Pokémon: Master of the Rain Team

Day 10 of survival on the deserted island. Cloudy.

Reiji was so excited after noticing Poliwag’s potential had increased by 0.01 last night that he couldn’t sleep at all. He was desperate to figure out how exactly Poliwag’s potential had improved.

If it could increase once, then it could increase again. Even the fact that Poliwag had reached level 8 and Water Gun proficiency had passed 5% no longer felt like big deals—what mattered most now was that potential could grow.

Thinking back, Poliwag hadn’t eaten anything unusual over the past few days. It had been eating exactly what Reiji had: nothing special.

The only exception might have been the day he passed out—what had Poliwag eaten then? Was there something weird, something Reiji didn’t know about?

”Poliwag, what did you eat the day I fainted?” Reiji asked. This was an important question—it could affect Poliwag’s entire future.

”Yoo?” Poliwag tilted its head, clearly confused. It tried hard to remember, but in the end just shook its head, unsure of what Reiji was asking.

Reiji sighed. As expected, Poliwag still couldn’t understand complex or unfamiliar words.

Even so, he had a strong guess—Poliwag probably hadn’t eaten anything unusual. This island was rich in natural resources, yes, but nothing particularly ”magical.”

Reiji knew exactly what Poliwag had eaten:

Seaweed, clams, shellfish meat, fish, Caterpie meat, and Metapod meat.

If there was anything special about it... it was probably just that Poliwag had finally been eating enough.

He had another theory: Poliwag’s body might be slowly recovering.

Its actual potential might have been higher than 31% all along—but due to malnutrition and underdevelopment from hunger, it had dropped. Now, with enough food, it was slowly bouncing back—just very gradually.

If that was the case, then the little guy really had it tough. Once potential drops, it’s usually hard to bring it back.

Sigh… a plain little Poliwag and a fisherman stuck on a deserted island. A pair of miserable brothers-in-arms, just trying to survive.

Whatever the cause, he’d keep observing. No need to rush. They had time.

”Poliwag, time for morning training. You ready?” Reiji called out, interrupting Poliwag’s deep thinking.

He was almost fully recovered today—finally free from the torment of fever and illness. From now on, it was time to train his body again. He had to stay healthy to avoid getting sick again.

Plus, he remembered some Pokédex trivia: Poliwag’s newly developed legs weren’t great for walking on land.

Swimming and hopping were much more natural for it.

So instead of practicing Water Gun this morning, he decided to have Poliwag train with him on land—running, walking, and getting its legs ready for evolution into Poliwhirl. Especially since mastering its hidden ability Swift Swim would depend on developing those legs.

If it couldn’t walk steadily, there was no way it could train that ability.

”Yoo?” Poliwag tilted its head again, confused by another new word.

”Like this.” Reiji decided to demonstrate. He stood up and ran a circle around the sandy patch outside their makeshift shelter.

”This is called running, Poliwag.”

”Yoo-yoo!” Poliwag seemed to understand and started running too.

But it didn’t take long before Poliwag tripped on a pebble and tumbled onto the sand.

Clearly, Poliwag still preferred hopping or slow walking to actual running.

”Take it slow. I’ll run with you,” Reiji said as he picked up the little guy, brushing sand and gravel off its blue skin.

”Yoo…” Poliwag didn’t want to be left behind. A spark of determination lit up in its eyes.

Seeing that fighting spirit, Reiji nodded to himself. This Poliwag might not have impressive natural talent, but it had the will to work hard—and that alone could push it beyond its limits.

What he feared most was a talentless Poliwag without drive. That would be hopeless.

”Let’s run, Poliwag!” Reiji led the way.

One lap… two laps… three laps…

Poliwag started with a walk, then a jog, and finally a run.

After half an hour of slow jogging, Reiji was exhausted and stopped to rest, drinking cool boiled water to recover.

Poliwag kept going until it finally tripped again, prompting Reiji to scoop it up and bring it back.

”Take a break, Poliwag…”

Back under the shade, Reiji noticed Poliwag’s skin had dried out. It had sweated so much that it was no longer its usual slick and moist self—it was dehydrated.

He quickly handed Poliwag a cup of water he’d prepared earlier.

”Here, drink this, then we’ll keep training.”

”Yoo-hoo, yoo-hoo!” Poliwag gulped down the water. It had been dying of thirst—being a Water-type and all.

The rest of the morning was spent running. One break every 30 minutes. Rehydrate. Then run again. They only stopped when the sun grew too harsh.

By then, Reiji was utterly drained—his whole body ached, and his eyes were bloodshot.

His body had never been in great shape. Suddenly jogging all morning like this was a shock to the system.

But if he wanted to become a Trainer, this was non-negotiable. No running, no progress.

Poliwag was also exhausted—completely wiped out. Reiji let it soak in a bucket of fresh water to cool off and rehydrate its dried skin, sacrificing an entire bucket for the bath.

As for Reiji, there was still work to do: lunch.

Today’s main ingredient was the Caterpie they’d caught in the grass yesterday. Head and tail removed, cleaned in boiling water—it was ready for the pot.

He didn’t grill it this time. Too much barbecue causes heatiness—he even had a blister on the inside of his lip.

Besides, without cold beer or seasoning, grilling had lost its appeal. Boiled soup was the better option.

Poliwag’s dietary chart also listed fish- and bug-type Pokémon.

That included Magikarp, Caterpie, and plenty of others.

Once the water boiled and the soup simmered, it was finally time to eat. Simple boiled white meat with a dash of salt.

You can imagine the flavor… but Reiji didn’t have the luxury of being picky. He needed to eat to stay alive.

”Poliwag, time to eat—”

”Yoo-yoo!” Poliwag instantly perked up, leaping from the water bucket to its little frying pan bowl, waiting excitedly for Reiji to serve the food.

(End of Chapter)

[+50 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]