Pokémon: Did you play Pokémon today?

Chapter 394 Uncle Liu: "..."

famous?

Uncle Liu frowned slightly.

He had never imagined such a thing in his life.

The role of a dojo master has remained unchanged for decades. Occasionally, a challenger will come, and if he wins, he will be given a badge; if he loses, he will be given a few words of encouragement.

This is his entire daily routine.

After a moment of silence, he slowly replied, "—It doesn't matter. A game is a game, a story is a story, and it's all in the past."

1

End the call.

Uncle Liu put away his phone, patted the largest dragon, and indicated that its "service" for the day was over.

Then I went back to my room, changed into a clean set of clothes, and even combed my hair, which was a rare occurrence for me.

He stood in front of the mirror, looking at himself.

His hair was gray, his face was covered with wrinkles, and he still had no expression.

But there seemed to be something more in his eyes, perhaps a long-lost expectation?

Uncle Liu shook his head gently and pushed open the door of the dojo.

Then, he froze.

A barrage of flashes erupted instantly, nearly blinding him!

The area outside the door was now packed with a dense crowd.

Reporters carried cameras and held long microphones, while trainers held autographed plaques and Poké Balls.

Many curious residents who had heard the news were craning their necks to look inside.

The crowd erupted in cheers the moment he appeared.

"Mr. Liu Bo!!!"

"He's out! He's out!"

"Gym Leader Liu! Is the story in Pokémon true? Are you really the masked man from the game?!"

"You really controlled Ho-Oh and Lugia back then?! How did you do that?! Are you a legendary trainer too?"

"What happened to the spacetime rift afterward? How did you get back? Are those two Lapras still in the gym?"

"Please tell me how you would feel if you met your younger self?"

The questions were increasingly pointed and increasingly private.

Uncle Liu:

"————"

He completely lost control of his expression.

When did these people start squatting here?! He was clearly inside the dojo the whole time and had no idea there was such a big commotion outside!

His lips moved, but he had no idea how to answer.

Decades of taciturnity became a fatal weakness at this moment.

Some were even at a loss.

This is the kind of thing he fears most in his entire life.

A group of people surrounded them, chattering and asking all sorts of questions.

He would rather stand in a blizzard at minus thirty degrees Celsius for three days and three nights.

"One at a time."

Liu Bo tried his best to make his voice sound calm.

But obviously, it's not very useful.

The reporters were even more excited.

"How do you manage to control Ho-Oh?"

"Where are those two dragons now! Can we see them?"

"Did you really lose two Lapras when you were young? Is that true?!"

How would you rate yourself in the game?

'

Uncle Liu began to regret pushing the door open and coming out.

He even considered going back into the dojo, closing the door, and pretending nothing had happened.

But just then, a hand suddenly reached out and grabbed his arm.

"Excuse me, everyone! Master Liu has an urgent matter to attend to! The interview will be rescheduled for another day!!"

It's Xiaoxi.

She was wearing a pink dress and suddenly burst into the crowd from some unknown direction. Without saying a word, she grabbed Uncle Liu and rushed out!

"Grandpa Liu! Come with me!"

Before the reporters could react, the two had already broken through the encirclement, carving a bloody path through the crowd!

Xiaoqian ran very fast, and Uncle Liu was dragged along by her, stumbling and falling behind.

After many twists and turns, and through narrow alleys, they finally shook off the group of frantic pursuers.

"Huff—huff—huff—"

Xiaoqian braced herself on her knees, panting heavily.

She looked back at the crowd still searching in the distance and patted her chest with lingering fear.

"You scared me to death! Grandpa Liu, how did you end up being blocked at your own doorstep?"

Uncle Liu straightened up, calmly straightened his coat which had been pulled askew, and remained expressionless.

"----have no idea."

After a long while, he spoke again, his voice very soft.

"Thanks."

Xiaoxi paused for a moment, then grinned, revealing two cute little tiger teeth.

"You're welcome! Grandpa Liu! You're my idol!"

"Idol?"

Uncle Liu frowned.

"Yes! Your story really moved me! Willing to do anything to save your comrades—that's so cool!"

Xiaoxi's eyes sparkled, her face full of admiration.

"Someday I want to build a deep bond with my Pokémon just like you! When I'm old, my Miltank will always be with me!"

Uncle Liu didn't speak, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

That feeling was complicated.

I'm not used to it, ... and I'm even a little annoyed.

But—it doesn't seem like I hate it entirely.

The eager eyes of those young people, the chattering questions, the gazes filled with curiosity and admiration—

It reminded him of many years ago when he first became a gym leader, and the young trainers who came to challenge him.

They were like that too, their eyes sparkling.

pretty good.

he thinks.

These kinds of days are pretty good too.

Zhenxin Town.

The backyard of Dr. Oki's research institute.

The sun is just right, the breeze is not dry.

The outdoor long table has been set up and is filled with various snacks and drinks.

Mr. Steel was looking down, intently wiping his hand tools with a soft cloth.

The elderly couple at the nursery were all smiles as they arranged an exquisite platter of tree fruits, their movements gentle and harmonious.

Even Kikuko, the Ghost-type Elite Four member who always gets along with Professor Oak and they always exchange barbs when they meet, is sitting quietly to the side.

Her expression remained indifferent, holding a cup of hot tea in her hand, but her gaze kept sweeping towards the entrance.

Clearly, the reason for making this special trip was primarily for his old friend, Uncle Liu.

"Why hasn't that old man come yet?"

She muttered to herself.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a figure appeared in the doorway.

Uncle Liu.

He was still the same as always, with gray hair, a serious expression, and dressed in simple clothes.

"Here it comes!"

Professor Oak spotted Liu Bo first and waved with a smile.

"Please sit down! We've been waiting for you!"

Uncle Liu sat down in the empty seat, his gaze sweeping over these old friends of decades, and a very faint upward twitch at the corner of his mouth.

It's about one pixel.

But for him, this was already a rare display of emotion.

"Everyone's here."

"Of course!"

Mr. Steel laughed heartily, his voice cheerful.

"We heard you've become an internet celebrity, so we had to come and see what's going on! Let's see what this internet celebrity looks like and what's different about them!"

The couple at the nursery also smiled and nodded.

"Uncle Liu, we've read the story in the game—it's very touching."

"How are those two dragons doing now?"

Uncle Liu nodded.

"----very good."

He paused, then added.

"They've gone home."

Just five simple words.

But everyone could hear the weight behind it.

Kikuko put down her teacup and spoke, a rare occurrence for her.

"You've done something really important."

"Have some tea! Have some tea!"

Professor Oak changed the subject at the opportune moment and picked up his teacup.

"Come on, it's not easy for us old folks to get together! Cheers!"

Everyone laughed and raised their glasses.

at the same time.

A commotion arose from the front yard.

Bai Zhou dragged in a reluctant boy with one hand and a girl with shifty eyes with the other.

"Brother Bai Zhou, did we really have to come? I really don't have anything to say to that old man—"

Xiao Lan finally couldn't help but speak up, trying to win over Bai Zhou with her coquettishness.

She blinked her eyes, her voice soft and sweet, with a hint of ingratiation.

"It's fine if Xiaoyin goes in my place, okay?"

Before Bai Zhou could reply, Xiao Yin couldn't hold back any longer, her face turning bright red.

"Why am I the only one going?! Sister Xiaolan, you can't do this!"

"That's not my fault! I'm a victim too!"

Little Blue pouted, her eyes darting around, avoiding Little Silver's gaze.

"We've all been arrested before! It doesn't matter who faces that old man—"

"Sister Blue!!!"

Xiao Yin's voice carried a hint of annoyance, yet also a touch of helplessness.

He stubbornly turned his face away, but he didn't really try to break free from Bai Zhou's grasp.

That force was less a form of resistance and more a symbolic act of persistence.

"You need to see him."

Bai Zhou stopped and looked back at them.

"Some knots, if not untied, will remain stuck in your heart."

He paused, his tone serious.

"Besides—he's been waiting for you all along."

The two remained silent for a moment.

Only the rustling of leaves in the wind and the faint calls of Pokémon could be heard in the distance in the courtyard.

Finally, Xiao Yin raised her head and slowly walked towards the backyard.

Xiao Lan bit her lip and followed.

The backyard door was pushed open, making a slight creaking sound.

Uncle Liu was holding a teacup and talking to Steel.

He looked up and his gaze fell on the two figures at the door.

The teacup wobbled slightly.

Xiao Yin and Xiao Lan stood at the door, looking at the old man with gray hair.

"Little Silver — Little Blue —"

Uncle Liu's voice was a little hoarse, and his eyes were complicated.

Of course he knew who the two children were.

He was the one who arrested them back then.

Although it was for the sake of the plan, and although they all escaped in the end, the guilt remained buried deep in his heart and never dissipated.

"you----"

Uncle Liu stood up, took a step forward, but then stopped.

His hands trembled slightly, unsure of where to put them.

This old man, who had never shown fear in the face of Ho-Oh and Lugia, now bowed his head deeply like a child who had done something wrong.

"What happened back then—I used you innocent people to achieve my selfish goals, causing irreparable harm and fear—"

"You have every right to hate me."

He took a deep breath, raised his head, and trembled uncontrollably.

"----sorry."

Little Silver and Little Blue were stunned.

They considered many possibilities.

I thought that Uncle Liu would explain, argue, find reasons, and might even say something like, "I'm doing this for a bigger goal."

But they never expected that this old man, who was always serious and cold in their minds, would apologize so directly.

So decisive, so frank.

"I did many wrong things for my own purposes."

Uncle Liu spoke slowly, without avoiding their gazes.

"It hurt many people, and it hurt you too."

"I don't ask for your forgiveness, but at least—let me say sorry to your face."

Xiao Yin fell silent, her fists clenching and unclenching.

Xiao Lan turned her head away, her shoulders trembling slightly, her eyes reddening, with warm tears welling up.

What happened back then—those are memories they don't want to recall.

She was kidnapped by a masked man and locked up in an unfamiliar place. She didn't know what the future held, or if she would ever see her parents again.

They still remember that fear and helplessness.

But they also remembered the figure standing in the distance who did not stop them when they finally escaped.

That figure gradually overlapped with the aged back view in front of me.

Xiao Yin remained silent for a long time.

"—You owe me one."

Uncle Liu was slightly taken aback, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

Xiao Lan also lowered her head, put her hands behind her back, and shuffled her toes on the ground.

Tears finally fell.

She didn't know why she was crying, but she just couldn't stop.

All the grievances, fears, and anger that had been building up for years seemed to flow away little by little with the tears.

"Old man, don't think this is the end of it—I...I'm not going to forgive you so easily—"

"sorry----"

Uncle Liu said in a low voice.

"sorry."

Azure didn't say anything more, but gently tugged at Silver's sleeve.

Then they turned around at the same time and walked towards the door.

Xiao Yin paused when she reached the door.

"————It's over."

"6

He had his back to Uncle Liu, and his voice was soft but clear.

"We're not dead, that's enough."

After saying that, he and Bilan disappeared through the backyard gate.

Uncle Liu straightened up and looked in the direction they had disappeared.

Something was gleaming in those cloudy eyes.

Bai Zhou walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Alright, their presence already speaks volumes."

Uncle Liu was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Thank you, Shirazuki."

His voice was deep, yet unusually earnest.

"Without your help, I wouldn't have everything I have now—thank you."

Perhaps feeling that a verbal thank you was too inadequate, he took out a worn notebook from his inner pocket and handed it over.

It was a very old notebook, the cover was worn so badly that its original color was no longer visible, the corners were curled up, and the pages were yellowed.

But it's very well preserved, with every page neatly arranged.

"This is my breeding notes, the only thing I have that has any value. It may be insignificant to you, but I hope you will accept it."

Uncle Liu paused, his tone carrying a hint of pleading.

"At least—this will make this old man feel a little better."

Bai Zhou stared blankly at the notebook, with only one thought in his mind.

Wow! A golden legend!

Liu Bo's Pokémon Breeding Notes!

If we had to rate it, this item would be at least a legendary item!

You're telling me this is insignificant?

Do you even understand the value of using Delibird and Boar to fight against Ho-Oh and Lugia?!

Oh, you're Uncle Liu. It's alright then.

Bai Zhou was about to speak when Uncle Liu shoved the cultivation notes into his arms before he even had a chance to.

"It contains some of my insights on Ice-type Pokémon and moves."

Uncle Liu's tone returned to its usual calmness.

"There are also some cultivation techniques that I hope will be helpful to you. They may be too basic for you, but—"

"No, no, no!"

Bai Zhou quickly interrupted, tightening his grip on the notebook.

"Uncle Liu, you're too modest! This legend says—well, I'll definitely study this notebook carefully!"

He didn't mince words and carefully put the notebook away.

"I'll be going now, you old folks can keep chatting."

7

The elderly people in Bai Zhouchong's backyard nodded and were about to slip away.

But as soon as he turned around, Professor Oak, with his sharp eyes, grabbed his arm.