In the end, the top four contestants of the competition all abandoned the bustling hall and went outside...
Soaking their feet.
In cold water.
"Building a dojo?" Flint gently rubbed his chin and said with a smile, "Maybe I can offer a little help."
Before Natsuhiko could speak, Flint continued, "Our family should have a construction crew working in Hearthome City, I can call over a few teams to help you build the dojo."
Natsuhiko's eyes lit up, "It won't delay your family's projects, will it?"
Flint waved his hand, "A small project, not a big deal, let me report back to my father, we'll contact by phone."
"Okay."
That was indeed a practical help.
Though the league promised to help build the dojo.
But considering the league's construction speed, Natsuhiko estimated he would be eating wind and sleeping under the stars for quite a while. With the help of Flint's construction teams, it would undoubtedly be much faster.
The Devon Company is indeed wealthy and the business not only covers the whole Hoenn Region but has also started to radiate into surrounding areas.
And as a company that started in mining, Devon is quite famous in building construction too.
...
...
In the garden of a certain villa on Lily Island.
"Agatha, let's talk properly, don't resort to knives or guns."
Professor Oak was sweating profusely.
Probably, no one has ever seen the usually calm and always smiling Professor Oak revealing such a side.
"I didn't use knives or guns, I just want some kids to 'play' with you." Agatha's low and hoarse voice came.
Professor Oak looked stiffly at the dense swarm of Ghost-type Pokémon, there were at least hundreds of them.
Several?
If your math isn't good, I can teach you!
"Let your Dragonite come out! I want to see if it has regressed over time, if it has... hmm!"
Agatha let out a cold hum, her slowly raised eyes were enveloped with a chilling aura.
Professor Oak still smiled, chuckling dryly, "Hehe—there's no need for that, right?"
"Huh?"
Thud—
A flash of red light occurred, and a Pokeball located within the pocket of Professor Oak's clothes opened.
"Roar!!"
A robust, physically outstanding Dragonite appeared behind Professor Oak.
It flapped its wings confidently.
And with the appearance of this Dragonite, Agatha's dense Ghost Legion showed a brief stiffness.
Even Agatha's Gengar curbed its playful expression, looking seriously at the suddenly emerged Dragonite.
"This kid..." Professor Oak helplessly looked at the Dragonite that appeared.
Agatha squinted, scanning Professor Oak's Dragonite, her originally serious and stern demeanor slightly relaxed.
"Well, at least it hasn't completely degraded."
The reference point was naturally directed at Professor Oak.
Professor Oak smiled wryly, "I haven't been a trainer for many years."
When they were young, they were great friends, Professor Oak was also among the few willing to approach the solitary Agatha. During those days, Agatha's feelings towards Professor Oak were quite complex.
But until Professor Oak announced he would give up being a trainer to focus on Pokémon research.
Agatha believed Professor Oak betrayed her, betrayed their past agreements, thus harboring deep resentment towards him.
Now seeing that Dragonite hasn't completely fallen into abandonment, she felt slightly better.
"Hmm—" Agatha hummed, "I don't care what you do, but I warn you, stay away from Natsuhiko, he is my disciple!"
"Your disciple?" Professor Oak was taken aback.
Then, a hint of oddness appeared on his face.
"What?"
"That... is unlikely."
"Hmm?" Agatha's eyes widened.
"You probably don't know, your disciple has another nickname on the internet, don't you?"
Professor Oak chuckled awkwardly, feeling guilty towards Agatha, hence his politeness and friendliness.
"What?"
"'Dodo Bird'."
Since helping Natsuhiko obtain the Bachelor's honor from Silver White Academy, Professor Oak urged Sakuragi and learned some details.
Although not many people know about it, and most people don't really associate Natsuhiko and "Dodo Bird," thinking it's just the same name.
After all, nobody would have thought a young person could already have such high achievements in Pokémon research.
There really aren't many people who know Natsuhiko is the "Dodo Bird."
Agatha was stunned.
Regarding the "Dodo Bird," which stirred quite a storm in the Pokémon Research Community not long ago, Agatha certainly heard of it.
But she really didn't know that "Dodo Bird" was her disciple Natsuhiko.
"Are you sure?"
"I was unsure before, but after watching the competition and seeing the close bond he and Pokémon shared, now I am certain." Professor Oak stated directly.
Agatha slowly squinted, her eyes glittering with a dangerous glow.
Suddenly, Professor Oak felt a relief throughout his body, the feeling of being watched by hundreds of ghosts suddenly disappeared.
Then Agatha turned around, heading towards the villa.
Leaving just one sentence behind.
"Teach him well, if he gets bad teaching, or crippled, hmm—"
Does Agatha look down on Pokémon research?
Obviously not.
As a member of the Elite Four, she clearly understands the crucial role Pokémon research plays in the league's development.
She merely looked down on Professor Oak for abandoning martial arts for literature.
Or rather, filled with resentment towards Professor Oak who deserted her.
Not going to beat him this time.
Listening to Agatha's words, Professor Oak smacked his lips, muttering to himself, "Does he really need me to teach?"
——————
Another chapter of nearly 5000 words~~today's writing is a bit stuck, might post a bit slower. Please give me monthly votes!