chsdbacks Chapter 257 "Handsome Researcher: Hey! You're pretty quick!"
Chapter 257 "Handsome Researcher: Hey! You're pretty quick!"
Chapter 257 "Handsome Researcher: Hey! You're pretty quick!"
Jihua City is not large and is not the location of the League's official gym, so Gin, controlling Hibiki, did not stay there for long.
After efficiently looting 15 residential houses and that rather conspicuous orchard, stuffing their backpacks to the brim.
He then guided Ah Xiang directly to the intersection of Highway 30 and successfully found the handsome researcher who was already waiting there.
"Handsome Researcher: Wow! You're pretty quick!"
"Handsome Researcher: I thought you were going to turn Jihua City upside down and plunder it until dark before you came."
The handsome researcher had a slightly teasing smile on his face.
"Handsome Researcher: Judging by your heavy backpack, you must have already visited that orchard in the west of the city, right? How was the harvest?"
With an "I understand you" expression, he then took out an exquisitely crafted wooden box from the inside pocket of his white coat and handed it to Ah Xiang.
"Handsome Researcher: As a seasoned ball enthusiast," I feel it's necessary to remind you that not all the tree-like fruits in the orchard are ordinary tree fruits used to restore status or create energy cubes.
"Handsome Researcher: Pay attention to the harder berries! They're the core material for making all sorts of special Poké Balls!"
"Ah Xiang got the fruit box!"
"Ah-Xiang put the fruit box into his valuables pocket!"
"A special Poké Ball?"
Ajin looked at the text on the screen, blinked in confusion at first, and then suddenly realized.
"Oh! You mean those brightly colored Poké Balls from the game?"
He pursed his lips, a look of utter disinterest on his face.
The pilot, Ah Xiang, followed the handsome researcher who had already turned and walked deeper into Highway 30, his tone clearly filled with disappointment.
"Tch, I thought Brother Bai Zhou would give me some super powerful secret weapon or rare item—"
So all it is is a fruit box? How boring!
"You idiot, Akin!"
Chris, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but reprimand her.
As an expert with the title of "Catcher" and a deep understanding of Poké Balls, she would never allow anyone to underestimate the knowledge of Poké Balls.
"Each special Poké Ball has its own unique and irreplaceable function and value! They are carefully designed and manufactured based on factors such as the Pokémon's habits, attributes, and living environment!"
She attempted to correct Akin's misconceptions using her professional knowledge, explaining with an example: "For instance, most Water-type Pokémon prefer to stay in Dive Balls, which simulate the deep-sea environment, rather than regular Red and White Balls."
"Because that place makes them feel more comfortable and at ease, which indirectly increases their intimacy and condition after being captured."
"There are also Speed Balls, Level Balls, and Heavy Balls for specific situations" —
Akin had no interest in listening to these "boring" theories.
His eyes remained fixed on the game screen, and he gave a perfunctory reply, not even bothering to turn his head.
"Hey hey~ I know, I know~"
This attitude infuriated Chris, who gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, wishing she could rush up and let Akin experience firsthand what "the wrath of the captor" truly meant!
But in the end, she held back because of the girl's modesty.
In the game screen.
With the handsome researcher who was familiar with the terrain leading the way, Ah Xiang made very smooth progress on the winding Highway 30.
They encountered almost no setbacks or forced trainer battles and quickly arrived at their destination.
Nestled on the edge of a forest, the "Pokémon Grandpa's House" has a warm and rustic feel.
Pushing open the wooden door, you'll see two sprightly elderly men sitting leisurely at the tea table in the living room, chatting.
One of them, wearing the iconic white lab coat and with a kind and benevolent smile, was none other than the famous Professor Oak.
The other wore a retro gentleman's hat and was impeccably dressed, exuding a serious yet gentle temperament.
Ajin guessed that this must be the Pokémon grandpa that Professor Elm mentioned.
Sure enough, upon seeing Hibiki and the handsome researcher enter, a striking yellow exclamation mark immediately appeared above Pokémon Grandpa's head!
He immediately stopped the conversation, quickly left the tea table, and warmly greeted him.
"Pokémon Grandpa: You must be Hibiki from New Leaf Town, right? I'm the one who contacted Professor Elm! I wanted to ask him to investigate this—please wait a moment!"
He enthusiastically took Ah Xiang's arm and led him to sit on the sofa in the living room, then turned and walked towards a high-tech, transparent, constant-temperature incubator in the corner.
He carefully took out an egg, held it in both hands, and solemnly walked back.
"Grandpa Pokémon: Look! This is it! A Pokémon egg I've never seen before, and I can't find any record of it!"
"Ah Xiang got a magical egg!"
"Ah-Xiang put the magical egg into his important items pocket!"
"Pokémon Grandpa: This egg was left with me by an old friend in Eden City. It's very mysterious. What do you think? You've never seen an egg with this kind of pattern in the Johto region before, have you?"
"Pokémon Grandpa: I really want to find out its origins and what kind of Pokémon it will hatch, so I can only ask Professor Elm, the most authoritative person in this field, to help me with the research."
He seemed to remember something, and added with a smile, his tone full of admiration.
"Pokémon Grandpa: You know! In the field of Pokémon evolution research, Professor Elm is a top expert! Even Professor Oak next to him speaks highly of him! Hahaha!"
Upon hearing this, the three people in front of the screen—Ah Jin, Xiao Yin, and Chris—all showed extremely strange expressions.
All three of them turned their gazes to the old man in the white coat who was still sitting calmly by the coffee table, sipping his black tea with an air of nonchalance.
"That old man Ooki is definitely just trying to slack off by saying that! He definitely is!"
Ah Jin was the first to complain, with an expression that said, "I've seen through everything."
Xiao Yin crossed her arms and gave a cold snort, indicating her agreement.
"Um----"
"Although saying this might be a bit rude to Professor Elm —"
Chris smiled helplessly.
"But in terms of the depth and breadth of research on Pokémon evolution, Professor Elm is indeed—not yet comparable to Professor Oak."
In the scene, Professor Oak seemed to sense Hibiki's gaze, calmly put down his teacup, and with an infectious, cheerful smile, got up and walked over.
Professor Oak: Hahaha, that's right! I am Professor Oak! You must be Hibiki, the energetic young man that Elm always mentions? You are indeed handsome and full of energy!
He looked at Ah Xiang with kind eyes, then his gaze fell on the Fireball Rat on Ah Xiang's shoulder, which was curiously looking around.
Professor Oak: Hmm—your Cyndaquil has bright eyes and is full of energy. It seems to like and trust you a lot. You must cherish it very much and have formed a deep bond with it.
Professor Oak nodded approvingly, seemingly having made up his mind.
Professor Oak: Excellent! I trust Elm's judgment, and I also trust the trainers who can build such bonds with Pokémon! It's decided! I also have a favor to ask of you!
As soon as he finished speaking, the handsome researcher who had been standing quietly to the side immediately understood and took out a novel-looking machine from his white coat and handed it over.
Professor Oak: Look! This is the latest Pokédex that I've painstakingly improved recently!
It can automatically record and analyze detailed data on every Pokémon you encounter on your journey! Now, I'm entrusting it to you!
Professor Oak solemnly placed the Pokédex in Hibiki's hands, patted him hard on the shoulder, and looked at him with anticipation in his eyes.
Professor Oak: Take this and go see all sorts of Pokémon in a wider world! I hope you can help me complete this Pokédex, which is not yet fully compiled and belongs to a new era!
"Hibiki got the Pokédex from Professor Oak!"
After handing over the Pokédex, Professor Oak seemed to suddenly remember something, raised his hand to look at his watch, and his expression changed drastically.
Professor Oak: Oh dear! It's already this late! Oh no! I promised to go to the Goldenrod City Radio Tower for a radio show recording, and I'll be late if I don't leave now! Hibiki, I'm leaving the Pokédex in your care! See you later!
After saying that, he hurriedly left Pokémon Grandpa's house with the handsome researcher, and their figures quickly disappeared into the tree-lined path outside the door.
"Golden City?! Recording a radio program?! That damned old man Oki!!!"
Akin precisely filtered out all the "nonsense" and only caught this keyword that instantly made him furious, and the flames of jealousy immediately ignited!
"He must have gone to participate in that super popular 'Nutto's Pokémon Channel'! Why should he?!"
Just because he's a PhD?! That despicable lecherous old man! Ah! My Miss Nutmeg~"
"Idiot! Focus on the important things!"
Xiao Yin's face darkened, and she forcefully steered the topic back on track, trying to suppress A Jin's impending outburst of resentment.
"Professor Oak gave us the Pokédex! Do you know what that means? Now Hibiki is officially a Pokédex holder."
"Hmph! Isn't this just common sense!"
Ajin's anger came and went quickly, instantly overwhelmed by his desire to show off.
Upon hearing this topic, he immediately put his hands on his hips, puffed out his chest, and struck a smug pose.
"Back then, it was Old Man Oak who repeatedly begged me to accept the Pokédex. I was so pestered by him that I reluctantly became the esteemed Pokédex holder! Sigh, it was just too much to refuse his kindness~"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yin merely glanced at him disdainfully, a mocking sneer curling at the corner of her lips.
"How come I remember—it was someone who shamelessly squatted in front of Professor Oak, begging and pleading, even resorting to tantrums and shamelessness, before finally getting a Pokédex?"
"Little Silver"
—"
Having his secret exposed in public, Ah Jin blushed instantly and lunged at the attacker in a fit of rage.
"How dare you say that to me! Your Pokédex was stolen from Professor Oak! You despicable thief!"
Seeing that the two were about to start fighting again, Chris sighed helplessly.
As the only member of the trio who earned Professor Oak's recognition and was given a Pokédex based on her own strength and potential, she felt it was time to step up and take charge.
"You two! Stop fooling around!"
She pointed at the game screen and raised her voice.
"Someone dialed Ah Xiang's mobile phone!"
The effect was immediate upon hearing this.
Ah Jin immediately released his grip on Xiao Yin's waist, and Xiao Yin also released the joint lock that was holding Ah Jin's neck.
The two instantly returned to "normal," as if nothing had happened, and tacitly refocused their attention on the game screen.
In the game screen, Ah Xiang's backpack was emitting a "buzzing" vibration.
He took out his phone, and the caller ID was clearly displayed on the screen.
Dr. Kongmu.
Pressing the answer button, Dr. Kongmu's anxious, even somewhat incoherent voice immediately came through the receiver.
Dr. Kongmu: Hello! Is this Hibiki? Something terrible has happened! What exactly is going on?
In short, a terrible situation has occurred at the lab! Once you get the egg, come back immediately, right away, as fast as you can! The sooner the better!
Without giving Ah Xiang any chance to respond or ask for details, the communication was abruptly cut off, leaving only a busy tone.
"Something terrible has happened?"
A-Jin raised an eyebrow; his keen intuition told him that things were anything but simple.
He immediately controlled Hibiki to say a brief goodbye to the Pokémon Grandpa, then rushed out of the house and embarked on his journey back to the Elm Labs.
Thanks to his memory of the journey, Ah Xiang was already quite familiar with the road.
He jogged along, quickly crossing the quiet city of Jihua again and entering Highway 29, which connects to the city.
However, just as he was about to step onto Highway 29...
A figure suddenly rushed out from the roadside and collided squarely with him!
Ah Xiang steadied himself and took a closer look.
Blocking his path was a boy with red spiky hair and an arrogant look in his eyes.
The red-haired boy first patted his clothes, then looked Ah Xiang up and down with an extremely disdainful gaze.
Finally, his gaze settled on the Cyndaquil on A-Xiang's shoulder, and he let out a disdainful snort before unleashing his ultimate attack right up to A-Xiang's face.
"???: Hmph! You got your Cyndaquil from the lab, didn't you? Giving a Pokémon to someone as weak as you is such a waste————"
"???: What's wrong? Did I mean I don't understand? Well, there's nothing I can do about that. I also have a pretty good Pokémon. Let me tell you what's going on!"
He didn't even give Ah Xiang any time to refuse or prepare. As soon as he finished speaking, he threw the Poké Ball in his hand without hesitation!
A flash of light appeared, and a small saw-toothed crocodile with fierce eyes, bared teeth, and clearly in a state of agitation appeared in the middle of the road.
It let out a low growl full of hostility at Hibiki, Cyndaquil, and everything around it!
"Little Sawtooth Crocodile Lv.10"
Ajin glanced at the arrogant red-haired boy on the screen, then turned to look at Xiaoyin beside him, whose face was starting to turn black.
Suddenly, he revealed an extremely irritating and unrestrained smile.
He deliberately pinched his throat and used a sarcastic tone to imitate the voice of the red-haired boy in the game.
"Let me tell you what happened~ Giving you Pokémon is such a waste for someone as weak as you~" Pfft! Hahaha! Silver! Is this really your style?! You're such a show-off! Hahaha!"
Xiao Yin's usually cold face was now covered with visible black lines.
Looking at the overly dramatic and sarcastic "himself" on the screen, he felt a surge of shame and an urge to "go back in time and strangle himself."
The me in the game—I've never really experienced the harsh realities of life—
After laughing enough, Ah Jin also composed himself and his eyes became serious.
"Okay, enough joking around."
He controlled A-Xiang and sent out the Cyndaquil on his shoulder.
"Explosion Taro! Let's show this arrogant, foul-mouthed guy what we're made of!"