Kenji wore simple clothes, carrying a backpack, indeed looking like he was about to go on an adventure.
"Why are you dressed like that, Natsuhiko?" Kenji exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Natsuhiko's appearance.
"Something happened yesterday, didn't have time to change." Natsuhiko was not very concerned about his attire.
"And your Weedle, why... why has it grown so much?"
Pointing to the Weedle on his shoulder, he gestured exaggeratedly.
"It ate too much."
Not wanting to talk too much about the Weedle's transformation, he directly walked towards the door.
"Ate too much?"
Kenji had an expression of disbelief.
But he quickly followed.
A luxurious car was parked at the door, the back door wide open.
Before Natsuhiko could react, Kenji swiftly got into the car, waving to Natsuhiko outside, "What are you waiting for? Get in the car."
Natsuhiko pursed his lips.
He knew Kenji's family was wealthy, but didn't expect them to be this wealthy, the car must be worth several million alliance currency, right?
Compared to him, Natsuhiko's hard-earned salary seemed insignificant.
After a slight hesitation, he got into the car.
Once inside, Weedle curiously inspected the interior of the car, sniffing here and there, touching everything, it was its first time riding any transportation beyond buses and foot travel.
"Uncle Fu, let's go to the store first." Kenji instructed.
"Alright, young master."
The elderly man with graying hair, dressed in a butler's attire, sitting in the passenger seat, turned and answered with a smile.
The car started smoothly.
"Aren't we going to Dense Wood Forest?" Natsuhiko asked.
Kenji glanced over, slightly disdainful, "If you go dressed like that, you'll be despised by my classmates, let's get you changed first."
The car drove steadily but didn't slow down.
Soon.
It stopped outside a luxurious store.
The store was located in the most bustling area of Goldenrod City, the storefront was quite large, and its decor couldn't simply be described as "luxurious."
"Sato Clothing."
The large sign hung simply yet elegantly above the entrance.
Natsuhiko stood silently at the door.
"We don't have much time, don't just stand there, come inside quickly." Kenji strode in, calling out to Natsuhiko.
Indeed, anyone who could be a member of the Silver Pokémon Battle Club was no ordinary person, this single store was enough to affirm the wealth of Kenji's family.
Having spent a few days in Goldenrod City, Natsuhiko had a decent understanding of the place; "Sato Clothing" was one of the top clothing companies in Goldenrod City, with assets worth billions if not tens of billions of alliance currency.
He clicked his tongue.
Walked in.
Apparently, Rocket Team's control over the Silver Pokémon Battle Club wasn't just for providing Pokémon data to Silver Company, perhaps it also maintained connections or even cooperated with these large and small companies and families of Goldenrod City?
"Come on, everyone, help my buddy here change clothes, we're short on time, I only have one requirement, he must look cool!" Kenji clapped his hands, skillfully directing the store's staff.
Upon hearing his command, the staff immediately sprang into action.
Natsuhiko just stood there being manipulated, like a marionette, without uttering a word.
Whether in his past life or this one, it was his first time experiencing such treatment.
Since Kenji said time was limited, the staff moved extremely swiftly.
Upon leaving, Kenji had a satisfied look, and Natsuhiko's appearance had undergone a drastic change.
A tight-fitting black inner layer was complemented by a slightly fashionable gold necklace, outside was a black stylish blazer adorned with various sized accessories, paired with tapered but unrestrictive trousers, and a pair of exquisite leather shoes.
In addition, he was forced to wear a decorative ring on the index finger of his left hand.
He also held a small black fedora.
Combined with his original short black hair, and his features which appeared more defined after alleviating some malnutrition.
At first glance, he didn't really resemble someone who recently struggled to survive as a lower-class resident of Goldenrod City.
Weedle remained on Natsuhiko's shoulder.
Observing Natsuhiko's transformation, it couldn't contain its surprise.
Natsuhiko's change in attire made him seem like a completely different person.
The store's staff were clearly very experienced, accurately following Kenji's instruction, resulting in one word: Cool.
Back in the car.
Kenji crossed his arms, scrutinizing Natsuhiko, couldn't help clicking his tongue, "Tsk tsk... I guess clothes do make the man, changing outfits really gives a completely different vibe, coupled with your aloof demeanor, definitely a lady killer."
Natsuhiko glared at him.
What use is dressing so well?
It only attracts unnecessary attention and gaze, without any real benefit.
"So you're the young master of the Sato family, Sato Kenji." Natsuhiko said.
The Sato family probably wasn't a minor presence among the members of the Silver Pokémon Battle Club, right?
Kenji waved his hand, "Initially wanted to interact with you as just an ordinary person, but now there's no choice, have to be upfront..."
Natsuhiko: "..."
This line sounds quite familiar.
"It's fine, don't worry, just be yourself, my goal is to become an excellent Pokémon Trainer, most family matters are handled by my dad and elder brother, in others' eyes I'm... oh, right. Just a spoiled brat, sometimes even called worthless."
Kenji had a nonchalant expression.
Natsuhiko completely agreed.
If he could swap identities with Kenji, he would also gladly be just a spoiled brat, enjoying a laid-back life of eating and idling, isn't that great?
Some people are born at the summit of life, while he, as a lower class, needed to work hard and even fight tirelessly to survive.
Thinking about this, his fists clenched involuntarily.
His mind flashed with the red "R" embroidered on Lotto's supervisor's clothes.
Rocket Team, similar to the League, the only difference might be that the League masks the competitive conditions, while Rocket Team displays them openly.
But whether Rocket Team or the League, as long as they can provide him resources, that's all that matters.
He needs to survive, get stronger, and completely shed the "lower class" identity.
Be it the League or Rocket Team, in his eyes they're two ladders, allowing him to grab onto some leverage and climb up gradually.
The car interior fell into a rare silence.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Kenji's "Uncle Fu" watched Natsuhiko through the rearview mirror, silently observing him.
Soon the car took them to the outskirts of Goldenrod City, reaching the outskirts of Dense Wood Forest.
The arrival of Kenji and Natsuhiko didn't cause much stir.
Beside each student stood someone similar to Natsuhiko, those allowed by the school to accompany them into Dense Wood Forest, ensuring each student's safety.
Under the teacher's arrangement, students hurriedly rushed into the forest like wild horses, eager to start their "adventure."
——————
There will be another update later, it might be slightly delayed.