"Who did you just say… Koga?" Tetsuya asked.
Die froze at Tetsuya's unsettled expression and only after coming back to her senses did she say, "…Yeah, Koga. What about him?"
"What did he look like… what was he wearing… and what Pokémon did he use!?" Tetsuya followed up. After all, there were simply too many people with the same name in this world.
Die thought for a moment and said, "Seventeen or eighteen years old, spiky hair, dressed like a… eh, Ninja. I only saw him use one Pokémon, a Muk."
"There's absolutely no mistake…" Tetsuya muttered to himself. Ever since encountering Koga in Ecruteak City eight years ago and satisfactorily killing his main golden Arbok, Tetsuya had never seen Koga again.
After eight years, he desperately wanted to know just how much Koga had changed. As his greatest nemesis from his previous life, whenever Tetsuya had the opportunity, he would nip him in the bud.
"Then I'll be leaving."
With that, Tetsuya recalled Spinarak and left.
"Here, your Soul Badge…" Die held the Badge in her hand, only to discover that Tetsuya had already gone far away. "Eh? What exactly did he come here for?"
---◓---
Three days was more than enough time for Koga to leave this forest, but whether he had lingered in the forest was something Tetsuya had no way of knowing. In any case, he would not choose to search the forest for Koga's whereabouts. The odds were like searching for a needle in the ocean, and there was no need to try his luck.
Beyond the forest outside Fuchsia City was Sunnytown. Riding Golurk, Tetsuya arrived in Sunnytown that very night.
He settled in at the Pokémon Center.
Nurse Joy greeted him with an angelic smile and said, "You look so exhausted. You must have spent a long time in the wilderness, right~? Our Pokémon Center not only provides the highest-quality healthcare for Pokémon, but also the finest accommodations!"
Tetsuya took out all of his Pokémon and said, "Give all of these Pokémon a complete full-body examination, then restore them to full condition and prepare the best nutritious dinner for them. Get me a standard room. Thanks."
"…All right."
With that, Nurse Joy registered his ID, and Tetsuya paid the fee and took his room key card.
Back in his room, Tetsuya took a hot shower, changed his clothes, and prepared to go out for dinner. After all, not every Pokémon Center served meals, even if they had "the finest accommodations".
Walking along the streets of Sunnytown, he casually found a restaurant, ate something, and went back. The most important thing right now was to look up Koga's information.
The most likely reason Koga had appeared at Fuchsia Gym was to participate in the Indigo Plateau Conference. All Tetsuya had to do was check the list of people registered to participate in this year's Indigo League tournament.
---◓---
Tetsuya searched for a full two hours without finding any record of Koga registering for the tournament.
When he looked up Koga's information, it still showed that he was the student of Hattori Tōkichi, the Poison Elite Four of the Johto League, with no record of ever participating in a League tournament…
By all rights, at Koga's age in his previous life, he had already begun making a name for himself in the various Leagues.
Could it be that his own intrusion into this life had altered the course of history…?
If so, Tetsuya had no way of knowing what Koga would experience from now on. Moreover, the secret of the mausoleum at Ecruteak Gym was already in Tetsuya's hands, so it was impossible for Koga to raise a Gengar like that.
From this point onward, everything was already beyond Tetsuya's control.
Of course, that was what made things interesting!
Since Koga was not planning to participate in the Indigo Plateau Conference, why had he gone to challenge the Gym?
Most likely, he had gone there to test the waters. It seemed Koga had already set his sights on Fuchsia Gym!
Tetsuya had no further clues at the moment, so all he could do was get a good night's sleep!
---◓---
According to the diagnosis at the Pokémon Center, quite a few of his Pokémon still had some lingering problems and would need around a week to recuperate. This was especially true for Mamoswine, Ditto, and Miltank, which had been poisoned by Venusaur.
Fortunately, they had received thorough treatment in time. Otherwise, it would definitely have affected the growth of their capacities.
Golurk, Houndoom, the four-headed Weezing, Drapion, and Spinarak had already completely recovered, but while in the town, they could only do some simple exercises.
Tetsuya was merely letting his Pokémon stretch their limbs in the plaza outside the Pokémon Center when a Jenny, who happened to be passing by while on patrol, recognized him at a glance.
She entered the Pokémon Center, walked directly up to Tetsuya, saluted, and said: "Tetsuya, welcome back to Sunnytown! I can still vividly remember how you helped us drive back the hostiles Pokémon the year before last. In any case… you're a hero of Sunnytown!"
"Hm? You're 'the' Tetsuya who helped Leader Giovanni and ensured that construction of the bridge across the river could proceed fluently?" Nurse Joy also walked out at this moment. "I heard the Joy who used to work here mention you before. I never expected to meet you in person today… You should've told me sooner. All of your expenses at the Pokémon Center will be waived!"
Tetsuya smiled. "Thank you, Nurse Joy."
"Of course they should be waived, you stingy bunch…" A familiar voice suddenly came from nearby. It was Jessie's voice. "Hey, Tetsuya~ You came to Sunnytown without even letting me know! That's not very friendly of you, humph."
"Tetsuya, long time no see!" James walked over and grabbed Tetsuya's hand. Jessie clicked her tongue twice and took a few steps back.
"Long time no see…"
"Well, well! You two leaders of those punks actually dare show yourselves in front of me… I'm arresting you right now!" Jenny said to Jessie and James.
"Hey, hey! Officer, it doesn't look like we've caused any trouble today, right~? You don't have any reason to arrest us… eh? Look, it's Mew! Run!" The moment Jessie distracted Officer Jenny, she and James ran off into the distance.
"…"
---◓---
A short while later, Tetsuya's Pokédex chimed. Sure enough, James had sent him a message asking him to meet at the end of the bridge across the river that evening. Tetsuya helplessly shook his head.
Naturally, Officer Jenny did not take them seriously either. Tetsuya, on the other hand, really did have to thank her. She had just saved him a considerable amount in medical expenses.
That evening, Tetsuya headed toward the bridge. When he arrived, the only people he saw were Jessie and James.
"Tetsuya, you're here!" James said.
Tetsuya nodded, then asked, "How come I don't see those minions of yours?"
"Oh! Those punks? We're planning to leave the gang," Jessie said.
Tetsuya did not find this strange. After all, the two of them were future "aces" of Team Rocket, so they certainly would not remain here for very long.
"Oh… So, what are you planning to do?" Tetsuya asked superficially.
"Kukukukuku… We've already decided. We're going to take part in Team Rocket's recruitment drive for new members and then join them. What do you think, Tatsuya? Don't you think we're amazing~?" Jessie said smugly.
Tetsuya had no intention of paying attention to her. He simply walked over to James and asked, "James, have you made up your mind too?"