"Hmm? Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
"Or do you just enjoy this sort of thing?"
Listening to the accusation from the other end of the phone, Steven could already imagine her deadly smile forming.
"How about you let me explain?"
"Go ahead, I haven't gagged you," Cynthia said indignantly.
Meanwhile, her Garchomp rarely displayed such an expression—a smile.
So that's how it is. I misjudged that blue-haired kid.
"Gah-oh~"
You should have said so earlier! I would have liked you sooner~
Garchomp's claws even gently stroked the old blue-haired doll in its possession.
Sorry, I've been scaring you lately.
Steven hadn't expected the news to spread to the Sinnoh region in less than half a day.
"Ahem, actually, Wallace just came over last night to exchange ideas on raising Water-type Pokémon," Steven explained carefully.
"After all, Piplup joined the team late and is still quite weak."
Pffft—
A stream of water sprayed from somewhere nearby, blocked by Steven's raised hand.
Steven casually shook off the water droplets and continued explaining to Cynthia on the phone.
"Piplup!
Who are you calling weak? You'd better not lock your Poké Ball tonight! Otherwise, you'll definitely wake up in the middle of the night!
"Whew—"
Steven suddenly let out a sigh of relief. Finally done explaining.
"I'll let you off this time. Bye."
Listening to the phone being hung up, Steven suddenly realized something.
"Wait... I think I'm still single, aren't I?"
"So why was I panicking just now?"
"Piplup, training time!"
"Piplup!"
There's no water here!
"No water? We'll still train your physical fitness! With that small body of yours that can only use Hydro Pump twice, you definitely need more training!"
"Piplup! (‵□′)"
You're not much better than me—five minutes!
"Hey, that's where you're wrong. I'm at seven and a half minutes now, an improvement of two and a half minutes, alright? Don't make unfair criticisms."
Steven and his Pokémon trained, played, and traveled together.
When they passed through Mauville City, they even stopped to spar with Gym Leader Wattson a couple of times.
Arriving at Route 118, east of Mauville City, there was indeed a sea area perfect for training.
It was ideal for Piplup to hold a Water Stone and train in the water.
It must be said that its growth rate had indeed increased significantly since then.
Metagross was even more impressive. While others were stuck at the Elite level, unable to advance, it was progressing faster than usual.
Perhaps its intelligent mind had already found the trick to breaking through.
Or it could be that after experiencing Mega Evolution, its enhanced brain allowed it to comprehend novel training methods.
Now, during sparring sessions with Scizor, it would intentionally refuse to dodge, taking more damage head-on.
It would end up bruised and battered every single day.
It was like a Saiyan grinding for passive abilities, doubling its mineral intake at every meal.
Lairon watched with extreme anxiety. Even its usually laid-back self started working desperately hard.
This was tough on Skarmory. It was already struggling to keep pace with Lairon, and now, the progress it had just made by doubling its training volume was closed again.
Now it had to start training at six times the normal intensity, ending up with more physical marks from training than even Metagross.
If Beldum had trained this desperately from the beginning, Steven felt it might already be at Champion level by now.
Back then, Steven hadn't pushed Beldum's special training so intensely. After all, it was his first true companion Pokémon.
Steven hadn't wanted Beldum to push itself so hard from the very start.
Now, everyone on his team acted like desperate workaholics.
Even Piplup was gradually infected by this atmosphere and started training independently.
Looking at Piplup training hard in the water, Steven felt somewhat faint.
He had intended for Piplup to be the team's mood-setter, the one who would lighten the atmosphere. But he hadn't expected it to be assimilated by the team's work ethic shortly after joining.
Aside from occasionally ambushing him when it was in a bad mood, it would also secretly wet Steven's pillow every night.
This was pure torture for him!
Fortunately, Steven's resources were completely sufficient. He just had to ask for whatever training materials he needed from Devon Corporation.
"Although it's my own company, always reaching out for things doesn't really fit my style," Steven mused, sitting cross-legged on the ground.
"No matter what, I have to contribute something to the company. Otherwise, I'll seem useless, only knowing how to take things..."
"Currently, the navigator's function is only slightly better than a regular phone in terms of information recording, and it's even worse than Professor Oak's Pokédex."
"If I could collaborate with Professor Oak to launch a comprehensive Pokédex, that would be excellent..."
Wait!
This actually seems like a viable direction!
The Pokédex in the anime can record and analyze information on encountered Pokémon, making it a convenient portable Pokémon encyclopedia for Trainers.
Professor Oak's current Pokédex already has this function, but it needs help to expand its capabilities.
Why couldn't Professor Oak and Devon Corporation collaborate on research and development?
Professor Oak has the expertise and knowledge, while Devon Corporation has the technology and reputation!
Combining the two could create a Pokémon encyclopedia that everyone could own, just like in the anime!
Currently, the age requirement for new Trainers is still sixteen years old. The League believes that younger individuals don't have a comprehensive enough understanding of the field.
It's set at sixteen for the safety of the children.
This is also to prevent Trainers from facing danger too early due to immaturity.
It would also prevent the waste of Trainers with great potential.
But what if those children could gain comprehensive understanding and knowledge of Pokémon in advance? Wouldn't that create...
A golden age for Trainers?
"So how should this be done?"
"No! Wait, what am I thinking? The answer is right in front of me!" Steven suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Pokémon games!"
What he was currently experiencing—wasn't it essentially a "game" that wasn't quite a game?
It could cultivate children's interest in adventure while also helping them understand how to raise Pokémon properly.
And there's no danger to life!
How wonderful would that be?
As for concerns about gaming addiction...
In a few years, those kids could travel with real Pokémon! If it were you, would you still be addicted to that game?
As for the game development aspect, he could start working on that as soon as possible.
For the Pokédex project, he needed to have a serious discussion with Professor Oak.
However, the future content production for the game's Pokémon information would still require Professor Oak's collaboration.
When it comes to professional knowledge about Pokémon, it still has to be Professor Oak.
After all, since it's meant to help children understand Pokémon better, Professor Oak shouldn't directly refuse. There should still be a good chance for discussion.
The future direction was set. If this could really succeed, then Steven wouldn't be just a freeloader anymore.
He would have made a real contribution to his family's industry.
However, game development would have to start in the Hoenn region first. Then he would begin creating the Kanto region version after Red gained fame.
Given Red's personality, as long as Steven had a proper battle with him, Red would definitely agree to be featured.
"Piplup! Don't slack off!"
"Piplup! ╰（‵□′）╯"
This is called resting!
Besides, you're the one slacking off!
"This is called brainstorming! Do you understand? Brainstorming!"
"Piplup!"
Nonsense!
"Krak..." Lairon hugged a mineral and lay down on the ground nearby.
Time to watch this unfold~