Chapter 80: The Johto Region and Lance

This small town was quite backward; there was neither a Pokémon Center nor a Friendly Mart on the island. After searching for a long time, Hu Yang finally found an inn to rest at. From the innkeeper, Hu Yang learned the name of the town: Prosperous Fishing Town.

The location was so remote that reaching the mainland required an extremely long voyage. Moreover, since there was nothing particularly special here, few tourists or travelers ever visited. The islanders lived by the sea and had no need to venture out. Many factors had contributed to the town’s isolation from the world.

The backwardness of tourism also meant that none of the facilities on the island were developed. There were no telephone booths, computers, or Poké Balls to be found. The newspapers on the inn’s bookshelf were all several years old. From this, it was not hard to see that a long time had passed since their last trip outside.

After washing up, Hu Yang and his Pokémon sat under the glow of the lights, flipping through those old newspapers and magazines. He discovered that the information within was not about the Hoenn region, but about the Johto region, separated from Hoenn by a vast sea.

However, this was not particularly surprising, as Johto did indeed border Hoenn. What astonished Hu Yang was that he saw the name of Wataru featured within. He glanced at the issue date: July 3rd, Year 207 of the League Calendar—two years ago.

It was an article about the prodigy trainer Wataru, who fought valiantly in the Quartz Conference and became the Dragon-type Champion. Wataru stood upright in front of the camera, and behind him were a row of Pokémon: Gyarados, Dragonite, two Dragonair, Aerodactyl, Kingdra.

Hu Yang: “…”

As expected of a member of the Dragon Clan—he had raised three Dragonite at once. Truly extravagant beyond compare.

Speaking of Wataru, it was necessary to mention the Kanto and Johto regions. Compared with those places, Hu Yang found Hoenn could indeed be considered a beginner’s village. Shui Wutong and Chiyan Song, two “ambitious youths,” were like elite monsters compared to the true big bosses Sakaki and the Masked Man.

Moreover, compared to the stable Hoenn region, Kanto was far more chaotic. It was impossible to tell which gym leader or champion was secretly a Rocket agent. Sakaki was a prime example.

As the leader of Team Rocket, he diligently welcomed new challengers at the Viridian Gym. The main villain of Johto, the Masked Man, was actually Yanagi, the gym leader of Mahogany Town. Suddenly, it felt as if the Kanto League had been completely infiltrated by Team Rocket...

“I wonder if Mewtwo has been created yet.” Hu Yang quietly recalled Mewtwo’s story. In the animation, Mewtwo was made by a group of Team Rocket scientists on New Island. Upon awakening, it destroyed the laboratory, and later, at Sakaki’s instigation, donned armor to suppress its power and received challengers at Viridian Gym.

Afterwards came the plot of “Mewtwo Strikes Back.” Mewtwo returned to New Island, built a castle, kidnapped Nurse Joy, and cloned a large number of Pokémon.

In the manga, however, Mewtwo was created by Blaine, the Cinnabar Island gym leader. Hu Yang wondered which version would be true in this world.

His mind drifting through the events of Kanto and Johto, Hu Yang unknowingly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning.

After washing up and during breakfast, Hu Yang asked the innkeeper about the town mayor. The innkeeper was a warm-hearted uncle who had been out to sea in his younger days and seen the world beyond, so he did not harbor the same strong opinions toward outsiders as some of the stubborn townsfolk.

“The mayor? He lives on the east side of town, but lately he’s busy preparing for the Moon Soul Festival. He should already be at the temple, getting things ready.”

“Thank you,” Hu Yang replied, finished his last sip of porridge, and left the inn.

When he returned to the temple ruins, the man who had stopped him the previous day approached again: “You again? Sorry, outsiders aren’t allowed here.”

Hu Yang stated his purpose, “I’m here to see the mayor. Could you call him for me?”

The man was taken aback, apparently not expecting this. After a moment’s hesitation, he called out, “Uncle Yingshu, there’s an outsider here to see you!”

Soon, a tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man hurried over. He glanced at Hu Yang and asked, “An outsider? What brings you here?”

Hu Yang took a gem from his backpack. Yingshu’s expression immediately changed—it was the stolen sacred gem!

Hu Yang said, “I need to enter the ruins and take it away.”

As he spoke, he let Gengar reveal itself before the crowd.

“Impossible!” Yingshu frowned deeply.

Hu Yang said, “I’m not here to negotiate.”

He had observed yesterday that there didn’t seem to be any trainers in this town capable of battling. Because of their backwardness, the children here did not dream of traveling the world with Pokémon as others did. Their aspiration was simply to grow up and become skilled fishermen. There wasn’t even a school here.

“I’ll only take this one. The rest have nothing to do with me,” Hu Yang said.

Yingshu frowned, “They are cursed Pokémon. Taking them out of the temple will cause trouble!”

Hu Yang glanced at the worried Gengar and said, “Whether trouble arises or not is none of your concern. From now on, I will take responsibility for everything regarding it.”

His attitude was so resolute that Yingshu did not know what to say. He had been out to sea in his younger days and knew of the trainer profession, so upon seeing this youth, he immediately guessed he was a trainer. And their town had no one capable of battling Pokémon.

It seemed unwillingness was not an option...

The commotion drew the attention of others. The girl who had been kneeling in shrine maiden attire yesterday was now dressed normally. She ran over and asked, “Dad, what’s happening?”

Yingshu looked at her, sighed, and said, “I’m sorry, but right now we can’t enter the ruins.”

Hu Yang was momentarily stunned.

Yingshu continued, “Because the last time the sacred gem was stolen, it triggered an ancient mechanism in the temple. The two stone giants that guard the temple have awakened, and they attack anyone who enters indiscriminately.”

They hadn’t known this at first, and a townsperson who entered the temple was attacked by the stone giants as an intruder. Because of this, the town became wary of outsiders.

Stone giants? Another marvel of Pokémon world technology? Could those two stone giants be the powerful force Gengar sensed?

Seeing that the mayor had not tried to stop him and seemed rather cooperative, Hu Yang pondered for a moment and asked, “May I see those two stone giants?”