"…"
"!"
Greninja jolted upright, a piece of fabric sliding off his stomach. Sniffing it, he recognized Su Feng's scent.
"Croak… (What happened…?)"
Rubbing his throbbing head, he pieced together fragmented memories. He'd challenged Blaziken and Su Feng. Hitmonchan had shouted "Begin!" He'd launched five Water Shuriken at Blaziken, who'd been mid-Swords Dance—no evasion, just taking the super-effective hits. Then, as Greninja lunged for a Night Slash, Blaziken finished his stat boost. A red-gold blur flashed beside him. He'd tried Substitute, but—
Thwack.
A fiery foot met his skull. Darkness.
Greninja: "…"
He'd been one-shot.
Touching the swollen lump on his head—now numbed by medicinal herbs—he grimaced. That brat hits like a truck.
Steeling himself, Greninja stepped out of the tent. Su Feng was lecturing students nearby.
"Step one to becoming a Trainer: partner with a Pokémon. Four of you still lack one, so today's lesson is how to earn that bond."
"Long-time viewers know Blaziken was my first. I promised to never abandon him and help him become the world's strongest Blaziken. That's how I earned his trust."
Blaziken turned away, feathers ruffling in embarrassment.
"Another method: prove your strength. Defeat a Pokémon, and some may respect you enough to join your journey. They crave power, after all."
"But forcing a capture? Pointless. If a Pokémon resists even slightly, the Poké Ball fails. Respect their will."
[Live Chat Reactions]
[Wait, you can just beat them up??]
[Won't they betray you later?]
[Risky. Better to bond properly!]
[Forced partnership = disaster waiting to happen.]
[Look behind Su Feng! Greninja's up!]
[Took a Blaziken kick to the head and still standing? Frog God indeed!]
Noticing the chat, Su Feng spun around. "Greninja! You're awake!"
Two hours earlier: Su Feng had ordered Blaziken to use Swords Dance, then Quick Attack + Close Combat. He'd trusted Blaziken to hold back—but Blaziken, assuming Greninja's legendary toughness, tested with 60% power.
Result: Greninja got a one-way ticket to nap town.
Blaziken now bowed apologetically. Greninja waved it off. Losses were losses.
"Croak. (You won, Su Feng.)"
"Croak. (I'm yours now.)"
Su Feng smiled, pulling out a Luxury Ball. "Let's work together, Greninja."
A tap to Greninja's forehead. Red light engulfed him. The ball shook once… twice… click.
"Greninja is caught," Su Feng murmured.
From the bushes, Hitmonchan smiled. "Hit. (Go with them, Master. I'll guard these woods…)"
Turning to his students, Su Feng raised the ball triumphantly. "Understood?"
"YES!"
"Then go! Find your partners!"