Kikuno patted Natsuhiko's shoulder meaningfully before leaving.
But her words left Natsuhiko puzzled.
Previously, Professor Oak had said the same thing.
Now Kikuno said it too.
This made Natsuhiko realize that the competition's reward might not be as simple as it seemed on the surface.
But before he could think more about it, after Kikuno left, Natsuhiko felt a chill gradually creeping up his back.
He shivered slightly, then turned around with an awkward smile.
"Gengar~"
As he turned his head, he was startled to find Gengar sticking out its tongue, making a face at him.
Three black lines appeared on Natsuhiko's forehead.
He thought.
Why did it get cold so quickly? He was already used to Kikuko's chilly gaze and demeanor.
It turned out to be Gengar playing a prank.
"Here, it's always ready for you." Saying this, Natsuhiko took out a box of Energy Blocks.
"Gengar!"
Gengar blinked its eyes, mimicking Kikuno's mature demeanor, and patted Natsuhiko's shoulder.
It gave Natsuhiko a look as if saying, "Young one, I have faith in you."
Then it rolled up the Energy Blocks and ran to the side.
After getting rid of Gengar, Natsuhiko showed an awkward smile again and walked over to Kikuko.
"Teacher..."
Kikuko, leaning on her cane, slowly raised her head and gave him a look.
Natsuhiko's expression stiffened slightly.
He didn't know why, but every time he faced Kikuko, he felt a bit anxious inside.
After a long while, Kikuko finally said slowly, "That old guy said you really have a chance to advance to Doctor this time?"
Natsuhiko scratched his nose, "I have a little chance, but my foundation isn't solid enough."
The "old guy" Kikuko referred to...
Professor Oak must have been "entertained" already, right?
He silently mourned for him for three minutes.
"I hope you don't lose sight of your priorities. Although a Pokemon Doctor has a high status, it's a position given by others, and they can take it back at any time. Only strength is truly yours to hold." Kikuko said slowly.
Hearing this, Natsuhiko was momentarily stunned.
Then his expression gradually calmed down.
He sat down on the sofa beside Kikuko.
He could feel that Kikuko genuinely cared about him and had his best interests at heart.
"Teacher, I know, I understand, research is just my..."
"A side job, right?" Before Natsuhiko could finish his words, Kikuko interjected, her aged face wrinkling into a smile that seemed a bit eerie.
"The achievements in a simple side job by my student took that old guy over ten years."
Natsuhiko clicked his tongue.
Why did it feel like Kikuko wasn't that angry, but was rather gloating a bit?
Professor Oak's "abandoning the martial to pursue the literary" truly had a significant impact on Kikuko.
Fortunately, he wasn't "abandoning the martial to pursue the literary," just managing both his main and side jobs.
Kikuko's smile gradually faded, and she cast him a glance.
A dark aura spread from the shadow at her feet, enveloping the entire room.
Seeing this scene, Natsuhiko's expression became slightly serious; he knew Kikuko was about to talk business.
"How are things at the Hunter Guild?"
Natsuhiko couldn't help but rub his forehead, "Teacher, I was just about to tell you about this. Should I end my undercover mission?"
If it goes on, it might really get out of hand.
"Why?" Kikuko raised an eyebrow.
Natsuhiko tugged at his mouth.
"According to the current developments, with the Unova Region's head dead and the Alola Region opening up, the Hunter Guild will become increasingly chaotic, and if it continues, I might end up at the top seat."
"Heh—" Kikuko chuckled softly, "What? The mighty Hero of Truth and Ideals is afraid?"
Others only knew Natsuhiko as the "Hero of Truth," but Kikuko knew he was both the "Hero of Truth" and the "Hero of Ideal."
When she first heard this news, Kikuko was shocked for a while.
In the Unova Region, it could be said that Natsuhiko feared no one, no matter who he faced.
"Teacher, truthfully, what's your plan? Can you give me a hint? You don't really intend for the Hunter Guild to disband before it's considered over, do you?" Natsuhiko couldn't help but ask.
"Disband?"
Kikuko shot him a sideways glance, "Disbanding would only cause more chaos, and by then, all the Hunters might become unrestrained and unruly."
"Then..."
"You should first take the highest seat, try to divide the Hunter Guild's power, this way it won't be as chaotic as disbanding, and it can also reduce the pressure on the Alliance."
Alright.
He still had to maintain both his black and white identities.
Kikuko suddenly sat upright, looking at Natsuhiko.
Until Natsuhiko felt a bit flustered, she said, "Giovanni thinks highly of you?"
"Well... I wouldn't say very highly, just generally."
Natsuhiko chose his words carefully.
"That's true, after all, you are the 'Hero of Ideal.'" Kikuko mused.
"By the way... Teacher, why do you want me to get close to the Rocket Team? I heard the Rocket Team is quite well-behaved these days."
But Kikuko replied in a deep voice, "It's precisely because they're well-behaved that it makes one feel uneasy."
Natsuhiko was silent.
"Back in the day, Giovanni was just as talented as you, and even... even the Kanto Alliance considered him for Champion..."
Kikuko's eyes carried a trace of nostalgia.
Giovanni, in his era, was also a legendary figure.
"In any case, don't trust him too much, just stabilize your current identity, and if there's a chance, investigate what the Rocket Team has been up to lately."
Creating Mewtwo... Natsuhiko thought to himself.
But he had no evidence.
All he could do was nod, "I understand."