"...Mr. Sakuragi."
Seeing the incoming call display on his phone, Natsuhiko felt a slight tingle on his scalp.
It seemed... he had forgotten something?
He pressed the answer button.
"Mr. Sakuragi..."
"Natsuhiko, I've been trying my best to hold them off for you, but you said it would be quick last time." Sakuragi's somewhat weary voice came from the other end of the line.
He was, of course, referring to the paper on Milotic's evolution.
Before Natsuhiko left for Hoenn, he had promised to publish it as soon as possible.
But he hadn't expected to be delayed for so long in Rayquaza's alternate space.
After returning, he was busy with many trivial matters and completely forgot about it.
"Ahem, I understand, I was delayed by some things; I promise I'll finish this paper today," Natsuhiko said, somewhat embarrassed.
Every time, Sakuragi was the one who helped block many issues from the Alliance for him.
It was easy to speak with others, but when it came to Sakuragi, Natsuhiko felt sincere gratitude from the bottom of his heart.
Sakuragi was silent for a moment before speaking again, sincerely:
"Natsuhiko, aren't you really planning to reveal your identity? I know you're now a Dojo Leader, and you lean more toward being a Trainer, but your talent in research..."
Natsuhiko knew that Sakuragi was looking out for him.
He had also considered matters regarding this.
Originally, he wanted to keep it hidden as long as he could, but after Hoshino Ryuzi sent someone to intercept him last time, Natsuhiko had made some preparations.
He slowly exhaled.
He made a decision in his heart.
"I'm ready to reveal it."
Instead of waiting for someone else to expose him, it was better to reveal it himself.
A brief silence.
"Are you sure?" Sakuragi's voice on the other end rose, and his excitement was clear.
"Yes."
"When?" Sakuragi asked.
"Uh... I haven't thought about it yet. Would it suffice to just change my forum username to my real name?"
"How can that do!?"
But Sakuragi decisively rejected Natsuhiko's choice.
Sakuragi continued, "I originally called you to urge for the paper for the Alliance, and also to inform you of something."
"What?"
"My conferment ceremony has been moved up to happen in three days."
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko frowned.
"Moved up? Why?"
"Yes, because there's coincidentally an academic event, and many big names in the Pokémon Research Community will be there. So the higher-ups and I decided to move it up," Sakuragi explained.
The "Devon Small Cup Competition," due to its overwhelming popularity, was postponed, yet Sakuragi's conferment ceremony was moved up.
Doesn't that mean...
"Miss Kikuna?"
"Because it was moved up temporarily, Kikuna just found out too and will probably come to see you soon."
Natsuhiko pursed his lips.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Sakuragi, because of my matters..."
"No need to be so formal. Kikuna told me she learned a lot and gained much experience with you. She'll surely manage the research lab well in the future.
Although I didn't have time to organize the research lab's setup upon returning, due to the League's proposal, they'll be fully responsible for the venue setup this time, so there's no need to worry."
"That's good....." Natsuhiko sighed in relief.
"With so many people there at the time, you should reveal it then," Sakuragi suggested.
"This... doesn't seem appropriate, considering it's your conferment ceremony, Mr. Sakuragi..."
"Natsuhiko." Sakuragi suddenly called his name, interrupting him.
"Hmm?" Natsuhiko was taken aback.
"Even though there's more than a decade between us, I've always considered you a friend, right?"
"...Both teacher and friend." Natsuhiko said, expressing his view of Sakuragi.
To him, Sakuragi truly counted as a teacher and a friend.
He offered help and support without asking for anything in return.
That pure spirit of contributing just for Pokémon research made Natsuhiko admire him.
"Right, both teacher and friend, that's a good term. You've also provided me with quite a bit of inspiration in research." Sakuragi said with a laugh.
He then continued, "Then there's no need to be formal with me anymore, right?"
Although Sakuragi wasn't keen on admitting it, he had to agree, "fame" indeed helps in research.
At the very least, fame can garner more support from the League and financial backing.
Sakuragi really was paving the way for Natsuhiko!
In this world, how many people can be unconditionally good to you?
The ones who can do so are mostly parents, mentors, and close friends.
Natsuhiko fell silent.
Sakuragi's words left him unable to refuse.
After thinking it over, Natsuhiko spoke again, "Mr. Sakuragi, I have a very bold project in mind. Would you be interested?"
"Bold?" Sakuragi chuckled.
"Of course I'm interested. But I might not have time to participate; I have many projects piled up from the previous 'Affinity' project. Still, I'd love to see you complete this project."
What he said.
Was partly true and partly not.
Having many projects wasn't a lie.
But not participating was to avoid overshadowing Natsuhiko again.
When the "Affinity" paper was published earlier.
Some envious people made sour comments like "'Dodo' is just taking advantage of Mr. Sakuragi."
Natsuhiko didn't usually pay attention to these things, so he didn't see them.
But Sakuragi had someone report the situation to him every day, and he insisted on spending some time online checking out other people's research results, so he saw them more or less.
In his view.
If it weren't for Natsuhiko proposing the "Affinity" project and using the technique "Gratitude" as a lever to kickstart the entire experiment.
This important result might not have been published for many years.
No one knows how long it would take before people became aware of Eevee's evolved forms.
As for him?
He just did what any ordinary researcher could do.
Tested some outcomes, and collected some data.
Any researcher could do this.
He benefited from Natsuhiko's brilliance, yet it was Natsuhiko who faced the skepticism.
Even though Natsuhiko didn't mind, it made him uncomfortable, even a bit guilty.
Natsuhiko didn't hear the true meaning in Sakuragi's words, he merely said, "I believe you won't reject it once you see it."
"I see? Haha—Well, I'm looking forward to it."
After a few more casual exchanges, the two ended the call.
Natsuhiko operated the computer.
Published the paper on Milotic.
This time the paper mainly involved Feebas using the item "Beautiful Scale" for evolution.
And didn't mention the evolution method by enhancing "Beauty" without relying on the item.
Considered taking advantage of this behavior to the fullest.
One project.
Split twice for benefit.
No one else does this.
As soon as the paper was published, its popularity surged up.
Because this time Natsuhiko's paper included not only theoretical knowledge but also a large amount of actual test data, pictures, and even video recordings of the entire process of Feebas evolving into Milotic.
It completely verified his previous speculations, slapping the face of those who made sour remarks.
And allowed Natsuhiko to gain a large amount of attention again.
The popularity soared.
After all.
Who doesn't want to have a Milotic, known as "The Most Beautiful Pokemon"?
And those who follow him now aren't just those who like Eevee or focus on Eevee.
Attentive people suddenly realized.
"Mr. 'Dodo' has never published a paper that cannot be verified yet, never used it to attract attention!"
"Indeed!"
Doing research requires bold hypotheses and guesses when proposing topics and directions.
Some can be verified.
But most cannot be verified.
Therefore, countless people propose eye-catching topics to attract attention and heat.
But Natsuhiko so far, hasn't published a single "false" paper.
Even his earlier paper on the traits, techniques, and cultivation conditions of Eevee's four evolved forms have all been verified.
So many people started adding a word when referring to "Dodo," making it "True·Dodo."
After the paper was published, Natsuhiko paid no more attention to it.
To him, the key was how much he could get from the League before the paper was published.
Once published, the project is considered done, and no more substantial benefits can be gained.
He sat focused on two folders on the computer, lost in thought.
One is "Beauty," while the other is.... "Fairy Type!"
What Natsuhiko does not know.
After he shut down the forum, Sakuragi left a comment below his paper and announced something.
"'Dodo' will reveal his identity in three days."
Unveiling the mysterious always easily captures people's hearts.
Sakuragi's comment instantly exploded.
Many speculated below what kind of person "Dodo" might be.
An elderly man with white hair? A portly middle-aged man? Or a plump woman?
There was all sorts of speculation.
With this, even if Natsuhiko doesn't want to reveal his identity, he probably will have to.
Sakuragi used a tactic called undercutting, preventing Natsuhiko from regretting.
Natsuhiko won't regret.
After all, with his current strength, identity, and capability, he can certainly handle the influence brought by this identity.
He simply suddenly thought of one thing.
Announcing the identity of the researcher "Dodo."
The focus is still on this nickname.
Who knows what attitude Lance will have when he finds out?
emmmm.....
Perhaps he should first put up the "Peace Token."
——————
PS: Just took some time to compute, it's been 173 days since starting the book, updated 1.83 million words, and considering fewer updates during the new book period, suddenly feel I'm kind of impressive~~ Today's another 12,000 words, is it worth some monthly votes?