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The Oak Research Lab is located in Pallet Town, a beautiful and tranquil place.
In the afternoon, when Kai knocked on the door of the Oak Lab, Professor Oak, a kind old man with short grey hair who occasionally hummed the Pokémon Theme, greeted him with a warm and generous smile.
"Professor Oak, sorry to bother you," Kai introduced himself. "I'm Kai from the Cerise Research Institute in Vermilion City. Professor Cerise asked me to deliver something to you."
Professor Oak nodded, "Professor Cerise mentioned you'd be coming, though I didn't expect you to travel from Vermilion City in just two days. That's quite fast!"
"I couldn't delay Professor Cerise's request," Kai replied, handing the box containing the prototype to Professor Oak, followed by a package from the Viridian City store that he pulled from his backpack.
Professor Oak looked at the package happily. "You brought this as well? That's a huge help! Tomorrow is the day a new group of trainers departs I was starting to worry about how we'd be ready."
Kai responded casually, "This time of year must be busy for you, Professor. It sounds like hard work."
"That's right. You know, you're getting older when it feels harder every year," Professor Oak laughed, spreading his hands. "But this year, my grandson, who has quite the independent streak, will be starting his journey. I'm excited to see who he'll become."
Kai's curiosity was piqued. "Would that be Gary?"
"Oh?" Professor Oak asked in surprise. "You know Gary?"
"Not personally," Kai said, waving his hands. "I just heard Professor Cerise mention him once."
Despite playing it cool, Kai couldn't help feeling a thrill. So Gary was heading out on his journey tomorrow? Could that mean Ash, his peer, would also be starting his adventure with Pikachu?
Looking forward to meeting them, Kai decided it was time to go. Declining Professor Oak's invitation for lunch, he headed toward Pewter City once more.
After passing through Viridian City, Kai chose to explore the Viridian Forest this time since he wasn't in such a hurry.
Viridian Forest, located between Viridian City and Pewter City, is a dense maze of trees, creating a natural labyrinth.
Even with a map, countless people get lost each year in its massive and winding paths.
The forest is home to many Bug- and Flying-type Pokémon, earning it the reputation as a "Bug Catcher's Paradise."
Once inside, Kai wandered based on his instincts, defeating many wild Pokémon that ambushed him.
He encountered Pidgeotto and Butterfree, both of which he once admired. But after some hesitation, he decided not to catch them.
His four Pokémon trained hard in the forest, each showing progress in their way.
After a long while, the bushes ahead started rustling. Kai braced himself, thinking it was another wild Pokémon when a young trainer dressed in warrior-like armour with a net and a sheathed sword leapt from the bushes.
"Aw, I was hoping it'd be a rare Pokémon," the young samurai said, looking at Kai's Pokémon, "But since it's you, how about a battle?"
"Uh, that's pretty direct," Kai replied, surprised.
"Of course! As Pokémon trainers, our eyes meeting is the signal to battle!" declared the samurai, releasing a Poké Ball without waiting for Kai's agreement. "Come out, Pinsir!"
The Poké Ball opened, revealing a fierce-looking Bug-type Pokémon with huge horns.
Kai took out his Pokédex to scan it:
Pokédex: "Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokémon. Its type is Bug. Pinsir's two powerful horns never let go once they grab hold, tearing apart anything in their grasp."
Sighing, Kai looked at his Pokémon and said, "Squirtle, this one's yours."
Between the Grass-type Bulbasaur and Psychic-type Kirlia, both would be at a disadvantage against the Bug-type Pinsir.
Eevee and Squirtle had neutral matchups with Pinsir, so he chose Squirtle.
"Squirtle, squirt!" Squirtle hopped forward, eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.
But just when Kai anticipated a close match, Squirtle won with a few quick moves, handling Pinsir with ease.
"What!?" The samurai couldn't believe it. "My Pinsir lost so fast?"
"It's simple," Kai replied with a smirk. "Your Pinsir's level isn't high enough yet. If you get the chance, you should train it more."
The samurai turned red with embarrassment and clenched his fists. "Fine! I'm not done yet! Go, Caterpie!"
A red light flashed as the samurai released his second Pokémon, a Caterpie.
Ah, so it's just a bug larva, Kai thought with a grin. Without switching Pokémon, he let Squirtle battle on, and it defeated Caterpie just as easily.
With the battle over, Kai was about to leave when he stopped, turning back to the samurai. "By the way, I came from Pallet Town. If you want to improve, train hard, and you might even challenge the rookie trainers coming after me."
"Pallet Town? Rookie trainers?" the samurai repeated.
"That's right," Kai said with a proud smile. "Trainers from Pallet Town are strong. No matter who you face, you won't have an easy time."
"Don't be so cocky!" the samurai shouted at Kai's fading figure, clenching his fists with determination. "Remember this! No matter how strong your Pallet Town trainers are, next time, I'll make you eat those words!"
"Dude, I am not even from Pallet Town; it's just that everything there is strong or stronger", Kai murmured to himself.
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