When the host stepped up, all the competitors immediately focused on him, listening closely to the rules.
"This bay links to the ocean, and every year huge numbers of Seaking migrate here. That's how the Seaking Fishing Tournament began…"
The host was a young man wearing a bow tie shaped like a Seaking. Standing on stage, he spoke cleanly and clearly: "As for rods, there are no restrictions at all. Everyone brings their own. You can hook as many Seaking as you want."
"However, each participant may place only one Seaking into this Lure Ball, and whoever catches the heaviest one will be the champion."
He held up a specially designed Poké Ball, then pointed to a mountain of chocolate stacked nearby.
"The champion not only gets the trophy but also a year's supply of chocolate…"
The moment he said this, the crowd burst into excited cheers.
The towering pile of luxury chocolate was spectacular, a heaven for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Even if you couldn't eat it all, you could share it with friends and family or sell it for cash.
Once the cheers quieted down, the host continued, "Each competitor is limited to one partner Pokémon. Please register at the front desk first. After that, everyone will head out together to begin the tournament."
"Register a partner Pokémon, huh? So it's just like in the anime. After hooking a Seaking, you still have to battle it before you can capture it."
Caster understood immediately.
These rules were basically the same as the Bug-Catching Contest.
As for whether you wanted to keep the Seaking afterward, that was up to each competitor. Like Misty in the anime, who ended up releasing the huge Seaking she caught.
…
At the registration desk, a long line of fishers waited to sign up.
When Andreas arrived and sent out his Poliwhirl, another wave of noise rippled through the crowd.
Among fishermen, Andreas was well known.
He clearly enjoyed the praise and chatter around him. But as soon as he spotted Caster, he snorted, turned his head, and walked off without a word.
"My partner is this Pichu."
When it was Caster's turn, he pointed to the little Pichu sitting in his pocket.
"What an adorable Pichu."
Even the clerk couldn't help melting a little. After finishing the registration, she took the chance to give Pichu a gentle pat.
"Pi~"
Pichu cooperated like a pro.
It was used to this by now.
Caster then received his Lure Ball and a motorized boat for moving freely around the bay.
Before the tournament officially started, everyone had to pilot their boats to find their ideal spots. Only after the official start could they cast their lines. Anyone fishing early would be disqualified.
"This boat… I'm not sure how to handle it."
Once the engine started, Caster managed to inch forward, but his steering was shaky.
Pichu stood at the bow, taking in everything with wide-eyed curiosity.
Splash!
Another competitor's boat suddenly shot past, and the waves it kicked up nearly flipped Caster's tiny craft over.
"Can't even drive a boat, yet you dare enter a fishing tournament? How pathetic!"
From the boat speeding away came a mocking voice. It was Andreas, wearing a look of smug superiority.
"Yoh~"
At the stern, Poliwhirl stuck its tongue out at Pichu.
"Unbelievable!"
Caster's expression darkened.
Andreas's personality was truly grating, his behavior downright vile.
"Pi~ Pichu~"
Having nearly fallen into the water, Pichu was furious.
It climbed up Caster's waist, slapped the Gyarados Poké Ball, then pointed at the distant Andreas and Poliwhirl.
For once, the usually cute Pichu was genuinely angry.
Trainer, release big bro and let him flatten them.
"Don't get heated. Focus on the competition first."
Caster stroked Pichu's head to calm it down. "Winning the championship is what matters."
If this had happened out in the wild, Caster wouldn't have minded teaching Andreas a lesson and showing him what a real beating looked like.
But in a tournament, any physical retaliation would mean instant disqualification.
And that was probably exactly what Andreas wanted.
Caster wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
"Pi~"
Pichu thumped its tiny chest, declaring that they absolutely had to win.
Once the small commotion passed, Caster steered the boat in search of a fishing spot.
"There are a lot of rock pillars and caves here. Plenty of Seaking must be living below."
Satisfied with the location, Caster began preparing his gear and bait.
According to the Pokédex, Seaking liked to live in rock caves at the bottoms of rivers or seas. Males used their horns to drill into rock and create nests so the eggs wouldn't get swept away by currents.
This was the Seaking migration and spawning season, so they would naturally gather around rocky areas.
"Pi~"
Sparks crackled on Pichu's cheeks. It was itching to go, ready to electro-fish at a moment's notice.
"The Seaking Fishing Tournament officially begins!"
As the host's voice boomed from the loudspeaker, fishers around the bay cast their lines, sending a rain of lures into the water.
"Awooh~"
At the same time, the Seaking below became restless, whirlpools swirling at the bottom.
The annual free food festival had begun.
After such a long migration, they could finally feast.
Whoosh!
Caster's bait had barely touched the water when the bobber was yanked straight under.
"Instant bite? The fish here are really aggressive!"
Caster grinned from ear to ear.
That meant he was in for a huge haul today.
Ever since Magikarp turned into "Mrs. Bull," it had been far too long since he'd had a good catch.
"Come on up!"
Caster pulled with all his strength, the rod bending sharply. The Pokémon underwater was powerful enough to drag the entire boat.
"It's a big one. A monster!"
Caster grew even more excited.
Bigger meant stronger, and stronger meant better rewards from his cheat ability.
"Awooh~"
With a splash of water, a massive Seaking burst through the surface.
Compared to ordinary Seaking, this one had plumped up for mating season, and its colors had grown even more dazzling. Even Caster couldn't help admiring it.
"That size… that color… flawless."
He was impressed.
These Seaking had all migrated from the sea to spawn. Compared to those living in rivers and ponds, ocean Pokémon faced harsher environments and tougher competition, making them far superior.
[Caught "Seaking," reward: 1 Waterfall TM.]
The cheat ability's notification appeared, followed by the Seaking's stats panel.
"It actually has Lightning Rod?"
Caster raised an eyebrow.
Lightning Rod was Seaking's hidden ability, so it was rare. Caster had caught plenty of Goldeen and Seaking in ponds, but none had this ability.
Who would've thought he'd meet one as soon as he reached the ocean?
"Too bad. I already have little Pichu."
Caster shook his head, lost interest in battling, and released the Seaking.
For him, the Seaking itself meant nothing. The reward was the real goal.
"Gyarados is going to love this."
Caster glanced at the Waterfall TM with a smile and quickly threw in more bait.
The moment it hit the water, yet another instant bite.
The Seaking below simply couldn't wait.
"So aggressive. So, so aggressive."
Caster laughed as he reeled in again. "I'm really starting to love this tournament."