Just as Roggenrola was about to finish its Young phase and Tetsuya was preparing to start training, his plan was suddenly interrupted.
"What? You want me to go on this year's St. Anne for you?" Tetsuya looked at Brock, a bit bewildered.
Brock smiled sheepishly, "Hehe, isn't it because I've been a bit busy lately?
The St. Anne invites representatives from our Gyms every year to visit, which is also considered a social occasion.
I was supposed to go, but I really don't have time. You know my family's situation. Please do me a favor."
Brock clasped his hands together, pleading with Tetsuya.
After all, the two had gradually become familiar with each other during the nearly month they spent together.
Putting aside their identities, the two were very similar in age, interests, and various other aspects, so they naturally wouldn't be as awkward as they were before.
"No, if you don't have time, does that mean I do? I still have to train Roggenrola," Tetsuya said irritably. "And what sense does it make for me to go?"
He didn't want to get involved in the social circles of these Alliance higher-ups' descendants just yet; it was far from the right time.
"Really unwilling?" "Really not doing it." "2 million Alliance Coins for the errand." "Deal."
As the saying goes, it's not that you don't have time or are unwilling to do it, it's just that the price you're offering isn't high enough.
Tetsuya readily agreed to Brock's labor dispatch. After all, it paid, and it was just a week-long cruise.
Considering it, he was actually profiting. The St. Anne was huge, and he could train there, plus enjoy high-class treatment.
"I knew it, you just have to talk about money, it hurts our friendship too much," Brock also said irritably.
In the past month, Brock had completely seen through this guy's heart; it was entirely shaped like money.
"This is reasonable labor income, and talking about feelings hurts money. Do you know how hard it is to earn money these days? I'm not a rich dog like you."
Tetsuya was dismissive of this. What do you mean my heart is entirely shaped like money? How could that be? I need to quickly take it out and exchange it for money.
"Oh, right, there will be a competition on the ship. The Champion prize seems to be an Evolution Stone of any chosen type plus a Charcoal with a 10% effect.
They say the sponsors are the three brothers from Stone Town. How annoying, they're too rich."
Brock said this casually, complained a bit, and then ran off.
Swish.
Tetsuya quickly approached Brock and pinned him to the ground.
"What the heck, so you're telling me to go up and compete for you?" he said indignantly. "With your small build, keep running, I'll give you one hand and you still won't be able to escape, believe it or not."
"Ow, ow, ow, if you really win the Champion title, the rewards are all yours, and the errand fee will be increased to 5 million Alliance Coins!" Brock quickly begged for mercy, simultaneously using his ultimate move on Tetsuya – throwing money.
"No problem, please get up, be careful, I'm really sorry." Tetsuya offered a four-part apology, immediately changing his demeanor.
Brock patted the dust off his clothes, "Hmph, good thing you changed quickly."
He casually pulled out a ticket from his pants pocket, "Here, this is the ticket for the St. Anne. Don't lose it, there's only one."
"Don't worry." Tetsuya naturally knew how precious this thing was. Regardless of whether he won the competition on the ship or the so-called errand fee Brock gave him, just the ticket for this week-long cruise alone was being speculated on the market for a high price of 5 million Alliance Coins.
Moreover, the ticket Brock gave him was definitely not for a Normal room; a VIP room ticket would cost at least 12 million Alliance Coins or more.
It was no wonder. The St. Anne, the most luxurious ship in the world, only docked at Vermilion City port twice a year, once for departure and once for return, with a week in between.
Everyone wanted to experience it, and there were quite a few wealthy people in Kanto. Many were willing to spend a fortune to enjoy it.
"What do you say if I sell this thing?" Tetsuya had a sudden thought.
"If you dare to sell it, I'll beat you to death." Brock's face immediately darkened when he heard this.
Tetsuya quickly raised his hands above his head to show he knew he was wrong and that he would absolutely not do such a thing.
Brock shook his head helplessly. This was probably Tetsuya's personality. He was a very steady person in battles and training, but occasionally he would have a moment of absentmindedness.
"You guy, you'd better get a good ranking in the competition up there and bring some face to our Pewter Gym."
Seeing Tetsuya's confused look, Brock explained a bit.
"This is also considered an annual exchange meeting. Usually, the Gyms send their future successors, or representatives like you who are being invested in, to participate.
There are Pokemon battles to see if there are any outstanding descendants, and then the old men can gather and chat with face.
It's basically people of the same age. Guys under 16 and over 20 are not allowed to participate in this competition, so with your strength, you're quite strong."
Tetsuya nodded to show he understood, then thought again, "What's the format of this competition?"
"2v2, and the semifinals and finals are 3v3." Brock smiled awkwardly.
He looked at Brock speechlessly, "Where am I going to get three Pokemon to participate in the semifinals and finals?"
"Isn't your Roggenrola one of them? Besides, your Combusken and Pidgeot are so strong, who can beat those two? You can also let Roggenrola gain some experience or something."
Brock also knew he was in the wrong and explained with difficulty.
Tetsuya looked at Brock suspiciously, then suddenly realized, "Don't you only have two Pokemon yourself? No wonder you didn't want to go yourself, you were afraid of being crushed and losing face, right?"
"Don't talk nonsense. Isn't it Normal for me, a 16-year-old, not to be able to beat them? Besides, what face is there to lose by losing because of being young?
And Geodude has already broken through to Normal Level, plus Onix, who just broke through to Elite..."
Brock's face turned red as he talked endlessly, defending himself.
Tetsuya turned a deaf ear, carefully examining the date on the ship ticket.
After confirming the time, it was still more than ten days away.
He pondered for a moment. With the Pewter Gym's training grounds and his own training plan, these ten days should be just enough for Roggenrola to barely reach the normal level.
After all, the first ten levels are relatively easy to gain, and Roggenrola mostly just needs to absorb energy to prepare for evolution.
It should be fine for participating in the competition. Anyway, with Pidgeot and Combusken supporting him, it doesn't matter if he doesn't win the champion title. The main thing is loyalty.
"...Besides, many of them aren't even as good as me, you..." "Oh right, what are we eating for lunch today?"
Brock, interrupted by Tetsuya's sudden question, was stunned for a moment, then naturally replied, "Stewed Potato with Braised Synthetic Beef, with a side of Stir-fried Green Vegetables and Steamed Chansey's Egg."
"Alright then, I'm going to train first. You keep up the good work." "Okay."
Brock nodded and turned to prepare the meal. They had agreed to train together and take turns making lunch and dinner each day. Today was his turn.
But suddenly feeling something was off, Brock immediately turned back. By then, Tetsuya had already disappeared to who knows where, likely already starting his training.
Brock had no choice but to abandon the thought in his mind. Anyway, it would be the same to talk about it during dinner, he thought to himself.
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PS: It can be done at nine o'clock.
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