"How's the dojo doing these days?"
"It's alright. The biggest expenses for the construction are all done, and with the funds sent by Elite Four Kikuno last time, maintaining the dojo's normal operation isn't a problem," Chrysa said.
For a dojo to operate normally, it's not just about having a dojo leader.
It involves a lot of workers.
Like maintenance workers for the venue, daily cleaning staff, Pokémon care workers, various electrical facilities maintenance, procurement, promotion, marketing, challenger application reviews, basic data analysis, etc.
A series of human resources.
It's no exaggeration to say.
A dojo's normal operation can completely support hundreds of families.
Although it's called a dojo, it's more like a semi-official enterprise.
Natsuhiko nodded, "And her?"
Chrysa pursed her lips, "Miss Linghua is very dedicated, but it's just that..."
"What is it?"
Chrysa hesitated, looking a bit awkward, thought for a moment then said:
"Mr. Natsuhiko, it's normal for you to appoint someone as acting leader; after all, many dojos do that, and many leaders have their own things to attend to. But Miss Linghua's primary identity is still Miss Joy at the Poke Center. You have her come to be the dojo leader...
She has to run between two places every day."
It's so tiring.
"Uh..."
Natsuhiko's expression froze.
He rubbed his nose and said, "I understand, I'll go see her."
"But Miss Linghua is doing really well. She doesn't seem like a Miss Joy at all, more like an enthusiastic trainer," Kikuno added.
"Mm."
Natsuhiko naturally knew this.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked Joy Rhombus to be the acting leader.
Or more accurately...
When Joy Rhombus knew Natsuhiko intended to find an acting leader, she applied herself.
After exchanging a bit about dojo's daily affairs with Kikuno again.
Natsuhiko arrived at the dojo Pokémon nursery.
This is a large indoor nursery specifically designed for preparing dojo Pokémon.
Based on the living habits and requirements of dojo Pokémon, a simulated living environment was built.
This was also a major expense during the dojo's construction.
In the simulated nursery.
The environment here is excellent.
In the center, there's an artificial lake, inhabited by Gyarados and some Water-type Pokémon.
To the left is a dense forest, currently home to a female Noivern and her three Noibat offspring.
To the right is a pile of rocks, mainly inhabited by a family of Duraludon and Tyrantrum.
Maintaining this simulated nursery daily is quite costly.
When Natsuhiko entered, he heard...
"Oh dear, cousin, talk to the family for me again. Have them find someone to replace me, am I not a dojo leader now? Even though it's acting, it's not disgracing the family, right?"
Joy Rhombus was holding her phone, speaking in a pleading tone.
She was on a video call with a certain Miss Joy.
If Joy Rhombus wasn't currently not in a nurse's outfit, the uninformed might think she was looking in the mirror.
The people of the Joy Race look so alike, they might as well be cloned.
"Saying it to me won't help this time. I brought the clan leader here, you can talk to her yourself." On the video, appeared an older-looking woman with facial features still reminiscent of a young Joy.
"Clan leader..." Joy Rhombus didn't expect the clan leader to come, immediately put away her playful smile, stuck out her tongue, and respectfully greeted.
Just then.
Natsuhiko walked in.
Joy Rhombus turned to look instinctively at the sound.
"Natsuhiko!" Joy Rhombus' eyes lit up.
"Uh... Am I coming at a bad time?" Natsuhiko glanced at her, then at the screen with the elderly Joy.
"Linghua, let me talk to Brother Natsuhiko."
From the phone came the kind but rather hoarse voice of the clan leader Joy.
"Okay."
Joy Rhombus shoved the phone into the bewildered Natsuhiko's hand, winked at him, made a fist with a cheering gesture, and then walked out the door.
Now Natsuhiko was dumbfounded.
The most embarrassing thing is digging up someone else's cornerstone, and they confront you.
But now it's too late to avoid.
The Joy clan leader, supposedly the Sinnoh region's clan leader Joy.
Not of lower status than the Elite Four.
Natsuhiko didn't dare to hang up on her.
He slowly lifted the phone, forced a smile.
"Um... Clan leader Joy..."
Before he could explain, Joy clan leader smiled and said, "Brother Natsuhiko, I heard about your Chansey 'Tiny Quality Rockslide' strategy before, but never had the chance to meet you, how coincidental this is."
Natsuhiko: "..."
The Joy clan leader sighed, "Recently, quite a few kids at home have been learning your strategy, none want to work at the Poke Center."
"Uh, haha—"
What else could he say?
Natsuhiko could only dryly laugh to ease the awkwardness.
"But it's a good thing, we're not that rigid in the Joy clan."
The following words from the clan leader Joy did make Natsuhiko breathe a sigh of relief.
"Linghua hasn't caused you trouble, has she?"
"No, not at all. Linghua has done very well, made me feel like I don't need to be the dojo leader at all," Natsuhiko said rubbing his nose.
The clan leader Joy chuckled lightly, "That's good then. I'll leave Linghua with you, that girl hasn't had it easy, her parents weren't around since she was young, she's been living on family support."