The sun slanted westward.
The gorgeous afterglow was like the silk scarf waved by an intellectual beauty.
In the haze, Kanaz City seemed to be gilded with a layer of gold.
Walking on the streets, the towering skyscrapers were like carved beams and painted rafters, as if one were in a golden world.
Kanaz City, located at the westernmost edge of the Hoenn Continent, appeared particularly beautiful in the sunset glow.
Before sunset, Natsuhiko arrived at Kanaz City.
This huge city is in no way inferior to Goldenrod City in the Kanto Region.
Everywhere it manifested its prosperity.
After experiencing the rustic pastoral beauty of "Meteor Village," experiencing Kanaz City, this concrete city filled with modernity, gave Natsuhiko a contrast that touched his soul.
"Perhaps I am destined to be a worldly person," Natsuhiko said with a slightly self-deprecating smile.
A moment ago, he was still marveling at the beauty of "Meteor Village," hoping to find such a place to retire in the future.
At this moment, he felt that modern society was still better, this city, filled with the crystallized wisdom of countless generations.
Perhaps this is the best of times...
"Yongji?" Yujira looked at Natsuhiko somewhat puzzled.
Although it was very intelligent, possibly with an intelligence quotient much higher than Natsuhiko's, it didn't understand what Natsuhiko was lamenting.
This might be the biggest difference between Pokémon and humans.
"Nothing, just suddenly became a bit emotional," Natsuhiko shook his head.
Yujira nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.
"First deal with what I have, then purchase some essential supplies."
Though just returning from the wild felt somewhat tiring, many things could not be delayed.
For instance, Togetic's Energy Block was really about to run out.
Based on his experience in Goldenrod City, after "kindly" inquiring with a few local ruffians in Kanaz City, Natsuhiko found the entrance to the black market.
Is the existence of black markets something the alliance knows about?
The answer is yes.
Then why doesn't the alliance prevent the emergence of black markets or attempt to completely eradicate such entities seemingly undermining the alliance's interests?
Because of balance.
Just as the alliance indeed has the power to sweep away underground forces in various regions, yet did not do so.
Where there is white, there will naturally be black; if a region were left with only white, it would indicate it's not far from destruction.
Sweeping away the black market is the same as sweeping away underground forces.
Is it doable?
Yes?
But is it necessary?
Not necessarily.
Who is most present in the black marketplace?
Members of those underground forces?
No, the most are ordinary trainers, trainers who are not part of the alliance's core, those who have no place to purchase resources or sell resources.
If the black market were swept away, these trainers would inevitably take more dangerous paths to obtain resources, potentially resorting to arson, murder, or robbery.
The alliance certainly couldn't handle this.
Just like those underground forces, even if swept away, would there not be new forces emerging?
Where would those members who lost organizational protection go?
This would certainly accompany a drastic decline in social stability, with frequent large and small dangerous events.
Thereby causing the entire region, the entire alliance, to become very chaotic.
The alliance desires stability, peace.
They have risen to a certain height, so regarding these matters, they turn a blind eye, as long as it is not excessive, the alliance will not intervene.
Just like ordinary trainers catching a few Pokémon to sell, would the alliance hold onto such matters?
As long as they're not like those professional hunters catching indiscriminately.
No, they wouldn't.
Thus, every city has black markets, which has become a fixed phenomenon.
And in a metropolis like Kanaz City, the scale of the black market must be enormous.
At sunset.
Kanaz City welcomed the end of the day, but for the black market, the true excitement was just beginning.
Natsuhiko had a lot to handle.
In terms of items, aside from those currently not used on Pokémon, there were a Spirit Realm Cloth, a Blazing Rock, a High-Level Dark Stone, Star Sand, a Dragon Scale, a Life Treasure Pearl, and a recently appraised Dragon's Fang, specifically the sharp tooth last extracted from Klei.
In the end, Natsuhiko somewhat misjudged Klei.
Besides the fact that the few Dragon-type Pokémon cubs indeed couldn't be carried, he still took the most valuable Dragon's Fang with him, which benefited Natsuhiko.
The Pokémon needing to be sold primarily included an Elite Level Druddigon, nine Solrock, Klei's Nidoking, and Drapion.
As for Klei's other Pokémon, Ariados died directly at Absol's hands, Golbat and Excadrill, due to severe injuries and being used by Klei to save his life, also died on the way due to untimely treatment.
Although it was a pity, the value of Nidoking and Drapion was not low, so he still made a profit.
In addition.
There were also some scattered Pokémon caught on Mist Island and within Meteor Falls, with value ranging from low to high, which all had to be sold together.
After calculating carefully, if Natsuhiko sold all these things, his wealth would soar.
Who knows...
"I might become a millionaire," Natsuhiko was also a little surprised.
However.
He wouldn't sell everything, some things he might need in the future.
Moreover.
Drawing a lesson from selling Onix in Goldenrod City, he wouldn't choose to sell Klei's two Pokémon here to avoid unnecessary trouble.
After a little consideration, Natsuhiko decided on which items and Pokémon to sell.
The black market in Kanaz City is different from Goldenrod City; it doesn't have such a clear division of areas, Pokémon shops and Pokémon item stores are even adjacent.
This led to anyone wanting to buy things in the black market being like "Treasure Hunting"; with good luck, they might find a good deal, but with bad luck, they might end up with defective products, truly testing one's eyesight and experience.
Moreover, the entire black market was built around a massive building.
Looking at the distribution map of the black market.
Natsuhiko understood.
It turned out this building was the auction house of Kanaz City's black market.
It regularly organized auctions, large and small, thoroughly pushing the "Treasure Hunting" atmosphere in the black market to its peak.
Luckily, Natsuhiko arrived just in time for an auction.
Although it was a small auction, the list of items alone on the auction catalog startled Natsuhiko.
There were even Quasi-God Pokémon!
The originally rare Starter Trio Pokémon from various regions also appeared on the list.
For instance, Bulbasaur from the Kanto Region, Totodile from the Johto Region, Torchic and Marshtomp from the Hoenn Region, and so on.
This piqued his great curiosity.
How much is a Quasi-God Pokémon worth?
How much are the Starter Trio Pokémon from various regions worth?
Fortunately, the things Natsuhiko prepared to sell were also qualified to be on this list, so he obtained the privilege of having an independent box.
Following the crowd, he entered the very dimly lit auction hall.
With over a thousand seats and dozens of private boxes.
It was evident that the scale of this auction house was not small.
Guided by a scantily clad "Wigglytuff girl," Natsuhiko entered his private box.
Number Thirty-Eight.
A very auspicious number.