One day later.
Although the Trainer Association had promptly sealed the Special Zone, numerous Pokémon had already passed through dimensional gates into the outside world...
Concerned for Minato's grandparents' safety in Minami Town, Father and Mother brought them to Heiwa City.
Minato and Eevee naturally returned as well.
Upon his return, news of his incident had somehow spread throughout the entire school. Even the school administration visited his home personally to offer condolences.
In the class group chat.
Minato scrolled through the chat history and traced the leak to its source. He could not resist tagging the culprit.
Minato: @Hayashi Sei
A moment later...
Hayashi Sei: Sorry, I couldn't keep my mouth sealed. (crying emoji)
Hayashi Sei: My father mentioned the victim was a student from Heiwa City. I never imagined it was you. Are you alright?
Hayashi Sei: Everyone admires you now. Hurry and tell us what you experienced inside the Special Zone.
Kano: Minato returns from the dead!
Takeshi: Minato returns from the dead!
Repeated messages multiplied by eleven times.
Minato: ...Something came up. Leaving now.
Minato closed the chat immediately. Several messages flooded the screen within seconds. He could not withstand the bombardment.
His phone had only just been repaired. He had no desire to face this information overload now.
Speaking of which, Hayashi Sei's father was also a Professional Trainer. Minato wondered whether he had participated in the Minami Town operation.
"Eevee!"
"Lower the volume. I need to do homework."
Seated comfortably at his desk, Minato took a deep breath and shouted toward the living room.
Eevee, watching television in the living room, reluctantly reduced the volume. (grumbling expression)
"Next, I shall rest for one brief day. Consider it a holiday for myself and Eevee. Should I complete this mathematics workbook, or this language arts workbook..."
Minato examined the two exercise books on his desk.
He then opened his computer.
Better to formulate tomorrow's special training regimen for Eevee instead.
Suddenly, Eevee in the living room sneezed for no apparent reason...
As evening approached, a knocking sound echoed. "Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Tear-streaked Eevee paused the television with the remote, uncertain what program had affected the Pokémon so deeply.
"Eevee?"
Minato emerged from his bedroom, puzzled. Who would visit at this hour?
"Coming."
He responded and quickly moved to open the door.
The man outside possessed medium height, a proportioned waist, robust limbs, broad, rounded shoulders, and a high chest. He appeared solidly built. Most notably, his expression seemed terrible, as though Minato owed him substantial money.
Minato's mouth twitched inwardly, baffled. He had not previously noticed how intimidating this man appeared.
"Brother Yosuke. Why have you come?"
The stern-faced man before him was the Professional Trainer who had ridden Charizard to rescue Minato and Eevee from the Special Zone.
"You appear recovered." Yosuke assessed Minato and the approaching Eevee.
Compared to before, their spirits had improved considerably.
"Brother Yosuke, please enter." Minato hastily offered, internally grumbling at the repeated use of "brother." Yosuke's age nearly matchedthat of Minato's father, yet the man insisted on appearing youthful. Definitely single.
Inside the residence, Minato searched left and right but found no beverages suitable for guests. He could only prepare boiled water. However, Yosuke had not come purely for a social visit, so he paid little attention to such details.
Seated on the sofa, Yosuke locked eyes with Minato. "The seed variety analysis is complete. Lansat Berry. The tree guarded by that Pidgeot was also a Lansat Berry tree."
"That quickly?!" Minato started. Only one day had passed. Actually, that was not particularly fast.
"Since the Trainer Association has completely protected the fruit tree, the seeds hold diminished value. Nevertheless, as the discoverer of the Lansat Berry tree, I received considerable merit points. This advances my promotion prospects significantly." Yosuke finally smiled.
"Useful is good. By the way, was that Pidgeot dealt with?" Minato asked.
"Rest assured. The Special Zone presents no further danger now. This incident did not involve a difficult zone. The most powerful Pokémon within was merely that Pidgeot."
Yosuke fixed his gaze on Minato. "Eevee consumed the Lansat Berry."
Minato nodded.
"Dr. Hiro mentioned you, and Eevee intends to participate in the Little Ho-Oh Cup in Modo City, hence your intensive training in that forest?"
"Correct."
Yosuke pondered briefly. "Those seeds prove genuinely useful to me. Consider it a personal debt, as I promised. Do not rush to refuse. I dislike dragging matters out, so I intend to settle this debt promptly. Before that, one question."
"How did you and Eevee survive those hours within the Special Zone?"
Minato and Eevee froze. Why ask this...
Minato recalled their experiences and simply described their battles and escape.
"Eevee..."
His description proved vivid enough that Eevee seemed to relive the scenario, shuddering violently.
"The truth?"
"The truth."
"Good. I offer two choices." Yosuke Sai: "Within several days, your psychological compensation will be processed. First choice: I maximize your compensation allocation. This sum should significantly assist Eevee's development."
Regarding Minato's situation, Yosuke had learned much from Dr. Hiro. For a novice trainer unwilling to spend on nutritional supplements, substantial compensation would indeed prove beneficial.
"The second choice?" Minato asked.
"Before the Little Ho-Oh Cup commences, I arrange targeted special training for you and Eevee. Additionally, I provide a method to earn money, enabling you to purchase nutritional supplements or training equipment for Eevee. Honestly, given your current level, you will not reach the finals at the Little Ho-Oh Cup."
"The situation in Modo City differs from Heiwa."
Yosuke finished speaking and awaited Minato's response.
I want both!
Forget it...
"I choose the second option., Minato said immediately.
"But Eevee and I require special training. We have minimal time for employment..."
"Who stated you cannot train while earning?" Yosuke said, "Many novice trainers share your starting position. Some frequent public battle venues and challenge affluent novice trainers for monetary wagers. However, without strength, I do not recommend this method. Efficiency proves extremely low. Winnings may not cover medical expenses and stamina recovery costs. At best, you gain practical combat experience without losses."
"Battle wagering..." Minato's eyes brightened. He had not considered this. After such extensive training, he possessed complete confidence in Eevee's strength. Against fellow novice trainers, victory should pose no problem.
"Do not consider it. That method wastes too much time. You might wait two or three days without encountering suitable 'business.' I will introduce more appropriate employment." Yosuke said.
"Take this." Yosuke handed Minato a silver card.
Seven characters adorned its surface: "Starlight Battle Club."
Starlight Battle Club...
Minato started. This ranked among the most prominent large-scale battle clubs domestically, with branches in numerous cities, including Heiwa City.
"Battle club. Battle training partner. Interested?"
"I will simultaneously arrange an experienced coach to address your and Eevee's deficiencies. How does that sound?"