Chapter 376: Chapter 376

That afternoon. Lu Ye followed the excited Gengar into the training facility at the player village. Trainers could either train in enclosed venues or spar outdoors.

“Awooo~~凸(｀0´)凸” Arcanine threw his head back in a mighty howl, his Husky energy on full display, drawing glances from nearby Trainers.

Lu Ye didn’t care much about keeping his team’s tactics secret— It was always the same six Pokémon anyway. Leaking his lineup wouldn’t make a difference.

Still, rumor had it… Teacher Lu might bust out a mythical Pokémon in the finals. Or maybe even a legendary!

After all, he had done an exhibition match with Leon... showing up to this kind of League tournament was like a monster descending from the heavens!

“So the ‘Legendary Pokémon Trainer’... was me all along?” Lu Ye rubbed his chin.

Inside the closed training venue, there were basic setups like simulated sunlight and gravity chambers.

“Gengarrr~” Gengar had already teamed up with Arcanine, slipping right into a familiar training rhythm.

“Quack~(´థ౪థ)σ” Duck Duck, still reeling from watching Togepi sweep the last match, was on the verge of tears.

Time to quack up and push harder! Work hard, Duck Duck!

Brock had just finished his security assignment at one of the side venues. After learning that Lu Ye was training, he came straight over.

“Teacher Lu!” Brock entered the facility after punching in the code, waving in greeting.

Lu Ye raised a hand and asked curiously, “Who won in your sub-venue today?”

“The Johto seed player, Zhuo Xiong. He swept his opponent clean with Mismagius,” Brock said with a complicated expression. “He also uses a Perish Song team.”

Lu Ye blinked. Mismagius with Perish Song? That thing can pull it off?

Well, his own Gengar hadn’t learned Perish Song yet. Even though it’s an inherited move, there are plenty of cases where Pokémon learn such moves later through other means.

In some ways… Not knowing Perish Song might be a blessing in disguise.

Brock stood under the simulated sunlight for a while, then decided not to disturb Lu Ye’s training.

He’d heard Gym Leader Erika was coming to watch today’s Indigo League matches too. Brock began to ponder.

With her signature move, Solar Beam, maybe she could even give Teacher Lu some new inspiration…

Just as he was lost in thought, Brock’s phone buzzed.

“This lady has arrived at Indigo Plateau~” In the group chat, Erika asked, “Anyone near the outdoor plaza?”

“Blue’s there,” Daisy said. “But she might be busy selling her merchandise…”

“@Erika, come by the training facility at the player village.” Brock added, “I’m here with Teacher Lu…”

“Erika’s coming over?” Lu Ye looked surprised.

“There’s a Yuhong Gym Trainer competing today... Gym Leader Erika came to cheer them on.”

Lu Ye vaguely recalled that there was a particularly powerful Bellsprout in Ash’s League run. Was it from Yuhong Gym?

“Gengarrr~!” Gengar’s coaching echoed from the field.

Lu Ye turned and saw a lively training session in progress.

“Quack!” Sirfetch’d was swinging his leek like a warrior, drenched in sweat.

“Duck Duck’s working so hard too…” Lu Ye sighed, feeling a little emotional.

Maybe Duck Duck should be in the next match. It’s the effort that counts—even if it loses, it wouldn’t be shameful.

Just then, sunlight spilled through the entrance of the facility.

Erika, dressed in a green long-sleeved kimono, walked in gracefully, bowed slightly, and smiled.

“Teacher Lu, Mr. Brock, long time no see.”

Seeing the visiting Gym Leader, Lu Ye suddenly understood something.

Maybe it’s not just that the organizing committee is “our people”… The entire Kanto League—Gym Leaders, Elites, even the Champion—are all old acquaintances!

And don’t forget, Lu Ye was still a mentor to Team Rocket.

Have I infiltrated the Kanto League deeper than Giovanni ever did?

Lu Ye coughed lightly. “What would you two like to drink? I’ll go grab some water.”

“No need to trouble yourself.”

“It’s fine.” Lu Ye nodded toward the vending machine nearby. “It’s just over there.”

Brock paused. “Mineral water’s good, thanks.”

“This lady would like the same~”

Lu Ye headed to the vending machine.

Brock folded his arms, squinting toward the center of the training area, and muttered:

“Never thought… Teacher Lu could train Gengar to this level.”

Not only could Gengar follow the trainer’s plan down to the letter, it even motivated the rest of the team to train harder.

That kind of leadership… only someone like Green, who built a full main lineup in six months, could match.

“Training is definitely one of Teacher Lu’s strong suits,” Erika said softly, looking up at the facility’s artificial sunlight with a smile.

“But when it comes to sunlight… Teacher Lu’s plan could still use a little improvement.”

Brock frowned. “Is the light intensity not strong enough?”

Erika stepped forward gracefully, her calming presence spreading out, her every movement carrying a floral scent.

“Arcanine’s trying to learn a new move,” she said, tossing out a Poké Ball and smiling. “And it’s just one breakthrough away.”

“Awooo?” Arcanine tilted his head, puzzled, looking at the Bellossom before him.

Bathed in sunlight, Bellossom began to dance. Petals rose into the air, forming a dazzling orb of light.

“Use the target.” Erika raised her hand and said gently, “Solar Beam!”

In an instant, a blazing beam of sunlight erupted, leaving a scorched black mark on the target.

Arcanine stared in a daze. A moment later, a lightbulb popped up over his head.

So that’s how Solar Beam works! No wonder I couldn’t figure it out before!

“Awooo~” Arcanine grinned, like a proud doofus, his eyes sparkling with confidence.

A moment later, glittering Grass-type energy surged forth—Arcanine opened his jaws wide and began charging up for Solar Beam!

Ding— The mineral water dropped from the machine.

Lu Ye had just picked up a bottle when he turned around and froze.

The Solar Beam missed the target slightly and smashed into the venue wall instead.

CRACK! Spiderweb-like fractures spread across the wall.

Lu Ye’s face twitched.

I was gone for a minute to buy water… and he already learned a new move?!

“That’s already pretty good,” Erika said to Arcanine with a smile. “It’s just the aim that needs some work.”

“Awooo~~（◑▽◐）” Yeah, right!

“Solar Beam” is supposed to have perfect accuracy!

Lu Ye looked up at the wall, still shedding plaster dust, and felt a tightness in his chest.

Dear Arceus, please don’t use that move at home…

“Quack! (ಥ﹏ಥ)” What about me?! I’ve been stuck for ages and still can’t learn a new move!

“This lady only offered a tiny bit of help,” Erika said cheerfully, giving her bottle a shake. “So consider this mineral water a small thank-you gift~!”

Lu Ye let out a long sigh.

Even with a bye day… I still ran into someone important. That settles it—Lu Ye clenched his teeth.

Next match, I’ll take it seriously and command in person!

“As for Sirfetch’d…” Erika glanced back and said, “A Miracle Seed would help boost its affinity with Grass-type energy.”

“Perhaps the day it masters Solar Blade… isn’t far off!” Erika smiled gently.

Lu Ye sighed deeply, feeling the pressure mounting.

“You two go enjoy the matches. I’ve got to prep for the next round.”

Brock blinked, then his face lit up.

Teacher Lu taking a match seriously by the Top 32?

“This year’s Indigo League…” Brock murmured, “Might get really brutal…”