Chapter Sixteen: Reconnecting with Marshal Ma, The Pokémon Bodyguard Service

"I'm heading out now, goodbye Grandpa!"

Chihui's face was aglow as she carried her little backpack, with Zhuhansuihan walking beside her, hands in his pockets, and Lapras trailing behind.

"Be careful on the road," said Mr. Steel, smiling. The house felt different with an extra person around.

"Brother Suihan, you're so smart. Will you become as powerful as a Champion someday?" Chihui asked curiously. "Grandpa told me once that Grandpa Oak used to be a very strong Champion."

"Lapraaass!"

Chihui giggled and patted Lapras. "Alright, alright, Lapras, you're amazing too."

Lapras nodded proudly. Indeed, she was remarkable!

"Being a Champion doesn't matter so much; everyone's goals are different," Zhuhansuihan replied. "Mr. Steel, Old Liu, and the others are impressive people, even if they don't have the Champion title like Professor Oak."

"I prefer a peaceful life."

The sound of fluttering wings drew their attention upward, and they saw two figures spiraling down, landing with perfect synchrony on Zhuhansuihan's shoulders, one on each side.

"Ah~~"

"Pidgey, Pidgey!"

Lapras: ?

Are these two not showing me enough respect?

Chihui was surprised. "Fierce Sparrow and Pidgey? How are they getting along so well?"

It was strange not to see them fighting on the spot!

"Oh, are you the little ones who ate that food last night?"

Pidgey and Fierce Sparrow nodded, rubbing their cheeks against Zhuhansuihan's face with cheerful smiles.

Hello, benefactor!

"Lapras!"

Lapras moved closer, looking expectantly at Zhuhansuihan.

I want to snuggle too!

"You always fuss over such peculiar things," Zhuhansuihan said, hugging Lapras's head and sharing a gentle forehead touch.

Chihui envied him. "It's wonderful. Not only are you popular with Pokémon, Suihan, you have your own partners. I don't know when I'll have a Pokémon companion myself."

"You will, don't worry."

The city buildings grew clearer as they walked. Zhuhansuihan took out special energy cubes from his incense burner and fed them to Lapras, then handed two regular ones to Fierce Sparrow and Pidgey.

"As Pokémon, you need to learn to forage for yourselves. Don't just treat me as your benefactor."

These two were likely the most rebellious in their groups.

With joyful cries, Fierce Sparrow and Pidgey soared skyward, flying in completely different directions, wary of each other stealing their food.

Once the energy cubes were secured, their short-lived alliance dissolved instantly.

"By the way, Chihui, what does your school teach you? Is it all about battling?"

Sitting on Lapras's back, Chihui replied, "We do have battle classes, but there are many other courses too. Every so often, we have wilderness survival lessons—basically camping."

Ah, the disparities of the world.

Zhuhansuihan had never seen a school where students didn’t even bring textbooks.

The school itself was fairly standard, but its location beside the Azalea Town Gym was telling—it was clear Bugsy sometimes served as a guest instructor.

"Come to think of it, Gym Leaders are usually responsible for badge assessments. If a few local prodigies emerge, does that count toward their performance reviews?"

After all, the role of Gym Leader is indeed official, but not quite the same as being a corporate drone.

Some Gym Leaders have lucrative side businesses, while others treat their gyms as side gigs, focusing on their true passions—anything from martial arts to surfing or running shops.

"It's leisurely, but not always so."

When the Silver Conference approaches, it’s like rush hour—trainers seeking those last few badges swarm the gym, maxing out challenge appointments.

Then, Gym Leaders and their Pokémon are forced into a relentless grind, only getting a break once the regional tournament begins.

Zhuhansuihan patted Lapras's head. "Once I finish my errands, I'll take you to the water."

Back in Cajun Town, there was at least the Lake of Rage up north, but traveling made such luxuries scarce.

"Lapras, Lapras!"

Lapras nodded happily. Whether she had water to soak in didn't matter; what was important was that Zhuhansuihan cared for her.

As a second-generation Pokémon raised by a trainer, her habits had changed considerably from those of wild Lapras.

You might never have drunk coffee before, but circumstances change.

Following the map, Zhuhansuihan found the Rocket Convenience Store in Azalea Town and pushed open the door. The uniformed staff behind the counter greeted him with a smile, professionalism on full display.

"Hello, I'd like to use your phone."

Zhuhansuihan took out the shopping card from the Rocket Group. "I need to speak with your supervisor for a moment."

"Please wait a moment."

The staff glanced at Zhuhansuihan, then swiped the card under the machine, their eyes lighting up.

"You're that lucky gentleman from Goldenrod City?"

Zhuhansuihan's mouth twitched. "What’s with that title? Please explain."

The staff grinned. "It's simple—our colleagues in Goldenrod said there was a fortunate customer who nearly swept all the grand prizes in the lotteries. A handsome man with long white hair. All your features match."

Zhuhansuihan rubbed his forehead. "Alright, so can I call your manager now?"

"This way, please."

Zhuhansuihan recalled Lapras into her Poké Ball and followed the staff into the store's back office, dialing the number left by Marzishi.

"Hello, this is Marzishi."

Zhuhansuihan spoke calmly. "Marzishi, it's me—the one who traded blueprints with you last time."

Originally, Marzishi had his big feet propped on the desk, but he sat up straighter than a Magikarp springing out of water.

"Oh, oh, the good-looking young man! New business for me?"

He thought, what's the harm in paying a bit more? It's not beyond budget! Just a few days later, and already the guy brings something valuable from nowhere! Sabrina's predictions were spot on!

Office-bound, and the profits just fall from the sky!

"I'm calling from your group's convenience store. By the way, can I use the store's computer? I'll transfer the data directly."

This time, Zhuhansuihan was offering the simplest bait modules, and such convenient items weren't too complex. He could whip them up without much time.

"Haha, thanks BOSS! We operate a smart information system; any computer can connect to the group server."

Marzishi quickly opened the software. "Oh, I've found you—you're at the Azalea Town store. I'll grant you access now."

So convenient?

A whole flock of Porygons, it seemed.

Zhuhansuihan sat down and began copying and pasting, as usual, sending half the data to Marzishi.

Marzishi looked at the long string of character data and idly rubbed his Raichu until static crackled, satisfied.

Not worried about too much data—just worried it was a waste of his time.

"I've sent you the first half of the production methods for two bait modules, one for bug-types and one for flying-types."

Zhuhansuihan held the phone in one hand, scrolling with the mouse in the other, checking for errors.

"Excellent, we need these."

Marzishi was very pleased, and it was clear the handsome young man had done his homework on them.

If these bait modules worked, it would greatly benefit Giovanni, who was committed to protecting and enhancing Viridian Forest.

Sweet honey required artificial cultivation, and depended on the Pokémon's mood.

Bait modules were different. As long as the production line ran smoothly—even if the power plant had an outage—production could continue. Marzishi was an electric-type expert, after all!

"But this time I don't want money. I want something else," Zhuhansuihan said. "Prepare a batch of high-quality Water Stones and Ice Stones for me—just those two types of materials—and some research equipment as well."

Water Stones and Ice Stones were for breeding, but what about the research equipment?

Marzishi's eyes gleamed. "Young man, are you one of those wild talents, growing on your own without mentors or labs?"

Zhuhansuihan paused. "Yes, you could say that."

"Would you like to join our group? With your skills, I guarantee you'll be my deputy within a year. Salary and bonuses won't be lacking, and you could even meet our boss."

Meet Giovanni?

Ask him how to generate the rare Viridian Power template?

"I'll pass. I prefer freedom. If you think these two bait modules aren't enough, I can offer more."

For Lapras's food and future development, he didn't mind giving more. He doubted Marzishi's department budget could compete with his own knowledge reserves.

"It's more than enough. This transaction gives me long-term profits; I'm the one who benefits," Marzishi nodded enthusiastically, his regard for Zhuhansuihan rising rapidly.

Having dealt with the cunning businessmen of Silph for too long, he'd nearly forgotten how straightforward trainers and researchers could be.

"Alright, I'll prepare both water and ice resources for you, and I'll add extra materials in case of mistakes."

Marzishi stroked his chin. "Hmm, do you need powerful Pokémon guardians during your research? I'll check with my colleagues; we can assign you a strong Pokémon bodyguard."

"Of course, I'll pay their wages, and meal subsidies will be credited to your card regularly."

Zhuhansuihan: ?

Such a service exists?

"No need, my partners are strong. But I'm curious about your bodyguard roster."

Marzishi propped his feet back on the desk. "Plenty, and they're ranked by tier."

"You must know our boss is called 'Giovanni of the Earth.' The highest tier bodyguards include powerful Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Sandslash, and even Tyranitar—the evolved form of Rhydon, known as Armored Tyrant."

"These top bodyguards have been personally trained by Giovanni. Even if they encounter ill-intentioned individuals, they can handle them with a single blow!"

Giovanni trained them? Perhaps they've mastered some 'Earth Secret Arts'...

Isn't Rocket Group's business a little too diversified?

No infiltrator here—send over a Beedrill trained by Giovanni.