"By the way, Professor Laventon."
Cynthia spoke up at just the right moment, a proper smile on her face.
"About what we mentioned earlier—about staying in your village for a while—how are you feeling about that?"
She paused, then tossed out bait that Professor Laventon could hardly refuse.
"In return, we can teach you some techniques for getting along with Pokemon."
"We could even… help you with those research projects of yours that are related to Pokemon."
At those words, Professor Laventon, who had still been immersed in awe, had his attention instantly hooked.
He snapped his head up, an astonishing light flaring in his eyes.
"You really mean that?!"
"Of course we do." Cynthia nodded with a smile. "You've seen my little brother's Pokemon Affinity. The proof's right in front of you—how could we possibly be lying to you?"
Professor Laventon rubbed his hands in excitement, but soon seemed to think of something, a trace of hesitation flashing across his face.
"Heading to Jubilife Village isn't really a problem."
"It's just… whether you can actually stay there will depend on what Leader Cyllene has to say."
"But don't worry. With what you've shown so far, Leader Cyllene will definitely be willing to take you in!"
With Professor Laventon's promise, the three of them set off together toward Jubilife Village.
Along the way, Ash got along remarkably well with the three Starter Pokemon.
Cyndaquil was nestled in his arms, Oshawott walked at his feet, and Rowlet simply perched on his other shoulder, staring down Pikachu in a wide-eyed face-off.
The three Pokemon circled around Ash, clinging to him with such affection that it felt like they'd been his Pokemon all along.
Their actual owner, Professor Laventon, ended up left off to the side.
Watching this, the last shred of doubt in Professor Laventon's heart dissipated completely.
"You're incredible." He couldn't help but sigh aloud. "Ash, I feel like I've gained a whole new understanding of that so‑called Pokemon Affinity of yours."
"How is this just affinity anymore?"
"This is basically having Pokemon treat you as one of their own kind!"
Ash was a little embarrassed by the praise and scratched his head.
"It's not as exaggerated as you say."
"Getting along with Pokemon is actually really simple. As long as you treat them sincerely, they'll definitely respond to you with their own sincerity."
Pikachu, on his shoulder, waved its little paws as well, looking totally in agreement.
"Pika, pika!"
Looking at boy and mouse together, the appreciation in Professor Laventon's eyes deepened even more.
"Oh, right, Professor Laventon, you can just call me Ash—no need to keep calling me 'boy' all the time. It sounds kind of weird."
"Haha, it's just a habit. Then I'll call you Ash from now on."
"Mm!"
As they walked, Cynthia quietly started asking Professor Laventon about Jubilife Village.
"By the way, Professor Laventon, who's the village chief of Jubilife Village now?"
"Village chief?" Professor Laventon shook his head. "We don't have that position in our village."
"The current leader of the village is Boss Kamado."
"And as for keeping order in the village and protecting everyone's safety, that's handled by Boss Kamado's Team Galactic."
At the words "Team Galactic," Ash and Cynthia's eyes both changed, almost in unison.
The name Team Galactic was not new to them.
Professor Laventon had mentioned it once before as well.
But this place was ancient Sinnoh from a thousand years ago, so it clearly couldn't have any direct connection to the Team Galactic led by Cyrus a millennium later.
Even so, they couldn't help but be full of curiosity about Team Galactic in this era.
In this time, just what kind of role did Team Galactic play?
Cynthia probed indirectly, asking about Team Galactic's reputation in Jubilife Village.
The answer Professor Laventon gave, however, was beyond their expectations.
"If you ask me, it's thanks to Team Galactic that our Jubilife Village can live so peacefully in these chaotic times."
His tone was filled with gratitude.
"Every household has enough to eat and wear, and we don't have to worry about being attacked by those ferocious Pokemon."
"All of this is entirely thanks to Team Galactic."
Ash and Cynthia exchanged a look.
It seemed that in this era, Team Galactic was actually quite a decent organization.
They just didn't know why, after being passed down for a thousand years, it would become that twisted group under Cyrus that sought to destroy the world.
Then again, a thousand years is more than enough to change far too many things.
For an organization to survive for a millennium without disappearing is already a miracle; how could it possibly hold on to its original ideals forever?
Professor Laventon then took the initiative to bring up something else.
"Oh, and besides Team Galactic, there are two other organizations in this Hisui Region."
"One's called the Diamond Clan, and the other's called the Pearl Clan."
At the names of these two clans, Ash and Cynthia both had somewhat subtle reactions.
Because "Diamond" and "Pearl"...
Seemed to correspond exactly to Dialga's Adamant Orb and Palkia's Lustrous Globe!
Professor Laventon had no idea what was on their minds, and continued explaining the situation of the two clans.
"The Diamond Clan is led by a man, and he even respectfully calls Team Galactic's Boss Kamado his 'big brother.'"
"The Pearl Clan, on the other hand, is headed by a woman."
"Those two clans have a sort of neither‑good‑nor‑bad attitude toward Team Galactic."