With Pidgeotto joining the team, Yuuto's current party now covered three types: Electric, Flying, and Bug.
Aside from Metapod, who still needed rest, both the Electric-type Pikachu and the Flying-type Pidgeotto met the type-advantage requirements to challenge the Pewter Gym.
Thus, the focus of Yuuto's subsequent journey shifted toward leveling up Pikachu and Pidgeotto.
Pikachu was already an expert at grinding levels due to its Electric-type coverage and the doubling effect of the Light Ball.
To his surprise, Pidgeotto also proved to be an excellent map-clearer.
High in the sky, Pidgeotto locked onto its target.
It tucked its wings in.
Dive!
*Bang!*
A Rattata that was busy gnawing on a berry was sent flying by the impact; it rolled several times across the grass before passing out.
The Big Pecks ability gave Pidgeotto incredibly high defense.
And the power of its close-range Tackle, bolstered by the acceleration of the dive, was even more terrifying.
Whether it was Rattata, Weedle, or Caterpie, they were all KO'd in a single move.
A second hit was never necessary.
Such ferocity was entirely thanks to the feedback its Ability provided to its physique.
After just a short day or two of grinding…
…the levels of both Pokémon saw a massive leap.
[Pokémon: Pikachu — Lv.17 → Lv.21]
[Pokémon: Pidgeotto — Lv.19 → Lv.22]
Both Pokémon broke through together, reaching a new tier—the Common Level.
A tier increase provided a qualitative leap in a Pokémon's combat power.
The Common Level was already the upper echelon for the vast majority of wild Pokémon.
To go any higher, one would need systematic training, resource investment, exceptional individual talent, or a pack that pooled resources together.
"Wow, Yuuto, this Pidgeotto of yours really does look different, huh?"
Misty, who had been questioning Yuuto's eye for catching Pokémon just two days ago, began to praise him after witnessing Pidgeotto's battles.
Of course…
…the more important reason was that Pikachu and Pidgeotto had cleared out all the Bug-type Pokémon along the way.
This allowed the bug-fearing Misty to finally walk with confidence.
She no longer had to hide behind Yuuto's back in fear.
Nor did she have to scream every few minutes.
"So you recognize my good eye now?"
Yuuto teased with a smile.
"Hmph~ it's still a little bit worse than mine."
Misty's face turned red as she looked away.
She wouldn't easily admit she was weaker.
Delia smiled gently by their side.
She looked at Yuuto's back, her eyes full of pride.
Her man was looking more and more like a proper Trainer…
Evening fell.
The three of them set up camp by a small stream.
Delia was preparing dinner.
Misty sat on a rock, swinging her fair, slender legs.
Yuuto was checking the status of his two Pokémon.
Pikachu lay on Yuuto's lap, enjoying the petting.
Pidgeotto stood nearby, preening its feathers.
"At this rate, by the time we reach Pewter City, they should both break through to around level 25."
Yuuto calculated in his head.
A level 25 Pikachu plus the Light Ball… it should be enough to take on the Pewter Gym.
Even if Brock used his true strength, Yuuto had the confidence to fight.
"Dinner's ready~"
Delia's voice called out.
Dinner was a simple berry stew and grilled fish.
The aroma was mouth-watering.
"Let's eat~"
The three sat around the fire in harmony…
The next day.
They continued their journey.
With Pidgeotto's aerial scouting, their travel efficiency increased significantly.
Combined with Yuuto's Aura Power…
…wherever there were swarms of wild Pokémon…
…or where the terrain was complex…
…they could discover it in advance.
"There's a swarm of Beedrill ahead, let's go around."
Yuuto made a judgment based on the information Pidgeotto relayed.
Beedrill swarms were not to be trifled with.
Although Pikachu's Electric moves countered them, their sheer numbers made it easy to get injured.
There was no need to force their way through.
"Mm-hmm!"
Misty nodded frantically.
She definitely didn't want to see that many bugs.
After taking a detour…
…the forest began to thin out.
It looked like they were almost out of the Viridian Forest.
"At this speed, we should reach Pewter City by tomorrow afternoon."
Yuuto checked the map.
"That's great~"
Misty breathed a sigh of relief.
She was finally leaving this place crawling with bugs.
However…
…just as she let down her guard, Yuuto's Aura Power suddenly sensed something wrong.
In the bushes not far behind Misty…
…there was a chubby humanoid shape.
The motion… looked like it was gripping something.
Preparing to attack.
"Watch out!"
Yuuto's expression shifted.
Without time to think, he reached out and pulled Misty into his arms!
"Ah!"
Misty cried out in surprise.
Because she was wearing a midriff-baring top, when Yuuto pulled her, his palm directly touched the sensitive soft skin of her waist.
Misty's whole body tensed up, a shiver running through her as if she'd been struck by lightning.
"Hey, Yuuto, don't touch me there~ I'll…"
Her voice was filled with a mix of coquettishness and panic.
Before she could finish her sentence—
"Ha!"
A figure suddenly lunged out from the bushes!
He was dressed in a samurai outfit.
In his hand, he held a… katana?
With a fierce expression on his face, the youth swung the blade downward!
The target was exactly where Misty had been standing!
*Bang!*
The blade fell.
It struck empty air.
Because Yuuto had acted in time, Misty was already held securely in his arms.
The Samurai Youth froze.
He clearly hadn't expected to miss.
And in that split second of his daze—
Yuuto's leg had already fiercely kicked out!
It landed right on the Samurai Youth's butt.
"Argh!"
The Samurai Youth let out a miserable cry.
He was kicked flying, landing face-first on the grass ahead.
The katana also flew out of his hand.
It hit the ground with a "clatter."
[Ding! Mission Triggered: Defeat the Samurai Youth training in the forest and give him a profound lesson.]
[Mission Reward: Super Flight Berry ×2 — After consumption by a Flying-type Pokémon, they will receive massive positive gains in size and lifespan.]
The system prompt rang out.
Yuuto's eyes lit up.
Good stuff!
He had just been pondering the issue of Butterfree's lifespan defect.
Butterfree didn't live long.
This was a common ailment for Bug-type Pokémon.
They evolved fast and grew fast, but their lives were short.
Most Butterfree could only live for a few months to a year after evolving.
Those belonging to Trainers fared better; with careful care and energy supplements, they could live longer.
But it was a shortcoming nonetheless.
And now… the system had directly spawned an item related to lifespan gains!
The Super Flight Berry.
Just from the name, he knew it wasn't simple.
It was exactly what he needed when he needed it most.
Yuuto was secretly delighted.
But for now… he had to deal with this ambusher.
"Ouch~ you jerk, why did you kick me!"
The Samurai Youth crawled up from the ground, grimacing.
He picked up the "katana" he had dropped.
"Kick you? That was the light treatment!"
Before Yuuto could reply, Misty, having snapped out of it, immediately exploded.
She broke free from Yuuto's embrace—though the tingling sensation where he'd touched her waist still lingered—and charged forward with her hands on her hips.
"Are you out of your mind! Carrying a sword and lying in ambush to attack people?"
Misty's face was red with anger.
All the pent-up emotions from her days of fearing bugs in the forest suddenly erupted.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous that was! If Yuuto hadn't reacted quickly, that sword would have hit me!"
"Didn't your parents teach you that you can't just attack people!"
"…"
Misty didn't hold back at all, unleashing a storm of verbal abuse; she was really laying into him.
The Samurai Youth was stunned by the scolding.
He opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself.
But Misty gave him no chance.
"Indeed, young man, you are far too reckless."
The usually gentle Delia also showed a rare flash of anger.
She walked to Yuuto's side, looked at Misty with concern, and then turned to the Samurai Youth with a serious tone.
"How can you use a sword to ambush people? What if someone got hurt?"
"I… this is a toy sword…"
The Samurai Youth finally found a chance to interject.
He held up the plastic sword in his hand.
"Even a toy sword isn't okay!"
Misty unleashed another barrage.
"Just because it's a toy, you can go around hitting people? What kind of logic is that!"
"I think you're just begging for a lesson!"
"…"
It had to be said, the eldest miss of Cerulean City was truly high-tier when it came to scolding people.
The Samurai Youth's face turned from red to white under the verbal assault.
Finally,
"Enough!"
The Samurai Youth roared.
He swung the toy sword around wildly.
"I… I am a samurai! I do not bicker with women!"
He turned his gaze toward Yuuto.
"You… you Pikachu Trainer, step forward!"
"You're from Pallet Town, aren't you!"
"Come out! Come out!"