"Flint, there's something I want to sell, but I'm not really in the position to handle it myself, so..."
Natsuhiko said hesitantly.
"No worries, I'll help you out. What is it?" Flint waved it off casually.
"This."
As he spoke, he took out the intermediate quality Dark Stone.
This thing was a hot potato in Goldenrod City right now. After learning that a mysterious organization had their eyes on him through that Onix, he immediately dismissed the idea of keeping it.
But with Flint's status, this wouldn't be a hassle at all.
"Oh? An intermediate quality Dark Stone?"
As a stone enthusiast, Flint naturally recognized the quality at a glance and was a bit surprised.
Hilona also looked at Natsuhiko with some surprise.
Evolution Stones are always in high demand, shouldn't be difficult to sell, right?
"Yes."
"No problem, leave it to me. Once it sells, I'll transfer the money to you directly." Flint took the Dark Stone.
With Flint's character and status, he wouldn't stoop to embezzle something as insignificant as an intermediate quality Dark Stone.
"Thanks a lot." Natsuhiko said sincerely.
"Don't mention it. Today, your understanding of the exhibition match between the two Celestial Kings was very insightful, which shows your tactical skills definitely exceed your current abilities. If I encounter any problems in the future, I might need to trouble you." Flint chuckled.
Natsuhiko's prediction of the match outcome between Uncle Liu and Agatha had indeed taken Flint by surprise.
No one would refuse to acquaint with a capable and trustworthy trainer who has extensive knowledge about Pokémon and tactical skills that surpass his strength.
"In the future, I might also have some questions about Eevee and Togepi to ask you..." Hilona added.
Natsuhiko smacked his lips.
Listening to their words, one who didn't know better would think he was some kind of big shot.
"Alright, I should be going now." Flint patted Natsuhiko on the arm.
"Me too." Hilona was also about to leave.
"Let me see you out."
"No need, remember to visit Hoenn sometime..."
Flint was the first to leave the private room.
Before leaving, Hilona handed Natsuhiko a small card.
"This might be useful to you."
With those words, she left gracefully.
Watching Hilona's departing figure, and holding the card in his hand, some irrational thoughts flashed in Natsuhiko's mind.
Glancing down.
It was a business card.
It read "Dr. Yamanashi."
With a self-deprecating smile, he muttered, "How naive."
...
...
The top floor of the only tall building in Goldenrod City's Battle Tower.
A huge floor-to-ceiling window faced the battlefield below, where Celestial King Liu Bo stood with a cane, watching the novice exhibition match below coming to an end.
His expression was complex.
As an old veteran King who had stationed in the Kanto Region for decades, in this final moment before stepping down from the King position, he still hoped to bring a bit of vitality to the fresh blood of the entire Kanto Region.
On the curved sofa behind him, Agatha leaned against the backrest, her expression wasn't very relaxed.
"What's the matter? Reluctant? Actually, if you don't agree, no one can force you." Agatha said slowly, her voice slightly raspy and sharp.
Liu Bo continued watching the players and audience preparing to leave, without responding immediately.
After a long time, he slowly turned around.
"Tired."
Just a simple word, yet it seemed to contain so much.
He walked to the side of the sofa.
"That's going to be a headache, with you gone, the others will likely fight tooth and nail for the position." Agatha's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.
Liu Bo glanced at her.
"Staying too long makes one unpopular."
Agatha flashed a sinister smile, "Who dares?"
Though Agatha's age had advanced, her strength hadn't diminished a bit, even exhibiting a trend of becoming more formidable with age.
Her match with Liu Bo was an exhibition, and an exhibition could not fully reflect her true strength.
Comparatively, Liu Bo's strength was more apparent in formal matches, while Agatha excelled in wild battles, encounters, and full-team battles.
Perhaps in a full-team battle, Liu Bo's victory rate might be slightly higher, but in a wild encounter, it'd be hard to say.
"True." Liu Bo did not oppose, nodding in agreement, "Among the current group waiting, only Sheba barely has the qualifications. Who would have thought the Kanto Alliance, the origin of the league, would face a shortage of successors."
There was a sense of helplessness and lament.
If only the reserve Kings in the Kanto Alliance had been a bit more competent, he wouldn't have had to delay his retirement until now.
Agatha's smile slowly subsided, "Isn't it his fault?"
Though no name was mentioned, Liu Bo knew who Agatha referred to.
After a brief silence, he merely sighed.
"Luckily, the Dragon Taming Clan siblings, that girl from the Orange Islands who played with ice, the little ninja playing with poison in Light Red City, and the renowned psychic girl here in Goldenrod City, all show good potential."
Agatha listed several young individuals who were currently quite well-known.
"Looks like you'll have to hold out for a few more years." Liu Bo said calmly.
Agatha rolled her eyes, "Easy for you to say, why don't you hold out a few more years yourself?"
"Hehe—"
Suddenly.
Liu Bo and Agatha's expressions changed simultaneously.
They exchanged glances, and finally, Agatha spoke towards the door, "Come in."
The door opened.
A woman approximately twenty-two or three years old, with exquisite features and a curvaceous figure dressed in a black uniform, stepped in.
Easily switching between cute and mature – she was likely this type of person.
"Elite Four Agatha, Celestial King Liu Bo." The woman greeted the two respectfully.
"Camilla, Guild Master." Agatha nodded slightly.
The woman, though young, was now the guild master of Goldenrod City's Trainer Guild.
Two more people entered behind her, vice president Azir and another vice president Nalorphine.
"What's going on?" Liu Bo, noticing their serious expressions, asked.
With a complex expression, Camilla took a deep breath and said, "Things have started to get out of control. The Wild Pokémon around Goldenrod City... have rioted."
"Rioted?"
Upon hearing this, both Liu Bo and Agatha frowned.
"Wasn't it predicted that there would be at least another week?"
Camilla pursed her lips, "There seems to have been some unforeseen changes."
"How bad is it?"
"Goldenrod City's connections with the outside world... have been completely severed."
Liu Bo and Agatha remained silent for a long moment.
"Has it come to this?"
That such a large city like Goldenrod would lose contact with the outside world...
"Are there any results from the previous investigations?" Liu Bo asked again.
Camilla looked awkwardly, but before she spoke, Agatha replied, "Those rats are well-hidden. I tried to dig deeper but found no breakthrough."
"They... seem to have channels that we are unaware of." Camilla hesitated.
"Does this mean the trainers who came from all over won't be able to leave?" Liu Bo suddenly thought of this point.
"Except for the very first batch that left before the riot, afterward... I'm afraid not."