Pokemon: Bounty Hunter Chapter 168 168: James’s Life

Novel: Pokemon: Bounty Hunter Author: Takeiteasy Updated: Jun 16, 2026

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Now reading: Chapter 168 168: James’s Life from Pokemon: Bounty Hunter, a Action novel by Takeiteasy.

Silas looked at the red-haired woman holding a whip. She must be Jas's short-tempered fiancée, Jessebelle, who looked just like Jessie.

He had to admit, she was a little scary.

No wonder Jas would choose to run away from ho in the future to escape a forced marriage, even though he was the one who had fallen for Jessebelle first.

Up on the stage, the Sasaki couple were giving a lengthy speech, while Silas just clapped chanically along with the rest of the crowd.

"Thank you all for attending the coming-of-age ceremony of our son, Sasaki Jas. We are truly honored!"

As the three on stage wrapped up their speech, the dull and boring event finally ca to an end.

Silas let out a sigh of relief.

"Hahaha, why are you so stiff?"

"No way, no way… don't tell there's actually soone in this day and age who's never been to a banquet before?"

Yazo's sarcastic tone made the vein on Silas's forehead twitch. "You little—"

"Ahaha, there's an elder over there I should go greet." Realizing he'd pushed too far, Yazo quickly made his escape.

He could sense that if he stuck around any longer, he might get ganged up on.

Hayato slapped Silas hard on the shoulder. "At the tournant, whoever faces that guy better teach him a lesson."

Celeb gritted his teeth and nodded in agreent. That guy Yazo really lived up to his dream of becoming a Dark-type master—he truly had a talent for being annoying.

Several other heirs to the Gyms exchanged helpless glances and shrugged.

Though their talents and abilities were impressive compared to the average person, these three still stood a notch above them.

At the very least, none of them were confident they could defeat Yazo.

Even being Gym heirs didn't count for much in front of these three—let alone Yazo.

"By the way, where's that Jas guy? He disappeared as soon as he got off the stage."

Fuurin'ya glanced around and voiced his curiosity, successfully shifting the topic.

"No idea. My family isn't very close to the Sasaki clan," the others answered, all equally clueless.

"I heard it's because he's kind of rebellious," Hayata whispered, eager to share the gossip he knew.

The group's eyes lit up as they imdiately gathered around Hayata. "Tell us more!"

Heh, a bunch of gossip-hungry pigs, Silas snorted with a smirk of disdain.

But seeing them all heading toward a corner, he quickly followed. How could he miss out on juicy gossip?

Even though he had a general idea of Jas's situation based on this life's information and his mories from his previous life, gossiping always tasted better when it ca from soone else's mouth.

"From what I heard," Hayata began mysteriously, "Jas's parents didn't want him to beco a Pokémon Trainer. They expected him to take over the family business. That's pretty normal, I guess—being a Trainer is dangerous, and running the Sasaki estate takes a lot of effort.

"That wouldn't have been a bad thing. Apparently, Jas didn't totally reject the idea either.

"But here's the twist—so seniors told his parents pushed him to terrifying extres. He had sothing like twenty or thirty private tutors covering reading, etiquette, violin, piano—you na it.

"You all know how those old aristocratic etiquette rules go—even holding a spoon has its protocols. If it were , I wouldn't be able to stand it either.

"So he often skipped class and eventually got expelled from the Pokémon Research School.

"On top of that, his girlfriend is apparently terrifying. I heard she likes to use a whip—yeah, that kind of vibe.

"Also and again, this is all rumor—Jas used to hang out on the city bike paths as part of a biker gang, with a whole bunch of underlings under him."

Hayata lowered his voice as he spoke, repeatedly emphasizing that this was just hearsay.

He even dragged Silas in as a witness to his credibility.

As for the little embellishnts mixed into the story, everyone just pretended not to notice.

"That's rough," Celeb said flatly.

"Yeah, life's not easy for anyone," Fuurin'ya sighed.

The rest of the group nodded in agreent.

But no one felt too much sympathy. After all, without Pokémon, their own lives would probably be even duller.

Their days just consisted of training, taking supplents, studying, battling—rinse and repeat.

"This isn't the life or story I wanted."

A faint voice interrupted them.

They turned to see Jas standing right there.

Everyone looked a little awkward. Being caught gossiping about soone behind their back was never a good feeling.

But Jas didn't seem to care. "To be precise, there were twenty-three tutors. And it wasn't just etiquette—they prepared every detail of my life for .

"As for Jessebelle..."

Jas fell silent for a mont. "She's actually a good person, just a bit too intense in her pursuits—especially her obsession with nobility."

The group chuckled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

And he hadn't even denied the biker gang rumor. That definitely didn't align with his noble upbringing—no wonder people called him rebellious.

"Enough about my miserable life. I'm just glad you all ca," Jas said with a practiced smile as he greeted everyone.

"You must be Silas Alaric. My father and mother ntioned you just now. They said you're an exceptional Pokémon Trainer!

"And you must be Fuurin'ya of the Celadon Gym, Hayata of the Saffron Gym, Celeb—Blaine's disciple from the Elite Four, and..."

Jas nad each person one by one like he'd morized all their profiles.

While they were chatting, a soft female voice suddenly ca from the side.

"Sorry, everyone, really sorry to interrupt, but Jas's parents are looking for him. There's sothing they need to discuss with him, so he'll have to step away for a while."

It was Jessebelle. She clasped her hands together politely as she apologized to Silas and the others, her deanor elegant and refined—like a true noble lady.

"No worries. Go ahead and take care of it," everyone replied with a smile.

"My deepest apologies. Then I'll be taking Jas with for now." Dressed in a flowing dress, Jessebelle gave the group another graceful bow and gently pulled along the reluctantly smiling Jas as they walked deeper into the hall.

"She doesn't seem nearly as aggressive as Hayata described," soone remarked.

Hayata scratched his head in embarrassnt, thinking he might've misunderstood her after all.

Only Silas rolled his eyes inwardly. Co on. Who here isn't a perforr? Acting's part of noble education too.

"By the way, what kind of gifts did you guys prepare?"

That quickly launched a new, ultimately aningless round of conversation.

anwhile, Jas and Jessebelle, walking through the corridor, had already resud their usual argunts.

"I've told you countless tis, Jas. You're supposed to beco a noble, a refined gentleman.

A Pokémon like Growlithe just doesn't suit your status. Only a Glaow has the elegance worthy of you!"

Jessebelle pleaded earnestly with her boyfriend, who was soon to be her fiancé. From her tone, she didn't even seem to regard the incredibly rare Growlithe as anything noteworthy.

"I've told you again and again—that's never going to happen! Little Growlithe is my best partner. Don't bring this up again, Jessebelle!"

Jas, who still had no idea what his parents wanted with him, continued resisting with all his might.

This wasn't the first ti they'd argued over this.

Though she didn't think much of Growlithe itself, Jessebelle was definitely wary of the Jenny family behind it.

So unless Jas, as a Trainer, gave the order himself, she wouldn't dare touch Growlithe.

Eventually, they arrived at a private room, where Jas's parents were waiting inside. Once Jas stepped in, they got straight to the point.

"What? An engagent with Jessebelle?" Jas was stunned. He had just co of age today—wasn't this a bit too fast?

"You don't want to? Jessebelle asked, her eyes flashing dangerously.

"N-No, of course not." Jas responded imdiately, partly out of fear, but also because—truth be told—he really did like Jessebelle at this point in his life.

Hearing his answer, both his parents and Jessebelle smiled with satisfaction.

"I need to go back and greet the guests. I'll take my leave now—Father, Mother, Jessebelle."

Without waiting for a reply, Jas quickly turned and walked out.

As the door closed behind him, he could still faintly hear his parents speaking with Jessebelle:

"Jas still isn't refined enough as a gentleman—not quite perfect yet. Jessebelle, we're counting on you to continue shaping him…"

Jas's eyes darkened.

He didn't go back to entertain the guests as he'd said. Instead, he walked straight to the rear garden.

Gentleman. Elegance. Tch… Not one of them ever cared about my own thoughts or interests…

He clenched his fist and slamd it against a tree.

"Who's there!"

Suddenly, Jas turned sharply toward a direction.

"Uh—sorry, sorry! I just ca to clear my head a bit!" Silas awkwardly stepped out from behind a tree. He thought for sure he wouldn't be noticed—Jas's senses were way too sharp.

Jas didn't reply.

The garden was silent, save for the faint sounds of conversation and laughter drifting in from the banquet hall.

"Sorry. That was rude of ." Jas finally spoke, offering an apology.

"No, no, it's totally normal. Everyone gets frustrated sotis," Silas replied, trying to be comforting—even though he felt like Jas didn't really need any comforting from him.

"Heh… frustration, huh? That's not really sothing I'm supposed to have." Jas let out a bitter laugh.

He knew this wasn't the kind of thing he should be unloading on soone he'd just t, but today had simply been too much.

Silas didn't quite know how to respond.

After a brief silence, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the gift he'd prepared in advance. "I heard you like collecting these. Consider it a personal gift. Maybe it'll help lift your mood a bit."

As he spoke, he flicked the object over to Jas.

Jas instinctively caught it in surprise.

Opening his palm, he asked, "What's this?"

"A collector's edition bottle cap—Chicho design. I figured you'd like it."

Silas rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. He rembered hearing that Jas liked to collect bottle caps.

What he didn't know, though, was that the Chicho design ant sothing even more personal to Jas.

"Ah… thank you—really."

Jas gripped the bottle cap tightly. His hand hurt from how hard he was holding it.

He gave Silas a long, deep look.

All this ti, he'd never told anyone about this little hobby of his—not even his beloved Growlithe.

Not even his own parents had ever noticed. They just didn't care.

But regardless of how he found out… Silas was now soone he could call a true friend.