Pokémon: Master Pokémon has a fish-frying system.

“Lu An, we have a little tail following us.”

Upon hearing Mikoli's words, Lu An's expression turned somewhat strange.

It has a little tail?

Is it a retaliatory operation by Team Aqua? Or is it a grudge from the Hoenn region? Or perhaps...?

Lu An didn't rush to open the Poké Ball. Instead, he exchanged a glance with Mikuri and put his arm around his neck.

"Mickey, come on, I'm going back to Kanto tomorrow. Let's have a good drink before I leave."

After saying that, the two put their arms around each other's shoulders and disappeared into a tavern.

A man in a trench coat and sunglasses squatted at the corner and tapped his earpiece:

"The target has entered the tavern. Send someone to keep watch inside."

Just then, a pair of large hands gently rested on the shoulders of the man in the trench coat, startling him so much that he froze.

"Who is the target you're talking about?"

The man in the trench coat suddenly turned around and saw that Lu An had appeared behind him at some point, smiling broadly, with an Espeon following behind him.

The man in the trench coat decisively took two steps back and threw a Poké Ball directly at Lu An:

"Iron Palm Warrior, push hard!"

"Hey Rui!"

A giant Pokémon, resembling a sumo wrestler, lunged at Lu An.

To start touching someone without even saying hello? That's incredibly rude!

Seeing this, Lu An narrowed his eyes and, without any hesitation, threw out a Poké Ball as well:

"Stop it."

A Pokémon resembling a swampfish raised its right arm and blocked all of Iron Fist Warrior's powerful push.

"Lachi~"

Compared to the Iron Palm Warrior, the giant swamp monster, which was only a little over a meter tall, was much smaller. However, the Iron Palm Warrior's powerful and forceful palm strike was as solid as if it had hit a city wall, leaving it completely unmoved.

Beneath the sunglasses, the man in the trench coat's pupils contracted slightly.

Didn't they say that Lu An only has three Pokémon that are not good at close combat?

In order to target Lu An's strongest warrior, the Fire God Moth, the higher-ups specifically sent him, who possesses the Iron Palm Warrior skill, to carry out the mission.

Iron Fist Warrior's thick layer of fat reduces the damage it takes when facing fire-type moves.

But what on earth is this giant swamp monster in front of us?

Was this the giant swamp monster that the old sailor just gave him?

Lu An patted the Swamp Monster's broad arm, a hint of emotion in his eyes:

"Last time, Volcano Moth got into a fight as soon as it returned to the team, and now you're back and you're going to get into a fight too. You guys really have a tough time."

Giant Marsh

"La che la che!"

|*￣ー￣|

Meanwhile, the man in the trench coat was startled by the giant swamp monster, which was beyond the scope of the intelligence, but there was no turning back now. Lu An was going back to Kanto tomorrow, so he had no choice but to go all out to complete the mission.

"Iron Palm Warrior, use Bullet Fist!"

Although he was initially startled and missed the opportunity to use the high-five attack, the Iron Palm Warrior has more than just this one preemptive move.

Hey Rui!

The Bullet Punch, swift as the wind in Scizor's hands, becomes a veritable "bullet cannon" when unleashed by the massive Iron Fist Warrior.

If there were bystanders here at this moment, I believe no one would doubt that it could push down a concrete wall.

"Ratchet!"

Swamp Monster raised its right arm and took the powerful "bullet cannon" head-on.

Lu An glanced around; they were currently in a narrow alleyway next to residential buildings.

In such a narrow space, it is perfect for a Pokémon like Ironhide that focuses on direct attacks, because the opponent has no room to maneuver and can only confront Ironhide head-on.

Furthermore, since there are residential houses on both sides, Swampert could not possibly use moves like Water Cannon to flatten the walls.

Lu An narrowed his eyes:

"Since it's hard to dodge, let's not avoid it then. Swampert, let's face it head-on!"

"La chichi chichi!"

Upon hearing Lu An's command after a long absence, the Swamp Monster became unusually excited, letting out a loud roar before charging straight at Iron Palm Warrior.

"Hmph, you actually want to fight Iron Palm Warrior in close combat?"

The man in the trench coat was very satisfied with Lu An's choice. Although he did not expect Lu An to bring a giant swamp monster with him, Lu An indeed did not dare to damage the nearby residential buildings.

These conditions were perfect for him to unleash his Iron Palm strength.

Therefore, the man in the trench coat wholeheartedly agreed with Lu An's decision to confront him head-on.

"Iron Palm Warrior, step up and absorb the fist!"

"Hey Rui!"

To be honest, when Lu An commanded the Volcano to use "Ultimate Drain," dealing damage to the opponent while also healing himself, the feeling was incredibly satisfying.

However, when Lu An faced the Iron Palm Warrior's "Absorption Fist," he was a little hesitant.

Because Iron Fist Warrior's "Drain Punch" and Volcano's "Ultimate Drain" are similar in that they both heal themselves while attacking the enemy.

More importantly, Volcarona's moves are Grass-type, while Iron Fist's "Drain Punch" is Fighting-type and has a STAB boost.

Therefore, Lu An was very unhappy:

Swampert, Ice Punch!

"Ratchet!"

The Swamp Monster clenched its fist, which was larger than a vinegar jar, and swung it toward the Iron Palm Warrior's head.

Iron Palm Warrior quickly dodged, then placed his fan-sized palm on the Swamp Monster's body—"Power Up!"

The immense impact forced the Swampert back several steps.

Lu An narrowed his eyes. This Iron Palm Warrior was quite skilled in both offense and defense. It was comparable to the Pokémon of Kanto King Zhiba and Martial Arts Gym Leader Fujiki.

Pokémons and trainers with this level of skill are rare, and trainers who can't even recognize Wallace are even rarer.

Trainers like this would be treated as honored guests anywhere.

Team Aqua doesn't have a Iron Fist Warrior with that kind of strength, and even the people he offended in Hoenn couldn't command a trainer of that level.

Given this, the origins of the man in the trench coat and the Iron Palm Warrior become quite clear.

"Since you couldn't find the red gem on me, why do you still insist on bothering me?"

Lu An's tone carried a hint of helplessness.

Without a doubt, the trainer following him was a hidden henchman of the Hoenn League.

Unlike his role as an investigator, he doesn't care about fame, so he isn't as renowned as Watari.

The man in the trench coat is a powerful trainer whom the Hoenn League intentionally keeps hidden. He doesn't usually show his face and works to handle some less-than-reputable matters for the League.

It can also be seen as the league's black glove.

The Hoenn League would never entrust the Red Orb to Lu An, even if he were an investigator, as it concerns something related to the League.

Since they couldn't take his red gem through proper procedures, it's understandable that the League might try some underhanded tactics before he leaves Hoenn.

They might not necessarily want to confront Lu An head-on, after all, regardless of Lu An's strength, Lu An is, after all, a member of the investigator organization.

It's hard to say, and it doesn't sound good, for such a large alliance to forcibly take things from Lu An.

The Hoenn Alliance's more likely idea is to first find where Lu An hid the Red Orb, and then find a way to steal it.

Unfortunately, unless Lu An wanted to, they would never find the red pearl hidden in the system space.