Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 70: Beware of Asahi's Tricks

"Happiny, use Charming Voice!"

"Mudkip, don't be afraid—Water Gun, now!"

"Happy~!"

Happiny let out an adorable cry, attempting to deal special damage to Mudkip.

"Yee!"

Mudkip planted its four legs firmly on the ground, eyes full of determination. Enduring the Charming Voice, it countered with a powerful Water Gun!

Boom!

With a cry of distress, Happiny was sent flying.

Seeing this, Green quickly raised her hand. "I surrender..."

Originally, she had hoped to win at least once by battling with low-level Pokémon against Asahi.

But reality was cruel.

Mudkip wagged its tail as it trotted back to Asahi. He chuckled and gave it a gentle pat on the head.

Happiny wasn't badly hurt—first, Mudkip wasn't high-leveled yet, and second, it had held back its strength.

A simple dose of Verdant Force from Asahi was enough to fully heal Happiny.

The moment Asahi's Verdant Force touched Happiny, it shivered with delight.

It looked at Asahi, then at the round stone in its arms. After some hesitation, it slowly extended the oval-shaped stone toward him.

The round stone in Happiny's arms was her most treasured possession—something she would only give to someone she truly liked.

But…

"Are you giving this to me?"

Asahi smiled as he took the stone from Happiny's hands, pretending to put it in his bag.

Happiny's version of 'giving' wasn't literal. She was letting him hold it for a moment, not actually gifting it permanently.

So, when she saw Asahi really about to take it away, her eyes turned red, on the verge of tears.

Seeing her reaction, Asahi couldn't help but chuckle mischievously—this felt like teasing a little kid.

He handed the stone back, and Happiny clutched it tightly, immediately running back to Green, keeping a safe distance from the "bad guy" who almost stole her treasure.

"Next time, I'll give you an even better one," Asahi waved playfully.

But Happiny held onto her stone even tighter, refusing to listen. She looked adorably stubborn.

Asahi sighed—he wasn't even lying!

Turning to Green, he smirked. "Wanna battle again? I'll use Magikarp!"

Green hesitated.

Everyone knew that Magikarp was one of the weakest Pokémon in existence.

If Asahi only used Magikarp… maybe she could actually win?

Just as she was about to agree, she saw the sly smile on Asahi's face.

—Wait.

—She knew this trick.

Beware of the Asahi Scam!

After spending so much time with him, she knew better.

There was no way he would just hand her a free win.

Seeing Green refuse to take the bait, Asahi sighed in disappointment.

His golden Magikarp was so close to evolving. If Green had agreed, Gyarados might've been born today.

He patted the Magikarp flopping on the ground.

"C'mon, you gotta put in some effort too."

Magikarp spat a bubble in response, as if to say, "Got it."

…But looking at its lifeless flopping, Asahi had serious doubts.

"Maybe I should just… kick it into evolving?"

Magikarp shivered for no reason.

---

Vermilion City Weather Research Institute

The institute specialized in oceanic weather research, providing storm warnings for ships.

It also happened to be the temporary office of Professor Sakuragi.

At this moment, Professor Sakuragi sat at his desk, looking frustrated.

Even though he had achieved his dream of becoming a Pokémon Professor, he was still struggling to establish his own research lab.

Pokémon research was expensive.

Unlike his mentor Professor Oak, who had unlimited funding, or Bill, who invented Pokémon storage tech and made a fortune in royalties, Sakuragi had to rely on sponsorships.

He recalculated his available funds multiple times.

"No matter how I crunch the numbers… it's not enough!"

Building a lab wasn't just about buying a building—he also needed to purchase expensive research equipment.

Especially since his research required high computing power, the costs were astronomical.

At this rate, it would take another three to four years before he could even start construction.

But how many three to four years did a researcher have?

Just as he was stressing out, a knock came from the door.

His assistant, Kikuna, entered.

"Professor, someone's here to see you. A Trainer named Asahi—he says Professor Oak introduced him."

"Professor Oak… Asahi…?"

Sakuragi thought for a moment before his eyes lit up.

"Right! I remember now! Bring him in—no, actually, I'll go meet him myself!"

---

Meeting Professor Sakuragi

Green and Asahi sat in the waiting area.

Green glanced around the research facility curiously. "So who is this Sakuragi guy?"

Asahi had dragged her here right after lunch, and she was curious why this meeting was so important.

"Professor Sakuragi? He's one of Professor Oak's students."

"Originally, I was gonna ask him for help investigating Vermilion City… but turns out Lt. Surge was too dumb to cover his tracks, so I didn't need to bother."

Hearing Asahi call Lt. Surge "not too bright," Green couldn't help but giggle.

At that moment, Kikuna returned, following behind a man.

"You must be Asahi! Professor Oak told me you'd be visiting soon," Sakuragi greeted with a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Professor Sakuragi. This is my partner, Green."

After introductions, they moved to Sakuragi's office.

Once seated, Sakuragi got straight to the point.

"Professor Oak said you needed my help, but he didn't tell me why. What can I do for you?"

Seeing Sakuragi's confusion, Asahi hesitated.

"Wait… Professor Oak didn't tell you my identity?"

Professor Oak had a strong sense of confidentiality, but Asahi hadn't expected him to keep his identity secret even from his own student.

Sakuragi shook his head. "No… Identity? What identity?"

All Oak told him was that Asahi was a researcher.

Since everyone in the room was trustworthy, Asahi decided not to hide it.

He took out his badge.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly—Asahi, International Police, Inspector."

Since his new ID hadn't arrived yet, he was still technically just an Inspector.

Even so, both Sakuragi and Kikuna looked shocked.

A young International Police officer—already an Inspector?

"So… what do you need my help with?"

Sakuragi secretly hoped it was research-related. If it was combat-related, he was completely useless.

However, Asahi shook his head.

"Actually, I don't need your help anymore."

"…Huh?" Kikuna frowned. "Why not?"

Hadn't they just started talking?

"Because the problem is already solved," Asahi grinned. "Didn't you see the news yesterday?"

"Yesterday's news…?"

Sakuragi and Kikuna thought for a moment.

"Wait, you mean… Lt. Surge?!"

They both looked at Asahi in shock.

"That was your doing?"

The news said hundreds of Team Rocket members were arrested. If Asahi was behind it, that meant he was far more dangerous than they had imagined.

But a new question arose—

"If that case is closed… why are you here?"

Asahi leaned forward.

"I heard from Professor Oak that you're struggling to fund your research lab. Do you still need financial support?"

"I am here on behalf of the International Police's Kanto Division—to officially invite you to become our advisor!"

"If you accept, we will provide the remaining funds needed to complete your research facility."

"What do you think, Professor Sakuragi?"

This decision wasn't made on a whim—before coming, Asahi had already called Lance to apply for a special operations budget.

With the previous agents missing, the Kanto Division was now just Asahi and Green, with Lance overseeing things but not actively involved.

They needed strong analytical support.

Right now, Asahi was able to solve cases on his own.

But what if he faced an even bigger enemy next time?

Sakuragi was a genius at data analysis. He had predicted Lugia's arrival based on weather patterns—if he could analyze Legendary Pokémon, he could definitely analyze criminals.

Asahi was convinced—Sakuragi was exactly what the Kanto Division needed.

Hearing the offer, Sakuragi hesitated.

The deal was tempting—accepting meant no more funding issues.

But working for the International Police was dangerous.

The massive Rocket takedown yesterday was proof of that.

According to his sources, Asahi had captured hundreds of Rocket members in a single night.

Was this worth the risk?

"I need some time to think about it," Sakuragi finally said.

Asahi smiled.

He had already prepared more bargaining chips.

***

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