"This is the disc I just received from the Pokémon Center via transfer."

Bruno took out a thin disc case from his karate pants pocket and handed it to Lu Ye, saying:

"This is my way of thanking you for that Rage strategy video about Onix you shared last time."

That tactical video about the Onix faith battle?

Lu Ye felt a chill down his spine.

After all this time, you're still thanking me for that?

Lu Ye pondered and said:

"Leaving aside whether it's appropriate or not, first tell me what's on this disc."

"It contains battle recordings, some written materials, and personal insights," Bruno replied.

It looked like an outdated VCD recording - Bruno didn't seem like the type to chase after high-tech gadgets.

Lu Ye sighed in relief as he took the disc case, thinking:

"This doesn't sound too dangerous..."

Bruno: "It's called the Essence of Steel."

Lu Ye: "?"

Why does this name instantly make it sound twice as dangerous?

Twice? More like a giant "DANGER" sign flashing above my head!

"This is a martial arts essence that Master Chuck taught me when I trained at Cianwood Gym," Bruno recalled. "It focuses on relentless offense and the conviction to cut through anything... though sometimes that leads to setbacks."

"This disc," Bruno continued, "contains the lessons I learned from failures, improved methods, and corresponding fighting techniques."

"Teacher Lu, I believe this will be helpful to you too!" Bruno said solemnly.

Helpful?

I'm already hallucinating my house collapsing!

Lu Ye pursed his lips, looking around at the park bench they were sitting on, cold sweat dripping.

Wait a minute—

Why is there even a bench here? And why did I sit down?!

"Teacher Lu," Bruno said, "you don't look so well."

Lu Ye looked up at the sky.

Who would have thought you'd be so generous... willing to share your signature technique!

Teacher Lu had some recollection of this "Essence of Steel" from the special editions.

Though not as legendary as the "Essence of Earth," it was still a supreme technique of a Fighting-type Elite Four member.

"This thank-you gift is too valuable, I can't accept it," Lu Ye said.

"No," Bruno replied straightforwardly. "I've been dedicated to perfecting Giant Onix's battle techniques. The 'Essence of Steel' is no longer useful to me now. What matters is surpassing oneself, not dwelling on the past."

Seeing Lu Ye's complicated expression, Bruno frowned:

"Are you... worried that I might have intentionally left mistakes in this disc?"

Before Lu Ye could answer, Bruno snorted: "I, Bruno, am not the kind of person who resorts to cheap tricks and ambushes!"

Lu Ye: "..."

Who was it that participated in Lance's plan to ambush Red again?

Your words have zero credibility here!

Lu Ye looked down to examine the disc case more carefully.

Bruno was single-minded like Ash. Having been inspired by the Rage strategy, it made sense he'd want to thank Teacher Lu with a corresponding martial essence.

Even if Lu Ye asked for money instead, Bruno would probably insist the "Essence of Steel" was more valuable anyway.

Though Lu Ye suspected Bruno was broke too—

Those karate pants looked as tattered as if he hadn't changed them in three years, as ancient as Lance's cape.

(Lance: I have a whole wardrobe of identical capes! Don't spread rumors!)

Suddenly, inspiration struck Lu Ye.

"I trust your character, Mr. Bruno," Lu Ye nodded. "This essence is suitable for Fighting-type Pokémon, right?"

Bruno nodded slowly: "Correct."

"After learning it, can you... cut through steel faster—I mean, can you actually split steel?" Lu Ye asked.

Bruno narrowed his eyes and said solemnly: "The conviction to cut through any enemy. That is the core of the Essence of Steel."

Bruno had mastered this essence through Machamp's karate chops;

Green had done so with his Scyther that later evolved into Scizor.

Lu Ye felt slightly better.

At worst, if Ducklett learned it, he might only cut through the [Metallic Sheets] rather than summon a demolition team.

Moreover, the "Essence of Steel" suited the Fighting-type Ducklett—his diligent spirit and relentless drive to grow stronger.

As his trainer, it was only right for me to share his burdens!

"Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ" Sirfetch'd in the Premier Ball was moved nearly to tears.

Lu Ye smiled and gently patted the Premier Ball at his waist.

On this day, Sirfetch'd re-entered the realm of iron-cutting!

Teacher Lu looked at Bruno and said:

"Thanks!"

"Om nom," Bruno chewed on his steamed bun, squinting, "No problem."

He then offered Lu Ye a box of bun specialties: "Want one?"

Lu Ye shook his head, looking at the mountain of empty packaging behind Bruno:

"Did you buy out the entire plaza's supply of Angry Steamed Buns?"

"Om nom... just one store," Bruno said. "The Meowth Coin one. Mmm... delicious."

Machamp swallowed a bun and gave four thumbs up, flashing a bright, philosophical smile: "Roooar!"

"Gengarrr~" Haunter stretched his mouth wide and stuck out his tongue, greeting Machamp amiably.

"Roooar haha!" Machamp laughed heartily, handing Haunter a box of bun specialties.

Haunter didn't refuse, floating mid-air as he munched away: "Gengarrr~(￣～￣)"

Bruno chewed and invited again:

"Really delicious... Teacher Lu, sure you don't want one?"

Lu Ye: "..."

Team Rocket's sales wouldn't surpass The Girl's without contributions from people like you!

...

[Group Owner 'Teacher Lu' invited 'Spirit of Rage' to join the chat group.]

"Yo," Red greeted. "Bruno, long time no see."

"Mmm," Bruno replied coolly, actually busy devouring buns.

Lance crossed his arms and laughed: "I told you not to challenge Teacher Lu, but you wouldn't listen."

"Wins and losses happen in battles. It's normal," Bruno said.

"Come to Mt. Silver next time, let's spar," Red invited.

"Ooh—" Bruno's eyes sharpened: "Sounds perfect!"

"Battle-obsessed fools," Lorelei sighed, then added: "Of the original Kanto Elite Four, only Old Man Kukui isn't in the group yet, right?"

"Old Man Kukui... doesn't really like socializing," Lance scratched his head. "Chat groups aren't his style."

"True," Lorelei nodded slightly before resuming her shoujo manga reading.

That manga from last time... mmm, Aunt Lorelei blushed, rolling on her bed—so sweet, so embarrassing!

Green said: "No need to add her."

Teacher Lu thought Green bore some grudge against Old Man Kukui, until Green added:

"Maybe she and Grandpa have their own little group."

"That's totally possible..." Kris nodded repeatedly. "I often see Professor Oak grinning at his phone."

"Hahaha, maybe the old man's chatting with some young hottie!" A-Jin said.

[Group Member 'A-Jin' has been muted by Group Admin 'Green' for 24 hours.]

Ash shuddered.

So strong, Senior A-Jin! You're the only one who gets muted for over 12 hours in this group!

Whitney: "Hahahaha."

Xiao Yin barely suppressed his laughter: "..."

"Serves you right~" The Girl covered her mouth, giggling. "By the way, I'm not setting up my stall this afternoon—going to watch Ami's match."

Teacher Lu asked curiously: "Business isn't good?"

The Girl slumped her shoulders with a sigh:

"It's good... but customers keep getting drawn to the neighboring stall because of Bruno's celebrity effect."

Speaking of which, why do I always see that Meowth Coin stall everywhere?!

The Girl tapped her chin, vaguely sensing the truth—

It must be a worldwide chain competitor, a formidable business rival!

The Girl clenched her fists, her sunhat practically burning with determination.

I, the beautiful girl, will never admit defeat!!

In the group chat, Whitney said: "@The Girl, the match starts at 2pm, want to go together?"

Forget it, we'll talk tomorrow. The Girl said: "Okay~ I'll be right there!"

...

After parting with Bruno, Lu Ye returned to the athlete's village to rest.

Casually tossing the disc case into the air, Haunter suddenly appeared, catching it with his ghostly hand.

Lu Ye: "When we get back, Sirfetch'd's training is in your hands."

Haunter grinned toothily: "Gengarrr~!"

If this purple puffball could self-learn Master Koga's techniques, teaching the "Essence of Steel" would be child's play.

Time to have Ducklett cut through the [Metallic Sheets] so we can proceed to the next training phase—

More egg hatching.

Lu Ye rubbed his chin.

Come to think of it, most of the team's members have gotten upgrades. But I still haven't delivered on my promise of a "new toy" for the big doggo.

"Maybe weave the Rainbow Wing into a yarn ball?"

Lu Ye's thoughts wandered: "Ho-Oh is full of treasures... its feathers would make great pillow stuffing, and the Sacred Ash... oh dear, oh dear."

The Rainbow Wing he carried began showing signs of darkening.

How did someone like this become an Aura guardian? Want my recognition? Hmph, dream on!

Lu Ye quickly channeled some Aura.

The Rainbow Wing regained its vibrant glow, shining brilliantly.

"I'll ask around for suitable Arcanine equipment when we get back," Lu Ye thought.

Returning to the hotel, he ate some buffet food before arriving at the venue by 2pm.

The endurance event—Ami versus Ash's match.

A-Jin stood beside Teacher Lu watching the match, grinning with hands behind his head, completely unaware.

Whitney giggled: "Hey! Did you forfeit because you're scared of Teacher Lu?"

"Forfeiting doesn't count as losing!" A-Jin argued. "Conserving strength for other gold medal events..."

He continued with more incomprehensible terms like "saving Johto" and "hatching person." The Girl smiled and suggested:

"How about A-Jin treats us to dinner tonight, and we'll stop teasing you, deal?"

Lu Ye was surprised: "You can just scam free meals like that?"

"What's the harm~" The Girl smiled sweetly, then whispered: "Besides, the unsold lunch boxes will go bad after tonight... I can't possibly eat them all myself..."

A-Jin wiped his nose and reluctantly agreed.

Lu Ye didn't mind. There were still plenty of pages left in the diary...

"Next up is the endurance event semifinal!"

The announcer declared: "From Pallet Town—Ash! Versus Olivine City—Ami!"

The cheers were noticeably weaker than the morning session. Most spectators had left after Bruno and Teacher Lu's match.

Like watching underdog teams after the main event in Olympic soccer—

Ami's fan club being the exception.

"Miss Ami—" a bespectacled superfan waved Magnemite flags. "You can do it!!"

"Ami, fighting! Dong dong, fighting!"

Lu Ye's eye twitched: "They even brought cheer sticks... Ami's that popular?"

"Cute girls naturally get lots of love," Whitney said, patting her chest.

"It's because Miss Ami treats challengers with such kindness and gentleness,"

The Girl said, closing her search app and resting her chin on her hands: "So nice... I like gentle girls too!"

A-Jin said: "I like big-breasted ones."

Teacher Lu remained silent before finally saying: "Same here!"

The Girl &

Whitney: "..."

Ami, in a white dress, blushed faintly but remained focused, unusually showing desire for 'victory.'

Ash threw a Pokéball like a baseball pitcher: "Go, Snorlax!"

"Go, Little Steel," Ami said softly, sending out her massive Steelix.

Lu Ye asked: "Didn't Ash say he'd use Pikachu?"

A-Jin said with arms behind his head: "Ah, Mr. Brock suggested Snorlax would be better."

Lu Ye was surprised.

Brock, forever the "strategist" and "team mom"!

Following Brock's advice, Ash performed surprisingly well.

Snorlax initially wrestled Steelix evenly, nearly being pushed out of bounds when Ash ordered it to use Rest.

The sleeping Snorlax became immovable. Finally awakened by noise, Snorlax stood up bloodshot-eyed, grabbed Steelix's tail and used Seismic Toss.

BOOM!

The arena cratered, making organizers twitch.

But Ami's Steelix immediately used Dig upon landing, tunneling underground.

Then Steelix knocked Snorlax flying. Snorlax landed one last Mega Punch, severely wounding Steelix.

"Beeeep—" The referee blew his whistle. "Winner—Olivine City's Ami!"

Ami approached, gently stroking Steelix's lowered head with a tender smile.

Clap clap clap—

Lu Ye and the others applauded. A-Jin said in surprise:

"Kid's Snorlax is pretty strong!"

"Red has one too," The Girl said. "Maybe... he learned from Red?"

Ash's Snorlax was already rule-breaking—it could swim and had shown at least eight moves.

But Red's Snorlax was even more broken—it once stopped a speeding bullet train. Lu Ye suspected it could now punch through a Shinkansen.

"So now I'll be facing Ami?"

Lu Ye thought, only to see Ami whisper something to the referee before leaving the field.

"Unexpected development! Ami has withdrawn from the finals due to concerns about Steelix's condition!"

The announcer was stunned: "The endurance event gold medalist is... Teacher Lu!"

Lu Ye was dumbfounded.

So I fought one match and won gold?

Ash jumped down, asking Ami: "Miss Ami, why aren't you continuing?"

"Because Little Steel told me he's very tired," Ami smiled gently. "I've satisfied my small selfish desire... considering Pokémon's feelings, rankings might be secondary~"

Ash nodded thoughtfully.

Steelix enjoyed Ami's petting, smiling before glancing at the bewildered Teacher Lu.

Could've fought... but I'm no idiot—

Steelix peeked at Ash before closing its eyes to feign exhaustion.

"Had I known, I could've fought Teacher Lu for silver," A-Jin rubbed his chin.

"You still can," Teacher Lu smiled kindly.

A-Jin shivered before laughing nervously: "L-let's go! My treat for dinner!"

"You're covering Snorlax too, right?" Ash's eyes lit up.

A-Jin: "..."

"And Steelix's meal too," Whitney smiled sweetly.

The Girl blinked rapidly, secretly delighted.

Perfect! Those unsold lunch boxes finally have a destination!

A-Jin checked his bank balance—most donated to Crystal's trainer school... guess I'll have to borrow more from her.

"Let's go," A-Jin laughed heartily. "My treat!"