Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto!

"Cha!"

Charmander assumed a fighting stance. To capture it, he had to defeat it.

Chen Yi spread his hands. "But what if I don't have any other Pokémon?"

Charmander was dumbfounded and anxiously spun in circles on the spot. The seniors in Dragon Valley had never taught it this.

"Charmander, you must have forgotten because you were too busy playing. A trainer's first Pokémon doesn't need to be battled for."

Chen Yi wore an expression that said, I'm a trainer. I wouldn't lie to you.

Charmander felt that Chen Yi's words made a great deal of sense. Looking reluctant, it walked over to Chen Yi and placed its claw on his hand.

But if it had truly been unwilling, Charmander would never have chosen Chen Yi in the first place. Who knew where it had learned this tsundere attitude.

Chen Yi firmly grasped Charmander's claw. "Please take care of me from now on, Charmander."

"Cha! Cha!"

After capturing Charmander, it was curious about the facilities in the room, yet it wore an expression that said it was only looking around.

Chen Yi used the Training Manual. Countless methods for raising Fire attribute Pokémon appeared in his mind, including methods for Charmander.

Chen Yi suddenly picked Charmander up, startling it so badly that it acted as though it would rather die than submit.

After waiting for a long time without seeing its trainer do anything else, it opened its eyes and discovered that Chen Yi was checking its condition through its muscles. Its flame-burning tail drooped.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"Cha!"

"Really nothing?"

Charmander turned its head away and refused to look at Chen Yi.

This little guy really was adorable. Chen Yi rubbed its head, and where Chen Yi could not see, Charmander showed that it had forgiven its trainer.

"Charmander has already left its infancy and can begin training."

"Its strength will grow rapidly during this period. It's best to feed it Energy Cubes."

Having made up his mind, Chen Yi prepared to begin training today.

"Charmander."

"Cha?"

"If we want to reach the pinnacle of the world, hard work is indispensable. We don't have any time to waste!"

Charmander nodded seriously. It had always envied the bearing of the Fire Dragons in its tribe.

First, Chen Yi took Charmander to the Game World store and bought Fire attribute and Dragon attribute Energy Cubes to see which suited its taste better.

Charmander was no stranger to Energy Cubes, but this was still its first time getting to eat so many.

When it noticed that its trainer was reading nearby instead of eating with it, it carefully offered him a cube.

"Hm? Thank you, Charmander."

Chen Yi did not refuse. He casually ate the Energy Cube; this stuff was harmless to humans.

Seeing Chen Yi accept it, Charmander ate even more happily.

After finishing lunch, one man and one Pokémon arrived at the Arena under everyone's watchful eyes.

"Select Training Mode."

Training Mode was another function of the Arena. It would open up a private space for players, though naturally, it charged a fee.

Within the private space, one could practice moves, use the Simulated Battlefield, or summon Strong Projections.

"Select Strong Projection. Random. Fire attribute."

Ding! Projection generated: Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Confirm?

This was a big shot. Chen Yi chose to confirm. Charges began the moment the projection started: 5,000 Copper Coins per hour.

The projection quickly took form. As Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto appeared, the temperature around them seemed to rise.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto held a cane. His white eyebrows and beard were long, and beneath his seemingly aged appearance lay a blazing heat comparable to the sun.

"Hm, boy, who are you? Why do I feel an urge to teach you?"

"Never mind. Let's begin."

Chen Yi let out a breath of relief. If he really had to explain, he would not know what to say.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto lightly tapped the ground with his cane. "What do you wish to learn? Swordsmanship, Hand-to-hand combat, footwork, Kido..."

Chen Yi stepped forward with Charmander and bowed slightly first. "Greetings, Senior. I wish to learn your understanding of flames."

Seeing Chen Yi show such respect to this person, Charmander hurriedly bowed slightly as well.

Looking at Charmander, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto seemed to become a little gentler, though Chen Yi could not tell whether it was merely an illusion. He looked just like an ordinary old man.

"My understanding of flames?"

"Draw your Zanpakuto. I need to know your current level."

Chen Yi took out his staff, whose durability was nearly at zero. "I don't have a Zanpakuto. Will this do?"

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto glanced at the staff. "Begin."

Facing such a powerful opponent, Chen Yi knew he had no room to hold back.

Just as he was about to recall Charmander, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's voice came. "Don't worry. You are not qualified to hurt it in front of me."

"Please enlighten me!"

Before his voice had even faded, flames erupted between them. The explosive force of the flames surged toward Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

Such force would ordinarily have been no more than a breeze brushing Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's face, but to protect Charmander, he still swept his cane through the air, cutting apart both the flames and the impact generated by Repelling Fire Ring.

Chen Yi had already expected Repelling Fire Ring to be ineffective. His purpose had been to block the other man's vision.

As the flames vanished, five fireballs appeared in sight. Those fireballs were also a feint; the real attack came from the nails behind Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

When Chen Yi had used Mental Power to manipulate a shovel in Plants vs. Zombies World, he had thought of Mental Power's true application: controlling tiny Martial Tools to attack.

Facing the relentless attacks, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto instead frowned, somewhat disappointed. "How disgraceful!"

His cane slammed heavily into the ground, and an enormous blast of air spread outward from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

The fireballs exploded the instant the air wave swept over them, while the nails fell straight to the ground.

The combat experience Chen Yi had brought from one world could not bring even the slightest pressure to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

"Boy, do not rely too heavily on sneak attacks in battle. That will shift your focus. No matter when, your own strength is the most important thing."

Though Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto made no other movement, Chen Yi felt as if the sky were collapsing upon him.

Chen Yi took a deep breath and swept his staff before him. Several fireballs formed in an instant, and he simultaneously used Ignite.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who had originally found this far too dull, finally showed a bit of interest. This boy was not entirely worthless.

"Even this old man can feel the heat."

It was a sensation Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had not felt in a long time. Though he was merely a projection, he possessed the memories of the original body. He felt that even his flames might still have room to advance.

"Stop, boy. I already understand your situation."

Chen Yi obediently stopped. This could not be called a battle at all; it was merely a giant watching an infant play.

If you think this book is good, please remember to add it to your bookshelf so you can find it next time.