"You brat are absolutely lawless! Do you really think your meager strength is enough to contend with an Elite Rank trainer!?"
Rushing back into the forest, Agatha saw Gu Yuan still deep in thought and couldn't resist hitting him with her staff.
"Ow! Ow! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Crying out in pain, Gu Yuan scrambled to escape.
Gu Yuan initially thought that, given Agatha's age, a few casual taps would be the end of it. Who would have guessed the staff was just a prop and her physical fitness was outstanding? She relentlessly chased Gu Yuan for half a day until she had created numerous bumps on his head before finally stopping, satisfied.
"I know I was wrong, and I won't do it again in the future. Please calm down."
"What? You think there will be a future for this behavior!?"
"No, no! In the future, I promise to steer clear of anyone stronger than me, alright?"
Feeling the throbbing pain on his head, Gu Yuan dared not disobey in the slightest.
"By the way, Master, can you tell me how Hawkins died?"
Seeing that Agatha had calmed down, Gu Yuan quietly inquired.
"I didn't see the specific fight. By the time I arrived, Gengar had already cornered him. In the end, he had a Golem use Explosion to kill itself and him."
"What? Are you suggesting your Master didn't kill him!?"
Looking at Gu Yuan, Agatha's gaze grew darker, and the staff in her hand twitched impatiently.
"How could I? I just can't understand why Hawkins would do that."
"What do you mean?"
Hearing this, Agatha suppressed the urge to beat Gu Yuan again, wanting to hear his perspective.
"Look, based on the current situation, Hawkins's actions were clearly unknown to the rest of Team Rocket beforehand."
"No news has come out of the Fuchsia Gym about finding the Mind Lotus, proving that only Hawkins knew about this from the start."
"Given his strength, he was fully capable of taking the Mind Lotus by himself. Why did he have to provoke the Fuchsia Gym, letting the news spread and making it known to everyone?"
"Furthermore, I also believe..."
Listening to Gu Yuan's interpretation of the event, Agatha slowly sank into deep thought.
Indeed, based on Gu Yuan's description, Hawkins's actions were highly suspicious.
Most crucially, when Hawkins was found to be defeated and fled, the Team Rocket members also retreated immediately, giving no opportunity for pursuit.
"Although there are many doubts, Hawkins is dead. It is destined that these questions will remain unanswered."
"Furthermore, the moment he died, whatever schemes or plots he had were destined to fall apart."
"You are right."
Gu Yuan nodded, no longer dwelling on the matter.
In reality, based on the information Gu Yuan had, there was another possibility: that Giovanni gave the order for Hawkins to sacrifice himself, either to earn Koga some merit or as part of a deeper exchange.
But, just as Agatha said, Hawkins was dead. Whatever exchange or conspiracy lay behind it was destined to remain unknown.
"You should head back to Fuchsia City first. I'll find you after I've dealt with things here."
"Considering your decent performance this time, I will allow you to request any Pokémon or item afterward."
"Alright, I'm leaving now."
"Yes, Master, safe journey."
Hearing this, Gu Yuan spoke to Agatha with a hint of excitement.
Waving her hand, Agatha left with her Gengar.
***
"Gengar, how did you do with the task I gave you?"
After moving further away, Agatha questioned the Gengar that had been protecting Gu Yuan.
Gengar paused in thought, then nodded firmly. In my opinion, that pose is the most appealing look I have.
"That's good. If he still doesn't choose Gengar this time, he shouldn't blame me for giving him some tough love."
Rubbing her staff with her thumb, Agatha actually began to miss the feeling of hitting Gu Yuan just now. She suddenly felt it wasn't so bad that Gu Yuan didn't choose a Pokémon like Gastly.
Gu Yuan suddenly shivered.
He glanced around, and seeing no other person or Pokémon nearby, Gu Yuan finally sighed in relief, attributing it to mere tension. He quickly decided on the Pokémon he wanted.
Returning to Fuchsia City, Gu Yuan checked into the Pokémon Center.
Two days later, Agatha arrived after handling the aftermath.
"I've decided, Master. I want a Fuecoco from the Galar region."
Looking at Agatha, Gu Yuan said with slightly nervous excitement.
Unfortunately, what Gu Yuan received was not Agatha's approval, but a solid, hard staff.
"Master, what did I do to upset you?"
Covering his head with both hands, having learned his lesson from the last time, Gu Yuan instantly gave up the idea of escaping.
"You dare ask! You actually dare to ask!?"
"Don't you know what my signature Pokémon is!?"
Seeing that Gu Yuan still dared to question her, Agatha became even more energized, and her staff began a rhythmic knocking.
"Master! Master!"
"Please, listen to my excuse—I mean, listen to my explanation!"
"It's not that I don't want to choose a Gastly, but I feel that since you are the Ghost-type Elite, I should naturally choose more Ghost-type Pokémon, right, to accumulate experience?"
"Once I'm experienced enough, I will definitely choose a Gastly and fully train it, making it one of my main partners."
Gu Yuan quickly spoke, hoping to minimize the beating.
Unexpectedly, Agatha actually paused. Just as Gu Yuan was about to offer some more sweet words, he saw Agatha pull a larger staff out of her Gengar.
"Is that so?"
"To show my apology, I'll properly teach you some fighting techniques!"
"No, Master, don't! Ah!"
A string of miserable shrieks rang out.
Many trainers who heard the noise were perplexed. What? Is the Pokémon Center not selling pork anymore, and they've started butchering live pigs?
"Alright, young people have their own ideas, and I can understand that."
"It's not to harm you by making you train a Gengar; it's so you have a Pokémon that can protect you closely."
"Alakazam is good, but it still makes mistakes."
"I will entrust this child to you. I will also find a Fuecoco for you. You can tell me any specific requirements."
Tired of hitting him, Agatha took out a Poké Ball and spoke gently to Gu Yuan.
"Yes, Master. It was your disciple who failed to understand your intentions."
Taking the Poké Ball, Gu Yuan's eyes were brimming with tears, whether from being moved by Agatha or stimulated by the pain, it was hard to tell.
"Alright, this matter is mostly concluded. You only need to wait two more days to challenge the Gym."
"I need to return to the League Headquarters for this matter. You should stay here for a few more days, and I will directly send the Fuecoco to you."
Patting the bumps on Gu Yuan's head, Agatha said contentedly.
"Yes, Master, your disciple understands."
Watching Agatha leave until she had completely exited the Pokémon Center, Gu Yuan screamed again.
He couldn't help it; there were just too many bumps on his head!