Bab 1290: The Confident Trip
The Matriarch didn't stay long with Yuga and Cynthia. After thoroughly questioning them about the incident and gathering information about Giovanni, she left in a hurry.
Several days later, Yuga and Cynthia learned that the Matriarch had tracked down Team Rocket near the borders of Unova. However, what she encountered were merely decoys left behind by Giovanni to mislead the League. Giovanni himself had long since fled.
Only a few low-level grunts were captured, leaving both the Matriarch and the Unova League feeling frustrated. As a result, the League vented their anger on Unova's native dark organization, Team Plasma, launching a major crackdown that forced Team Plasma to lay low for quite some time.
With the matter of hunting down Team Rocket handed over to the Unova League, Yuga and Cynthia turned their focus to the Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup. The day after the Matriarch left, the Junior Cup was held as scheduled in Lacunosa Town.
Since the Junior Cup was merely a warm-up event for the actual World Championships, its scale wasn't particularly grand.
As special guests invited by the Unova League, Yuga and Cynthia participated in the opening ceremony with an "inspiring" exhibition match.
In truth, the battle between Yuga and Cynthia was a "staged match," with more emphasis on performance and entertainment than competition. Its main purpose was to enliven the atmosphere of the Junior Cup. Although their battle appeared intense, neither of them fought with their full strength.
The Junior Cup lasted for three days. The champion not only got the opportunity to battle Unova's Champion, Alder, and receive his guidance but also won a trophy that could substitute for any Gym Badge.
The trophy functioned similarly to the Ribbon Cup earned by Coordinators in the Grand Festival. With this trophy, a Trainer could enter any regional League tournament with just seven Gym Badges, though the trophy could only be used once.
The eventual winner of the Junior Cup was Ash. After traveling through Unova for some time, Ash had grown much stronger, and Yuga felt it was only natural for him to win.
Whether Ash had won in the original story, Yuga no longer remembered at all. However, during the tournament, Yuga did spot Trip.
Trip and Ash faced off in the competition, but Trip was easily defeated by Ash.
This didn't surprise Yuga in the least. He had already witnessed Trip's strength during their encounter in the park. Trip couldn't even defeat Dawn; how could he possibly beat Ash, who was much stronger than Dawn?
In Ash's battle against Alder, Ash naturally lost. Alder didn't even use his ace Pokémon; a single Bouffalant was enough to defeat all six of Ash's Pokémon.
After all, a Champion is a Champion. Ash still had a long way to go.
Despite losing the battle, Ash wasn't discouraged at all. On the contrary, he optimistically pestered Alder with countless questions. Since the winner's perk was getting guidance from Alder, Ash made sure to take full advantage of it.
In the end, Alder was so overwhelmed by Ash's endless stream of questions that he seized an opportunity to slip away. Watching this unfold, Yuga and Cynthia burst into laughter, their schadenfreude obvious.
Cynthia, in particular, seemed to relish the moment. When she first met Alder, she had been pestered endlessly by the "old flirt." Finally, she felt vindicated.
If not for Alder's age and his contributions to the League, Cynthia would have given him a beating long ago.
After the competition ended, Ash, Iris, and Cilan found Yuga, Dawn, and Cynthia to say their goodbyes.
"We're planning to find a place for some intensive training and come back out when the League tournament begins," Ash said to Yuga and Dawn.
Ash had already collected the eight badges required to participate in the League Tournament, but with nearly three months remaining until the event, he had ample time to prepare.
Patting Ash on the shoulder, Yuga said with satisfaction, "Let me wish you success in the tournament in advance."
Due to the butterfly effect caused by Yuga's presence, Ash's abilities had grown far beyond what they were in the original story. No longer losing immediately in League Tournaments, Ash had even claimed victory in the last Sinnoh League Tournament. Yuga felt like a proud parent, thoroughly gratified.
Ash bowed deeply to Yuga and Cynthia, his expression serious. "Yuga, Miss Cynthia, thank you for taking care of me these past few days!"
During his time with Yuga and Cynthia, Ash had received guidance from them and learned a lot. He was incredibly grateful to both of them.
Previously, both Yuga and Cynthia had traveled with Ash for a while, providing him with significant help during those times. Ash had always remembered this.
Seeing Ash's gesture, Iris and Cilan followed suit, bowing to Yuga and Cynthia as well. Over the past few days, they too had learned much from the pair.
Startled, Yuga quickly helped Ash up. "Alright, alright. As long as you all work hard and become excellent Trainers, that's the best way you can thank me."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Yuga turned to Dawn, who was standing nearby, and asked, "Dawn, what are your plans next?"
"I plan to head straight to Johto," Dawn replied.
"Johto?" Yuga asked, surprised.
At that moment, Ash suddenly interjected, "I know! It's to participate in the Wallace Cup, isn't it?"
Dawn smiled and said, "That's right. The Wallace Cup is being held in the Johto region this time, so I'm planning to head there early to prepare."
"I see!" Yuga exclaimed in realization. He hadn't expected Ash to know Dawn's plans so well. It made sense—they were former traveling companions. Yuga himself hadn't even noticed the news about the Wallace Cup.
The group didn't chat for too long, as Dawn needed to head to Johto. Yuga and the others escorted her to the airport in Lacunosa Town.
After leaving the airport, Ash, Iris, and Cilan also bid farewell and departed.
Next was Cynthia. She and Yuga shared a dinner, chatted for a while, and then she left Lacunosa Town, leaving Yuga alone there.
Due to the tsunami, Cynthia's villa in Undella Town was still under renovation, so Yuga had no choice but to stay in a hotel in Lacunosa Town. With the Junior Cup now over, he planned to leave Unova the following day.
Cynthia, of course, didn't have to deal with such inconveniences. Thanks to her wealthy friend Caitlin, she didn't need to stay in hotels like Yuga. Meanwhile, Yuga and Caitlin didn't share a close enough relationship for him to ask to stay at her place.
After parting ways with Cynthia, Yuga was walking back to his hotel when he suddenly heard someone call out to him from behind. Turning around, he saw Trip running toward him, panting heavily.
"Do you need something?" Yuga asked curiously.
Catching his breath, Trip said, "Gym Leader Shimizu… I… I want to battle you!"
To be honest, Yuga wasn't particularly fond of Trip—perhaps it was just a lack of chemistry. His first impression of Trip during their encounter in the park hadn't been great either. So, he politely declined. "I'm really tired right now and just want to rest."
However, Trip seemed not to understand and stubbornly looked at Yuga. "I won't take up too much of your time. It'll be over quickly."
Trip hadn't expected the person he met in the park in Undella Town to be such a famous Trainer. When he saw Yuga on the judging panel at the Junior Cup, he had been utterly shocked.
After investigating further, Trip finally learned about Yuga's identity.
To be honest, his impression of Yuga from that park encounter wasn't particularly strong. What stood out more to him was being defeated by Dawn. If he hadn't seen Yuga and Dawn together during the Junior Cup, he might not have even remembered that Yuga had been there that day.
If Yuga had known Trip's thoughts, he probably would've spat in his face. "What the heck? I'm this handsome, and you completely ignored my presence?!"
Hearing Trip's words, Yuga was surprised and thought to himself: Won't take up much of my time? Are you implying my strength isn't worth your effort? This kid is a bit arrogant!
Yuga didn't believe Trip's words implied his own weakness. Judging from the confident look on Trip's face, he didn't seem like someone with a modest attitude at all.
Perhaps it was the fearlessness of youth—Trip genuinely thought he could defeat Yuga. In fact, his challenge was an attempt to use a victory against Yuga to boost his own reputation.
The goal behind Trip's participation in the Junior Cup was similar.
Trip wanted to win the competition to gain the opportunity to challenge Mr. Alder. He aimed to defeat Alder and enhance his own prestige.
For a trainer like Yuga or Alder, encounters weren't something that happened casually, so Tripfelt he had to seize this chance!
Even though Trip had lost to Ash in the tournament, he didn't see it as a reflection of his skills. Instead, he believed it was simply a matter of bad luck.
Before coming to find Yuga, Trip had approached Mr. Alder and tried to persuade him to accept his challenge, but Alder had refused.
"I'm very sorry, but I can't accept your challenge!" Yuga bluntly refused as well, turning to leave immediately after speaking.
Trip stepped forward to block Yuga's path. "Gym Leader Shimizu, are you perhaps afraid of losing to me?"
??? Yuga was dumbfounded. Is this... a taunt?
Looking at the expression on Trip's face, which seemed to say, I've figured you out, Yuga began to suspect that Trip genuinely believed what he was saying. His curiosity grew—How does this kid's brain work?
Staring at Trip for a long time, Yuga eventually confirmed that Trip truly thought this way and wasn't just using reverse psychology.
This kid hasn't faced enough of reality's hard truths, Yuga thought to himself. Although it felt beneath him to argue with a ten-year-old, he suddenly had an urge to play the role of "reality."
"Alright, follow me," Yuga said after a moment's thought.
Hearing this, Trip's face lit up with joy.
Under Yuga's lead, the two headed to the East George Battle Club in Lacunosa Town.
The East George Battle Club was well-known throughout the Unova region, with branches in various cities. It was a place where trainers could freely battle each other.
After signing up, the staff quickly assigned them a battle field. Once the match on that field concluded, Yuga and Trip's names were announced over the loudspeaker.
"Next match, please welcome Shimizu Yuga and Trip!"
As soon as Yuga and Trip stepped onto the field, cheers erupted from the spectators.
The East George Battle Club was always bustling with people who came to watch Pokémon battles. Some were trainers looking to learn and improve, while others were local residents seeking entertainment.
In any case, the club was lively every day.
Since the Junior Cup had just concluded, many of the trainers who had participated hadn't yet left the area. This made the East George Battle Club even busier, and some people recognized Yuga. As word spread, more and more spectators gathered to watch this battle.
Far from being nervous about the growing audience, Trip only became more excited. The more people watching, the greater the fame he would gain if he defeated Yuga.
Yuga noticed the excitement in Trip's eyes but merely shook his head and released his Pokémon.
Both sides sent out a Serperior, but Yuga's was clearly better developed. Its vibrant green coloration and golden patterns radiated an air of nobility.
Seeing that Yuga had also sent out a Serperior, a hint of surprise flashed in Trip's eyes.
As the whistle signaling the start of the battle sounded, Trip was just about to issue a command to his Serperior when, suddenly, Yuga's Serperior vanished from his line of sight.
"Serperior!"
A pained cry rang out as Trip's Serperior was sent flying, landing on the ground and lying there motionless.
One-shot!
Witnessing this scene, Trip was dumbfounded. Wha… what just happened?
The moment Trip lost, cheers erupted from the crowd, but, of course, all the applause was for Yuga.
Amid the cheers were also sneers directed at Trip, mocking him for overestimating himself. The ridicule made Trip feel utterly humiliated.
When Ash battled Alder, even though Ash was defeated by Alder with just one Pokémon, he still managed to put up some resistance!
Trip prided himself on being stronger than Ash. After all, when he first got his starter Pokémon, he had already beaten Ash. But now… how could this happen?
Seeing Trip's face turning beet red, Yuga thought to himself, Did I go overboard? Is this going to leave a psychological scar on him later?
Yuga had purposely chosen a crowded venue for the battle so Trip could have a clear reckoning of himself, not to crush him to the point of no recovery.
Still, Yuga didn't step forward to console him. It's better for this kid to face reality sooner rather than later, he reasoned.
It wasn't until the announcement of the next match echoed through the speakers that Trip finally withdrew his Serperior and darted off the stage, red-faced.
By the time Yuga stepped down from the stage, Trip had already disappeared without a trace. Yuga didn't think too much about it and headed toward his hotel.
As he passed a corner of a tall building, Yuga suddenly noticed two Watchog whispering to each other before heading deeper into an alley. Out of curiosity, Yuga quietly followed them.
To avoid alerting the Watchog, Yuga used the invisibility abilities of Gengar and Mismagius.
The Watchog were indeed very vigilant. As Yuga followed invisibly, one of the Watchog abruptly stopped, twitching its nose as if it had detected something. It then turned its head and scanned the surroundings, but it saw nothing.
Its companion patted it on the shoulder. What's wrong?
The Watchog shook its head. It's nothing.
But inwardly, it was puzzled. Strange… I clearly sensed an unfamiliar presence, so why can't I see anything?
Watching the Watchog walk away, Yuga mused, As expected of Watchog. Their alertness is truly exceptional.
Watchog and their pre-evolution, Patrat, are naturally gifted with sharp perception and keen vigilance. In the Unova region, aside from Lillipup, Herdier, and Stoutland, Patrat and Watchog are also standard Pokémon for the police force.
Compared to the Lillipup evolutionary line, Patrat and Watchog are more cost-effective to train, making them ideal for large-scale deployment.
In addition to the two Watchog, Yuga also noticed other Pokémon heading in the same direction. There were Purrloin, Pidove, and Trubbish, all common stray Pokémon in Unova cities.
What's going on here? Yuga's curiosity deepened as he continued to follow them.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone