Chapter 88: The Sage

Pokémon capable of speaking human languages, aside from some legendary creatures, were exceedingly rare in the world: Meowth from Team Rocket, the Gastly from Maiden’s Peak, and the Slowking in the Lugia movie who could glimpse the future, among a handful of others.

Hu Yang was astonished and asked again, “You can speak human language?”

But this was a remote island—no other humans had ever set foot here. How had it learned?

The Slowking didn’t answer right away. Instead, it continued to watch Hu Yang’s mouth and throat intently. After a long pause, it finally opened its mouth and, slowly, uttered two words.

“Yes… I can.”

Witnessing this, Hu Yang suddenly realized: The Slowking wasn’t inherently able to speak, but was learning to do so by mimicking him! It was observing the movement of his lips and throat, carefully imitating the speech.

How was this even possible?

It had only glanced a few times and already learned—if Meowth found out, it would surely sob its heart out on the beach.

Hu Yang was thoroughly shocked.

Yet soon, the Slowking displayed its remarkable learning ability once more.

It opened its mouth, moving its lips as if searching for the right feeling, and, after a moment, slowly spoke:

“I remember you. Eight days ago, you touched my body. You may call me Daze. What is your name?”

Oh my god! It even gave itself a name!

Hu Yang recalled that in the anime, there was indeed a Slowking that named itself. That Slowking ruled over Slowpoke Town and called itself Kong Shadai.

“I’m Hu Yang,” he replied.

“Hu… Yang…” Slowking repeated, then said, “Hello, Hu Yang.”

“You’re incredibly smart,” Hu Yang exclaimed, mouth agape.

Slowking looked puzzled. “Why do you say that?”

Its speech was growing more and more fluent.

Hu Yang answered honestly, “Because you’re the first Pokémon I’ve ever seen who can speak human language.”

At least in real life—he hadn’t yet met Meowth.

Slowking seemed to ponder. “Is human language very hard to learn?”

Hu Yang: …Well, now Meowth really would faint from crying on the beach.

Legend had it that Slowking possessed a genius intellect, renowned for its wisdom and often called “the Sage of the Sea.” In some regions, there was even a saying: “If you’re lost, ask Slowking for directions.”

Ash’s Pokédex described Slowking like this:

Slowking, the Royal Pokémon. Possessing astonishing intelligence and insight, it remains calm and leisurely at all times.

At this thought, Hu Yang once again checked Slowking’s information.

[Species: Slowking]
Type: Psychic, Water
Ability: Own Tempo
Base Stats: Omitted
Known Moves: Yawn, Water Gun, Confusion, Heal Pulse, Water Pulse
Egg Move: Future Sight
Special Ability: High Intelligence (Possesses extraordinary intellect, on par with Nobel Prize–winning scientists, and has the capacity to lead Slowpoke and Shellder alike.)
Current Mood: Contemplative, Learning
Physical Status: Perfect
Friendship: 1

As expected of the Slowpoke he’d chosen—truly unique!

After the initial shock, Hu Yang began trying to communicate with Slowking.

He asked, “Do you know what a Trainer is?”

Slowking gazed at him. Its memories from its Slowpoke days hadn’t vanished after evolution. Coupled with the Gengar floating nearby and its recent experience being taken into a Poké Ball, the clever Slowking asked, “Is it you?”

Hu Yang nodded. “I want to take you with me, leave this place, and travel together in the world of humans. I can help you become stronger.”

At this, Slowking’s brows furrowed slightly, a troubled expression crossing its face:

“I’m very grateful you helped me evolve, but I can’t leave with you just yet.

“In recent years, the sea level has been rising. Before long, this island will be submerged.

“Until then, I must lead my kin to a new habitat. I can’t just abandon them here.”

Hu Yang: …

Had it really been observing the sea level all these years while appearing lost in thought?

But it was understandable.

Slowpoke were social Pokémon. Upon evolving into Slowking, it became their responsibility to lead the group to the “Slowpoke Paradise”—their new home.

Yet, in the endless expanse of ocean, finding a suitable island to settle was no easy task. Furthermore, Slowpoke weren’t particularly strong swimmers.

Slowking gazed sorrowfully at its kin.

At that moment, Hu Yang had the illusion that it was hinting at something.

But how could such a lovely Pokémon do that?

So, he asked, “What do you usually eat?”

“Fish,” Slowking replied.

Thankfully, the pile of treasures inside Gengar’s body could feed them all for a lifetime.

Hu Yang relented. “Alright, I’ll take all of you with me and help you find a new home on land.”

Slowking, grateful, said, “Thank you, Hu Yang.”

It turned and called out to the other Slowpoke.

Witnessing this, Hu Yang was deeply moved.

So intelligent!

Soon, the originally idle Slowpoke and Shellder on the island lined up together.

Pointing at the first Shellder, Slowking said, “That one is called Daiyi.”

Then, to the second, “That one is Dai’er.”

Hu Yang: “…Alright, I get it. Is the next one called Dai-san?”

Slowking nodded. “Yes.”

Daiyi, Dai’er, Dai-san, Dai-si, all the way to Dai-shiqi—seventeen in total.

Hu Yang pulled seventeen empty Poké Balls from his backpack. He’d bought twenty in total last year when he caught Magikarp. With Gengar and Magikarp using up two, he had eighteen left—just enough for this group.

His bag was now stuffed full of Poké Balls.

For a moment, Hu Yang felt as if he were building a Slowpoke army.

Soon, the little island of rocks and sand was deserted.

Slowking glanced at Gengar and asked, “Pokémon captured by a Trainer—what are we supposed to do for the Trainer?”

Hu Yang: …

That was quite a blunt question.

He explained, “You don’t need to do anything special. Generally, Trainers will help Pokémon hone their combat skills and grow. Pokémon, in turn, help their Trainers in battle.”

Slowking nodded thoughtfully. After a moment, it said, “I understand. I will help you in battle.”

This was its way of expressing gratitude.

With the Slowpoke group back on board, the White Sealeo set off again.

During breaks, Hu Yang would let his Pokémon out to play on their own. When he had free time, he’d join in games like hide-and-seek.

Slowking didn’t know many moves, so he planned to use the journey home to teach it new ones—Trick, Scald, Dragon Tail, Thunder Wave, Toxic, Yawn, Slack Off, Mirror Coat, and so on.

He’d assumed Slowking would be as uncurious as the others, but the very next day after the changes, Slowking approached him and asked in confusion:

“Some new information has appeared in my mind. That Axew said it’s your doing. Is that true?”