Special Training

Kaka's second battle against Squirtle ended in an utter defeat, without question. Although Kaka could spot openings in his opponent's defenses, Squirtle was ready for him this time and avoided fighting him up close as much as possible, wearing down his stamina with Bubble. It was also the most effective way to fight him.

Before long, Squirtle's ranged attacks had left Kaka completely exhausted, and a final Water Pulse ended the battle.

Chu Xin watched Kaka's match from the sidelines with a helpless look. Neither he nor Aier had given any commands during the fight; it had been a contest of the Pokémon's own abilities.

Kaka's stamina really was far too poor. Even without evolving, Squirtle could thrash him. If Squirtle wanted to, Kaka couldn't even get close.

"Well? I won this battle."

Aier looked at Chu Xin with a calm expression, but the upward curl of her lips betrayed what she was really thinking.

Sure enough, I've still got some skill.

Chu Xin, meanwhile, regarded Kaka seriously. Kaka lay on the ground, exhausted, then struggled to his feet, looking as though he might collapse again at any moment.

"Kaka's shortcomings are too obvious. Farfetch'd aren't particularly suited to battle in the first place, and his battle experience is nothing compared to Squirtle's. His physical fitness is also very poor. It feels like he has weaknesses from head to toe."

Hearing Chu Xin's assessment, Kaka lowered his head in shame. He had felt those shortcomings himself. During the fight against Squirtle, he hadn't even been able to touch his opponent. His ranged attacks couldn't hit Squirtle at all, leaving him nothing more than a target for Squirtle's Water Gun.

Chu Xin crouched down and stroked Kaka's head.

"Don't lose heart. No Pokémon in this world is weak beyond hope. You can become a powerful Pokémon too. But if you want to become strong, you'll have to endure a lot of pain. Can you do that?"

Kaka looked at Chu Xin with determination in his eyes. He had never been afraid of hardship. He just wanted to change his fate. Who said a Farfetch'd couldn't become strong?

Chu Xin nodded. Although Kaka was weak now, his determination to work hard and grow stronger was rare. Chu Xin believed that under his guidance, Kaka would definitely become stronger.

"Let's stop training here for today. Tomorrow, I'm going to the Jindu Gym. Kaka needs a proper training facility. This kind of training does far too little to improve his abilities."

Resting nearby, Xiao Wu raised his head and gave Chu Xin a surprised look. We're going out? But I don't really want to move!

What am I going to do with him? Xiao Wu's become a complete homebody dragon!

"No, you're coming with me this time too. You've rested long enough. You're taking part in this special training as well."

"Mm~" (Why do I have to go too?)

Xiao Wu stared at Chu Xin in shock. He was already so strong, yet he still had to undergo special training!

"Think about it. Without dynamax energy, what are your chances of beating Bai Le's Scyther? And Bai Le will get stronger sooner or later. If you don't work hard now, it'll be embarrassing if that Scyther comes back for revenge and you lose."

At the mention of Bai Le's Scyther, Xiao Wu's expression grew serious. He had only barely managed to beat that Scyther with the help of dynamax energy. So much time had passed since then that Scyther might have grown stronger again. He couldn't keep slacking off like this. He needed to train properly, so he wouldn't lose too badly when the time came.

Early the next morning, Chu Xin brought Xiao Wu and Kaka to the Jindu Gym. Seeing Chu Xin's fierce approach, the Vespiquen guarding the gym thought he had come to collect a debt and hurried inside to notify Chen Huan.

"Why did you suddenly come over without telling me first? Look how badly you scared Vespiquen."

"Of course I came because I needed something. By the way, how did things go with Jindu Academy?"

At the mention of Jindu Academy, Chen Huan's expression soured.

"What's wrong? Did you run into some trouble? Did Zhuo Yuan make things difficult for you?"

Chu Xin looked at Chen Huan curiously. Zhuo Yuan should have agreed to his request. After all, Chen Huan was as capable as a Gym Leader. Someone that talented would be snapped up wherever he went.

"No, Zhuo Yuan was very happy to have me join, but the higher-ups won't let me resign as Gym Leader."

"What? Why not?"

Chen Huan looked at Chu Xin awkwardly and slowly explained.

"Basically, there's no reserve gym available to replace the Jindu Gym right now. If I resign out of the blue, no one can take over as the Jindu Gym's Leader. So I can't resign yet. I have to keep doing the job until someone comes to replace me."

"Wait, there's a shortage of Gym Leaders? Isn't that a position people fight over?"

Chen Huan looked increasingly embarrassed as he stammered out an explanation.

"That's just how it is with the Jindu Gym. Its financial hole is pretty big. Aside from the funds needed to protect the cultural relics, I've also run up some outside debts. No one wants to take on that mess right now."

Isn't this a mess you made yourself?

Chu Xin gave Chen Huan a disdainful look. Now there really was nothing he could do to help.

"Fortunately, Dean Zhuo is letting me work part-time at Jindu Academy, so I can still use the academy's funding to research dynamax energy. That work won't be affected."

That's good enough. Xiao Wu is relying entirely on Chen Huan's dynamax research.

"All right, that's not what I came here to talk about today. Does the Jindu Gym have any exercise equipment?"

Chen Huan looked at Chu Xin in confusion.

"Exercise equipment? I don't think so. Are you planning to train your Monsters at the Jindu Gym?"

Chu Xin released his newly caught Kaka and showed him to Chen Huan.

"This is the Pokémon I just caught, but he's a little weak. I want to give him some special training. If you don't have any exercise equipment, never mind."

True to his status as a Gym Leader, Chen Huan spotted what was different about Kaka at a glance.

"Is this a Farfetch'd? Why does he seem a little unusual?"

Chu Xin smiled at Chen Huan.

"He's no ordinary Farfetch'd. Kaka has a very special Psychic-type talent that's powerful in battle."

Chen Huan nodded. He could sense that something about Kaka was different. The world was vast; Monsters with special abilities were nothing extraordinary.

"If you want to train, the Jindu Gym does have a place that would suit you. Follow me."

Chu Xin looked at Chen Huan in confusion.

"Didn't you say you didn't have any exercise equipment?"

"I'm not talking about exercise equipment, of course. It's something else."

Chen Huan led Chu Xin farther into the Jindu Gym, and before long, Chu Xin saw what he had been talking about: a very unusual room.

"Here we are. This is where I train Vespiquen. It's more than enough for training a Farfetch'd."