At the same time, Larry's eyes caught the gleam of the gold coin on Meowth's forehead.
It still felt odd to see a cat with a shiny piece of gold stuck right there.
"Meowth, it's time to start learning now," Larry said softly after holding Meowth for a moment and gently setting her down.
Just then, Porygon Z appeared beside Larry, ready to assist Meowth in the next step.
Meowth's bright eyes locked onto the floating figure with strong curiosity.
Suddenly, Porygon Z released a surge of aura, and streams of green data materialized in the digital space around them.
Under its precise control, these flowing bits of data gradually formed the shape of a book, something that could be called the "28 Data Book."
This virtual book contained the common language used across the six continents.
All Meowth had to do was touch it to access the knowledge inside, there was no need to flip pages.
As long as Meowth absorbed the information from this virtual book, she would be able to learn to speak.
"Meow~"
Meowth's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she stepped forward cautiously.
Everyone knows cats are naturally inquisitive, which is why the saying goes, "curiosity killed the cat."
When Meowth touched the green data for the first time, a flood of language knowledge poured into her mind like a rushing river.
The learning process had begun.
Seeing that Meowth was already absorbing the universal language, Porygon Z didn't stop there.
Soon, more virtual "data books" appeared around them, each filled with different types of knowledge.
Watching this unfold, Larry felt a twinge of guilt for some reason, perhaps overwhelmed by the responsibility of it all.
It felt a little harsh, didn't it?
Meowth had just been born, and already she was being sent off to school.
She was just a kitten, it seemed almost too cruel.
Still, after some thought, Larry decided to ask Porygon Z to gather some basic information and help Meowth build a foundation of knowledge.
Once Meowth mastered the universal language spoken across the six continents, Larry planned to provide her with more specific information based on her interests.
He figured Meowth would probably be most curious about things like making money, inventions...
And technology.
Watching Meowth study so seriously, Larry quietly slipped away.
It had been a while since he last saw Menchi, so he decided to take the chance to visit her.
Meanwhile, the 13th election for the president of the Hunter Association was in full swing.
After the election rules were finalized, Cluck from the Twelve Zodiacs was tasked with spreading the news to all hunters.
With over 600 members in the Association, Cluck had a big responsibility.
The rules required a minimum 95% voter turnout for the election to be valid.
Thanks to her ability to control birds, Cluck was the perfect choice for the job.
From the rooftop of the Hunter Building, she released a flock of pure white pigeons.
They flapped their wings and swiftly flew out of sight, leaving only a few feathers drifting behind.
As the day of the election approached, August 8th, the rules were clear: voting opens at midnight and closes at 11:59 PM the same day.
If the turnout doesn't reach 95%, they have to keep voting until it does.
Since both Larry and Menchi were hunters, they naturally planned to vote.
However, Larry had an appointment to keep before midnight.
The Hunter Association was located in a bustling city, and night had fallen.
Neon lights lit up the streets and alleys, making the city glow beautifully.
At night, the city seemed even more alive, with people everywhere.
Yet, tucked away in this lively place was an upscale restaurant that was nearly empty.
Larry quietly pushed open the glass door with a soft "ding."
Without even glancing around, he immediately spotted Beyond seated at the central table.
Larry's eyes lit up with recognition.
This place was the famous Starview Restaurant, well-known not just for its delicious food but also as a popular spot for serious discussions.
No one was quite sure how it gained that reputation; maybe it was luck, or maybe clever marketing by the restaurant itself.
Over time, Starview Restaurant became a go-to place for professionals and high-ranking officials from various factions to talk business.
The belief was that if you hashed out your plans here, they were more likely to succeed.
Because of this, the restaurant mostly had private rooms and only a few tables in the main hall, making it easy for Larry to spot Beyond right away.
After attending the New Five meeting at the Hunter Association, Larry had come here with Menchi for a good meal before heading to Carter Port.
For Larry, the restaurant's reputation as a meeting spot wasn't what drew him in; it was the food.
Compared to Gourmet Paradise, Julia's food ranked somewhere in the middle, but it was still worth trying.
Normally, the place was packed and hard to get a seat, but today it was just Larry and Beyond.
Clearly, the table had been reserved.
When the door opened, Beyond quickly stood up, waving at Larry with a big smile.
"Hohohoho, Mr. Larry, right this way!"
His hearty laugh reminded Larry of Netero's but sounded even deeper and more commanding.
That kind of laugh made people feel at ease and gave off the impression that Beyond was someone you could trust.
Larry smiled back and walked over.
"Nice to meet you. No need to be so formal."
After the brief greeting, they both sat down, ready to talk business.
Seeing Beyond in person, Larry couldn't help but be impressed.
He was definitely the son of the old man; there was no mistaking the resemblance.
They looked so alike, except Beyond was younger, with black hair and beard.
The biggest difference was the large "X" scar across Beyond's face, which gave him a fierce edge despite his kind expression.
His green robe suited his strong build and long beard perfectly.
If his face were a little redder, he'd almost look like Guan Yu, the legendary warrior from China.
"Mr. Larry, I reserved this place today to thank you for your kindness to my father," Beyond said sincerely, lowering his tone to sound humble and respectful.
His attitude now was very different from when he faced the King of Nasubi; he was far more reserved with Larry.
Larry noticed everything: the way Beyond stood up to greet him, the genuine tone in his voice.
After all, offending Nasubi might not be fatal, but crossing Larry? No one across the six continents could save you then.
That's why Beyond had come to express his gratitude so earnestly.
"Oh? Then I'm looking forward to it," Larry replied, his curiosity piqued.
He also caught a subtle movement from Beyond, who touched the silver bracelet on his wrist.
Suddenly, a soft white light appeared above the table.