After leaving the Pokémon Center, Xia You didn't go all the way to Pallet Town to find Professor Oak, but went directly to Sakuragi Lab in Vermilion City.
Sakuragi Lab is located in the suburbs of Vermilion City, occupying a large area. Behind the main gate is a large courtyard, and the main building is a magnificent three-story structure with an attic. It's said that this was originally a nobleman's manor, which Professor Sakuragi bought at a high price half a year ago and converted into a research institute.
Passing through the gate, walking along the path, and finally climbing the steps of the research institute, Xia You was about to ring the doorbell when he suddenly heard light footsteps behind him.
He turned around and saw a young girl, wearing a white dress that resembled a school uniform, standing not far behind him, watching him curiously.
The girl had delicate and beautiful features, with long, wine-red hair tied into a single ponytail, casually combed back. Her large, clear eyes made her appear clean and lovely.
Xia You recognized the girl at a glance.
It was none other than Haru Sakuragi, the childhood friend of Goh, another male protagonist in the seventh season of the Pokémon anime, and also Professor Sakuragi's daughter!
Seeing Xia You standing in front of a research institute, Haru tilted her head.
After looking Xia You over, she asked softly, "Excuse me, what can I do for you?"
"Hello," Xia You smiled kindly and explained, "I have some things I'd like to ask Professor Sakuragi for help with. Is he in the institute right now?"
"Looking for my father?" Haru hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "He's inside. Come in with me."
Opening the door to the Sakuragi Research Institute, Xia You followed Haru through the foyer to a room resembling a reception room.
Looking around, she realized only now how incredibly large the house was, like a small castle, and judging from the layout, decor, and furniture, it was even in the style of an English manor!
It had to be said, Professor Sakuragi certainly had excellent taste.
Pointing to the sofa in the living room, Sakuragi Haru said, "Please wait here for a moment. My father is still working. I'll go and tell him for you."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Xia You nodded. After Sakuragi Haru left, he didn't sit on the sofa but walked slowly to the window.
Through the glass window, he could see a dense forest outside, full of spring. Looking further away, he could see the bustling city of Kuye. If he listened carefully, he could faintly hear the sound of the waves.
The environment was indeed very elegant!
Even now, standing here, Xia You still felt a little unreal.
He was lost in thought. Not long after, when Sakuragi Haru returned, she was followed by a middle-aged man with the same hair color as her.
This middle-aged man was about thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old. He wore thick-rimmed glasses, had a kind smile on his face, and wore a white work robe. Just from his attire, one could tell that he was a scholar with a strong academic air.
In Xia You's memory, Professor Sakuragi was not only Professor Oak's junior but also one of the Pokémon Professors in the Kanto region. Even in his youth, he was hailed as a genius, with a bright future ahead of him.
And despite his young age, he was commissioned by the Pokémon League and was qualified to provide new trainers with starter Pokémon and Pokédex entries. He was arguably one of the few authorities in the entire Kanto region!
Upon seeing Xia You, Professor Sakuragi was about to speak when his gaze was drawn to the Ralts at his feet.
"A Ralts!? That's quite a sight!"
Just as he finished speaking, a low-profile Pokémon ran in from outside. Upon seeing Xiaochun, the Pokémon ran to her feet and affectionately rubbed against her trouser leg.
Xia You looked down and saw that the Pokémon resembled a small dog, with a camel-colored body, a large tuft of soft yellow fur around its neck, bright eyes, and a small lightning bolt-shaped tail, looking incredibly energetic.
Oh, it's an electric dog... Just then, Yamper also saw Ralts.
Its big eyes were full of confusion as it tried to approach, but Ralts's hand suddenly glowed, startling it so much that it quickly retreated to Professor Sakuragi's side.
Professor Sakuragi crouched down, patted its forehead to calm it down, and then looked up at Xia You.
"This is my Pokémon. It's always been a bit overly energetic; it probably startled you just now,
didn't it?" "It's alright," Xia You gently shook her head. "I remember reading in the data that Yamper is a very energetic Pokémon, and it's indeed difficult to calm it down."
"Oh?" Professor Sakuragi was taken aback, adjusting his glasses. "You know it?"
"After all, I'm a Pokémon Trainer, so I have some knowledge of various Pokémon," Xia You smiled. "However, although I know the name, I don't actually know much. I only know it's an Electric-type Pokémon from the Galar region. If I remember correctly, that tuft of fur under its neck is where it stores electricity!"
This was more than just knowing little! " You clearly know a lot about this!
" Professor Sakuragi was surprised by Xia You's knowledge and didn't mince words, getting straight to the point. "You're quite knowledgeable, and your demeanor is rather refined. It seems you're not an ordinary trainer." Professor Sakuragi was surprised by Xia You's insight and didn't mince words, asking directly, "I heard from Koharu that you need my help?"
"Excuse me, Professor, I'm sorry to interrupt your work." Xia You took out his Pokédex. "My name is Xia You, from the Kalos region. I just arrived in Kanto. I've come today to ask you to help me upgrade the data in this Pokédex, making it a Pokédex that's universally applicable!"
Taking the Pokédex, Professor Sakuragi opened it and looked at it.
"Hmm, it is indeed a bit different from the style of the Kanto region's Pokédex, but no problem, it's just a small matter. Come inside with me."
Xia You hadn't expected things to go so smoothly, but this also showed that Professor Sakuragi was indeed a very easygoing person.
Following behind Dr. Sakuragi, Xia You left the reception room and entered the research institute's work area. Besides Dr. Sakuragi, a male and a female assistant were there to help him.
The female assistant was Kikuna, with a beautiful face and long, dark blue curly hair, while the male assistant was Renji, who wore glasses and had messy hair. Although he seemed unremarkable, he was very talented.
Kikuna and Renji were both very easy to get along with, and after Dr. Sakuragi's introduction, they were both very friendly.
"Hello, I'm Dr. Sakuragi's assistant, my name is Renji!"
"Hello, I'm Kikuna!"
Xia You shook hands with them and greeted them.
"Hello, I'm Xia You, a Pokémon Trainer. I'm so sorry to have troubled you this time."
Kikuna waved her hand and said with a smile, "It's alright. The research institute hasn't officially opened yet, so our work isn't too busy, it's quite leisurely."
"That's right." Renji nodded in agreement, "There are only a few of us in the research institute right now, it's quite lonely. Your presence here today adds some life to the institute!"
While the group was talking, Professor Sakuragi took the Pokédex, operated it on the machine for a few minutes, and then handed it back to Xia You.
"Alright, the data upgrade is complete. So, are you going to start challenging the Indigo League now?"
"That's right." Xia You nodded. "However, I only have this one Ralts right now. If I want to challenge the gyms, I'll need to catch a few more Pokémon to expand my team."
Hearing about Pokémon, Renji immediately perked up. He excitedly asked, "There are a lot of Pokémon in the Kanto region. So, do you already have any targets you want to catch?"
"I already have a few targets." Without hiding anything, Xia You told the others, "I'll definitely catch the three starter Pokémon: Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur. As for the other Pokémon, well, that's up to fate."
(End of Chapter)