Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

But through this exploration, he also realized something.

The gap between him and Steven and Cynthia is still too big. When the collapse occurred, the two of them were able to avoid getting into trouble, while he needed Casey to use all her psychic powers and Beedrill to be injured in order to barely get rescued.

I thought that going out with Daigo and Cynthia meant I wouldn't have to worry about safety and would be well protected.

As it turns out, when faced with a truly great threat, the only ones who can save and protect you are yourself and your own spirit.

He and they are still from two different worlds.

This is true in terms of their own strength, status, and resources.

He needs to make a dangerous attempt for a Dark Stone, while the two of them might only need a phone call to get what they want.

“Still too weak…” Xia Yan shook his head silently.

"Kexie—"

“Cha-ke-yi—”

Seemingly sensing Xia Yan's heavy mood, Casey gently tugged at Xia Yan's clothes.

Togepi even came up to Xia Yan, sticking out his tongue and making a face.

Seeing them like this, Xia Yan's heavy expression instantly disappeared, and he smiled.

"Don't worry, I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I'm just stating a fact as it is."

It's just a fact, and there's nothing hard to accept about it.

Only by acknowledging our shortcomings can we better and more accurately find the direction for progress.

Beedrill followed silently behind him without saying a word.

Of the three Pokémon, Beedrill understands Xia Yan the best and has been with him the longest. It knows that Xia Yan, with his personality, would never give up on himself; he is more likely feeling pressured.

But pressure is something you can overcome.

Isn't this how they used to get by?

They have so much more now than before.

After playing with Casey and Togepi for a while, Xia Yan put them away.

I glanced back at the Beedrill.

The understanding between the human and the Pokémon was so strong that they didn't need to say much. They smiled at each other and headed towards Goldenrod City.

This was quite a fruitful harvest.

...

...

Back in Golden City.

Perhaps because the rangers' previous actions had caused quite a bit of negative reaction, or perhaps because they simply couldn't find any clues, Xia Yan's Poké Balls were not checked this time.

He had originally planned to use Casey's teleportation to sneak back.

I took a taxi home.

Along the way, you can see that the once somewhat desolate Golden City has become lively again.

The fallen leaves on the road have been swept away, and there are more pedestrians now, with smiles on their faces that seem both genuine and fake.

I've seen advertisements and promotions for the King of Pop's performance match on posters on the street multiple times.

The exhibition match between two of the current Kanto Elite Four members, Ice-type Elite Four member Luffy and Ghost-type Elite Four member Aki, is getting closer and closer.

It should have been a very good thing.

However, as Xia Yan learned more about the underground tunnel, his understanding of the matter became clouded.

I always felt that the King of Pop exhibition match was just a smokescreen, a way to cover up something that might cause panic.

"There are still a few days left, not a long time, but we should still prepare more things."

I sat down at the dining table, turned on my computer, and prepared to create a new document on the breeding of Togepi, as well as make some minor modifications to the breeding of Beedrill and Casey based on this incident.

"There's a lot to learn. We need to train Beedrill on 'Drill Rush' and 'Knock Down,' Casey should focus on training his mental abilities, and Togepi will be playing a support role more for now..."

"Beedrill is at a senior level, and there's little hope for significant improvement in a short period of time. Focus on mastering the basics."

“Casey was just born, but she already has the strength of a qualified level. With a little effort, she should be able to reach the excellent level in the short term.”

“Pokeby is at the Excellent level, close to Senior level, but his foundation is relatively weak. He needs to accumulate experience before he can take this step. It can’t be rushed.”

"I also have a lot to prepare. The production of the energy cube is already on the agenda, but I need a set of basic equipment, which can be purchased from a regular store."

"While the momentum of the previous paper has not yet died down, I need to strike while the iron is hot and prepare the next one, so that I can get a real bachelor's degree after three papers, at least with a legitimate title."

"We can leave the Dark Stone alone for now; it's too conspicuous and could easily attract unnecessary attention. The rest can be sold to exchange for some suitable resources or secret manuals."

"..."

However, he hadn't written much yet.

There was a knock on the door.

"Kexi." Casey, who was sitting on the ground, called out to Xia Yan.

Is it that Gastly again?

While it's nice to have someone bring you a pillow when you're sleepy, the feeling of being subtly watched is really unpleasant.

Xia Yan nodded to Casey.

A letter slipped in through the crack in the door.

Chapter 48 Togepi's "Boom Boom Boom"

Kanto region, Kōjin City.

The secret base beneath the Silver Company building.

Under dim lighting.

Team Rocket leader Giovanni, sitting upright in his executive chair, gently stroked Persian beside him.

Three members dressed in Team Rocket uniforms were kneeling in front of him, looking somewhat disheveled, with some bloodstains on their bodies.

On the sofa behind them, a girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old was playing with a doll in her hand, her face full of a mischievous smile. She looked at the three Team Rocket members kneeling on the ground with a playful smile.

"Go down." Sakaki waved his hand.

The three Team Rocket officers breathed a long sigh of relief, bowed respectfully to Giovanni, and slowly stood up and left.

"Boss, I think you're too good to them. What's the point of keeping people who failed their missions? Why not turn them into dolls for me to collect?" the little girl said after shifting into a more comfortable sitting position.

Sitting in the shadows, Sakaki chuckled softly. "Everyone has their moment to shine. If this mission fails, we can make up for it elsewhere."

"Besides, do you like dolls covered in blood?"

The little girl stuck out her tongue, and powerful superpowers surged from her body, causing the doll in her hand to slowly float up.

"do not like."

As soon as the words were spoken, the puppet suspended in mid-air shattered into pieces, scattering clumps of dark red cotton wool all over the ground.

If Xia Yan were here, he would definitely recognize that this little girl, who is small in stature but has ridiculously strong psychic abilities, is none other than Sabrina, the current Gym Leader of the Psychic-type Gym in Saffron City.

A girl with extraordinary superpowers.

Although his strength has not yet reached the level of a Team Rocket executive, he is highly favored by Team Rocket leader Giovanni.

It's almost certain that once her skills reach the required level, she'll become a member of the Rockets' leadership team.

She is also a little girl with a changeable personality and immature thinking. Her biggest hobby is turning people into dolls, including her mother. Even her father cannot stop her.

But this girl was captivated by Sakaki's charisma and was only willing to obey his orders.

Sakaki didn't care about Sabrina's behavior, and simply picked up his glass and took a small sip.

Nancy's presence plays a crucial role in some of the Rockets' plans.

Moreover, Sakaki has always admired capable and talented young people, and he doesn't care if they are a little eccentric or cold-hearted.

"Boss, those people are getting more and more outrageous. Why don't I go and teach them a lesson?" Naz kicked the cotton wool on the ground with a hint of disgust and pouted.

"Need not."

Sakaki waved his hand, his eyes radiating an unparalleled confidence.

In some people's eyes, this confidence might even be seen as arrogance.

"They're just a few ambitious guys who don't have the ability to back them up. They don't dare show their faces in their own territory, so they go to other places to stir up trouble."

"But......"

"Uncle Liu and Kikuko have arrived these past two days. They're not some kind of important figures. You should also keep a low profile and focus on your module," Sakaki said calmly.

“Oh…” Sabrina wanted to say something, but after meeting Uesakagi’s gaze, she obediently shrank her neck and replied.

Sakaki nodded in satisfaction, raised his glass, and looked at the crimson liquid swirling within, a look of rapture on his face.

"Flame, life? Ha—"

...

...

They left the party venue.

Xia Yan successfully sold the giant rock snake and several rock-shell fruits.

He sold the Onix for 400,000 League Coins and the four Rock Berry for 100,000 League Coins. As for the other Pokémon that weren't particularly strong, he didn't plan to sell them in this setting. He would just find an opportunity to sell them to a shop on the black market.

Previously, I had 550,000 Alliance Coins left. I spent 100,000 on the "Sharpening" manual, and another 50,000 on some healing potions and energy cubes. Now I have 900,000 Alliance Coins left, as well as a Dark Stone whose quality and price are currently uncertain.

The emptiness beneath the facade of Golden City's superficial prosperity is becoming increasingly apparent.

The Onix, which originally sold for a maximum of 370,000 to 380,000, was sold for 400,000, and the four Rock Shell Fruits were also bought at almost an overprice.

The excessive activity of wild Pokémon in the surrounding area is having a growing impact on Goldenrod City. This city, which should be rich in resources and has the most resources in the Kanto region, is now experiencing significant shortages in various aspects.

Back at my residence, I went to the backyard.