At Professor Oak's Laboratory, Sam was chatting with Professor Oak.
"Professor Oak, the Rookie Trainers from Pallet Town should've already set off this year, right?"
While enjoying his favorite ramen, Professor Oak took a moment to answer.
"Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur have all been taken. There's only one Pokémon left that hasn't been claimed yet."
"There's still one left?" Sam asked, confused.
From what he knew, that shouldn't happen. Normally, Professor Oak only prepared three starter Pokémon each year. Last year had already been an exception.
Professor Oak swallowed his food and explained, "This one wasn't prepared by me. It was sent by Professor Sonia from the Galar Region—specifically for a Trainer named Goh."
"What?!"
"Goh?!"
Sam couldn't stay calm anymore.
"That's right," Professor Oak said, slightly puzzled by Sam's reaction. "Do you know him?"
Know him?
Of course he did.
Very well.
"I've heard he's… a very annoying Trainer," Sam said bluntly, not hiding his dislike.
Professor Oak raised an eyebrow. This was the first time he'd seen Sam openly express such strong dislike toward someone. Just who was this Goh?
Before he could ask more—
The lab door burst open.
A dark-skinned boy rushed in without even greeting them.
Seeing him, Professor Oak handed over the remaining Poké Ball.
"You must be Goh, the Trainer who moved to Vermilion City from the Galar Region. This Pokémon was entrusted to me by Professor Sonia."
"Pokémon?"
Goh glanced at the Poké Ball with clear disdain.
"I don't want such a weak Pokémon as my starter."
Professor Oak froze.
As for Sam, he almost clapped on the spot.
Mocking Pokémon—in front of Professor Oak?
That took some nerve.
Professor Oak's expression darkened instantly. This was the first time he'd seen a Trainer reject a starter Pokémon for being "weak."
The atmosphere in the room dropped sharply.
But Goh didn't seem to notice at all.
Hands on his hips, he pulled out his phone and played a video proudly.
"I've already decided. My first Pokémon will be this one. I didn't come here for a starter—I just need a Poké Ball to catch it."
On the screen, a graceful figure ran along a lakeshore, its long, flowing mane shimmering in the wind.
"Suicune…"
Both Sam and Professor Oak's expressions turned serious.
Goh wanted to catch Suicune?
Impossible.
Sam would never allow that.
At this point, Professor Oak fully understood Sam's earlier reaction. This boy didn't care about Pokémon at all—he saw them as trophies.
"If you don't want the starter Pokémon, contact Professor Sonia yourself," Professor Oak said coldly.
"My responsibility is only to pass it on to you."
He placed the Poké Ball, Pokédex, and basic supplies in front of Goh.
"Take them and leave."
Completely oblivious to the tension, Goh casually accepted them.
"Fine. I'll take it, I guess. Suicune can just be my second Pokémon."
Professor Oak didn't want to look at him for even a second longer.
Was something wrong with this kid?
Goh released the Pokémon from the Poké Ball.
Just as Sam expected—
It was Scorbunny, the Fire-type starter from the Galar Region.
Goh glanced at it with obvious dissatisfaction.
"It's not what I wanted, but whatever. Just don't hold me back."
"Bun…"
Sam was speechless.
The Pokémon had talent. It had spirit.
But its Trainer?
Unbelievable.
Fire-type Pokémon were known for their fiery tempers. If most of them were treated like this, they would've exploded long ago.
And yet—
This Scorbunny just stood there, trying to please him.
Sam had seen desperate loyalty before…
…but a "licking dog rabbit" like this?
That was a first.
Beside him, Professor Oak's face had completely darkened.
If he had known Goh would be like this, he would've never agreed to Professor Sonia's request in the first place.