After discussing meditation principles with the head priest of the Ho-Oh Shrine for a while, it was not to build any relationship with him, but simply to make him remember himself. This was very important!
When Tetsuya was preparing to leave, the head priest handed him a specially consecrated peace charm from the Ho-Oh Shrine and said, "In the future, if you need me to bless you, you can come directly to me with this charm."
"I will definitely come again!" Tetsuya said.
This head priest was truly "thoughtful". This charm was essentially equivalent to a membership certificate… if he came again to request "blessings", it would likely cost another twenty thousand Pokédollars.
However, this was something he truly needed. If he wanted to obtain that Slowpoke from the Slowpoke Temple, he would have to rely on the power of this priest.
Originally, he thought that Slowpoke was just a hidden gem that had been overlooked, and when he went to the Slowpoke Temple last time, he could easily take it away. But he did not expect that Slowpoke had such a significant background. It seemed it was specifically prepared for Will.
It seemed that having a good "father" could indeed change one's life…
Will's age was about the same as his. Two years later, he would go out traveling. In Tetsuya's memory, Will initially participated in five or six League Tournaments but did not achieve any notable results. Only afterward did he go to the Slowpoke Temple.
In other words, he still had seven or eight years. If he wanted to obtain that Slowpoke, he would have to make the Slowpoke Temple shut down within those seven or eight years.
---◓---
After leaving the Ho-Oh Shrine and returning to Pryce's villa, it was already completely dark.
Under Pryce's watchful eyes, Tetsuya did not dare to take out the Eternal Ice for Piloswine to lick.
After Ditto finished drinking its Moomoo Milk, it transformed back into a wrist guard and entered the bag of Quick Powder. It was unknown how long this merging process would take. In his previous life, he had never raised a Ditto, so he had no reference.
He hoped that after merging with Quick Powder, Ditto could advance further on the path of battle.
Arceus rewards diligence!
Maybe…
With such hard training, Ditto should have a future of its own. For now, this was all he could do.
The most awkward situation was Golett. It could not move around now. Even eating required Tetsuya to feed it… and he also had to wear glasses. For the next three months, Golett would not be able to undergo training.
The night "rolling" training he had planned had just begun to show some results, and now it would be delayed for another three months!
---◓---
The next day, Pryce took Tetsuya to the League Headquarters.
After all, the Elite Four Challenge would begin in two days, and the Elite Four students also needed to "suffer" final training.
Stepping into the gates of the League Headquarters, Tetsuya could not help but pause. In his previous life, his longing for this place had once made him lose his mind. This was the first time in this life he stepped into these gates. Memories surged like a spring, as if everything had happened just yesterday.
"Hmm? Tetsuya, what's wrong!?"
Pryce called out to the absent-minded Tetsuya.
"O-Oh. Nothin…." Tetsuya responded.
In the arena of the League Headquarters, Pryce led Tetsuya inside. There were already six people waiting in the field.
Tetsuya first focused his gaze on a middle-aged man. Hattori Tōkichi. Although he had not seen him many times in his previous life, his distinctive Ninja attire made him easy to recognize. Standing beside Tōkichi was a young girl dressed entirely in red, also in Ninja attire.
'Tehahaha…'
Tetsuya could not help but sneer. It seemed that Koga was truly finished~
If he had not destroyed that Arbok, the one standing beside Tōkichi this time would definitely have been him.
At this moment, Tetsuya felt a sense of satisfaction. Now he had also tripped Koga up, and he even found himself eager to see Koga's current situation.
Tōkichi could only suffer in silence. Everyone in the outside world knew that Koga was his final student, yet his main Pokémon had been stolen without a sound, and the news of him being like a stray Greavard in front of the Ecruteak Gym had already spread far and wide.
Officer Jenny had been present at the time, and such an embarrassing incident had likely caused Tōkichi to lose all respect.
"Oh, Elite Four Pryce, so you've taken on a student as well? Oh, no, it seems someone is willing to become your student~"
A woman around thirty years old, dressed in a flirtatious manner, holding a pink folding fan, stood up from her seat and walked directly toward Pryce. Following behind her was a fifteen or sixteen-year-old who should be her student, though it was impossible to tell whether they were male or female...
Pryce kept his usual stern expression, then said to Tetsuya, "This is the Grass-type Elite Four, Aoi Maiko."
Only upon hearing this name did Tetsuya recall a bit. The Grass-type Elite Four of Johto was sharp-tongued but extremely smooth in dealing with people. The Pokémon she raised were also outstanding. However, compared to Grass-type Pokémon, she preferred men more…
Rumor had it that she had relationships with many people within the League. A few years later, she joined Team Rocket. At that time, Tetsuya had still been young and powerless, so these were only things he had heard.
Maiko completely ignored Pryce and walked straight up to Tetsuya, sliding a finger across his face, and said, "Shota-kun, I'm really looking forward to what you'll look like in ten years~ Such a handsome little man… everything is good except these clothes are too plain!"
It felt as if the entire place had become Maiko's stage. After speaking to Tetsuya, she turned her head toward Pryce and said, "I say, Elite Four Pryce, you're too stingy, aren't you~? You can't even bear to buy your student a couple of decent outfits. Look at my student's clothes. Come, Kenny-chan, let this little man take a look~"
Maiko waved her hand. Dressed in a Bellossom-style dance outfit, with a short fur shawl, fair lips, and a slightly enchanting smile, one would not be able to tell he was male if he did not speak…
Tetsuya immediately looked away. Kenny truly had a man's name but hid a woman's heart. What kind of person would take Maiko, such a female pervert, as a mentor? Being her student was probably not easy…
"Well, what do you think~? Beautiful clothes, right!? How about I prepare a set for you as well, huh~?" Aoi Maiko said.
"…Not interested." Tetsuya walked to the side. Although he did not want to offend these Elite Four members, he could not help but feel disgusted when seeing this woman, especially those flashy clothes and that… Kenny.
Maiko was about to speak again when Pryce directly retorted, "Elite Four Maiko, don't try to promote your women's clothing here. No one is buying it. With that time, you might as well think about how to contribute to the League. All day long you engage in this kind of unhealthy nonsense. Do you think this is your clothing company!?"
Pryce's words made Maiko flush with anger, yet she had no way to refute. She simply snorted, "Humph~ Teacher and student, both are the same. Disgusting!"
After Maiko walked away, Tōkichi stood up and walked toward Pryce…