Even Natsuhiko was surprised.
The changes in Weedle's body were so drastic. It used to be so weak, yet it could run so many laps now.
Looking at Weedle standing in front of him, panting heavily, he was filled with astonishment, followed by a deep sense of joy.
"Very good, next is the recovery training for the techniques you originally mastered, starting with the most basic target practice. Do you still remember the feeling when you hit Pinsir's shell seam back then?"
Natsuhiko reminded.
Weedle was panting, and did not complain.
This was their usual training mode.
However, Lance, who was beside them, was very impressed by their training intensity.
"No wonder this Weedle is so outstanding, you really are an exceptional trainer, we can't lag behind either, Charizard."
"Roar!!"
Charizard flapped its wings, and the flame on its tail blazed more vigorously, appearing very excited.
The atmosphere of training is infectious, influenced by Weedle and Natsuhiko, Lance and Charizard also showed more excitement and effort than usual.
Time flew by during the training.
The training ended.
Lance and Natsuhiko sat on the chairs in the Poke Center, waiting for their Pokémon to recover and finish treatment.
"Lance, you're not from Goldenrod City, right? How did you come to Goldenrod City?" Natsuhiko suddenly asked.
"How did you know I'm not from Goldenrod City?"
"You don't seem like it."
Upon hearing this, Lance laughed, "Well, I'm indeed not from Goldenrod City. I came here to challenge the Psychic Dojo in Goldenrod City. I heard that the new Gym Leader Nancy in the Goldenrod City Dojo is young but very powerful."
Challenging Nancy?
Natsuhiko suddenly understood.
But Nancy is not an easy person to get along with. She's not only a powerful Psychic-type Pokémon Trainer, but she herself is also a strong Superpower User, capable of further stimulating the powerful psychic abilities of Psychic-type Pokémon.
It's said that Nancy has a peculiar hobby of turning people into dolls for her collection.
But with Lance's status and the Dragon Taming Race behind him, no matter how reckless Nancy might be, the Rocket Team behind her wouldn't allow her to antagonize the Dragon Taming Race, right?
"Then you must work hard, Nancy's strength is very formidable."
"I know."
After an accidental encounter in the bookstore and training, their relationship got much closer.
Natsuhiko admired Lance's strength and valued the Dragon Taming Race behind him, while Lance admired Natsuhiko's effort and focus, especially his choice of Weedle as his Initial Pokémon and his unwavering commitment to training Weedle.
During their chat, the Poke Center notified the two that their Pokémon had finished treatment, and they each retrieved their Pokémon.
But Lance's treatment was free, whereas Natsuhiko had to pay himself.
This somewhat surprised Lance.
Could it be that Natsuhiko isn't a registered trainer of the League?
But he didn't ask much, after all, it's a private matter. Maybe it's just that he doesn't want to become a League Trainer for now?
Based on his attire, Natsuhiko doesn't seem to be someone without money either.
If he knew that Natsuhiko didn't buy those expensive clothes himself, one wonders how he would feel.
"I should head back now." At the entrance of the Poke Center.
"Alright, I'm staying here today, should still be in Goldenrod City for a while. If you need anything, feel free to find me," Lance said with a smile.
"Alright."
After exchanging contact information, Natsuhiko left with Weedle.
Watching his departing figure, Lance's expression suddenly turned somewhat complex.
His eyes had a profound look.
...
...
It's already late, the Energy Block he wanted to buy might have to wait until tomorrow.
Fortunately, the Energy Block he has is enough for Weedle to have a meal.
He spent a hefty sum on a taxi to return to the club.
It was rare.
The club, which is usually ablaze with lights at night, surprisingly didn't have them on today, and a "Resting" sign was hung on the door.
"Closed?"
Natsuhiko pushed it, and the glass door opened without obstruction.
Not closed?
With a bit of doubt, he walked in.
Tap tap tap——
The collision of leather shoes and the tiled floor made a crisp sound, echoing in the empty and quiet hall of the club.
As he walked past the counter where Anai should have been, suddenly the sound of a chair rotating was heard.
"Hmm?"
Immediately, Natsuhiko and Weedle swiftly turned around, warily staring in the direction of the sound.
In the dim sight, he vaguely saw a figure sitting on a chair, with its gaze falling upon him from the shadows.
"Manager?"
Looking at the blurry outline, Natsuhiko tentatively asked.
"It's me."
The voice came.
The figure slowly stood up, walked out of the shadows, and under the faint moonlight, his appearance could be vaguely made out.
It was the manager of the club, Lotto.
Suspected member of the Rocket Team, but also currently one of the club's top management.
"Did you see it during the day?"
Suddenly, the manager asked.
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko's heart suddenly tightened, a red "R" embroidered on the cuff of the manager's sleeve flashed through his mind.
On the surface, he still calmly asked back:
"See? See what?"
Wouldn't close the entire club just for one person, right?
Although the Rocket Team is very hidden in Goldenrod City, anyone with a bit of influence cannot miss the deeply rooted connections of the Rocket Team in Goldenrod City, and their shadows can be faintly seen in every corner.
Knowing his identity as a Rocket Team member shouldn't warrant such a big commotion, right?
"Heh——" Hearing Natsuhiko playing dumb, Lotto didn't expose him but merely chuckled lightly and said, "Are you short on money?"
Short on money?
It's more than just being short on money.
Subtly nodding, "Short."
Without concealment and no need to, his purpose for coming to this club was to earn money, he believed over 90% of the Intermediate Trainers in the club were also there for money.
"I guessed so."
Lotto approached, his cold demeanor exuding a bit of a murderous air.
He stared intently at Natsuhiko for a few seconds, especially lingering on the Weedle on his shoulder for a few seconds, then sat back down on the chair, returning to the shadows.
"Once the club's Intermediate Trainers have their titles upgraded to Intermediate Trainer, they can receive special tasks from me, and each task's reward is quite substantial..."
Natsuhiko was taken aback.
Intermediate Trainers could receive special tasks from Lotto?
Are these Rocket Team's tasks, or tasks of the club?
Hold on.
Doesn't that mean that this apparent club is, to a certain degree, actually screening members for the Rocket Team?
Suppressing the doubts in his heart, he said calmly, "Substantial? It depends on how substantial."
Seeing Lotto handing over a document, "Here's a task, the reward is thirty thousand League coins, do you want to take it?"
Thirty thousand!
Natsuhiko's heart was shaken.
Even though he's now an Intermediate Trainer, with a basic salary and commission that aren't low, there's still quite a gap compared to fifty thousand League coins, would take at least half a month to earn those thirty thousand League coins.
That is, if everything goes smoothly.
Even though Weedle's potential has been further tapped, whether it will evolve in a month's time is uncertain.
If he can earn more League coins within this month, using more resources to convert Weedle's potential into power, striving to maximize its potential before it evolves, it will greatly benefit its future growth.
Taking the document, quickly glanced through it, his expression slightly stationary.
"I'll take it."
"What? Not asking about the level of danger?" Lotto teased.
Natsuhiko put away the document, "Dangerous or not, as long as the money is in place, everything is negotiable."
"Heh——I like your attitude." Lotto chuckled, clapping his hands.
"If nothing else, I'll head back first." Natsuhiko said.
"Go ahead." Lotto waved his hand dismissively.
"By the way, Manager Lotto, may I ask, why did the place close early today?" Just as he lifted his foot, Natsuhiko couldn't help but ask.
"Power outage."
Natsuhiko: "..."
This power outage is quite unsettling.
But speaking of which, in such a big city like Goldenrod City, why would there be a power outage?