"What?!"
Gu Qiu stared at the black VIP card in his hand, genuinely stunned.
He hadn't expected something that looked so simple to be this valuable.
"Miss Joy, I can't accept this. It's too precious."
"You deserve the friendship of the Joy Family," Joy said with a gentle smile. "Cerulean's Joy truly has good judgment."
There was unmistakable approval in her eyes.
Gu Qiu had no choice but to accept it.
What he didn't know was that the head nurse had held something back.
Possessing this VIP card didn't just mean benefits.
It meant protection.
Real protection.
Not a public statement on social media.
If any major force or criminal organization learned he held a Joy VIP card, they would never dare harm him—or his family.
Because the retaliation from the Joy Family would be absolute.
Twenty years ago, a massive cross-regional clan interfered with Pokémon Center operations, leading to the deaths of multiple Pokémon.
They were powerful.
Dominant across two regions.
The Joy Family sent only one person.
A single Joy.
With a Legendary Pokémon.
Latias.
That clan was crushed into submission overnight.
Today, they barely survive as a minor house.
And that was only because the Joy Family showed mercy.
VIP cards like this?
Only one could be issued per Joy in her lifetime.
On average, only one might appear every few years.
"By the way… about Kirlia's healing technique?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Joy. It can't be taught. It requires a special innate ability. I currently don't have the capacity to pass it on."
That was the truth.
Gu Qiu didn't even understand chakra from a teaching perspective.
He had inherited it.
Even if he could teach it—
He wouldn't.
Not unless he stood at the absolute peak of the world.
"That's a pity."
Joy didn't doubt him.
She could sense sincerity.
"Miss Joy, my Greninja is severely exhausted. Could you help restore it?"
Mystical Palm healed injuries.
It didn't restore stamina.
"Of course."
She handled it personally.
Meanwhile.
Cerulean Gym.
"Gu Qiu did what?"
Misty and Lorelei both looked shocked.
"His Kirlia treated nearly a hundred Pokémon in under half an hour?"
More than half of the injured had been healed by Kirlia alone.
"And he received a VIP card?"
This part stunned them more than the healing itself.
They looked at each other.
"Lorelei… your luck is incredible."
Lorelei laughed.
She remembered other Elite Four members mocking her for publicly backing Gu Qiu.
And now?
"Truly a surprising little guy."
Her smile was radiant.
Who would question her judgment now?
"What about Cerulean Cave?" Misty asked seriously.
Lorelei's gaze sharpened.
"Let Gu Qiu handle it."
"Gu Qiu?"
"Yes. His background is solid now. Even certain groups wouldn't dare touch him."
"If we show up, they'll run like dogs."
Misty thought for a moment.
"He's actually the perfect candidate."
"But League benefits?"
"I'll secure the best possible rewards for him."
"First," Lorelei smiled faintly, "we'll see if he's willing."
3:00 PM.
The Fishing Tournament began.
Over a thousand participants.
To prevent chaos, a preliminary mini-game was held at an arcade.
Only those scoring 60+ could advance.
Gu Qiu?
Full score.
The only perfect score among all contestants.
The fat boy participated too.
43 points.
Eliminated.
In total, 61 passed.
Plus Misty herself.
62 participants.
Rules:
Same fishing equipment for everyoneFinal score determined by Pokémon quality and level
Scoring:
Low-tier: 5 base points + 2 per levelMid-tier: 50 base + 10 per levelHigh-tier: 1000 base + 50 per levelTop-tier: 10,000 base + 500 per level
Gu Qiu received his rod, bait, bucket, and chair.
Two-hour time limit.
"Brother! Win my share too!"
A familiar roar echoed from outside.
Gu Qiu didn't even need to look.
Only one person could be that shameless.
The fat one.
"Countdown begins—10!"
As the timer started—
The system chimed.
[Ding! Fishing Tournament Mission Triggered!]
The higher your ranking in the fishing tournament, the greater the reward!
Gu Qiu's eyes narrowed slightly.
Fishing?
Then let's see—
What kind of monster lurks beneath Cerulean Lake.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed.
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