Pokémon: Master of the Rain Team

[Bonus Chapter]

The morning sun wasn’t too harsh, which was exactly why Reiji decided to go check on Poliwag’s training—he could accompany the little guy while getting some fresh air.

”Poli! Poli!”

As soon as Poliwag entered the water, it spotted Reiji standing on the shore. It wanted to swim back to him but was promptly waved off.

Leaning on a stick for support, Reiji called out to the little Pokémon in the sea, ”Don’t mind me. Just focus on your training. I’m going to sit on the rocks for a while and soak up some sun.”

”Poli,” Poliwag nodded—probably indicating it understood.

”Cough… cough cough,” Reiji chuckled helplessly, covering his mouth. He noticed Poliwag was getting really good at nodding. It had clearly picked it up from him, though whether it actually understood or was just nodding for the sake of it was anyone’s guess.

Psssh—pssssh—pssssh!

Soon, Poliwag began firing Water Guns across the shallows.

Reiji kept a close eye on its skill proficiency panel. At first, every Water Gun would increase the move’s proficiency by 0.1%.

But once the move reached 3% mastery, it started taking two or even three shots to see a 0.1% increase.

In other words, the higher the move’s proficiency, the more uses it took to advance further—perfectly aligned with the principle that practice makes perfect.

And this setup suited Reiji well. A fisherman who couldn’t handle boredom was no true angler. For a real fishing veteran, camping out for days without a bite was just part of the routine.

Plop.

Watching Poliwag having fun in the sea, Reiji decided to add some challenge. He tossed a pebble into the water to grab its attention.

”Poliwag, try hitting the stone with your Water Gun.”

Plop, plop…

He kept throwing pebbles as he spoke. ”Got it? Aim for the stones I throw.”

This way, while helping Poliwag practice its Water Gun accuracy, he also got in some light rehab. He could even work on his own throwing accuracy—talk about killing three birds with one stone.

One: help Poliwag sharpen its aim.

Two: do his own recovery exercises.

Three: improve his own throwing proficiency.

”Poli! Poli!” Poliwag bobbed its head from within the water, signaling its understanding.

No longer shooting Water Guns at random, Poliwag now focused intently on Reiji’s hand, watching for the next stone.

Plop!

A pebble landed in the water—Poliwag’s Water Gun missed.

”No worries, let’s take it slow,” Reiji encouraged gently, tossing another stone.

Plop, plop…

Stone after stone hit the surface. Out of ten throws, Poliwag only managed to hit one.

”Not bad—you hit one! Keep it up,” Reiji praised with a smile.

”Poli!” Motivated by the praise, Poliwag’s fighting spirit burned even brighter. It was eager to nail the next shot.

Plop, plop, plop!

Another ten stones. This time, Poliwag hit two.

”You’re improving—two hits! Keep going,” Reiji encouraged again. Seeing Poliwag so determined, he had no reason to hold back on compliments—so long as they didn’t go to its head.

With continued practice, Poliwag’s accuracy kept rising.

Five hits.

Six.

Seven.

Eight…

Just like that, the morning training session came to an end.

”All right, Poliwag, come on back. Time to rest.” Reiji waved at the little Pokémon as the sun climbed higher, the temperature rising with it. It was no longer ideal for training—they needed a break.

”Poli-hoo… Poli-hoo…” Panting heavily, Poliwag swam back to shore and followed Reiji to the shaded temporary campsite under the trees.

”You must be exhausted. There’s some kelp left in the pot—go eat and recover,” Reiji said, placing the few remaining strips of boiled kelp into Poliwag’s leaf bowl.

”Poli…” But Poliwag, seeing nothing in front of Reiji, picked up a strip of kelp with its mouth and offered it to him.

Reiji didn’t refuse. The little guy was too pure-hearted, and rejecting its kindness might hurt its feelings.

That said, there would be no training this afternoon. Without a proper source of nutrition, further training could damage the body—or worse, reduce Poliwag’s potential. That would be counterproductive.

After the morning’s targeted practice, Poliwag’s Water Gun proficiency had finally reached 4%.

[Poliwag]

Type: Water

Gender: Male

Potential: 31%

Level: 7.11%

Abilities: Damp (0.53%), Hidden Ability: Swift Swim (1.53%)

Known Moves: Mind Reader (0.21%), Ice Ball (0.31%), Refresh (0.51%), Bubble (1.31%), Hypnosis (0.52%), Double Slap (2.64%), Pound (0.51%), Water Gun (4.12%)

Not only had the skill improved, but its accuracy had gotten noticeably better. No more off-target splashes—at this rate, pinpoint Water Guns wouldn’t be a dream.

Closing the panel, Reiji looked out at the blazing midday sun.

After finishing lunch and drinking more hot water, he laid down for a nap.

Meanwhile, Poliwag, still not full, wandered off to look for food on its own.

Near the coastal shallows and rocks, only Krabby tended to show up. As long as Poliwag didn’t encounter one, it would be safe.

If danger came from above, it could dive underwater.

If danger came from the sea, it could retreat to land.

That was the power of an amphibious Pokémon.

He didn’t know how long he slept, but in his daze, he heard Poliwag’s cry—and the sound of Double Slap being used.

Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

”Huh? Is the little guy fighting again?” Reiji muttered, confused. He opened his eyes but couldn’t see Poliwag nearby. Groaning, he got up from the grass and followed the noise.

”Poliwag?” he called gently, heading toward the sound, which was coming from within the fallen giant tree’s branches.

”Poli! Poli!” came a loud reply from inside the branches—Poliwag’s cry grew stronger, trying to tell Reiji where it was.

Now sure of its location, Reiji pushed aside the thick limbs and followed the voice into the tangle of wood.

He figured the Pokémon Poliwag had encountered wasn’t too tough—otherwise it would have run away by now. This must just be a tougher opponent to deal with.

As he moved deeper into the fallen tree’s interior, Reiji grew more curious—just what had Poliwag found?

(End of Chapter)

[+50 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]