The arrival of new recruits didn't have much of an impact on Haruki.
All the regulations and battle instruction were taught directly by Captain Christopher.
And after teaching Rika how to upload intel, Haruki became even more hands-off than before.
Whether those two rookies would betray the team or not… well, that was Christopher's business. Had nothing to do with him.
Haruki was more focused than ever on improving his own strength.
And that's when an uninvited guest showed up.
"Let's have another match… sluuurp!"
Staring at Gardenia, who was slurping ramen in front of him, Haruki began recalling all their previous encounters.
'I think… probably… maybe… I haven't offended her, right?'
That temporary alliance back at the tournament only proved he was calm under pressure and quick-witted. But was that enough reason for her to linger in a town with no worthy opponents… for half a month?
'Wait-no, I was the opponent.'
---
Two minutes later, Gardenia put down her bowl, which was now completely empty -including the soup- and pulled out a tiny notebook, happily making a check mark.
No.32 Chicken White Broth Ramen - get √
Haruki blinked and did the math. If she'd eaten two bowls a day… had Gardenia really been eating ramen nonstop for two weeks?
And not just that… switching flavors every single day.
"Ahhh~~~ Finished the last ramen on the menu. And just in time, you're back. Truly a fated reunion!"
Gardenia clutched her smooth little belly in satisfaction. The very next second, the burning gleam in her eyes nearly set Haruki on fire.
"So, let's battle!"
"…1v1 then. I don't have any other battle-ready Pokémon."
If she wants a fight, so be it. Haruki gripped Cubone's Poké Ball tightly, equally curious to test his own strength.
There wasn't much in this town, but one thing it wasn't short on was open fields.
They found a quiet spot. Without a word, they each sent out their Pokémon at the same time.
Cubone entered the field, casually tossing its club. Its move mastery was obvious.
Across from it, Gardenia's Turtwig was already clawing the dirt with its short legs, brimming with battle spirit.
One look at Cubone's calm, focused gaze made it even angrier.
No need for words.
Battle ignited instantly!
Though it hadn't evolved yet, Turtwig was incredibly fast. Its four stubby legs pounded the ground as it charged Cubone with a wild yell.
Take Down!
Without needing Haruki's command, Cubone held its bone club horizontally and braced for direct impact.
Thud!
The two small Pokémon clashed head-on, but the force they generated was no joke. An invisible shockwave burst outward, flattening the surrounding grass.
"Turtwig, Leech Seed!"
"Cubone, Smack Down!"
The commands came simultaneously. Haruki and Gardenia instinctively looked at each other.
In that moment, a small seed shot from the sprout on Turtwig's head, flying toward Cubone at close range.
They were practically face-to-face. The Leech Seed was in front of Cubone in a blink.
But before the parasitic vines could burst open and drain its energy, a bone club the size of a sandbag slammed into the seed mid-air.
Wham
Direct hit!
The seed was knocked back exactly where it came from, smacking Turtwig right on the forehead.
Instantly, vines erupted and wrapped tightly around the unprepared Turtwig, binding it up completely.
A red glow flickered. Turtwig yelped in pain as a good portion of its stamina was drained; only for an equal amount to be returned moments later.
It hurt, but it also felt good. Turtwig's expression was frozen in confused pain and bliss.
"Iron Head!"
Haruki's voice now sounded completely cold, and when paired with Cubone's silver-shining Iron Head, the whole thing felt even more ruthless.
With Gardenia's shout of "Break free!", Turtwig was slammed through the air and, for a moment, couldn't even get back up.
"Turtwig, use Razor Leaf to cut the vines!"
Though shaken, Gardenia quickly composed herself and gave the best possible command.
"Use Bulldoze!"
Haruki's voice rang out, putting enormous pressure on the struggling Turtwig. After barely getting back on its feet, it launched Razor Leaf, successfully ending the Leech Seed's drain.
But at the same time, Cubone's Bulldoze came crashing in.
The seismic shock of the attack nearly knocked Turtwig over again. Fortunately, it was on all fours and barely managed to stay upright.
But seeing Cubone completely unharmed while it stood there exhausted, Turtwig's defiant eyes now held a flicker of fear.
'So just now... it hadn't even been able to fight back?'
Gardenia was thinking the same thing.
In terms of power, Turtwig absolutely wasn't inferior to Cubone, especially with a type advantage.
But just one move -that single turning point- had let Haruki see through her tactics. And from there, he delivered a seamless wave of airtight, relentless pressure.
"The battle's not over! Turtwig, use Synthesis!"
Gardenia shouted, her words full of encouragement. The positivity swept away the fear in Turtwig's heart. It lifted its neck and eagerly welcomed the sunlight.
"Cubone, Iron Head, interrupt it!"
"Cu~"
Cubone had seen Synthesis before. Hearing the command, it immediately charged forward, the skull on its head glowing with metallic light, smashing into Turtwig mid-recovery.
"Smack Down!"
"Cu~"
The bone club swung. The energy-forged rock shot through the air and struck Turtwig in midair with force.
"Turtwig!"
Gardenia cried out in worry, instinctively moving forward to catch it.
Thud~
Turtwig hit the ground hard and rolled once. The little sapling on its head drooped limp, and its eyes turned to spirals. It was unable to battle.
Victory!
And a clean, decisive one.
Haruki stood there stunned. He turned and saw Cubone looking back at him.
Haruki instinctively smiled… and then smiled even wider.
He had imagined this matchup before, but to beat Turtwig so smoothly confirmed just how far Cubone had come in such a short time.
"Well done. Let's keep pushing forward!"
He crouched down and gently wiped the dust from Cubone's skull.
Once pure white, Cubone's helmet now bore many cracks and fine scratches.
These were the marks of growth, proof of its rising strength!
"We'll give it a good polish when we get home."
"Cubone~"
Cubone didn't quite know what "polish" meant, but it nodded seriously anyway.
Elsewhere, Turtwig had already regained consciousness after some simple treatment. But the disappointment in its eyes was hard to hide.
"Turtwig isn't lacking in anything. It's my own skill as a Trainer that fell short. We'll work even harder from now on!"
Gardenia's straightforward encouragement filled Turtwig with renewed strength.
The little tree on its head stood tall once more. Turtwig nodded with determination.
They would work even harder!
…And then, it'd help Gardenia defeat every opponent in her way.
The next moment, a mysterious light-blue glow enveloped Turtwig completely.
Gardenia was stunned at first, then overjoyed. She quickly took two steps back to give Turtwig space.
Haruki and Cubone were equally captivated, staring blankly at the blue light surrounding Turtwig.
This was… evolution!