Agatha briefly recounted the situation to Uncle Liu.
After listening, Uncle Liu was able to fill in some details himself.
His gaze towards Natsuhiko changed once again.
Originally, among the younger generation, he favored the two kids from the Dragon Taming Race and that girl from the Orange Islands who is also into ice types.
Now, Natsuhiko's demonstrated command abilities on the field and his rich Pokémon knowledge barely caught his attention.
He can't compare with Lance and Kona, but he is indeed a promising newcomer.
A Trainer is a profession that encompasses a lot of factors.
The main aspects are character, knowledge, and resources.
Within knowledge, there are foundational Pokémon knowledge, breeding knowledge, training knowledge, and battle knowledge, among others.
With just this preliminary understanding, Uncle Liu can tell from Natsuhiko's mention of the "Blazing Energy Block" and his coordination with Agatha's Haunter that Natsuhiko's abilities in foundational Pokémon knowledge, breeding knowledge, and battle knowledge are quite decent.
He even helped Agatha handle such a significant problem. His character isn't perfect but it's not poor either.
What's lacking is resources.
However, this doesn't prevent Uncle Liu and Agatha from seeing Natsuhiko in a new light.
"Not bad," Uncle Liu praised.
Natsuhiko smiled awkwardly.
Being noticed by Uncle Liu and Agatha is no bad thing for him, at least he didn't leave a bad impression on these two prominent figures.
Natsuhiko doesn't quite like the alliance's system.
From his perspective, for ordinary Trainers like him, or even those below the ordinary level, the alliance's system is deeply flawed.
However, for those Trainers closely affiliated with the alliance, they might think the system is excellent.
These are different opinions from different perspectives.
Natsuhiko won't criticize, nor will he rashly think about overthrowing such policies and systems.
After all, if even the Rocket Team couldn't do it, and Giovanni couldn't completely shake it, how could a small "newcomer Trainer" like him?
Why bother?
Thinking this far ahead, you either have grand ambitions or a brain full of crap.
His current goal is very clear and simple; it's what he's been adhering to ever since arriving in this world.
Gaining benefits is the most important thing.
Of course.
Whether he will change in the future depends on how his strength and social status change.
But as of now, he's lacking in resources.
A massive amount of resources.
So establishing some connections with Uncle Liu and Agatha could offer him some benefits, more or less.
"About that... Elite Trainer Agatha, Celestial King Liu Bo, can I exchange the last Evolution Stone for something else?" Natsuhiko hesitantly asked.
"What do you want to exchange for?" Agatha raised an eyebrow, asking in return.
"Equivalent knowledge, like some insights or notes written by Breeders, or exchange for a Technique Secret Manual for Pokémon."
It's one thing to earn resources, but there are some things that the alliance keeps tightly in hand, unavailable for purchase at any cost.
Anyway, a portion of the money earned would be used to purchase knowledge and manuals, so it's better to directly obtain rarer, less available ones from the alliance.
"I thought you would want to exchange for a Pokémon," Agatha teased a bit.
The Pokémon released by the alliance are mostly excellent.
Natsuhiko had also considered this option.
But to be honest, he's already reaching his limit with training three Pokémon. Any more would considerably slow down his training progress.
Moreover, an intermediate grade Evolution Stone is unlikely to be exchangeable for the alliance's best batch of Pokémon, such as the top-quality Starter Trio.
If he can't exchange for that, it's better not to exchange at all.
Focus on nurturing his current three Pokémon diligently.
Accumulate strength and earn resources; when his capability improves, he can reconsider.
"Okay," Uncle Liu directly agreed.
He appreciated the conditions set by Natsuhiko.
Very sensible, and he understood the necessity of resource exchange; alliance knowledge is indispensable.
So he agreed directly.
"Let's go."
Agatha didn't say much either, as it's not a big deal, and they have the authority for such matters.
...
...
Upon receiving the news from Uncle Liu and Agatha, the Trainers at Goldenrod City's Trainer Guild were frantically busy.
Clearing out the Wild Pokémon around Goldenrod City that were gradually calming down to restore Goldrenrod City's connection with the outside world as quickly as possible.
Calculating the losses Goldenrod City suffered from this event.
Most importantly, exploring all the underground tunnels beneath Goldenrod City to gain full control within three days.
When Uncle Liu and Agatha returned with Natsuhiko, the entire guild hall erupted in a huge cheer.
It's over!
The issue that troubled Goldenrod City for nearly two months is finally over!
Guild President Camilla and the two vice presidents walked over to them.
When Azir set his gaze on Natsuhiko, hints of curiosity flashed.
Does he truly have a close relationship with Elite Trainer Agatha?
It seems like his relationship with Celestial King Liu Bo is also quite good...
"Elite Trainer Agatha, Celestial King Liu Bo, thank you both for your hard work," Guild President Camilla gratefully said.
Agatha waved her hand.
"President Camilla, could you please have someone take this little guy to the warehouse to choose some items? Nothing exceeding the price of an intermediate grade Evolution Stone," Agatha stepped aside to reveal Natsuhiko.
Upon hearing this, President Camilla's curious gaze fell on Natsuhiko.
She had been paying attention since the two Elites walked in with a young person.
She had been so busy she hadn't paid much attention to some guild rumors, and naturally, others wouldn't have spread them to her ears.
While Camilla was observing Natsuhiko, he, in turn, took a quick glance at her.
Such a young guild president?
"And this is...?" President Camilla hesitated to ask.
"His name is Natsuhiko, and he provided a lot of help during this event. If it weren't for him, the culprit might have escaped," Uncle Liu simply explained.
This undoubtedly made Camilla even more curious.
A young person who could assist these seasoned Elites in such high-level encounters?
"Alright, I'll arrange it right away."
Saying this, Camilla signaled for someone to come over and gave a couple of simple instructions.
Then she smiled at the two Elites, "There's one last meeting that requires your participation..."
The two nodded, not surprised.
The alliance doesn't have much else, just an abundance of meetings.
This meeting and that meeting, they were slowly getting used to it.
"By the way," before leaving, Agatha turned back to look at Natsuhiko, extending her hand.
Natsuhiko sheepishly took out a Pokeball, somewhat reluctantly placing it in her hand.
Haunter's Pokeball.
If Agatha had truly forgotten, he might have turned and left without a word.
Not to mention, taking off with it would be a huge gain.
That would be a bodyguard with Elite Trainer Level strength!
"Heh!"
Haunter left Natsuhiko's shadow, waved at him, and winked.
I have high hopes for you.
Then it quickly merged into Agatha's shadow.
This scene, when seen by others, seemed to alter Natsuhiko's identity once again.
Elite Trainer Agatha actually lent her Pokémon to him for use?
What kind of relationship is this?
As everyone knows, lending Pokémon in the Pokémon Realm is quite common, but it's mostly a case where a master lends to disciples or elders lend to juniors...
Azir's eyes flashed, holding back a few steps, pulling the person Camilla called to lead Natsuhiko aside, whispering a few instructions in their ear.
Then offering Natsuhiko a friendly smile.
It seems...
The title of Agatha's disciple has unintentionally been established?
Natsuhiko rubbed his chin, thoughts flashing through his mind.
Previously, he was quite nervous.
Now it seems...
He actually feels a bit excited?