Chapter 610: Memories Are Pearls, Friendship Is Diamonds
The night grew darker.
At the end of the gathering, Professor Samuel Oak suggested everyone take a group photo together.
“Whether it’s an encounter, a battle, or a bond,” Professor Oak smiled and said, “all of these will become memories as precious as pearls!”
Ash looked at Infernape, and their eyes met.
Infernape’s fiery scales burned with flames as it murmured softly, “Oooh…”
Meeting Ash might just be the luckiest thing that ever happened to it.
Lucario closed its eyes, recalling its former master, Aogen;
remembering how it and the fully evolved Squirtle had once saved the World Tree.
Those memories still sparkled like pearls.
Lu Ye stood beside Cynthia, quietly saying, “It feels a little like farewell.”
“Every league tournament is like that,” Cynthia replied with a faint smile, softly, “because it marks the end of a year’s journey.” Teacher Lu was slightly startled.
Whether it was Paul, Ash, or countless other trainers, their goal was always to collect eight badges and challenge the league tournament.
Some trainers fell short at the badge threshold;
others were eliminated in the preliminaries.
But no matter what, new paths always awaited.
Because there were still countless Pokémon and endless adventures waiting for them.
As for myself...
Lu Ye glanced at Cynthia’s delicate profile, then slowly lowered his head to stare at the eight Poké Balls shrinking in his palm.
Spending ordinary days with Mengmengda and the little guys was already enough.
I, Teacher Lu, want to live a peaceful life!
“Let’s take a photo, Rotom~!” The Rotom Pokédex flew in front of everyone, cheerfully.
Meowth said, “My photography skills are pretty great too, meow!”
“All right, all right.” Jiro laughed as he put his arm around Meowth’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s take a picture together!”
Wobbuffet popped out of its Poké Ball with a loud ‘boom’ and saluted loudly, “Soo~~nassi!”
In the Pokémon world, besides trainers and rangers, many are painters, novelists, or photographers.
Unova’s Ghost-type Elite Four member Fumiko was a famous novelist, with works published by a Miare City publisher, adored by Lorelei.
As for photography, it was the main profession of the Bug-type Gym Leader in Kalos, Violet.
Teacher Lu remembered that before the world changed, Pokémon Snap was about to be released… he really wanted to play it.
“Look here, Rotom!”
Click!
The camera on the Rotom Pokédex flashed as everyone began to chatter.
“I haven’t even fixed my bangs yet!” A-Jin took out a comb and tidied his black bangs.
“No one’s looking at you, A-Jin!” Krista sighed helplessly nearby.
Ash turned his head and saw Green resting his hand on his shoulder. “Master Green...”
“Before heading to Unova, train first at Cerulean Gym.” Green looked ahead and said calmly, “No being late.”
Ash paused for a moment and smiled, “No problem!”
Bruno’s large figure stood at the back, chewing on a steamed bun specially made by Teacher Lu, his eyes flashing with brilliance.
Although it wasn’t the Angry Steamed Bun... it was already a rare delicacy!
Bruno said, “Awoo! (￣～￣)”
Cynthia wore a white blouse, smiling gently, golden hair cascading down, her eyes curved like crescent moons.
Lu Ye glanced at her again, then looked toward Professor Oak, who was occupying center stage in the front row, and called out, “Professor Oak, you call ‘start’!”
“Oh, no problem.”
Professor Oak’s wrinkles relaxed as he folded his arms and nodded, “Let’s begin, Rotom!”
Click!
Rotom said, “Already uploaded to the group chat files, Roto!”
“Group chat... what’s that?” Cynthia looked at Lu Ye curiously.
Teacher Lu suddenly smacked his forehead.
He hadn’t found the right chance before... but now, with this relationship, it was time to add Mengmengda to the chat group!
This move—this move just connected Sinnoh and unlocked the SSR character Pokédex!
“I’ll add you to the group.” Lu Ye lowered his head and took out his phone.
[Group member ‘Ice Cream Princess’ joined the chat group!]
The girl said, “Welcome welcome~! ✿ヽ(°▽°)ノ✿”
Lance exclaimed in surprise, “The champions of three regions are all in the group.”
Wallace flipped his green hair and joked, “Excuse me, is this the offline discussion group for the World Championships?”
Steven smiled and said, “Or rather... for the next World Championships, no need to make a new group.”
Dan Emperor and Teacher Lu were also acquaintances, so joining was just a casual greeting.
Steven crossed his arms, his sky-blue eyes deep like gems, silently thinking:
Participating in the next World Championships... might be even more interesting than collecting memorabilia.
After all—
I’m also very interested in the top spot!
Steven lifted a confident smile and continued swinging his miner’s pickaxe to dig.
Teacher Lu said, “You all go ahead;
I’m not interested in the World Championships.”
Cynthia smiled faintly, “I already guessed that answer.”
Teacher Lu raised his eyebrows.
Winning the Baby Cup was already a victory!
Ruby rubbed his chin and raised an eyebrow, “Master Wallace, when will you bring the Champion into the group? Then there’ll be another couple in the chat!”
Me and Sapphire, Teacher Lu and Champion Cynthia...
I wonder how things are going between Senior Red and Senior The Girl, probably soon!
Lorelei looked confused, “Again?”
Sapphire said in surprise, “Eh! Sister Lorelei doesn’t know yet?”
Back during the Jirachi incident on the Qixi Festival, Ruby and Sapphire had already speculated about the relationship between these two champions.
It now seemed their progress was almost official!
Lorelei asked, “Know what??”
A-Jin rubbed his forehead proudly, “No way, I’m not the last to find out, right?”
[Group member ‘A-Jin’ was muted by group admin ‘Lorelei’ for one day.]
Lance crossed his arms, thoughtful, “If you say so, I guess I know too...”
Lorelei: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
“Some things,” The Girl said softly, “Sister Lorelei... it’s better not to know.”
Lorelei: o(╥﹏╥)o
The group photo had already been uploaded to the group album, placed alongside the Kanto region photo.
Xiao Yin browsed the photo, still with a stern face, his eyes flickering slightly.
He saved the photo and opened the chat window.
Clicked the ‘send’ button.
[Image loading progress: 100%]
“Let’s go, time to head back!” A-Jin waved at him from a distance.
Xiao Yin turned off his phone, hands in pockets, walking slowly, “Coming.”
Lilycove Island was shrouded in night as everyone walked on the way back.
Faintly, the soft singing of a cricket came from the speaker.
“Gengarrr~” Haunter grinned, baring its teeth, pulling out a microphone from its pocket.
Teacher Lu’s expression changed.
“Meowth, use Taunt!”
Meowth nearly burst into tears, “I don’t know that move~ meow!”
“Rotom, Trick!”
Trick: Swap the held items of both parties.
“Gengarrr?” Haunter looked down at the Choice Scarf in its hand and shrugged helplessly.
“Gengarrr~︿(￣︶￣)︿”
Then I’ll sing for everyone next time!
...
Team Rocket, New Island base.
A man sat on the sofa, stroking the cat boss resting on his knees.
“Meow~~” Meowth rolled onto its back on the carpet.
Unexpectedly, the man’s attention was fixed on the photo displayed on the projection screen.
Staring at the red-haired youth in the photo, Giovanni’s heart softened slightly.
This was a photo personally sent to Giovanni by Xiao Yin.
After the Michina incident, their relationship had thawed.
But Xiao Yin was unwilling to take over this brand-new Team Rocket;
Team Rocket was something Giovanni couldn’t let go of.
“It’s time…”
Giovanni leaned against the sofa back, his wrinkles smoothing as he murmured to himself.
When he called Matori, his voice was hoarse and low, like an underground godfather.
“Matori, contact the boss for me.”
“No problem,” Matori replied respectfully.
It was already late at night.
Teacher Lu thought he wouldn’t see this call until tomorrow.
Unexpectedly, he answered quickly, surprised, “Matori?”
Matori said, “It’s Boss Giovanni wanting to contact you.”
“Forget the reward, just bring some small targets!” Lu Ye waved his hand repeatedly.
Matori: “...It might be more important than a reward.”
Hearing Matori’s serious tone, Teacher Lu’s heart tightened.
Could it be that Boss Giovanni’s old injury flared up and he’s about to die?!
What about my year-end bonus!
Lu Ye said, “Transfer the call quickly!”
Beep beep—
“Lu Ye... long time no see.”
In the hologram, Giovanni crossed his legs and said in a low voice.
Seeing Giovanni didn’t seem distressed, Lu Ye nodded, “What’s this about?”
“After our last parting, I thought it over carefully for a long time.”
Giovanni pondered for a moment;
the room was silent as he quietly asked:
“Do you have the intention... to take over this brand-new Team Rocket?”
Lu Ye: “...”
Lu Ye: “...What? I didn’t hear clearly.”
“You, to become the leader of this Team Rocket.”
Giovanni’s hoarse voice said, “Take over this... Rainbow Rocket.”
Teacher Lu’s expression became complex.
So you’re eager to retire and go home to raise the kids?!
The name Rainbow Rocket had been considered by Teacher Lu when proposing the “Rainbow Plan.”
In the end, Giovanni chose that name.
He also transformed the ultimate evil organization into the show “Where Are My Sons Going?”
Hearing Giovanni’s invitation now, Teacher Lu was not too surprised.
“I think this position suits me well now.” Lu Ye said, “You know I prefer freedom.”
“I’m not asking you to decide immediately.”
Giovanni stroked the cat boss, speaking quietly, “I’m only stating my stance...”
After the Michina incident, Teacher Lu had a deeper understanding of Boss Giovanni.
He was unreserved with those he trusted, just as Giovanni personally trained Red.
Lu Ye fell into thought.
This really is the retirement rhythm...
Not “someone replacing him,” but simply no other candidates!
However, the position of Team Rocket leader probably only suited Boss Giovanni best.
“I’ll consider it.”
Lu Ye tactfully declined the invitation, then curiously asked, “So are you still causing trouble in Unova... cough, carrying out operations?”
Giovanni was unbothered and said calmly, “A temporary plan has been made.”
“Called—Storm Plan!”
Teacher Lu was stunned.
In the BW anime, Giovanni assigned a trio of executives to capture the Three Legendary Dragons in the Unova region.
This plan was called the Storm Plan, personally executed by Giovanni.
“Storm plan to catch the Legendary Beasts?”
Giovanni: “No... it’s named Storm Plan because it ensures normal logistics flow and operation even in bad weather.”
Lu Ye: “...”
You really are something, Boss Giovanni!
...
June 5th, Saturday.
The Lily of the Valley Conference concluded, and the Champion League was about to begin.
An official forum post became the hottest topic of the day.
[Champion Lu Ye announces participation in the Champion League!]
“Here he comes, Teacher Lu with his baby lineup.”
“In just one year, the new team has formed… terrifying!”
“If this lineup doesn’t shake up the opponents, challenging Champion Cynthia would still be difficult, right?”
“After beating the Elite Four, he might not even challenge the Champion!”
“Yeah, maybe he’s proposing marriage?”
“??? Upstairs is acting weird!”
“Marking this spot, I’ll Guillotine you when I come back!”
Compared to the league tournament, the Champion League was undoubtedly more prestigious and stricter.
The Champion League adopted a six-out-of-four singles format, allowing substitutions and Mega Evolution but forbidding healing items.
This was likely an epic nerf to Squirtle.
But Squirtle had just finished the finals.
Haunter or Sylveon could battle instead.
Regarding which Elite Four member to challenge, Teacher Lu also asked Cynthia for advice.
“You understand Ground-type well...”
Cynthia pondered, “Grandma Kukuno is just about to retire;
challenging her makes sense.”
Lu Ye said, “But I won’t stay on as an Elite Four member in Sinnoh.”
Cynthia was taken aback and lightly placed her slender hand under her chin, softly saying, “So it means even if Lucian loses, it’s okay...”
Lu Ye: “...”
Thank you, Lucian!
When I get married someday, I’ll definitely invite you to the wedding banquet!
As Sinnoh’s strongest Elite Four member, Lucian had defeated two of Cynthia’s Pokémon during his challenge for the Champion spot but ultimately lost to Garchomp.
Challenging Lucian was a win-win choice.
He could take a break from overtime, and Haunter could get some activity...
As for Flint noted in the little book—
There’s plenty of time in the future;
maybe a couples’ doubles match, and then team up with Volkner to beat them all!
**
“Teacher Lu challenging Lucian?!”
Flint cupped his face with both hands, screaming, “Why not me?!”
As the Fire-type Elite Four member, Flint had an extremely strong fighting spirit.
If Teacher Lu challenged him, Flint would be happier than Teacher Lu himself...
“Challenge me then…”
Lucian wore a deep red suit and adjusted his rimless glasses, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
As Sinnoh’s strongest Elite Four member, Lucian also longed for battle.
This was evident from his multiple attempts at the Champion League, challenging Cynthia.
Without this mindset, Lucian wouldn’t have endured the overtime (crossed out)… nor become the fourth Elite Four member.
Lucian adjusted his glasses, his eyes flashing sharply.
“If I win, I’ll take leave from the league;
if I lose, I’ll retire on the spot.
Facing Teacher Lu... win or lose, I have nothing to lose!”
**
That afternoon, news of Teacher Lu challenging Psychic-type Elite Four member Lucian spread quickly.
“Going straight for the strongest?!”
“Sinnoh’s strongest Elite Four member... calling it the Junior Cup isn’t an exaggeration, right?”
“Teacher Lu and Lucian both excel in tactics;
this match might turn into a battle of Trick Room.”
“Fast forward to Shadow Sneak and Perish Song, Haunter’s coming for him!”
...