Pokémon: Did you play Pokémon today?

Chapter 278 Dr. Elm! Are you awake?!

Hoenn region, Green Mine City.

Inside a luxurious private villa overlooking the sea.

Daigo was sitting in his spacious study, intently flipping through a thick stack of confidential documents about the "World Environmental Protection Organization" on the table.

His brows were furrowed so tightly they formed a deep frown.

The information about its two presidents, Chi Yansong and Shui Wutong, is quite detailed, including their backgrounds, philosophies, and recent activities.

But it was precisely this detailed information that made Daigo feel incredibly troubled and had a headache.

"well----"

He couldn't help but sigh, rubbed his temples, and muttered to himself, "What suitable reason can I come up with to approach these two people in a way that is both natural and doesn't arouse their suspicion?"

"To directly propose a collaboration as the young master of Devon Corporation? That would be too deliberate; they'd definitely be wary."

"Should I use my status as the Hoenn Champion for a friendly visit? That doesn't seem right either; it's too obvious—"

"Am I supposed to pretend to be an environmental volunteer? I don't look like that at all—"

Just as Daigo was lost in thought, a male voice with a unique, dramatic rhythm suddenly rang out in the quiet room.

"Sighing is not an elegant habit, my dear champion~"

Daigo looked up and, unsurprisingly, saw a beautiful man dressed in a very stylish outfit, leaning elegantly against the door frame.

He had an unusually long green scarf wrapped around his neck, and every gesture he made exuded the air of an artist.

"It's Mikoli—"

Daigo pushed aside the pile of daunting documents in front of him, rubbed his temples wearily, and casually asked, "What brings you here today? Is something the matter?"

"Can't I visit my busy best friend if there's nothing else going on?"

Mikoli's tone carried just the right amount of reproach.

But he didn't wait for Daigo's reply. He walked gracefully to the sofa and lay down on his side very naturally, as if this were his stage.

He brushed aside his long green hair that fell across his forehead, shifted his gaze from Daigo, and looked out at the azure seascape.

He began to complain in a tone that was almost like an aria.

"Sigh—my dear friend, have you been following that game called 'Pokémon' lately? That's the promotional tool that made the Kanto region famous and attracted countless trainers."

Daigo raised an eyebrow, not interrupting his friend's "performance".

Seeing that Daigo didn't react, Mikuri continued in his infectious tone, "According to rumors circulating within our Hoenn League, the veracity of which is unknown" —

"It is said that several regional league leaders have already begun to secretly take action and use all their methods to make their regions the stage for the third generation of Pokémon."

"Well, those old guys from our Hoenn Alliance, I don't know whose idea it was, actually entrusted this 'important task' to my shoulders—"

He shrugged, his expression one of utter innocence and helplessness.

"But, my dear friend, what can I do? I don't even know the name of that mysterious game developer, or whether he's round or flat—"

"Am I to call out to the sea, begging the gentle sea breeze to carry our sincerity and wishes from Hoenn to that producer's bedside?"

As Daigo listened to Michael's vivid "complaint," his lips twitched involuntarily, and he barely managed to suppress a laugh.

Should I tell him now that I not only know that producer, but that he also tricked me into joining The Pokémon Company and made me one of the founding members?

Should I tell him that the setting of the third generation of Pokémon is our Hoenn region, and that I even participated in the review of the map and gym design?

Daigo smiled slightly as he looked at Michael's "troubled" expression and ultimately decided to keep the secret for the time being.

Never mind, I'd better not tell him yet.

It'll be quite amusing to see his surprised expression when the game is officially announced.

Well, let's just consider it a little "surprise" prepared for him.

While listening to the rambling, Daigo calmly took out his phone, found his private chat with Shiraishu, edited a few messages, and sent them over.

"For inquiries about purchasing strange stones, please contact: I've already roughly figured out the details of that 'World Environmental Protection Organization'."

"For inquiries about acquiring the strange stone, please contact us: Currently, it appears to be just a conventional environmental organization with a relatively radical ideology, and no unusual weaponry has been found."

"For inquiries about purchasing Strange Stones, please contact them: They are currently conducting routine environmental awareness campaigns and clean-up activities throughout Hoenn."

Seemingly feeling that the information was not comprehensive enough, he added two more points.

"For inquiries about purchasing strange stones, please contact: However, there are indications that the Crimson Flame Pine and Water Archie have shown unusual interest in the ancient legends of the Hoenn region regarding the 'Earth God' and the 'Sea God,' and are secretly reviewing relevant ancient documents and relic reports."

"For inquiries about the acquisition of the strange stone: Although there are no clear signs of action yet, the motives are worth noting. Should I, as the champion, notify the league in advance to intervene and monitor it?"

A moment later, the phone screen lit up, and Bai Zhou's reply popped up.

"Dream is to retire salted fish: There's no need to alarm the alliance for now. Those two haven't turned evil yet. Their initial ideals and starting points were actually good. It's just that their brains are a bit stubborn, and their way of thinking is prone to polarization. They'll go down a dark path. You can keep an eye on them for now."

"Dream of Retirement: If possible, you might as well find an opportunity to try and reach out to them. Use your wealth and personal charm, like that of Young Master Zvoich, to see if you can steer them onto the right path and develop them into potential members of our Rainbow Project. (laughs)"

"My dream is to retire and become a salted fish: if I really can't handle it, I'll wait until I have some free time and then personally try to influence them."

"Dream is to retire Salty Fish: I have to go now, my competition is about to start."

Daigo looked at Shirashu's reply and felt his head throb even more.

How to charm the red flame pine and the water sycamore?

He was quite confident in his personal charm and financial resources.

However, according to the collected information, these two people's beliefs were so firm that they were almost obsessive, and they were even willing to risk their lives for their respective ideals.

Does he really have the ability to influence two such stubborn guys and ensure they don't go to the extreme of destroying the world?

"Feed—Daiwu-san!"

Sometime later, Mikoli had stopped singing and silently stood before his desk, staring intently at him—

And the phone in his hand.

"How could you—while I was so sincerely confiding my troubles, you were chatting with someone else behind my back—"

Mikuri sighed softly, pointed at Daigo's phone screen, and continued in an aria-like tone, "The evidence is conclusive, my champion, what else do you have to say?"

"Uh—this—Mikeli, let me explain—"

Daigo was speechless for a moment and could only give an awkward but polite smile.

at the same time.

Johto Region, Mankino City, Seaside Performance Venue.

Under the bright sunshine, a gentle sea breeze caressed the coastline.

Bai Zhou was leisurely lying under a comfortable sun lounger, enjoying the peaceful time before the competition began.

After reading Daigo's message and replying to it, he was about to put his phone back in his pocket.

Suddenly, a figure darted out stealthily from behind a tall coconut palm tree nearby!

The man seemed to be carrying something in his hand, and because he moved too quickly, he stumbled on the soft sand.

With a "plop," he fell headfirst into the sand pile, leaving only his two legs outside, kicking weakly a few times.

Bai Zhou: "————"

Bai Zhou was startled by the sudden appearance of this "sand lurker." Upon closer inspection, he recognized the familiar white lab coat and the iconic pineapple hairstyle—

"Uh... Dr. Hollowwood?"

He stood up somewhat uncertainly, walked over, and reached out to pull the disheveled "upside-down" figure out of the sandpit.

"Cough cough cough—Ptooey, ptooey!"

Dr. Kongmu coughed violently, spitting out sand from his mouth, with a few strands of seaweed still clinging to his face.

"Yes, it's me—"

Bai Zhou patted the sand off his back and clothes, and asked with amusement, "It really is you, Doctor. What are you doing here? Were you also invited to participate in this exhibition match?"

No, that's not it.

Professor Elm quickly waved his hand, somewhat embarrassed, and straightened his disheveled clothes and hair, explaining, "Um—I actually came specifically for you. I heard that the second generation of Pokémon games is set in the Johto region, so—"

His voice grew softer and softer, as if he was having some difficulty speaking, and he stopped midway through his sentence.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he quickly bent down and picked up the two boxes of Moo Moo fresh milk that had fallen on the sand, and stuffed them into Bai Zhou's hands without saying a word.

"You didn't bring anything nice with you—please accept these two cases of Moo Moo fresh milk!"

"This is the first-pressed milk from the highest quality milk tanks, which I specially asked Akane, the head of the Manjin Dojo, to personally supervise and select at her ranch! It's absolutely fresh and rich!"

Bai Zhou looked at the two heavy boxes of milk in his hands, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

Dr. Kongmu! Are you awake?!

Are you sure this is a "visit" and not that you're coming to "deliver a gift" because you want something from me?

And even if it's a gift—who brings two cartons of milk as a greeting gift?! Do you really think this can be done?!

Despite inwardly cursing, Bai Zhou couldn't bring himself to refuse Dr. Kongmu's face, which was filled with "sincerity" and "anxiety."

After all, we should give face to a PhD student.

Gardevoir, who had been quietly standing beside him, gracefully stepped forward, extended her hands, and naturally accepted the two boxes of fresh milk.

Then, a faint glint of superpowers flashed in its eyes, and with a slight spatial fluctuation, the two boxes of milk vanished from its hands in an instant.

The next moment, it appeared not far away—at the feet of Gengar, who was working with Larvitar to build a giant Gengar sandcastle.

"Alright, Doctor."

Bai Zhou looked at Dr. Kongmu with some annoyance and decided to get straight to the point.

"Now that the milk has been delivered, you should at least tell me what you wanted to talk to me about, right?"

Because the two were of similar age and had a good relationship in private, Bai Zhou spoke much more casually.

Hehe~

Dr. Kuroki rubbed his hands together, a fawning smile plastered on his face.

"Actually, it's nothing major—well, I am a PhD from the Johto region, you know—"

"Could I appear in Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver? Even just as a background character would be great!"

"Um?"

Bai Zhou was taken aback upon hearing this.

He was so focused on negotiating character licensing with the various dojo masters and the Elite Four that he almost forgot about this renowned doctor from the Johto region!

Seeing Bai Zhou's reaction, Dr. Kongmu thought he was in a bit of a predicament, so he quickly added, his tone even carrying a hint of urgency.

"Don't worry, don't worry! I certainly won't ask to become a major character throughout the main storyline like Professor Oak!"

"Just let me have a minor role, something to show up in the game, and maybe promote my Pokémon ecology research project!"

"My requirements are very low, I'm really not picky!"

Seeing Dr. Kongmu's expression of being afraid of causing him trouble, Bai Zhou suddenly straightened up and adopted a serious and earnest look.

He suddenly stretched out his hands and warmly grasped Dr. Kongmu's hands, which were still covered in sand, and shook them vigorously!

"Doctor! You're being too polite!"

Bai Zhou's tone was resolute, full of the sincerity of "I'm doing this for your own good."

He put on an act as if he was completely thinking of Dr. Kumoki's best interests, even going so far as to "argue his case."

"We're practically family! How can you be content with just a nobody? It's beneath you! You're a renowned Pokémon Professor in the Johto region, a highly respected figure!"

"I must be like Professor Oak, serving as a guiding professor at the start of the game! I must educate all new trainers about the mysteries of Pokémon!"

He paused, then revealed his true intentions, showing a troubled expression.

"However, in that case, you'll need to formally sign a character image usage authorization agreement —"

Dr. Kongmu's eyes widened instantly upon hearing Bai Zhou's resounding words, his mouth slightly agape, and he was completely stunned.

Me—did I hear that right?!

All he did was deliver two boxes of fresh milk!

Even if the two have a good relationship in private, is it really possible to have him serve as the opening professor of a game, just like the academic giant Professor Oak?!

This debt of gratitude can never be repaid!

"Character authorization? Absolutely no problem! I can sign it right now!"

Professor Oak's voice trembled with excitement: "But 'Opening Professor' and all that—that's too much of an honor! My qualifications and achievements are far inferior to Professor Oak's, so this is probably not appropriate—"

"Ugh! Doctor, I don't like hearing that!"

Bai Zhou immediately feigned displeasure, his tone carrying a hint of "disappointment and frustration."

"What qualifications? In the Johto region, I, Hakushu, only acknowledge you, Dr. Kuroki!"

Although this statement was somewhat absolute, or even inappropriate, it sounded like heavenly music to Dr. Kongmu's ears!

He stared blankly at Bai Zhou, his eyes slightly red, his heart filled with the emotion of being absolutely trusted and recognized.

So much so that when he finally left, his eyes were still glistening with tears of uncontainable excitement. He turned back every few steps, waving vigorously at Bai Zhou.

He even stated in an unusually firm tone that the licensing of his character's image was completely free!

Consider this a way of supporting the development of Pokémon culture!