I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Chapter 762: Ten against seven, the advantage lies with me (24)

Agreeing to President Tang's request was for a simple reason.

As a league champion, Teacher Lu had to shoulder the corresponding responsibilities.

Take Steven Stone as an example—even after retiring, he still protected the safety of the Hoenn region.

Teacher Lu possessed a similar level of resolve.

But... this timing was just too coincidental!

Lu Ye's expression was complicated as he looked down at his suitcase, setting it back on the ground with a thud.

"Gengarrr?" Haunter tilted its head upward.

Aren't we going to Alola anymore?

"We have to go to Barren City first to check the status of the seal."

Lu Ye let out a deep sigh.I want to escape, but there's no escape!

Barren City had many skyscrapers, with mostly white stone bungalows surrounding them, built on an oasis in the desert.

This place didn't belong to any league. In ancient times, it was once a kingdom where the Transcendence Clan thrived.

Later, this kingdom was destroyed by the Super Evil Spirit Hoopa.

After Hoopa's evil shadow was sealed by Arceus, Barren City revived and, relying on abundant energy resources, built a prosperous modern city with tall towers.

The grandeur of that tower far surpassed the Twin Space-Time Towers of White Poplar Town. It enshrined Arceus and was called the 'Barren Tower' by people.

Hundreds of years ago, 'Arceus's envoy' Gulis, under Arceus's grant, used the power of three plates—fire, ground, and water—to create the 'Punishment Bottle' in the 'Barren Tower,' sealing Hoopa's negative energy known as the 'evil shadow.'

Little Hoopa was then adopted by Gulis.

Gulis treated little Hoopa as his own, raising him together with his great-grandson and granddaughter.

Little Hoopa gradually understood the true meaning of 'giving and receiving' and was no longer influenced by the 'evil shadow.'

But hundreds of years later, the seal of the 'Punishment Bottle' began to loosen, and no one could guarantee that the 'evil shadow' wouldn't reappear in the world.

Recalling the content of the animated movie, Lu Ye muttered to himself:

"Hoopa should be staying in the Creation Valley of Barren City... and in the state of little Hoopa."

Hoopa had two forms.

One was the Liberated Hoopa formed by the 'evil shadow,' standing hundreds of feet tall, with a violent temperament that found pleasure in destruction and war.

The other was the 'Hoopa Hoop' little Hoopa, mischievous yet innocent, fond of pranks but without malice.

Teacher Lu thought little Hoopa was very cute...

While big Hoopa was a complete Super Evil Spirit.

In the movie "Hoopa and the Clash of Ages," big Hoopa pulled out seven Legendary Pokémon including Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, the Sinnoh trio, and the Unova fusion dragon gods.

These seven deities came from another dimension, brought to the present through Liberated Hoopa's Signature Move 『Hyperspace Hole』 by 'Hoopa Hoop.'

The Legendary Pokémon, unaware of the situation, immediately erupted into battle, leaving behind many iconic scenes.

Liberated Hoopa pulled out seven deities, while little Hoopa pulled out a black Rayquaza from another dimension, fighting one against seven.

This was precisely the famous battle known as 'Black Rayquaza 1V7.'

Actually, Lugia also made a brief appearance, showing excellent combat performance.

Ho-Oh didn't participate in the battle because it had to hold the camera, busy filming and had no time to appear on screen. (Just kidding)

Teacher Lu's mood was complicated.

You see, if black Rayquaza was pulled out by little Hoopa and was on our side, that would be fine—

But what if this big guy was pulled out by Liberated Hoopa and was on the opposing side...

"It should... be fine."

Teacher Lu paused.

After all, Liberated Hoopa could use 'Hoopa Hoop' to pull Legendary Pokémon from other dimensions.

I could also use 'Lu Ye Shake Shake' to summon deities from this dimension.

Colossal Pokémon, the Hoenn trio, the Sinnoh dragons, the Unova twin dragons, Darkrai...

Ten against seven, the advantage is mine!

Lu Ye convinced himself, nodded in satisfaction, and carried his suitcase back into the shop.

Ding ling... The wind chimes swayed.

The little ones looked back at the boss in surprise.

Lu Ye: "It's fine, continue with your work. I'm looking for Darkrai."

As soon as he finished speaking, a mass of black shadow moved from the central courtyard to the front hall, and the indoor light immediately dimmed.

The light shifted, and swirling murky mist rose from the shadows.

Darkrai crossed its arms, its face cold and stern: "What is it."

Lu Ye: "..."

He had to admit, this guy who could directly confront the Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons was indeed quite cool.

"For the upcoming trip, I might need you to come along." Lu Ye said.

Darkrai was taken aback, a subtle emotion appearing on its face, its voice hoarse:

"Do you remember... who we encountered during our last trip?"

"Yveltal and Xerneas."

"And the trip before that."

"Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon."

"And the one before that?" Darkrai raised an eyebrow.

"Too, too many..." Lu Ye's confidence weakened.

"You know it too!" Darkrai broke down.

I've lived for over a thousand years, and the Legendary Pokémon I've encountered in that time aren't as many as those I've encountered traveling with you for just one year!

"I swear, this will be the last time."

Lu Ye raised his right hand, speaking seriously: "And the safety factor is very high—we have many helpers!"

Darkrai: "...Are you sure?"

Lu Ye: "As certain as Fletchling's butt—absolutely certain."

"Fine then." Darkrai said aloofly: "I shall accompany you."

Darkrai submerged into the shadows, and in moments, Lu Ye's elongated shadow took on Darkrai's shape.

"Specifically, what is this trip about?" Darkrai asked nosily.

Lu Ye pondered for a moment before speaking:

"Do you know... about the Super Evil Spirit, Hoopa?"

Darkrai: "..."

Lu Ye: "Damn, don't leave! Haunter, use Mean Look!"

**

Teacher Lu originally wanted to summon a few champions to go to Barren City with him to increase the safety factor.

However, Teacher Lu was unwilling to bring Cynthia into the team, as there were certain risks involved.

Red was at Mt. Silver, Green was leading a level-grinding team, and Dan Emperor tended to get lost...

After much thought, the best candidate was still the perfect Steven.

It seems like the number of times I've teamed up with Steven far exceeds the times I've teamed up with Bamboo Lan...

Lu Ye coughed lightly into his fist.

Forget it, I won't trouble Steven this time, since Barren City is full of sand with nothing good to dig up.

Setting off early could also avoid overlapping with Ash's schedule.

Wait!

Suddenly, a perfect taunting main tank flashed through Teacher Lu's mind, truly a master at initiating team fights!

Regarding the Hoopa movie, Teacher Lu confidently believed he already had a perfect solution.

A-Jin joining the team equals Xiao Yin joining the team, equals Giovanni joining the team.

Giovanni joining the team might even bring along Xiao Chi.

Because these two were like two sides of a coin, always attracting each other!

Opening the chat group, Lu Ye clicked on the dialog box with Miss Walnut's avatar and privately messaged:

"A-Jin, are you free this weekend?"

Soon, Gold the Fifth replied:

"Want to play games with me? I'm always ready!"

"No, it's like this..."

Lu Ye carefully worded his message:

"The Donghua League assigned me a task to investigate the seal condition in Barren City, and I need three helpers."

"The first person I thought of was the star trainer from Johto—"

Gold the Fifth pricked up his ears.

"A-Jin from New Bark Town, so..."

"No need to say more."

A-Jin put on his goggles, his gaze sharpening, "I'll come help you right away, Teacher Lu!"

As a Pokédex Holder and a star trainer from Johto, he naturally had to be ready to save the world at any time!

"Let me finish." Lu Ye said, "We'll be staying at the Manaphy Hotel in Barren City. Also, I need to remind you, the risk of this mission is very high, no less than the previous trip to Michina..."

"The Manaphy Hotel!"

A-Jin exclaimed in surprise, "That legendary seven-star hotel?"

Actually, the accommodation conditions didn't matter—the main thing was wanting to help Teacher Lu!

Lu Ye was slightly taken aback.

Well, you completely ignored the part about the risks!

...

Serena, with her newly cut short hair, participated in the beginner performance contest in Windy Town.

This performance's theme was 'making bofuretsu,' which happened to be Serena's specialty.

Serena, having resolved her inner conflicts, successfully won first place and obtained her first Princess Golden Key.

"That's great~"

Bonnie cheered around Serena: "Your performance just now was so amazing."

Serena, wearing a red hat with her short hair reaching her ears, blushed slightly: "Thank you, Bonnie~"

"Mmm... I just bought some rice balls, and there's a lottery event. Does anyone want to try?"

Ash chewed on a seaweed rice ball, grains of rice sticking to the corner of his mouth, handing over a shopping voucher: "Seems like there's some special grand prize."

"You have to spend a certain amount to enter the lottery—how many rice balls did you eat..." Clemont said in disbelief.

"Watching performers make bofuretsu made me hungry too." Ash scratched his head and laughed.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu scratched its head and stuck out its tongue in the same motion.

"Let me try!"

Bonnie took the shopping voucher and handed it to the shopkeeper: "Please help us~"

"Alright, little girl, just turn this handle." said the uncle selling Magikarp.

Bonnie pursed her lips, with Dedenne on her head, and turned the handle.

A small golden ball rolled out with a rumbling sound.

Clang clang!

Sound effects played, and party poppers went off around them.

"Congratulations, customer." The shopkeeper said in surprise: "You've won the special grand prize—a two-day trip to Barren City!"

"Yay! ヾ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ"

Bonnie cheered, then asked: "Is it only for one person?"

"Yes, if others want to come along, you can book tickets from me." The Magikarp-selling uncle said with a smile.

Ash and the others looked at each other, hesitating.

"I heard Barren City is hosting a special battle festival that's attracted many trainers." The shopkeeper mentioned casually.

"Alright!"

Ash took out his pocket money, his eyes burning with determination, clenching his fist:

"The next destination is decided—Barren City!"