Two days passed quickly.
Half of the visitors at Oak Research Institute had already left.
Shiro had also finished using the move learning machine to teach all his Pokémon the moves they needed. After that, he spent his time waiting while discussing Pokémon training methods with Oak.
Oak's attitude toward him had completely changed. Now, he was more like the version from the anime, cheerful and sometimes a bit unserious.
* * *
"I remember there's a Daruma-like Pokémon in the Galar region that has an Ice type. It seems similar to Darmanitan..."
In the grass-type area of the institute, Oak rubbed his chin as he spoke.
Not far away, Growlithe moved as fast as the wind, running across the lawn as it chased a Dragonite flying in the air.
Shiro kept his eyes fixed on the two Pokémon and replied, "It's basically just an Ice-type Darmanitan. Because of the different environment they live in, their appearance also changed accordingly."
Oak slowly nodded, but his attention was soon drawn back to the two Pokémon training.
"Growwwl!"
Growlithe suddenly barked, and its speed increased sharply. It looked cheerful, feeling that it would soon catch up to the chubby orange dragon ahead.
But after Dragonite glanced back with slight surprise, Growlithe quickly realized in panic that the distance between them had widened again, and it kept getting farther and farther.
This was a simple and effective training method proposed by Oak. He let Dragonite, a Pokémon also specialized in speed, train with Growlithe in a chasing exercise.
It was said that Growlithe itself was a Pokémon that chased the wind, and much of its potential came from competition.
If there was no Pokémon faster than it, Growlithe might stop trying to improve its speed. But if there was a faster Pokémon by its side, it could continuously stimulate its potential under that lead.
"After all, its evolution is Arcanine," Oak said casually.
Shiro wondered when he should use the Fire Stone to evolve Growlithe.
He had also asked Oak about some questions regarding evolution, and the answer he got was that the longer the accumulation at the current stage, the greater the benefits after evolution.
As for how much accumulation was enough, he only needed to ask the Pokémon itself. A Pokémon understood its own body best.
As long as it felt a strange sense of fullness, abundant energy, and a strong desire to evolve, that was enough.
"Of course, the specific training method still depends on the growth condition of each Pokémon," Oak added, then raised his hand to check the time.
"Shiro, your research institute approval should have arrived. Let's go take a look."
"Mm." Shiro nodded.
* * *
In the Oak Research Institute's second-floor lab, Oak sat in front of a computer, his fingers moving rapidly across the keyboard.
The page changed quickly and soon stopped at a document bearing the Pokémon League seal.
"We have learned that the newly appointed Professor Shiro urgently requires a private research institute to continue his Pokémon research. The Kanto main branch of the Pokémon League hereby grants permission for Professor Shiro to establish a private research institute in the Hoenn region and has opened an official account for the institute..."
Shiro read softly. After thanking Oak, he sat at another computer and began checking his research institute account.
After entering his information, the page appeared, but the balance section looked a bit off.
"Balance... 1.3 billion?"
The account clearly showed a balance of 1.3 billion Pokédollars, which confused him.
He quickly checked the transfer records. Aside from the 300 million issued by the main League, the Galar region had given him 1 billion.
"I only asked for 500 million," Shiro muttered, feeling like Rose had just won the lottery and was being unusually generous.
Oak tiptoed behind him and took a look. "The Galar region is really rich..."
The man could not help but sigh.
Oak had never seen any region casually hand out funds in the hundreds of millions so frequently.
Not long ago, after he finished discussing cooperation with Chairman Rose, Galar's support funds had already arrived.
A full 500 million Pokédollars. Even someone like Oak, who usually did not care much about money, found it quite appealing.
Shiro nodded in agreement and casually closed the page.
Rose had probably taken quite a bit from others' pockets...
"So, what now? Are you planning to head to Hoenn? You'll need to oversee the construction of your research institute," Oak asked.
Shiro shook his head. "I need to return to Sinnoh first. I'll let my assistant handle it."
Oak immediately thought of Dale, who had seemed a bit nervous on stage a few days ago, and felt doubtful. "That guy? Is he reliable?"
After all, a research institute represented a professor's reputation. It was extremely important.
The funding was already there. It could not be built too large or too small, and the facilities had to be complete.
Besides...
"Won't the League send people to assist with the construction?" Shiro said.
"How can you be sure no one will embezzle funds during the process?" Oak still asked.
Shiro knew he was doubting Dale, but that was his own assistant. After so long, he knew him very well.
"I trust him," he said simply.
Oak showed a knowing smile, then looked toward the laboratory door.
Shiro also sensed something and turned to look.
The lab door was already open. A cold-looking boy in a black trainer outfit stood there with his arms crossed.
From the boy's brown hair and expression, Shiro was certain this was Professor Oak's grandson, Blue.
"Blue, you're back already?" Oak's voice changed slightly, gentle with a hint of affection. "Why didn't you tell me in advance?"
Although he had sent multiple messages before the conference asking Blue to come take a look, the boy never replied, which had left him quite anxious.
"Mm..." Blue's gaze shifted from his grandfather to the somewhat unfamiliar black-haired young man beside him.
Though not entirely unfamiliar.
On the way here he had already asked some researchers and learned that this person, who had been close to his grandfather recently, was the newly appointed Professor Shiro, also known online as Corviknight...
"Hello, I'm Shiro."
With a smile, Shiro stood up and greeted the boy first.
Blue paused for a moment, suddenly becoming a bit restrained as he lowered his crossed arms.
He nodded quickly and replied, "I'm Blue Oak..."
"This is my grandson!" Oak raised his voice and opened his arms as he walked toward him.
Unfortunately, Blue lightly sidestepped and avoided him.
He then walked up to Shiro and asked with a bit of hesitation, "Can I... ask you something?"
"Of course," Shiro responded, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
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