Meanwhile, in Viridian City Police Department—
"I apologize, Chairman Rose. We've caused you alarm."
A Jenny offered a cup of tea to a middle-aged man with a deeply apologetic tone.
Indeed, that man was none other than the Galar League Chairman—Rose, visiting the Kanto region.
"No worries. No need to apologize, Officer Jenny."
Rose gave a warm, mature smile to ease the guilt in Jenny's heart.
"No, it's unacceptable. You came all the way from Galar for a diplomatic visit, and you had to go through something like this. I'm terribly ashamed.
But rest assured—we've already increased police presence and are doing everything we can to track down those hunters."
Jenny straightened up, her cold and professional demeanor unshaken, promising full cooperation.
"Who would've thought a group of hunters would be so brazen… daring to act so openly near Viridian City. You have my respect."
Rose's deep, charming eyes remained gentle.
Even after being attacked, he remained calm and composed.
Of course, that was just the surface.
"Chairman, what now? The 'gift' we prepared in advance has escaped."
After Jenny left, his aide leaned in, speaking softly with concern.
"Contact Oleana. Have her reconnect with the hunter organization and see if there are any other high-potential Pokémon available."
Rose's expression darkened as thoughts ran through his mind. He finally gave his order in a low voice.
He hadn't expected this.
After visiting Chairman Logi, he had requested permission to "travel" around Kanto.
And yet the moment he arrived in Viridian City, this happened.
"Yes, sir."
The aide nodded.
"Those arrogant, greedy hunters… they've gotten too bold. The price was already agreed upon, and they dared to raise it at the last second."
The aide couldn't help but voice his anger.
If the hunters hadn't tried to renegotiate the deal last minute, there would've been no conflict.
Now, not only had they lost the 'gift,' but they'd also drawn attention from the police.
"Hunters are always like that—greedy and shameless. Have Oleana intensify the cleanup of hunter activity within Galar."
Rose's tone grew cold.
If he didn't have to, he wouldn't even touch those filthy hunter groups.
But when you need high-potential Pokémon in a short time, where else can you go?
If you want efficiency, you go to the pros—even if they're criminals.
No matter what, the situation had reached this point. He had to complete his mission in Kanto.
Rose looked out the window.
Galar cannot be without Eternatus. No matter what, I'll find the Rocket member who took it.
------------------------------------------------------
By the crystal-clear stream, sparkling in the sunlight, Yellow gently dipped a white handkerchief in the water and wiped her face.
Afterward, she carefully washed and rinsed the cloth.
"Thank you, big brother. I've cleaned your handkerchief for you."
She walked up to Lucas and handed over the spotless cloth with a soft smile.
"That's already the fourth time. You don't need to be so polite."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, unable to resist teasing this blonde girl, whose clothes were plain but whose aura was pure and gentle.
Even though he'd said it many times already, she continued to show sincere gratitude.
"The way you act, you make me feel like some guy using this chance to trap you into owing me a favor."
As he looked at her blushing, speechless face, Lucas added another light jab.
From the side, Marnie—who was busy cooking a stew—glanced over with a deadpan expression and rolled her eyes.
Aren't you exactly that kind of guy?
Marnie silently muttered. She'd already figured out that the frail-looking girl was the Yellow Lucas had been searching for.
"Ah? N-no, I never thought that way!"
Yellow panicked, waving her hands.
She was simply full of gratitude and didn't know how else to express it besides repeating it aloud.
"Alright, I get it. Come, have a seat."
Lucas smiled, gesturing for her to sit.
Perhaps because he understood Yellow's uniqueness, he shed his usual arrogance and instead seemed approachable and kind—like a warm and funny older brother.
Yellow bit her lip and sat shyly on the grass.
"No need to be so nervous. You don't meet strangers often?"
"Yes… I've lived here my whole life. The village is small, and not many trainers come by."
She answered softly.
Though Viridian Forest was a famous place for trainers, the forest was massive.
Her village sat in a remote corner, and compared to the bustling Viridian City, it was no contest where adventurers would choose.
"That won't do. Even if you're young, you'll need confidence and boldness if you want to see the world."
Lucas encouraged her with a gentle laugh. Right now, Yellow was like a blank canvas—untouched, full of potential.
"Mm. I understand…"
Her eyes dimmed slightly. At sixteen, she naturally longed to see the beauty of the world.
But reality was harsh. Even daily life was difficult. How could she afford to travel?
She sometimes fished just to get by—she didn't even have the funds to start a journey.
After all, you need Poké Balls to begin an adventure, and even that was too expensive for her.
So, she never had the courage to leave Viridian Forest.
"Come to think of it, you brought me good luck earlier. If I hadn't met you, I might never have encountered that Arbok."
Seeing her mood, Lucas smiled and took out Arbok's Poké Ball, showing it to her.
Yellow was the biggest surprise today—but catching that Arbok wasn't bad either.
"That's because big brother is strong. But… that Arbok isn't native to this forest."
Yellow blinked her clear eyes, envy glimmering in them, but then added thoughtfully:
"Oh?"
Lucas was intrigued.
"Its aura feels unfamiliar. And I could sense its anger and wariness."
Yellow shook her head.
Born here, she was intimately familiar with the local Pokémon.
With her connection to the Viridian Force, she could feel Arbok's intense anger and defensive mindset—classic signs of being in an unfamiliar place.
"So, it's not native… Maybe it migrated? Or was driven out?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow. He didn't doubt her. She knew this forest far too well.
Since she said it wasn't native, then it wasn't.
But Pokémon migration or territory disputes were common. He didn't dwell on it.
Now that Arbok was his Pokémon, he'd find time to bond with it.
Too bad his Dragon Power only worked on dragon-types. If only he could speak to all Pokémon…
Setting the matter aside, Marnie had finished cooking. After Lucas's repeated invitations, Yellow shyly stayed for the meal.
Marnie's cooking wasn't amazing, but it was definitely better than dried bread or rations.
Lucas? He couldn't cook to save his life...
Chatting while eating, time passed quickly.
"Yellow, how old are you now?"
After swallowing the last bite of food, Lucas turned to Yellow and asked.
"Huh? I'm already sixteen this year," Yellow replied in surprise, then answered honestly.
"Sixteen? You really don't look like it at all…"
Marnie looked her up and down in astonishment after hearing that. With her slender frame and babyish face, she looked no older than fourteen at best.
"…But I really am already an adult…"
Under Marnie's strange gaze, Yellow's face flushed slightly as she mumbled quietly.
She knew her appearance often gave people the impression that she was younger than she actually was, but there wasn't much she could do about it…
Lucas shot a glance at Marnie. Saying Yellow looked young—honestly, you weren't all that different yourself.
He shrugged. Marnie's figure was also quite petite. It was just that her usual cold and expressionless demeanor made her seem unapproachable, so people tended to overlook her actual appearance.
"Then why haven't you gone on a journey yet? You don't want to be a Trainer?"
Marnie tilted her head and asked curiously, not noticing Lucas's somewhat rude comparison.
"Um…" Yellow's expression dimmed slightly, and she hesitated to speak.
"Ah… I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it."
Marnie was a smart girl. After glancing at Yellow's worn-out clothes, she instantly realized the reason and apologized.
So, it was because of life circumstances…
Marnie looked at the disheartened Yellow. At an age when one should be chasing dreams, she had to be held back by the harshness of reality.
A girl like Yellow… must feel quite bitter inside, right?
"It's okay. But when I've saved up enough money, I think I'd like to travel the world too."
Yellow gave a bright smile. She was originally just a simple, innocent girl. Though she was disappointed, she hadn't given up.
After all, she was still young, wasn't she?
"What a beautiful thought~"
Lucas couldn't help but sigh with emotion at her words. She hadn't complained about the heavens or anyone else, nor had she allowed herself to wallow in despair.
This—this was a truly precious attitude toward life.
"Yellow, do you know what the greatest meaning of traveling is?"
After a moment of contemplation, Lucas smiled and asked Yellow.
She blinked her clear, innocent eyes and looked at him in confusion.
"Since childhood, everyone has had all kinds of dreams. And youth itself… is a process of chasing after those dreams."
"Adventure, encounters—these are the most enriching aspects of traveling. For most people, a dream is just that—a dream. There are so many people in this world, but how many can actually realize theirs?"
"But the act of chasing a dream… that is something ingrained deep within us. Even if there are countless hardships and obstacles ahead, the path of dreams is still filled with joy."
Lucas's voice was calm and unhurried, not loud, yet each word rang clearly in Yellow's ears.
"Happiness, pain, bitterness, and bliss—these are the experiences that can only truly be felt while on the road. And these experiences… are also the memories we treasure the most in our hearts."
He gently raised his right hand and placed it over his heart, meeting Yellow's eyes, which were now beginning to ripple with emotion.
"A dream, huh…"
Yellow bit her lower lip lightly with her teeth. She could feel her heart beating faster than it ever had before.
Yes… a dream…
"Even if you fail in the end and fall short of the ideal you imagined, isn't that kind of regret also a form of perfection in itself? The ending and the journey—even if the ending is unsatisfactory…"
"…the brilliance of the journey remains dazzling and radiant."
"Yellow, weren't you the one chosen by the Viridian Forest?"
Lucas continued slowly. That's right—he was persuading Yellow to gather her courage and step out of the forest!
He had seen her potential. But potential was still only potential. What Yellow needed was time to grow and experience the world. Only after she had matured would she become the reliable companion Lucas was looking for.
"Ah… I don't know…"
Yellow shook her head in confusion at his words. "Chosen by the Viridian Forest"? She didn't even understand what that meant.
"You're special. You were born with a rare and precious power gifted by nature. Compared to ordinary people, you have even more reason to face your true self."
Lucas gave a soft chuckle and glanced at Marnie.
Marnie blinked once—then immediately understood what Lucas meant. She reached into her backpack and took out six empty Poké Balls.
"A special person like you shouldn't be buried in this forest. Head out into the vast world. That is your true stage."
Lucas handed the six empty Poké Balls to Yellow, smiling as he spoke.
Yes—Yellow was someone chosen by the world!
Her future should not be confined to the small Viridian Forest. She deserved a far more exciting life.
"I…"
Yellow looked down at the Poké Balls in her hands, her lips pressed tightly together. Lucas's words still echoed vividly in her ears. Her eyes slowly grew misty, and her tear ducts felt a stinging soreness like never before.
(End of Chapter)