Chapter 177: The Hot Spring Fanservice Chapter

Chapter 177: The Hot Spring Fanservice Chapter

Still battling to the point of exhaustion, Rio simply didn't get up, closing his eyes to prepare for the impending "heavy pressure."

However, this time he waited and waited, but after a long while, that familiar feeling still hadn't come.

"Alright, the special training ends here."

The old man Akagi clapped, signaling that the two Pokémon could stand up.

Rio opened his eyes and stared blankly at the smiling old man.

"Tomorrow is the Volcanic Hot Spring Celebration. I believe your trainer will need your help. So, the training ends here. You've worked hard."

If the old man Akagi hadn't mentioned it, Rio wouldn't have remembered for a moment that a week had already passed, and the daily "painful" torture was also coming to an end.

Although he was usually beaten up by Infernape—can't be helped, after all, there was still a level gap—and was oppressed to within an inch of his life by Charizard's pressure, at this moment when the training ended, Rio's heart still held a sense of reluctance.

"And, to continue this kind of special training any further won't have much of an effect anymore. This point, I believe you have already felt."

Indeed, from being unilaterally thrashed by Eldest Senior Brother Infernape at the beginning, to now being able to exchange blows, and from being suppressed and unable to move by Charizard's enhanced pressure at the beginning, to now being able to barely stand up and move, it had to be said that this special training had already greatly increased Rio's strength.

But the most crucial thing was still that massive energy that Rio was desperately suppressing, which constantly wanted to erupt.

"The two conditions to achieve the Peerless state. The first condition: reaching the most extreme state. You have already achieved this goal."

The old man Akagi, with his somewhat old and thin hands, patted Rio's head.

"I also know that the reason you haven't stepped into the Peerless state is that you haven't decided on your own path yet."

It's not what kind of Pokémon you are that decides what path you should take, but what path you take decides what kind of Pokémon you can become.

This somewhat convoluted statement from the old man Akagi, for some reason, was firmly engraved in Rio's heart.

So even though he knew that as long as he was willing, he could evolve into Lucario at any time, but now that he was still hesitating about what path to take, evolving would only make him lose his chance to vie for the realm of the strongest Peerless.

"Don't be anxious, and you can't be anxious. Go back and think about it with your trainer. You should know, a Pokémon and a trainer are never two independent individuals."

These familiar words... he seemed to have heard them somewhere before.

Infernape, standing on the side, seemed to have an epiphany. The fighting spirit and battle intent on its body grew a few shades thicker.

"Also, I am very much looking forward to that one move you are about to master."

Just as Rio had thought before, he had always been lacking a decisive killer move. So during this period of special training, he had been constantly pondering it. The old man Akagi saw it but did not intend to intervene.

Just like that, Rio waved goodbye to the old man Akagi and Eldest Senior Brother Infernape, and then asked Charizard to send him back to Fuquan Town, preferably to the hot spring at the Fuquan Town Pokémon Center.

Because after the battle with Infernape, he could no longer muster a single ounce of strength.

"Grandpa, Eldest Senior Brother, goodbye!"

"Hehe, have a good rest."

The old man Akagi emphasized the words "good rest."

Charizard grabbed Rio, spread its wings, and flew towards Fuquan Town.

Unfortunately, Rio was too tired to even turn his head back. Otherwise, he would have definitely seen the mischievous smile on the old man Akagi's lips.

…

"Plop." A Pokémon with interweaving blue and black fur was thrown down from mid-air by Charizard.

Rio immersed his entire body in the hot spring, only extending one hand to listlessly wave goodbye to Charizard.

"Truly worthy of being Fuquan Town's hot spring! I feel alive again!"

Suddenly lifting his head from under the water, Rio shook off the water droplets from his face, and then comfortably began to enjoy the hot spring.

…

The sky began to darken. Míng Rìzhào and Fengling, who had spent the day at the training ground, also returned to the Pokémon Center where they were temporarily staying.

The Pokémon Center in Fuquan Town, just as its appearance suggested, was a building that combined a hot spring house, an inn, and a Pokémon Center.

By virtue of Míng Rìzhào's trainer status, she and Fengling could also rest in the guest rooms of the Pokémon Center for free, and moreover, could also enjoy the free hot springs.

"Xiao Ling, let's go soak in the hot springs together!"

Ever since being deluded by Flannery that soaking in hot springs can beautify the skin and has a very good therapeutic effect on skin care, the two girls had become extremely keen on soaking in hot springs. They felt they couldn't sleep soundly at night without a soak every day.

However, Eevee, who was originally happily following by their feet, upon hearing they were going to soak in the hot springs, immediately started pattering its short little legs and was about to run away.

"Don't! You have to have a soak too. After training all day, you're covered in sweat and dust. And, a soak in this hot spring can also help you sleep better at night."

Míng Rìzhào, with quick eyes and nimble hands, caught the escaping Eevee in one go.

"Eevee..."

Who knows what fear Eevee had of soaking in hot springs, but upon hearing that it couldn't escape its fate of being bathed, its long ears drooped listlessly.

It made Míng Rìzhào both angry and amused.

"Alright, alright. If you really don't want to soak in the hot spring, then I'll just give you a rinse with water. Is that okay?"

Kirlia covered her mouth and chuckled. Although she could usually cover herself with psychic power to prevent dust from getting on her body, and training as a Psychic-type Pokémon basically didn't produce much sweat—what sweat could you produce from sitting and meditating all the time—so Ruru didn't usually need to bathe to get clean.

However, for the hot springs of Fuquan Town, Ruru was very willing to go for a soak. After all, the hot springs of Fuquan Town had such magical effects. A soak could not only alleviate physical fatigue but even relax her head, which ached slightly from meditating.

As for Fengling, she felt so-so about soaking in hot springs. It was mainly because the steam from the hot springs always fogged up her glasses, making it hard to see things clearly.

But her Pokémon, Snivy, was different. She loved soaking in hot springs to no end.

It should be known that besides Water-type Pokémon, the Pokémon that probably liked to stay in the water the most were Grass-type Pokémon. After all, sunlight and water were the two substances that Grass-type Pokémon liked the most, not to mention a hot spring rich in various minerals and magical energy. Therefore, Snivy was always the last one to leave the hot spring.

In the time the author has been talking, the girl and the Pokémon had already changed into their yukatas and had arrived at the side of the hot spring open to females and female Pokémon.

Yes, Míng Rìzhào, Fengling, Snivy, Kirlia, and Eevee, by a happy coincidence, were all a group of girls, so it was just right that they could soak in the hot spring together.

Hmm? You ask about the Pokémon egg?

A Pokémon egg whose gender was in a state of Schrödinger could naturally go to either side.

Oh, forgot to mention, to add a point: Electric-type Pokémon are forbidden from soaking in hot springs with other humans and Pokémon. They have their own special hot spring pools to soak in. You ask why? Because they leak electricity, haha.

…

Rio, leisurely soaking in the hot spring, seemed to hear some sound.

But after a fierce battle and being made drowsy by the comfortable hot spring water, his brain was also a bit slow to turn. Lazily, he didn't react.

However, as the sound seemed to get closer and closer, Rio still managed to open his eyes.

…

A male Pokémon, and two young girls draped in yukata towels, along with several female Pokémon, both sides stared at each other.

And then.

(The following events happened in a very short instant).

Míng Rìzhào clutched her bath towel.

Míng Rìzhào stepped into the hot spring.

Míng Rìzhào grabbed Rio.

Snivy extended its vines.

Rio didn't react in time.

Míng Rìzhào and the vines forcefully threw him out.

Rio was sent flying out.

Eevee was overjoyed.

Rio subconsciously wanted to grab something.

Rio grabbed Fengling's bath towel.

Eevee leaped out of Míng Rìzhào's arms.

Rio flew outwards.

Seeing something fly past in the air, Ruru subconsciously expanded her psychic power.

Eevee struggled to escape.

Rio, wrapped in psychic power, landed steadily.

…

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

Rio sat at the entrance of the hot spring pool, looking at the white bath towel in his hand with some confusion.

What just happened?

Rio looked at the happy, tail-wagging Eevee on the side and issued a question from the depths of his soul.

"Eevee, Eevee~"

Eevee was so happy, finally not having to get wet.

However, suddenly from behind the curtain that shielded the hot spring entrance, a hand reached out and grabbed Eevee's tail, pulling it inside.

"Eevee!!!"

Eevee let out a "mournful cry."

Then another hand reached out and snatched the bath towel from Rio's hand.

"...???"

What's going on???

Rio looked up, staring at the ceiling and contemplating the meaning of a Pokémon's life.

"Damn author! Where's the fanservice you promised???"