"Very certain."
"Then what you need should be worth more than just five hundred million Pokédollars, right?"
Rose did not believe such important data would be sold for only five hundred million. More importantly, how Shiro could obtain that data was itself a crucial matter.
Shiro glanced back at Oak's room, then lowered his voice. "I have a proposal for cooperation..."
Rose smiled. "Go on."
Shiro briefly explained the agreement he had reached with Oak, namely that the Galar region would help promote and popularize the Pokédex.
Rose unconsciously twirled the hair near his temple as he considered it.
For Galar, this was almost the same as gaining everything for nothing. Aside from spending a small amount of Pokédollars, they would receive a complete device and priceless Pokémon data for free.
It was an incredible deal.
And Oak's only request was help spreading the Pokédex.
That was extremely easy.
After waiting a moment, Shiro asked, "Chairman Rose, how about I let you speak directly with Professor Oak right now?"
Rose was slightly surprised. He had not expected Shiro to be beside Oak at this very moment. The relationship between those two was clearly not as simple as it appeared.
Thinking for a bit, he answered, "Alright. Since you are willing, let me speak with Professor Oak directly."
* * *
Shiro returned to the lab and handed the communicator to Oak.
"Chairman Rose is on the other side."
Oak's eyes shifted slightly. He gave Shiro a smile, exchanged a few greetings with Rose, then began discussing the specific arrangements.
A short while later.
"Yes, yes... Chairman Rose is truly generous."
With a cheerful tone unlike anything he had shown before, Oak finished the discussion and returned the device.
Rose then explained the financial arrangement.
The promised Pokédollars would be transferred into the institute account as research funding from the Galar government once Shiro's research institute was officially established.
Now that his professor title had already been approved, the institute would be formally authorized by the League within three days at most, and the account would be opened as well.
Shiro smiled and ended the call.
Then he began considering what kind of institute he should build.
This place would likely become his main base for some time. It would be the first real home he had in the Pokémon world.
As for money, three hundred million from the League, plus five hundred million from Galar, made eight hundred million. If he added two hundred million of his own, a one billion Pokédollar institute should be enough.
"Shiro, thank you for this."
Oak stood with his hands on his hips, smiling brightly. Even the way he looked at Shiro had become much friendlier.
He had not expected Shiro to let him communicate directly with Galar.
After all, if Shiro had continued holding onto the middleman role, he could have gained far more benefits than a mere little bit of Pokédollars.
And Rose had been unexpectedly generous.
Oak had never met someone so lavish.
Not only had he promised to support Pokédex research and help spread it locally, he had also promised research funding and public backing after the Pokédex was released.
Shiro had clearly played no small part in that.
And logically speaking, a powerful figure like Rose should have tightly guarded Pokémon knowledge and ensured ordinary trainers remained disadvantaged.
It seemed Shiro truly deserved his title as Galar Champion. His position within the Galar League was clearly not small.
As he thought of that, Oak spoke solemnly. "Chairman Rose's generosity was beyond expectations... Shiro, I also apologize for what happened before."
Shiro replied, "It's fine. I understand. Besides, I've already successfully received my title."
Oak took it as polite humility, and his impression of Shiro improved greatly.
Just as Shiro was about to leave, he suddenly thought of something. "Professor, do you have a move learning device here?"
Oak froze for a few seconds, then repeated, "A move learning device?"
"That's right." Shiro nodded.
Oak looked confused. "That is one of the secret projects I'm still researching..."
He quickly understood.
After all, Shiro was undeniably a gifted researcher as well. If two geniuses thought of the same thing, that was perfectly normal.
In a good mood, Oak chuckled. "Come with me. I'll show you my research."
Shiro immediately followed.
* * *
The two walked through silver-white corridors and turned two corners.
Along the way, they passed many researchers from Oak Research Institute. Some carried documents, others hurried along, but all of them still greeted the two professors respectfully.
At the same time, they cast puzzled and disbelieving looks at them.
Professor Oak and Professor Shiro were this close?
The two chatted and laughed together like old friends who regretted not meeting sooner.
Hadn't the rumors said Oak and this new professor were enemies?
The researchers fell into all kinds of doubt.
"The move learning machine is still in the testing phase," Oak explained enthusiastically with one hand in his pocket. "I can only confirm that it helps Pokémon at Advanced-level or above learn new moves."
Shiro immediately guessed the reason. "Is it because Pokémon below Advanced-level are too weak and cannot handle it?"
"Exactly." Oak nodded. "And move learning also requires a lot of preparation."
The two continued talking as they walked.
Soon, Oak arrived at a dim corridor. After turning on the lights, he pressed a dark gray laboratory door on the left side.
Creak.
The door slid open to both sides, and Oak walked in first.
Inside was a very spacious room.
Only on the far right stood a tall dome-shaped machine.
"This is the move learning machine, though it still has some usage restrictions." Oak skillfully activated it. "And the way it works is something you would never guess."
Shiro carefully examined the machine, then asked Oak to explain how it was used.
Oak gave a simple explanation, "You only need to place the Poké Ball into this slot. The magnetic force inside... then insert the matching move memory disk. The information recorded into the disk by Psychic-type Pokémon will pass through... roughly like that."
Shiro more or less understood.
In truth, it was simply using powerful Psychic Pokémon to help create memory disks, then using certain methods to harmlessly transfer that psychic power into a Pokémon's brain.
He looked at the rectangular machine and unconsciously gripped the Poké Ball in his pocket, gently rubbing it.
With this move learning machine, the problem of his team's limited move coverage could be solved.
If Corviknight could learn one or two high-power moves, its strength would definitely rise another level.
"Truly a genius idea," Shiro said with a smile.
Oak raised his brows, clearly delighted by the praise.
The one praising him was a genius professor himself. Receiving approval from someone of equal level made him thrilled.
Oak threw an arm over Shiro's shoulder and began talking nonstop, "This device was something I originally…"
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