"Waiting isn't an option!"
Professor Oak quickly jotted down the small bits of knowledge Rei Akagi had just shared. Then he pulled a heavy box out of his lab coat and pushed it across the table.
"The Dragon City Academic Summit is about to begin—this is just a little snack I brought along for Gastly and Rayquaza. Go ahead and take it."
Just a little snack?
Are you sure you didn't bring it specifically to grind Rayquaza's favorability?
I'm almost embarrassed to call you out on it.
Rei Akagi silently complained in his mind as he accepted the Pokémon food Pokéblock s, his expression puzzled.
"An academic summit?"
"It's the one I mentioned to you before. I originally planned to just show up briefly, but after talking with you yesterday, I realized it might be worth taking it seriously."
Professor Oak appeared to be explaining things to Rei Akagi, but in truth his eyes were wandering restlessly—occasionally glancing toward Rei Akagi's collar.
Rei Akagi poured himself a cup of tea, casually picked up a Sweet Pokéblock from the box, took a bite, and asked with interest:
"So you've decided to publish a new paper at the Dragon City summit? Haha, the junior researchers attending are going to feel a lot of pressure."
"Well, to be precise—"
Professor Oak scratched his messy hair again, looking slightly embarrassed.
"It'll be a co-authored paper with you."
He paused before adding,
"After all, it's based on your research topic. I'll help you become a Pokémon Professor as soon as possible. Having you work merely as a researcher really is unfair to you."
Co-author?
With me?
How much does this actually involve me?
Unfair? Since when?
Have you seen how happily I slack off every day?
Helping me become a professor quickly… wait—
Am I secretly your long-lost son?!
A barrage of internal comments flooded Rei Akagi's mind, but his expression remained calm.
"About that—"
"Oh right!"
Professor Oak suddenly interrupted himself, as if remembering something important.
"You'd better start preparing. We'll be leaving in a few days."
Before he finished speaking, Gengar floated slowly out of the bedroom, holding its white Pokédex.
Rei Akagi reacted quickly—he stuffed several Pokéblock s into its hands and casually bonked it on the head.
Gengar didn't argue. It scooped the snacks up with its tongue and whoosh—floated straight back into the bedroom.
"Looks like Gengar is very attached to you."
Professor Oak watched the scene with a cheerful smile, completely unaware that when Gengar floated past him earlier, it had secretly used Hypnosis on him.
With that interruption, Rei Akagi found it awkward to refuse the co-author proposal.
So he ended up discussing some minor details with Oak afterward.
"Well then, I won't disturb you while you pack. I'll head back first."
Professor Oak stood up with a smile. Rei Akagi walked him to the door, but as they passed the bedroom, Oak noticeably slowed down—taking the opportunity to peek inside several times.
Rei Akagi was speechless.
He knew Oak was trying to glimpse Rayquaza, but wasn't this behavior a little too much like a creep?
That Evening
Right on schedule, Rei Akagi started his livestream.
Since Gastly had evolved into Gengar, it could no longer sit comfortably in his arms during the stream. So Rei Akagi had specially arranged a "workstation" for the big streamer.
A chair.
And a high-definition camera.
Gengar sat proudly in the chair, holding the white Pokédex, wearing a confident expression that seemed to say:
Leave it to me.
Rei Akagi sent the room key to Red and Blue, successfully connected their feeds to the livestream, and officially began today's broadcast.
The chat instantly flooded with messages.
"FIRST! Wait—why did the streamer turn into Gengar???"
"I knew it! You agreed way too quickly the other day—so you hired a substitute streamer!"
"Salted Fish Teacher! Please explain yesterday's update! The announcement made no sense to me!"
"Ahem! The streamer didn't hire a substitute—he just got so fat he evolved! Stop spreading rumors or he'll develop body image anxiety!"
While waiting for Red and Blue to enter the room, Rei Akagi casually responded to the comments.
"About the update—everyone probably noticed the new 'Pokémon Link' option in the game interface, right? That's the highlight of this major patch—Pokémon can now play Pokémon too!"
"In other words, your Pokémon can control the Pokémon in your in-game party and adventure together with you. You can train real battle coordination and tactics directly inside the game!"
As soon as Rei Akagi finished speaking—
Gengar proudly waved the white Pokédex toward the camera.
On the game screen, the Haunter in Rei's party suddenly popped out of its Poké Ball and began moving freely.
The chat was instantly drowned in question marks.
"So you're saying my Pokémon can play the game with me… and control the Pokémon version of itself inside the game?"
"Learning knowledge wasn't enough—now we can train teamwork and battle commands too???"
"WHAT CAN'T POKÉMON DO AT THIS POINT?!"
"I'm stuck at the Celadon Gym—Salted Fish Teacher please save me!!!"
"What exactly are the ghosts in Pokémon Tower? What's the requirement for reaching the top? I'm about to become an Ultra-Anxious Garchomp!"
"As for story walkthroughs, don't rush. Once Red and Blue are here, we'll start pushing the main story. Ah—there they are."
Before Rei Akagi could finish—
Celadon City
On the bustling streets of Celadon City, Red and Blue appeared as their connections synced.
"We're here!"
Red's voice was filled with excitement.
"You're actually on time? Did the sun rise from the west today?"
Blue expressed her completely "reasonable" surprise.
"Enough small talk. Let's go."
Rei Akagi had a clear goal.
He guided Rei straight toward the most flamboyant building on the street, its neon lights flashing arrogantly.
Above the entrance, a huge sign read:
"Celadon City Game Corner"
"The Playground for Adults!"
"Red, don't forget—you're completely broke right now."
Rei Akagi reminded him with a grin.
"Perfect! Then let the great Lady Blue take us inside to win a fortune!"
Blue snorted proudly.
"Hmph~ Since you've sincerely asked, I suppose I'll generously show you a little of my real skill~"
With that, she confidently controlled Blueand pushed open the Game Corner's heavy, luxurious glass doors.
The three of them stepped inside.
A deafening wave of noise rushed toward them.
But strangely, most players weren't focused on the machines. Instead, they were gathered in a large circle, staring at something in the center.
Gasps and murmurs filled the room.
"So amazing—!"
"How is that possible?!"
"Blessed by the goddess of luck!"
"The coin boxes are overflowing!"
"This is unbelievable!"
After squeezing through the curious crowd, they saw the focus of attention.
Their familiar spiky-haired rival—
Green.
Green sat expressionlessly in front of a slot machine, mechanically pressing the button.
The reels spun rapidly.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Three sevens lined up again.
Coins poured out in a shining cascade.
Beside him, Blastoise guarded several coin boxes already filled to the brim like a silent bodyguard.
As if growing bored, Green finally stopped.
He collected the last batch of coins and stood up to leave.
His eyes swept casually across the room—
Then suddenly paused.
He had spotted Rei Akagi and the others who had just entered.
Green changed direction immediately and walked straight toward them.
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