Chapter 13: Rocket Team?

Route 1 is the essential road from Pallet Town to Viridian City.

On both sides of the road lies a dense forest, where the setting sun filters through the leaves, scattering tiny patches of light, creating a distinct atmosphere.

Compared with the quick passage along Route 1 to Viridian City, Huo La clearly chose to go through the forest.

At this moment he sits in front of his makeshift tent, a babbling creek flowing at his feet, a brand‑new fishing rod in his hand, leisurely casting his line.

Bulbasaur crouches on his left, its seed swaying gently with each breath, occasionally flicking its Vine Whip at the water's surface; Steelix lies on a stone to his right, its deep‑yellow hard shell faintly glowing, as if silently absorbing the surrounding energy.

A short distance away on a clearing, an iron pot sits on a stone‑built stove, flames roaring beneath it, the instant noodles bubbling and steaming, a rich aroma drifting on the wind, whetting the appetite.

After leaving the Damu Research Institute, Huo La immediately called his mother, explaining step by step the pickup of Bulbasaur and the battle with Red, and also gave his Trainer ID.

His mother repeatedly reminded him to stay safe, said she would promptly transfer travel funds to his account, and before hanging up she made Ivysaur croak "Ribbit" twice into the receiver, as if blessing the new partner.

After hanging up, Huo La slung his backpack packed with travel gear and walked into the forest without looking back (Pokémon fit into palm‑sized Pokeballs, and stuffing a tent, cookware, and rations into a pack is perfectly reasonable).

"It's moving!" Suddenly Huo La's fishing rod plunged downward, the line pulled taut.

His eyes quick, he jerked the line upward, and a Gyarados covered in red scales leapt from the water, its tail thrashing, splashing a spray of droplets.

Huo La gave a quick glance and ordered the Bulbasaur beside him, "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Bulbasaur snapped out two emerald‑green Vine Whips, striking Gyarados precisely; "Pop—pop" sounded, and it sent the creature back into the creek in a fluid, graceful motion.

Since deciding to camp here, Huo La has been repeating the "hook—scan—return" cycle; it's called fishing, but really he's grinding Vine Whip proficiency for Bulbasaur.

Of course he also intends to try catching a Gyarados, since after three years of fishing for Golden Magikarp, the word "Gyarados" has become his obsession.

Gyarados re‑enters the water, the spray landing on Bulbasaur's face; it doesn't mind, instead excitedly croaks "Bulba—Bulba" twice at Huo La, as if boasting.

Huo La smiled, patted its head, re‑baited the hook, and cast the rod again: "Good job, next time be faster, try to knock it out the moment Gyarados leaps."

Bulbasaur nodded vigorously, eyes fixed on the surface, even its breathing softened—a few breaths shallower—after the morning battle it seemed to grasp the importance of "getting stronger," and now trained with extra diligence.

Steelix, though unable to train, subtly shifted its body, directing its "gaze" toward Bulbasaur, as if silently observing and learning.

The instant noodles softened, Huo La stood, lowered the flame, and took two Energy Berries from his pack, chopping them into pieces and tossing them into the pot—his mother had specially prepared the Energy Berries to replenish Pokémon stamina, and they also freshen the noodles.

He watched the bobbing float on the creek, plotting his next steps: spend the night resting here, set out at dawn for Viridian Forest, using the trek to let Bulbasaur practice precise Poison Powder throws, and see if any suitable Wild Pokemon can be encountered for capture.

Night deepened, and a cool breeze drifted through the trees.

Full and hydrated, Huo La lay in the tent, Bulbasaur curled at his feet, Steelix quietly rested inside its Pokeball, the man and his Pokémon both slumbered deeply, while only the Insect Cry and rustling leaves echoed softly in the night.

"Clatter—" a sudden noisy rattle reached his ears, like someone had knocked over pots and pans.

Huo La snapped his eyes open, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and peered through the tent's ventilation slit; in the moonlight three vague silhouettes tiptoed around the stove where he'd cooked noodles, rummaging for leftover rations.

"Who's there?" Huo La frowned, his fingertips lightly touching the Pokeball at his waist.

Bulbasaur, startled awake, fixed its emerald eyes on the tent slit, two Vine Whips silently extending from its body, taut and ready, awaiting Huo La's command to charge out.

Moonlight gradually peeked from behind the clouds, illuminating the figures outside the tent—a man with blue‑purple hair, a woman with rose‑red shoulder‑length curls like a curved blade, and a bipedal cat‑type Pokémon.

"Rocket Team?!" Huo La's heart leapt, nearly losing control of his voice.

He never expected to run into these three "old acquaintances" out here—the Rocket Team's most indebted trio: Musashi, Kojiro, and Meowth.

After the surprise, Huo La quickly calmed down.

He recalled Viridian City was just ahead; according to his memory, Ash first met the Rocket Team at Viridian City Pokémon Center, so their appearance here at this hour wasn't entirely unexpected.

It seems the trio intends to hunt Wild Pokemon near Viridian City, but inadvertently stumbled onto his campsite.

"Don't act rashly." Huo La gently waved his hand, signaling Bulbasaur to hold its position.

The Rocket Team Trio may be unreliable and not particularly strong, but their technology remains a mystery, and it's night with unknown conditions; charging in blindly could backfire.

He slipped to the side of the tent nearest the three, held his breath, and strained to overhear their conversation.

"Damn, why is there only a little noodle scrap!" Musashi's voice carried irritation, a empty bowl in hand, "Kojiro, didn't you say there's a Trainer campsite nearby? How come there's not even a decent bite?"

"How would I know!" Kojiro protested plaintively, "I clearly saw smoke and thought we could find something good… Should've never listened to Meowth, who said 'wild Trainers surely have treasured Pokémon food.'"

Meowth flicked its tail, hissing, "Meow! You're the ones who are hungry, yet you blame me! Besides, look at that tent—maybe there's a powerful Pokémon inside! If we snatch it and give it to the Boss, we won't lack anything to eat."

"Exactly!" Musashi's eyes lit up, he set the empty bowl down, rubbed his hands, "Kojiro, ready your Pokeball! Today we'll give this Trainer a taste of our colors!"

Kojiro hesitated, then produced his Pokeball, "But… what if they're strong? We were badly beaten last time in Cerulean City."

"What's there to fear?" Musashi glared, "Out here it's wild, they're surely a rookie Trainer! Watch me!"

Huo La, hearing clearly inside the tent, couldn't help his mouth twitch. As expected, the same familiar arrogance and unreliability.

He patted Bulbasaur's head, whispering, "Get ready; when the time comes use Vine Whip to bind them, don't give them a chance to release any Pokémon."

Bulbasaur nodded firmly, its Vine Whip swaying slightly, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Outside the tent the Rocket Team Trio continued their clamor, completely unaware that the "rookie Trainer" inside the tent had already prepared a counter.