"Huh?"
Silas looked confused.
With no context at all, how was he supposed to know what Bugsy was talking about?
"I mean the Pokédex system update," Bugsy said irritably, shooting him a look.
"As a direct League-affiliated Trainer, how could you not be paying attention to this?"
"Oh, right, right."
Silas nodded in sudden realization.
"That update. I thought it was something serious."
"Wasn't it announced that because of regional constraints, the updated Pokédex system is currently only available in Kanto and Johto, while other regions are still using the old version?" Silas said lazily.
He'd heard about the update long ago.
Not from Professor Oak or Professor Rowan, though.
As early as last year, he'd heard from Dr. Akihabara that Bill, who was still a researcher at the time, was developing related technology.
That was when Boldore evolved into Gigalith via communication.
Yes, this so-called "system update" was essentially the integration of teleportation technology, adding the feature Silas remembered from the anime in his previous life, newly caught Pokémon being automatically sent home if your party is full.
Frankly speaking, Ash's Krabby was both ridiculously small and ridiculously powerful.
Before this update, once a Trainer's party reached its limit, any newly captured Pokémon would be locked inside its Poké Ball and could only be transferred manually at a Pokémon Center.
In simple terms, this update made it far easier and safer for Trainers to capture Pokémon in the wild.
Silas suddenly drifted off in thought.
Now that he thought about it, he really did have a problem to consider.
Because he'd submitted a special application to the League, he was permitted to carry up to eight Pokémon at a time.
But counting the Alolan Vulpix egg that hadn't hatched yet, he'd already reached that limit.
So where could he leave his Pokémon to rest?
Silas wasn't like other League elites—he didn't have a powerful family backing him up, or parents in high League positions.
He was, quite literally, a Trainer without a home.
And it wasn't enough to just have space.
He also needed someone trustworthy to look after his Pokémon.
His first instinct was Professor Oak's Laboratory.
That place left an especially deep impression on him.
After all, countless Pokémon belonging to Ash had been sent there and based on Silas's own investigation in this world, the lab's backyard was enormous.
Hundreds of Pokémon could stay there, it would barely be a ripple in the ocean.
Add in all the other advantages, and it was clearly the best option.
At most, his Pokémon might occasionally assist with research data collection, which wasn't a big deal.
Given Professor Oak's reputation and character, there was no chance the lab would mistreat Pokémon.
Still, Silas hesitated.
Most of his connection with Professor Oak and the lab was built through Professor Rowan.
And from their recent communications, it was obvious that Rowan intended to return to Sinnoh to become the regional Pokémon Professor.
That made things awkward.
Even if neither Professor minded, Silas himself couldn't shake the discomfort.
Other options did exist.
The Pewter Gym, Snow's Pokémon Day Care, or Chuck's Cianwood Gym were all possibilities.
But compared to Oak's lab, they all fell a bit short.
"Forget it. I'll think about it when I catch my next Pokémon."
Silas shook his head, pushing the issue aside.
It wasn't urgent.
At his current pace, he probably wouldn't be raising a new Pokémon anytime soon.
…Probably.
Bugsy watched Silas frown and shake his head repeatedly, curiosity written all over his face.
"What are you doing?"
Bugsy's voice pulled Silas back to reality.
"Nothing. Just thinking."
Silas briefly explained his dilemma.
"Oh, that? If it really comes down to it, you can leave them with me—"
Bugsy patted his chest confidently.
"Hard pass."
Silas looked at him, deadpan.
"By my logic, the Pokémon that'd need resting would be Pidgeot. Are you sure it wouldn't tear this place apart?"
Bugsy froze.
His expression stiffened.
That brought up the internal structure of the Azalea Gym.
The gym was essentially a forest, trees and grass everywhere, allowing Bug-type Pokémon to roam freely.
Which meant that if Pidgeot stayed there, any weaker Bug-type Pokémon would look like snacks.
Even with restraints, forcing predators and prey to coexist was torture for both sides.
"Relax. I've got people."
Silas quickly reassured Bugsy, who was already starting to sweat.
This guy really couldn't handle stress.
"Good. That's good."
Bugsy let out a long sigh, completely unconcerned about showing his reluctance.
"Oh right, what about upgrading Blaziken's Charcoal? You promised."
While eating, Silas suddenly remembered what he'd forgotten that morning.
They'd had a clear objective, yet Bugsy had somehow dragged him back.
"Oh, that."
Bugsy spoke with his mouth full.
"If you trust me, hand the Charcoal over. I'll mail it back when it's done.
But this isn't something that can be finished in a day or two, it'll take at least half a month."
"That works."
Silas nodded.
He'd already expected that.
For official held items, if they were easy to make, Otherwise, they wouldn't be so expensive or rare.
"What's the current boost on that Charcoal?"
"Ten percent. Bare minimum."
Silas scratched his head.
Bugsy raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't expected Blaziken's held item to be that mediocre.
Which meant—
That Blaziken earlier wasn't even at full strength?
He cursed silently.
"Well then, I can probably push it to around 14–16%."
After thinking it through, Bugsy gave his estimate based on experience.
As for where that experience came from?
As the Azalea Gym Leader, asking that old man for a favor once in a while wasn't exactly unreasonable.
If not for that, several of his Pokémon wouldn't have been catchable at all.
"Can't I just replace it outright?" Silas asked.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Bugsy rolled his eyes.
"Every batch of Charcoal is pre-ordered. There's never any surplus."
Silas thought about it and agreed.
That was the normal situation.
"If this case hadn't involved Slowpoke Well, and if Team Magma hadn't suddenly shown up, the Charcoal Shop wouldn't even have agreed to help you."
Bugsy said matter-of-factly.
From that perspective, Silas had been extremely lucky.
For the Charcoal Shop, the dormant volcano behind Azalea Town was an essential part of the production process.
If Team Magma had increased its activity, it would've been disastrous for them.
So yes, they truly owed Silas.
As for Slowpoke Well, that came down to town administration.
Bugsy couldn't decide Silas's reward alone.
Officials who held deep emotional attachment to Slowpoke and the Well were naturally grateful to the one who brought the intelligence.
Otherwise, who knew what horrific fate awaited the Slowpoke that fell into Team Rocket's hands?
All these factors combined to make Silas's reward unusually generous.
After all, for official items, every single percentage point meant a massive price difference.
"Oh, right, any updates on Team Magma?"
Silas asked curiously.
He'd noticed Bugsy take a phone call before the meal and he'd looked pleased.
"Oh, you bet."
Bugsy lit up instantly.
"A major corporate president personally called the police. He provided evidence of Team Magma's crimes in Johto.
Those guys talked so tough, I really thought they'd just arrived here."
"Who was it?" Silas asked casually, taking a sip of water.
"Giovanni, president of the Rocket Group."
"—cough!"
Silas nearly choked.
He hurriedly wiped his mouth and clothes with a napkin.
That answer hit him like a truck.
Giovanni…
A five-star law-abiding citizen?
No.
That wasn't right.
Silas quickly regained his composure.
This had to be Team Rocket's counterattack.
He sucked in a sharp breath.
Good grief, that was fast.
"What's wrong?" Bugsy asked, puzzled. "You don't have to react that strongly."
Then something occurred to him.
"Oh, right—you're from Viridian City. Gym Leader Giovanni must be a huge deal to you.
So? How does it feel to have technically completed a mission alongside your idol?"
Bugsy waggled his eyebrows, clearly pleased with his own reasoning.
"So happy," Silas said stiffly, his mouth twitching.
If Giovanni ever found out that Team Rocket was exposed at Slowpoke Well because of him…
Silas didn't even want to imagine the outcome.
In a familiar, dimly lit room—
"Erase these two."
Giovanni's expression didn't change as he read the report Matori handed him.
However, the Persian perched nearby—clearly wanting to cry out but daring not to—made its displeasure toward the massive hand resting on it abundantly clear.
"Yes, sir," Matori replied calmly.
"And the Trainer who reported it?" she asked.
"Silas Alaric."
Giovanni's finger glided over the text, then came to a firm stop on the identity field.
"Have the recruitment division approach him. Priority is acquisition. Team Rocket needs talent like this."
"Understood."
Matori turned crisply and left the room.
Truth be told, from Team Rocket's perspective, this entire mess stemmed from two incompetent subordinates.
Had those two one fat, one thin had not acted on their own initiative, the Team Rocket operatives stationed at Slowpoke Well would never have been discovered.
That said, learning so quickly that Team Magma had extended its reach into Johto and was already active was valuable intelligence.
Rather than sabotaging the operation, Silas had effectively exposed an enemy.
From Matori's point of view, Giovanni's decision was flawless.
After all, how could the great Boss Giovanni ever be wrong?
"Achoo!"
Silas sneezed involuntarily.
Ever since Giovanni's name came up, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
Sure enough, the more you know, the more terrifying things become, he thought wryly.
If he didn't know Giovanni was Team Rocket's leader, he wouldn't be this paranoid.
Honestly, even not knowing about Giovanni's absurd strength would have been enough.
Silas was half-afraid Giovanni would suddenly summon Mewtwo just to "have a chat."
"In any case," Bugsy said cheerfully, "even though Team Magma keeps denying everything, the evidence is airtight. According to League law, they won't escape punishment."
Bugsy's upbeat mood stood in stark contrast to Silas's dark cloud.
Bugsy patted Silas on the shoulder, puzzled was he upset about not meeting his idol?
Maybe he'd get an autograph for him at the next regional Gym Leader gathering.
Clueless as ever, Bugsy felt genuinely sympathetic.
"I'm fine," Silas said casually. "Just thinking about funding."
Bugsy was deeply moved.
Look at this partner, still thinking about their business even now.
Fantastic.
Silas discreetly shook off Bugsy's suddenly tight grip.
You're handsome, sure but you're still a guy.
"Oh, right," Bugsy added. "There's actually another issue with the Pidgey Courier network—"
After lunch, the two continued refining the finer details of the Bug Catching Net project.
The Next Day, Noon
Silas left the backyard of Kurt's house, waved goodbye to the adorable little Maizie, and departed Azalea Town along the forest path.
Inside his spatial pack were several Apricorn Balls, clearly different from standard Poké Balls, along with a simple cooperation contract signed with Bugsy.
All in all, a very productive trip.
At the agreed meeting spot from the day before, Silas released Ampharos to stand guard while he continued his daily Trainer routine—
Refining short-term training plans for his team.
Naturally, the focus was on Ralts.
"A shiny Ampharos?!"
From a shadowy corner of the forest, Man stared greedily at the monitor displaying one human and one Pokémon.
Then he frowned.
"This guy… looks familiar."
Murmuring to himself, figure pulled out a small notebook.
"Silas Alaric. Kanto Trainer. Top 16 at the previous Indigo Plateau Conference."
He quickly found the entry he needed.
"Tch… troublesome."
Reluctant to give up, he still knew better.
Direct confrontation wasn't his forte and Silas's strength exceeded what he could handle.
"Still… what's he waiting for?"
....
Hi For access to additional chapters of
Director in Hollywood (40 chpaters)
Made In Hollywood (60 Chapters)
Pokemon:Bounty Hunter(30 Chapters)
Hollywood:From Razzie to Legend(40 Chapters)
The Great Ruler(30 Chapters)
Btth: Ascend to Pinnacle (30 Chapters)
Douluo Dalu: My Martial is Tyranitar (30 Chapters)
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu