Chapter 5: Taming Treecko, Simulated Battle!

Seeing the Treecko standing before Zhang Feng, happily munching on a Figy Berry, Xiao Li finally stopped crying. Professor Birch and Qiao Xiu exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise.

It seemed Zhang Feng might actually be a trainer with real potential. At the very least, it was no simple task to easily discern a Pokémon's preferences and gain their initial approval—a feat usually reserved for professional Breeders. Furthermore, how had Zhang Feng even acquired a relatively rare Figy Berry?

With a hint of curiosity, Professor Birch spoke up, "It seems this Treecko really has a bond with you, Xiao Feng. But tell me, where did you get a Figy Berry?"

Hearing the question, Zhang Feng replied with a helpless shrug, "To be honest, Professor, I originally intended to head into the Littleroot Forest myself to catch a Bug-type Pokémon and begin my journey as a trainer. As it turned out, I had the good fortune of not encountering any wild Pokémon along the way, but I did manage to pick up a few berries. Since it was getting dark, I had to head home, planning to try again later. Today, when I came to visit you, I recalled the experience and felt a lingering sense of fear. If I had encountered a fierce wild Pokémon, I might not have made it back alive. That’s why I finally gathered the courage to ask if you could lend me a Pokémon so I could catch my starter."

As Zhang Feng spoke, Professor Birch’s expression darkened. Thinking of Zhang Feng’s family situation, he could only sigh helplessly. "Xiao Feng, why were you so reckless with your own safety? If you wanted a starter, you should have just come to me directly. Why risk your life like that?"

Listening to the Professor’s lecture, Zhang Feng offered a sheepish grin.

"Very well. Never do anything so dangerous again. I see you and this Treecko get along quite well. Treecko, I’ll leave this one in your care from now on. I hope you two can help each other grow; this little one’s potential goes far beyond this."

With that, Professor Birch pulled out the latest version of the Pokédex. "I’m giving this to you as well. It can provide details on all Pokémon from Hoenn, Kanto, and the Orange Islands. Since you’ve decided to become a trainer, you must give it your all! I’ll be rooting for you."

Having received the Professor’s support, Zhang Feng thanked him repeatedly. Once he obtained the Poké Ball for the Treecko, he recalled the Pokémon and immediately transferred it into his system space. Soon after, having received the Pokédex and five Poké Balls from the Professor, Zhang Feng bid farewell to Professor Birch and Qiao Xiu and left the laboratory.

In this world, possessing a Pokédex is essentially the equivalent of having an official identity. With it, no matter where Zhang Feng goes, he can show it to prove his status; even if he were to wander into a crime scene, Officer Jenny would never suspect him of being a criminal. It was, in a sense, a "get out of jail free" card from the Pokémon League.

It was also a guarantee, backed by Professor Birch’s own reputation and status, that Zhang Feng would be an excellent and righteous trainer.

Back at home, Zhang Feng focused his mind and entered his system space. There, he saw the Treecko staring intently at the Rayquaza soaring in the sky, letting out a low hiss. It was as if the Treecko was saying it, too, wanted to become such a powerful entity.

For a Treecko, the last thing it wanted was a useless trainer. If it had stayed with someone like Xiao Li to be treated as a decorative pet, it would have rather died. Now, having been transferred to Zhang Feng by Professor Birch—initially out of hunger and the temptation of the Figy Berry—the Treecko had been willing to tag along. But now that it understood this powerful Legendary Pokémon, Rayquaza, was also one of Zhang Feng’s Pokémon, the Treecko had no more objections.

Feeling the immense pressure radiating from the legendary Rayquaza, the Treecko felt a surge of excitement. At that moment, it felt that as long as it followed Zhang Feng, it would surely be able to grow stronger.

"Tree-cko!"

The crisp cry from the Treecko signaled that it had finally accepted Zhang Feng as its trainer. Once the bond was solidified, Zhang Feng took out a Luxury Ball and replaced the standard Poké Ball. Immediately, a system notification chimed.

"Ding! Treecko’s friendship has increased. Current friendship level: 100!"

Increasing friendship was easy at first, but once it passed two hundred points, it would require long-term effort. However, a friendship level of one hundred was perfectly sufficient for now, and with the Luxury Ball’s daily bonus, reaching two hundred wouldn't be too difficult.

Currently, the Treecko was at level fifteen and on the verge of evolving into a Grovyle. It would be best to test it out with a simulated battle in the system space to see if he could help it evolve. With that in mind, Zhang Feng addressed the system, "System, activate the simulated battle function!"

"Ding! Host has activated the simulated battle function. Changing environment..."

As the prompt sounded, the scene before Zhang Feng shifted, and a standard battle arena appeared.

"Ding! Please select an opponent."

The next moment, various figures began to emerge—nearly every type of Pokémon was available for selection, and he could even adjust their levels. Zhang Feng was filled with emotion at the sight. If he could have his Pokémon train in simulated battles every day, their growth would be incredibly fast. It was effectively an infinite training function, and since Rayquaza loved to fight, it could also use the space to vent its energy.

Excited, Zhang Feng decided to pick a Water-type Pokémon of the same level for the Treecko’s first match. With the type advantage, they could secure a win more easily, helping to build chemistry between them. He chose a level fifteen Squirtle as the opponent.

A blue Squirtle appeared on the opposite side of the arena.

"Squirtle, Squirtle!"

"Treecko, this is our first battle, don't you dare lose! Go, use Bullet Seed!"

As Zhang Feng gave the order, the Treecko’s eyes narrowed. Having eaten the Figy Berry, the Treecko was no longer hungry, and its stamina had been fully restored. It was in peak condition. Eager for battle, the Treecko charged forward the moment the match began.

The Treecko’s purple-tier talent was evident; it was incredibly fast. Zhang Feng barely saw a blur before the Treecko had flanked the Squirtle. Green projectiles erupted from its mouth, striking the Squirtle with force. The Treecko’s combat instincts were truly commendable.

Upon being hit, the Squirtle reacted immediately, instinctively withdrawing into its shell to minimize the damage—a textbook use of the Withdraw move to bolster its defense.

"Good combat awareness. It seems the simulated opponents aren't so simple after all. Treecko, use Quick Attack to close the distance!"

Receiving the command, the Treecko focused, its speed surging once more.