[You have caught Swablu. A new member has joined the orchestra!]
With his fourth member secured, the Musician didn't rush toward Driftveil City. Instead, he doubled back to Route 5, found a suitable clearing to set up camp, and began intensive vocal training for Swablu.
Singing is no simple feat, and playing in an ensemble is harder still.
No matter how much natural talent a Pokémon has, without proper training, their melodies will never cross the threshold into the professional realm.
[You begin to cultivate Swablu's voice while diligently raising its level and battle experience to trigger evolution.]
It was clear the Musician knew that a Swablu's vocal peak only arrives after evolution—into the "Humming Pokémon," Altaria. He started with the basics: teaching Swablu how to maintain a long, steady breath and how to precisely adjust its vocal cords.
He didn't neglect Chimecho or Maractus, either. While they weren't the lead singers, their accompaniment was vital. More importantly, they shared the heavy responsibility of standing beside him on the stage of the Pokémon League Conference.
Through the simulator's newly unlocked "Sound Card" feature, Kashiwagi gained a surface-level understanding of the music theory being displayed on screen.
...
Time flowed steadily.
Even through pixelated graphics, the new sound engine allowed Kashiwagi to feel the rapidly deepening bond between the Musician and his three new partners.
The Musician used music to forge a psychic connection with his Pokémon, pouring his every emotion, dream, and ambition into the melodies he shared with them.
In this moment, the [Soul Connection] talent was demonstrated in its purest form.
Swablu did not disappoint, evolving into Altaria and reaching its full vocal potential. Meanwhile, Chimecho and Maractus saw their combat prowess soar alongside their musical theory. Their accompaniment became increasingly effortless and professional.
One human and four Pokémon—when they performed together now, they truly felt like a sophisticated mini-orchestra.
[You are extremely satisfied with your Pokémon's performance and grateful for their tireless efforts. You decide to continue your journey.]
...
Kashiwagi watched with curiosity, wondering what Pokémon would join the team next. In a flash, the Musician arrived in Driftveil City.
As a port city, it was incredibly bustling. The famous Driftveil Market was packed with people. Shaking off the gloom from his time in Castelia and Nimbasa, the Musician headed straight for the plaza in front of the market. Under the gaze of the massive crowd, he began his performance.
This time, he chose the saxophone—an instrument full of soul and romance.
As the melody soared, Jigglypuff and Altaria joined in harmony.
The exquisite sound drew a massive crowd of passersby. Some people and their Pokémon even began to dance to the upbeat rhythm. With a single song, the Musician had seized the atmosphere of the entire plaza.
Watching this, Kashiwagi felt a sudden urge to groove along. He had to suppress the impulse to avoid his own Pokémon looking at him with "the Trainer is having an episode again" eyes.
The Musician's power of empathy through music was getting stronger.
It was as if he'd cleared his "meridians" and unlocked a new level of artistry.
...
Kashiwagi recalled that at the start of the simulation, the music was just "sound" that shocked him. But since starting the journey, the Musician's skills had become breathtaking.
Is travel just hardcoded into the DNA of people in the Pokémon world? Kashiwagi wondered.
After checking the track, he was surprised. Pop music!
He had assumed the Musician would only perform variations of ancient classical pieces, but the guy had a deep bag of tricks. Unfortunately, this song likely wasn't an original either—the creator was listed as a woman.
After resting for the night, the Musician took his energized team to the Driftveil Gym.
The Gym Leader, Clay, looked every bit the rough-and-tumble cowboy, which gave the Musician a flash of inspiration.
During the battle, he broke out a fast-paced Jazz number on his sax. Combined with the rhythmic Needle Arm of Maractus, Clay's Ground-type Pokémon were driven into a corner.
The battle ended smoothly. Even Clay's Excadrill fell before Maractus's Petal Dance. Despite it being the fourth Gym, it felt easier than Nimbasa, proving to Kashiwagi just how much the team's strength had grown.
[You defeated the Driftveil Gym Leader, Clay, and earned the Quake Badge. He expresses great admiration for your novel fighting style and asks you to perform a song for his workers.]
[You agreed.]
...
Clay was the president of a mining company, owning sites like Twist Mountain (home to Regigigas). He likely had thousands of workers. The Musician clearly didn't realize the scale of the request until Clay set up a massive stage.
[You look out at the dense crowd below. For a moment, it feels like being back in the golden music halls of your past, sitting at a piano. But the thought is quickly interrupted by the rowdy shouts of the workers, urging you to start.]
[You realize that you are no longer facing the suit-and-tie "upper class."]
The Musician adjusted his mindset instantly and released his four Pokémon.
Classic Jazz filled the air. The highly empathetic nature of the music ignited the crowd. It wasn't as aggressive as Rock, but it made the workers feel like they wanted to grab a cold drink and just soak in the vibe.
After several songs, this "Pokémon Orchestra" had completely won the hearts of the laborers.
Even Kashiwagi found himself enjoying it. In his past life, he viewed concerts as a waste of time—"casting pearls before swine." But now, listening to the joyful Jazz and recalling the classical pieces from before, he felt that if he had the chance, he'd actually like to attend a live show.
Just as he was lost in thought, the style in the simulator shifted.
...
The Jazz faded, replaced by a grand, magnificent Classical piece. Jigglypuff and Altaria's voices soared; Chimecho's tone became vast and sweeping, sounding far grander than its small body should allow. Maractus's rhythmic shaking provided a beat like a pounding drum.
Everything was tied together by a violin that had appeared in the Musician's hands.
Kashiwagi tried to memorize the melody, but the performance ended abruptly. This "symphony" seemed short, yet it left a lingering shock in his heart. The workers below all had "..." speech bubbles over their heads—they were clearly stunned.
A text box appeared:
[You look at the expressions of the people below, feeling both pride and sorrow. Though you have told yourself your goal countless times, you vow once more to achieve your musical dream. Only then...]
The screen faded to black.
Only then what?!
Kashiwagi nearly flipped his coffee table. The smulator was playing the "riddle master" card for the first time, and it was physically frustrating.
Fortunately, the simulator seemed to sense his anger; the Musician played a relaxing tune that calmed Kashiwagi's nerves.
From the way the simulator cut the song short, Kashiwagi guessed: this was likely the Musician's original composition.
But he's a fanboy of a pop star (Roxie), yet he's writing Classical music? Isn't that a bit of a clash? And it sounds unfinished. Did something happen before he could complete it?
...
Back on the screen, the Musician arrived in Mistralton City to challenge his fifth Gym. The genre this time?
Rock.
It was the high-energy Rock 'n' Roll favored by his idol, Roxie. The fierce, manic rhythm felt like an electric current. It empowered Jigglypuff, who surrounded itself with lightning, dealing devastating damage to Gym Leader Skyla's bird Pokémon.
Skyla's ace, Swanna, was 4x weak to Electric. Even though it tried to use Aqua Ring to dampen the shocks, it couldn't withstand a Jigglypuff that was attacking with the frequency of a "Chicago Typewriter" submachine gun under the influence of the feverish rock music.
A single Thunderbolt finished it.
[You defeated Mistralton Gym Leader Skyla and earned the Jet Badge.]
With five badges down, the Musician was one step closer to the Vertress Conference. Since the Icirrus Gym Leader, Brycen, was currently focused on his acting career, the Musician couldn't get his sixth badge there.
However, while crossing Tubeline Bridge on Route 8, he encountered his dream fifth member:
Lapras.
Highly intelligent, capable of sending its voice miles away, and universally recognized for its beautiful singing—it was the perfect addition to the Pokémon Orchestra.
The Musician chased it down on the back of his Altaria and successfully caught it.
[You have caught Lapras. A new member has joined the orchestra!]
The Musician began his customary "Spartan training." With Lapras's low-frequency, ethereal tones, it could act as a backing vocal or pair with Chimecho to create a sound as grand and haunting as a pipe organ.
Kashiwagi couldn't believe such a divine sound could come from Pokémon.
After the training, the increasingly professional ensemble arrived in Opelucid City.
[You have arrived in Opelucid City. The atmosphere—a blend of new and old, technology and history—reminds you of a grand epic. Stirred by emotion, you find a plaza and begin your performance with your Pokémon.]
The music began.
Kashiwagi was once again submerged in the emotions the Musician projected. He felt as if he were seeing the vast, sprawling history of the Unova region through the notes.
This was undoubtedly a symphony. In this moment, it was as if the Musician had torn off his mask and said, "I'm done pretending. I'm a Classical composer."
Well, it was a half-joke.
The Musician was just moved by the moment. In his daily life, he still favored Roxie's old guitar, vowing to rearrange every classical piece into a guitar version.
As the crowd erupted in applause, the Opelucid Gym Leader, Drayden, was standing among them. He recognized the Musician immediately as the "eccentric genius" rumored to command Pokémon through music.
Clearly, the "Gym Leader Group Chat" was active again. Based on the text, Clay had been the one bragging about him.
It made sense; a man who'd build a stage just for his workers to hear good music would definitely spread the word.
What a generous boss!
...
The scene shifted to the Opelucid Gym.
Drayden was powerful—you could feel it just from his aura.
To counter a master like him, the Musician chose a cold, desolate, and haunting piece. Using a clarinet, he conjured the feeling of a frozen wasteland. This significantly boosted the power of Lapras and Jigglypuff's Ice-type moves, causing Drayden a world of trouble.
The sixth badge was his.
[You defeated the Opelucid Gym Leader, Drayden, and earned the Legend Badge. He greatly admires your combat style but also points out its weaknesses.]
[You listen to his advice with an open mind.]
In the anime, Drayden was a teacher at the Academy and the Mayor of the city. Seeing a talent like the Musician, he couldn't help but offer guidance.
He pointed the Musician toward a nearby forest, mentioning a certain Pokémon that might pique his interest...
Kricketune.
Upon hearing Drayden's suggestion, the Musician wasted no time. He headed straight for the lush forests surrounding Opelucid City.
In the games, Kricketune might be seen as a mere "early-route filler," but in the world of the Pokémon anime, they are a musician's most cherished partners.
Despite his excitement, the Musician didn't rush. He remembered the best way to lure one out: The Violin.
With Jigglypuff by his side, he wandered the forest trails, playing as he went. Sure enough, a Kricketune was drawn to the melody and was successfully added to the team.
[You caught Kricketune. A new member has joined the orchestra! Looking at your completed ensemble, you feel a deep sense of pride.]
[What you haven't noticed is a blurry silhouette quietly following in your footsteps.]
Wait, what?
Kashiwagi squinted at the screen. At the very bottom of the display, a faint, flickering shadow was trailing the Musician.
Is it actually... Meloetta?!
His wild guess from earlier had become reality.
If the Musician could befriend a Mythical Pokémon like Meloetta, his chances of winning the League would skyrocket.
Then again, Kashiwagi knew that in the anime, most Mythical Pokémon aren't necessarily "powerhouses" in raw combat—they often get chased around by poachers.
Their true strength lies in their supernatural, miraculous abilities.
Ignorant of his legendary stalker, the Musician headed for Humilau City—the site of his eighth and final Gym—while working to integrate Kricketune into the group.
...
Kricketune are unique; individual differences result in varied melodies. Their cries mimic string instruments—be it a cello, viola, or violin.
There's even research in the Pokémon world suggesting that most string instruments were modeled after Kricketune, just as concrete was inspired by Conkeldurr.
Kashiwagi felt that, in this world, that was likely the literal truth.
Time accelerated in the simulator.
The screen flashed with scenes of the Musician conducting his orchestra, using his instruments to direct battles and training tirelessly to expand their move pools.
It was clear the Musician wasn't just coasting on talent; he was an incredibly hard worker as well.
Strangely, Meloetta never made an official appearance during this montage. Kashiwagi wondered if it had lost interest and wandered off.
A short while later,
the musician passed through Lacunosa Town and Undella Town, then using the underwater tunnel to reach his destination.
[You arrive in Humilau City. The calm, glass-like surface of the sea inspires you to pick up your violin and play a beautiful melody alongside Lapras.]
After earning the usual applause from street performances, the Musician challenged the Humilau Gym.
The Leader, Marlon, was a Water-type specialist obsessed with swimming in the open ocean.
The Musician performed a sweeping violin concerto themed around "Defying the Storm." Under the rhythm of the waves, Maractus and Lapras successfully breached the defenses of Marlon's team—even taking down massive opponents like Wailord.
The music was so potent it even affected Marlon's mental state.
[You defeated Humilau Gym Leader Marlon and earned the Wave Badge. He praises your combat style, claiming the music made him visualize himself breaking through a storm into a beautiful, sunny day.]
Good grief, Kashiwagi thought. He's literally hallucinating now?
But Kashiwagi couldn't blame him. Every time he heard the Musician's tracks, he felt practically hypnotized himself. In terms of sheer musicality, the Musician was easily on par with Roxie.
The only thing he lacked was original work... aside from that one snippet at the Driftveil stage, everything he played belonged to someone else.
Could it be that he shunned by the classical world because he couldn't compose?
…That seemed unlikely, didn't it?
While composing talent could easily bring fame and fortune to a musition, it shouldn't be an absolute requirement, after all, timeless classics aren't so easy to create.
Kashiwagi wondered.
He felt it was hard to say, and watching the musician board the ship returning to Virbank City, he silently rooted for him.
...
[You return to Virbank City. You spend time cleaning your instruments before diving into intensive special training for the Virbank Gym challenge.]
The musician once again demonstrated his diligence.
His diligence was rare among Kashiwagi's simulated protagonists.
He practiced his coordination over and over, day after day, month after month, ensuring his Pokémon orchestra was pitch-perfect.
Finally,
Satisfied with his progress, he stood before the doors of the Virbank Gym.
But he was stopped.
It was the same bouncer who had caught him sneaking in before.
[The bouncer refuses you entry, stating that the underground music scene is off-limits to minors. You quickly explain you are a Challenger and show your Badge Case. Seeing eight authentic badges, the bouncer is stunned.]
[You tell him you will fulfill your musical dream and stride inside.]
The musician entered the gym.
Roxie was waiting, looking as fired up as ever. Facing his idol, the Musician chose his favorite song from her discography and performed a tribute on his old guitar.
An exclamation mark popped up over Roxie's head when she saw the guitar.
[You start to explain the guitar's origin, but Roxie shouts, "So it was you!" It turns out her father had already told her about you. She never expected the "Musical Trainer" everyone was talking about to be her own fan.]
[You tell Roxie you will reach the Vertress Conference and achieve your dream. ]
[She gives you her full support.]
The battle was a masterpiece of Punk Rock vs. Punk Rock. The audience went wild.
While Roxie didn't use music to command her Pokémon like the Musician did, she was a powerhouse in her own right, famously using only three Pokémon to crush any challenger.
And all three of them are incredibly powerful.
The Musician chose to fight her using her own rhythm—a risky move, but one he clearly relished, feeling closer to his idol and realizing his dream.
Furthermore,
his Pokémon are formidable; his previous training wasn't in vain, and his accumulated strength has become the key to his explosive power.
[Limit Break] activated for the first time.
Jigglypuff let out a Hyper Voice of unprecedented power, blowing away Garbodor's Clear Smog and blasting the Pokémon out of the ring to seal the victory.
[You defeated Virbank Gym Leader Roxie and earned the Toxic Badge.]
[Roxie invites you to join her band, "Koffing and the Toxics." You desperately want to say yes, but you must decline. You have your own dream. Roxie is disappointed but gives you her blessing.]
The musician bid farewell to Roxie.
It was clear he was truly tempted, but unfortunately, due to certain factors, he had to refuse.
Back home, the Musician began the final polish on his unfinished symphony and continued training Pokémon to cultivate their battle abilites.
[You weave your journey and the sights of Unova into a melody. Combining it with the legacy left by your parents, you complete the symphony titled "Unova Heart," fulfilling your family's collective dream.]
So his parents are gone, Kashiwagi realized.
No wonder they never appeared. The symphony was their legacy, and the Musician's "lack of talent" was likely just a mental block caused by his grief.
And those two places must have been the places where the musician and his family had once been, and he feared being overwhelmed by emotions and nostalgia.
Soon, the text conveyed another piece of information:
The musician's parents' dying wish was for him to promote the piece, bringing it to the biggest stage so that everyone could hear it.
Unfortunately, the musician truly lacked composing talent. He had considered entrusting the piece to someone else to complete, but firstly, after his parents' long period of silence, he hadn't been able to maintain his former connections; secondly, the musician felt that if he gave the piece to someone else, his parents would be resentful in the afterlife.
This had hindered his progress.
When he saw Roxie perform, he was immediately captivated. Although those around him didn't think much of pop singers, he greatly admired Roxie, who was only a few years older than him and possessed such incredible talent.
Then, in a moment of madness, he brought his instruments to Roxie's hometown, Virbank City.
This action resulted in a complete severing of ties with his former family. By the time he realized what had happened, he had no place in Unova's classical music world, and there was no way his parents' music could be promoted.
So,
finding himself with no way out, the musician, who had originally planned to become a trainer, began to consider other methods.
Through his parents' diary, he discovered that traveling and playing music could hone his skills, broaden his horizons, and inspire his compositions.
If he could challenge all eight gyms, he could even reach the grandest stage described in his parents' last wishes—the Vertress Conference.
Considering all these factors,
the musician resolutely embarked on his journey.
And that's how the story unfolds up to the present.
...
After reading the narration, Kashiwagi felt that the musician might have misunderstood something. The Vertress Conference, because it connects to the Champion League, is indeed the grandest stage… but his parents clearly meant the grandest stage for music, right?
Of course.
If the musician could perform at the Vertress Conference, everyone in the community would hear it, even those who didn't watch the conference would be passively exposed to it through online dissemination.
From this perspective, the musician's choice was absolutely correct, and his efforts were not in vain.
Kashiwagi silently watched his stumbling creative process, his efforts to improve his Pokémon's battle prowess, even asking Roxie for special training and frequently battling trainers from Virbank City.
He was curious about how far he could go.
Then one day, the Musician stood up from his piano and tossed his sheet music into the air.
[You have succeeded.]
[You realize this song is your life's masterpiece. You may never create anything this "perfect" again.]
[You thought to yourself that you must fulfill your parents' last wish and, together with your Pokémon band, achieve the highest score at the Vertress Conference. And your will has been accurately transmitted to the hearts of your Pokémon.]
Suddenly, Kashiwagi saw that blurry shadow at the bottom of the screen rush toward the Musician. The screen went dark.
Wait! What happened? Did he catch it?
When the screen flickered back to life, it was the Opening Day of the Vertress Conference.
"This is ridiculous,"
Kashiwagi muttered, scratching his head.
The preliminary rounds.
The Musician looked... unique. Amidst trainers in light athletic gear, he stood out, carrying a guitar case and a large bag.
The guitar case undoubtedly contained a guitar, but what was in the other bag?
Kashiwagi quickly found the answer.
When the musician stepped onto the trainer's platform, he took out his guitar, and opened the other bag, a dark speaker and microphone were immediately exposed to him and the spectators.
Drayden had previously told him that the League Tournament environment was noisy, and his music might not be able to reach the Pokémon's ears, so he needed to increase the volume appropriately.
Therefore, the musician chose to use a microphone and speakers.
Kashiwagi was curious, didn't this violate the rules, such as affecting his opponents?.. but in reality, it didn't.
The text told that the League had asked the eight Gym Leaders and they had confirmed that the musician was genuinely using music to control his Pokémon, and not intentionally disrupting his opponents, so they allowed him to do so.
There was only a decibel limit.
Thanks to the musician, the audience witnessed something unprecedented: A Pokémon battle turned into a live concert.
The musician had achieved something unprecedented, a truly groundbreaking feat.
Perhaps it would go down in history....
What surprised the audience even more was his battle prowess.
[You sweep through your opponent with overwhelming momentum. The crowd is stunned by your strength.]
[You have cleared the preliminaries and advanced to the Main Tournament.]
But during the match…
The musician's main activity was constantly switching between different pieces, from classical music to jazz, rock, blues... basically everything except rap.
His instruments ranged from clarinet, trumpet, and tuba to guitar, keyboard, and even bass.
It was dazzling.
By the later rounds, the entire stadium would go silent whenever he played. People weren't just watching a battle; they were captivated by the music.
...
[You find that whenever you take the stage, the entire audience remains as quiet as possible. This makes you feel incredibly happy.]
The Musician stepped onto the stage, and ten thousand people fell silent.
This was a sight rarely seen in a competitive tournament.
His rank soared, quickly breaking through the matches and reaching the Victory Tournament.
However, for some reason, he never let Jigglypuff evolve—perhaps fearing that evolution would rob it of its extraordinary vocal range.
As an inspiring battle anthem sung by Altaria came to an end, the Musician reached the critical semi-finals.
To be honest,...
the Musician's climb had been ridiculously smooth. Kashiwagi couldn't tell if his Pokémon were simply too strong or if the other trainers at the Vertress Conference were just too weak.
But as if Kashiwagi had placed a "flag" on him, the semi-finals started smoothly only to turn abruptly difficult.
The opponent didn't just disrupt his rhythm; they used moves like Supersonic and Metal Sound to interfere with the Pokémon's hearing, preventing the music from reaching them.
The Musician barely held on, forced to send his two injured members against the opponent's full-health ace.
It looked like a two-on-one, but the momentum was fading fast.
Watching Altaria get pushed back, Kashiwagi's heart started racing.
Is he going to crash?
He has dual Blue-tier talents!
Finishing in the Top 4 would be a letdown!
Fortunately, the Musician did not disappoint. He dropped his trumpet, grabbed the microphone, and replaced the instruments with his own voice.
[You know you can reach Altaria's heart because—"A Trainer's voice is always more piercing than an instrument, and it gives Pokémon more courage."]
[You remember the teachings of Drayden at all times.]
At the very moment Altaria was about to collapse, it suddenly sang Perish Song, declaring a countdown to the defeat of the opponent's final Pokémon.
[Limit Break] activated.
It hadn't naturally learned this move, but hearing its Trainer's soul, it successfully performed this "Divine Track."
The Musician's last Pokémon held out just long enough for the song to take down the opponent's ace. A successful comeback victory into the finals!
"...Pixels can be this exciting?"
Kashiwagi swallowed hard, anticipating the finale.
But then, an unexpected crisis occurred: Altaria was too heavily injured to participate the next day. The Musician, with only six Pokémon, was stuck in a dead end.
That is, assuming he really only had six...
On the day of the finals, a fierce battle erupted.
The Musician started with Roxie's old guitar and intended to end with it. When his ace, Jigglypuff, finally lost, he sent out his hidden sixth member:
Meloetta.
The appearance of a Mythical Pokémon sent shockwaves through the stadium. Everyone was surprised that the musician had such a trump card.
[You look at Meloetta, and your memory drifts back to the afternoon the song was finished. Meloetta appeared because it recognized your talent and wished to help fulfill your musical dream—to sing "Unova Heart" at the Vertress Conference with your orchestra.]
[With Meloetta's help, you trained harder than ever and successfully integrated it into your ensemble.]
The simulation cut back to the battle.
Meloetta sang Relic Song, shifting from Aria Forme to Pirouette Forme. Harmonizing perfectly with the Musician's guitar playing and singing. Through this telepathic connection, it successfully defeats the opponent.
The Musician was the Champion!
Kashiwagi threw his hands up in excitement. Another League winner after the Calligrapher!
How could he remain calm?
On the day of the ceremony, with the organizers' permission, the Musician moved a piano near the podium. With his seven Pokémon, before the entire world watching the broadcast, he performed "Unova Heart."
The grand music turned the League closing into a solo concert. No one complained; everyone could hear the intense emotion within the notes.
The duet of Jigglypuff and Meloetta, Altaria's backing vocals, the organ-like sounds of Chimecho and Lapras, the rhythmic shaking of Maractus, and Kricketune playing the cello and violin in turns—the vast Unova region unfolded like a scroll before the audience.
The characteristics and customs of each city seemed to be right before their eyes.
The audience was stunned.
When it ended, the crowd screamed for an encore, hoping the musicians would perform another song and not leave the stage.
The tournament organizers acquiesced.
Thus,
perhaps the most absurd, but also most popular, league tournament in history quietly came to a close.
As for the Champion League,
because the musicians' Pokémon had already given their all in the competition, even with Meloetta, they couldn't defeat the first Elite Four member—the Psychic-type Caitlin.
[You lost to Caitlin; your League challenge has ended.]
[You fulfilled your parents' wish and took a giant step toward your musical dream. But you know this is just the beginning. Unfortunately, Meloetta cannot go further with you; it only stayed to help you win and to sing "Unova Heart."]
[You feel a bit of regret, but you bid farewell to the friend who stayed with you for months.]
The image froze on the Musician holding his guitar against the sunset, saying goodbye to Meloetta.
[Simulation Ended]
Kashiwagi immediately searched for "Unova Heart" on his phone.
"Tolbert Wyse: Famous Unova pianist and pop singer. Known as a musical genius, winner of the XX Vertress Conference. Famous worldwide for 'Unova Heart.' Currently composing for Pokéstar Studios..."
"So he's in Pokéstar Studios now?"
Kashiwagi looked at the photo. Tolbert looked much more mature than expected. Despite being listed as eighteen, he looked like a young man in his early twenties in his suit and tie.
He possessed the same mature air far beyond his years as the calligrapher, Nagumo.
Perhaps this was what made them different from ordinary people?
Kashiwagi pondered, then looked at the pop-up simulator rewards.
...
Fixed Rewards:
1. TM x5 (Type can be specified)]
2. Musician's Guitar Playing Memory - Empathy Chapter (can be viewed repeatedly)
3. Jigglypuff's Singing Memory - High Note Chapter (can be viewed repeatedly)
Choice Rewards (Pick 3):
1. Level up any Pokémon by 5 (below Lv.70);
2. Clue for Pokémon with specific base stats (excluding Legendaries/Mythicals/UBs);
3. Move: Ally Switch;
4. Carry [Healthy Physique] to the next simulation.
...
The champion can choose three out of four.
But he was more concerned about the fixed rewards.
Leaving aside the guitar playing memory, what use was Jigglypuff's singing memory?
He couldn't possibly actually use it to sing.
Kashiwagi thought that perhaps he could teach it to a certain Pokémon, like Blissey... after all, it was the only Pokémon he had that could learn Hyper Voice.
Then...
He shifted his gaze to Ally Switch, a truly annoying move in the game. Once an opponent knows you can switch, they're forced into a dilemma of whether to switch or not.
It's useful in doubles, but probably not so much in singles.
Fortunately, there are still many doubles events in the Hoenn region. Although he hasn't encountered any yet, he'll likely face doubles content in the League Conference sooner or later.
Without hesitation, he chose 1, 2, and 3.
He let out a loud "Yes!" that made his Pokémon look at him like he was crazy.
Sorting his gains,
Kashiwagi currently possesses the following moves: String Shot, Roost, Knockout, Endure, Weather Ball, and Dazzling Gleam, plus thirteen TM Gacha boxes.
He recently gave one Dazzling Gleam to Blissey.
The key is the thirteen TM Gacha boxes!
Seeing this number, his hands trembled slightly. If these were specific moves, they could definitely transform a Pokémon from weak to powerful.
Besides that, there are three clues: two specifying Pokémon with specific base stats, and one specifying a Pokémon of a specific type.
The latter doesn't matter; the former alone has already guaranteed two pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
Awesome!
Finally, there's the level bonus… this stuff is basically impossible to accumulate; you use it when you need it.
However, he wants to save it up now to allow his Zweilous to evolve faster.
He remembers Zweilous evolves at level 64, right?
Without considering other nuances of evolution in this word, even with these five levels, it still has a long way to go in levels , so there's no rush.
He'll wait until Zweilous reaches level 59. This guy is still a long way from level 59.
Kashiwagi grabbed Zweilous's head and glanced at the date on the wall.
He planned to stay in Verdanturf Town for a while, and more than ten days have passed. The Pokémon have all grown; he'll set off in another ten days.
Given his participation in the Pokémon Contest and the League Conference, time isn't much of a luxury.
...
The uneventful days passed like flowing water.
The following ten days brought Kashiwagi nothing exciting.
It was just ordinary training, battles, and playing with his Pokémon. With this balance of work and rest, their levels slowly increased.
Finally, it was time to leave.
Having already learned the exact dates from him, Wally had also packed his bags.
After countless internal struggles, he finally chose to head to the next region to continue challenging gyms and the Pokémon League, rather than stay in Verdanturf Town or the Hoenn region.
Only by continuing to travel could a trainer truly grow.
Kashiwagi largely agreed with his thinking. Even Ash, the protagonist of the anime, had to grow step by step under the writers' pressure; no one could escape it.
The two said goodbye at the Verdanturf Town train station.
Manch was taking the train to Slateport City to catch a boat to the Johto region to challenge the Silver Conference there.
"Safe travels! I'll watch your matches!" Wally shouted and waved leaning out of the window.
"Me too!" Kashiwagi waved until the train was a speck.
He had truly learned a lot from the latter during their time together, and his Pokémon's battle prowess had significantly improved. He greatly admired this seemingly weak but incredibly strong friend.
Adjusting his backpack, Kashiwagi looked at Porygon. "Let's head toward Lavaridge Town!"
"Pah-ree!"
Porygon responded, swinging its leg structure.
Before leaving completely…
he came to the vast farmland at the town entrance, found the familiar watermelon field, and said to a little boy with a watermelon-shaped head wearing a grass mask:
"Hey! Do you remember me?"
"Huh? Ah! It's you!"
The little boy with the watermelon head didn't recognize him at first, but when he saw Porygon, he suddenly realized, "You didn't leave? I thought you forgot your promise and had already left."
"How could that be? I've been staying in Greenwood Town these past few days."
Kashiwagi said with a smile, "Come on, let me see your 'Second General'!"
When he first came, the two of them agreed to have one more Pokémon battle before leaving, and the little boy with the watermelon head would let him see his second general.
"Alright! You wait! The second general isn't with me right now, I'll go back and bring him!"
The watermelon-headed brat turned and ran off without hesitation, abandoning the watermelon patch.
Kashiwagi simply sat down by the roadside and flipped through his Pokédex.
Twenty days of hard work.
In return, he had
Aggron (71),
Steelix (67),
Mawile (64),
Chansey (58),
Zweilous (56),
Galarian Corsola (45),
Porygon (43),
Shiny Feebas (36).
The levels had jumped significantly.
Not bad, not bad.
He nodded approvingly, while the watermelon-headed brat returned, panting, holding a Poké Ball.
"Come on! Let's battle!"
"Alright."
Kashiwagi looked at Porygon beside hime.
"It started with you, and it will end with you. Go! Lets show your opponent how much you've grown!"
"Pah-ree!"
Porygon charged forward, full of fighting spirit.