The Poké Ball traced a graceful arc through the air and landed squarely on Feebas's head.
The impact stunned it for a moment. At the same time, the Poké Ball popped open and pulled Feebas inside.
Just as Shiro expected, the ball only shook lightly twice before coming to a steady stop.
After all, the space inside a Poké Ball was perfect for Feebas. Once it entered such a narrow place, it refused to leave. Capturing it was extremely easy.
Shiro focused on the Poké Ball. Using psychic power, he checked Feebas's information.
[Name: Feebas
Type: Water
Level: 12 (Beginner)
Ability: Adaptability
Held Item: None
Moves: Splash
Beauty: 100/255]
"As expected, it has potential…"
Shiro looked at the Beauty stat and nodded in satisfaction before slipping the Poké Ball into his pocket.
If the maximum Beauty was 255, then reaching 170 would be enough for Feebas to evolve.
After evolving into Milotic, both its strength and appearance would be excellent. And it might even be possible to write an academic paper about Milotic…
As he was thinking, Dale's voice came from behind.
"That Feebas… Team Rocket put it in when they arrived."
He added, "It was meant to be a control specimen for comparison with normal Feebas."
"No problem."
Shiro waved his hand and cleared his throat before explaining, "I've already figured out the source of Sea Shard Rock. I just took the Feebas along as well. Also, I'll be taking the Sea Shard Rock back to the League for detailed research."
"You figured it out?" Dale's eyes lit up at once. Then he reacted a moment later. "Taking it back to the League for research? But that's Team Rocket's property… Wait, why would Team Rocket cooperate with the League in the first place?"
"..."
Bria had gone from trembling to calm. Now she looked completely unfazed.
If they were going to arrest her, then so be it.
She had been forcibly taken by Team Rocket to do research anyway. It did not matter anymore.
Her mindset was surprisingly steady.
"You're a League trainer!" Dale blurted out.
Shiro nodded with a smile and had Mesprit casually use Psycho Cut to sever the final Sea Shard Rock and store it in the bag.
Dale finally understood the situation. His face fell in despair as he murmured, "It's over. My last chance to make a name for myself in academia is gone… I'll never even get to see the main association in this lifetime…"
Hearing that, Shiro sighed. "Man, that's because you've been using the wrong method."
"???"
* * *
"What? You're the famous Corviknight? The one who published the Evolutionary Magnetic Field theory and summarized Pokémon evolution paths… a Pokémon, Pokémon Professor…"
Dale was so excited that his words came out in a mess. His voice almost cracked.
After passing Octillery Mountain, Shiro brushed the dust off his pants and raised a finger to his lips.
"Keep it down. I'm not a professor yet, and I don't want too many irrelevant people knowing my identity."
"Mmm!"
Dale immediately covered his mouth.
He was beyond excited.
Since Corviknight said this, it meant he was special.
This was a genius researcher personally acknowledged by Professor Oak. Someone destined to become a Pokémon Professor and a future leader of the academic association.
If such a person recognized him, then he must still have hidden talents yet to be discovered.
Dale felt like he had met a kindred spirit. Like a chuunibyou seeing psychic powers. He was moments away from fainting.
Behind them, Bria wore a stiff expression full of doubt toward Shiro.
She truly could not understand how her half-mentor could trust someone he had known for less than an hour.
There was no solid proof that this man was Corviknight himself. He had only casually talked about a few Pokémon theories and chatted with Dale a bit.
And that was enough to believe him?
On top of that, this man was full of suspicious points.
Wasn't Corviknight supposed to be in the Galar region?
And how could a researcher break through Team Rocket's heavy defenses and even defeat that vicious-looking executive? It made no sense at all.
Bria knew her position was insignificant. She could only stay silent in the back and pretend to be invisible.
Shiro continued smoothly guiding the conversation, "Dale, do you want to enter the Pokémon Research Association?"
"Yes, yes!"
"You can follow me in and take a look."
"Really?" Dale's eyes shone.
"Of course. But first, you'll come with me to Sinnoh and visit Professor Rowan." Shiro smiled and added, "Your main issue is your status. I'm leading the rescue of the Octillery Island hostages, so I can say I rescued you along the way as well. The S.S. Anne is over there. Go quickly."
Dale had no objections at all. After hearing this, he immediately grabbed Bria and ran toward the S.S. Anne.
Shiro watched them reach the shore and get picked up by the crew using Pokémon. Only then did he look away.
Unown A also withdrew its gaze, puzzled.
'Why help someone you didn't even know before? Did you switch careers and become a champion of justice?'
"A." Shiro raised his index finger and thumb. "Think bigger."
'Huh? Think bigger how?' Unown A was completely lost.
Shiro shook his head. "Look. We left Galar and Macro Cosmos and came to a new place. Don't we need money? Don't we need resources? Don't we still need to train and raise Pokémon?"
'What does that have to do with this?' Unown A thought hard but still did not get it.
"Sigh…" Shiro explained patiently. "My identity is a researcher, and I'm applying to become a professor. Once I become a professor, I'll need to apply to establish my own research institute and request research funding from the League. Get it now?"
'Huh?' Unown A's single eye looked innocent and clear.
Shiro had no choice but to spell it out.
"I'm mainly a trainer. I can't stay in one place doing research every day. The institute needs many projects and flexible funding. That means I need a trustworthy tool… someone who can hold down the research while also helping me hide how the funding is actually used."
Unown A finally understood and immediately scolded him.
'Embezzlement! Straight-up embezzlement!'
Shiro said seriously, "A, think bigger. Just imagine. Without money, can you still afford perfect-quality Pokéblocks every day? Even if you don't eat them, what about G? Corviknight? The dog and the bear?"
'Stop talking!' Unown A folded its bent leg and rubbed its nonexistent stomach. 'I get it. I think big.'
**
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