Captain Bill let out a hearty laugh before turning to Ma En.
"I don't think you dislike battles," he said with a knowing smile. "It's just that you find the fights down there too dull. I can see it in your eyes. And besides, the partner hiding in your shadow isn't weak. For someone your age, having that level of strength is quite rare."
Ma En didn't react to the compliment. Instead, he narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with caution.
Captain Bill sighed, quickly realizing Ma En's wariness. He raised his hands slightly in a non-threatening gesture.
"Young man, don't get the wrong idea," he said. "I don't mean anything by it. I only ask that if—by chance—S.S. Anne runs into trouble, you help out. After all, you're a passenger here too, right?"
Ma En's expression darkened. His voice was cold as he asked, "Captain, what do you mean by that?"
"Ah, nothing serious," Bill replied with a casual shrug. "The sea hasn't been too peaceful lately, that's all. I just believe that extra hands mean extra strength. So, if something happens, I hope you'll lend a hand. But don't worry too much—S.S. Anne hasn't had any accidents for years."
With that, Bill turned and walked away, heading downstairs to the main hall. He was scheduled to be the opening guest for the Pokémon battle tournament and needed to make an appearance.
Ma En, however, was left standing there, feeling speechless. His face twitched slightly.
"This guy just raised every possible flag!"
He sighed. If anything happened now, it would be Captain Bill's fault for jinxing it.
No longer in the mood for spectating, Ma En called for a crew member to deliver dinner to his room. Once his meal arrived, he ate quickly, read for a bit, and then went to bed early.
---
A New Day at Sea
The night passed without incident, and the next morning, Ma En was rudely awakened by the excited cries of Gengar and Launce.
Before he could even register what was happening, Gengar yanked him out of bed and dragged him to the large French window of his cabin.
The moment his sleepy eyes adjusted to the light, Ma En was met with a breathtaking sight.
The golden sun was rising from the horizon, casting a warm glow across the vast ocean. Sunlight danced on the gentle waves, creating a dazzling, shimmering effect.
Even though Ma En had lived two lives, this was the first time he had truly appreciated a sunrise at sea. Next to him, Gengar and Launce were equally mesmerized.
The warmth of the sunlight seemed to wash away the lingering unease from yesterday's conversation, and Ma En's mood improved significantly.
"Getting up early isn't so bad after all."
Once the sunrise ended, Ma En decided it was time for morning training.
---
Training on the S.S. Anne
The S.S. Anne was well-equipped to cater to every kind of Trainer. Among its many amenities, it had two types of training rooms:
1. Public Training Room – Open to all passengers, as long as their Pokémon weren't too large or had strong odors (like Grimer or Gloom). It allowed Trainers to socialize and practice together.
2. Private Training Room – Available for individual rental, offering more privacy and high-end equipment.
Ma En immediately chose the private training room.
While Gengar could blend in easily, Launce was too eye-catching. Ma En didn't want to be stared at like an exhibit in a zoo.
Although the private room had limited space, it had everything needed for serious training.
After Gengar's evolution and Launce's recent battles, both Pokémon needed time to stabilize their growth and refine their abilities.
Luckily, neither Gengar nor Launce were lazy. They trained with full concentration, following every plan Ma En set for them.
After a rigorous workout, Ma En rewarded them with specially prepared energy supplements, ensuring they got the proper nutrition. He then allowed them some free time to prevent overtraining and injuries.
Watching the two Pokémon playing happily, Ma En sighed.
"Where do they even get all this energy?"
Shaking his head, he pulled out his Pokédex and started browsing the latest news.
---
Pokémon World Forums & Troubling News
The Pokémon world's online forums were similar to those in Ma En's past life. Most discussions revolved around Pokémon training, battles, and rankings.
One classic debate caught his eye:
"Which pseudo-legendary Pokémon is the strongest?"
Ma En clicked on it, and the top-rated comment made him chuckle:
"You don't even have a pseudo-legendary, so why are you asking?"
The replies below were equally amusing:
"Dragonite supremacy!"
"Salamence sweeps all!"
"Garchomp is a land shark! What more do you need?"
After scrolling for a bit, Ma En was about to close the Pokédex when a news alert from the Pokémon League popped up.
> **"The passenger ship Riptide, traveling between Johto and Hoenn, was attacked by the Blood Hand Pirates yesterday.
The attackers were led by Captain Jack, the notorious leader of the pirate group.
The Riptide suffered heavy losses—tourists' Pokémon and valuables were stolen.
Additionally, three sailors lost their lives, and the ship's captain remains in critical condition."**
Ma En's expression hardened.
"So this is why Captain Bill was worried yesterday."
Pirate attacks were no joke.
While the Pokémon League was effective at cracking down on criminal organizations on land, it struggled to handle pirates on the open seas.
The ocean was vast, making it easy for pirates to disappear without a trace. Their tactics were simple—if a target was well-defended, they'd retreat. If it wasn't, they'd attack, steal Pokémon and money, and escape before authorities could respond.
They also followed an unspoken rule:
They robbed ships, but rarely harmed tourists.
Attacking civilians would provoke the League's full wrath.
As long as pirates focused on theft rather than murder, the League wouldn't launch all-out purges.
It was a delicate balance—a silent agreement between the League and these criminals.
But this latest attack… it had crossed a dangerous line.
---
Final Thoughts
Ma En put his Pokédex away, his mind racing.
"If pirates attacked the Riptide, they could attack the S.S. Anne next."
Captain Bill's warning no longer seemed far-fetched.
Ma En exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of an impending storm.
"If something happens… I guess I'll have to get involved after all."
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