Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

If he were alone, he could stay at the Pokémon Center, or even travel back and forth between God and Town, which wouldn't take much time.

But now that Kikuna has arrived.

With so much precious equipment, it seems a bit difficult to just stay there casually.

As the gym leader of Random Town, he doesn't even own any property there and has to mooch off other people for lodging, which is quite pathetic.

Fortunately, Kikuna's abilities were indeed quite good, and she quickly helped Natsuhiko rent a small house with a large garden, which could be used to train Pokémon and store equipment.

Suiyi Town has nothing but plenty of land and few people.

Chrysanthemum has also begun to demonstrate its abilities.

On the same day.

The two construction teams from Daigo's family, who had given Xia Yan prior notice, also arrived in Suiyi Town one after another.

Actually, after the tournament ended and Daigo learned that Natsuhiko was planning to build a gym in Random Town, the construction team set off for Random Town.

However, some of the equipment was indeed quite bulky, and the road to Suiyi Town was not easy to travel, which is why we were a few days late.

As Xia Yan watched the large trucks driving into Suiyi Town and the burly construction team members, he gained a completely new understanding of the word "team".

Dozens of large trucks, various heavy lifting equipment, hundreds of strong men moving in unison, and even stronger, more muscular, and incredibly strong men, including old repairmen...

This is probably the capability that truly top-tier companies in the Pokémon world possess.

Kiku, representing Natsuhiko, went to talk to the person in charge of the construction team.

He conveyed Xia Yan's basic ideas about what kind of dojo he wanted to build to the construction team, so that they could complete the dojo better and faster.

As for the selection of dojo locations and the funding needed for dojo construction, these alliances have already secured the necessary resources.

The only problem is that the construction team arranged by the alliance is moving rather slowly.

However, given the extravagant resources of Devon Company, the construction of a dojo should not take as long as Xia Yan had anticipated.

Xia Yan turned his head to look at Daigo, who was standing next to him with a smile, looking like he was doing his "routine".

"Didn't you go back to Hoenn?"

Natsuhiko was genuinely surprised that Daigo had also come with the construction team.

Daigo rubbed his wrist and straightened it slightly. "There are two things I'd like to discuss with you."

"With me? You want to discuss it?"

"Shall we say it here?" Daigo looked around.

The construction team was very professional. After understanding Xia Yan's intentions, they were ready to start construction.

The first thing to do is to lay a solid foundation for the dojo.

"Come with me."

With that, Xia Yan led Daigo to the villa that Kikuna had just rented.

A wood-burning fireplace, a hanging crystal chandelier, dark brown matching chairs, a wall of bookshelves filled with books, and a soft, plush carpet.

This is Xia Yan's temporary study.

Some buildings in the Sinnoh region still retain an ancient style, which is a style that many Sinnoh residents like.

The villa that Kikuna rented happened to be built in the same style by the original owner.

This highlights the profound and profound aura of the divine.

Xia Yan liked it very much.

Nothing else, just the emphasis on being cultured.

The two sat on either side of the desk.

Kikuna thoughtfully served tea, then quietly closed the door and left.

"Was that... Ms. Kikuna? Mr. Sakuragi's assistant?" Daigo asked the question he had wanted to ask earlier, watching Kikuna leave silently.

“Yes, Mr. Sakuragi knows that I’m going to build a dojo and there will be a lot of trouble, so he asked Ms. Kikuna to help me for a while,” Natsuhiko said with a smile.

"Sakuragi-san, you and Natsuhiko have a really good relationship," Daigo remarked.

If the relationship wasn't good, why would someone ask their assistant to help someone else?

This further convinced Daigo that coming this time was the right idea.

“Yes.” Xia Yan nodded in empathy.

Kikusai's arrival really saved him a lot of troublesome chores.

"By the way, what do you want to tell me? Why the 'discussion'? You're being so mysterious."

Back to topic.

Daigo hesitated for a moment, then, after carefully choosing his words, said with a helpless expression, "Because I'm not just representing myself in this matter."

If it were his own business, of course there would be no need for such trouble, and there would be no need to use the word "discuss" with Xia Yan.

The two have a pretty good relationship.

"Hmm?" Xia Yan thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Dewen Company?"

Daigo nodded. "Is that so... Natsuhiko, your 'intimacy' experiment with Sakuragi-san is almost over, right?"

Upon hearing this, Xia Yan vaguely understood what Daigo was going to say.

He admitted frankly, "Yes, it shouldn't take more than a month."

"We... my father's idea, and also the board's idea, is to try to obtain the right to manufacture your 'intimacy' device." Daigo spoke with a rare hesitation.

No wonder.

If the person he's talking to is a stranger, Daigo will handle it strictly as a business transaction.

But after all, the object of his affections was Xia Yan, and the two had such a good relationship.

It's easy for people to think that Daigo is taking advantage of his relationship, so he hesitates.

Hearing Daigo say that, Natsuhiko suddenly understood.

Devon Corporation truly lives up to its reputation as a top-tier company in the entire elf world; its sense of these matters is extremely keen.

Without a doubt.

Once "closeness" is fully proven, "closeness" testing equipment will inevitably become a tool that every trainer will need.

Regardless of whether your Pokémon needs friendship to evolve, who wouldn't want to know if their relationship with their Pokémon is good or bad?

This means there is a very large cake.

Sakuragi and Natsuhiko, the authors of the "Intimacy" thesis, hold the key to unlocking this opportunity.

Therefore, at this time, Daigo is acting as a representative of the Devon Corporation, not just a friend of Natsuhiko.

And in fact, only a few of them knew Xia Yan's identity as the "Dodo Bird".

Xia Yan gently pressed his temple. "I don't think I can make the decision on this matter alone. Mr. Sakuragi is probably more suitable to speak up."

Although the pie is huge, Xia Yan, as one of the participants, will inevitably benefit from it.

But he still has principles.

He was only responsible for coming up with the research topic and helping Sakuragi avoid some detours in the process. Most of the work was done by Sakuragi, so it was inappropriate for him to be the first to speak up.

Daigo smiled helplessly. "I know. Our company has also sent people to contact Mr. Sakuragi. In fact, it's not just Devon that has contacted Mr. Sakuragi; there are quite a few other companies as well, including Silver. But Mr. Sakuragi is engrossed in his research and doesn't care about these things."

Moreover, according to his wishes...

Daigo glanced at Natsuhiko and said, "He said that you were the one who first decided on this topic, you also decided on the direction, and you also decided on the method. He is just a practitioner, so the decision-making is still up to you."

However, no one else knows the 'Dodo's' identity and cannot confirm it, but I happen to know, so..."

"No, Mr. Sakuragi said I should decide?" Xia Yan's eyes widened slightly.

Such a big decision was entrusted to me?

Xia Yan was speechless.

"Mm," Daigo replied.

He immediately added, "However, Xia Yan, what I just said only represented Devon Corporation, not me personally. Whatever choice you make, I will not object, nor will it affect our relationship."

Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters; Daigo clearly distinguishes between them.

Xia Yan rubbed his temples and nodded to indicate that he wouldn't misunderstand Daigo.

Seeing that he understood, Daigo breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Let me think. Is there anything else?"

When the topic turned to another matter, Daigo smiled and said, "Aren't you building a gym? Random Town will definitely flourish along with your construction. I have a lot of confidence in you about that. So this time, on behalf of Devon, I hope to invest in the development of Random Town."

This is a mutually beneficial thing. Even if Daigo doesn't come, I estimate that some other merchants from the Sinnoh region will come after hearing about it.

Compared to others, Xia Yan clearly trusted Daigo more.

"Oh, right, there's one more little thing."

Under Xia Yan's gaze, Daigo said, "No matter what decision you make in the end, our Devon Company hopes to hire you as the company's honorary consultant. Just a nominal position, you can enjoy the benefits, but you don't have to work."

Xia Yan has demonstrated talent and ability in both the field of trainers and the field of researchers. Of course, others may only know Xia Yan’s ability as a trainer. Therefore, this was a decision made by Daigo against the majority opinion. It is rare for him, the young master of Devon, to make some company decisions.

Xia Yan gave Daigo a deep look, then laughed and scolded, "Daigo, you've really given me a lot of trouble."

Daigo wasn't angry either.

The two looked at each other and laughed.

...

...

An office in the Sinnoh region.

"Mr. Akari, have you heard about the fact that the 'Lily of the Valley Tournament runner-up' is building a gym in Random Town?"

Sitting expressionlessly behind his desk, Chi Ri looked at the documents in his hand while listening to his subordinates' reports.

"Continue," Chi Ri said calmly.