Chapter 123 It's not that the opponent is weak, but that I am too strong.
3 PM.
As expected, under Nott's piloting, the ship smoothly arrived at the port of Vermilion City.
Xia Mu and Sonia recalled their Pokémon a moment earlier, preparing to disembark.
It must be said that, unlike the ports of Tsuburaya City and Cinnabar City, Xia Mu and Sonia felt the difference even as they approached, the most crucial difference being the awe-inspiring presence of the land-based city.
Unlike islands, the sheer vastness of the land, stretching as far as the eye could see, was incredibly impactful.
Xia Mu in his previous life could never have seen such a sight; only in his memories did he have some images of it.
"Finally arrived! This is Vermilion City in the Kanto region!" Sonia excitedly took out her camera to take pictures, while her Rotom Pokédex recorded the beautiful scene.
Although it had become a Pokédex, Rotom was still Rotom.
After the ship fully docked, Xia Mu and Sonia bid farewell to Nott, taking only their assistant, Alan, with them. After all, he was on a trip, and having so many people with him would seem too conspicuous.
Besides, he's not a child anymore. The reason they left Alan behind was because she could indeed do some small tasks, like acting as a driver and showing them around Kuroba City.
The main reason was that the Xia family's logistics group had a large branch in Kuroba City, so everything was already part of their parents' plan.
The reason they arranged for these people was so that Xia Mu could visit the branch after arriving in Kuroba City.
In their commanding words, he was their son, and since he had chosen this path, he had to be familiar with some of the group's businesses.
"...Young Master, should we go to the company now, or go somewhere else first?" Alan asked while driving.
Xia Mu glanced at Sonia beside him, then looked at Alan: "No rush. I've already read your detailed report on the company's situation in Kuroba City... Let's go to the Kuroba City gym first, while we still have time, and get the badges."
"Yes, Young Master." Alan couldn't disobey Xia Mu's decision.
This was a firm order given by the master and mistress after they assigned her to the young master.
In a sense, this was a promotion, bringing more power. However, with a new master, she still needed to test the waters.
Those who could reach this position were not only capable but also mature.
Xia Mu didn't think too much about it, as he didn't need many people working for him yet, especially those his parents had sent.
...
The vehicle drove through the streets of Kuroba City.
It was, to be honest, completely different from the Kuroba City depicted in the anime world.
Led by Alan, Xia Mu and Sonia experienced the grandeur of Kuroba City.
Skyscrapers stood tall, crowds thronged the streets and alleys, and countless shops created a bustling atmosphere. Although the pace was fast, the city's prosperity and vitality were undeniable.
"No wonder it's the largest port city. Although the Galar region has more prosperous cities, their styles are completely different," Sonia remarked sincerely.
"Actually, the customs and cultures of the Kanto and Galar regions are somewhat related, only separated by a vast ocean," Xia Mu smiled.
This is my interpretation of the information about this world after transmigrating. There was no such information in my previous life. Even though the settings in the anime and some Pokémon settings highlight a close connection with the Kanto region, to be honest, which region is not related to the Kanto region?
As the original region and the starting point, Kanto is, in a sense, the birthplace.
Time passed by, and around four o'clock, Alan finally arrived at the Vermilion City Gym.
Surprisingly, the gym's doors were closed.
"According to the schedule, the earliest closing time is after 4:30 PM. Should we contact them, young master?" Alan asked proactively.
Lt. Surge's absence was indeed unexpected for Xia Mu.
His plan was to first obtain the badge, then go to the company, then return to the cruise ship to spend the night, and the next day go to the police station to inquire about the poaching group and Team Rocket's rescue.
This disrupted his plans.
"We can ask the staff when they're available. If not, we'll just have to try again tomorrow," Xia Mu said to Alan.
Alan nodded, immediately got out of the car, went to the gym's entrance, and began making calls.
After Xia Mu and Sonia waited in the car for a while, Alan returned and gave a definite answer.
"Young Master, I just contacted them. They said the Gym Leader will be back soon and we should wait a moment." Alan's words carried a hint of deeper meaning.
Xia Mu didn't ask who she had contacted, because he guessed that Alan couldn't have contacted an ordinary person; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so efficient.
In a short ten minutes or so, under Xia Mu's watchful eye, a group of people arrived in a car, rushing over. Xia Mu recognized the leader of them.
Lt. Surge!
The Gym Leader of Vermilion City Gym. He just didn't know which aspect of his identity he was more likely to be associated with.
Xia Mu only hoped he wasn't connected to Team Rocket; otherwise, this person was quite dangerous.
The challenge went very smoothly.
It even felt like children playing house to Xia Mu.
If he didn't know his own strength was absolutely formidable, he would have wondered if Lt. Surge was holding back.
It's worth mentioning that Lt. Surge, who made a very high-profile appearance in the original story, only had a Raichu at level 39.
No wonder Ash's Pikachu had a chance to win back then; it's clear that Raichu's level was recently increased.
In short, Lt. Surge's level is really low. If it weren't for his special status, he probably wouldn't be able to hold onto his position as Gym Leader.
Xia Mu only sent out Venusaur, and it easily KO'd both the level 39 Raichu and the level 35 Magneton, winning the Gym battle.
Having won the Vermilion City Gym Badge, Xia Mu didn't linger. After accepting Lt. Surge's compliments and praise, he left the Gym and headed to the branch office.
Getting his second badge in the Kanto region so easily felt almost unreal.
But Xia Mu was still happy, because it was proof of his further progress.
"It all felt too easy. That Lt. Surge looked intimidating, but I didn't expect him to be so weak," Sonia couldn't help but say on the way to the company.
Before Xia Mu could answer, Alan spoke up for him: "That's because Young Master Xia Mu is too strong, isn't it?"
"Actually, there's nothing surprising about it. You have to understand, if every Gym Leader is incredibly strong, how are challengers supposed to obtain badges? Experienced trainers might have a chance, maybe even a fight, but how can rookie trainers compete with these Gym Leaders? So, the stronger they are, the more abnormal it is," Xia Mu said.
"It seems so..." After being enlightened, Sonia quickly realized.
Indeed, just like when Xia Mu was in charge of the Cinnabar Gym, he was too strong, to the point that all challengers were defeated.
It seemed to demonstrate the Gym Leader's strength, but this wasn't the best outcome.
Because of his overwhelming strength, challengers wouldn't come to challenge him anymore, eventually leading to the area being blacklisted by rookie trainers, and no one would travel
there anymore. Sonia clearly remembered that Blaine had told Xia Mu at the dinner table to give away some badges appropriately, so as to maintain balance.
...
Arriving at the branch office, it was already 5:30 PM.
Xia Mu's original self remembered the branch office, as he had visited Kuye City more than once with his parents, and also on his own.
In short, it was to familiarize himself with the situation, to go through the motions, and to let everyone know he had begun to take charge.
Because of his arrival, no one left even though it was past closing time. Only after Xia Mu understood the situation did he allow the employees to leave. He then had a video call with his parents
to let them know he was safe and to share his ideas for improving the company.
Actually, there wasn't much for him to worry about; everything was running smoothly, otherwise his parents would have already reformed it.
So, his parents were simply giving him something to do; they didn't necessarily expect him to change anything, just to let him adapt in advance and understand the specifics of their business.
Leaving the company, it was quite late. Sonia and Alan had stayed with him the whole time, and everyone was hungry.
Led by Alan, the three of them went to a well-known commercial plaza in Kuye City for a meal.
They were all young and easygoing, so they didn't need to stay in hotels or restaurants for everything.
For dinner, the three of them enjoyed a sumptuous hot pot meal, followed by some famous milk tea and snacks from Vermilion City.
It was quite late before they returned to the cruise ship.
...
In the blink of an eye, it was the next morning. After saying goodbye
to Grandpa Nott and his two secretaries/assistants (one male and one female), Xia Mu, still accompanied by Alan, went to the Vermilion City police station with Sonia.
Because they had already made prior arrangements, Officer Jenny of Vermilion City warmly welcomed Xia Mu.
Officer Jenny expressed deep admiration for Xia Mu's efforts in stopping and arresting Team Rocket and the poaching gang members, and rescuing Moltres.
However, she quickly expressed her apologies, as the Vermilion City police had failed to live up to the trust of the Edo Tenshiro police, not only failing to complete the handover properly but also allowing the criminals to rescue the ringleaders.
Xia Mu, of course, wouldn't criticize them, although he certainly had the right, since he was the one who arrested them.
It was a pity, and Xia Mu could only offer words of comfort to ease Officer Jenny's disappointment in Vermilion City.
After learning many details about the situation, Xia Mu left the police station.
He had originally intended to visit the prisoners who hadn't been rescued, but unfortunately, they had already been taken away by investigators sent from the Pokémon League headquarters.
Pokémon investigators.
This very special official department of the League.
Xia Mu's understanding of them in his previous life was only superficial, as neither the games nor the anime provided much detail.
What was worth exploring was that Lance, as both a Champion and an Elite Four member, was also an investigator.
When this was revealed, it caused quite a stir.
After all, it was understandable for a Champion to also be an investigator, but Lance, as an investigator, had been infiltrating a criminal organization as an undercover agent, and it was unclear how he hadn't been recognized.
Strictly speaking, the role of an investigator was like a special department established by the state, possessing absolute power and only answerable to the highest-ranking elders.
Leaving the police station, Xia Mu's business in Vermilion City was considered complete.
Unfortunately, they arrived too late; otherwise, they might have been able to obtain useful information.
Xia Mu could only comfort Gardevoir, saying there would be other opportunities, and his parents had been spreading rumors that Ralts and Kirlia would be found quickly once news broke of their sale.
...
North of Vermilion City.
At Xia Mu's insistence, Alan was temporarily left in Vermilion City.
Bringing her along would only cause some trouble, but that wasn't a problem.
However, Xia Mu hadn't intended to bring anyone else on the trip from the beginning. If it weren't for Sonia's special status and the fact that they had already spent time together, Xia Mu really wouldn't have wanted to bring her along.
Alan felt quite helpless about this.
She also realized that her young master and Miss Sonia had a close relationship, and if she insisted on going along, it would be overstepping the bounds.
Being given important responsibilities and now assigned to Xia Mu, her abilities, along with the other two, were undeniable.
The intelligent Alan also knew how to be a good secretary.
In short, since their master had given the order, she should obediently wait for further instructions. After all, it was Xia Mu's command, and they would receive their due reward even without doing anything.
"Young Master, please take care on your journey. We will be ready 24/7. If you need anything during your trip, we will arrive immediately," Alan said.
An obedient and understanding female secretary is undeniably what every man desires.
Although they had only spent a day together, Alan's performance had indeed planted a useful seed in Xia Mu's heart.
Xia Mu even considered having Alan cooperate with Musashi Kojiro and Meow Meow, which would not only alleviate the pressure on that side but also allow for faster planning for the future.
After walking a distance away from Kureha City, Xia Mu and Sonia strolled along the coastal road.
"Look at how reluctant you are to leave. Why don't you go back and call her along?" Sonia said meaningfully.
Her tone was full of sourness.
"I was thinking about something else, but you're not jealous of her, are you? There's nothing between us," Xia Mu teased Sonia with a smile.
Sonia blushed immediately. "I don't believe it! Sister Alan has such a great figure and is so beautiful, how could you not be tempted? It's only been a day, and she's already your right-hand woman."
"To say I wasn't tempted would be a lie, hehe," Xia Mu said deliberately.
Hearing this, Sonia couldn't hold back any longer. She puffed out her cheeks and punched him with her fist. "You, Xia Mu, you're so fickle"
"Haha~~ Okay, okay, my bad, I was just joking. But being fickle is too much. Besides you, I've never really liked any other girl."
In the playful exchange, Xia Mu grabbed Sonia's hand.
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(End of Chapter)