Pokémon: Did you play Pokémon today?

Chapter 410 After the Fenglai City incident, who doesn't know you?

"I----"

Ruby opened his mouth, as if to say something.

But Bai Zhou's words weighed heavily on his heart, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

Just then.

A hand was stretched out in front of him.

In his hand was that special red illustrated book.

Ruby froze, then abruptly looked up.

Bai Zhou stood in front of him, his eyes showing no reproach, his expression calm.

"You have indeed failed the test."

Ruby's heart sank.

"However, I'm still willing to give you a chance."

Bai Zhou patted Ruby on the shoulder, the force neither too light nor too heavy.

"You are currently in a probationary period, so I'm temporarily giving you this special Pokédex. It will truly belong to you once you truly understand what it means to be a Trainer."

He paused, his expression turning serious.

"Of course, if you make a serious mistake during this period, I will take it back."

Ruby looked at the Pokédex, at Bai Zhou's calm face, and at her four sleeping Pokémon.

He reached out and took the picture book, his eyes suddenly feeling hot.

"Master! You're back!"

Xiao Zhi looked up and saw the white boat, and was so happy that he almost dropped the medicine.

Professor Birch was lying on a rock nearby, looking rather disheveled, but the expression on his face was much brighter than the injury on his bottom.

-

"Dr. Shirafune, that boy—"

"He's fine, he's lively and energetic."

Bai Zhou walked over and glanced at Professor Birch's injuries.

The injury on his buttock wasn't serious; Xiao Zhi had already given him some basic treatment, applying several crooked bandages.

It looks quite like postmodern art.

"Dr. Shirafune! Thank you so much!"

Dr. Birch turned her head, her face full of gratitude.

"There's no need to thank me, it was just a small favor."

Bai Zhou waved his hand casually.

"Oh, by the way, I also met your daughter there."

"Safia?!"

Dr. Birch got excited and tried to sit up, but as soon as he propped himself up, he hissed and obediently lay back down.

"How did she get there? Is she hurt? That child always runs to dangerous places; I told her about it a long time ago."

"It's alright, it's alright. Your precious daughter is amazing. She even managed to drive away a pretty strong serpent with that boy."

Bai Zhou told a white lie without changing his expression; he couldn't very well tell Professor Birch that his daughter had almost been swallowed by the Spoon Snake.

Professor Birch paused for a moment, his face first showing worry, then surprise.

"This child—"

Bai Zhou seized the opportunity and took over the conversation.

"In addition, I have given them the special Pokédex that Professor Oak entrusted to them. From today onwards, the two of them are the Pokédex holders for the Hoenn region."

"From now on, the two of them will be in charge of the Pokémon collection missions in the Hoenn region."

Dr. Birch paused for a second, staring intently at Shirazu, as if trying to confirm if he had heard correctly.

A few seconds later, a smile ten times bigger than before bloomed on his face.

"That's great! Sapphire has been running around in the wild all the time, trying to record all the Pokémon in Hoenn."

"She's been fascinated by Pokémon since she was little. While other girls liked pretty dresses, she was always out in the grass, coming back covered in mud and grass."

He talked on and on, his tone full of fatherly pride.

"Now that she has your illustrations, she'll definitely do even better!"

He struggled to sit up, ignoring the injury on his buttocks, and shook Bai Zhou's hands vigorously.

"Dr. Shirafune! Thank you so much! I don't know how to repay you!"

"No need to repay me, but there is something I'd like to ask you for help with."

Bai Zhou withdrew his hand without making a sound, his smile remaining gentle.

"I'd like to have you as the opening mentor in the next Pokémon game, based on your image, and I need your permission."

"Me? Appearing in the game?"

Dr. Oda's expression went from surprise to ecstasy, and then from ecstasy to a twisted expression of trying to suppress excitement.

"Professor Shirafusa, you mean—I can become a professor in Pokémon too? Like Professor Oak and Professor Elm?"

"right."

Bai Zhou nodded.

"Are you willing?"

"Yes! Of course I'm willing!"

Professor Birch wished he could jump up and spin around right now, but the injury on his buttocks forced him to sit still.

He rubbed his hands together on his knees, his face showing a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

"What should my image be like? Should I be wearing a white lab coat and holding a Poké Ball? Should I design a cool pose for me?"

He had already started daydreaming.

Following Professor Oak and Professor Elm, is he going to become a professor in the game? That would be an unparalleled honor!

He had even started fantasizing about himself wearing a white coat, standing in a research institute, handing out starter Pokémon to new trainers.

Bai Zhou's lips twitched as he looked at his smug expression.

Hopefully, when Professor Birch sees how he'll be introduced after the game's release, he won't faint from anger on the spot.

"By the way, Doctor."

Bai Zhou quickly steered the conversation back on track.

"You said you were going to Orange Blossom City to find Master Senri?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Dr. Birch slapped his thigh, which aggravated the injury on his buttocks, causing him to gasp in pain.

"I'm just about to go see Qianli, Dr. Baizhou, would you like to come along?"

He paused, lowered his voice, and leaned closer mysteriously to add, "If Qianli knew Ruby had taken your Pokédex, he'd be overjoyed! Leave the character licensing to me!"

He patted his chest and assured everyone that he had learned his lesson this time, patting his chest instead of his buttocks.

"Thank you for your help."

Bai Zhou nodded.

"I was originally planning to visit him as well."

"Then what are we waiting for! Let's go!"

Dr. Birch suddenly stood up, his movements so swift that no one could tell he still had an injury on his buttocks.

He strode forward, but after taking three steps, he remembered that he was wounded.

Then he hissed again, clutched his backside, and continued walking forward with a limp, his back view quite tragic.

"Ash, keep up."

Bai Zhou called out.

Xiao Zhi couldn't wait any longer, so he immediately jumped up and followed.

Orange City.

Not far north of Weibai Town, after passing through a not-too-dense forest, you will arrive.

The city isn't large, but the streets are clean, the trees are shady, and you can see trainers and Pokémon everywhere.

The most eye-catching thing is the magnificent dojo building in the center of the city.

"That's the Petalburg Gym!"

Professor Birch pointed ahead, his tone tinged with pride.

"That Senri guy was one of the strongest trainers I ever saw back in the day! If it weren't for that incident later—"

"Well, anyway, his strength is among the best in the entire Hoenn region."

As he finished speaking, his voice unconsciously lowered, as if he realized he had said too much. He quickly cleared his throat and quickened his pace toward the dojo.

"Let's go in and take a look!"

The dojo's main entrance was open, and the space inside was much larger than it appeared from the outside.

As one of the most prestigious gyms in the Hoenn region, Petalburg Gym boasts excellent facilities, including a battle arena, spectator seating, and a lounge.

Across the field, a tall, middle-aged man with his back to them seemed to be directing Pokémon training.

He was dressed in a simple shirt and trousers, with a tall and straight posture.

"Qianli!"

Professor Birch shouted at the top of his lungs.

Hearing the sound, the man slowly turned around.

He had a angular face with sharp eyebrows and eyes, his lips were habitually pursed slightly, and his gaze was calm and reserved. He exuded an aura of authority without being angry.

Ash's eyes lit up instantly.

"Master! Is he the dojo master? Can I challenge him?"

Before Bai Zhou could speak, Xiao Zhi had already rushed out.

"Hello! I'm Ash from Pallet Town! Let's battle!"

He stood a thousand miles away, looking up.

Qianli looked at Xiaozhi, sizing up the suddenly appearing boy from head to toe.

The boy's eyes were clear and his fighting spirit was high. He was indeed a promising newcomer. His energy reminded him of his own youth.

But when his beam of light swept across Ash's shoulder and he saw the Pikachu, he paused slightly.

"You only have this one Pokémon?"

"Yes! Pikachu is my partner!"

Ash patted Pikachu's head, his face full of confidence.

"Pikachu!"

Pikachu also raised one of its little paws, let out a spirited cry, and a few sparks of electricity crackled in its electric sac.

Qianli remained silent for a while, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Xiaozhi and Pikachu twice, before slowly shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, I cannot accept your challenge."

"Why!"

Xiao Zhi got anxious, his eyes widening.

"It's not that I'm arrogant."

Senri explained calmly and seriously, "But the rules of the gym here require challengers to have at least three Pokémon. This isn't targeting you specifically, but a basic requirement for all challengers."

He paused, and seeing Xiaozhi's unwilling expression, his tone softened slightly.

"I suggest you go to other gyms to collect some badges and gain some battle experience before challenging me. I'll be happy to accept your challenge then."

Ash wanted to say something, but Pikachu tugged at his sleeve and shook its head at him.

"----All right."

Ash retreated to the side somewhat dejectedly, but the fighting spirit in his eyes did not die out; instead, it burned even brighter.

Just then, Professor Birch limped over and greeted us with a smile.

"Qianli! Long time no see!"

Upon seeing his old friend, Qianli smiled, a rare sight on his face, and quickly went to greet him.

"Little Birch, what's wrong with you?!"

"Don't even mention it, I got bumped into by a big wolfhound."

Professor Birch waved his hand, subconsciously touched his still throbbing buttocks, and grinned.

"Let's not talk about that. Look who's here!"

He stepped aside, revealing Bai Zhou walking slowly behind him.

"This is Dr. Shirafumi, the one I mentioned to you before—the genius who developed the Pokémon games."

""

Qianli's gaze fell on Bai Zhou, his brows furrowing slightly, as if he were confirming something.

His expression changed slightly.

It wasn't surprise, nor was it unexpected; it was a very complex emotion.

It's like I've been wanting to see someone for a long time, and now I've finally met them.

"Dr. Shirafune".

He stretched out his hand.

"I have long admired your name."

Bai Zhou shook hands with him.

Qianli's hands are thick with knuckles, marks left from years of holding Poké Balls and climbing rocks.

"Does the owner of the Qianli Pavilion know me?"

"After the Wind City incident, who doesn't know you?"

Qianli smiled, a smile tinged with emotion.

"The dragon that spans the sky, Lugia, the god of the sea, Giratina, the master of the reverse world—Dr. Shirafune, every appearance of yours leaves a deep impression."