Chapter 88: Koga

Viridian Town, Professor Oak’s Laboratory.

Professor Oak was studying the items crafted by Guang Tai, including the ancient statue he had purchased.

Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle.

“Incredible—though some artificial items can grant Pokémon astonishing boosts, it’s astonishing that handcrafted ones can produce similar effects. What era did this mysterious craftsmanship originate from?”

“The Band of Aura—clearly sewn from Pokémon materials and common durable fabric. Does its effect stem from the band’s inherent properties, or does it, upon binding with a Pokémon, help unlock some latent power within?”

“The other items are interesting too.”

“Double Pickles—can put a Pokémon into a Doubled State, boosting Attack, Special Attack, and partial Defense. Is this a specialty food? Ordinary Pokémon food doesn’t have this effect.”

“Hot Charcoal—a good choice for raising Fire-type Pokémon; Limb Armor—enhances Steel-type energy and prevents contact-based damage. Not bad either.”

“King’s Proof, Pure Pendant—this King’s Proof differs from the natural ones found in the wild, and the Pure Pendant is a device I’ve never heard of before.”

Driven by curiosity and his researcher’s instincts, Professor Oak wanted to buy all these items for study. Though his primary research topic was “Pokémon and Human Relations,” maintaining keen curiosity was a basic trait of the professor.

Buying these items wasn’t just about studying their “materials”—Professor Oak was also highly skilled in natural items, though items like Evolution Stones had already been thoroughly researched and offered nothing new to discuss.

“The carving style of these statues is also noteworthy.”

As Professor Oak pondered, someone entered his lab.

“Oh, Green! You finally came. Look at these amazing items I just bought—they should help you, a Gym Leader, right?”

The man Professor Oak had summoned had wild brown straight hair, wore a pendant on his chest, a dark jacket on top, and yellow work pants below.

“Amazing items? You didn’t drag me back here just for Evolution Stones, did you?”

Green frowned at the statues, strange cloth strips, and talismans piled on the workbench.

“Grandpa, what are you doing? These things together give me a bad feeling.”

Green was speechless. Professor Oak finally realized what was wrong and chuckled awkwardly:

“Sorry, sorry—I didn’t notice how unsettling these look together. They don’t actually have any connected effects.”

“Forget that. You’re always traveling—how’s the Cerulean Gym going?”

“Fine,” Green shrugged. “Challengers are all weaklings. I’d never lose to them—I don’t even need to command. My Pokémon defeat them on their own.”

“And to challenge me, you need at least seven badges. Few Trainers manage that.”

“Trainers today are generally too weak.”

Professor Oak laughed. “Still, you were once Champion. Don’t be too hard on new Trainers.”

Green scratched his head, then turned his gaze to the items.

“So, what do these do?”

Professor Oak pointed to the three statues. “First, statues of Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle.”

“Charmander’s statue makes the air hot. Bulbasaur’s helps plants grow better. Squirtle’s maintains humidity around it.”

“Huh? They just look like ordinary statues.” Green frowned. Professor Oak said nothing, moved the Squirtle statue aside—and soon, Green felt the temperature rise and the air dry out.

“Really?” Green’s skepticism deepened.

“Correct. That’s their effect. But these statues, though they look ancient, are modern replicas made by a craftsman. I showed them to you only to help you accept the other items more easily.”

“First, this—the Band of Aura.” Professor Oak picked up the orange-red cloth strip and explained its function.

Green’s expression turned strange. “You’re saying this item lets a Pokémon stand firm through bond? I’ve trained many Pokémon—yes, sometimes the bond between human and Pokémon runs deep, and they fight on at critical moments. But that’s the result of years of careful nurturing.”

“This band does the same thing? How is that possible?”

“But it does. I’ve tested it myself.” Professor Oak’s face turned serious. “It’s crafted from Pokémon materials and an incredible technique. I’m currently studying its mechanism.”

“And these.” Professor Oak recommended Guang Tai’s shop to Green.

“What? These items?” Green frowned, eyes wide with shock.

“These are made by the craftsman who runs that shop. Everything I’ve bought matches the website’s description exactly. This craftsman must possess unknown item-making techniques. Honestly, special items were rarely used in Pokémon battles before.”

Professor Oak paused. “Of course, major corporations have developed items too—things like Focus Lens, Scope Lens, unique Poké Balls, and power-boosting drugs. But those rely on technology and cost a fortune.”

“Yet from Poké Ball development, we can infer something: before modern Poké Balls, people used Berry Balls. Similarly, ancient crafts must have held unknown secrets.”

“Now, these secrets have surfaced.”

Green carefully examined the Band of Aura in his hand, pondering long before speaking:

“Grandpa, I’ll take this Band of Aura.”

“Ah! Of course. I called you here for this—and I have another one.” Professor Oak pulled out a second Band of Aura from somewhere.

“Interesting. Pokémon items… these might hold great significance for Pokémon training.”

Green opened his PokéGear and browsed the shop’s listed items, a faint smile forming on his lips.

The challengers in Kanto are in for a rough time. If this Band of Aura really works, imagine their despair when, after barely defeating one of his Pokémon, they find it still standing thanks to the band.

The final Gym Badge isn’t easy to earn!

And if I get these items, maybe I can even beat Red!

“Green, what are you smiling about?” Professor Oak asked, puzzled.

Green: “Nothing. I just thought of something fun. Thanks for calling me, Grandpa! I can’t wait to test this band.”

“Why not battle right now? By the way, Grandpa, have you told Red about this?” Green said, simultaneously following the Traveler’s Workshop shop account. Professor Oak stroked his chin. “No, not yet—I can’t reach him. Do you want to—”

“No, don’t tell him!” Green’s eyes flashed. “And don’t tell Leaf or Blue either!”

Good items? I’m the one who gets to enjoy them first!

But just as Green was about to say more, the lab door opened again.

An elderly woman with yellow hair and purple robes entered.

“Huh?!”

Green froze. He looked from Professor Oak to the woman, speechless.

“Oh, you’re Professor Oak’s grandson? What are you doing here instead of at the Cerulean Gym? Your challengers are complaining you’re always absent!”

“Wait—you didn’t come just to test these items, did you?”

“Ah, Grandma Koga… yeah, Grandpa called me back.” Green scratched his head awkwardly, then gave Professor Oak a strange smile. “Well, you two chat. I’m leaving!”

With that, Green fled the lab.

Koga turned to Professor Oak.

“Oh, long time no see, Koga. I didn’t expect you’d actually accept my invitation.”

Koga was cold. “You old white-haired man always hide in this place. You called me here just to avoid a battle? How disappointing.”

“You were researching Pokémon, yet now you’re obsessed with items?”

Professor Oak felt awkward. “Haha, they’re unprecedented items—I just took notice. And they’re closely tied to Pokémon research.”

“Enough talk. Where are they?” Koga ignored him, searching for “important items.”

Professor Oak quickly pointed to the talismans on the table.

“Those. I thought someone of your Elite Four status could help me…”

“Elite Four? I’m not Elite Four anymore. Quit long ago.” Koga glanced at him. “You old white-haired man’s information is outdated.”

Professor Oak grew even more awkward.

“Oh, these?” Koga picked up the two talismans, examined them briefly. “What? Just basic Spirit Force talismans—Purification Talisman and Curse Talisman.”

“But… this Spirit Force technique… hmm, extremely rare. No—I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Huh? My Gengar is trembling?”

Koga sensed movement in her Poké Ball. Her eyes sharpened with interest.

Maybe being called here wasn’t so bad after all?

But as she studied longer, her expression grew heavier.

“Hey, old man Oak—I’ve never seen this talisman technique. And I have a bad hunch: the Spirit Force used here is basic, but it’s not human Spirit Communication.”

“Just a guess—but this talisman’s knowledge might be connected to the ‘Spirit Realm’!”

“Then the question is—who made these talismans?!”

Professor Oak: “Oh, a strange craftsman. I’ll recommend his shop to you too.”

(End of Chapter)