The Elite Four Challenge had come to an end just like that…
Because of this "one" match, he had prepared for two months, growing together with Piloswine all the way to this point, and every bit of effort had been rewarded.
Because of this match, he had gotten to know Pryce and had even obtained a potential prospect like Swinub. Although it would bring him some trouble, such a Pokémon was something he had only managed to raise in his previous life when he was already middle-aged. The difference was several decades, and he was very clear about which mattered more.
Opportunities and challenges always coexist. This was an unchanging truth!
In short, because of this match, he had gained quite a lot, but the things he needed to face in advance had also increased…
---◓---
The New Year had arrived!
Tetsuya felt a slight sense of emotion. Walking along the streets of Mt. Silver, decorations were everywhere, and the sound of bells and drums filled the air. Perhaps all troubles would disperse along with this festive atmosphere.
He had also grown a year older, and the trajectory of his life in this lifetime had taken another step forward…
Arriving at the Pokémon Center, Tetsuya handed Piloswine's Poké Ball to Nurse Joy. As expected, it would require three days of rest before Piloswine could fully recover.
Sitting alone on a bench in the Pokémon Center, an endless sense of loneliness welled up in his heart. Only then did he realize that in this world, there was not even a single person he could talk to.
He needed power and money to enrich himself. Tetsuya strengthened his resolve.
After regrouping his scattered thoughts, Tetsuya decided to give Matsuba a call. After all, he was preparing to return to Ecruteak City next. No matter how Pryce tried to persuade him to stay, he would not follow him now!
From the two days of training, it could be seen that the other three Elite Four were targeting Pryce at every turn.
The current Champion was Siegfried, who was relatively neutral. In his memory, after Siegfried went to Kanto, Ryosuke became the next Champion. This person was extremely calculating and well-connected. Although his strength was far inferior to Pryce, he had always suppressed him in terms of position.
Once Ryosuke became Champion, he would naturally try every possible way to remove Pryce, this thorn in his side.
In the midst of the vortex, one either becomes the leader of the vortex or is destroyed along with it. So when he stepped into this vortex, he had to do so as its leader…
He had to inform Matsuba in advance!
Tetsuya used the public phone at the Pokémon Center to connect to Ecruteak Gym.
On the screen, Matsuba and his wife, Morty, Raine, and another familiar-looking person were sitting around a table, eating New Year's Eve dinner.
"Leader."
Tetsuya slightly bowed toward the screen.
[Hey, Tetsuya, congrats! What a pity… You couldn't make it back to Ecruteak Gym to reunite with everyone. But you are already an official pupil of Ecruteak Gym now, so you can return at any time! When you come back, we will welcome you and make up for this New Year's Eve dinner,] Matsuba said.
"I plan to return to Ecruteak Gym in the next day or two," Tetsuya said.
[Mahaha, what did I say? Tetsuya is definitely not someone who forgets his roots! As soon as he finished the Elite Four Challenge, he thought of me, his mentor!]
Matsuba was quite pleased with himself for having taken in such a good student.
Raine chuckled. Now he was the only clear-headed person in Ecruteak Gym.
[Tetsuya, your match with Caitlin today was truly exciting! Before I knew it, you've already left me behind again. When you come back, we must have a proper battle!]
Morty stepped forward and spoke, completely treating Tetsuya as if they were family.
"Mm, definitely," Tetsuya said.
Raine also walked to the screen, smiled slightly without speaking, and Tetsuya responded with the same smile. To be honest, this time returning was mainly to keep an eye on Raine. Such a dangerous factor must not be given too good an environment for growth.
Another boy about the same age as Tetsuya walked over, and Matsuba introduced, [Tetsuya, this is the pupil I took in after you left, Leaf.]
'Leaf!'
Hearing this name, Tetsuya suddenly remembered. In this life, he had also seen him at the entrance of the orphanage¹[1], and in his previous life, he had stayed with him in the orphanage for three years.
Why would this guy become a pupil of Ecruteak Gym? But after such a long time, the family's property had probably already been embezzled by the orphanage, and they must have been eager for someone to take him in…
"Oh? Did the Gym hold another evaluation?" Tetsuya asked.
[No, no. Although this kid is young, his battle sense is not bad. He used his Murkrow to defeat Raine's Dusclops. I thought this child was quite pitiful, so I took him in.]
After Matsuba finished speaking, Tetsuya could not help but glance sideways at Raine, who appeared completely unconcerned.
'Heh…'
Tetsuya already understood everything. How could Leaf's strength possibly surpass Raine? Raine must have deliberately held back, allowing Leaf to enter Ecruteak Gym. It seemed that this Leaf had already been completely won over by Raine.
[Hello, senpai!] Leaf greeted politely.
"Mm…"
---◓---
After hanging up the phone, Tetsuya became even more determined to return to Ecruteak Gym. He had only been away for such a short time, yet Raine had already begun to develop his own influence. If this continued, it would be unacceptable. He could not allow him to truly become a threat.
"Tetsuya, so you are here."
Pryce's voice interrupted Tetsuya's thoughts.
"Oh, Elite Four Pryce."
"How is Piloswine? Is there any serious problem?" Pryce asked with concern.
"It's nothing serious, just that its energy was too greatly depleted."
Pryce nodded and said, "That is understandable. The battle lasted so long, and being able to hold on to a draw is already remarkable.
Mmm…Tetsuya, I truly did not misjudge you. In this event, those people can no longer find fault with me. As for Tōkichi and Maiko, they have only brought trouble upon themselves. The League Council will definitely have a talk with them."
Tetsuya was also quite surprised by the inside story.
"Come, go back with me to eat. On such an important holiday, people like us who work so hard have not even had time to eat properly. Sigh, sometimes I really envy those ordinary people…" Pryce shook his head and sighed.
Tetsuya smiled slightly, thinking that one day Pryce would envy the days of being an Elite Four.
"But Piloswine?"
To be honest, Tetsuya did not want to have too much contact with Pryce anymore. After all, when the two were together, there would inevitably be many "sensitive" topics.
In Pryce's view, however, it appeared as Tetsuya's concern for Piloswine.
He immediately comforted him, "I did not expect you to care so much about Piloswine. No wonder you have made such great progress in such a short time. Don't worry, Piloswine recovering at the Pokémon Center is the best option. It has food and drink, and I will also give Miss Joy some instructions. There will definitely be no problem."
Tetsuya went along with the situation and said, "Then after dinner I will come back again. I will stay here tonight, so I can take care of Piloswine at any time!"
"That works too."
After saying this, Pryce helped Tetsuya book a luxurious suite, then spoke with Nurse Joy about taking care of Piloswine, and the two headed toward Pryce's villa.
•.
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¹. Ch 53.
[1] Ch 53.