Chapter Nine: Everyone Loves Slowpoke Tails, but Magikarp Is Disliked by Both People and Dogs

Dinner time for the elder group and little Chihui had ended. The old folks began to chat about everyday matters, even cultivating their concern for couples and showing interest in Chihui’s studies—just short of buying her exercise books as gifts.

Only Zhuyuehan was still battling. Chihui, clutching the hair tie set from Zhuyuehan’s bag as if it were a treasure, was seriously picking out a hairstyle for this “beautiful big brother.” His hair had become a toy.

“The tail of a Slowpoke…”

Zhuyuehan gazed at the “fruitwood roasted Slowpoke tail” on his fork, falling silent. The tail of a Slowpoke carried a natural sweet aroma; biting into its tight, satisfying flesh brought immense contentment—it was a top-tier ingredient.

“Excuse me, Mr. Steel,” Zhuyuehan said. “I heard from Professor Oak that you live near Azalea Town. Is Slowpoke tail actually legal?”

Steel was surprised. “Legal, of course! Why wouldn’t it be? Didn’t Xu Cheng tell you?”

Zhuyuehan shook his head honestly. In his memory, Slowpoke tail only came up in Azalea Town and among the small-time vendors of the Alola Skull Team. In Azalea Town, it seemed Rocket Team had done some poaching and then ended up facing Pikachu’s justice.

Of course, there was also the delicious Farfetch’d, and Magikarp, which was mostly bone and universally despised.

“Oh, I should explain these things,” Mr. Steel said, rubbing his bald head. “Chihui, don’t trouble your big brother—come down from the chair.”

“No!” Chihui stood atop the chair, her eyes shining.

“Yuehan’s hair is so good—I’m so jealous!”

Zhuyuehan smiled. “It’s no trouble. Otherwise, Chihui would just be bored waiting for me to eat.”

Steel shook his head helplessly. “Alright. First, you need to understand something: some ingredients that fall off from Pokémon can be used, but you must not harm the Pokémon.”

“So, you can have Farfetch’d cultivate delicious leeks for you, but you must never eat Farfetch’d itself.”

“For example, the pincers that fall off Crawdaunt or Clawitzer during battle or growth.”

Steel clapped his hands. “Right, and Kingler and Krabby—their old shells shed during growth are perfect for making soup.”

Zhuyuehan’s mouth twitched. “That makes sense, but what about Slowpoke tail? Cutting it off seems like harming the Pokémon.”

“It’s not.” Steel kicked Oak’s leg. “Xu Cheng, stop writing your thesis and bring me your Pokédex.”

Steel opened the Pokédex and searched. “You probably know the basics: Slowpoke uses its tail to fish. The sweet scent spreads in the water and acts as the perfect bait.”

Zhuyuehan nodded instinctively—he had that much knowledge. If a Shellder bites it, Slowpoke evolves into Slowbro.

Steel continued, “But you might have missed something: the stronger a Pokémon, the more sensitive it is to environmental changes.”

“Slowpoke fishing isn’t just about catching ordinary fish or weak Pokémon like Shellder and Magikarp.”

Zhuyuehan grew silent, beginning to understand.

“You mean, like a gecko shedding its tail to escape?”

Steel nodded in satisfaction, appreciating Zhuyuehan’s insight.

“Exactly. There’s another Pokémon whose behavior explains this: Pyukumuku. Both Slowpoke tail and Pyukumuku eject similar nutrient-rich substances when threatened.”

“Although, Pyukumuku’s ejected matter is also used for attacks.”

Zhuyuehan thought for a moment. “So, if a Slowpoke accidentally attracts a Gyarados, it will shed its tail to survive?”

Big brother, are you full yet? If you are, I’m leaving.

Steel nodded. “That’s right. It’s a unique Slowpoke trait—shedding its tail is actually a step in its growth.”

“The lost tail prompts Slowpoke’s sluggish brain to ponder why it was lost. Whether it’s encountering a powerful Pokémon or being bitten too much and needing to regrow for health, it’s all part of a process.”

A Slowpoke’s tail is like a character in a game: wherever you get killed by a minor enemy or crushed by a boss’s second phase, you learn your lesson.

Next time you face it, you might get through in one try or develop a better counterattack.

Those who keep falling for the same tricks and never learn—well, best not to mention them.

Steel sighed. “Yuehan, even if you’ve lost your memory, some of your concepts are probably still from your era—but times have changed.”

“Slowpoke tail is a precious ingredient, but not rare. There aren’t many Slowpoke ranches, but there are enough.”

“Humans carefully raise Slowpoke and ensure a balanced diet. The shed tails are stored as food—essentially, it’s no different from Miltank milk.”

Steel smiled. “And the League has regulations on ‘service years.’ When their time is up, Slowpoke stop providing ingredients.”

“Every batch of retiring Slowpoke attracts many trainers who want them as partners. Those leaving the ranch are synonymous with health and strength.”

To sell exquisite ingredients for a good price, ranchers treat Slowpoke well, and when they retire, finding them a good partner is another income.

Compared to wild Slowpoke, ranch “regulars” enjoy superior environments and daily balanced nutrition.

In short, Slowpoke are never lacking in basic quality, but ranch-raised ones always have slightly better stats than their wild counterparts.

Everyone plays the same life simulation: one follows a guide and never wastes skill points, the other grows wild—after numbers increase, you see the advantage.

Of course, there are exceptions—those rare wild Slowpoke who grow in excellent conditions.

Those who evolve into Slowking in the wild, gaze at the ocean pondering life, dabble in future sight and become prophets, and earn the "Chosen One" achievement stamped on their foreheads.

“Alright, I understand.” Zhuyuehan set his empty plate aside. “Given all this, there must be a lot of related industries. Are there any exceptionally rare specialty ingredients?”

Steel thought for a moment, his tone uncertain.

“You’re right—there are rare ingredients in the world.”

“Some berries appear only in legends. But have you ever tried Dragonite scales?”

Zhuyuehan: ?

“They’re edible?!”

Steel wasn’t surprised by Zhuyuehan’s reaction—if anything, it would be odd not to be surprised.

Elder Liu joined in. “They are, but ordinary people never see them.”

“Human civilization has benefited Pokémon greatly.”

From “move tutors” immune to bad habits, to cutting-edge Pokémon breeding programs and devices, to exchanges among Dragon Masters across regions.

For Dragon Masters in various regions, things are mutually accessible, and they don’t mind cooperating with the League.

Everyone profits peacefully; no one wants trouble unless born rebellious.

After all, the League is the boss—these are just regional powerhouses.

“Dragonite scales are collected from the Dragonite clan as they grow, but you need a sizable Dragonite group.”

“In short, this is how the dragon clan makes money. In Johto, the biggest supplier of dragon scales and teeth is the Dragon House in Blackthorn City.”

Elder Liu added, “Of course, Dragonite with significant contributions to the clan are sent to the legendary Dragon’s Graveyard after a long life—never to be desecrated.”

What a wondrous world.

Zhuyuehan suddenly grew curious about the flavor of dragon-type “ingredients,” though they probably weren’t meant for people, which would be a waste.

After that, nothing particularly exciting happened. Zhuyuehan decided to digest today’s information—along with his meal.

Then, the restaurant manager stood near their table like a gatekeeper, not interfering with guests but strategically visible.

It was nothing—just the kitchen boss complaining.

The head chef stepped out, called up front, and asked if someone let a Snorlax in without notifying them, demanding a bonus for the day.

Half an hour later, the chef turned all remaining ingredients into dishes and personally served them.

Except for staple ingredients, many foods were bought based on overall quotas to ensure matched prices for customers.

But today, the chef witnessed a miracle.

Zhuyuehan finished the last berry platter and looked at the Delibird.

“Bailey.”

Delibird, quite savvy, dug out some high-grade Pokémon food won in a Rocket Group lottery.

“Is this really premium?” Zhuyuehan grabbed the Pokémon food and began eating. “It just doesn’t taste as good as what I ate at the gym.”

Professor Oak shook his head. “That’s the retail version. Regardless of super or premium, it has to be broadly suitable.”

Implying it won’t be too extreme.

Elder Liu frowned. Not even a whole restaurant’s fare could fill him?

Zhuyuehan shrugged. “Don’t look at me, Elder Liu. I’m at least eighty percent full—these last bites are just for greed.”

Chef: ?

He felt his and his team’s skills were being doubted, but he didn’t seem to have the resources to prove otherwise.

“Wow, Yuehan, you really can eat!” Chihui’s eyes sparkled. “Can you teach me? I want to be able to eat like you!”

Steel’s smile froze instantly.