Inside the Pokémon Center, within Su Bai's pet shop.
Su Bai gently pushed a steaming cup of tea toward the visitor sitting across from him.
This man was the envoy from Kyoto.
And judging from the pomp and circumstance, this was no casual visit—it was official and high-level.
Even Zhu Jianyuan, the City Lord of Haicheng city, wasn't permitted to sit in on the meeting.
He could only stew outside, frustrated and powerless.
Su Bai sipped his own tea calmly, eyes fixed on the guest before him.
To his surprise, the Kyoto representative was quite young—only around twenty-three or twenty-four.
He had Western features and, to be fair, a handsome face.
The only thing off-putting was the way he always squinted, making him seem flippant even when serious.
And with that look, the first thought to flash through Su Bai's mind was:
"Why are all squinty-eyed guys in stories total weirdos?"
"No need for tea,"
the squinty-eyed man said, glancing at the cup with a half-smile.
Then, without wasting another word, he pulled a document from his sleek briefcase.
"Let's get down to business."
"My visit concerns your Pokémon Center… and the incident involving the Contract Trainer Guild."
Just as expected.
Su Bai exhaled softly.
He'd known this day would come the moment he dismantled the Contract Trainer Guild in Boulder City.
He'd hoped that exposing Malene as a Sub-Beast would give the authorities enough reason to turn a blind eye.
Clearly, that had been wishful thinking.
"You've done commendable work in eliminating Sub-Beasts, but that doesn't erase everything else,"
the man said flatly, face expressionless as his squinted eyes pinned Su Bai in place.
"Even if the Guild was at fault, if everyone acted like you did, the fragile order we've maintained since the apocalypse would have collapsed long ago."
"What you did to the Guild can't just be brushed under the rug because of the Sub-Beast incident."
"Since then, every branch of the Contract Trainer Guild has been thoroughly investigated. And yes… a number of Sub-Beasts were discovered and have been dealt with—quietly."
Su Bai raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Even a broken system clings to life with a few rusted nails, huh…"
Malene had been a powerful Sub-Beast. Under normal circumstances, even seven or eight S-class Trainers would've struggled against her.
Yet somehow, humanity had managed to kill similar threats without causing a stir.
That in itself said a lot.
"The Twelve Zodiac Units, maybe?"
Su Bai mused silently, his thoughts racing.
He looked up.
"You've said quite a bit… but not what my punishment is."
"Also, what happens at the other branches has nothing to do with me."
"My relationship with Contract Trainers began and ended with Li Jian."
"Pokémon are Pokémon. Sub-Beasts are Sub-Beasts. I don't want the two mixed, ever."
The man's squint didn't change. That vague smile of his seemed permanently etched onto his face.
"Your punishment, you ask…?"
He pulled out another document—this one bearing a bright red government seal—and began reading in a monotone voice:
"Given that the Pokémon Center has been selling Pokémon without approval from any Kyoto agency…"
"And given the dangerous combat capabilities of these creatures…"
"And considering that Su Bai, the proprietor and Pokémon user, has summoned an excessive number of Pokémon, disrupting the local ecosystem…"
"We hereby order the immediate suspension of operations at the Pokémon Center. All profits will be seized and transferred to the state."
"Su Bai is to recall all Pokémon, then proceed directly to Kyoto to assist in the investigation."
Su Bai couldn't help but let out a short, mirthless laugh.
Looking at the man's ever-smiling face, his tone turned dry.
"That's it? That's the whole punishment?"
The man nodded.
"That's it."
Su Bai stood, stretched, and let out a long sigh.
"I used to think that even in a post-apocalyptic world, the departments maintaining society's structure still had some sense."
"Looks like I gave you all too much credit."
"I've said before—I'm comfortable here, running the Pokémon Center. I have no intention of going to Kyoto."
"Zeraora… lock the door."
His lips curled into a grin—not amused, but strained and laced with fury.
Even as someone who'd lived through two lives, hearing something this ridiculous could still send his blood pressure spiking.
If the punishment had just been a fine or some compensation for dismantling the Contract Trainer Guild, he could've accepted it.
After all, the Pokémon Center had plenty of money.
He wouldn't mind funding a few new branches if that kept the peace.
But this?
Recalling all Pokémon and obediently marching to Kyoto for punishment?
"What kind of twisted joke is this?"
And ecological damage?
Please.
Zhou Xiaofei and Liu Qiaoqiao were living their best lives under blue skies and on golden beaches.
Their scenes were the most watched in all of Hai City—kids and adults alike couldn't get enough.
That was "ecological damage"?
Humans really had a knack for lying to themselves.
As Su Bai straightened fully, a large golden cat silently padded behind him and locked the door of Su Bai's Pet Shop.
In the back, a massive Charizard poked its head out, twin streams of flame snorting from its nostrils as it stared down the visitor with hostility.
Meloetta and Diancie floated upward, their expressions cold and focused.
"I truly don't know what Kyoto's officials are thinking. Why would they believe I'd just follow orders like some obedient dog?"
Su Bai cracked his neck—his joints popping like gunfire.
"You must be strong, right? Coming from Kyoto and all."
"I hope you're not letting those squinty eyes of yours go to waste."
"Stand up. Show me what you've got."
His tone was laced with restrained fury.
This punishment was more than bureaucratic nonsense—it was an insult to his intelligence and dignity.
Of course, Su Bai wasn't underestimating the man before him.
Clearly, the envoy's rank was high. He wasn't just a paper-pusher.
But now that he'd set foot in the Pokémon Center…
"Don't expect to walk out unscathed."
If Su Bai was going to defy orders either way, he might as well beat this smug squinty-eyed guy up first.
Besides, thanks to the shop's Protective Ward, he couldn't damage the building even if things got rough.
The Pokémon flanking him bristled with tension, eyes locked onto the Kyoto envoy.
And just when it seemed like the clash was about to erupt…
The man suddenly broke into laughter.
At first, Su Bai thought it was that typical villain-in-a-manga laugh—the one bad guys give before showing off their overwhelming strength.
Instead, the man suddenly raised both hands and grabbed the document.
"Riiiip!"
He tore it to pieces.
Then he threw his arms forward in a panic, waving them frantically.
"Don't! Don't do anything rash!"
"I knew from the start you wouldn't follow orders from those fools in Kyoto!"
The abrupt shift left Su Bai blinking, stunned.
He scratched his head.
"Wait, what just happened to our 300-round boss fight scenario?"
The squinty-eyed envoy—now visibly flustered—stood up and gave a deep, respectful bow.
"Let's start over."
"I'm Rock. Pleased to meet you."