"Professor, that 'Dodo' replied to you!"
A tall intern with blue-purple long hair, wearing a white researcher's outfit that couldn't hide her figure, looked at the reply on the computer and called out to Researcher Sakuragi, who was observing Ditto.
This was the Eevee Evolution Research Institute in the Withered Leaf City of the Kanto Region, and the girl speaking was a student and assistant to Researcher Sakuragi.
"Oh? Chrysa, what did he say?"
Sakuragi accelerated the speed of his recording, asking without turning his head.
"He said... he's very grateful for your recognition and hopes to have the opportunity to discuss more in-depth with you." Chrysa relayed the contents of Natsuhiko's reply intermittently.
"Reply on my behalf, say 'no problem'." Sakuragi said.
"Alright, Professor." Chrysa tapped the keyboard, ready to respond, but on second thought, she felt something was off and spoke up:
"Professor, I suggest you don't reply like that. It seems like this 'Dodo' doesn't log in very often. Having a conversation like this... isn't effective."
Sakuragi finally completed today's observation report on Ditto and walked over to the computer.
"You're right, if it takes a week to reply each time, this topic might drag on for a while."
Chrysa nodded in agreement.
"Professor, why not just ask him directly for a contact method? It would facilitate communication." Chrysa suggested.
Sakuragi hesitated slightly before saying, "Alright, send him a private message with the institute's contact information on my behalf, and see if we can get his contact info as well."
"Alright."
Chrysa sent a private message to the "Dodo" as Sakuragi instructed.
"By the way, Chrysa, did the batch of Eevees I requested arrive yet?" Sakuragi asked again.
After all, without tangible specimens, the study of Eevee evolutions couldn't proceed.
He obtained them through the official channels of the league, and these Eevees, like the Ditto, were quality Pokémon bred by the league.
These are support policies accessible to researchers and doctors with sufficient capability and reputation.
"Professor, your requirements are quite high, and these quality Eevees aren't easily bred by the league, so..."
Sakuragi frowned slightly.
"But, Professor, the league stated that not many Eevees have hatched, but they can provide some high-quality Pokemon Eggs. The parents are top-tier Eevee-type Pokémon, and it's estimated that these eggs will hatch in at most one to two months."
It seemed like a compromise.
"Alright then, I'm already quite eager to uncover more mysteries of Eevee evolutions."
"Okay."
Chrysa nodded, silently marveling at Sakuragi, who turned back to his research.
"The professor really is a Pokémon research enthusiast, but perhaps it's because of this passion that he has achieved so much excellence..."
...
...
Over half a month flew by.
With no immediate concern of resources, Natsuhiko truly stayed in, training Beedrill in the backyard.
The growth rate was increasingly evident.
However, what he didn't expect was that Abra's growth period ended much later than he anticipated.
He wasn't sure if it was influenced by Yujira.
But Natsuhiko didn't mind too much about the late ending of the growth period.
Training Pokémon is not something achieved overnight; it might take a lifetime.
This allowed Abra to have more joyful times. Once its growth period ends and it evolves into a true Pokémon, leisure may not be as abundant.
But it should be soon, likely within a day or two.
Not only him, but even Abra had premonitions that its growth period should end within these few days.
So it cherished the current time extraordinarily...
Seizing the time to sleep.
Sleeping more than twenty hours a day on average.
Apart from training, Natsuhiko attended a few gatherings, but mostly gained nothing, only bought a secret book on the "Sharpening" technique and supporting training resources and equipment, spending a hundred thousand Alliance Coins.
Through the training methods in the book, Beedrill successfully learned the "Sharpening" technique from scratch.
Through training, Tailwind + Qi Gathering + Sharpening had become instinctive during Beedrill's training.
And today, he was about to venture out for a rare trip.
A call from the club informed him about a great task today.
So Natsuhiko packed up Beedrill, tossed the awkwardly sleeping Abra into the inner pocket of his coat, and left the house he hadn't stepped out of for half a month, heading for the club.
Upon arriving at the club, he saw Zhenzi, who should have been at the front desk, standing at the door, seemingly on the lookout for something.
The already grand club entrance was further elaborately decorated.
Red carpet, fresh flowers, just missing a squad of scantily-clad attendants.
Could they be waiting for me?
Natsuhiko couldn't help his imagination, then immediately laughed at himself.
What was he thinking, had he reached the age of thinking with his lower body?
Seeing Natsuhiko, Zhenzi's eyes lit up and she waved at him.
"Natsuhiko."
"What's going on here, so grand?" Natsuhiko went forward to ask.
Zhenzi looked around, then whispered, "Someone is coming to challenge the club today."
"Challenge the club?"
Is that kind of thing still popular in this world?
Moreover, would anyone dare to challenge the Silver Pokémon Battle Club?
"Yes, it's said a club from Jade Rainbow City wants to open a branch in Goldenrod City and intends to make a name through our club."
"Oh."
Natsuhiko nodded calmly and then said, "We're putting on such a show for a club challenge?"
"Not really, the main point isn't the challenge. The main point is today, a high-ranking executive from a major Hoenn company is supposedly visiting to talk about cooperation with our parent company, and also wants to visit our club today.
The Jade Rainbow City club seized this opportunity to come for a challenge too."
With that explanation, Natsuhiko understood.
So Zhenzi was waiting for that executive from another region, right?
"Then just have the manager call in some Advanced Trainers to crush them, why make it so complex?"
"But they say they're only sending Intermediate Trainers for a 'friendly' exchange. How can we send Advanced Trainers..." Zhenzi's voice grew softer.
Exactly.
Natsuhiko nodded. Everyone knew the Silver Pokémon Battle Club was strong, but that was mainly due to the Advanced Trainers' prowess, the other side was quite clever.
"But what does that have to do with me? I don't have time to involve myself in these things." Natsuhiko shrugged and turned, ready to leave.
"Win one match and there's a 30,000 Alliance Coin reward." Zhenzi quickly said.
"I..."
"There's also rumored to be secret technique rewards!"
"I..."
"And a chance for promotion to Advanced Trainer!"
"Ahem, I just want to bring glory to the club."
Natsuhiko turned around again.
He entered the club directly.
Seeing the speed of his steps, Zhenzi couldn't help but pout.
"Are all men like this?"
Upon entering the club, Natsuhiko saw Aiwei, the supervisor.
Around her, quite a few of the club's trainers had gathered, and they were all Intermediate Trainers.
But relations did not seem particularly friendly between them.
"Natsuhiko, you're here." Aiwei said with a smile.
"Yeah."
Aiwei clapped her hands, "Almost there, everyone come with me to meet them."
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A special thanks to GreenAncients for the bounty! Another update is scheduled for tomorrow thanks to the votes, rest day the day after~~ Seems like the future is promising~~