Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 75: Dairo’s Despair

It seemed Primeape had spun itself dizzy too.

Rio walked over and patted its head, then looked toward James’s father.

"Boss—that was also a landslide win, right? So I get the 200,000 League coins?" He wore a beaming smile. "Do you need me to take another 200,000 and battle this five-badge lady too?"

James’s father stared at Rio without saying a word. He just kept taking deep breaths, then finally turned to President Takuma with a look of utter frustration.

He’s mocking me, Uncle—he’s mocking me!

Takuma looked at his nephew, who had nearly fainted twice in one morning, and sighed. His intuition told him that if Dairo kept pushing, he might very well pass out a third time.

"Dairo—sometimes you just have to accept defeat. A two-badge holder isn’t necessarily worse than a six-badge holder. Having more badges doesn’t automatically mean someone is better."

"But if I accept defeat, I’m admitting I was wrong! I’m a man of high society—how can I bow to him?" Dairo said, his eyes red. "No—I won’t give in."

"You have no choice," President Takuma sighed again. He had to admit, even he was impressed by that young man—sharp-tongued and genuinely skilled.

"Your trainers couldn’t match him in guidance, and they were crushed in battle. Their strength is on a completely different level. Do you really think there’s any point in continuing?"

While President Takuma was trying to talk some sense into Dairo, Hopkins, standing nearby, watched his master’s anguished expression. Despite Dairo’s earlier harsh words, years of loyalty compelled him to speak up:

"Sir—there’s actually one more trainer on the way. You forgot."

President Takuma and Dairo both turned.

"Who?"

"Wasn’t there a six-badge trainer who went to Cerulean City yesterday to earn his seventh badge?"

"Right, right—I remember now. He said he was challenging the Gym Leader’s ace, so it would take some time." Dairo’s excitement returned. Challenging a Gym Leader’s ace meant this trainer’s strength was already approaching the Gym Leader’s level.

He slapped his thigh and called out to Rio: "Hold on—don’t get too cocky yet. I have one more person coming. If you beat him, I’ll have nothing more to say—I’ll pay you one million a month to be my son’s guide."

"Where is he? And is there a prize for winning?" Rio rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming with greed.

As long as the price was right, he’d even go up against the Elite Four—let alone the eight Gym Leaders. Of course, he meant 1v1 battles, not 6v6.

James’s father said: "Don’t rush—he’s still on his way. He challenged the Cerulean Gym’s ace yesterday to earn his seventh badge. If you beat him, I’ll give you a total of 1.6 million League coins today."

Rio blinked rapidly.

Wait—he challenged the Cerulean Gym’s ace yesterday? Say that again? Challenged the Cerulean Gym’s ace?

Rio’s mind flashed to the tattooed man’s face.

"What a shame," Rio sighed. He’d hoped James’s father, in a fit of anger, would have spent big money to bring in Sabrina—the Saffron Gym Leader. Then he could have Charizard and Munchlax go head-to-head with that psychic beauty. Instead, it was just the guy from yesterday who’d tried to show off and ended up getting thrashed by the Cerulean Gym.

That wouldn’t be much fun. He wondered if the guy, upon seeing him, would still dare to battle after recalling the match he’d witnessed between Rio and Daisy.

"Wait here—he’ll be here soon. I’m going to go welcome him personally," Dairo said, taking a phone call and strutting off with a group of servants.

"When you bring him back, try not to faint a third time," Rio muttered, watching them leave. He took out the Luxury Ball and recalled Primeape, who had recovered from its dizziness.

Just then, President Takuma approached him.

"Young man—I’d like to ask a favor," Takuma said without preamble.

"A favor?" Rio raised an eyebrow.

"Yes—our company has a project that could use your Primeape’s help."

Rio’s eyebrow furrowed.

"Don’t worry—it won’t hurt Primeape. We just need it to do a simple strength test. We’ll pay you 50,000 League coins for the test. If the results meet our requirements, we’ll invite you back—50,000 each time."

Rio’s frown smoothed out. "That’s fine, but..."

Before he could finish, the old man smiled: "Don’t ’but’ me—I know you want more money. Fine—I’ll raise it to 100,000 per test, provided your Primeape’s results meet our standards. But if you try to push for more, I’ll have to withdraw the offer."

"Uh... actually, I was going to say that my Primeape has a bit of a temper—there’s a risk of collateral damage during testing. Your researchers should be mentally prepared for that. But thank you, Grandpa Takuma, for the 100,000. I accept on Primeape’s behalf."

"..."

A moment later, President Takuma walked off, looking slightly annoyed. Rio had added his secretary’s contact info and agreed to bring Primeape to Silph Co. in two days.

Rio had no idea what kind of strength test they were conducting, and he didn’t ask. As long as Primeape wasn’t harmed, he was fine with it. Besides, he was genuinely curious to see Silph Co.—even if they’d only offered 10,000, he’d have said yes.

Why? Because this was the company that invented the Master Ball. If you wanted to increase your chances of catching legendary Pokémon, staying connected to them was never a bad idea.

"I wonder if they’ve developed the Master Ball yet," Rio muttered, watching President Takuma walk away.

Just then, voices came from behind him:

"Don’t worry, boss—with me here, there’s no way we lose. I’ll definitely restore your honor. In all of Kanto, aside from the eight Gym Leaders’ aces, there’s only one trainer I met yesterday who I’d consider a tough opponent. Everyone else is just trash. So rest assured—you’ve got nothing to worry about."

"Oh, speaking of yesterday’s battle, I have to tell you about it—it was absolutely unforgettable. I was hoping to get to know that trainer, but he left too fast."

"Boss, don’t give me that skeptical look—you won’t believe this, but that guy’s Charizard could evolve again! And after re-evolving, it could turn the weather into Sunny Day! How insane is that?!"

"And here’s the craziest part—he actually had his Munchlax open the battle with Metronome! And you know what it—"

The voice came to an abrupt halt.

Why?

Because the trainer who had been so confidently patting his chest had just spotted Rio—and was staring at him with his jaw dropped.

Yes—jaw dropped.