Chapter Twenty-Five: Su Yi: What Kind of Throwing Tile Is This? Cai Dou’s Challenge

With the now-familiar sensation of instantaneous movement, Su Yi once again arrived in the world of Pokémon—on the Isle of Armor, deep within the Focus Forest.

But just as the new continent had surprised Su Yi with a Steel Dragon, this world was not to be outdone. Before he could even steady his footing, a sharp voice rang out.

“Who’s there?!”

He had no time to react before a fierce leg whip, carrying a gust of wind, struck at him.

“What—?!” was all Su Yi managed to utter as he crossed his arms before his chest to block the blow.

Bang!

There was a dull, thunderous sound, and for an instant, Su Yi felt as if the five dragons of creation themselves were watching him.

“Pugah!”

He was flung through the air, not unlike a hapless villain sent flying by Platinum Star’s “Ora Ora” on Dio’s escape route.

Bang!

“Cough!”

The impact of landing dealt him a second blow.

Clang!

The Poké Ball at Su Yi’s waist burst open, and Lu Cao, her face full of alarm, rushed to his side, crying out in panic, “Su Yi, what happened to you? Don’t scare me!”

“It’s a human?!” exclaimed the culprit, startled.

“Meow!” The feline Pokémon turned indignantly, gripping her bone dagger and shouting, “Who are you? Are you a Pokémon too?”

“A talking Pokémon?!”

“Cough, cough... Lu—Lu Cao, I’m still alive. Quick, give me some medicine.” Su Yi reached out a trembling hand.

“Su Yi! Coming!” Lu Cao immediately handed him the medicine bottle from his belt.

His arm shaking, Su Yi took the bottle and gulped down a few mouthfuls, finally catching his breath.

“Are you alright?” Lu Cao asked anxiously.

“I’m fine,” Su Yi replied, shaking his head as he looked at the girl before him.

She wore a headband, a fitted, lightweight martial arts suit with wrist and knee guards, and was barefoot. Behind her stood the Machop family—Machop, Machoke, and Machamp. There was no doubt: this was Bea, the prodigious fighting-type girl from Galar, with whom he’d briefly crossed paths before.

People often joked that Bea was a humanoid Machamp. Now, Su Yi had experienced her strength firsthand.

“It’s you?” Bea also recognized the man she’d once seen at the station.

“I’m terribly sorry! I thought a wild Pokémon was attacking. I was tense and acted on reflex...” Bea apologized as she walked over and offered Su Yi a hand.

“What kind of throw was that?” Su Yi asked as Bea helped him up, his arms still throbbing.

“By the way, why did you suddenly appear behind me?” Bea asked, her tone puzzled.

Su Yi coughed to cover his embarrassment. “Uh, well, I had my Pokémon use Teleport to bring me here. I had no idea anyone was around.”

“Teleport? I see... It was my fault for being rash. Please let me apologize again.” With that, Bea and her three Pokémon companions bowed in unison.

“It was mutual; there’s no need to be so formal,” Su Yi said, waving it off.

“But you’re the one who got hurt...” Bea said sheepishly.

“How about this—where’s your camp? I’ll carry you back!” Bea said earnestly.

Su Yi’s mouth twitched. If word got out that he’d nearly been sent to meet the five creator dragons by a single kick from a girl, and then had to be carried home by her, his days as a hunter would surely be numbered.

“No, no need! I have a reliable companion of my own.” With that, Su Yi quickly called out the Claw Bird.

“Gah?” The Claw Bird appeared, looking in confusion at Su Yi—who’d been lively just moments ago but was now climbing onto its back, sweating with pain.

“Another unfamiliar Pokémon?” Bea wondered aloud.

“At least let me escort you back. I have some ointment, too...” Bea offered hurriedly.

“Really, it’s not necessary. Claw Bird, let’s head back!” Su Yi commanded, squeezing the bird’s sides.

“Caw!” With a cry, the Claw Bird set off toward Master Mustard’s dojo.

Bea could only watch as Su Yi rode away, gradually disappearing into the distance.

“It’s getting late. We should head back too,” Bea said, glancing at the setting sun as she packed up her things.

...

When Bea returned to Master Mustard’s dojo, she found herself staring wide-eyed at Su Yi, who was having his wounds tended.

“This...” Bea was at a loss for words. She hadn’t expected him to be affiliated with the dojo.

“Oh? Bea, you’re back? This is Su Yi—the one who’s been supplying the delicious ingredients you’ve enjoyed the past few days. And the medicine I gave you? He made that, too,” Honey said, approaching with a warm smile.

So that’s how it is... Bea was immediately filled with guilt.

Honey shook her head regretfully. “If Su Yi hadn’t said he got kicked by a Machamp and hurt both his hands, you could have tasted his cooking tonight.”

Su Yi tried to interject, but it was too late. He could only shut his mouth and stare awkwardly at the table.

“A Ma—Machamp?!” Bea was dumbfounded. Her guilt evaporated, replaced by embarrassment.

From a Pokémon’s perspective, the image of Machamp was nothing unusual—but to use it as a metaphor for a girl’s strength, wasn’t that a bit...

Su Yi offered a feeble explanation. “It was just a figure of speech about strength, that’s all...”

Bea glanced at Su Yi’s bandaged hands and decided not to argue with someone who was injured.

Because Su Yi’s hands were hurt, Honey handled dinner that night, preparing a classic Galar specialty—curry rice.

As Su Yi savored the flavorful dish, new culinary ideas began to form in his mind.

...

That night, in his room at the dojo, Su Yi held up the Toxicroak’s egg to the chandelier. The light shone through the shell, faintly revealing the outline of the developing embryo.

“It’s about to hatch,” Su Yi murmured in awe.

“I wonder when the Charizard egg will hatch?” He glanced over at a small nest, where a Larvesta was curled up, sleeping soundly atop another egg.

“Tomorrow, I’ll restock the camping supplies I used up last time, then keep hunting Toxicroaks. After that, it’s time to find a way into the Wilds of the Giant’s Cap. Heh, my dear, I’m coming.” Su Yi went over his plans for the days ahead, drifting off to sleep with anticipation for tomorrow.

...

At dawn the next morning, with his arms mostly healed thanks to medicinal herbs, Su Yi helped Honey prepare breakfast.

Bea was also up early and entered the dining room. But today, there was something odd about the way she looked at Su Yi.

Su Yi felt a bit uneasy. Was this girl planning to kick him again?

“Mr. Su Yi, I heard you only recently became a trainer, yet you were able to challenge Leon’s main team,” Bea suddenly remarked.

“Mr. Leon went easy on me, and he didn't use Dynamax,” Su Yi answered honestly.

“How do you know he went easy on you?” Bea asked, curious.

Su Yi shrugged. “Isn’t it obvious? He didn’t even take off his hat.”

As everyone knows, for some people, the hat is the essence of their being.

“He didn’t take off his hat?” Bea was baffled.

Su Yi recalled that legendary battle from before he’d crossed over and smiled. “When he casts aside his cape and his hat, he’s not fighting as the Champion, but as a fellow trainer—that’s when it’s a true battle, free from all constraints.”

“Free from constraints...” Bea lowered her head, deep in thought. The interesting person Leon had mentioned must be him. She’d always been chasing Leon in Pokémon battles, but the pressure had only grown, leaving her feeling lost.

Perhaps, from this man—whom Master Mustard had said would one day achieve greatness—she could find some answers.

“Mr. Su Yi, please have a Pokémon battle with me!”

“Oh?” Su Yi was surprised, then smiled. It had been some time since his last battle.

“Very well. Let’s do it.”