Giovanni could not figure it out.
What method could Shiro have used?
That was the Academic Summit, the highest gathering in the research world. If Pokémon had been used there, they would have been recognized easily.
Everyone present was a Pokémon researcher, and quite a few specialized in Psychic-type Pokémon. Besides, Oak himself was a veteran Champion-level trainer. How could someone like him fail to notice the presence of a Pokémon, or the use of psychic power?
Unless...
"He had a Pokémon with him so strong that no one could detect it."
But even then, what kind of Pokémon could subtly influence so many people at once, altering their thoughts so naturally and leaving behind no trace at all?
"Shiro couldn't possibly have a Pokémon beyond legendary-level. Then there is only one possibility."
After thinking for a long time, Giovanni finally spoke.
"There was a Legendary Pokémon by his side."
"That Pokémon's power is connected to human thoughts... or perhaps emotion."
"Shiro just left Sinnoh… could it be one of Sinnoh's lake guardians?"
His speculation echoed through the hall. The secretary standing nearby did not even dare breathe too loudly, legs trembling.
Giovanni fell silent once more and reconsidered the matter from every angle, but could not come up with any other Pokémon that governed concepts like thought or emotion. Most importantly, Shiro's range of movement had been limited. He had only been active in Galar and Sinnoh.
Giovanni opened Shiro's file again and scanned through the contents. "For some unknown reason, he left Galar… he left Galar..."
He murmured the words repeatedly, eyes flickering with thought. Then he remembered Koga's Pokémon that had been sold to the Hunters Guild, and the corner of his mouth curved upward.
"Try contacting Shiro."
He handed the file back to his secretary and said in a deep voice, "We should also congratulate the League's newest Professor..."
"Yes, sir!" the secretary answered.
* * *
Galar.
Outside Wyndon, a Flying Taxi circled slowly high in the sky, as if patrolling its territory.
Inside the passenger cabin, Rose pushed his sunglasses up onto his head and looked down with satisfaction at the many Gurdurr and Conkeldurr working below.
In the forest that had once covered the area, a brand-new road was gradually taking shape.
The cities across Galar were far too old-fashioned. Especially now that most of them had come under the company's control, Rose had already planned to rebuild them.
After all, in the future he envisioned, Galar would become one of the most prosperous regions in the world. It needed to preserve its regional charm, but it also required efficient infrastructure and modern cityscapes.
"It seems reconstruction needs to speed up. Not just Wyndon..." Rose muttered to himself as he casually answered a call.
"Hello? Oleana? Understood."
He waved a hand and ordered Corviknight to return. Soon, it landed in the plaza before the company tower.
Oleana, who had been waiting in the first-floor lobby for quite some time, hurried forward. "Chairman, there is new information from Kanto..."
Rose remained calm and reached out for the report. After reading only two pages, he stopped.
"Shiro completed his professor conferment... and everyone voted in favor?"
Rose closed his eyes and thought for a few breaths, then quickly understood the key point.
"It was probably Mesprit helping him."
The only thing he could not understand was this: Mesprit was one of Sinnoh's famous lake guardians. Once it reached Sinnoh, it should have returned to its own lake. Yet it had followed Shiro all the way to Kanto?
Still, Rose did not dwell on it.
"As long as it succeeded, that is enough."
He had never cared much about the exact process. Only the result mattered.
"Send the usual congratulations. And don't forget to promote Galar's plans."
Oleana nodded and left.
* * *
Pallet Town.
Inside a small house, Agatha sat at the doorway with her cane, staring at the road leading to Oak Research Institute.
Lorelei came running down that path, her bright red ponytail swaying behind her.
"Grandma!"
Filled with excitement and joy, she jumped forward and shouted, "He succeeded! Dr. Corviknight became a Professor!"
Agatha looked a little surprised, but quickly calmed down and slowly nodded. She had thought Shiro would be blocked by Oak and would need several more years before succeeding.
"What method did that brat use?"
Her voice was hoarse.
Lorelei recalled the scene, hesitated for a moment, then said, "It seems like... he gained Professor Oak's approval?"
She clearly remembered the moment Oak and Shiro walked out together at the end, and how Oak openly supported him.
"Oak's approval?" Agatha snorted as if she had heard a joke, then shook her head.
She did not need to think to know what happened. That old bastard Samuel Oak must have realized things were going badly, then immediately switched sides and changed his tune.
"Forget it." Agatha waved her hand. "As long as Shiro succeeded... Lorelei, go tell him to come see me."
* * *
Pallet Town, Oak Research Institute.
The meeting had ended, and the guests were leaving.
Most people would stay in Pallet Town and at the institute for one or two days to exchange academic ideas.
A small number of researchers or professors left as soon as the meeting ended because they had urgent matters to attend to or simply preferred to travel alone. One example was Ivy from the Orange Islands.
The departing researchers moved about in a noisy crowd, each with different thoughts on their minds. Aside from the few who had presented reports and seemed somewhat dejected, most were still discussing Shiro's performance at the meeting.
After this conference, no one could doubt his ability anymore.
As for Shiro himself, he had just returned to the waiting room of Rowan's group.
The moment he stepped in, two children cheered and rushed toward him. Lucas and Dawn stood on either side of him, their eyes shining as if they were looking at their greatest idol.
"Champion Uncle! Dad said you became the greatest researcher in the last ten years!" Lucas exclaimed with admiration.
"It's Professor!" Dawn immediately corrected him. "Professor Uncle, can I see your Pokémon?"
Shiro raised one finger and replied with a smile, "Not uncle."
He then took out a Poké Ball and released Growlithe.
"This is my Growlithe... Growlithe, these two are Lucas and Dawn..."
Growlithe blinked, shook its fluffy blond fur twice, and stuck out its tongue.
"Growl!"
It barked brightly, and the two children immediately gathered around it with curious eyes. They had always lived in Sinnoh, and Growlithe, which mainly came from Kanto, was something they had only seen on television.
Very soon, the two children were happily playing with Growlithe.
At this moment, Rowan walked over.
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