Chapter 56: Little Fairy Milk and the Wandering Charlatan

"Alright, let's do it this way. I'll toss these up into the air, and then you shoot your water gun—whichever one gets hit, that's the one we choose."

Zhusu Han held a stack of small paper slips, shuffling them together in a haphazard manner reminiscent of shuffling cards. Compared to the usual "dot-dot-bean" games, this random method was far more ruthless. The toss was Han's job, aiming and hitting was Long's responsibility. When neither had much idea about their new companion, no matter how much tacit understanding they shared, it was impossible they'd both have the same Pokémon in mind.

"Ready!"

Han flung the papers skyward, scattering them like snowflakes. Long narrowed her eyes, scanning the fluttering slips, finally locking her gaze on Han himself.

I will choose the most suitable companion for us! For myself, and for the trust of my trainer! She compressed the force of the water gun, focused it, and fired at greater speed.

"Oooh!"

Water Gun!

Like a sniper's bullet, a slender blue beam shot forth, striking one of the floating slips mid-air, and continued streaking upwards. No doubt, somewhere far off, a Pokémon and trainer might suddenly feel rain falling, only to look up and discover the sky was perfectly clear.

"Hey, here we go." Han reached out and snatched the one slip that had been hit, glancing at the rest scattered around the garden. Oh well—cleaning up was a small matter.

"Oooh, oooh." Long moved over eagerly, her broad head pressing close to Han's cheek as they inspected together the second companion chosen "by fate."

NO.868—Milky Fairy

Han, Long: ?

...

The next day, after class, Han and Long decisively headed to the office building, successfully intercepting Joy Jing just as she stepped out the main door.

"This is the partner you chose?" Joy Jing was a little surprised. "I thought you'd pick something like Incinerator Tiger or Dragapult."

From both strength and appearance, those options ought to be more enticing.

"The cuter they look, the tougher they hit. Who would've guessed you'd turn out to be the berserker Joy with sky-high battle stats, Dean?"

Joy Jing: ...

That does seem to make sense.

"Alright, I'll submit your choice then." Joy Jing chuckled. "Don't look at me like that—the League's administrative processing is quite efficient. You'll definitely get a reply within a day."

"You've got a phone, right? Give me your number, and I'll have them contact you directly."

Han nodded. "By the way, does this activity have any special requirements for the Pokémon? Like, they can't evolve, or something?"

"No, not at all. Connections between the Leagues vary, but overall, they're all pioneers of this era." Joy explained, "At least regarding Pokémon, the League won't impose any harsh restrictions. Even fully grown individuals can join this project, completely voluntarily."

"In fact, when a trainer commits to this project, they're expected to welcome a new life as they would a partner."

Joy Jing gestured to Han's waist. "Just like you treat Long."

With the Dean having worked a little overtime, Han put away his phone, feeling a new anticipation for the days ahead.

Honestly, compared to the old shows where regions seemed completely disconnected—like running through dungeons—this was much more interesting.

Of course, the main character of those runs rarely gets top marks.

"I wonder if Lance will participate," Han mused. The Flying-type Champion was famous, largely thanks to the times. If this version had more inter-regional communication, Lance would probably become a true Dragon King, given his resources—raising a batch of pseudo-legendaries would be no problem.

"Looking forward to our second companion, Long." Han said, "I wonder if it'll be a Pokémon egg or a Milky Fairy."

Long came out, playing her role as the big sister with earnest seriousness, wanting to lay down three ground rules with Han—she was getting into character ahead of time.

"Oooh, oooh, oooh." Don't get any funny ideas about making her feed you cream all day. What if you tire out our new partner? If you become someone who just opens their mouth for cream, you might really turn into a Snorlax someday!

Control your mouth, move your legs, Trainer!

"That idea is... quite unique," Han said, face darkening. "Do you think I'm that kind of person? Besides, you eat more of the cream-filled energy cubes I make."

"Oooh!" Long tilted her head, realizing it was true.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't be careless about this. Let's go see if the library has any parenting guides or the like."

In the Pokémon world, aside from wild settings, things like the Seven Wolves and Mother’s Sword are rare.

Best to prepare for both scenarios: if it's a Pokémon egg, they'll give it the highest care. If it's directly a Milky Fairy, Han would have to consider whether there might be issues adapting to the environment.

"Judging from Potion's record, if I want to go to Alola, it should be easy enough, right?"

Who knows if public flights are open now; otherwise, he'd have to rely on League connections.

Han wasn't interested in Ultra Beasts—he was drawn to Alola's natural environment. With such rich surroundings, there should be plenty of rare, aged berries.

Mine, all mine!

"Aether Foundation... That's practically a conglomerate now, isn't it?" Han pondered the Foundation, because of Lusamine.

That woman, questioned, understood, and ultimately imitated by countless trainers, existed in two versions in Han's memory. One, the widely known anime version—slightly offbeat, but practically the captain of the Victory Team. The other, the manga version...

Calling Lusamine a yandere is an understatement—her level of distortion is at least on par with the best of the villain league.

But considering the League's style and the world's history, Han leaned toward his world aligning more with the anime—those dark days of the manga had passed, now only occasionally triggered in certain villains and spirited youths.

"By the timeline, Moen should be gone now—wasn't he in the Crown Tundra as an amnesiac, treating Nihilego as his daughter?"

Not a real jellyfish, but Nihilego, an Ultra Beast. Han only remembered its quadruple weakness to ground.

In any case, the Alola episodes in the journey arc briefly revived some family trees.

Suddenly, Han stopped in his tracks. Long looked at him curiously.

"Oooh?"

Thinking about the new companion?

"No, I just remembered a way to make money—big money—but I need someone to act as my shield."

Can't be a future thief for Mega Evolution, but I can be a con artist!

Han promptly called Natsuki.

"Business opportunity, interested?"

Natsuki, deep in paperwork: ?

"Do you realize I'm still working, and I'm annoyed?"

Kadabra sipped coffee, watching the paperwork and pens flying via psychic powers, and elegantly took another sip.

With their psychic abilities, restoring order took only an instant—no worries there.

"Alola's voice, interested?" Han said. "If we pull this off, your Rocket Group can forge deep ties with Aether Foundation."

Natsuki narrowed her eyes. "White-hair, you know way too much. Those Joys trust you that much?"

"I observed the heavens, the stars shifted, and received a divine revelation," Han lied, deadpan.

"A key figure from Aether Foundation has suddenly appeared somewhere distant—a vast snowfield, and the revelation hints at 'crown.'"

Crown Tundra?

Natsuki frowned, giving Han's claim a certain degree of trust.

She'd had similar experiences herself, many times. Though, since becoming a corporate drone, her prophetic dreams mostly foresaw business partners' changes, so she could adjust strategy accordingly.

"Crown Tundra—that's in Galar. You know how far that is from Johto?"

Han remained unfazed. "I told you, it's divine revelation."

"Divine power is limitless."

"You're starting to sound like those devout psychic types," Natsuki remarked. "I understand your intent. What do you want?"

If the deal went through, her reward was her business—but the white-haired mastermind wouldn't negotiate in person.

"I want a set of Z crystals, including the bracelet. As many high-quality berries as possible."

Natsuki nodded. "Give me your alias—I don't want to take the blame for nothing. I'll package you as a powerful psychic."

"Scrooge, Scrooge Mac." Han grinned wickedly. "As for the psychic mark, just use a coin engraved with a Poké Ball pattern."

"Trust me, they'll agree to this deal."

He wanted to see, after Moen's early return, whether Aether Foundation—and all of Alola—would become more interesting.

"And it gives those siblings a warmer family experience."

As for whether Natsuki would swallow the business whole—impossible, since Han's grand plan included an even bigger web of interests.

Han flicked the berry-acquisition voucher in his hand.

And, unless something unexpected happened, those psychics who always cheat and peek at the script were probably already moving.

Natsuki hung up, then looked at Kadabra.

"Foresee the future."

Kadabra nodded, the spoon in his coffee cup started to spin, and his eyes glowed with psychic light.

Natsuki likewise concentrated, channeling her psychic power into Kadabra, enhancing its future-seeing abilities.

Strictly speaking, Natsuki was a fully maxed-out external trick module for Kadabra.

"Hoo—ding."

After a while, Kadabra nodded to Natsuki, then closed his eyes, sweating profusely.

Whatever was going on, even with Natsuki's help, Kadabra felt that this time the future-seeing was unusually intense.

That mysterious person—could they be connected to some major event?

"Hmph, so the business is real. No wonder Ma Zhishi called him a lucky man."

Natsuki smiled, but her expression quickly soured.

Landing a big deal and being trusted—very satisfying.

But being someone's scapegoat and tool—very unsatisfying.

"White-hair, don't let me find a chance to expose you."