"Be careful of what? What does 'zzzz' mean?"
The last message from Drowzee left Natsuhiko confused.
Carrying a heavy heart, he left the abandoned building.
Obviously a Drowzee that loved to learn, yet it had become like this due to certain experiments.
Presumably, it waited peacefully for death at first because it found some comfort in books, and smelled a hint of relief.
"What a pity....."
"Ugh..."
Weedle was also looking quite downcast.
But Natsuhiko quickly composed himself, and with Weedle, he found Sanfu again.
Sanfu had a certain respect for Natsuhiko, but he never made the connection that this was the Natsuhiko he knew before.
"From now on, you will help me gather all kinds of information about Goldenrod City. No matter the method, I will pay you for it. This is the deposit." Saying this, Natsuhiko pulled out two hundred Alliance currency bills.
"Deposit!" Sanfu's eyes widened.
Just the deposit alone was two hundred Alliance currency. For him, it's certainly a decent payout. If utilized well, it could even recruit a gang of desperados trying to survive in the slums.
Back then, Natsuhiko only got thirty-three from a somewhat notable slum leader, Scarman.
The living standards of the lower classes of Goldenrod City and regular residents are completely in different leagues.
What others view as pocket change is a fortune in their eyes.
"Good, good!" Sanfu responded repeatedly, taking the money.
"This is just a deposit. I will pay you based on the value of the information you provide. Every week, I'll be waiting at the entrance of the East District. I hope you can provide valuable information; otherwise, I'll find someone else."
Natsuhiko patted his shoulder and turned to leave.
Through this incident, he realized the importance of intelligence; getting the right information can save a lot of time.
Had it not been for the information from Sanfu about Assef and Rattata's oddities, finding Drowzee would have taken a considerable amount of time.
With time being crucial for him now, not a second can be wasted.
In Goldenrod City, he needs a simple intelligence network.
Someone like Sanfu, who mingles at the bottom rungs of Goldenrod City and is unassuming, would be a good choice.
They might not know much, but their range for gathering information is broad, covering unnoticed corners of Goldenrod City. As long as one piece of information is valuable to Natsuhiko, the trade is worthwhile.
And he's not worried about Sanfu taking the money and running.
If he wanted to leave, he would have already, and he doesn't believe Sanfu would waste the long-term profitable channel right in front of him.
Consider it a negligible arrangement.
If it works, great; if not, it's just a loss of two hundred Alliance currency.
"Wait." Sanfu called out to him.
"Hmm?"
"Though I'm not sure if it's useful, I heard...I heard from others that last night in Goldenrod City's East District, some people with very strange attire and odd behavior were seen."
Natsuhiko's heart skipped.
Goldenrod City's East District?
Nods imperceptibly.
"I got it. If this information proves useful, I'll pay you afterward."
With that, he left.
With Weedle, he returned swiftly to the club.
He found Lotto.
He needed to hand over the task quickly, receive his reward, and get more Energy Blocks and various Pokémon resources for Weedle.
Not succeeding in acquiring a second Pokémon doesn't matter; he can focus all his efforts on nurturing Weedle.
The manager's office.
Knocks and enters.
The office remained luxurious and spotless, with the manager impeccably dressed.
"The task, completed so quickly?"
Lotto's eyebrows arched in surprise as he saw the report Natsuhiko handed over along with the photographic evidence.
"Got lucky, happened upon it," Natsuhiko replied.
"Oh?"
Lotto gave a shrewd smile as he glanced at Natsuhiko standing respectfully, "Not bad, here's your reward."
A pure yellow feather lightly dipped in ink, dancing across the report to leave a signature.
Who still uses feather pens? ... This thought flashed through Natsuhiko's mind.
What sophistication.
A bank card slid onto the table.
"This is an anonymous Alliance bank card, containing your reward for this task. Future task rewards, as well as your salary, will be credited to this card. Feel free to use it." Lotto explained with a smile.
Natsuhiko nodded, picking up the bank card.
Just about to leave, he suddenly stopped and asked, "Manager Lotto, is there a place in Goldenrod City where one can buy more... 'professional' Pokémon books, and..."
Natsuhiko particularly emphasized the word "professional," believing Manager Lotto would understand.
Indeed, upon hearing the question, Lotto showed a comprehending expression, playing with the feather in his hand, pondering slightly, then said, "You might want to check out Kelsa Street, number 115."
"Thank you."
After expressing gratitude, Natsuhiko turned and left.
Taking a cab, he headed directly to Kelsa Street, 115, as directed by Lotto.
Kelsa Street is located at the edge of Goldenrod City, in a less economically prosperous area, with several nondescript shops sparsely spread across.
The place pointed out as 115 is a seemingly rundown little shop, inside which an elderly man lay on a rocking chair behind the counter.
Feeling someone enter, the elder slightly opened his somewhat cloudy eyes, his gaze briefly sweeping over Natsuhiko, slowly asking, "What for?"
"Buying something." Natsuhiko's face remained calm.
The elder's eyes, shrouded in a gray haze, blinked, pointing to the counter, "One hundred Alliance currency."
Without hesitation, Natsuhiko took out a hundred currency bill and placed it on the cabinet.
"Go on then." Seeing the money, the elder understood, pointing to a worn-out wooden door behind him.
Before Natsuhiko went in, the elder suddenly tossed over a package, "Newcomer, put it on inside, it'll be good for you."
Opening the package revealed a large, black, heavily woven cloak and a ghastly white mask.
Natsuhiko paused for a moment, then understood.
"Thank you."
Donning the impenetrable cloak, wearing the mask, and hiding Weedle beneath it.
He stepped inside.
Inside was a narrow, dim passageway, barely illuminated by scarce and yellowed lights that barely revealed the path.
Walked for an unknown time.
Finally.
With a glimmer of light, Natsuhiko stepped out of the lengthy corridor into a brightly lit area, akin to daylight.
In sight.
Various shops selling items directly or indirectly related to Pokémon, and even several blatantly dealing in Pokémon, something strictly prohibited by the Alliance outside, direct Pokémon trading.
Besides, a significant number of people dressed similarly to Natsuhiko walked within the streets amongst the shops, hidden under large black cloaks, donning ghastly white masks.
Some openly displayed Pokémon beside them, showcasing their might.
Each maintained a safe distance, wary of one another.
However, a select few did not wear black coats and revealed their true identities.
These were undoubtedly fierce, reckless individuals, even some holding positions on the Alliance's wanted list.
Others chose to keep a respectful distance from them.
This place.
This hidden market of unknown location within Goldenrod City is its largest black market.
It gathers numerous individuals with black, gray identities, conducting trades that the Alliance either does or doesn't permit.
But without a doubt, anything related to Pokémon and Trainers can practically be bought here.
Goldenrod City is the largest city in the Kanto Region, and naturally, its black market is the largest in the entire Kanto Region. Here, it's chaotic and one must be cautious in everything they do.
Another critical point.
The entity maintaining this black market and ensuring basic law and order is none other than the Rocket Team.