Little Hao.
Also known as "One Ball Hao," and affectionately called "Gou Hao," in the original story, he managed to catch the existence of "Water Dog" Suicune with just a regular net.
He is also the "European" whom countless Pokémon fans feel an impulsive urge to kick away.
However, it must be admitted that Little Hao, nurtured by Researcher Sakuragi, despite his young age, still has very good qualities.
Upon seeing Natsuhiko, he even bowed politely.
"Sister Chrysa, who is this...?"
Though Little Hao is small, he speaks with a somewhat mature tone.
Chrysa smiled and patted his head.
People are like this, when they are young, they especially wish to grow up and will even comb their hair to look like an adult. When they grow up, they wish to remain a child and spend the whole day shouting "I'm so precious," "I don't want to, I don't want to grow up"...
"This is the teacher's guest, Mr. 'Dodo'," Chrysa introduced.
"Dodo?"
What a strange name?
"Is that the name of a newly discovered Pokémon?" Little Hao curiously looked at Natsuhiko, his small eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge.
At this time, Little Hao had not yet seen the mythical Pokémon, and was full of curiosity about Pokémon, fantasizing about his own Initial Pokémon.
"Little Hao, that's quite rude." Chrysa tapped him on the head, slightly annoyed.
Bang!
Natsuhiko's palm landed on his head, seemingly not controlling the force well, making a loud sound.
He squatted down with a smile.
"That's not a Pokémon's name, but rather the 'nickname' a group of people call a certain person, one without sarcasm."
Little Hao shrank his neck, rubbing his slightly sore head, face full of realization.
"I see, it seems Mr. Dodo, like Mr. Sakuragi, is a well-regarded researcher, with many people giving such a nickname."
"Alright Little Hao, go play by yourself, I have to take Mr. Dodo to see the teacher."
"Okay."
Answered, Little Hao bowed to Natsuhiko and Chrysa again before quickly running off.
Clutching his head, he felt a growing pain there.
It was unclear if it was due to Chrysa's tap or Natsuhiko's slap.
Natsuhiko then followed Chrysa as they continued, soon arriving at a rather large research institute building.
Upon entering, they saw all sorts of precision instruments, as well as some very professional ecological boxes housing Pokémon from various regions.
Not only those from the Kantō Region but also Slugma and Magcargo living in a scorching magma environment, Spheal and Snorunt living in a glacial environment, Skiddo and Treecko living in a forest environment, Trapinch and Hippopotas living in a desert environment...
Not to mention the Pokémon inside, just the ecological boxes alone would likely cost at least in the tens of millions.
Besides these various precision instruments and equipment, many researchers in white coats, like Chrysa, were bustling around.
The most conspicuous among them was a man wearing glasses, hair a bit messy, surrounded by many staff or students in white coats, discussing some knowledge and experiences.
This person can only be Sakuragi.
Although he currently holds only a researcher's title, his application for a doctorate has been submitted, with the joint recommendation of multiple doctors, it's believed that gaining a Pokémon Doctorate for him is only a matter of months.
"Teacher..." Chrysa quietly called out as she approached.
Sakuragi looked up, his gaze sweeping over Chrysa and Natsuhiko, pausing slightly before saying to the surrounding people, "That's it for today, this time's topic is 'Ditto's Living Habits and Whether There Exists Any Potential Connection with its Transformability.'"
After saying this, these people responded respectfully before slowly dispersing.
A few glances, intentional or not, landed on Natsuhiko, tinged with some curiosity.
"Chrysa, is this Mr. 'Dodo'? I didn't expect him to be so young." Sakuragi exclaimed.
"Yes, Teacher."
"I also didn't expect the soon-to-be youngest Doctor in the Pokémon research community, Mr. Sakuragi, to be so young." Natsuhiko engaged in small talk.
"Hahahaha——"
Sakuragi chuckled.
People always like to hear compliments, the difference lies in whether some express it or not.
Especially when the compliment coincides with the truth.
"I've been eager to have a good conversation with Mr. 'Dodo', regretfully, time has never permitted."
As he spoke, Sakuragi led Natsuhiko further into the research institute.
"However, this time the timing is just right, I applied to the Alliance for a batch of Eevee for observation, which arrived a few days ago and is still adapting."
Applied for Eeveen?
Natsuhiko nodded without speaking.
But it shows, although Sakuragi is not yet a doctor, he has some rights close to a doctor, able to directly apply for Pokémon from the Alliance.
This is the benefit of reaching a certain height on the Pokémon research path.
Talents are something every organization eagerly seeks and lacks, and they are scrambled over by each organization.
A person like Sakuragi, even outside the Kanto Alliance, would be favored by any regional Alliance, and even if he joined Rocket Team, he'd be "treated like royalty."
Very soon.
The trio reached an ecological area within the research institute, where several small Pokémon, resembling cute foxes with most of their fur a brown color, tails fluffy with cream-colored tips and neck tufts, were playing in the ecosystem.
"Eevee——"
Seeing Sakuragi, these Eevee joyfully gathered around, poking their little heads up, clearly showing their fondness for Sakuragi.
Natsuhiko stood aside without approaching, simply observing quietly.
Whether his paper could carry more conviction, the subsequent exchange here might be key.
"Hehe——, they are very lively, nearby kids love to play with them, especially Little Hao, who loves observing them." Sakuragi said with a smile, then added: "By the way, you haven't met Little Hao yet..."
"Oh, I've met him just as we came in, he is a very interesting and adorable child." Natsuhiko said.
"Hahaha——, a bit mischievous, but he loves Pokémon, and wants to grow up to be a Pokémon Observer."
Sakuragi liked these kids a lot, and he also served as their introductory teacher.
"Being a Pokémon Observer requires quite a high level of knowledge about Pokémon..."
"Indeed, but he loves it." Sakuragi nodded, contemplated, and then said, "By the way, 'Dodo', you are not that old yourself, to know so much about Pokémon, how did you learn? If you have time, perhaps you could teach Little Hao and those kids."
Natsuhiko squinted, his expression becoming slightly peculiar.
"My methods... might test perseverance a bit..."
How about finding out about question-sea style education?
"No worries, they have decent perseverance, especially Little Hao; he can endure a lot."
Natsuhiko nodded.
"Based on my experience, I do indeed have some recommendations. Miss Kikuna, could you please take note?"
"Oh... oh! Sure."
Chrysa was brought back to reality, nodding repeatedly, picking up a sheet of paper.
She too was a bit curious about how Natsuhiko, so young, acquired so much Pokémon knowledge.
Satisfied seeing Chrysa prepared.
Natsuhiko began speaking.
"'Comprehensive Analysis of Basic Pokémon Knowledge,' 'Complete Set of Pokémon Habits and Lifestyle Test,' 'Three Years of Pokémon and Five Years of Cultivation' full set, 'Complete Set of Pokémon Attributes and Suppression'...."
Chrysa's recording pace slowed more and more, glancing at him in surprise.
"This..."
"Observers are different from Trainers, their knowledge requirement is very high. Besides those, there's also.... "
Natsuhiko went through about a dozen sets of teaching materials and test questions.
Upon seeing Sakuragi and Chrysa's expressions starting to become strained, he finally, somewhat reluctantly, said: "That about covers it for now, once Little Hao learns and completes them, he could consider it an entry point."
Those mischievous kids, forget about being "One Ball Hao," and earnestly tread further down the "Observer" path.
Natsuhiko will continue to provide "help."
This is the assist from Pokémon enthusiasts from a distant world.
Of course, Natsuhiko merely suggested, merely offered suggestions; how things pan out still depended on Sakuragi.
Yet Sakuragi beside him had already fallen into contemplation.