Chapter 415: Major Mission from the Sinnoh League
Lu Ye: ???
It’s not that Lu-sensei doesn’t work hard—it's just that the rich lady is way too overwhelming!
【Lu-sensei: Don’t buy anything next time. I’m not used to driving.】
“Sorry…”
Cynthia said apologetically, “I didn’t think it through.”
“But that bike is equipped with a Rotom module.”
She explained, “There are towns where you can’t ride Pokémon. With a Rotom bike, it’ll be more convenient.”
Lu Ye suddenly understood.
This was the [Key Item] every protagonist must have in the games—the bicycle!
And in Gen 8, with Rotom integrated, the bike’s speed could rival a galloping Tauros.
But these bikes, equipped with specialized tech, weren’t cheap.
As a high-end, modular assembly bike, it could be pricier than some sports cars…
【Cabbage Ice Cream: Consider it a thank-you gift for helping me translate that paper last time.】 Lu Ye stared at the message, throat tightening.
Thank-you gift, huh… You could just pledge yourself to me.
What do I need a bike for?
But in this early spring chill, only Cynthia and Pokémon could bring Lu-sensei a bit of warmth.
【Lu-sensei: When are you coming over again? I’m ready.】
【Cabbage Ice Cream: You should rest a bit longer… you looked so tired last time.】
Lu Ye’s sleep schedule had been optimized with Sylveon’s Yawn and Gengar’s Hypnosis.
Early to bed, early to rise, and a warm cup of MooMoo Milk before sleep—he never carried fatigue into the next day.
Staying up late for games… that was tough for someone on the boomer routine.
Lu Ye nodded cheerfully and replied, “No problem!”
…
After signing for the package, Lu Ye watched as the shipping container was carefully unpacked.
Inside was a rare, foldable bicycle, wrapped in luxury-grade packaging.
Besides the electric Rotom module, its texture and gloss were flawless.
For travel, bikes were clearly more convenient than cars. (Except for Milotic’s land-sea-air convertible; or Gary’s harem limo.)
“Gengarr?”
The little guys circled the bike curiously, examining it.
“Ka-meh…ヾ(⌐■_■)”
Blastoise released Aura to confirm the bike didn’t have a hidden bomb. He sighed in relief.
“Arf! (｀0´)” Arcanine snarled at Rotom in frustration.
Fine, steal the chores—now you're stealing the ride too?!
Rotom, you b******!
“Can’t understand this world, Roto~ o(TヘTo)”
“Let’s test it out.”
Lu Ye mounted the bike and pushed the pedals.
“Enter the module, please. Thanks, Rotom!”
“Roto~”
Rotom slipped into the bike. As the new form activated, blue electricity sparked around the wheels!
“Holy sh*t!”
With just a gentle push, the bike zoomed forward at extreme speed.
The glowing wheels practically blinded Arcanine.
“Arf~!” Arcanine covered his eyes.
“Vroom vroom, this thing’s fast!!”
Lu Ye’s voice vanished down the road along with the bicycle.
“Gengarr! Σ(°△°|||)︴”
Gengar panicked, scooped up the Poké Balls, and used Agility to give chase.
Wait for me!
Irregular driving causes Pokémon tears!!
…
First ride on Rotom-Bike form.
It ended with tires smoking and two long skid marks from the brakes.
“Probably not a quality issue…”
Lu Ye drifted to a halt, foot to the ground, gripping the brake with a conflicted look.
Rotom’s energy was just too juiced up, overloading the system.
A bike ride with drift sounds—
No wonder all the delinquents in the Pokémon World ride bikes!
He looked at the dejected Rotom and reassured him:
“No big deal. We’ll just swap the tires and keep rolling!”
“Roger, Roto!” Rotom was back to full power.
Lu Ye had a sudden hunch.
“You’re sure you passed all your licenses back at the academy?”
Rotom said proudly: “Plane, tank, F1 racing… All my specialties, Roto!”
Lu Ye: “…”
What the h*ll does that have to do with riding a bike?! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
If it weren’t for my god-tier reflexes, we’d have flipped just now!
“Oh—Gengar, over here!” Lu Ye waved.
Behind them, the chubby dark blob huffed and puffed, swimming through the air freestyle to catch up.
“Gengarr!”
Once he arrived, Gengar high-fived Lu Ye, then collapsed in exhaustion.
“Congrats! First place in today’s swimming race!”
“Gengarr~（๑`▽´๑)۶” Gengar instantly perked back up.
Lu Ye looked around. “Looks like… we’re close to Professor Sakuragi’s lab.”
Young sprouts lined both sides of the field ridges, swaying gently in the breeze.
In the distance, a Bidoof nibbled on berries, staring blankly at Lu Ye.
“Gengar, toss the bike into your 4D Pocket for now.”
Lu Ye folded the bike.
“Gengarr!” Gengar nodded proudly.
Piece of cake!
“Let’s go.”
Lu Ye clapped his hands.
“Time to pay Professor Sakuragi a visit!”
…
True Sand Town, Sakuragi Laboratory.
Professor Sakuragi sat with a serious expression, gently twisting his mustache as he pondered over his papers.
A veteran researcher in Pokémon Evolution, Sakuragi had mentored the likes of Samuel Oak and Cynthia.
His meticulous standards matched his unshakable faith in his own judgment.
“Professor Sakuragi.”
An assistant whispered, “A trainer is here to see you.”
“Oh… That kid from Pallet Town?” Sakuragi stroked his mustache, having heard of him.
The assistant shook his head. “It’s a trainer from Donghuang, also a Kanto League Champion.”
Sakuragi’s sharp eyes glimmered.
“Bring him in… no, I’ll go greet him myself.”
The assistant was stunned.
Such treatment was only reserved for a select few—Professor Oak, Cynthia, and now this trainer.
Clearly, Professor Sakuragi held Lu Ye in the highest regard.
“So unfair… good-looking and talented,” the assistant muttered.
Moments later—
“Long time no see, Professor Sakuragi!” Lu Ye greeted with a smile.
“Ah, nearly half a year now.”
Sakuragi nodded gravely. “Congratulations on winning the League, Lu Ye!”
Lu Ye scratched his cheek and coughed. “Actually, it wasn’t really all my doing…”
“I understand.”
Sakuragi showed a rare smile. “Valuing a Pokémon’s own will—that’s one of a trainer’s most precious qualities.”
Lu Ye blinked.
That’s a new interpretation.
Scholars really do have better reading comprehension!
“Well, Professor Sakuragi…”
Lu Ye coughed again. “I’m planning to stay in Sinnoh for a while, so I thought I’d stop by to catch up…”
“I get it!” Sakuragi chuckled.
Samuel Oak had mentioned this.
Ash planned to enter the Lily of the Valley Conference, and Lu Ye had just arrived in Sinnoh.
Helping both with trainer registration would be no trouble at all.
A question mark floated above Lu Ye’s head.
What exactly do you “get”…?
Sakuragi had once invited Lu Ye to join as a researcher, though Lu Ye had declined.
Now, Sakuragi didn’t bring it up. He twisted his mustache and said:
“In that case… let me have your Pokédex.”
“Huh? You need the Dex?”
“Yes. Sinnoh has more detailed Pokémon records and different procedures.”
Lu Ye nodded, pulled his Rotom Pokédex from his bag, and handed it over.
“Roto!” Rotom flew out, ions crackling around him.
“So Professor Oak handed you Rotom too.” Sakuragi looked surprised.
“Long story…” Lu Ye sighed.
Sakuragi nodded slightly.
Looks like Oak and I really do share a similar eye for talent...
Not to mention, he gave Lu Ye a Special Edition Pokédex.
Only those with excellent heart and skill ever received one from Professor Oak.
Sakuragi glanced at Lu Ye and nodded with satisfaction, swiftly inputting the data.
A few minutes later—
Lu Ye heard a familiar system chime in his ear.
“All done. Here’s your Pokédex,” Sakuragi said with a smile.
“Gengarr!” Gengar hopped up, took the Pokédex, and grinned.
“You’ve got a very loyal partner.”
Sakuragi’s eyes moved to Rotom beside Lu Ye, then to the curious Togepi nearby, smiling again.
“No… You’ve got quite a few.”
Lu Ye’s face stiffened slightly.
“Professor Sakuragi, this registration process is…”
“Oh, it’s Sinnoh trainer qualification. Professor Oak told me you’d be entering the Lily of the Valley Conference.”
Sakuragi stroked his mustache and smiled. “With this, you can now challenge gyms and collect badges!”
Lu Ye’s smile froze. He suddenly coughed.
At the moment the trainer registration completed—
The long-dormant system dumped a massive string of notifications.
Lu-sensei was completely stunned.
So today’s ambush came from you, Professor Sakuragi!
You and Professor Oak… you two screwed me over!!
【Ding! Sinnoh Trainer Qualification Activated!】
【Ding! Detected Major Mission: “Sinnoh League”!】
【Mission Brief: The snowbound Sinnoh region, home to countless ruins and legends, is a sacred land for scholars. As a legendary trainer, you can’t fall behind.】
【Mission Objective: Win the Gold Prize at the Waterflow City Research Summit.】
【Major Mission Progress: (1/3)】
【Mission Reward: Choose one Mega Stone】
The good news? At least there wasn’t a badge-collection mission again.
Even if Gengar solo-swept all the gyms, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
As for this Mega Stone choice—
He could pretend to hesitate, but obviously, he’d choose Gengar’s evolution stone.
Lu Ye had a complicated expression.
Last time he tried Mega Evolving Blastoise, it took him half a month to recover.
With the bond and emotions between me and Gengar… would it squeeze me dry!?
He felt a bit bad for Gengar, but now wasn’t the time to use a Mega Stone.
Let’s train for another year and get my body more robust first!
As for the mission’s difficulty—
Lu Ye looked to the sky.
Winning a gold prize at a research summit was clearly way harder than collecting badges.
Even if he wanted to submit a project in the field of Ancient Languages…
It might not stand up to Oak, Sakuragi, and other top professors.
Lu Ye pouted and smiled.
If I don’t participate, is this quest gonna complete itself?
Gengar might solo gym challenges, but no way he’d write a thesis for me.
“Hah!” Lu Ye burst out laughing.
Locked in—this run’s locked in!
…