Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 433: Fishing Master

Naoki carefully placed the docile Tatsugiri into the small water bucket beside him and turned his attention back to the fishing line. Every now and then, he glanced at the Tatsugiri, who was peeking out just enough to watch its surroundings. Its curious, wide-eyed gaze made it undeniably adorable.

Naoki chuckled softly before focusing on the competition. The fishing contest was lively, and the energy around the lake was palpable.

A sudden splash of water nearby drew everyone's attention. A girl in a short skirt was wrestling with her fishing rod, which bent precariously as she fought to reel in her catch. From the water emerged a massive, whiskered Pokémon—a Whiscash. The crowd gasped in excitement.

"Oh my! Another Pokémon catch after Takeru and Naoki! Go, Maeve!" a spectator cheered.

The Whiscash thrashed violently, resisting Maeve's efforts to reel it in. Despite her determination, the sheer strength of the Pokémon proved too much. With one powerful tug, the Whiscash broke free, taking the hook and bait with it. The fishing rod nearly slipped from Maeve's hands as she stumbled back, breathless.

"Oh no! So close!" the onlookers exclaimed.

Takeru Sato, the composed fishing veteran, watched the scene with calm detachment. "Fishing is about patience and precision, not brute force," he remarked, resetting his line.

As if on cue, the float on his line twitched. Takeru's sharp eyes zeroed in on the movement. With practiced hands, he reeled in his line, revealing a relatively common Basculin. Undeterred by the less-than-rare catch, he placed it in his bucket and resumed fishing.

Naoki, observing Takeru's calm demeanor, couldn't help but admire the man's skill and composure. But the subtle challenge in Takeru's actions ignited a competitive spark in Naoki. He resolved to take things more seriously.

Moments later, Naoki's own float jerked violently. A heavy pull indicated that something sizable had taken the bait. His pulse quickened—was it a Dondozo? Thinking back to the immense strength displayed by Whiscash earlier, Naoki braced himself.

Gripping the rod tightly, he leaned back and began reeling in the line with all his might. To his surprise, the line came up smoothly, without the fierce resistance he'd anticipated.

That's odd, he thought. Wasn't it a strong fish?

When the catch surfaced, his confusion deepened. Hanging from the hook was a Slowpoke, its mouth lazily clamped around the bait. Its big, round eyes were as vacant as ever, and its pink tail trailed in the water like a loose rope.

"A Slowpoke?" Naoki muttered, incredulous.

Spectators began to murmur. "What? A Slowpoke?"

"Is that even considered a fish Pokémon?" someone asked.

"Not exactly," another chimed in, "but according to the competition rules, anything caught counts—whether it's a regular fish or a Pokémon! And if it's rare, it scores even more points!"

Naoki carefully removed the fishing hook from the Slowpoke's mouth and placed it gently on the grass nearby. The Pokémon remained as still as ever, its dull eyes staring blankly into space.

Naoki shook his head in mild amusement. The Slowpoke lethargy and vacant expression lived up to its reputation.

The Slowpoke didn't move at all, simply sitting by Naoki's side and staring into the void. He sighed and decided to cast his line again, refocusing on the fishing competition.

Time passed steadily, and other contestants began to haul in their catches—mostly common fish or Pokémon like Magikarp and Goldeen. Some lucky individuals reeled in Barboach, though every attempt at capturing one of the giant Whiscash ended in failure.

The organizer called out over a loudspeaker, "Attention, contestants! Ten minutes remain in the competition!"

Naoki calculated silently: enough time to catch one last fish. Nearby, a commotion drew his attention. Ripples spread across the water near Takeru Sato's fishing rod, and the line began to thrash violently. Whatever was hooked was enormous.

A murmur spread through the crowd as Takeru gripped the rod with focused determination.

"It's a big one!" someone exclaimed.

Takeru's expression grew intense. The strength of the pull threatened to snap the fishing rod in two, but his experience showed as he braced his stance and began reeling it in with steady, calculated movements. After a brief struggle, a massive Whiscash leapt from the water, its shadow momentarily eclipsing Takeru.

"It's another Whiscash!" a spectator cried.

"This is the eighth one hooked today," said another. "But no one's managed to land one yet. Can Takeru Sato pull it off?"

Excitement rippled through the onlookers. Known for his legendary fishing skills, Takeru was said to have once caught and tamed a wild Gyarados.

The Whiscash crashed onto the shore, thrashing violently as it flung water and dirt everywhere. Its beady eyes locked onto Takeru with a flash of anger, and it immediately launched a Water Gun attack.

Takeru anticipated the move and dodged nimbly, narrowly avoiding the high-pressure stream. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, grabbing the Whiscash's long whiskers and wrestling it to the ground.

The massive Pokémon flailed wildly, its powerful tail creating shockwaves against the earth. However, being out of water was a significant disadvantage, and Takeru used the terrain to his advantage. Holding on tightly, he pinned the Whiscash to the ground.

Naoki, watching from a distance, could hardly believe his eyes. "Is this even fishing anymore? It looks like a wrestling match!"

Still, he couldn't deny the impressive display of skill and endurance. Takeru's athleticism was on full display, a testament to the extraordinary capabilities of humans in the Pokémon world.

Gradually, the Whiscash's movements slowed. Its energy drained, it lay on the grass, panting heavily. Takeru finally released its whiskers and stood, his victory clear. He produced a Poké Ball and tapped it against the Pokémon's side. The Whiscash entered the ball, which shook briefly before locking with a click.

Applause erupted from the onlookers on the shore.

Pah, pah, pah!

"As expected of Mr. Sato Takeru!"

"That was incredible! He actually subdued the Whiscash!"

Naoki was equally impressed. The idea of climbing onto a Pokémon's back and physically subduing it was beyond anything he could imagine doing himself. 

With just over a minute left in the competition, most contestants doubted they would catch anything worthwhile in such a short time. Many had already packed up their gear, conceding the competition after witnessing Sato Takeru's success.

Naoki was about to do the same, but just as he reached for his fishing rod, the float on the water suddenly twitched.

A bite!

Startled, Naoki instinctively reeled in his line. With a dramatic splash, a long, elegant figure broke through the surface of the lake.

Water droplets scattered into the air, shimmering like a rainbow in the sunlight. The Pokémon's scales sparkled brilliantly, drawing gasps from the crowd.

When the onlookers realized what Naoki had hooked, they collectively froze in awe.@@novelbin@@

The Pokémon had a cream-colored, streamlined body adorned with shimmering blue and pink scales. Its ruby-like eyes glowed with a dreamy brilliance, and its beauty was almost otherworldly.

"Milotic…" Sato Takeru whispered in disbelief.

Milotic, the Tender Pokémon, was known for its rare beauty and elegance. For anglers and trainers alike, encountering a Milotic was akin to a dream—a nearly unattainable goal. 

With a graceful cry, the Milotic broke free from the hook and dived back into the water.

"Naoki, tame it quickly!" Sato Takeru shouted, snapping Naoki out of his daze.

"Tame it? How?" Naoki stammered. The idea of physically subduing a Milotic, as Sato had done with the Whiscash, was laughable. 

"Forget it! I"ll just throw the Pokeball!" Naoki muttered to himself, gripping the Poké Ball in his hand.

He took a deep breath, aimed carefully, and threw the Poké Ball with all his strength. The ball arced gracefully through the air and struck the Milotic, enveloping it in a red light before pulling it inside.

The Poké Ball landed on the lake's surface, bobbing gently as it began to shake.

"Buzz! Buzz!"

The tension was palpable. Everyone held their breath, their eyes glued to the ball.

Naoki's heart raced. He didn't dare to hope. After all, capturing a Milotic—a Pokémon of such beauty and rarity—on the first throw seemed impossible. He wasn't some kind of legendary trainer with a one-throw guarantee, and there was no bond between him and the Milotic. It had no reason to stay.

The Poké Ball rocked once, twice, three times… and then fell still.

The crowd erupted in cheers at the sight.

"Yes! He successfully caught it!"

"Mr. Naoki is incredible! To catch such a rare Pokémon like Milotic is amazing!"

Sato Takeru, still slightly breathless from his earlier battle with the Whiscash, nodded with a smile. Compared to Milotic, the Whiscash he had caught were clearly inferior.

"It seems we already have our champion," Sato Takeru admitted, this time with genuine admiration. He was ready to concede defeat without complaint.

Naoki, however, felt his head buzzing. Had he really caught a Milotic? And even more surprising—it seemed to acknowledge him!

What just happened?

The Poké Ball containing Milotic drifted to the shore with the gentle waves of the lake. Naoki picked it up with a mix of awe and disbelief.

With a press of the button, a flash of white light revealed the beautiful Milotic standing before him once more. Its elegant form glimmered in the sunlight as it gazed at Naoki with gentle, curious eyes.

Three metaphorical exclamation marks appeared in Naoki's mind.

Does the Poké Ball have some hidden brainwashing function?!

"Milotic?" Naoki called hesitantly.

The Tender Pokémon tilted its head slightly, observing him with a calm, almost curious demeanor. It didn't seem hostile, nor did it attempt to flee. If anything, its gaze was almost... approving.

Milotic could sense something unique about the human before it. He exuded a natural, calming aura—one that resonated deeply with Milotic's connection to nature. In its mind, this aura marked him as someone inherently kind and trustworthy.

Naoki, without his usual translator device, couldn't understand Milotic's unspoken thoughts, but its gentle behavior gave him a clue. He decided it was best to let things flow naturally and proceeded to bring the Pokémon he caught for the final evaluation.

Around him, other contestants cast envious glances at Milotic, their admiration evident.

"It seems everyone has done well today!" Mayor Thomas announced warmly as he approached the gathered participants. "Now, let's see what everyone has caught."

The fishing competition would be judged based on a points system. Ordinary fish were worth one point, Pokémon two points, and rare or special Pokémon carried bonus points. The combined score would determine the winner.

Mayor Thomas and the panel of judges began inspecting each contestant's catches one by one.

While waiting for his turn, Naoki reviewed his own haul for the day. His collection included:

Three Tatsugiri, Two Barboach, One Slowpoke Several Magikarp and Goldeen And, of course, the star of the show: Milotic.

He glanced over at Sato Takeru, who had also caught a fair number of Pokémon:

Four Qwilfish, Five Basculin, One Kingler, and a mix of common river fish.

When it was Sato Takeru's turn, Mayor Thomas inspected his haul carefully and then announced, "Contestant Sato Takeru's final score is 42 points!"

The crowd applauded. Compared to most contestants, his score was already quite impressive.

Naoki silently admired Sato Takeru's effort. Watching him subdue Pokémon with his sheer determination and physical skill earlier had been nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Finally, it was Naoki's turn.

Mayor Thomas carefully examined Naoki's collection, his eyes lighting up when he reached Milotic.

After deliberating with the other judges, the mayor smiled broadly and declared, "Contestant Naoki's final score is 52 points! By the way, this is the first time in our competition's history that someone has caught a Milotic!"

The crowd erupted into enthusiastic cheers.

Naoki's score was a full ten points higher than Sato Takeru's, earning him the championship title of the fishing competition. Mayor Thomas handed him the gleaming gold medal awarded by the Fishing Association.

Sato Takeru approached Naoki with a wide grin.

"I accept my defeat wholeheartedly," Sato Takeru said with a sincere smile, his admiration for Naoki evident.

Naoki, feeling slightly uncomfortable, shook his head. "No, I was just lucky."

He couldn't help but think about the edge he had thanks to the effects of the World Tree's aura and the Paella. Compared to the other competitors, his methods felt like cheating.

But Sato Takeru chuckled and replied, "Sometimes, luck is part of one's skill. It was a pleasure competing with you in today's fishing contest. If the opportunity arises in the future, let's go fishing in the open ocean together!"

The vast, boundless ocean, home to an incredible variety of aquatic Pokémon, was every angler's dream destination.

Naoki hesitated. Fishing in the ocean? With his luck, he might accidentally reel in something legendary, like a Kyogre. He thought of the miraculous effects of Paella and sighed inwardly.

Still, Naoki managed a polite smile. "Sure, why not?"

Satisfied with his response, Sato Takeru grinned widely. "Then let's conquer the Pokémon of the sea together!"

With the fishing competition officially over, many participants opted to release the fish Pokémon they had caught, mindful of preserving the ecosystem. Naoki also turned his attention to his catches.

Three Tatsugiri popped their heads out from the bucket, their bright scales glistening under the sun. Two Barboach stubbornly bit the rim of the bucket, refusing to let go, while Slowpoke continued lying on the grass, staring into space. As for Milotic, it stood nearby on the grass, its elegant form captivating all who looked at it.

Naoki crouched down and spoke gently. "Thank you all for your help today. Because of you, I was able to win the competition. Now that it's over, if any of you wish to return to the lake, you're free to go."

He placed the bucket by the river, allowing the Pokémon to make their choice.

The two Barboach grumbled but eventually let go and waddled toward the water, disappearing beneath its surface. The three Tatsugiri, however, remained in the bucket, chirping playfully. Slowpoke, unsurprisingly, stayed put, still lost in thought.

As for Milotic, it didn't even glance at the water. Instead, it fixed its serene gaze on Naoki.

Seeing that most of the Pokémon had no intention of leaving, Naoki made up his mind to bring them back to the ranch. However, he needed to confirm Milotic's intentions first. Taking out his Rotom Phone, he activated the translation feature.

"Milotic, do you want to come with me?" Naoki asked.

"Woo~" Milotic nodded gracefully.

Naoki blinked, genuinely surprised. "Why choose me?"

Rotom quickly translated Milotic's response: "Because you smell nice, Rotom~!"

"Smell nice?" Naoki sniffed himself in confusion but caught no discernible scent.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked.

Milotic tilted its head and tried to explain. "Woo…" (It's like the wind and the scent of green leaves… I don't know how to describe it well.)

Naoki frowned, puzzled. But then a thought struck him. Could it be the aura of the World Tree that Milotic sensed? Perhaps the natural energy from the dishes he had prepared using its leaves had left a trace on him.

Thinking back to how even powerful Pokémon like Zapdos and Calyrex had been drawn to the World Tree, the pieces started to fit.

After considering for a moment, Naoki asked again, "Then, would you like to live with me on the World Tree?"

Milotic's ruby-like eyes sparkled as it nodded enthusiastically.

With the competition wrapping up and the other participants dispersing, Naoki gathered his Pokémon. He returned Milotic to its Poké Ball, carefully picked up the Slowpoke, and carried the bucket of Tatsugiri. Together, they made their way back to the ranch.

Once they arrived, Naoki headed directly to the lake on the top level of the World Tree. The peaceful waters shimmered under the sunlight, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

"Come out, Milotic!"

A flash of white light illuminated the area as Milotic gracefully slipped into the lake. Surrounded by the intense natural energy of the World Tree, Milotic appeared captivated by its serene beauty.

Naoki then released the three Tatsugiri and Slowpoke. The Pokémon emerged, each with its own unique demeanor: Milotic, elegant and peaceful, disliked conflict; Tatsugiri, timid but intelligent, avoided provoking others; and Slowpoke, ever unbothered, lounged by the lake's edge, lost in thought.

Naoki observed the group with a warm smile. "This is the interior of the World Tree," he explained to them. "I'm building an Expedition Guild here, a place where Pokémon can live in harmony, help each other, and explore new adventures. You're all welcome to be a part of it!"

The Tatsugiri poked their heads above the water, and Milotic blinked curiously. They seemed intrigued by the idea of the guild.

Naoki turned to Arboliva, who had been tending the orchard nearby. "Arboliva, these are our new companions. Can you show them around and introduce them to the area?"

Arboliva nodded gently, agreeing without hesitation.

Satisfied, Naoki left to return to the ranch and tend to other tasks. Once he was gone, Arboliva began to guide the newcomers around the World Tree, explaining its wonders.

It shared stories about the Hero Expedition Team, the Pokémon Guild under construction, the cozy restaurant, and the lush orchard and farmland nearby. The gentle Pokémon spoke in a soft, melodic tone, immediately putting the new arrivals at ease.

Not long after, the Treecko trio, attracted by the commotion, joined the group. They observed the new arrivals with bright eyes, their curiosity evident.

Arboliva smiled warmly. "Olii!" (This place will soon become a paradise where we can all live and work together. The Treecko have already decided to be waitstaff at the café. If you're interested, you can find something to help with too!)

The Tatsugiri began hopping in excitement, their eyes lighting up. "Tats!" (We'd like to manage a sushi restaurant!)

Milotic's serene expression brightened at the thought. This peaceful haven seemed like a perfect place to call home. "Woo!" (I'd love to help water the plants!)

Arboliva nodded in approval. "Oli~" (From now on, we're all companions. Let's work together to make this place truly special!)

Meanwhile, Slowpoke remained sprawled on the shore, gazing into the distance, completely lost in its own thoughts.