Celadon City, nine in the morning.
"Smeargle, we're not drawing manga today!"
Shiraishi Ritsu stood at the studio entrance, changing his shoes as he waved to Smeargle, who was organizing its art supplies.
"Smear?"
Smeargle lifted its head, its eyes instantly lighting up.
No work?
Could something this good really happen?
It quickly put down its brush and rushed over excitedly, afraid Shiraishi Ritsu might change his mind.
"Don't celebrate just yet."
Shiraishi Ritsu smiled and rubbed its head.
"I'm taking you to watch Pokémon battles today. We can gather some manga material while we're at it."
"Smeargle!"
Hearing that they were going to watch Pokémon battles made Smeargle even more energetic.
It loved drawing battle scenes, especially the movements Pokémon made when using moves. Usually, most of its references for the manga came from Shiraishi Ritsu's descriptions and the training footage they had collected before.
Now that it had a chance to watch matches in person, Smeargle naturally didn't want to miss out.
It ran back to the workbench, took out a sketchbook, picked a few brushes it often used, and stuffed everything into its little backpack.
Shiraishi Ritsu couldn't help laughing as he watched.
"That was quick. You're never this enthusiastic when I ask you to draw backgrounds."
Smeargle pretended not to hear him and headed out with its bag on its back.
Shiraishi Ritsu shook his head and picked up a flyer from the table.
[Celadon City Rookie Trainer Exchange Tournament]
[Trainers who have been traveling for less than a year are welcome to sign up!]
[Location: Celadon City East District Public Battle Court]
Kikkawa Maho had brought this flyer over yesterday.
The young reader who had sent him a challenge a few days earlier had mentioned in his letter that he planned to enter this tournament.
Shiraishi Ritsu had thought it over. Since he had already finished his latest manuscript ahead of schedule anyway, he might as well come and watch.
He was also curious about how those young Trainers who liked Pokémon Adventures would put the manga's tactics into practice in real life.
Celadon City's east district.
Quite a crowd had already gathered around the public battle court.
Two regulation battle areas had been marked out in the center, with staff nearby specifically assigned to maintain order.
Several young Trainers were warming up with their Pokémon.
Some were directing Rattata to practice Quick Attack, while others had Oddish repeatedly use Absorb to get familiar with the move's range.
Shiraishi Ritsu entered the spectator area with Smeargle and found a seat near the front.
"Pretty lively."
He looked at the Pokémon on the court, in a good mood.
Smeargle had already opened its sketchbook and begun drawing a Charmeleon that was warming up.
The moment Charmeleon swung its claws, it swiftly sketched out the attacking pose.
"Nice. That pose would fit perfectly in the manga."
Shiraishi Ritsu leaned over for a look and nodded in satisfaction.
Just then, the referee's voice came from the center of the court.
"Next match, Ashu versus Kaori!"
Shiraishi Ritsu paused.
"Ashu?"
He pulled the reader's letter from his pocket and checked the signature.
It really was the same person.
"Partner, looks like we got here just in time."
On the left side of the court, a boy wearing a blue cap stepped out nervously.
He looked only twelve or thirteen, and he clutched a Poké Ball tightly in his hand.
The opposing Trainer was a little older and looked much more relaxed.
"This match will be one-on-one. A Trainer loses when their Pokémon is unable to battle."
After confirming everything, the referee raised a hand.
"Begin!"
"Go, Butterfree!"
"Pidgeotto, I'm counting on you!"
Two flashes of red light appeared.
Butterfree gently beat its wings and flew into the air.
Across from it, Pidgeotto spread its broad wings and landed steadily on the court.
Shiraishi Ritsu's interest was immediately piqued.
"Butterfree against Pidgeotto, huh."
Both Pokémon were Flying types, but Butterfree was also a Bug-type, so it would have to be particularly careful of Pidgeotto's Flying-type moves.
Besides, it was a little windy on the court today.
Shiraishi Ritsu glanced up at the gently swaying branches nearby, then turned his attention back to the match.
"Butterfree, use Stun Spore!"
Ashu gave the first command.
"Free!"
Butterfree flew a little higher and flapped its wings, sending a large cloud of pale yellow powder drifting toward Pidgeotto.
At the sight, Shiraishi Ritsu couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
"Oh? Is this kid going to..."
Sure enough.
The next second, Ashu shouted excitedly, "Now! Use the air currents to send the Stun Spore behind Pidgeotto!"
Shiraishi Ritsu's expression immediately turned odd.
Why did that approach sound so familiar?
He soon recalled the battle in one of the recent installments of Pokémon Adventures, in which Koga had directed Venomoth to seal off a corridor with Stun Spore.
The two sides had fought a rather spectacular battle of attack and defense around the vents and air currents.
It looked like this young reader intended to imitate that scene.
But the problem was...
"Pidgeotto, use Gust!"
Kaori had clearly seen through his intentions.
"Pidge!"
Pidgeotto beat its wings hard, sending a strong wind blowing straight toward Butterfree.
The slowly spreading Stun Spore was immediately scattered and drifted toward the edge of the court.
Ashu's expression changed.
"How?!"
"Pidgeotto, Quick Attack!"
Kaori seized the opportunity and immediately followed up with another attack.
Pidgeotto accelerated sharply, reaching Butterfree in the blink of an eye.
Bam!
Butterfree tumbled backward from the impact, barely managing to steady itself.
"Butterfree, hurry and use Gust!"
Ashu hurriedly gave the command.
Butterfree had only just righted itself when it began beating its wings.
But Pidgeotto had already flown away from its original position.
"Pidgeotto, circle around to the side and use Gust again!"
A powerful current of air came rushing straight at Butterfree.
Unable to dodge in time, Butterfree was blown backward and crashed heavily onto the court.
"Butterfree!"
Ashu cried out anxiously.
Butterfree struggled to push itself up, but ultimately couldn't take flight again.
The referee stepped forward to check, then raised an arm.
"Butterfree is unable to battle! The winner is Kaori!"
Applause rose from the spectator seats.
Still seated, Shiraishi Ritsu sighed softly.
"Just as I thought."
Smeargle looked up at him.
"Smear?"
"The kid had a good idea. Unfortunately, he used it in the wrong place."
Shiraishi Ritsu pointed at the court.
"The corridor in the manga was narrow, and the direction of the airflow was easy to judge. Here, the wind can blow in from every direction, and his opponent was a Pidgeotto skilled at flying."
"Controlling Stun Spore the same way wouldn't be that easy."
Smeargle nodded thoughtfully, then lowered its head and began drawing in its sketchbook.
After the match, Ashu sat dejectedly in the rest area.
Butterfree had received some basic treatment and was now resting quietly beside him.
"I'm sorry, Butterfree."
Ashu reached out and stroked its head.
"We practiced for so long, but we still lost."
"Free..."
Butterfree gently nudged his hand.
Just then, a young man's voice suddenly came from nearby.
"Were you trying to imitate Koga from Pokémon Adventures just now?"
Ashu jerked his head up.
A black-haired young man stood a short distance away, accompanied by a Smeargle carrying a little bag.
"You've read that manga too?"
"I have. I'm pretty familiar with it, actually."
Shiraishi Ritsu walked over with a smile.
"Mind if we talk for a minute?"
Ashu quickly nodded.
Shiraishi Ritsu sat down beside him and asked directly, "Do you know why that tactic failed just now?"
"Because Pidgeotto was too fast?"
"That was one reason."
Shiraishi Ritsu pointed toward the distant court.
"There was also the wind direction."
"The wind direction?"
"Venomoth in the manga could use the corridor to control how the powder spread, and its opponent had limited room to move. You were up against Pidgeotto, which can use Gust to change the airflow."
"You wanted to send Stun Spore behind it, but before Butterfree could finish repositioning, your opponent had already blown the powder away."
Ashu listened very attentively.
"So that's what happened..."
"And when you gave your commands, your intentions were too obvious."
Shiraishi Ritsu continued, "You had Butterfree release Stun Spore first, then rushed to adjust its position. Your opponent had plenty of time to figure out what you wanted to do."
"If you haven't specifically practiced that kind of coordination, your chances of success naturally won't be high if you try copying the manga on the spot."
Ashu lowered his head, looking a little embarrassed.
"But Koga made it look so easy in the manga..."
"He's a very experienced Trainer."
Shiraishi Ritsu smiled.
"The manga highlights the most exciting parts, but in real life, move proficiency, speed, a Pokémon's individual characteristics, and a Trainer's judgment in battle all take time to develop."
He glanced at Butterfree beside them.
"Your Butterfree is actually pretty good. It recovered its balance very quickly after taking that Quick Attack."
"Really?"
Ashu's eyes lit up.
"Of course."
Shiraishi Ritsu nodded.
"You can practice controlling Stun Spore's range first, then gradually add movement and changes in wind direction. If you face an opponent who's good at using Gust, don't rush to copy the original plan, either."
Ashu carefully noted down these suggestions.
After a while, he suddenly felt something was off.
"Wait..."
The boy stared at Shiraishi Ritsu, his eyes slowly widening.
"How do you know so much about the tactics in the manga?"
Shiraishi Ritsu rubbed his nose.
"Because I came up with that part of the story."
"Huh?"
Ashu froze.
He looked at Shiraishi Ritsu, then at the Smeargle drawing beside him.
The next second, he shot to his feet.
"C-could you be..."
Shiraishi Ritsu hurriedly motioned for him to keep his voice down.
"That's right. I'm Masuda Senbei."
Ashu's jaw dropped.
"It's really you?!"
He quickly turned to Smeargle.
"Then is this Master Smeargle, the artist behind Pokémon Adventures?!"
"Smear!"
Smeargle proudly puffed out his chest.
Someone had finally recognized him!
Ashu was so excited that his face flushed red.
"Mr. Masuda! I'm the reader who wrote you that letter!"
"I know. I recognized your name when I saw the contestant list."
Shiraishi Ritsu smiled and said, "I came over today because I wanted to watch your battle, too."
Ashu was both surprised and delighted.
He had never imagined that the letter he sent would actually get a response.
Much less that the manga's author would come to the competition in person!
Several young Trainers nearby who had just finished their matches heard the commotion and gathered around curiously.
"Wait, who did you say he was?"
"Masuda Senbei?!"
"Seriously? The author of Pokémon Adventures?"
Before Shiraishi Ritsu could answer, Smeargle took the initiative and held up his sketchbook.
On it was a drawing of the clash between Pidgeotto and Butterfree moments earlier.
The movements flowed naturally, the details were exquisite, and even the poses of the two Pokémon as they beat their wings were vividly captured.
The young Trainers' eyes lit up at the sight.
"That art style! It really is Master Smeargle!"
"Mr. Masuda, I really love Red!"
"When you plan battles, do you consider type matchups first?"
"And can all those tactics in the manga that use the terrain really work in real life?"
Everyone chimed in, and Shiraishi Ritsu soon found himself surrounded.
He had originally only intended to watch a match quietly and give a little guidance to the reader who had written him a letter.
Yet in the blink of an eye, it had turned into a small lecture on Pokémon battles.
Still, looking at the expectant eyes of these young Trainers, Shiraishi Ritsu didn't find it a bother.
He simply found a bench, sat down, and began answering everyone's questions.
From type matchups to move combinations, then to the battle habits of different Pokémon.
Even he needed a moment to think about some of the questions, but he could explain most of the basics quite clearly.
Smeargle sat beside him, occasionally drawing a few simple illustrations.
Before long, exclamations of amazement rose around them.
"So you can do that, too!"
"No wonder Red always observes his opponent before every battle!"
"I'm going to retrain my Pokémon when I get back!"
Hearing these remarks, Shiraishi Ritsu felt rather pleased.
Although he hadn't managed to become an outstanding Trainer back then, the game knowledge he had accumulated in his previous life had finally found a new use.
Just then, one of the young Trainers watching suddenly raised his hand.
"Mr. Masuda!"
"Hmm?"
"You explain everything so well, and you know so much about Pokémon battles..."
The young Trainer looked at him expectantly.
"Do you really not take part in Pokémon battles yourself?"
The smile on Shiraishi Ritsu's face stiffened slightly.
Beside him, Smeargle also stopped drawing.
The man and the Pokémon exchanged a glance.
Both of them recalled that painful experience of being defeated by a Rattata.