Xia Huanao's grand ambitions left Dianxi somewhat bewildered; the training objective was a bit peculiar, but since she was out with him for fun, it might turn out to be quite interesting.
Thus, Dianxi, with a cheerful grin, also extended her hand, as if to cooperate with Xia Huanao's idea. Mu Zhishui looked at the Froakie diligently scrubbing bowls with Water Pulse nearby and asked, "I think you really like Dianxi, but isn't Froakie your first Pokémon?"
Xia Huanao glanced at Froakie, meeting its gaze. "Yeah, Froakie is my first Pokémon, but that doesn't stop me from doting on Dianxi. If you use a family as an analogy, I, old man, now have three children. The eldest son, Froakie, is responsible for looking cool, for being strong, for carrying out all sorts of missions. He's a versatile talent, and all my hopes are pinned on him. A Froakie like that can be cared for, but not spoiled."
Xia Huanao's tone was like that of an old man in his seventies or eighties, which made Mu Zhishui unable to suppress her laughter. "Don't tease me, you don't have that kind of weathered aura at all."
Froakie was excited by Xia Huanao's high hopes for him, but accidentally, his Water Pulse went a little awry and broke a chopstick.
Xia Huanao heard the crisp snapping sound, turned to look at Froakie, who quickly tossed the two broken pieces of chopstick aside, pretending nothing had happened.
As Froakie feigned ignorance, Xia Huanao went along with the analogy. "My second child is Dianxi. As the only girl in the family, why shouldn't I spoil her? A girl should be raised with abundance. I've invested all of the family's unique..."
...
After a break, Xia Huanao and Mu Zhishui set off again, walking along the path in the forest. Their next goal was to reach the coastline. Then, if they could fish up a Groudon or a Wailord, they could quickly cross the sea and return to Minglong Country.
However, Xia Huanao never encountered a smooth journey.
Not long after they started walking, Xia Huanao turned his head and said, "Zhishui, can we speed up a bit? We're a little slow."
Mu Zhishui pointed ahead. "Xiaxian, watch out in front!"
"Huh?"
Xia Huanao turned his head and saw a huge mound of earth blocking the road. Then, his feet lost their footing, and he tumbled into a pit.
Xia Huanao quickly scrambled to his feet. "Froakie, prepare for battle!"
Mu Zhishui stood at the edge of the pit, calling down to Xia Huanao, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, but who would dig a pit in a place like this for no reason?"
Xia Huanao rubbed his backside. He had actually fallen quite hard. However, after waiting for a while, Xia Huanao didn't see anyone or any Pokémon emerge to take responsibility for the incident.
"Come up quickly, don't stay in the pit."
Xia Huanao nodded, and just as he was trying to figure out how to get out, he saw two bones placed on the ground. Xia Huanao waved his hand. "Zhishui, come and look, could this be a fossil of some ancient Pokémon?"
Mu Zhishui peered over from a distance. "Don't block my view, I can't see clearly."
Xia Huanao moved aside, revealing the two bones. Mu Zhishui took a brief look. "Stop fooling around, those are just ordinary bones. There's no research value. Come up quickly."
Hearing that it was meaningless, Xia Huanao quickly sprinted and climbed out of the pit. Before he could even stand firm outside the pit, a figure pounced, hitting him on the head and knocking him back into the pit.
Xia Huanao's head was severely impacted. He stood up, clutching his head, and saw a Rockruff baring its teeth at him. Xia Huanao pointed at the bones on the ground. "So, did you dig this pit?"
Rockruff didn't answer, instead lunging forward to bite Xia Huanao. Xia Huanao sidestepped. "Froakie, Water Pulse!"
The Water Pulse hit Rockruff at the waist, sending it crashing against the side of the pit. Rockruff whimpered and fell to the ground, looking forlornly at the bones in the pit. The bones it had finally found were now about to be taken by this formidable villain.
Rockruff's reluctance made Xia Huanao angry. "What are you thinking, Rockruff? Why would I steal your bones?"
Saying this, Xia Huanao sat down and took out a piece of beef from his backpack. "Look at this. This is what I eat. Would I steal your bones?"
Rockruff glanced at the steak in Xia Huanao's hand, then at the bones in the pit that had no meat, not even a hint of its scent. In the end, it chose its own bones.
Xia Huanao chuckled. "Oh, a spirited young fellow. I like that, but it's not going to work. Froakie, fight him for the bones!"
Hearing Xia Huanao insist on bullying Rockruff, Mu Zhishui turned her head. This was too much. You have beef, fine, but you have to flaunt it to provoke Rockruff, and then you want to steal its bones? Can't you do something decent?
Hearing that its bones were to be snatched, Rockruff also became furious. It immediately picked up the bones and moved them aside, stepping forward to duel Froakie. However, due to the type advantage, Froakie quickly subdued Rockruff. Looking at Xia Huanao squatting by the bones, tears of regret welled up in Rockruff's eyes. It was too weak, otherwise, how could this villain have stolen its bones?
Xia Huanao picked up the bones, tied the beef to them with string, and dangled them in front of Rockruff. "Rockruff, look at this?"
Seeing meat attached to the bones, Rockruff's eyes flickered, and it looked like it was about to pounce and take a bite. Xia Huanao smiled and threw the bones. "Go, Rockruff, bite it!"
Since you're throwing the bones for me to bite, Rockruff politely accepted. It jumped up and bit down on the meat, quickly devouring it.
After finishing the meat, Rockruff looked at Xia Huanao. It felt like this villain wasn't so villainous anymore. Xia Huanao approached Rockruff. "How about it? Want to come with me? You can't just gnaw on meatless bones in this mountain forever."
Rockruff thought about it, hesitated for a long time, and finally nodded. Xia Huanao took out a Poké Ball. "In that case, let's go, Rockruff."
Rockruff looked at the Poké Ball in the sky, leaped up, and bit down on it. Then, it looked at Xia Huanao gleefully, wagging its tail, as if seeking his praise.
Xia Huanao sighed. "Rockruff, this ball isn't food, spit it out quickly."
Rockruff placed the Poké Ball in its mouth, tilted its head, and seemed unsure of what to do. Xia Huanao took out Froakie's Poké Ball. "Rockruff, watch carefully."
Saying this, Xia Huanao threw the Poké Ball, recalling Froakie. "Do you understand?"
Rockruff nodded, nudged the Poké Ball with its forehead, and then summoned itself into the Poké Ball. The Poké Ball shook on the ground and then became still.
Xia Huanao picked up the Poké Ball. "Very good, Rockruff, you're caught!"
Mu Zhishui, standing above the pit, clapped her hands. "Congratulations on catching Rockruff, but can you please hurry up and get out of the pit?"
Xia Huanao, carried away by his triumph, finally hung the Poké Ball on his waist and climbed out of the pit. Back on solid ground, Xia Huanao released Rockruff. "Come out, Rockruff."
Rockruff happily bounced twice on the ground, then pounced on Xia Huanao, rubbing its neck mane vigorously against Xia Huanao's neck. Xia Huanao knew this was Rockruff's way of showing affection, but it hurt...
He held Rockruff in his arms. "Alright, alright, there's a limit to acting cute."
Rockruff let out a soft whine. It seemed its trainer didn't quite like this way of expressing friendship, so it decided to try another method.
Rockruff jumped into the pit, grabbed its big bone, climbed back out, and placed the bone in front of Xia Huanao, wagging its tail.
Xia Huanao laughed. "Okay, I know you like me, but these bones are yours, I can't take them. You deal with them yourself."
Upon hearing this, Rockruff picked up the bone and ran into the forest.
"It seems there's a secret. Mu Zhishui, shall we follow and see?"
"Sure, let's go and take a look."