Pokémon: Did you play Pokémon today?

Chapter 408 What does Pokémon mean to you...?

Milotic glanced at Ruby, then haughtily turned his head away.

Although it truly lost control of its evolving power—

But it's all this guy's fault! If he hadn't said those nonsense, it wouldn't have gotten so angry that it lost control!

snort!

Milos grew angrier and angrier, so he buried his head in Shiro's arms.

He used his long tail to curl himself into a beautiful circle, completely turning his back to Ruby.

It's like they're saying, "I don't want to talk to you, please leave gracefully."

Actually, it never felt that there was anything wrong with the ugly fish's body.

The body was more powerful in the past, able to maintain its position in turbulent waters and make impacts more violent.

And now this new body—well, it can embrace its master even better.

Ruby:

He coughed awkwardly, but his gaze remained fixed on Milotic.

"Senior Shirafuru, what kind of Pokémon is this? I've never seen it before! Is it unique to the Hoenn region? What's its name?"

""

"Its name is Milotic."

Bai Zhou patted Milotic's head, signaling it to stop fooling around.

"It evolves from Feebas and is considered a relatively rare Pokémon in the Hoenn region."

Milotic —

Ruby chewed on the name repeatedly, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"Great name! It suits it perfectly!"

He reached out his hand, wanting to get closer.

Milotic glanced at him, flicked its tail, and drifted a few steps to the side with the white boat.

Ruby's hand froze in mid-air.

"Well----"

Shafia also came over, curiously examining Milotic.

But what surprised her was not Milotic's beauty, but evolution itself.

"That fish from earlier—it's so beautiful after evolving? Hoenn has Pokémon like that?"

She took out her encyclopedia and scanned Milotic.

The encyclopedia beeps, and a few lines of text pop up on the screen.

"Pokémon information not included. Please update the Pokédex database."

Shafie frowned.

"Another uncollected Pokémon—there are just too many in Hoenn, my Pokédex is simply not enough."

Ruby also took out his own Pokédex and tried it, with the same result.

He scratched his head and looked at Bai Zhou, his eyes full of curiosity.

"Senior Shirafuru! This Pokémon—Mildano—what type is it? What are its abilities? It—"

"Stop."

Bai Zhou raised his hand to interrupt him, and was about to explain when he suddenly remembered the special Pokédex authorization task that Professor Oak had given him.

Although his purpose in coming to Hoenn was to select a Pokédex holder, the two people in front of him were exactly the ones he had in mind.

However, the necessary procedures still need to be followed, and the task of collecting the Hoenn Pokédex must be issued.

When you give something willingly, it's never as appreciated as when someone begs for it.

"There are too many questions; I can't answer them all."

Bai Zhou smiled slightly, took out two uniquely designed illustrated books from his backpack, and slowly waved them in front of the two of them.

"Let this tell you instead."

Ruby and Shafie's attention was drawn to it.

The covers of those two illustrated guides were completely different from those ordinary illustrated guides sold on the market.

The materials are more refined, the lines are smoother, and the corners are inlaid with an extremely thin metal frame that gleams subtly in the light.

Bai Zhou opened one of the books and pointed it at Milotic beside him.

The Pokédex screen lit up, a scanning beam swept across Milotic, and then a gentle electronic voice announced.

Milotic, the Compassionate Pokémon, is a Water-type Pokémon.

Milotic is the evolved form of Feebas and is known as one of the most beautiful Pokémon in the world, possessing the power to calm anger and hatred.

"It is said that those who have witnessed Milotic's graceful dance will have their inner hostility purified."

"Its scales shimmer with seven colors and have been known as 'rainbow scales' since ancient times; they are an extremely precious treasure."

Ruby listened intently, his eyes fixed on Milotic.

"One of the most beautiful Pokémon in the world — the power to calm anger — Rainbow Scales —"

He murmured repeatedly, his tone suddenly becoming firm, and he clenched his fist.

"Senior Shirafune! I've made up my mind! I'm going to get a Pokémon like this as my partner someday! It's so beautiful! So elegant!"

Bai Zhou smiled slightly, without pouring cold water on the idea, but said something meaningful.

"The conditions for Feebas to evolve are quite demanding."

He didn't continue speaking.

Some things can only be truly understood through personal experience and feeling.

He believed that Ruby would eventually meet his destined Ugly Fish and experience the entanglements he was meant to experience.

Shafia wasn't as infatuated as Ruby; her attention was entirely focused on the illustrated guide in Bai Zhou's hand.

"Dr. Shirafune! Your Pokédex—why can it scan information about Milotic? This doesn't make sense!"

She took out her ordinary picture book for comparison, and the difference was obvious.

"My dad and I have been doing Pokémon ecology surveys in the Hoenn region, but my Pokédex doesn't show much of anything there."

"I can scan for Pokémon from Kanto and Johto, but most of the Pokémon native to Hoenn are not yet listed."

"So we have to record it manually, which is extremely inefficient —"

Ruby became interested and immediately came over.

"Yes! When I'm exploring in the wild, I often encounter Pokémon I don't recognize, and I can't find them in my Pokédex. I have to search online using big data! It's such a hassle!"

"The reason why Pokémon in the Kanto and Johto regions can be recognized by the regular Pokédex is because someone had previously collected their data in a special Pokédex."

Bai Zhou explained slowly, as the light swept across their faces.

Milotic is a Pokémon from the Hoenn region and is not yet included in the Pokédex, so it cannot be identified by the regular Pokédex.

"Wait a moment!"

Ruby reacted the fastest, keenly capturing the key words.

What do you mean by "special Pokédex entry"? Is it like the one you have? How is it different from a regular Pokédex entry?

"Good question."

Bai Zhou smiled and waved the illustrated guide in his hand, beginning to set traps for the two of them.

"This is a special Pokédex handmade by Professor Oak, also known as the National Pokédex Prototype," it says. It can not only scan Pokémon, but more importantly, it can collect them.

"Not just Hoenn, but theoretically all Pokémon information from all regions can be included in this Pokédex."

"Those who possess a special encyclopedia entry are called encyclopedia holders."

"Only trainers with potential can receive this honor and complete the Pokédex entry task for a specific region."

Ruby and Shafie exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

"Illustrated Book Holder————"

"You might be unfamiliar with this term, so let me put it another way."

Bai Zhou spoke casually, his tone carrying an unintentional allure.

"Crimson, Blue, Gold, and Silver — these are all Pokédex holders."

Ruby: "!!!"

Shafie: "!!!"

Crimson! Green! Gold! Silver!

They were very familiar with these four names.

Crimson and cyan need no introduction; they are living legends, the pinnacle in the hearts of countless trainers!

Although I don't know much about Ajin and Silver, they are the prototypes of the main characters in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver!

How could a trainer who becomes the protagonist of "Pokémon" be an ordinary person in real life?

How many young trainers haven't fantasized in the quiet of the night about one day becoming the protagonist of Pokémon?

Dreamed of by countless players, recorded in gaming history, and becoming a classic in the hearts of a generation —

Anyway—Ruby and Safia both fantasized about it.

And more than once.

And now, the blueprint that could have made all of this possible is right in front of them.

Ruby swallowed hard, his eyes burning with an almost tangible intensity as he stared intently at the two special illustrated books in Bai Zhou's hand.

"Senior Shirafusa."

His voice was strained and low.

"These two illustrated guides you have—are they special illustrated guides?"

Bai Zhou smiled slightly and nodded frankly.

"Professor Oak asked me to deliver these two Pokédexs to two trustworthy Trainers and asked them to complete the Pokémon collection task for the Hoenn region."

He sighed, feigning distress, his gaze sweeping across the two faces almost imperceptibly.

"I'm having a real headache—I'm in a completely unfamiliar place, and I don't know who to entrust this to—"

Ruby's heart began to race.

Shafia wasn't much better off; her grip on the encyclopedia tightened unconsciously.

They realized something at the same time.

Obtaining this special encyclopedia will not only make you an officially recognized "Encyclopedia Holder," just like Crimson and Blue-Green, but also...

0

More importantly, based on what Dr. Shiraishu just said, they were almost certain.

If you can get your hands on these two Pokédex entries, you're very likely to become the prototype for the protagonist of the next generation of Pokémon games!

What does that mean?

This means that their adventures, the Pokémon they encounter, and their growth will be made into a game and experienced and remembered by countless players!

Bai Zhou chuckled inwardly, but his face remained impassive as he watched the two men's expressions shift from confusion to shock, and then to ecstasy.

The feeling of "putting the bait down and watching the fish bite" is indeed very interesting.

Ruby was the first to break down.

He quickly tidied his hair and patted the dust off his clothes.

Then he turned to the side, braced himself against the rock face with one hand, lowered his head slightly, and revealed what he considered to be his most handsome profile.

Bai Zhou: "————"

Why is this kid striking a pose?

Ruby remained in that position, glancing at the white boat out of the corner of her eye.

Seeing that Bai Zhou didn't react, he changed the angle again, this time tilting his head slightly to reveal his clear jawline.

Shafia looked disgusted.

"What are you doing? Do you have a neck cramp?"

Ruby glared at her and continued posing.

Bai Zhou suppressed a laugh and pretended not to see it.

Ruby couldn't hold back any longer and decided to unleash his ultimate sincerity technique.

He quickly stopped his pose, strode up to Shirazu, took a deep breath, and solemnly said, "Shirazu-senpai! Please hand over the Special Pokédex to me! I will definitely complete the Pokémon collection quest for the Hoenn region! Okay!"

Before Bai Zhou could even speak, Shafiya exploded.

"Why should I give it to you!"

She shoved Luby aside and squeezed in front of Bai Zhou.

"Dr. Shirafune! I've lived in Hoenn for over a decade; I know every inch of this land intimately!"

"Besides, I've been doing field research, and documenting wild Pokémon is part of my daily work!"

"I'm the most suitable candidate!"

Ruby stumbled from the push, but immediately retaliated after regaining her footing.

"It's so dangerous for a girl like you to be running around in the mountains every day!"

"But you can't even beat a wild wolfhound, and you still have the nerve to say that?"

"I was afraid of hurting it! I was just being gentle with my Pokémon!"

"That's shoddy!"

Bai Zhou stood aside, watching the two of them argue back and forth, and the smile on his lips grew deeper and deeper.

This energetic argument reminded him of many years ago when crimson and turquoise had also argued back and forth in the same way.

"Have you two always been like this?"

Both of them shut up at the same time.

They glanced at each other, then simultaneously looked away.

"Who's been like this with him/her all this time!"

in unison.

Bai Zhou's smile deepened.

"You two are so in sync, you're sure to become a loving couple in the future, right?"

"Who wants to be in a relationship with him/her! Absolutely not!"

They all spoke in unison again.

Ruby blushed, and so did Shafie.

The two glared at each other, neither willing to give in.

Bai Zhou smiled and shook his head.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you guys."

He stopped smiling and his expression became serious.

"I can give you the illustrated guide."

Their eyes lit up at the same time.

"but--

'

Their hearts tightened again.

"You must pass the test."

Bai Zhou finished speaking slowly.

Ruby and Shafie exchanged a glance, their smiles fading as they straightened their backs.

"no problem!"

"I'll accept any test! Bring it on!"

Bai Zhou nodded, his expression turning serious.

He picked up a picture book and walked up to Shafie.

Shafie instinctively straightened her back.

"Safia".

"exist!"

"For you—"

Bai Zhou looked directly into her eyes.

What does Pokémon mean?

Shafie was stunned.

She looked at Bai Zhou's serious eyes, then looked down at the turkey that had been keeping her company at her feet.

The turkey tilted its head back and looked at her with its round eyes.

"For me—"

After a moment of silence, Shafie took a deep breath.

"They are partners."

"He is a partner I can trust and rely on."

"I'm willing to explore every corner of this world with them."

She paused, her voice softening.

"Because I am only complete when I am with them."

Bai Zhou could sense her seriousness and the purity of her heart at that moment.

Just as Shafiya was feeling uneasy, wondering if she had "answered correctly," Bai Zhou took out the specially made illustrated guide and handed it to her.

"Congratulations, Safia."

He smiled and said, "From now on, you are the Pokédex holder of the Hoenn region."

"6

"?"

Safia stared blankly at the encyclopedia in front of her, still not having reacted.

"What? You don't want it?"

"Yes! I want it! Of course I want it!"

Shafia hurriedly took the picture book, holding it in her hands, her eyes shining like stars.

Bai Zhou looked at her, then, as if suddenly remembering something, casually said, "Also—would you be interested in becoming the next female protagonist of Pokémon?"

"In the game, you will become the protagonist and embark on an adventure in the Hoenn region with your Pokémon."

"Of course, this is just a preliminary idea. If you're not willing—"

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