Oak's voice was calm and mechanical as he spoke indifferently. "Your professor title application has already been approved, but the approval for establishing your research institute has only just been sent to Hoenn."
He paused for several seconds, then turned around and stood up. Slipping both hands into his pockets, he continued, "The League plans to allocate three hundred million for the research institute... but that is far from enough."
Far from enough?
Shiro was silent for a moment before asking, "Then how much is actually needed?"
"That depends on the scale of the research institute you want to build." Oak slowly paced forward. "If it's only the most basic version, with three ecological zones and the laboratory itself, it would require around five hundred million Pokédollars. If you want a top-tier facility with seven ecological zones and two laboratory buildings, then it would cost around one point five billion."
Shiro frowned deeply when he heard that. "Was it always like this before?"
The League's approved funding was actually not enough to build a research institute. Then how had ordinary Professors built theirs? Surely they were not all rich tycoons.
"Heh. Ten years ago, three hundred million was more than enough for a basic research institute." Oak's lips curled slightly. "Twenty years ago, three hundred million Pokédollars could build at least five ecological zones."
He added, "Currency always loses value. Very few new Professors have appeared over the last decade, so no one reported the issue."
At that point, he paused slightly. "No, actually Sycamore did report it. The League's allocated amount for new Professors did increase, but by the time it was approved, it was still only three hundred million."
Shiro did not care about League corruption. He only asked in confusion, "Why are you telling me this?"
Logically, Oak should not be kindly warning him. Watching him embarrass himself later when he ran out of money while building the lab would be far more normal.
"Because I don't want you delaying my plans later."
Oak's face remained cold.
According to the agreement they had made, Shiro's future Hoenn research institute would also help support and promote the Pokédex. Oak did not want Shiro backing out at the last moment because the laboratory was unfinished.
"And also, I already handled your professor title and research institute application for you. This was the fastest speed possible."
After saying that, Oak asked, "What about Galar's side?"
He looked suspiciously at the youngest Professor before him.
He had heard Galar was essentially ruled by Macro Cosmos and Rose alone.
What if all that talk about cooperation had just been nonsense?
Oak was doubtful.
Seeing this, Shiro took out his communicator. "Wait a minute. I'll step outside and make a call."
* * *
In the hallway, Shiro quickly operated the communicator.
Before long, the device vibrated lightly and gave off a soft buzz.
"Oleana?" he asked.
"Just get to the point."
Her tone on the other side was calm.
She could already guess Shiro was calling to ask for a reward. After all, he had completed his professor conferment.
However, Oleana had forgotten Rose's instructions to send congratulations. She felt there was no need to congratulate him. The money used to bribe those researchers had all passed through her hands. She truly did not feel like congratulating Shiro for anything.
Shiro organized his thoughts and spoke first. "I discovered Professor Oak's secret."
"...What is it?"
Oleana felt as if she had just heard some exaggerated joke.
Judging by the timing, the Academic Summit had only just ended, and Shiro had uncovered Oak's secret after one conference?
Could it be that Oak himself had accidentally revealed something important?
Oleana felt that was entirely possible. Besides, Galar and Kanto were far apart. The summit had only just ended, so detailed news had not yet reached them.
Shiro lowered his voice. "Professor Oak has developed a device containing data on Pokémon from nearly every region. It can help beginner trainers..."
Before he could finish, Oleana could no longer sit still.
* * *
Inside the Macro Cosmos office, Oleana stood up immediately. Ignoring the subordinate walking toward her with documents, she strode straight through the work area.
As the sharp sound of her heels struck the floor in rapid rhythm, the employees around her lowered their heads and continued working at high efficiency.
Soon, she reached the elevator and pressed the button. "Keep talking."
Shiro did not waste words. He briefly explained Oak's plans. That included secretly researching the device, preparing to reveal it publicly in the near future, and then using the entire academic world to resist the League.
After hearing it, Oleana fell silent for a long moment.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened.
Oleana's chest rose and fell unevenly as she stepped inside in two quick strides and headed straight for the top floor.
A device containing Pokémon data from nearly every region.
And it was meant to help beginner trainers?
Just hearing that much, Oleana felt anyone capable of imagining such a thing had to be insane.
The key point was that this was Oak's plan, and he intended to drag the entire research world into opposing the League.
A madman.
"Are you sure what you're saying is true?" Oleana asked again to verify it.
Shiro answered just as firmly. "How could this be fake? The reason I called was to ask one thing."
He paused briefly before continuing. "This device, and the Pokémon data inside it... does the company want it?"
Oleana felt as if she had misheard. "You can get the research materials in Professor Oak's hands?"
"Of course. That's what I was calling about." Shiro said calmly.
Oleana was left speechless.
Ding!
Just then, the elevator reached its destination. She stepped out of it and walked forward to knock on the door to Rose's office.
She had assumed Shiro had only discovered Oak's plans and was reporting them as routine intelligence. But he could even obtain Oak's research data?
Had Shiro kidnapped Oak or something?
"How did you—"
Oleana had only asked halfway when Shiro interrupted her.
"My professor conferment is basically complete now. What's left is establishing the research institute... and I'm short on money for that."
Hearing this, Oleana gradually calmed down and began considering how much the materials were worth.
"Five hundred million Pokédollars. What do you think?" Shiro said.
Oleana said nothing as she walked into the already open office.
Rose was seated inside waiting.
She responded, "You should speak to Chairman Rose directly."
With that, she walked forward and handed the communicator to him.
"Shiro's call."
Rose nodded slightly, accepted it, and asked, "What happened?"
Left with no choice, Shiro repeated everything once again.
"A Pokédex... and it would even be distributed to some beginner trainers?"
Rose straightened in his seat with interest, then asked carefully, "Shiro, are you certain you can obtain the materials in Professor Oak's possession?"
**
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