The dream of becoming a Pokémon master

Since Huang'er successfully defeated three opponents in Rainbow City, the special treatment trial for her has officially come to an end.

According to the old rules of Kyosuke's challenges, the next gym will naturally be...

This is the most recent one.

That is the largest and most prosperous city in the Kanto region—Kinokyo City.

Saffron City and Celadon City are the first and second largest cities in the Kanto region, forming the core area of ​​Kanto together. However, the level of the gyms in the two cities is vastly different, with one being above ground and the other below. As one of the strongest and most representative gyms in Kanto, Saffron City attracts a constant stream of challengers every year, but the number of trainers who can obtain the badge from Sabrina, the Psychic Queen of Saffron City, can be counted on two hands.

"Speaking of Psychic-type..." Kyosuke involuntarily thought of Mewtwo, "I should be considered someone who has experienced the power of the strongest level of Psychic."

That level of power was the strongest that Kyosuke had ever experienced. Even Infernape, the main force of the Elite Four's Infernape, did not give Kyosuke that unfathomable feeling.

"According to the rules of each gym when taking on apprentices, the Goldenrod Gym should be teaching knowledge about psychic abilities and how to learn them. I wonder if I have the talent for it." The thought of directly communicating with his Pokémon to use a special move without his opponent being prepared made Kyosuke feel a little excited.

Kyosuke, on his way to Saffron City, never expected that the Saffron Gym would have changed so much in just one month...

Although Rainbow City and Golden City are very close, Kyosuke still walked for two days.

I haven't encountered many wild trainers these past few days, but I've seen a lot of Pokémon. Kyosuke has been letting Nidoran out to try and live together properly and resolve their issues, but Nidoran interprets it as punishment for him alone. Their relationship has not only failed to improve but has actually worsened.

Kyosuke also plans to return to Pallet Town after this challenge of the Goldenrod Gym. Since he already has seven badges and there are still nearly four months until the tournament, he might as well work with Professor Oak to solve Nidoran's problem.

Nidoran was the first Pokémon I obtained besides my starter Pokémon Charizard and Flame Glow. The two of them had a lot of funny moments and many stories on their journey, and I don't know why they ended up like this.

If he could, Kyosuke really hoped he could pull himself together. Even if he wasn't a good trainer, he didn't want it to affect the Pokémon's mental well-being, or even their future.

With a somewhat heavy heart, Kyosuke arrived in Golden City.

As soon as he took the first step, Kyosuke felt a sense of being monitored and controlled, but it disappeared in an instant, and he didn't know if it was just his imagination.

While traveling in Saffron City, Kyosuke naturally headed to the Pokémon Centers first, asking questions one by one as usual until he reached his destination.

I just don't know why, but the people in this city always seem to be strolling around on the streets with smiles on their faces.

What's so funny about this city? Kyosuke couldn't understand.

According to his understanding, Golden City should be a city with a fast pace of life, where everyone is either working in a company or rushing around, which is completely abnormal.

Kyosuke casually grabbed a passerby, intending to ask about the city, but the person just stared at Kyosuke and grinned foolishly, looking like a mindless doll.

Having no other option, Kyosuke asked the passerby for directions to the Pokémon Center. The passerby smiled and pointed in a direction. Kyosuke naturally let go of the passerby, watching him continue walking slowly forward with a smile. Kyosuke felt a chill run down his spine.

After picking up and dropping off people along the way, Kyosuke finally arrived at the Pokémon Center. As Kyosuke expected, even Nurse Joy was in a "professional smile" mode, but her skills were so professional, or rather, reflexive, that she helped Kyosuke with the check-in procedures without saying a word.

Under these circumstances, Kyosuke naturally didn't dare to entrust the Pokémon to Nurse Joy's care. Instead, he immediately returned to his bedroom and let everyone out to play freely, while he turned on his computer.

Since this city is not functioning properly, it is impossible for the internet to be affected, whether due to superpowers or something else. And the internet has become the only way for Kyosuke to get information.

As usual, Kyosuke went into the Kanto headquarters first. He wasn't planning to watch the news this time; he usually only watched it for fun, but now was not the time.

However, the large words on the homepage caught his eye.

"Kinjiro City awarded the title of 'Smiling City' in the Kanto Region"

Well, so everyone in the Kanto region knows. Kyosuke wondered to himself, is this strange urban atmosphere a good thing?

After clicking the link, Kyosuke roughly understood the situation.

About two months ago, the people of Goldenrod City began to smile more often, responding to others with smiles in their daily lives. This led to significant improvements in personal work efficiency, happiness, and the city's stability and harmony. Even radio stations attracted reporters, and the city was awarded the title of "Smiling City" in the Kanto region, with plans for large-scale promotion to make it a new landmark in the Kanto area.

This is how it all started. Kyosuke thought to himself, continuing to scroll through the comments under the news article.

Suddenly a popular post appeared: an insider had included a link.

When Kyosuke clicked on it, it was indeed about the Golden City incident.

Everything was perfect until three weeks ago, when things changed.

Originally, people just felt that their daily lives had become more cheerful and the quality of their smiles had improved, but nothing else had changed. Life was still the same, work was still the same, and the city was still the same.

Smiles are becoming more and more frequent...

Smiles are becoming more and more frequent...

Then, everyone became like puppets, except for the necessities of life. It was as if they had lost their souls and become pre-programmed machines. All they had to do every day was smile and they would be fine.

Is the city still the same city?

This was the original poster's last question. It was a week ago. And in that week, there hasn't been a single reply.

What remains are countless missing person notices.

These are all missing person notices from people who panicked after losing contact with their best friend who went to the highly-rated Golden City.

It was a full dozen pages long.

With each word, Kyosuke seemed to see the feelings the other person had when they wrote it; the deep emotions and profound despair between the lines touched Kyosuke deeply.

He knew that he was now the only one who could possibly solve the problem.

In this city shrouded in smiles, perhaps only he, besides the source of the incident, still possesses his own consciousness.

Another city-saving mission. Perhaps, this is just how protagonists are. Kyosuke thought helplessly, yet new power surged through his body.