Unless it's something special—like a natural Poké Ball crafted using the miraculous tree fruits—
ordinary balls absolutely don't count!
As for how Pokémon manage to fit into such tiny Poké Balls—
"Don't you know? Pokémon have the ability to actively shrink their bodies. Normally, they only use it when they're severely injured and need to hide and recover. Since a shrunken Pokémon becomes more fragile, they won't do it unless absolutely necessary."
"Don't argue in the comments. This is the official explanation from the Pokémon Association. If you don't believe me, go check the official site. Yes, Poké Balls simulate the environment of a dark cave—but the internal structure varies widely based on quality. For instance, regular balls have nothing inside. Higher-grade balls offer better conditions, even tiny devices for rest and entertainment."
The "high-grade balls" Lovy refers to here are those superior to ordinary Poké Balls.
In the Pokémon games, due to translation quirks, Ultra Balls are stronger than Great Balls, which seems counterintuitive.
But in this Pokémon world, "high-grade balls" are a broad category. One step above Great Balls is the Ultra Ball, also nicknamed the super-super ball.
As a perfectionist with words, Lovy approves of this classification.
As for this Pokémon-shrinking ability—unlike the official "Professor of West Village's Hypothesis"—who discovered it is still unclear. The Pokémon Association hasn't said.
Most likely, it was discovered early on.
[Wow, I checked, and Great Balls are five times more expensive than regular balls!]
[Ultra Balls are even crazier—20,000 each?!]
Lovy totally agrees with the surprised comments—he was just as shocked when he found out.
After all, in the games, regular balls cost 200 yen a pop. You'd just casually buy 99 of them...
But in reality, unless absolutely necessary, most people won't even spend a thousand on a regular Poké Ball!
"Speaking of which, once my little Snorlax's nutrition catches up, he'll break the 200-pound mark soon. By then, I'll need to register him and buy a Poké Ball…"
Lovy glanced at little Snorlax. Even though not registering is usually fine—
he's a streamer. If someone reports him and there's a serious investigation, it might get a bit messy.
Also, even though Poké Balls are only used outside the house, for a Snorlax who saved his life and is now family, Lovy wants to give him a better-quality Poké Ball.
He heard that the environment inside a regular Poké Ball is like living in a cramped 9-square-meter room—only the most basic rest is possible.
Many Pokémon resist entering Poké Balls for this very reason and develop the impression that "Poké Balls are uncomfortable."
Even if you switch to a better one later, it can be hard to fix that!
Oh right, while Poké Balls in this world don't have "infinite inner space"—
they do vary in size.
A regular Poké Ball has a diameter of 40mm. A Great Ball is 50mm. For a shrunken Pokémon, that's a meaningful space upgrade.
And while all Pokémon can shrink, their shrinking limit varies. Pokémon that can shrink more will feel more spacious inside.
But that's a minor detail—not worth obsessing over.
"At the very least, I need a Great Ball. Five thousand bucks—like a mid-range smartphone. If all goes well, I can afford it..."
That's the thing—owning a Pokémon is just the beginning. The real cost lies in raising them.
Just the food and Poké Ball for his Snorlax are money pits—ordinary people really can't afford it.
Oh—and registration costs 800 yuan. Not much, but still money!
This little expense, that little fee—it's never enough!
"I get it, streamer. Ultra Balls are too expensive, but I can afford a Great Ball. If the living conditions are better, the kid's mood will be better too."
Big Muscle Bro agreed completely.
"Right. Next—point two: don't level up that Machop too fast. If it evolves into Machoke, it might go berserk and punch you to death. You get what I mean, right?"
"Loud and clear…"
Big Muscle Bro looked at Machop, fear rising.
Machop alone beat him like that. If it evolves, he might end up in the ICU.
"Third—you need to learn more about its personality and habits. Just like people, Pokémon's emotions have triggers. Even an 'angry' nature has reasons..."
Big Muscle Bro nodded in realization.
[Didn't expect the streamer to know psychology!]
[Real breeders have to understand Pokémon emotions!]
[But he's a Pokémon appraisal streamer…]
[Still, the streamer really knows his stuff!]
This part supplements the original setting with extra Poké Ball lore to enrich the worldbuilding. Originally meant to ID a new Pokémon, Lovy accidentally brought back Super Machop, closing a plot loop. New storylines coming tomorrow! Please support with reads, votes, and bookmarks! 🙇
"Of course, you can't spoil it either. It's like a super-alpha human kid. If you pamper it too much, you'll raise a terrifying monster."
"Never let it think that throwing tantrums gets results. Discipline it. Scold it. Just don't cross into abuse—but you have to be firm…"
[Exactly right.]
[Sounds exhausting. I'd quit right there.]
"Streamer, you're right. Raising a Pokémon really is like raising a kid."
"Yep. This is your chance. Set your authority as its trainer. If you let it slide now, it'll be worse next time. But also, if it behaves well—reward it."
[Positive and negative reinforcement!]
[Basically shaping good behavior—streamer knows the stuff.]
"Fourth—because of its super-alpha genetics, no matter how much effort you put in, it's going to be hot-tempered."
"As its trainer, you must have ways to calm it instantly when it gets emotional. Ask professionals. Or the almighty internet—someone always knows something."
[Some Pokémon food has natural calming agents—safe but pricey.]
[Heard trainers use calming sounds or bells. That could work.]
[Some natural minerals help Pokémon feel happy when worn.]
[Just strangle it…]
[When mine gets mad, I slap myself first so it doesn't hit me.]
[Try soft persuasion!](Image: muscular bearded man in a bunny girl outfit posing seductively.)
"Some of your ideas are helpful. Others… way too much! Especially you with the image—bro, talk first, don't scar us!"
That image made Lovy feel like his eyeballs had been scrubbed with leg hair.
[I feel itchy if I don't look… But regret it if I do!]
[Even my grandma wants to punch something now!]
Some viewers got real spicy with their comments.
"Fifth. Don't suppress emotions—guide them. Let Machop take out anger on punching bags or channel it into workouts—but never hit people."
"If done right, this 'genetic flaw' can actually become an advantage!"
[Nice in theory, hard in practice.]
[Actually… ancient generals like Zhang Fei or Xiang Yu might've been 'super-alphas' too, right?]
"Being a super-alpha doesn't make it evil. It's a genetic quirk. If channeled properly, it can become a gift."
[Emotion is the greatest fuel!]
[Streamer, you're on fire today!]
"Sixth… sounds a bit off. But I believe it could work."
[He's about to say something wild.]
[Here it comes!]
"That is—the gentle blade! A super-alpha has excess testosterone. Anyone who's ever, you know… relieved themselves knows: afterward, it's calm and emptiness."
"So let that Machop breed regularly. Exhaust him. Leave him limp and dazed—where's the rage then? Or better—find a dominant mate. If he's henpecked, your job's done."
[LMAO Streamer! You're a genius!]
[Sage Mode engaged!]
[Poor Machop is just a child!]
[Give him a naughty Machamp girlfriend ASAP!]
"Well…"
Even Big Muscle Bro blushed. "Can you say that on stream?"
"It actually makes some sense. I'll try it."
By this point, Lovy had said most of what he needed. The comment section filled in the gaps.
Ultimately, the strategy for dealing with this Machop was clear—
firm but fair, with consistent guidance and discipline.
Even if super-alpha genetics can't be turned into an asset, you must ensure it doesn't spiral out of control.
That's the bare minimum.
"Thanks, streamer. I'm going to try it right away!"
"Just remember to report back and tell us how it goes."