Chapter 139: Professor Oak's Corral

The middle-aged man before him had begun to gray, and wrinkles were gradually appearing on his face. Yet his eyes still shone with vitality, and he remained as energetic as ever—even years later.

Could Professor Oak, like Ash, possess the ability to keep his age locked?

What kind of Ultimate Being was he?

Su Yi smiled and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Professor Oak. I’m Su Yi, a traveler and adventurer.”

At long last, Su Yi had met one of the most important figures in the Pokémon world, an authority in the field of Pokémon research—Professor Oak.

“Oh! Hello. Professor Magnolia told me about you. I’ve watched your battles online.”

“You and your Pokémon are both quite extraordinary. Is that a Corviknight from the Galar region? It looks incredibly impressive. And is this catlike Pokémon the unrecorded species Professor Magnolia mentioned as well?”

Professor Oak’s curious gaze quickly shifted toward Corviknight and Dewgrass.

“All right, don’t just stand outside. Come in,” Professor Oak said, restraining his curiosity as he invited Su Yi into the laboratory.

“Today happens to be the day new Trainers receive their first Pokémon.” As he spoke, Professor Oak led Su Yi inside.

Although the laboratory looked rather like a ranch from the outside, its interior was filled with advanced instruments and equipment that seemed almost incomprehensible.

Not far away, a black-haired young man wearing a headband was giving several boys and girls some final instructions.

“Have you already chosen your partners?” Professor Oak asked with a smile as he walked over.

“Professor Oak, these new Trainers have already received their starter Pokémon.” The young man glanced curiously at Su Yi before reporting to Professor Oak.

“Thank you for your hard work, Tracey.”

Professor Oak nodded, then turned his attention to the three children standing before him with their new Pokémon.

“From now on, these Pokémon will be your most reliable partners. You’ll face hardships together, so be sure to get along well,” Professor Oak instructed kindly.

“We will!” the three boys and girls replied with bright smiles.

Beside them, Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur cried out happily, looking forward to the lives they would soon share with their Trainers.

“Go out and meet other Trainers and Pokémon. I sincerely wish you a smooth journey,” Professor Oak said.

Watching the scene, Su Yi could not help sighing with emotion. Another group of Trainers had set out, stepping onto an unknown journey.

Once, Su Yi had dreamed of doing the same—not necessarily with any particular Pokémon, but simply of having one of his own and beginning a Pokémon adventure that belonged to him.

But…

Now, Su Yi had companions he could rely on even more.

…

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Tracey,” said Professor Oak’s headband-wearing assistant, introducing himself.

“Hello. I’m Su Yi.”

“Tracey, this is a Trainer from Galar. And he has some extremely rare Pokémon with him.”

Professor Oak smiled. “Would you let me take a look at those Pokémon?”

Su Yi glanced around at the valuable instruments and equipment. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “My companions are rather large. There may not be enough room for them to move around in here…”

“Then let’s go to my backyard,” Professor Oak immediately replied.

…

The laboratory’s backyard was, in truth, a vast ecological reserve.

Although the officially designated grounds were not especially large, most of the forest behind the laboratory was practically part of the property.

No wonder Professor Oak had built his laboratory in a sparsely populated place like Pallet Town. He had essentially made the entire forest his backyard.

Stepping into the backyard was like entering a forest teeming with Pokémon.

“Pidgey!”

Several Pidgey perched in the treetops noticed the newcomers. Rather than becoming wary, they greeted them in a friendly manner.

A few Oddish wandered past without a care in the world.

Several Metapod hung from the branches, leisurely awaiting the day they would evolve.

Pokémon could be seen everywhere, living together in harmony and friendship.

“This place is wonderful,” Su Yi exclaimed. If only he had an expansive ecological reserve like this.

He could put Great Jagras, Kulu-Ya-Ku, Tobi-Kadachi, Pukei-Pukei, and the others here, plant Ancient Trees, and place a pair of Rathalos atop them…

“There should be plenty of room here, shouldn’t there?” Professor Oak asked proudly, gesturing toward the harmonious forest he had cultivated.

“Of course. But Professor Oak, you should be careful. Some of my companions still retain quite a bit of their wild nature.”

Remembering all the reckless things Professor Oak had done to Pokémon in the anime, Su Yi offered the warning with unusual seriousness.

“I understand.” Professor Oak nodded.

“Then come on out, everyone!” Su Yi called as he threw out the Poké Balls.

Boom, boom, boom…

Several monsties appeared, startling Tracey so badly that he nearly jumped out of his skin.

“What kind of Pokémon are these?!” Tracey exclaimed, taking a frightened step back as he looked up at the Great Jagras beside him.

The Great Jagras cast a sidelong glance downward. Under that intimidating gaze, Tracey slowly backed away.

Thud.

He bumped into something. When he turned around, Kulu-Ya-Ku tilted its head with a loud squawk, as if asking, “What’s up, little buddy?”

“They looked enormous in the videos, but seeing them in person is something else entirely. Now I understand how truly astonishing they are,” Professor Oak marveled as he stared at the largest of them all, the Odogaron.

“What are these Pokémon? They’re all so huge!” Tracey said, utterly stunned.

The Great Jagras and Odogaron were more than ten meters long, and simply seeing them was enough to leave anyone speechless.

Kulu-Ya-Ku was around ten meters long, though its build was not quite as massive. Tzitzi-Ya-Ku was the smallest of the adult monsties, yet it still stood roughly two and a half meters tall and measured about eight meters in length.

By comparison, the young Pukei-Pukei and the young male Rathalos, Daku, looked positively petite.

“Knod-kno!”

Hearing the commotion, a Bulbasaur emerged from the bushes. Upon seeing Professor Oak, it greeted him with a cheerful cry.

This Bulbasaur… Su Yi thought to himself. Could it be Ash’s?

Sniff, sniff…

Pukei-Pukei caught a scent in the air, then turned its head toward Bulbasaur.

“Waaah!” The little Pukei-Pukei suddenly flapped its wings and rushed toward Bulbasaur.

“Kno?!” Bulbasaur stared helplessly at the ugly-cute Pokémon.

“Pukei-Pukei, what are you doing?” Su Yi asked in alarm.

“Waaah!”

Pukei-Pukei pounced onto the enormous seed on Bulbasaur’s back, then stuck out its tongue and began licking up the sweet juices inside.

“Damn it, you’re exactly like Heracross!”

Su Yi hurried over and pulled Pukei-Pukei away.

“Waaah…” The little monster licked its lips, looking utterly satisfied.

“Kno!” Bulbasaur cried angrily.

“I’m sorry, Bulbasaur. This jar of honey should make up for it.”

Su Yi quickly produced a large jar of honey and handed it to Bulbasaur.

“Kno?”

Bulbasaur accepted it curiously. Using its Vine Whip, it twisted off the lid, scooped up a little honey, and placed it in its mouth.

“Kno!”

Bulbasaur’s eyes lit up. It nodded happily, signaling that it forgave Pukei-Pukei.

“Waaah…”

Seeing this, the little Pukei-Pukei leaped into Su Yi’s arms and began acting spoiled, begging for a snack.

Helpless, Su Yi could only take out its favorite nut chocolate and feed it a piece.

“Rawr!”

Daku suddenly pounced from behind, clearly having noticed the food.

“All right, you can have some too.”

Su Yi laughed and rubbed the Rathalos’s head.

Damn it, I still have to work overtime this weekend. Am I even human anymore?

(End of Chapter)