Chapter Fifty-Nine: Abi: Oh No, I Befriended the Wrong Person!

"I've heard all about it. As expected of you."
At Kajitown Gym, Old Liu was smiling broadly as he spoke on the phone.
"Don't worry, Joie Jing will surely present you as a genius technician to the public. At most, she'll add a label about you discovering some materials by chance."
Old Liu also believed the knowledge came from the broken fragments of Zhusu Han's memories.
At least, until Zhusu Han and his Lapras were strong enough to handle most threats, it was best to keep the identity of a living relic hidden for now.
Some people are naturally favored by Pokémon, and certain identities and items are as well. Unfortunately, sometimes they attract bizarre villains.
"As for the energy cubes made from high-quality berries, your approach is correct."
Old Liu patted the Swinub beside the phone. "Given Lapras's current physique, one per day is already the limit. She can't eat more."
"When she was still at the gym, her physical condition wasn't up to standard, so I never arranged a portion for her."
"To wake up refreshed after just one night—your standard allocation is scientifically sound."
As Lapras's indignant, full-voiced cries echoed from the receiver, the Lapras couple behind Old Liu smiled contentedly.
Their child was doing well, and that was enough for them.
"Alright, that's enough for now. Work hard to improve your strength, and you'll get to eat more."
Zhusu Han pushed aside Lapras's big head, not bothering to wonder if those cries contained rebellious phrases like 'damned old man.'
"Old Liu, how much do you know about the other regions?"
"Other regions? In my view, aside from the differences in Pokémon, there's really not much else," Old Liu replied. "You participated in that event, but don't let so-called regional distinctions cloud your vision."
"The ones who will always stay by your side are your partners."
Old Liu chuckled. "When Joie Jing contacted me, I was going to send Delibird over to put some pressure on you—Joie Jing nearly flew here herself to battle me."
"She claimed there was no shady collusion between Joie and the League, and even if there were evil-doers, as the Director, she wasn't just for show."
Zhusu Han snorted. If any villains showed up, the Director would probably be even more delighted.
Old Liu stroked Lapras nearby. "Ultimately, it's just that people think differently. Maybe I'm too pessimistic."
"If you're short on berries, I can send you some."
"No need, Lapras's appetite isn't a concern for now," Zhusu Han replied with a smile. "Besides, aside from bottle technology, I've got other business deals in the works, though the payments haven't arrived yet."
Nazi, her figure can't compare to Blue Sai's two Poké Balls, and her skin isn't as nice as Nazi's older sister!
Come on, show some effect already!
Old Liu nodded, hung up, and flexed his arms, revealing well-toned forearm muscles.
Life was no longer bleak and hopeless, and Old Liu maintained his workout routine.
"Though I can't match Xuecheng, that muscle monster, I can still handle a high-intensity battle without issue."
Though it's said that turning evil makes you ten times stronger and turning good makes you three times weaker, anyone who can force Old Liu into a high-intensity fight is certainly no ordinary character.
"Team Dark—if you were in Kanto, I wouldn't have time to interfere, but I didn't expect you to reach into Johto."
Old Liu opened the gym's reception room door. A thin man, half-masked and dressed as a ninja, was sipping tea.
"Koga, what have you found?"
"Ninja homeland—who would've thought the tradition would become this," Koga looked up at Old Liu. "Integrating ninja arts into daily life—is that the Kajitown way?"
Frankly, seeing an old auntie casually tying a rope to a tree and leaping down into the valley to gather herbs had stunned Koga.
Such skill—it's a pity not to be a true ninja.

"The ninja tradition in Kajitown was a decision made by our predecessors. I'm talking about Team Dark—what have you found?"
Old Liu continued, "Or are you planning to test the strength of these old bones?"
"Delibird?"
Hidden outside the door, Delibird instantly reached into its small parcel.
The gift contained not only explosives, but also some truly mysterious items.
For example, the sticky orb someone had mailed over.
Koga was startled, sensing a truly sinister aura sweeping toward him from outside the door.
Danger!
"No, no, you've misunderstood."
Koga gracefully set down his teacup. "I just wanted to visit the legendary ninja homeland, and it's exceeded my expectations."
"My foolish daughter might even spend some time living in Kajitown, honing her skills."
Delibird had already gripped the sticky orb and was ready to unleash a combo move. One command from Old Liu, and Koga would learn firsthand what a double gift meant.
"Alright, alright, Gym Leader Liu, I'm not here as the Gym Leader of Fuchsia this time."
Koga explained, "I'm here as the Director of Security for Rocket Group, because I've found traces of Team Dark north of Kajitown."
"The north—the Lake of Rage, perhaps."
Old Liu's tone was calm. "Legend has it that the Gyarados clan summoned storms there to quell a volcanic eruption. That fits their style."
"You know their whereabouts—the depths of the Forest Maze, right?"
"Correct. There's a base inside the Forest Maze, but they have a secret route that I haven't found."
Koga said, "So I'm here in Kajitown looking for a map of the maze—even an ancient one would do."
"There is no map, and I doubt a map would help."
Old Liu replied, "Knowing Team Dark's methods, they'd open a new path within the maze."
Koga's heart leapt with joy. "Are you coming with me to deal with Team Dark's base?"
"Let's try our luck. Stillness breeds movement."
Old Liu put away the two Lapras Poké Balls. "Compared to a mute map, Pokémon are far more reliable."
Revitalizing Kajitown was now Old Liu's goal.
"Those fools need to learn that Kajitown and its surroundings are not places to be trifled with."
Old Liu turned to lead the way. "Follow me—let's aim to reach Lake of Rage by this afternoon."
Koga glanced at the Delibird who flew up to guide them, suddenly feeling the boss was overly cautious.
It seemed that even if the young master came along to gain some experience, it wouldn't be a problem.
He felt a tremendous pressure from Old Liu.
"Well, that's true. Who could have guessed I'd run into the Gym Leader of Winter on this trip?"
Koga took out his phone to send intelligence to Shinbird, who would pass the information to the boss.
[Acting alongside Kajitown Gym Leader; preserve Team Dark's location data as much as possible]
The report was sent to Rocket Group headquarters via the network, and Koga's message received high priority. Soon, a girl with watermelon hair and glasses handed it to Giovanni.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Rocket Group, a strange scene of bullying was unfolding in the corridor.
"Name."
"Abe, male, Gym Leader of Azalea Town."
Abe looked at Nazi, who radiated overwhelming presence. He was flustered and nearly on the verge of tears.

What had happened? He'd come for an academic seminar, and now Nazi was focusing on him. It looked like she was about to drag him into a dark room for some severe questioning.
In terms of type, Abe had the advantage, but personally, it was quite different.
If Nazi was a cold-faced queenly woman, Abe was just a pure, clear-minded, slightly foolish young man.
"Gym Leader Nazi, we met at the Indigo League Gym Conference."
"Yes, that's why I called you over. And since you're in Azalea Town, you have information I want."
For reasons unknown, over the past couple of days, Nazi's psychic foresight regarding Zhusu Han had grown even weaker, as if he were carrying some signal blocker.
Nazi narrowed her eyes. "You know that white-haired monkey with Lapras, and you're on good terms, aren't you?"
The white-haired monkey with Lapras, and in Azalea Town?
Translating that, it meant the white-haired trainer traveling with Lapras.
Abe was stunned.
Han?!
So it was his fault all along!
"Miss Nazi, Han is my friend. Do you two have some kind of conflict?"
A romantic dispute?
Han was the type whose belief in 'no women, research is divine' was practically written on his face—hardly possible.
A financial dispute?
That was more likely; Han always seemed on the verge of going broke.
As Abe pondered whether it was romance or money, a deep voice sounded from the other end of the hallway.
"Nazi, Gym Leader Abe is an important guest invited for research—what are you doing?"
A man with a large 'R' embroidered on his suit chest approached, smiling and nodding amiably at Abe.
The boss?
Nazi pressed her lips together. "BOSS."
"Gym Leader Abe, long time no see."
"Gym Leader Giovanni, you're here."
Abe breathed a sigh of relief. "Can you tell me what you're looking for Han about? As his friend, I'm curious."
"Not much, just a private matter. Nazi's psychic abilities seem ineffective against that young man, and she's a bit too curious."
Giovanni shook hands with Abe. "But you probably don't know—your friend has stirred up another major event."
Abe: ?
What has he done this time?
"Haha, I'm actually looking forward to meeting him. Such a promising young researcher—I'd like to exchange ideas with him."
Giovanni made no effort to hide his admiration for Zhusu Han; or perhaps, he was simply shifting the topic.
After a round of praise and inviting Abe to join the Viridian Forest ecological survey, Giovanni's strategy successfully made Abe forget what had just happened.
"This isn't like you. The Aether Foundation already sent an advance team to investigate, and they've confirmed the accuracy of the information with us."
Giovanni spoke calmly. "At least in the context of establishing relations with Alola, we're far ahead. Is the inability to foresee that young man with psychic powers really so alluring to you?"