Natsuhiko, having defeated Drifloon, could undoubtedly remain.
As for Drifloon, he either had to leave or, like Natsuhiko, use this opportunity to challenge another trainer to keep his job.
This is the workplace.
Whether in the past or now, Natsuhiko deeply understood the twisted ways hidden within the seemingly peaceful workplace.
If you strip away some of the glamorous cover-ups and embellishments, the workplace and the Pokémon Realm, with its survival of the fittest, aren't much different.
If you have the capability, you stay; but when someone more capable comes to compete with you, sorry, you must leave.
Natsuhiko wouldn't feel sorry for Drifloon, because if he had the strength, he would surely fight back.
If you are weak, then you can only silently endure.
Just like when Tom Rokicki schemed against him, he could only endure because he was weak, but that doesn't mean he'll always have to endure. When the opportunity arises, he will definitely make a comeback.
He washed for a whole hour in the bathroom, until his skin was flushed red with heat, finally considering himself clean again.
In the wild, it wasn't that he didn't want to bathe or stay clean; sometimes maintaining these things requires a price.
Whether it's the wild Pokémon you might face while bathing or the attraction you cause to those with aggressive temperaments after cleaning up.
Humans are weak and in their eyes, are the perfect prey. At the time, Kakuna hadn't evolved, and Paras alone could barely survive, so gradually, Natsuhiko gave up on keeping himself clean.
In fact, the odor could even become a form of self-protection.
Just like some wild explorers who are adept at using the dung of predatory wild animals to mask their own scents.
Now that he's back, Natsuhiko naturally doesn't need to maintain this state anymore.
He doesn't have that kind of quirk.
After the bath.
Sitting at the table, Beedrill silently flew by his side, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar room. Natsuhiko pursed his lips.
"Even though I'm back, I'll still stay outside tomorrow."
He didn't deny that some negative impressions about the club still lingered, even if those people were gone.
"Buzz—"
Beedrill agreed, nodding. In the club's small room, it felt it couldn't stretch its wings.
Knock, knock, knock...
Fingers gently tapped the table.
During the month waiting for Kakuna to evolve in the wild, Natsuhiko thought a lot and prepared a lot.
Overall, he set a goal for himself.
Find Tom Rokicki and get revenge.
Surviving wasn't due to luck, but because, in Tom Rokicki's eyes, he was a good pawn. Once this piece, knowing too many details, played its final role, what awaited him was death, or complete submission.
From Tom Rokicki's perspective, someone so meticulous and scheming like him couldn't possibly leave him alive.
Only someone like Sato Kenta would be easier to control.
So he should have already been dead, but it was because of Zapdos that he survived by chance.
This is a life-and-death grudge.
It must be avenged.
Being schemed against so brutally, almost like a fool, this grudge.
Must be avenged as well.
But to achieve this goal, with Natsuhiko's current capabilities, he definitely couldn't do it.
He had seen Tom Rokicki's seven Pokémon back then, but with his knowledge at the time, he couldn't accurately gauge the strength of those Pokémon.
"Being able to become a Reserve Elite Four and stir up trouble under the noses of both the Alliance and Rocket Team, and retreat with ease, his strength can be roughly estimated.
Making a conservative estimate, Tom Rokicki's Pokémon strength is at least Qualified Level, maybe even higher."
Thus, the goals become clear.
His primary target is to train Beedrill and the Psychic-type Pokémon to be born from the incubating Pokemon Egg to the Qualified Level.
[Beginner], [Qualified Level], [Excellence Level], [Senior Level], [Elite Level], [Qualification Level]...
There are two major gaps between these levels.
And Beedrill alone isn't enough, even adding the upcoming Psychic-type Pokémon, it's still inadequate.
"Considering that Tom Rokicki is semi-specialized in Electric-type Pokémon, if he succeeded in capturing Zapdos, then the Electric-type abilities would undoubtedly become stronger. A Pokémon that can counter Electric-types is needed as a safeguard," Natsuhiko mused to himself.
"Additionally, her Venusaur and Swampert as Defensive Players are also quite powerful. They can withstand Zapdos's attacks, and need attention."
The gap between him and Tom Rokicki means he cannot take the normal path.
Which is why he returned.
Goldenrod City is the most developed city in the Kanto Region, hidden within not only Rocket Team but also many intricate relationships, perhaps including some of Tom Rokicki's backups.
And the Silver Pokémon Battle Club belongs to the Kanto Region's largest Silver Company, backed by Rocket Team, wealthy and well-resourced as they are.
"Capturing wild Pokémon for selling is one option," Natsuhiko muttered.
But quickly shook his head.
"That depends too much on luck. Not every outing results in capturing a high-value Pokémon like the Forceful Giant Claw Crab, and the Alliance's crackdown on Pokémon Hunters is becoming more severe. Rangers have been introduced as a profession, and often being around water, the shoes will inevitably get wet."
If valuable Pokémon are caught, that's fine, but if not...
It's a waste of time, without earning money in return.
Returning to the Silver Pokémon Battle Club was a decision Natsuhiko made after thorough consideration.
"Goldenrod City is one of Kanto Region's most important economies, a place teeming with people and opportunities, and my presence here isn't eye-catching. This should help in gaining more resources to grow stronger and gather some useful information."
"The Silver Pokémon Battle Club offers high pay, and some occasional tasks provide even greater rewards, supporting the expenses of training his Pokémon. If able to become an Advanced Trainer or even further, the earnings could be even higher."
"This is where Tom Rokicki laid out his plans the most. Although a month has passed, there may still be traces left. I feel like Zapdos wasn't her ultimate goal, her ambition is huge, having been dormant in the Alliance for so many years..."
"Moreover, I guess Rocket Team and the Alliance are both searching for her, just seeing what role I will play in this situation."
Natsuhiko toyed with the Pokeball in his hand, lightly rubbing it with his fingertips.
"Regardless if it's Silver or Rocket Team, both have extensive networks and intelligence. If utilized, at least I wouldn't be wandering aimlessly like a headless fly."
One must acknowledge that, although Silver and Rocket Team have close ties, it doesn't mean Silver is completely Rocket Team.
Just like the Devon Company in Hoenn, where the Zfuchi Clan is the largest shareholder, the entire company isn't under their control.
Otherwise, the Alliance wouldn't provide so much convenience and support to Silver Company; not being suppressed is already quite fortunate.
Few people were aware of the connection between Silver and Rocket Team, and Natsuhiko knew because of his foresight as a Transmigrator. Otherwise, when Lance and Azir knew he was an employee of Silver, they would've suspected his connection with Tom Rokicki.
After all, there are many things unknown to the Alliance, like Goldenrod Dojo's Nancy, Withered Leaf Dojo's Masashi, Light Red Dojo's Aju...
In terms of infiltration ability, Giovanni surpasses the Alliance.
Joining Silver doesn't equate to joining Rocket Team, a border that Natsuhiko tactfully navigates.
Of course, all this is based on Natsuhiko's strength not catching the attention of either side.
But ultimately, there will be a day when he must make a choice.
The Alliance is good, providing a legitimate identity, but the downside is lacking resources without sufficient background.
Rocket Team is also good, where strength and capability earn status and resources, but the downside is a more sensitive identity, given it's a world controlled by the Alliance.
"Ditto will serve as my trump card, enabling an exit from Goldenrod City, the vortex of the Kanto Region, if necessary..."
He carefully placed the Pokemon Egg into the incubator he had purchased.
Looking at the displayed hatching date, Natsuhiko spoke softly:
"Whether it's Drowzee or Yujira, or this Pokemon Egg, they're all from Rocket Team. I wonder if I can get the chance to access this part of the experiment; it could benefit the development of this new Pokémon."
"Forget it, let's call Lance and ask what happened back then, whether Tom Rokicki captured Zapdos."
However... the call didn't get through.
——————
A bit of a writer's block; the first volume has concluded, and I haven't found a good entry point for the second volume's plot. Today's update might be a little late.
Lastly, I'm asking for a monthly ticket!