"Hello, Dratini and Dragonair have been fully healed."
Nurse Joy handed the Poké Balls back to Nozomi.
"Mr. Nozomi, thank you very much for protecting the Pokémon in the Safari Zone," she said sincerely.
"You flatter me."
Because the treatment for Dratini and Dragonair had taken quite some time, news of his actions had already spread across Fuchsia City. At this point, nearly everyone knew about it.
Though many still didn't know what he looked like, Nozomi figured it wouldn't be long before his photo appeared in every major Fuchsia newspaper. If he stayed here any longer, he'd probably be mobbed by the city's grateful citizens.
"By the way, how are those Pokémon hunters doing now?" Nozomi asked. Though he had left the matter to Officer Jenny, he still wanted to know how things turned out.
"Those Pokémon hunters have already been handed over to the League by Officer Jenny. They're likely in prison by now," Nurse Joy replied. "As for the injured Pokémon, they've all been treated and released back into the Safari Zone. The League even sent several additional Rangers to assist Warden Kaiser in guarding the area."
The League's response was swift—they immediately took corrective action.
It was pure luck that Nozomi had happened to pass by and intervene in time. Had he not been there, the wild Pokémon would have been captured, and the League would've suffered a major scandal.
Now, with several more Rangers stationed in the Safari Zone, even if they couldn't outnumber the hunters, they could at least ensure the Pokémon wouldn't be captured en masse again.
Once the League was informed, they could easily deploy investigators or strike teams to arrest or drive out the hunters—without ever being caught off guard like they were today.
"I see. That sounds like a reasonable arrangement," Nozomi said with a small nod.
He still had faith in the League. They were currently in a turbulent transition period following Team Rocket's collapse, but as long as they stabilized, he believed the League would soon recover and prevent any future infiltrations.
"Oh, right—Mr. Nozomi," Nurse Joy said suddenly, "Elite Four member Lance called earlier. He said he needed to speak with you."
"Oh? Lance?"
Nozomi raised a brow. He remembered that Lance had his number—so why would he contact the Fuchsia City Pokémon Center instead?
He reached for his communicator and realized it had long since powered off due to a dead battery.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, he borrowed the Pokémon Center's phone and dialed Lance back.
"Mr. Lance, what's the matter?" Nozomi asked, half-jokingly wondering if the League might be calling to reward him for his recent heroics.
But clearly, he was being too optimistic.
"This time at the Safari Zone—thank you," Lance began, offering his gratitude before continuing with a familiar tone of invitation. "Nozomi, have you really not reconsidered becoming a League Investigator?"
Since leaving the Investigators, Nozomi's accomplishments had spoken for themselves.
Not only had he helped suppress Team Rocket to the brink of expulsion from Kanto, but this latest Safari Zone incident once again proved his effectiveness.
From the moment he received Warden Kaiser's distress call to the time he resolved the crisis, less than an hour had passed—a feat Lance's entire task force couldn't have matched. They'd have spent half an hour just assembling, and even then, they might not have caught the culprits.
Anyone could see the gap in capability.
"No thanks. I already told Lorelei—I'm not interested," Nozomi replied flatly.
The same reason as always: being a Trainer offered far more freedom. Why tie himself down with bureaucracy?
"Fair enough," Lance sighed regretfully. "Still, if you ever change your mind, tell me right away."
"So you called just for that?" Nozomi asked, his tone casual but his mind wandering: Reward… where's my reward?
He wasn't short on money these days, but no one ever disliked a bonus—especially after doing so much for the League. Surely they wouldn't expect him to work for free?
"Well, there is one more thing," Lance added, as though hearing Nozomi's thoughts.
"What is it?" Nozomi asked, feeling a spark of anticipation.
"You're still in Fuchsia City, right? Planning to head toward Cinnabar Island?"
"That's right. Why?" Nozomi asked warily. Something about Lance's tone didn't sound like a bonus was coming.
"There's a city along the route called Dark City," Lance explained. "The League received reports that the situation there has become… strange. Two unofficial Gyms are currently fighting each other for the right to be recognized as an official Gym. Their rivalry has turned violent and is disturbing public order. I'd like to ask you, as an Investigator-on-loan, to look into what's really going on."
Nozomi's expression darkened.
"You can't be serious. You guys at the League really see me as free labor, huh?" he said bluntly.
Lance immediately coughed—hard. Clearly, Nozomi had struck a nerve.
After recovering, Lance asked, "Why would you think that?"
"I mean, come on. I helped you take down Team Rocket—that's no small favor. Even if that aligned with my own goals, you can't tell me there's no reward for it."
"Wait… don't tell me no one informed you?" Lance asked, sounding genuinely shocked.
"Informed me about what?" Nozomi asked, confused.
Lance's tone shifted as realization dawned.
"A week ago, the League's board approved a commendation for your contributions against Team Rocket. To honor your efforts, we've officially transferred ownership of one of Team Rocket's properties to you."
"A property? Which one?"
Nozomi raised a brow. He'd only encountered a handful of Rocket-owned buildings, and one particular one came to mind.
"It's one of their assets in Saffron City," Lance confirmed. "The building right next to Silph Co.—it's yours now."