Chapter 40: It's "Toxic"!
Chapter 40: It's "Toxic"!
Splosh—
At the Scorching Heat Gym, Yuzhi, who was reading a report, suddenly spat out the hot milk with sugar he was drinking, splattering Mura's face across the table.
Mura's eyes widened in shock, and veins popped out on his forehead.
Hahaha—this kid.
But Yuzhi, seemingly oblivious to Mura's reaction, burst into laughter.
Mura glanced at the paper in Yuzhi's hand and asked, "An expense report? Are you in charge of finances now?"
"No, Bonnie is."
Mura let out a long sigh of relief.
Back when he was still part of the Elite Four, one of his main responsibilities was managing the finances. He was a meticulous and serious person, and Yuzhi often argued with him over expense reports.
If Yuzhi were in charge of the Hoenn League's finances, Mura would have thought the future of the Hoenn League was bleak.
"The Chairman doesn't let me touch these things," Yuzhi said, setting down the form and taking another sip of his hot milk with sugar.
Mura gave him a deep, meaningful look.
"The Chairman is right."
Who didn't know Yuzhi's nickname among the league's upper echelons—King of Expense Reports?
"What do you know?" Yuzhi shot back, his eyes narrowing.
"Our investigators don't have it easy. You have no idea what they witness every day."
"Take this Houndoom, for example. It ended up like this for no reason. Isn't it pitiful? If we don't apply for more subsidies, there's no telling if it will be able to survive in the wild again."
Mura was silent.
Of course, he knew. After working together for decades, how could he not know Yuzhi's character?
Furthermore, being an investigator for the league was one of the most challenging jobs. They were always busy and saw things that most people never encountered.
So, when he managed the league's finances, though Yuzhi's expense reports were always exaggerated, he never truly cut the funds or supplies requested.
"Print 50 copies of this expense report."
Yuzhi handed the form to a subordinate dressed in a sailor outfit.
"Fill them out according to this format from now on."
"Yes, Elite Yuzhi!"
The autumn field trip that Jing He had been a bit worried about finally came to an end.
Although an incident with Houndoom occurred, the impact was minimal. Instead, it gave him a side gig, providing an additional source of income.
After signing off on the final attendance sheet, Jing He and a few other teachers watched as the students left one by one.
Some rode on Pidgeys, chattering and flying away, others rode on Rapidashes, trailing sparks behind them, and a few others rode on Rhyhorns, which didn't seem much faster than walking.
Speaking of which, once Gastly evolves into Haunter, it could probably ride on that Alolan Grimer and carry Aserolla in the air.
Seemingly sensing his "malice," Gastly let out a startled cry.
Chak Chak!
What kind of look is that? So unscrupulous?
"Cough, no, just thought of something funny."
After the students had left, Jing He returned home with Gastly.
When they arrived, they found a large, orange Pokemon sitting on the old flower bed by the stairs, its short arms propped up on its head, looking utterly bored.
Blub!
Pfft!
Dragonite!
It was none other than the near-legendary Pokemon from the Kanto region, Dragonite!
If it weren't for the old and remote location of Jing He's neighborhood, Dragonite's appearance would have surely drawn a crowd.
Dragonite, noticing Jing He, perked up and rummaged through the backpack slung over its shoulder.
Finally, it pulled out a wrinkled photograph, smoothing it out with its chubby claws and comparing it to Jing He.
Boo—
It's him, no doubt.
Dragonite stood up and trotted over to Jing He, rummaging through its backpack again and pulling out a package.
"Is this for me?" Jing He asked.
Boo—
Dragonite nodded.
Jing He glanced at the information on the package, a look of realization crossing his face.
So, it was his reimbursement application that had finally come through.
He hadn't expected it to be so quick.
As he took the package, he gave the Dragonite a few energy blocks as a token of gratitude.
This gesture completely dispelled the Dragonite's frustration for having waited, and it happily gobbled up the energy blocks.
Dragonite: Nod
Waving at Jing He, the Dragonite flapped its wings and quickly took off.
"True to form, the League and Dragon-type Champion uses a Dragonite even for delivering packages," Jing He mused, watching the Dragonite rapidly disappear into the distance.
However, Gastly was a bit confused.
Gastly: Gastly?
How could it fly so fast with those tiny wings?
"Uh."
That was a tricky question to answer, so Jing He changed the subject.
"Come on, let's open the package!"
Gastly: Gastly!
Sure enough, Gastly's attention was immediately diverted.
New phone! New phone! New phone!
He excitedly ran upstairs.
Despite its small size, the package seemed to have used spatial technology, containing boxes of energy blocks, crates of MooMoo Milk, various berries, herbs, and Poke Balls. The table couldn't hold everything, so they were spread out on the floor.
Gastly: Gastly—Gastly—
Gastly rolled around on the energy blocks and MooMoo Milk, clutching a brand new phone.
Gastly: (▽)
Jing He also opened his new phone and logged into his League account.
First, he checked his paper.
The heat around his published paper had started to cool down, but it was still among the top.
Next, he skimmed through other papers.
He wanted to gauge the current trends in Pokemon research and, while his first paper was still hot, write another one. If the League decided to award him a researcher's certificate, he wouldn't have to go through the registration process as a trainer.
As he read, he casually asked:
"Gastly, do you like training? Do you like battling?"
Gastly: Gastly?
Gastly, who was lying on the ground, paused and looked at Jing He curiously, but the phone blocked his view, so he couldn't see Jing He's eyes.
This was a question Jing He had wanted to ask for a long time.
Back when he first caught Gastly, he started training it.
Partly because of the pressure from the "stalker," and partly because he subconsciously believed that Pokemon were meant to train and battle.
But after spending so many days with Gastly, he realized he had never asked for its opinion.
After the Torchic incident, Jing He became more aware that some Pokemon are very simple and just enjoy the happiness of being with their family and friends.
Gastly, holding a bottle of MooMoo Milk, floated in front of Jing He, its mist forming a hand that gently touched his forehead.
Gastly: Gastly?
No fever, is it that time of the month?
Jing He's expression darkened.
Gastly: Gastly—Gastly—
Gastly laughed, patting Jing He's shoulder and looking up at a 45-degree angle.
With such extraordinary talent, am I supposed to stay at home and inhale gas all day? Think bigger, our goal is—
Jing He didn't respond, but he understood Gastly's meaning.
He took a deep breath.
"Alright, then we'll stick to the original plan. Double the training tomorrow!"
Gastly: Gastly, Gastly?!
Gastly looked shocked.
Why did it feel like it had been tricked into this?
Jing He laughed.
Gastly: Gastly!!
Seeing him laugh so happily, Gastly felt a surge of irritation and instantly expanded, pouncing on Jing He.
Bang!
Man and Pokemon tumbled to the ground.
"No! No licking! It's 'Toxic,' this time it's 'Toxic'!"
(End of Chapter)
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