Route 1 is the essential path connecting Pallet Town to Viridian City. Dense forests flank both sides of the road. While most trainers rush through to reach the city, Hora chose to trek through the forest instead.
The Campsite Training
Hora set up a simple camp by a babbling brook. While resting, he engaged in a "Catch-and-Release" training session:
The Method: He used a new fishing rod to hook Magikarp.
The Goal: As soon as a Magikarp leaped from the water, he commanded Bulbasaur to use Vine Whip to knock it back into the stream.
Purpose: This effectively ground out proficiency points for Bulbasaur's Vine Whip (currently at 21%) and improved its reaction speed.
Meanwhile, Kakuna rested on a nearby rock, absorbing energy, and Hora prepared a meal of instant noodles enriched with "Energy Berries" provided by his mother.
Midnight Intruders
Late at night, a clamor outside the tent woke Hora. Peering through a gap in the tent, he saw three familiar silhouettes scavenging for leftovers around his stove:
A man with blue-purple hair (James/Kojiro).
A woman with long, magenta hair shaped like a sickle (Jessie/Musashi).
A feline Pokémon walking on two legs (Meowth/Nyarth).
The Encounter with Team Rocket
Hora realized he had run into the infamous Team Rocket trio. Since they were near Viridian City, their appearance aligned with the timeline of when they would eventually ambush Ash at the Pokémon Center.
He overheard their bickering:
Jessie complained about the lack of food.
James defended his tracking of the campfire smoke.
Meowth suggested that instead of food, they should steal the trainer's Pokémon inside the tent to present to "The Boss."
Hora's Counter-Strategy
Despite their reputation for being unreliable, Hora remained calm. He knew their technology could be unpredictable. He signaled Bulbasaur to stay low and prepare its vines.
His Plan: Use Vine Whip to bind all three of them simultaneously before they have a chance to release their own Pokémon.