Aspiring to become a Pokémon trainer

"Appreciate further details."

Upon hearing the agreement, Douzi visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"With Quigley's arrest and imprisonment, the Seven Sages mostly defeated, and N betraying the organization, Team Plasma should have been leaderless and disintegrating. However, even after a year, those members have not caused any chaos and are even hiding in the shadows, occasionally doing the same things they did in the past. To some extent, once they have kept quiet, it is difficult for both the League and Interpol to track down their internal activities and further eliminate their forces."

At this point, the chestnut-haired girl glanced at Alice, seemingly with a hint of apology.

"With Mr. Alderk deeply troubled by the death of his partner and retiring, and with Alice still unfamiliar with the role of champion, the League simply couldn't spare the energy to deal with Team Plasma's elusive conspiracy. The Unova region was already riddled with problems after the previous events."

Douzi's voice was quite gentle, but the principles he was stating were incredibly weighty.

Neither Cattleya nor Alice uttered a word, even though such words might damage the region's reputation; they simply lowered their eyes and chose to remain silent.

After a long silence, the brown-skinned girl finally broke the silence and spoke again.

"...Actually, compared to me, Douzi is more suitable for the title of champion. He stood until the very end in the championship match, but had to withdraw due to an accident."

However, these words caused Douzi to frown slightly and, unusually, emphasize his words.

"Alice, even if that accident was beyond your control, why doubt yourself? Didn't you defeat Mr. Ardek fair and square? Instead of thinking about whether it's suitable or not, you should have more confidence in yourself. I've always believed that you deserve that position more than anyone else."

"Alright, alright, Douzi, don't be so serious with Alice, and Alice, stop denying yourself. After all, putting aside our identities, we're all the best of friends, aren't we?"

She winked playfully, and the somber atmosphere melted away before it could settle with her energetic voice.

“Indeed, it’s time to get down to business, Douzi.”

Lifting the ceramic cup by the handle, Cattleya sipped her tea and, out of the corner of her eye, gestured for the former to clarify the focus of their trip.

"Well, although it's a bit abrupt and excessive, since Nan Yin is here for her own business, as a member of the Unova region, I have no choice but to make this shameless request—"

"If one day this land encounters a crisis that harms the people, if Nanyin has not yet left, may I implore you to lend a helping hand, not to confront the legends, but to help the people."

With his head bowed, as mentioned in the preface, Douzi was fully aware of how despicable it was to kidnap someone, but ever since the whereabouts of the Bright Stone went missing and Team Plasma had acquired Zekrom's power, the League had been at a disadvantage for a long time and found it difficult to win on the front lines.

Even though Carlos officially blocked information about Team Flare, the legend of the girl's defeat and her single-handed reversal of the situation during that major incident still lingered in their ears.

The United States region needs a boost, a boost that can rival, or even surpass, Zekrom. This is why Douzi hesitated to speak up earlier.

"..."

Turning her gaze to the other person's eyes, Nan Yin saw stubbornness and resentment in them. Pleading with others was, in a way, a sign of her own inadequacy.

Although the predetermined future was changed by her own butterfly, Touko still clashed with Team Plasma multiple times, and the capture of Gryphon and the Seven Sages was still achieved with their cooperation. Therefore, N must have had contact with the former as well.

"It is my duty, and I will not turn a blind eye."

It's not a certainty, but these words are more practical than any promise.

"Thank you. Now that we've finished discussing business, how about we have some hot tea and dessert, and chat about some interesting things that happened around us?"

With a visibly relaxed demeanor, the chestnut-haired girl extended a sincere invitation.

"Extremely happy to."

Without hesitation, she sampled desserts from various regions, which Nan Yin also considered part of her collection guide. Moreover, she was prepared to face any challenge head-on and was now unafraid of any formidable enemy.

As the clock ticked away, the leisurely afternoon gradually melted away amidst everyone's laughter and chatter.

Gently stroking Eevee's fur, Nan Yin sat down in the courtyard, leaning back in her chair, also bathed in the glow of the sunset.

Spring is drawing to a close, and the weather has warmed up a bit. Fortunately, as dusk approaches, she feels mostly comfort and contentment.

Ripple Town, nestled against the sea and dotted with beaches, is naturally a perfect vacation spot. Moreover, as the location of the estate where Cattleya invites her close friends, how could its tourist attractions be anything less than excellent?

Because of their prior friendship, the female superstar had reserved a room for the two of them to stay in long ago.

Close your eyes and listen to the breaths of all living things. Apart from Snorlax, which falls into a deep sleep as soon as it leaves the Poké Ball, the whispers of friends and Pokémon exchanging blows also linger in your ears.

"Lucario, use Comet Punch!"

With its elbow raised, the blue-black dog-beast stomped the ground and pushed off with its shoulder, unleashing a series of fierce punches. On the defensive side, Korni was equally matched, raising her arm in the same manner to block each punch in its path.

Even if Lucario intentionally held back, her eldest daughter could still contend with Pokémon with her human physique, and she was certainly worthy of the title of martial arts master. After all, she had seen far too many of those who practiced until late at night, drenched in sweat.

"Alright, let's take a break for a bit. Lucario, you were using too much force."

Her breathing was labored, and her tight-fitting clothes were soaked with sweat, sticking to her skin and constricting the girl's budding figure.

Rubbing her reddened arm, Korne's rebuke carried little weight; it was just a casual joke. But though the speaker meant no harm, the listener took it to heart.

"Go wipe your sweat properly."

She took a towel off the shelf and handed it to her friend. Although he was taking a short nap with his eyes closed, Nan Yin kept an eye on him and could hear the fatigue in his breathing.

Thanks!

She drew out the last syllable of her voice slightly, and even her long, delicate eyelashes lifted slightly, revealing the girl's joy.

She rarely had a chance to join in the conversation, precisely because she felt lost and powerless, which is why she worked so hard to improve herself every day.

Whenever she feels sore and tired, the comfort from her friends soothes her heart and lungs, giving her more motivation. Like the sun in the sky, Nanyin music is the goal she pursues.

However, this great sun is still too far away from me.

"By the way, didn't Nan Yin say she was going to Grape Academy? Has she decided on a specific date yet?"

"There's no rush. We'll have to go eventually. Before that, it's a good idea to take a good look around United States. Besides, we just got off the plane today. We can't go while we're feeling unwell."

Grabbing the Scorpion King, who was covered in sand, and seeing it foolishly offer a handful of pearls, Nan Yin felt both gratified and amused. She took a wet wipe and carefully wiped away the stains.

To be honest, the child's natural inclination to scavenge has also helped alleviate a lot of his financial pressure.

Without disturbing the tranquility, once everything was settled, Corinne moved to sit next to her friend and tentatively asked a question.

"I heard there's going to be a concert in Shuanglong City soon. Would you be interested in attending?"

This is not just a reason, but a blatant scheme to seek time together.

"Concerts, while they can cultivate one's character, are probably not of much interest to you or me."

Unable to discern the girl's underlying meaning, Nan Yin initially intended to make excuses, but Ke Erni's next words swayed her resolve—

"The Tundra Bear Ice Cream from Shuanglong City is a local specialty."

Having spent so many days and nights together, Ke'erni knew Nanyin's preferences early on and knew how to satisfy her appetite.

"Then... there's a perfectly valid reason."

Her fingertips pressed against her lower lip, causing the soft flesh there to sink slightly, as if the girl was struggling to choose between staying at home and going out.

His stunned expression as he pondered the decision was so striking that both Korne, who was observing, and Cattleya, who had come from afar, couldn't help but laugh.

"Pfft, I didn't expect Nanyin to have such a pure side. Coincidentally, Wanlong is also planning to go to Shuanglong City to attend that concert. Would it be convenient for me to go with him?"

"of course."

Nan Yin did not refuse the other party's request. In her opinion, this was perfectly normal. Perhaps only Ke Erni secretly clenched her fists, hiding her dissatisfaction.

What was originally a private relationship between the two of them has now been complicated by the presence of a third party, which inevitably causes some frustration.

She was never petty, but she was unwilling to back down even a little when it came to matters concerning her friends.

The girl couldn't express her feelings directly, and she was afraid of losing her friendship, but she still wanted Nan Yin to understand her feelings, so she started by subtly changing their daily routine.

Whether the other party senses something and expresses rejection, or remains completely unaware and continues as before, these are all signals obtained through testing, signals that determine whether or not to maintain this sense of distance.

Perhaps it was because Korne's gaze lingered for too long, or perhaps it was the fierceness in her stare, but Cattleya subconsciously offered an explanation.

"...There's nothing we can do about it. Team Plasma's actions are becoming increasingly blatant, and they might be planning a major operation soon. As a member of the Unova Trainers, I must remind Shaka, the Gym Leader of Odd Dragon City, to keep the item entrusted to him safe—"

"The Gene Wedge".

P.S.: The protagonists of previous generations of games were all eleven years old, but the protagonists of the Unova region, whether it's Touko Nami or Touya Kōhei, are fourteen years old, originally set to be sixteen. So they are much more mature than the protagonists of previous generations.

Also, I hope everyone can leave some comments and respond.

Chapter 185 Meeting and the Hero of Ideals N

The next morning, Nanyin gradually woke up to the sound of pots and pans clattering.

She didn't want to get out of bed, but there was nothing she could do; her established biological clock had already deprived her of the possibility of taking a nap.

So she opened her eyes, arched her body on the bed, and slowly crawled out from under the covers.

There was no other way; the low pressure upon waking always dulled her mind, sweeping away her usual clarity and rationality.

Leaning against the bed, letting her disheveled hair fall across her forehead, revealing a hint of disarray, Nan Yin quietly soothed the lingering afterglow of waking from a dream, gently adapting to the light of dawn.

The noise outside was made by Korni.

This energetic fighting girl bustled back and forth in front of the stove, constantly turning the flames, grabbing the spatula, and hurriedly sprinkling in seasonings.

During this time, there were many worried inquiries from the puppets, curious glances from the little evil spirits, and even the manor's butler, Shi Lan, took the initiative to approach and patiently offer advice.

“Actually, Miss Corney doesn’t need to cook herself. The young lady instructed me that your dietary needs are also within my responsibilities.”

I was really frustrated by the former's terrible performance. In less than half a quarter of an hour, Kerni had turned the kitchen into a place filled with steaming oil fumes and a burning smell.

"Yes, I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen, Butler Shi Lan. I just wanted to make breakfast for Nan Yin. I've always received so much care from her..."

The girl's voice was apologetic and lacked confidence, but upon hearing these words, Shi Lan softened her tone and became more patient.

Everyone has people and things they cherish, just like he cherishes Cattleya and Korni cherishes Nanyin. It's perfectly normal to be confused by what you care about.

"In that case, I'll lend a hand."

The two were not talking loudly, and the soundproofing of the house was excellent, but Nanyin's senses were too sharp, so he could hear everything clearly.

The girl's initial irritation from being woken up vanished, and if that's the case, she wouldn't have any complaints.

After all, Nan Yin wasn't an unfeeling person, and knowing the feelings involved, she would naturally forgive that foolish girl.

It's quite surprising, really. My friend always gets up late and I usually have to wake her up. I never thought that after so long, she would still remember the joke she made in the past.

—If we are to travel together, I'll have to trouble you to take care of any miscellaneous matters that may arise.

She took a wooden comb, simply smoothed her neck-length white hair, and then tied it into a high ponytail. Nan Yin changed out of her pajamas, put on a shirt, and slowly walked out of the bedroom.

"Bonnie~"

Upon seeing the girl, the little devil who had been circling the stove immediately jumped up and pounced into her arms.

Forced to lean forward, Nan Yin was still dazed and unsteady on her feet. Just as she was about to fall, a soft force caught her.

Looking back, the pink diamond princess was covering her lips, looking at the girl with a smile, the pinkish arc of light being its outward energy.

"Nanyin, you'd better be careful when you walk from now on~"

"Thank you." After expressing her gratitude briefly, she glanced at the little devil who was holding her tightly. Even though this child was the culprit that almost caused her to fall, how could Nan Yin blame this big baby who had been isolated since childhood?

"I'm sorry I haven't spent enough time with you in so long."

As the saying goes, since there are more and more children around, the phenomenon of favoring one over another is inevitable. Although we try our best to devote our energy to them, it is always a drop in the ocean.

The enormous Snorlax, the overly conspicuous Milton, the arrogant Zapdos, and the metamorphosis-in-progress Kabuto—each has its own reasons for existing, making it inconvenient for them to be revealed, and they are always by each other's side.

Therefore, compared to simple concern, Nan Yin also felt a sense of guilt that she couldn't suppress.

To them, and even more so to the self who once made that vow.

With eyes lowered, the still-sleeping Scorpion King lay on Snorlax's belly, while Shellder was also sleeping soundly on its back with its four legs in the air.

After straightening the children one by one and wiping the water from their mouths, the girl was letting her thoughts wander when she saw Korni turn around and call out with delight.

"Nanyin, you're awake!"

"Ah."

She responded in a low voice, and looking at her friend's dirty forehead, combined with what she had just heard, Nan Yin couldn't help but find it amusing.

"How did you get yourself into this state?"

"Hehe, it's no big deal. On the contrary, come and try this, I just made omelet rice."

She hurriedly fetched a steaming bowl from the stove, her blonde eyes filled with eagerness, as if her heart and soul were completely focused on the former.

"Judging by appearances alone, she's quite good, Korni. How many times have you done it?"

The eggs on the plate were fried to a golden brown, and the small amount of side dishes were arranged to enhance the color. It was a feast for both the eyes and the nose.

"Probably... once or twice."