At this stage, Lorelei's feelings for Su Sheng are not yet leaning towards romance.
After all, it's a bit difficult for a girl old enough to go to college to develop such feelings for a boy who is just in junior high school.
But Lorelei does have a good impression of Su Sheng, just like with Lance, sharing a strong sense of common purpose and agreement.
And compared to her feelings for Lance, Lorelei has, more or less, a bit of that kind of feeling for Su Sheng.
After all, she and Lance have known each other since childhood, and sometimes being too familiar can prevent that kind of feeling from developing.
Not to mention that Lance is a dragon-type fanatic.
But when Lorelei saw the rumors between Su Sheng and Melony from the Galar League, she couldn't hold back.
On the helicopter flying from Indigo Plateau to Pallet Town, Lorelei put down her phone, looking speechless. "Chairman, are you serious?"
Goodshow remained silent, pulling up a highly-rated comment from the news section.
"As everyone knows, Dr. Su Sheng was originally from Johto, but a year ago, at the Alola Women of the Year Awards in Alola, he publicly confessed his feelings to Lusamine, the director of the Aether Foundation. In the month that followed, he partnered with her to found Rainbow Company, launching TM as the company's first product and achieving great success. Clearly, Dr. Su Sheng chose to develop his career in Alola because of his connection with Director Lusamine. Now, Chairman Rose, who made no contribution to the development of the Pokedex, can control the rights to its distribution. Coincidentally, the husband of Melony, the Ice-type Gym Leader of the Galar region, just passed away..."
The second most upvoted comment was, "When you were 14, you called her Gym Leader; when she was 14, she was already making the Gym Leader call."
Lorelei's beautiful face instantly turned into a 'subway old man' meme.
Wow, the foreshadowing is being paid off, huh?
It can only be said that when something like this happens, netizens all become Sherlock Holmes.
"I was really too careless. I didn't expect that Rose kid to be hiding such a move. Damn it! Damn it!"
Goodshow, sitting across from Lorelei, was still cursing Rose.
He was really angry this time.
Mainly because Goodshow felt that Rose's behavior was too much this time.
The Pokedex is clearly a great invention that can benefit all trainers, no, even benefit people all over the world.
How can you limit it to just two regions?
"I don't think Gym Leader Melony would do such a thing."
Lorelei gave her assessment.
Lorelei had also been paying attention to Melony of the Galar League.
After all, they are both specialized trainers of Ice-type Pokémon.
Melony's strength is quite outstanding among the Galar Gym Leaders, approaching the level of an Elite Four member. (The official said that Melony had tied with Raihan before, but it feels like it was due to type advantage and burst mode.)
Moreover, Lorelei didn't think Melony would do such a thing before the seventh day after her husband's death.
"Anyway, that guy must have used some shady means!"
Goodshow's beard trembled with anger.
"Alas~ It's a pity you're not married, Lorelei... oh wait, even if you were married, it wouldn't work, you don't have a dead husband..."
Goodshow muttered to himself strangely, making Lorelei's face turn black.
What is this old man thinking?
But Lorelei was also a little worried, wouldn't Su Sheng really have that kind of fetish?
After all, Lusamine before also had the widowed attribute.
……
……
The private jet printed with the League logo stopped behind Pallet Town. After Officer Jenny helped clear the way, Goodshow and Lorelei quickly arrived at the Oak laboratory.
Although the visiting media reporters obediently made way, the speed at which they pressed the shutter was more than one notch faster than just now.
The president himself is here; things are getting more and more interesting.
Goodshow was about to knock on the door when he suddenly heard Su Sheng's voice from inside.
"Professor Oak, please sign this contract."
Soon, Professor Oak's exclamation sounded from inside the house:
"Fi-five percent!? Th-that's too much, no, no, I can't accept it..."
Hearing this, Goodshow and Lorelei both looked surprised.
Although there were only two short sentences, they could both guess what Su Sheng and Professor Oak were talking about.
"It's not much. I just need to create the Pokedex, and Professor Oak, you have more to consider."
Su Sheng responded with a smile, "Next, the Pokedex will need to continuously input new Pokémon data. This huge task will depend on you, Professor Oak. I'm just going to be a hands-off shopkeeper."
Originally, the inventor of the Pokedex was Professor Oak, and the Pokémon data currently included in the Pokedex is only limited to a portion of Pokémon from Kanto, Johto, and Alola.
And it doesn't include mythical Pokémon.
If you want to collect the relevant information of the countless Pokémon in this world and enter them into the Pokedex, you still have to rely on Professor Oak and his group of protagonists.
"This..."
Professor Oak was still hesitant.
Because he felt that his contribution to the research and development process was far less than Su Sheng's.
Moreover, researching Pokémon is his job, so he shouldn't do this...
"Hey, Grandpa, just accept it! This is all Brother Sheng's good intentions!"
Gary shouted from the side.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll also help collect the Pokedex data. Just consider it a small side quest before I sit on the champion's throne."
Blue flicked his hair, exuding the air of a try-hard.
"This... then, then okay..."
After Professor Oak agreed, Goodshow knocked on the door.
……
It took more than ten minutes for Goodshow to learn that Su Sheng agreed to cooperate with Rose's Macro Cosmos not because of Melony.
Compared to Goodshow, Lorelei really breathed a sigh of relief.
Of the two colleagues she currently recognizes the most, one is a dragon-type fanatic, and if the other is also a widow-con...
Then Lorelei would really break down.
What kind of teammates are these around me?
But even if Goodshow knew the reason, he couldn't change anything.
Because Rainbow Company, represented by Lusamine, had already signed a contract with Macro Cosmos, represented by Rose.
The distribution rights and mass production will be handled by Macro Cosmos.
Unless Rose relents, after the Pokedex is released in a month, only trainers from Alola and Galar will be able to purchase it.
"Getting that Galar supremacist to let go is no less difficult than Lance switching from Dragon-type to Fairy-type."
Goodshow shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"Dr. Su Sheng, the private jet that Chairman Rose prepared for you has arrived."
Oleana stepped forward and interjected, "Moreover, the thing you wanted, Chairman Rose has already found it."
As a staunch supporter of Rose, Oleana felt that it would be bad for Su Sheng to continue talking with Goodshow like this.
In case Goodshow uses any method to persuade Su Sheng to cancel the cooperation with Macro Cosmos, it would be troublesome.
Although they would have to pay a large sum of money, Rainbow Company is not short of money. With TM as their only product, their position in the business world is getting closer and closer to giants like Devon and Silph.
What's more, Rose doesn't care about that much liquidated damages.
Just in case, it's better to abduct Su Sheng to Galar as soon as possible to completely resolve this matter.
"One of my partner Pokémon went out to play and probably won't be back for two days. Can you wait a bit?"
Su Sheng replied.
"This... okay."
Oleana couldn't urge Su Sheng either. This was a big client that the chairman had instructed her to take care of.
"Um... Chairman Grandpa, a reporter who wants to interview me can't get in. Can you ask Officer Jenny to bring her in?"
At this time, Iono, who had just received a message, pleaded with Goodshow.
Goodshow was stunned. This little girl... the girl who was saved by Joker and then made a video for Su Sheng, right?
"Uh... no, no problem, Leaf, go help out."
Goodshow was a kind old man, and this little girl seemed to have a good relationship with Su Sheng, so he had even less reason to refuse.
But which reporter would leave Su Sheng, a natural traffic magnet, and instead interview this little girl?
……
Soon, a little girl wearing round glasses was led in by the police chief who followed Goodshow to Pallet Town, named "Officer Jenny Leaf."
When they saw the girl, Su Sheng, Erika, and Elm were all stunned.
K, Hu Tao?!
"Hello, Miss Iono, I'm the reporter who contacted you online to interview you. My online name is 'JokerForLife'."
Hu Tao, who entered the door, completely ignored the bigwigs in the room and went straight to Iono.
Hearing Hu Tao's self-declared online name, everyone present, even Blue and others who were younger than Hu Tao, had a strange expression.
The chairman of the League and the Elite Four are here, and you dare to take such an online name? And you said it out loud!?
"Oh, oh, hello, hello..."
Iono, who was accepting an exclusive interview for the first time, was a little nervous.
"I want to ask, what exactly was the situation in Viridian City at that time?"
After finding two small stools in the corner and sitting down, Hu Tao took out a notebook and a pen and began to ask questions.
To be honest, the behavior of two ten-year-old girls looked like a game of house to everyone.
However, many people in the room couldn't help but glance at them.
"Yes, at that time, I saw a rainbow-like light coming from the center of Viridian City. I thought it was so beautiful and wanted to see what was going on. Then, the masked man who used ice started fighting with Ho-Oh."
Iono waved her hands exaggeratedly, recalling the situation at that time.
"Did Joker save you?"
"Yes, yes! He was so amazing. I felt like as soon as they made a move, half the city was swept in. I was blown up by the storm, and then Joker used a strange machine to launch spider silk and pull me back."
Recalling the power shown by Ho-Oh and Pryce, Iono trembled like a chihuahua.
When she talked about "Joker", her face showed gratitude and excitement.
"Chairman, this..."
Officer Jenny Leaf approached Goodshow.
Goodshow made a gesture, signaling not to worry about it for now.
"In your video, many netizens said that they didn't understand why the masked man stopped attacking when he had the advantage. Did you see anything at the scene at the time?"
Hearing Hu Tao's question, Goodshow and Lorelei secretly pricked up their ears.
Because the trick Joker used to deal with the masked man was probably the same trick he used to trip up Lance in the Illusory Forest a few months ago.
"At that time, Joker told me to stand further away, so I didn't see clearly. They seemed to say something, but it was too loud, so I didn't hear clearly. I only saw the masked man throw a Great Ball to Joker, and then they stopped fighting."
To Goodshow's regret, Iono didn't say anything specific.
"One last question,"
Hu Tao looked up and asked:
"Your video was taken down in less than a night. What do you think is the reason?"
Hearing this, the expressions of the League members, led by Goodshow, changed slightly.
"Emmm... I don't know. Anyway, the website's reply to me was 'spreading false information'. I didn't even edit it..."
Iono, who didn't realize the seriousness of the matter, pouted and looked puzzled.
"False information? Heh."
In the impression of Su Sheng and the others, Hu Tao, who had always had a Hinata-like personality, showed a disdainful smile like a cool girl at this moment.
But in the next second, Hu Tao returned to her usual humble and polite attitude. "Thank you for accepting my interview. I wish you all the best in your videos."
"You're welcome. By the way, Hu Tao-chan, which newspaper are you a reporter for?"
Iono asked curiously.
She was about the same age as herself, but she could become a reporter. That's so amazing.
"I'm the administrator and reporter for the Pokémon Forum and the [Joker] fan forum."
Hu Tao replied with a smile, directly confusing Iono.
Hu Tao stuck out her tongue and apologized with her hands in front of her:
"I'm sorry. The main reason is that all the TV stations and media don't accept manuscripts that write good things about Joker. No one wants me, so I can only publish it online. If I don't lie to you, you definitely won't accept my interview."
Iono:……
Kanto is too deep, I want to go back to Paldea!
……
After finally coaxing Iono, the two even added each other's private contact numbers. Hu Tao turned and left.
When she left, she still didn't look at the bigwigs such as Su Sheng, Goodshow, and Professor Oak.
Hmph! The League are all hypocrites!
"Little friend."
Just as Hu Tao was about to push the door open, Goodshow's voice suddenly sounded.
He heard the other party say again: "Joker is a member of Team Rocket."
Hu Tao asked without hesitation: "Who stopped the masked man?"
A simple rhetorical question directly stunned Goodshow.
Before Goodshow used Su Sheng to divert attention, the most common sentence used by Joker fans to refute haters was "Who stopped the masked man".
I have to say that even the haters couldn't find fault with this sentence.
It is said that only actions matter, not intentions.
You don't care what Joker's identity or position is.
Just ask one question - when the masked man was making trouble in Viridian City, who stood up?
……
"That girl... she's a lot more mature than the last time I saw her."
Elm leaned next to Su Sheng and complained in a low voice.
"She probably hasn't been idle during this time."
Su Sheng watched Hu Tao's quickly leaving back, wondering what he was thinking.
"Is it okay for that child to be like this? Will there be any danger?"
Erika couldn't help but say.
To be honest, Dama Lanqi is a genuinely nice guy. If it were a petty leader instead, who knows what they would do after being confronted by a kid like that.
Yishu looked at Lihua, feeling embarrassed.
Damn, you're actually worried about your love rival's safety?
Buzz～ Buzz～ Buzz～
At that moment, Dama Lanqi's assistant handed him his phone. "Chairman, it's a call from Chengdu."
Dama Lanqi sighed, temporarily forgetting what Hu Tao had just said, and took the phone. "Hello, it's me..."
Five seconds later, Dama Lanqi's face changed drastically, as if he had witnessed the end of the world. He shouted, "What did you say!?"
......
......
Time rewinds to ten minutes earlier, Goldenrod City, Chengdu region.
Speaking of which, this city has quite the connection with Su Sheng.
The Goldenrod train incident, which thoroughly established the name "Joker," happened here.
It was also here that he first met Yishu, Hu Tao, and the future Gym Leader, Akane.
But in reality, this city has another famous "attraction" - the largest Pokémon research headquarters in the Chengdu region!
And in a dark alley across the street from the research headquarters building.
A girl wearing a hood, covering the upper half of her face, looking like she walked straight out of the 《Assassin's Creed》 set, coldly stared at the research building across the street.
Judging from her build, she should be in the same age group as Hu Tao and Qishu.
Suddenly, the girl threw out a Poké Ball.
From it flew out, surprisingly, the Hoenn pseudo-legendary Salamence!
The girl coldly said: "Salamence, eliminate anyone who gets close!"
Hearing its master's order, the Blood-Winged Pokémon soared high into the sky.
And the girl really seemed like Altaïr, Ezio, or Kassandra, pulling down the hood on her head, completely covering the upper half of her face, and then quickly crossed the road, heading straight for the research building.
"Hey! Who are you?"
"This area is off-limits!"
The security guards responsible for guarding the place immediately noticed her, and quickly stepped forward to try to stop her.
"Aggron."
The girl coldly uttered three words.
"Roar!"
A Dragon Pokémon resembling a Tyrannosaurus Rex jumped out of the ball on its own, opening its bloody mouth, its fangs overflowing with dark energy.
Crunch!
"Crack crack crack!"
The iron gate in front of the main entrance was bitten into pieces like a cookie!
The security guards' faces changed drastically.
This wasn't just simple troublemaking, but a proper act of terrorism!
"Go! Hitmontop!"
"Mightyena, go stop that guy!"
"Hurry, go notify the director!"
Facing the large number of Pokémon rushing up, the girl coldly spoke again: "Goodra, Altaria."
Bang～ Bang～
Two more dragons jumped out of the ball!
The three dragons surged forward together, like wolves entering a flock of sheep, slaughtering the security guards' Pokémon and causing them to lose their helmets and armor.
"Noivern!"
The girl, who had reached the main entrance, threw out her last Poké Ball.
That was... Noivern!
The only Noivern that escaped from the Burial Tower before!
"Dragon Pulse!"
The girl shouted loudly.
Facing the building bearing the League's logo, Noivern opened its mouth and unleashed a Dragon-type shockwave.
Rumble!
In an instant, the entire building shook violently.
Countless researchers in white coats in the building had drastic changes in their expressions.
Wh, what's going on!?
"Dragon God, we're here to save you!"
The girl jumped onto Noivern's back.
She had already seen it, the Sky Dragon imprisoned in the deepest part of the top floor!
And in a park outside the building.
"I'm so tired from playing, it's about time to go find Dad and them."
A boy covered in mud, about the same age as Satoshi and Shigeru, said to another girl wearing a western-style dress, resembling a little princess, estimated to be around 5 years old.
"Yeah!"
The girl nodded.
Just as the two were preparing to go to the research building to find their parents.
Salamence, patrolling in the high sky, discovered them!
The second chapter is presented, I have to go out again tomorrow, and if there are no accidents, I have to go out again the day after tomorrow... Damn... I will try my best to maintain more than 10,000 words a day, of course, please understand if there are accidents.
