]
[These rewards are insane. I've wanted to try the Mysterious Egg for ages. Blissey's really bleeding heavily this time. And that Evolution Stone package… I want it. I seriously want it.]
[These are all premium items you can't even buy on the market. The rewards are genuinely amazing.]
[Hey hey hey, your priorities are all wrong! The important part is the last line—the champion gets a chance to battle Teacher Mo!]
[Holy crap, this is unreal. I just checked the Pokémon Home website and registrations have already surpassed two thousand people. The numbers are skyrocketing!]
[...]
Without question—
Once the Pikachu Cup rewards were announced, it instantly caused a massive nationwide sensation.
Countless trainers who had still been hesitating and observing immediately stopped wavering and began registering for the tournament.
The next morning.
Lavender Town, Pokémon Research and Countermeasure Branch Bureau.
After Chen Mo reported Lavender Town's unusual situation to the Countermeasure Bureau, the authorities moved extremely quickly and soon established a small branch office there.
The purpose was simple:
To prepare for Ghost-type Pokémon attracted by Lavender Town's unique atmosphere.
So far, everything had gone relatively smoothly.
After spending an entire sleepless night staring at online discussions, Qiao Cheng stood outside the director's office door for a long time before finally gritting his teeth and knocking.
"Come in."
A firm, energetic voice came from inside the room.
Gathering his courage, Qiao Cheng pushed open the door.
At first glance, he saw a middle-aged man in a police uniform seated behind a simple and spotless desk, busy with work beneath the warm morning sunlight without even lifting his head.
At the man's feet lay a large canine Pokémon.
Its body was grayish-black, while its tail, back, and limbs were covered in sleek black fur.
Hearing the door open, the dog's pointed ears twitched slightly.
It opened its eyes, revealing a pair of fierce crimson pupils.
Just one glance was enough to tell it was an extremely dangerous beast.
And yet—
The moment it saw Qiao Cheng, it immediately opened its mouth, letting its tongue hang out between its sharp fangs before excitedly running over while barking happily.
"Graaaah~"
"Good boy, good boy."
Qiao Cheng crouched down and gently rubbed the large dog's head.
The dog was naturally also a Pokémon.
Its name was Mightyena, a Dark-type Pokémon.
It was precisely because of Mightyena's presence that Lavender Town had remained so peaceful recently.
"In this entire office, you're the only one who still remembers to knock before entering."
Without looking up from his work, Director Tang spoke calmly.
"Xiao Qiao, if you need something, just say it."
"It's like this…"
Qiao Cheng stood up straight, paused briefly, then spoke seriously.
"Director, I'd like to request a day off to visit Evergreen Forest."
"..."
Hearing those words, Director Tang set down his pen and slowly raised his head.
His imposing gaze fixed directly onto Qiao Cheng.
Qiao Cheng's face immediately filled with tension.
But then—
Director Tang suddenly smiled.
"If it's something you want to do, then go ahead."
"If you need more leave later, just send me a message. No need to come all the way here first thing in the morning."
"And while you're at it…"
"Bring back a championship."
Hearing the first sentence, Qiao Cheng looked deeply moved.
But the second sentence instantly froze his expression, causing his voice to stammer awkwardly.
"Um… Director, I only said I wanted to go to Evergreen Forest and see if I could catch it."
"Winning the championship is still way too far off…"
"Hahahahaha!"
Director Tang laughed heartily and shook his head.
He beckoned gently toward Mightyena, who wagged its tail happily and came over affectionately.
While stroking the sleek black fur on Mightyena's back, Director Tang softly said:
"My Mightyena may have left its pack, but certain instincts engraved deep within its genes have never disappeared."
"You know Pokémon very well, so you should understand this too."
"Mightyena only acknowledge outstanding trainers as their leaders and obey their commands."
"And you, Xiao Qiao…"
"Your strength has long since earned my Mightyena's recognition."
"If even someone as excellent as you can't catch that Pokémon, then there probably aren't many trainers in this world who can."
Director Tang raised his head.
His eyes were filled with trust and warmth.
"Go."
"From the very beginning, I've believed you would succeed."
"..."
Qiao Cheng remained silent beneath Director Tang's gaze for a long while.
Finally, after glancing at Mightyena, he quietly said:
"Director… weren't you basically just praising yourself as an excellent trainer?"
Director Tang froze.
"Xiao Qiao, you've learned bad habits!"
"Hehe…"
Qiao Cheng scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Then his expression gradually turned serious.
"Director, I will succeed!"
"..."
After seeing Qiao Cheng off, Director Tang sat quietly in his office, stroking Mightyena's head while gazing toward the fiery red morning sun rising in the distance.
"Youth really is wonderful…"
Meanwhile—
After leaving the police station, Qiao Cheng hopped onto his electric scooter, put on his helmet, and sped toward Evergreen Forest.
Lavender Town had originally prospered because of tourism.
Then later declined due to the arrival of Pokémon.
After Chen Mo left Lavender Town, Qiao Cheng stayed behind and continuously tried to change the townspeople's rigid prejudice toward Pokémon while helping revitalize the town.
And with the government now officially stepping in—
Lavender Town had finally begun seeing signs of hope.
Thanks to being connected to Evergreen Forest and the popularity of the documentary, many tourists from other regions had begun visiting again.
But—
The documentary was both its salvation and its curse.
Lavender Town's official performance in that documentary had been so terrible that although recent visitors had begun defending the town online and proving it had changed—
Many people still held deep resistance toward Lavender Town.
Lately, Qiao Cheng had constantly worried about this.
Even though he wasn't originally from Lavender Town, after living here for so long, he naturally had deep feelings for the place.
Just as he had told Chen Mo before—
He wanted to do something for Lavender Town.
He wanted to restore its former prosperity.
And the appearance of the Pikachu Cup had allowed Qiao Cheng to see hope.
As the most high-profile new tournament in existence—
If a trainer representing Lavender Town could achieve a strong ranking in the competition, it would undoubtedly breathe new life into the town.
"Brother Mo… I'll definitely fulfill my promise…"
Qiao Cheng's eyes burned with determination.
Of course—
To participate in the Pikachu Cup, one first needed a Pokémon of their own.
And if one hoped to achieve a good ranking, the Pokémon's strength was extremely important.
The reason for Qiao Cheng's trip today—
Was to find the Pokémon capable of changing Lavender Town's fate.
Following a narrow trail through the forest, the Greenshade River finally appeared.
Stretching like a jade ribbon across Evergreen Forest from north to south.
Qiao Cheng parked his electric scooter beside the riverbank and began searching forward along the route etched into his memory.
Not long afterward—
From within a dense woodland near the river, he heard strange crackling noises.
Overjoyed, Qiao Cheng hurried over, pushed aside the bushes ahead, and saw a yellow figure standing in an open clearing.
"Found you!"
Qiao Cheng was ecstatic.
But then—
He suddenly noticed another tall gray figure standing beside the yellow Pokémon.
The gray figure had a reptilian face and a humanoid body.
Its physique was extremely muscular, radiating pure strength.
Around its waist was a gleaming golden championship-style belt.
"Machoke…"
Since the establishment of the Pokémon Countermeasure Branch in Lavender Town, Qiao Cheng's daily workload had become relatively light.
During his free time, he had caught up on all of Chen Mo's livestreams.
Machoke had appeared before.
According to Chen Mo's earlier explanation, Machoke were Pokémon with incredible physical strength.
Supposedly, the golden belt around its waist existed specifically to restrain its power.
And when facing a worthy opponent, Machoke would remove the belt and fight with its full strength.
"What's going on? Did Electabuzz provoke a Machoke!?"
Qiao Cheng frowned deeply.
That's right—
The yellow figure he came to Evergreen Forest searching for was none other than the Electabuzz that had once appeared in Chen Mo's livestream and defeated little Pichu head-on.
Watching the two Pokémon seemingly confronting each other in the clearing, Qiao Cheng's heart rose into his throat.
Honestly—
Given Electabuzz's personality and love for challenging strong opponents, provoking a Machoke really did seem possible.
"What should I do…"
Qiao Cheng's brows knitted tightly together.
"I should've borrowed the Director's Mightyena…"
Although Dark-type Mightyena was completely countered by Fighting-type Machoke—
Qiao Cheng still believed that with Mightyena's help and Electabuzz fighting alongside them, they could probably drive Machoke away.
But—
He had come to the forest completely alone today.
"Calling the Director now would already be too late…"
Qiao Cheng gritted his teeth and prepared to step out, hoping he might be able to calm Machoke down using the berries in his bag—
When suddenly—
A heavy, unusual thudding sound echoed through the forest.
Like a giant walking across the earth.
Qiao Cheng froze and looked toward the source of the noise.
A humanoid creature with four arms was slowly approaching while carrying a gigantic boulder nearly three meters tall on its shoulder.
Step by step—
It walked directly between Machoke and Electabuzz.
"BOOM!"
With a deafening crash, the boulder slammed into the ground, forming a barrier between the two Pokémon.
At the same moment—
Qiao Cheng also recognized the identity of the four-armed Pokémon.
"Machamp."
Machoke's final evolved form.
A Pokémon said to possess enough power to throw absolutely anything.
Master of martial arts.
Its punches were unbelievably fast.
Its body could even move before its brain processed commands.
One of the strongest Fighting-type Pokémon in existence.
"KUURII!"
After setting down the massive stone, Machoke quickly ran over to Electabuzz's side.
It pointed toward the boulder ahead, then looked at Electabuzz with an encouraging expression.
Seeing this, Electabuzz also nodded seriously toward Machoke and Machamp.
Hidden behind the bushes, Qiao Cheng watched the scene unfold and suddenly realized something felt off.
"…Looks like I misunderstood Machoke."
"It and Electabuzz aren't enemies at all."
"They look more like close friends…"
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