How many people were there across all the discovered regions?
That question was impossible to answer precisely.
Everyone only knew one thing—
There were a lot.
And that was only counting the regions that had already been discovered.
The world was enormous.
The existence of other undiscovered regions was entirely possible.
Who could possibly calculate the total population?
If this device truly became something everyone owned—
The profits alone would be enough to move the Pokémon League.
Previously, Professor Oak's thinking had always been limited to distributing the machine free of charge to rookie Trainers.
He had never considered the commercial side of things.
Now that Chen Shi pointed it out—
Professor Oak instantly understood.
"You mean... use profit to persuade the League?"
His eyes lit up.
Chen Shi twitched his lips helplessly.
"Professor, why are you still worrying about whether the League is willing to build signal towers?"
"Let me ask you something."
"If this device becomes something everyone owns and everyone can access the internet anytime, anywhere..."
"Then if I publish a research paper on a forum, wouldn't people all over the world be able to see it?"
"Instead of only those wealthy enough to own a computer?"
Those words struck Professor Oak like lightning.
Something clicked inside his mind.
He seemed to understand.
Yet at the same time, he couldn't fully grasp the enormity of it.
His breathing gradually became heavier.
"Keep talking."
Chen Shi continued calmly.
"If everyone can communicate and access information anytime..."
"And then a new Pokémon species is discovered..."
"What happens if I upload a documentary or educational video about it?"
Professor Oak's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"Then everyone could see it."
"The entire world could learn about that Pokémon almost immediately."
With just that single sentence—
Professor Oak finally understood what Chen Shi was trying to say.
If such a thing truly became reality—
Information could spread across the entire world at incredible speeds.
Within a very short period of time, most of the world could learn about the same event.
It might even break the current situation where the strong kept growing stronger while the weak remained weak.
Professor Oak stared at Chen Shi excitedly.
"This idea is incredible."
"But achieving it will be extremely difficult."
Chen Shi shrugged.
"That's your problem."
"It has nothing to do with me."
"Actually, you don't need to worry about the signal issue at all."
"If you present these ideas to the League..."
"Do you believe they'll beg you to build those signal towers?"
Professor Oak's face darkened.
What do you mean it's my problem?
Wasn't this your idea in the first place?
I only wanted to build a normal Pokédex!
...
After their conversation, Professor Oak immediately buried himself inside the laboratory again.
He swore he would complete the second-generation Pokédex as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile—
Chen Shi and Cynthia continued their previous routine.
Taking care of the two little troublemakers.
Supervising Pokémon training.
And just like that—
Eleven more days passed.
During that period—
Florges successfully broke through and reached Champion level.
Swampert was equally impressive.
At the end of training that evening—
It finally achieved its breakthrough as well.
"Lagaaaa!"
Feeling the power surging throughout its body, Swampert let out an excited roar.
Nearby, Dragonite nearly shed tears of joy.
Finally...
Finally!
Dragon Grandpa had survived!
Now that brat should be leaving, right?
Chen Shi walked over smiling and patted Swampert's arm.
"Congratulations."
"You finally reached Champion level."
"Lagaaa~"
Swampert scratched its head sheepishly.
Then it clenched one fist and extended it toward Chen Shi.
Chen Shi paused briefly before smiling.
He bumped fists with Swampert.
"At this rate..."
"You'll surpass your mother very soon."
Swampert's eyes immediately lit up.
For its entire life—
Its mother had been its goal.
The mountain it wanted to climb.
Now that it had reached the same level—
It believed the day it surpassed her wasn't far away.
At that moment, Cynthia walked over.
Her voice carried a faint trace of jealousy.
"Congratulations."
"You already have three Champion-level Pokémon now."
Although Cynthia had improved greatly during this period—
She simply couldn't compete with Chen Shi's legendary-resource strategy.
At present—
Only Garchomp had reached Champion level.
Even Lucario remained stuck at the peak of the pseudo-Champion stage.
Who knew how long it would take to break through?
Noticing the tone in her voice—
Chen Shi wisely chose not to continue the topic.
Cynthia sighed softly.
"Then when are we leaving for Sinnoh?"
"Tomorrow."
"There isn't much point staying here any longer."
After speaking, Chen Shi glanced at Dragonite.
"Besides..."
"If I stay any longer, Dragonite will probably start complaining."
For a brief moment—
The corners of Dragonite's mouth rose.
Then it immediately forced them back down.
"Draaa~"
(I wouldn't complain.)
"Really?"
Chen Shi raised an eyebrow.
"Then how about I stay another month?"
"You can keep training Dragapult and the others."
Dragonite:
"..."
Oh no.
He'd just dug his own grave.
What if this kid actually stayed?
The mere thought nearly gave Dragonite a heart attack.
"DRAAA!"
(You can't go back on your word!)
(You promised you'd leave once those three reached Champion level!)
"But didn't you just say you had no objections?"
Dragonite's expression instantly became extremely colorful.
Alternating between red and white.
Chen Shi laughed before patting its huge belly.
"Relax."
"I'm leaving tomorrow."
"I won't keep bothering you."
"Honestly, look at yourself."
"You're getting so fat."
"You should change your name to Fat Dragon."
Dragonite snorted.
As long as Chen Shi left—
He could call him whatever he wanted.
...
The next morning—
Chen Shi and Cynthia packed everything they needed.
They didn't wake Professor Oak.
Nor did they say goodbye.
Instead—
They simply left behind a note.
Then departed with Jirachi, Diancie, and the others.
After leaving Professor Oak's Laboratory—
Diancie asked curiously,
"Lord Chen Shi, where are we going now?"
"We're heading to Viridian City Airport."
"By the way, I'll need you to stay inside your Poké Ball during the flight."
Commercial airplanes didn't allow Pokémon to remain outside their Poké Balls.
Jirachi and Victini could get away with it because they were small and capable of hiding themselves.
Diancie was different.
She couldn't conceal herself.
And her size was far too noticeable.
So she had no choice but to stay inside her Poké Ball.
Fortunately—
Diancie didn't mind.
After all, Chen Shi only used Luxury Balls.
Living inside them was actually quite comfortable.
"Lord Chen Shi..."
"Are we really leaving now?"
"Yes."
"We're leaving now."
Chen Shi looked back one final time at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
His voice was gentle.
"Let's go, Jirachi."
"Okay~!"
With a cheerful response—
Jirachi's psychic power spread outward.
The group disappeared instantly.
Their destination—
The Sinnoh Region.
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