Pokémon Detective Case Files.

There are three Gym Leaders in Sanyo City, but that does not mean that Koon, Bert, and Cilan are just mediocre people with empty titles.

A quick look at the league's assessment records reveals that all three passed the rigorous dojo qualification test with outstanding results—meaning they are fully capable of choosing to open three independent dojos in different cities.

However, they chose to squeeze into this small Trisolaran Gym and teach novice trainers the true meaning of type matchups in a trio format.

Outsiders might find it crowded, but the three brothers don't see it that way—whether it's the elegant and gentle Cohen, the passionate Bert, or the most composed of the three, Tian Tong, none of them want to leave this ancestral restaurant that holds their childhood memories.

The old house still smells of oil from the family restaurant between the bricks and tiles, and the gaps in the wooden floor are still filled with the jam from the tree fruit they spilled as children... Whether it's the reflection of people when wiping wine glasses, the sparks flying when stir-frying on a hot plate, or the sound of ice cubes colliding when mixing drinks, these are memories that the three of them are unwilling to give up no matter what.

It's not that they can't be separated, it's just that they can't bear to part with that old door that creaks when pushed open by all three children at the same time.

.

Today, Guscalf and Azure stand side by side in front of that meticulously restored oak door.

The doors opened slowly as if anticipating the guests' arrival, and the owner of the Tentong Pavilion, dressed in a sharp tailcoat and holding a snow-white handkerchief, appeared before them with the perfect demeanor of a waiter.

“Mr. Guskaf, Miss Azure, welcome.” Tian Tong bowed slightly, her bow tie gleaming like silk in the sunlight. “Mr. Zimi has been waiting for you two in the private room for quite some time.”

The grass-type expert greeted the two guests, who were of vastly different sizes, with impeccable manners, showing no bias whatsoever despite the previous dispute over booking the venue.

"Does the restaurant allow Pokémon to stay outside their Poké Balls?" Azure asked, pointing to the Eevee on her shoulder.

“Of course,” Tian Tong said cheerfully.

"Our restaurant is also a Pokémon Gym, so we naturally welcome Pokémon partners. Although the ecological differences among Pokémon are too great to prepare customized food for all of our guests' Pokémon, we can provide unlimited quantities of general Pokémon food specially developed by our restaurant."

He looked at the adorable Ibrahimovic and then added—

"In addition, if those children also like human food, you can also choose the same dishes for them."

"That's really thoughtful."

Bilan thanked the owner of Tiantong Pavilion with relief and stepped into the restaurant first, while the food editor on the other side stood behind her for a while.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Tian Tong keenly noticed Guskaf's hesitation.

“No, it’s nothing.” The gourmet shook his enormous head. “This restaurant was originally a coffee shop, you can tell from the style of the entrance that it used to be simple and unpretentious.”

“You have a keen eye. Although it’s not a famous store, it is indeed an important memory passed down from our parents.”

A look of nostalgia flashed in Tian Tong's eyes as she smiled and bowed.

"After becoming a gym leader, we expanded the original site and transformed the coffee shop into a restaurant that includes a battle arena, which can be considered as inheriting the family business."

"Really? It seems you're quite proud of your parents." Guskaf looked at the repair marks on the door frame with some emotion.

"From a stylistic perspective, the outdoor renovation is very successful, especially the main entrance, which blends seamlessly with the modern environment of Sanyo City. However... the quality of the food ultimately depends more on the indoor ambiance. Given the need to be compatible with Pokémon Gyms, it remains to be seen whether the standard can be maintained."

"Please look forward to it with confidence," the Grass-type Gym Leader said with a confident smile, gracefully gesturing for him to enter.

.

Passing through the porch, you are greeted by a double-height reception hall. The outdoor sunlight is blocked by indoor plants, creating a deep and elegant atmosphere in the restaurant.

Like most upscale restaurants, the second floor of Sanyo Dojo is divided into semi-enclosed VIP rooms, while the left and right sides of the first floor are the lounge area and the beverage room, respectively. In the middle of the two areas is the main dining area, which occupies the largest area.

The spacious restaurant was filled with flickering candlelight, and it was especially quiet today, as the venue had been reserved for only three guests.

In the heart of this tranquility, the tall and slender figure of King Zhimi was already waiting.

“King Zimi, I am Azure, commissioned by the United States Alliance.”

The girl who entered first came up to Zhimi and curiously examined the Mega Evolution Key Stone that was fastened to the blue scarf on the other's chest.

"I know this is not the place to discuss official business, but your league's champion, Karune, asked me to pass on a message to you—the league's exchange matches begin tomorrow, and you need to pay attention to your schedule."

"Yes, I will handle it properly."

Zhimi replied briefly, then focused his gaze on Bilan as well, his eyes suddenly brightening—

"Miss Azure, you seem to be a very experienced trainer."

"Huh? You can tell that from that?"

Bilan was a little surprised. She looked down at herself and realized that her current attire was quite ordinary and appropriate.

The Eevee sitting on my shoulder isn't the kind of Pokémon that looks particularly powerful at first glance. It always seems to be yawning, and it's even been neglecting its training lately.

How exactly did the other party perceive the trainer's strength?

"You seem to have misunderstood, Miss Azure."

Seeing the detective deep in thought, the Water-type Elite Four member shook his head with amusement.

"I'm not the kind of detective you're talking about. I'm not good at cooking, but when it comes to people, I can't possibly guess their identity from the details. The reason I know about your strength, Miss Azure, is simply because I saw your battle videos online when I was raising Blastoise. Your imaginative fighting style really inspired me."

"Ah, so that's how it is..."

The girl sighed, realizing that since arriving in Unova, apart from her junior, Touko, no one had really noticed Azure's past achievements in the Kanto region for a long time... even though that was precisely the reason she had traveled all the way from Kanto.

Are you two discussing Water-type Pokémon?

The voice came from behind Azure. Turning around, he saw the Guild Master Koon, with his sea-blue hair covering his face, leading Guskaf here.

The water feature owner was also holding a tray with three drinks in his right hand.

"Sports are the perfect companion to delicious food. Our restaurant really welcomes discussions about Pokémon battles... Here's a refreshing lemon sea salt soda for you all."

I took the wine glass; it contained about a sip of light blue beverage.

Under Ibise's envious gaze, Azure closed her eyes and drank it down in one gulp. The stimulation of carbonation and the gentle sweetness intertwined on her tongue, just right to whet her appetite.

"Elite Four member, if we start talking about Pokémon battles now, it might go on and on. Let's focus on the food at Sanyo Restaurant instead?"

Influenced by the soda, Bilan reluctantly put down her empty glass and, suppressing her appetite, suggested to Zhimi.

“Well, that’s fine then.” The latter nodded in acceptance. “Then let me witness Mr. Bert’s new breakthrough after our culinary exchange.”

The next second, at the deepest part of the restaurant hall, the wall that was originally used as a Pokémon battle facility slowly sank down, and in its place was a brightly lit open kitchen, where Mr. Bert, the fire-type expert, stood.

Amidst the rising steam, the young man in a chef's uniform, spatula in hand, flashed a warm smile at the crowd. Sparks from the stove illuminated his signature red hair and bathed the entire countertop in a warm glow.

"Welcome to the 'Flaming Kitchen' of Sanyo Restaurant!"

The Fire-type Gym Leader's bold voice echoed throughout the restaurant.

Chapter 368 The Feast Begins - Appetizers and Cold Dishes

"Would you like to have a drink?"

After the three were seated, Tian Tong, who was in charge of serving wine among the three brothers, stepped forward.

Zmy and Guscalf nodded, while Azure hesitated slightly: "I might... not be very good at strong liquor."

Although she is of legal drinking age, her knowledge of alcohol is almost nonexistent, except for a few sips of sparkling wine at celebratory banquets.

If Hugo were here, he would probably refuse without hesitation... the detective thought inexplicably.

The firm's boss was a staunch abstainer. He believed that knowingly drinking a liquid would impair judgment and health was an incomprehensible act.

"It's alright," the sommelier said with a smile. "Our wines are all carefully blended low-alcohol drinks, like the perfect accompaniment at a concert."

“After all, one cannot appreciate the full flavor of food when drunk.” Guscalf gracefully unfolded the cutlery in front of him with his disproportionately nimble fingers. “The high stimulating effect of spirits can also mask the flavors that the chef wants to express in the dish.”

“However, some restaurants do offer a small amount of spirits as an after-dinner drink. It’s said to aid digestion.” Jimmy nodded, his napkins and dishes already neatly arranged in front of him without him even noticing.

Bilan quietly observed the two gourmets' smooth pre-meal rituals and followed suit, preparing for her meal as well.

"Then, let's start by trying the first drink I recommend to you."

Mr. Tian Tong gracefully spread his arms, and the florid monkey with green leaves on its head stepped lightly, carrying three cups of pale golden wine on a tray and presenting them to the three people.

"This is 'Budding Vermouth,' an aromatic sweet white wine originally from the Carlos region. However, after being introduced to the town of Goldwheel in the United States, a new winemaking method was developed. Local residents place a miracle seed in the oak barrels during winemaking, adding a natural herbal flavor to the wine throughout the year's aging process."

As the three men accepted their glasses, the sommelier placed a basket in front of them—

"If you're worried that the drinks alone might be a bit bland, you can pair them with these almond cookies and Mare's sheep cheese. However, considering the amount of food you'll be eating, I suggest you bear with it a little longer, as these snacks will be packaged together after the meal and given to you as a souvenir from the restaurant."

Of the three, only Guscalf and Azure Eevee each accepted a biscuit filled with cheese.

Azure gazed curiously at the shimmering light in the cup in her hand, and whether it was just her imagination or not, she could vaguely smell the fresh scent of moss after the rain.

"With spring in the air, our menu today will be themed 'new life,' using the freshest seasonal ingredients possible."

Seeing that the three guests had finished their pre-dinner drinks, Tian Tong promptly collected the empty glasses and continued introducing the dishes to everyone—

"Although this white wine has been aged for a year, its rich aroma is like a new bud breaking through the soil. I hope this glass of wine can lead you on a wonderful and pleasant taste journey."

"It served quite well as an aperitif to complement the sea salt soda."

The food editor, wiping cookie crumbs from her hands with a napkin, said—

"I thought that two drinks in a row would make the taste similar and boring, but the carbonation and the smoothness of the grass in the two drinks were well balanced. Not only did they not conflict, but they also had a positive effect."

Azure Detective nodded repeatedly, feeling that the fat man's assessment was very apt.

"The portion size is also just right," Zhimi added. "It's enough to make even a wine novice like Ms. Bilan enjoy it; at least this 'Budding Vermouth' is perfectly acceptable as an aperitif."

"Thank you for your compliments. Next up is the appetizer to stimulate your taste buds."

The Grass-type Gym Leader bowed to the crowd and offered his seat to the next waiter.

Koun and his Coldwater Monkey carried three plates and took over from Tian Tong, walking gracefully out from the direction of the kitchen.

"Hello everyone, the following dish is called 'Iron Arm Shrimp Claw Sashimi with Citrus Vinegar Jelly.' It's topped with an airy mousse made from frothy frog foam."

The plates that were served in front of us emitted a cold mist, making the crystal-clear ingredients on them look more like works of art.

"In addition, this is the champagne that Tian Tong has selected for you to accompany the meal. Its fruity flavor can further enhance the freshness of the shrimp."

"This is... the claw meat of the Iron-armed Pistol Shrimp?"

Azure carefully poked at the meat with her fork; the thin, translucent flesh gleamed like pearls under the light.

"Yes, the collection records from the legitimate Alora breeding farm are attached to the back of the menu. You can view the surveillance footage of the pliers falling off naturally if you're interested."

Kohn added at the opportune moment, smiling as he handed over a tablet terminal.

"Some people still have reservations about eating Pokémon meat, but medical analysis has shown that consuming small amounts of the organs shed by these special Pokémon does not harm the human body. In fact, the mild water-type energy in the claw meat of the Iron-Armored Shrimp may even help promote human digestion."

Azure watched the Iron-Armed Pistol Shrimp's heartbreaking loss of its claws in fast-forward.

It appears that this iron-armed pistol shrimp used too much force while arm wrestling with its companion. Although it won the match, it unfortunately broke its claw. After the monitor triggered an alarm, the detached claw was immediately retrieved by divers who arrived at the scene, without any human intervention whatsoever.

"It's a classic dish. The orange vinegar jelly can mask some of the flavor of the claw meat, so even diners who are averse to the claw meat of the prawn can enjoy the deliciousness of this dish. The foam mousse of the frog also adds a bit of texture to this appetizer, but... it's more novel than it is, and it feels a bit formalistic."

Guskaf made a somewhat detached comment, but in the blink of an eye, he elegantly swept his plate clean, even scooping up the runny foam mousse with his fork... He ate so cleanly that one couldn't help but wonder how he did it.

The detective herself tried forking a piece of the claw meat, and felt a fishy aroma from the sea mixed with the sour taste of oranges flood her mouth... She couldn't quite describe the feeling, but it was definitely a very sophisticated flavor.

"Yes, the knife skills are neat, and the freshness of the ingredients is just right. Regarding the foam mousse, I basically agree with Mr. Guscalf's view that innovation in ingredients should be presented to diners in a clear and perceptible way. But if we only consider the taste, this mousse, which adopts the concept of molecular gastronomy, is still a plus."

King Zhimi put down his knife and fork, savoring the lingering taste on his tongue.

"To be honest, I don't usually dare to comment on this dish in public, because I'm worried that someone might deliberately catch and harm the iron-armed pistol shrimp in order to satisfy their appetite after hearing my review. But personally, I really like the taste of the claw meat."

"I've heard about it."

The gourmet looked at Jimmy and raised his glass of champagne—

“I heard from my friends in the Carlos region that you actually discovered the Steel Cannon Shrimp, the king of the sky, by chance when you were shopping for ingredients.”

"Sigh, this story has been completely misunderstood, as if I was ever involved in the Pokémon trade. I've been trying to explain and clarify, but it seems to have little effect."

The Water-type Elite Four member shook his head with a wry smile and sighed.

"So what is the real situation?"

Azure sipped her bubbly champagne and asked curiously.

"I did encounter the pre-evolutionary Iron Arm Pistol Shrimp because I was buying ingredients, but the ingredients I bought back then were not meat, but seaweed."

"Seaweed?" The girl and the food editor both looked surprised.

“Yes.” Zhimi shrugged. “Because it was a wholesale purchase, the sellers at the market didn’t check it very carefully. And that iron-armed pistol shrimp was pitifully trapped in this pile of seaweed because its claws got tangled.”

“What a wonderful coincidence,” Kohn, who was standing to the side, said with a smile, covering his mouth.

"Our next cold dish is 'Snow Melt Cherry Blossom Fish Roe,' made with immature roe from cherry blossom fish that failed to develop into fairy eggs during the breeding season. The base for this dish is fresh kelp that has undergone freeze-drying."

As he explained, Tian Tong gracefully entered the venue, pushing a silver food cart.

On the dining car, crushed ice is piled up to form a miniature snow mountain, on which three pieces of kelp that have undergone special "freeze-drying" treatment are spread out, resembling an ice field thawing in early spring.

The brightly colored fish roe piled on the kelp resembled early cherry blossoms blooming in the snow, shimmering with the color of jewels under the light.