Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 14: Running Into Trouble

At the League Headquarters cafeteria, Asahi, Gardevoir, Dratini, and Bagon sat around a small table.

However, while Asahi, Gardevoir, and Dratini ignored the food in front of them, their eyes were all fixed on Bagon, who was devouring its meal with gusto.

It took a full ten minutes, but after finishing the last piece of an energy cube dessert, Bagon finally let out a satisfied burp.

Looking up, it realized that Asahi, Gardevoir, and Dratini were all staring at it.

Bagon's cheeks turned red with embarrassment.

"Didn't you say yesterday that you weren't hungry anymore?" Asahi asked, confused.

"Bagon! Bagon!"

Asahi quickly understood its response. "So, you're saying you just like eating?"

Hmm...

From what Bagon expressed, it wasn't physically hungry but simply couldn't resist eating whenever it saw food.

Still, since its energy needs had already been met, it no longer needed to eat frequently or spend excessive time digesting, so it wouldn't interfere with training.

Asahi: "..."

He felt like he'd miscalculated.

He had thought the Dragon Crystal would eliminate Bagon's gluttonous tendencies, allowing him to pocket the 100,000 Pokédollar monthly feeding subsidy for himself.

But now it seemed that, despite its energy being replenished, Bagon remained a foodie. The money would still end up being spent on its meals.

By Asahi's reckoning, this was basically a billion-dollar loss!

Dratini and Bagon, seeing Asahi's pained expression, looked at him curiously, not understanding what had happened.

Only Gardevoir, who shared a telepathic bond with Asahi, knew what he was thinking. She rolled her eyes, nibbling on her salad and choosing to ignore her miserly trainer.

Dratini, clueless but loyal to Gardevoir's lead, also started eating.

Asahi's despair didn't last long.

Since he couldn't change Bagon's love for food, and he wasn't heartless enough to starve it, he resigned himself to reality.

Turning his frustration into appetite, Asahi resolved to eat his fill.

After all, this might be his last free meal at the League Headquarters cafeteria for a long time. The more he ate, the less he'd "lose"!

Watching their trainer dig in enthusiastically, Bagon couldn't resist going back for three more bowls of food.

---

Eventually, Asahi left the League Headquarters.

He departed with the 10-million Pokédollar budget approved by Lance and an officially certified "League Researcher" ID, fully legitimate and aboveboard.

As he rode in a taxi, watching wild trainers battling along the roadside, he couldn't help but sigh, "Such a lively and thriving place!"

A couple of years ago, back when he'd first gotten Ralts, Asahi might have jumped out to battle those trainers, squeezing every last Pokédollar from their pockets.

"But now, I'm a big deal!"

A big shot like him wouldn't stoop to such petty antics anymore. If he did, he'd at least wear a mask or use the makeup techniques from the International Police training manual to hide his identity.

While Asahi was mulling over whether to disguise himself when bullying young trainers in the future, the taxi driver overheard him and said, "Didn't expect you to be a big shot, huh?"

Although the phrasing sounded sarcastic, the driver's tone was genuinely curious.

Asahi wasn't shy. Smiling, he replied, "That's right—future big shot!"

He pulled out his "League Researcher" ID and showed it off through the rearview mirror.

Upon seeing the ID, the driver's eyes lit up with admiration. "A certified League Researcher? That's no easy feat at your age. Impressive!"

"Of course! And I'm about to close a major deal!" Asahi said in a mysterious tone.

"A major deal? Care to share?"

The driver's curiosity was piqued, though he quickly added, "Sorry, if it's a trade secret, forget I asked."

Asahi waved it off. "Oh, it's no big secret. I'm about to sell my research findings to the Devon Corporation in Hoenn. I spent half a month on the Indigo Plateau working on this deal."

"Devon Corporation? That's huge! Amazing!" The driver looked even more impressed.

The rest of the trip passed in casual conversation.

When they arrived in Viridian City, the driver even refused to accept the fare, asking instead for Asahi's autograph.

But Asahi wasn't the type to take advantage. Insisting on paying, he handed over the fare and entered a luxury hotel.

Once Asahi disappeared into the hotel, the driver's friendly demeanor vanished, replaced by cold indifference.

He picked up a hidden radio.

"Crobat to HQ, this is Zubat Unit 13. Target B—'Ranger Ghost' Asahi—spotted traveling from Indigo Plateau to Viridian City. Currently staying at Silph Luxury Hotel."

"Target has resigned as a ranger and assumed the identity of a certified League Researcher. Claims to have significant research results and a potential partnership with Devon Corporation. Recommend continued surveillance."

[Understood. Maintain your cover.]

"Roger."

Stashing the radio, the driver started the engine and drove off.

Inside the hotel, Asahi completed his check-in with a smile. After being escorted to his suite, he released Gardevoir to scan the room for bugs.

Once Gardevoir confirmed the area was secure and set up psychic barriers, Asahi's cheerful expression crumbled.

"Damn it. Ran into a ghost," he muttered, collapsing onto the couch.

A taxi driver carrying six Poké Balls and clearly trained for combat? He should buy a lottery ticket with that kind of luck.

Thankfully, his training allowed him to bluff his way through the encounter.

"If it were anyone else, that guy would've gotten all their secrets and left them thinking they'd made a new friend."

Asahi pulled out his encrypted International Police phone and reported the encounter to Lance, suggesting a thorough review of the League staff he'd recently interacted with.

Asahi asked Lance to quickly contact Steven and finalize the "big deal" with the Devon Corporation, solidifying his identity as a researcher.

Lance soon replied.

[Got it.]

Although it was just two words, Asahi, now familiar with Lance's temperament, could clearly sense the simmering anger hidden within.

***

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