"You're in Binhai City?" Hilona's somewhat surprised voice came through the phone.
"Yes." Natsuhiko replied softly.
With Hilona's influence in the Sinnoh Region, she should be able to offer him considerable help. Regarding Meiyu's situation, maybe she'd express sympathy as well.
Of course, Natsuhiko didn't have high hopes, just wished to leverage Hilona's connections to gain some privileges from the Sinnoh Alliance in the Sinnoh Union Region.
Soon, Hilona's voice, tinged with apology, came, "Sorry, Natsuhiko, I'm currently in Murasaki Town helping Dr. Yamanashi handle some things, and for now... I might not be able to leave."
"It's okay, I just wanted to touch base with you since I'm in Sinnoh." replied Natsuhiko casually.
"Oh." There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.
"Of course, there's a small favor I need to ask of you." Natsuhiko thought for a moment, then suddenly said.
"Go ahead."
"Help me find out which forces have been active in Snow Peak City lately, big or small."
Among the people he knew, only Hilona, as the future of the Sinnoh Region, could do this.
"Snow Peak City? Divine Hall of Snow Peak?" Hilona's voice carried a hint of skepticism.
"Yes, if possible, I'd also like some information about the Divine Hall of Snow Peak..."
"Is it for a trip?"
"Something like that."
"Understood, I'll send the information to your phone later. As for the situation of the forces around Snow Peak City, you'll need to wait a bit." Hilona said.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it, your... that paper was excellent, the affinity between Eevee and me has already been measured." There was gratitude in her voice.
Natsuhiko, holding the phone close, smiled, "I recommend you wait for the final results before making any decisions."
"Okay."
"So... is that all?"
"Yes."
After hanging up, the next step was just to wait, which was fine because Natsuhiko wasn't in a rush.
...
...
Murasaki Town.
Dr. Yamanashi Research Institute.
Hilona put away her phone and paused for a moment.
"Divine Hall of Snow Peak..."
"Hilona, is something wrong?"
At that moment, Dr. Yamanashi appeared behind her.
"No, nothing, just a friend came to Sinnoh and wanted to ask about the Divine Hall of Snow Peak." Hilona quickly turned around and said.
Hearing this, Dr. Yamanashi showed a look of apology, "Sorry for taking up so much of your time..."
Hilona just shook her head.
Her grandmother is also a doctor in Pokémon studies, so Hilona has been interested in Pokémon research since childhood.
If it weren't for her extraordinary talent in Pokémon battles, she would probably have become a researcher studying Pokémon.
And as the most prestigious Dr. Yamanashi in the Sinnoh Region, learning from him is something many people dream of.
Dr. Yamanashi continued, "This time the schedule is really tight, so I need your help. After completing this research, I might leave Sinnoh for a while."
"Leave Sinnoh?" Hilona was taken aback.
Dr. Yamanashi is a national treasure in the Sinnoh Region's Pokémon research community, and his departure would undoubtedly have a significant impact on Pokémon research in the entire Sinnoh Region.
Seeing Hilona's misunderstanding, Dr. Yamanashi smiled and explained, "I still feel that my understanding of Pokémon is lacking, I want to visit some other scholars around the world to gain some experience and knowledge from them."
He is an authority on Pokémon evolution, but he recently realized that the transmission between Pokémon doesn't just exist between the same species, different species can also pass on descendants and technique inheritance.
So he really wants to figure out what kind of connection exists in this regard.
However, he felt that his knowledge reserve was inadequate, so he wanted to travel around to learn, accumulate enough knowledge and information, and then start researching in this area.
If he could achieve results, it would have a huge impact on the entire Pokémon Realm.
If Natsuhiko knew his thoughts at this moment, he would surely understand what Dr. Yamanashi was aiming to do.
In summary, it's two words, Egg Group.
"I see." Hilona nodded, "First destination?"
"Professor Oak in Shinshin Town."
Hilona appeared enlightened.
In the current Pokémon Research Community, if anyone could surely outshine Dr. Yamanashi, Professor Oak would definitely be ranked first.
"By the way, did you mention the Divine Hall of Snow Peak earlier?"
"Yes."
"Then you can ask your grandmother, Dr. Jiezilan. She definitely has a strong voice in Sinnoh history and mythology, and the Divine Hall of Snow Peak involves the creation legend of the Sinnoh Region, so she should be quite knowledgeable." Dr. Yamanashi said with a smile.
Hilona thought for a moment, and it indeed made sense.
"Okay."
The stories she heard about the Divine Hall of Snow Peak were also told by her grandmother.
"Doctor." Watching Dr. Yamanashi, about to immerse himself in work again, Hilona called out to him.
"What's up?"
Hilona thought for a while before speaking, "I mentioned a friend the last time, he has quite insightful views on Pokémon research..."
Dr. Yamanashi raised an eyebrow, "Are you talking about your friend this time? The one who published a conjecture on Eevee evolution types and, together with Sakuragi, published a paper on 'Affinity', and now it's already reached the practical stage, that 'Dodo'?"
"Yes."
Natsuhiko chose the nickname 'Dodo' for a reason, and without his permission, Hilona wouldn't casually disclose it.
With Hilona's confirmation, Dr. Yamanashi's eyes lit up.
"Perfect, let's quickly wrap up this research, I really want to meet this 'Dodo' gentleman."
Since he'll be visiting renowned scholars around the world after this research, why not start with this "Dodo"?
Dr. Yamanashi knew about Sakuragi; he was about to become the youngest Ph.D. in Pokémon studies.
The paper co-published by Sakuragi and Natsuhiko also caused quite a stir in the Pokémon Research Community.
With Dr. Yamanashi's insight, he could see that the proposed "Affinity", though not fully confirmed, was just a matter of time.
The outcome of this research would undoubtedly benefit countless Trainers.
Therefore, he was very interested in Natsuhiko, who shared equal status with Sakuragi in this research.
Moreover, Dr. Yamanashi knew Hilona fairly well.
Although she seemed approachable and affable, she was definitely not someone who casually praised others.
To gain her recognition meant that her friend must have genuine talents.
"I need... to check his thoughts on this, he's not keen on letting too many people know his identity." Hilona hesitated for a moment before speaking.
She had given Natsuhiko Dr. Yamanashi's business card but had never seen him actively contact Dr. Yamanashi.
Hilona wasn't sure if Natsuhiko was willing to reveal his identity.
"Understandable." Dr. Yamanashi nodded, expressing his admiration,
"Using a nickname like 'Dodo' to conceal one's true identity, not seeking fame or gain, just quietly doing his research to benefit the whole Pokémon Realm, such self-awareness, such magnanimity and ability, such resolve and commitment..."
Natsuhiko: ???
Hilona blinked, suddenly gaining insight.
'So that's why Natsuhiko wants to keep his identity a secret?' she thought.
In that moment, Natsuhiko's standing in Hilona's eyes raised by several ranks.
Of course, it was also due to Hilona's introduction and the positive impact of the jointly published paper with Sakuragi, so Dr. Yamanashi hadn't even considered any negative possibilities.
This established the tone for Natsuhiko's "Dodo" identity.
"Hilona, you've made a good friend..."
Hilona's eyes flashed with memories of Natsuhiko's actions during the collapse in the Dark Ruins, when he alerted her and Flint, and she nodded.
"Yes."