The trio of Roy arrived at the entrance of Joe's house, laughing and playing along the way.
It was a typical Japanese-style residence, a small two-story building with several pots of flowers and plants at the entrance, kept very clean.
Joe had been waiting at the door for a long time; seeing them, he waved happily.
"Brother Roy! Sister Misty! Sister Delia! Over here, over here!"
He greeted them warmly, but as the three approached, Joe was stunned.
His eyes widened significantly.
Roy's face was streaked with black and white, looking exactly like he had just crawled out of a coal mine.
Misty was in an even worse state; there was a long black mark on her cheek, and although she had tried to wipe it, it only became more smeared. Now her entire face was a mess.
Delia was relatively cleaner; she had been directing the Pokémon during the firefighting and hadn't gone inside.
The nearby Pikachu and Eevee were the same; their paws were pitch black, and there were several black marks on their faces and bodies.
Joe: "..."
"Brother Roy, you... didn't you guys go to visit the perfume shop?" Joe asked with a look of utter confusion. "How did you end up like this?"
Roy said casually, "Oh, we just happened to play with some fire."
Joe: "???"
Playing with fire?
He looked perplexed but didn't ask further, quickly leading the three inside.
"Quick, quick, come in and wash your faces first. My mom made a lot of dishes and is just waiting for you guys."
The three followed Joe into the house.
At the entrance, a gentle woman came out to meet them.
She looked to be in her early thirties, wearing a domestic kimono with her hair tied back, revealing her fair neck.
Her face was gentle, her eyes were soft, and her smile made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.
She was Joe's mother—Emi.
"Welcome, welcome. You must be Joe's friends. Please, come in."
Emi greeted them gently. Her gaze fell on Roy's group, and seeing the black soot on their faces, she was momentarily stunned but quickly smiled again.
"Is this... did something happen on the way? Go wash up quickly; the bathroom is over there."
She pointed the way, her tone showing no hint of disdain, only concern.
Roy replied politely, "Thank you, Auntie."
"You're welcome, you're welcome. Go on, go on."
Roy and the others went to the bathroom to wash up.
Emi turned and went back to the kitchen to continue her work.
The dining table was already filled with various dishes.
Golden fried tempura, fragrant miso soup, exquisitely plated sashimi, and several home-cooked dishes whose names they didn't know.
The table was full, looking mouth-watering.
By the time Roy and the others finished washing up and came out, Joe's father also made an appearance.
Nomura Takenori, in his early forties, of medium build, wearing casual home clothes, with his hair combed meticulously, looking somewhat fastidious.
He stood in the living room, sizing up Roy's group.
His gaze lingered on Pikachu and Eevee for a moment.
Then, he spoke.
"So you are the Training Faction friends Joe mentioned?"
His tone carried a hint of condescending scrutiny.
Roy nodded: "Yes. Hello, Uncle."
Noken gave an 'en' of acknowledgement, looked at Pikachu and Eevee again, and put on an air of expertise.
"Hmm, they do seem to have some strength. It's not simple to capture two abnormal Pokémon."
He pointed at Pikachu: "This Pikachu has black spots on its body; it's a relatively rare mutant variety."
Then he pointed at Eevee: "This Eevee as well, it also has black spots on its body. These kinds of mutant Pokémon aren't encountered just anywhere."
His tone was full of the confidence of someone who 'knows a lot.'
Misty listened from the side, her expression stunned, her mouth twitching.
What black spots...
That was clearly soot from the firefighting earlier that hadn't been washed off properly!
What is this uncle pretending for?
She almost burst out laughing and was about to expose him when Roy's gaze swept over.
Don't say anything.
Misty froze for a moment, looked at Roy, then at Joe nearby.
Joe was looking at her with imploring eyes, his expression screaming 'please, please.'
She understood immediately.
Joe had said that his family didn't support him going to the wilderness to train, and the last holdout was likely this father who was pretending to be an expert.
Misty pursed her lips and swallowed the words she was about to say.
Fine, I'll give you some face.
Roy withdrew his gaze, looked at Noken, and said with a smile, "Uncle has a good eye, you saw it at a glance."
Noken smiled smugly: "Naturally. Although I haven't been a Trainer for many years, I still have some understanding of Pokémon."
As he spoke, he walked into the yard.
"By the way, don't let your Pokémon just sit around; let them eat in the yard. Emi has prepared quite a bit of Pokémon food."
In the yard, Emi had already set out several small plates.
The plates were filled with various foods Pokémon love—berries, Pokémon food, and several small snacks they couldn't name.
"Come, come, little ones, eat over here," Emi called out gently, squatting in the yard.
Pikachu and Eevee looked at Roy and Delia, and after receiving permission, they ran over happily.
Emi smiled and patted their heads; her movements were gentle, clearly showing she was someone who often took care of Pokémon.
Watching this scene, the corner of Noken's mouth curled into an imperceptible smile.
He walked to the side and quietly released his own Pokémon.
A level 20 Fearow, with glossy feathers and sharp eyes, looking quite well-raised.
Noken squatted down and said to Fearow in a low voice:
"When they're eating in a bit, secretly test that Pikachu. The one with the black spots."
Fearow looked at the Pikachu in the yard with its head down eating and gave a disdainful cry.
Just that little yellow mouse?
Easy work.
Noken continued, "Just a simple defeat will do, don't hurt it too badly. After all, it's the Pokémon of Joe's friends."
Fearow nodded, its eyes full of confidence.
No problem, I'll show mercy.
Against that kind of little thing, just a few hits will be enough.
Having arranged all this, Noken was secretly smug.
He had seen it long ago; that Pikachu was just cute and had no combat power at all.
How strong could the Pokémon of such novice Trainers be?
Once Fearow defeated Pikachu, he could take the opportunity to educate Joe—'You see, these Training Faction friends of yours are just so-so.'
'They can't even beat my Fearow; the wilderness Training Faction is dangerous and progress is slow.'
'Better to obediently go back to the aristocratic academy.'
Thinking of this, Noken had a look of certain victory on his face.
He turned and went back into the house, taking his seat.
"Come, come, don't be shy, sit down and eat," Noken invited, assuming the posture of the host.
Roy and the others took their seats.
Emi also finished the work in the yard, returned to the house, and sat next to Joe.
The family, plus the three guests, sat around the dining table; it was quite lively.
Joe sat next to Roy and leaned in quietly, lowering his voice:
"Brother Roy, in a bit... if my dad talks about training, can you help me out? Please."
His eyes were full of pleading.
Roy glanced at him and nodded slightly.
Joe immediately breathed a sigh of relief, a grateful smile appearing on his face.
Then, he sat down properly with Roy.
Now that everyone was present, Noken took a deep breath, looking like he was about to begin his fatherly lecture at the dinner table...