Chapter Five: Deciding the Future Path

The challenger fell silent for a moment, then crouched beside Zhuyue Han.

No matter what, the “fragrance” emanating from Bayleef couldn’t be faked.

Besides, this was a gym—if anyone really intended mischief, Lapras’s Ice Beam would have already shot over.

“Um, excuse me, but may I ask what you’re doing?”

Zhuyue Han glanced at the challenger. “Can’t you tell? I’m administering treatment.”

“Huh?” The challenger was instantly stunned. “Is Bayleef badly hurt?!”

“Calm down, kid.” Zhuyue Han looked at the youngster. “What’s your name?”

“Douren.”

Zhuyue Han scooped up a spoonful and passed it over. “Here, Douren, want a taste?”

Douren looked puzzled. “It smells like Moomoo Milk. What are these inside...?”

“It’s freezing outside, and even inside the gym, it’s not all that warm. Bayleef was hit by Lapras’s Water-type move—you think it won’t catch a cold?”

Zhuyue Han put the spoon back. “Heated Moomoo Milk, with chopped Sitrus Berry and half a Lum Berry. The milk helps cut the sourness.”

“It’s a simplified version of Berry Milk.”

Douren tried to recall. “Lum Berry... isn’t that the one that cures freezing?”

“That’s right.” Zhuyue Han sat on the ground. “If your Bayleef had taken a direct Ice Beam, even if it didn’t get frozen, you’d need a whole Lum Berry.”

“Douren, in the future, when you’re excited, check on your partner’s condition first.”

“Of course, I shouldn’t have treated it without asking. I apologize. In the wild, don’t just accept a stranger’s kindness—you might have your Pokémon stolen before you know it.”

Zhuyue Han spread his hands. “What can I say? Pokémon are wondrous creatures, but they can feel unwell, too—especially when you drag them out to challenge a gym in the dead of winter.”

Douren looked at Bayleef, suddenly aware his perspective had shifted.

To celebrate earning a badge, he should share the victory with Bayleef, but never at the expense of Bayleef’s health!

“I understand now. Thank you, big sister!”

“Hmm... what?!” Zhuyue Han immediately turned his head, eyes full of meaning as he stared at Douren.

“What did you just call me?”

Douren looked confused. “Sister. You’re so pretty and obviously older than me, so it’s only polite to call you that.”

Zhuyue Han: ?

Very polite indeed.

From that angle, he’d probably had his head down, feeding Bayleef, with his hair covering half his face.

High emotional intelligence: a touch of mysterious beauty.

Low emotional intelligence: like the gentle, caring older sister type.

Zhuyue Han patted his pockets, found no hair ties, then simply gathered his long hair with his hands and pressed one onto Douren’s head.

“Look closely—I’m a man!”

Douren: “Huh?!!!”

“Sis, you’re so pretty, but you’re actually a brother!”

Zhuyue Han smiled.

Young man, do you know there’s a move called ‘Skull Bash’? Want to try it firsthand?

“Ugh, ugh!”

Just as Douren was trembling, his savior arrived.

Lapras hurried over, resting its head on Zhuyue Han’s shoulder, staring intently at Bayleef, who was still licking the bowl.

“Stop staring, you only spent a bit of energy—there’s not a scratch on you.”

Lapras widened its eyes, then dragged Zhuyue Han down to the floor by the flipper.

Oh dear, Dragon’s hurt!

Dragon wants milk too!

“All right, all right, you won’t be left out.” Zhuyue Han climbed up from the floor. “Come on, I think we’re done here.”

Douren watched the “pretty big brother” and Lapras leave, still a bit dazed by their relationship.

“Mr. Willow, isn’t that your Pokémon?” he asked.

Mr. Willow shook his head without a word.

The way they interacted, he couldn’t help but feel Lapras treated Zhuyue Han like a godfather.

Judging by actual age, Zhuyue Han could easily be Lapras’s ancestor.

“Hold still, let me take a look.” Zhuyue Han lifted Lapras’s front and back flippers, carefully inspecting for any scratches, then checked its back, finally placing a hand on its neck for a gentle stroke.

“Hmm, not a mark on you. Just need a little extra nutrition.”

“A bottle of Moomoo Milk will do.”

Lapras eyed the steaming, aromatic milk, then turned to Zhuyue Han, eyes wide.

Unfair! Why don’t I get berries?

Zhuyue Han remained calm. “Don’t be greedy, or you’ll turn into a chubby lass.”

“Boo!” Lapras raised its head proudly. With this figure, how could she ever get fat?

“Fine, you said it yourself.” Zhuyue Han chuckled, fetched two Pecha Berries, a chopped Mango Berry, and another Sitrus Berry.

Yesterday at dinner, Lapras showed a preference for sweet flavors, so this should be just right.

It was good that the regions were connected; at least there was no shortage of berry types. Too bad he couldn’t swindle money from Unova fans anymore.

Berry enthusiasts were fanatical about local rarities and willing to pay handsomely.

“By the way, does the Kaji Gym have straws?” Zhuyue Han looked around. If he could find a jumbo straw, Lapras could drink berry milk like bubble tea.

If Lapras liked this, he could set up a giant tank on her back with a long straw, turning Lapras into a true couch potato.

No luck.

Zhuyue Han poured the milk into a bowl for Lapras and sat in a chair, letting his mind wander.

[Research Points: 2]

So, it was actually pretty easy to earn these. But it also meant that if he wanted higher-level knowledge, relying solely on the golden finger would take astronomical effort.

“Maybe I should head to Pallet Town?”

With Red, Green, and Ash around, he didn’t believe Pallet Town would lack information about legendary or mythical Pokémon.

If he could obtain that, it would make acquiring higher-level knowledge much easier in the future.

“Mr. Willow, Lapras...” Zhuyue Han hesitated. He could calculate his prospects clearly, but emotions were another matter entirely.

Mr. Willow had hauled him out of some nameless snowdrift—a perfectly normal act from his perspective, but for Zhuyue Han, it meant something more.

He’d gone from sitting in a sealed void to being reborn in the world.

And then there was Lapras, who’d taken a curious liking to him.

The meaning of “bond” was endlessly debated beyond its dictionary definition, and with good reason.

“Never mind, at worst I’ll just persuade Mr. Willow to deal with the legendary Pokémon himself.”

Zhuyue Han took a deep breath to calm himself.

What was the rush?

He’d only just “emerged” into the world—there was plenty of time to enjoy life.

Meet the legendaries, experience the full force of their presence?

If all else failed, he could pop into the main cast’s storylines, play the part of a quirky time traveler, and drag Red and Green along to give the legendaries a challenge.

“Hahaha, there you are, Zhuyue Han!” Professor Oak strode into the kitchen. “So, have you felt the charm of being a trainer yet?”

“You’re up late, Professor?” That didn’t fit his usual persona.

“Heh, well, since I’m here, it’s a vacation! You must’ve read those reports I’m so passionate about.” Professor Oak waved it off. “When you finally get some time off, you have to make the most of it.”

“That’s true enough.” Zhuyue Han shook his head. “But to be honest, I haven’t really felt the trainer’s appeal—he’s just a kid.”

“Hmm, fair point.” Professor Oak’s eyes twinkled. “Still, I think you’ve already made your choice.”

“Of course you’d notice, Professor.” Zhuyue Han stroked Lapras’s neck. “I’ve decided—I’ll focus on breeding, with some research on the side.”

Being a trainer would just be a necessary self-defense skill. Out in the world, your fists needed to be strong.

You didn’t have to use them, but you couldn’t be without them.

As for grand events?

I’d just toss the problem at the main cast!

“Haha, not bad at all—it’s a good path. Even if you started late, your maturity means you’ll learn much faster.” Professor Oak sat down beside him. “So, do you have any plans for the early stage?”

“Any recommendations, Professor?”

Professor Oak laughed. “Don’t make it sound like you’re a poacher, but I do have a suggestion.”

Zhuyue Han nodded. “You mean, go to your lab?”

“No, no, that’s not how education works.” Oak waved his hands. “My suggestion is for you to study—if you’re aiming for breeding, I recommend Joy Academy.”

Zhuyue Han: ?

Wait, there were precedents like Jessie, but him, at Joy Academy?

“There are more girls there, yes, but it’s truly the best choice for you,” Oak said. “Don’t be fooled by that old man sitting in the gym all day—he’s well respected in the League. Recommending you for school won’t be a problem.”

Everyone knew that back in Oak’s little circle, aside from Kikuko, who was an Elite Four and officially high-ranking, the rest were no pushovers.

There were also the Day-Care Couple, and Steelmaster, who possessed the GS Ball forging method.

The Day-Care Couple—in fact, the grandmother—was the nemesis of Gold, one of the future main cast of Johto.

If you misbehaved, she’d give you a broom-beating you wouldn’t forget.

“That’s an option.” Zhuyue Han mused. “But I’m a bit worried about Mr. Willow staying at Kaji Gym. Professor Oak, why not convince him to retire in Pallet Town with you?”

A pure white town—much better retirement conditions than Kaji Town.

“That would be tough.” Professor Oak forced a laugh. “If you’d revived five or eight years earlier, I’d have dragged that old man to Pallet Town no matter what. Now, it’s impossible.”

In recent years, the matter of splitting the regions had come up in the League, though it wasn’t public yet.

It wasn’t even about unfair distribution of benefits—the territory was just too large, the structure too bloated.

In a way, it was an upper-level reform; for ordinary people, it didn’t matter much.

Even if the regions split into Kanto and Johto, life would go on as usual—no need to change any documents.

The League wasn’t blind to Mr. Willow’s strength—if not for his personality and personal wishes, there’s no way such a treasure would be left to retire in Kaji Town.

If, at this moment, Mr. Willow decided to retire in Pallet Town, Johto’s leadership would probably be furious with Professor Oak.