After handling some of the accumulated affairs at the dojo, Natsuhiko immediately headed to the Pokémon Ranch behind the dojo.
First, he released all the Pokémon, letting them move around freely.
This included the Alola Ninetales and Vulpix.
They can temporarily live in the Ice and Snow Area where Froslass resides, which suits them better.
Natsuhiko then came to the lake in the center of the pasture.
He found Milotic, along with a few Feebas.
These were the Feebas that wanted to evolve, and Natsuhiko planned to choose one to evolve, and based on that, write a paper about Menes' evolution.
However, the Feebas that Natsuhiko favored didn't want to use his method.
Mainly because Natsuhiko also explained to them some of the disadvantages of using the "Beautiful Scale" for evolution, compared to evolving through their natural beauty.
But after all, not all Feebas believed they had that ability, so some of them hoped to evolve using the scale.
Natsuhiko naturally wouldn't refuse.
But to ensure his paper is convincing and with enough data, he had to separate these Feebas from most of the others.
He conducted one-on-one observation and data recording, finally choosing one to evolve.
It's more of a healthy competition.
The time frame is about three to five days.
Natsuhiko will also use some equipment to film the process, to ensure the paper doesn't face much controversy.
During this time.
He will squeeze in the time to finish the remaining Eevee paper.
Starting a new process of tapping into the Alliance's resources.
With these arrangements complete.
It was almost nighttime.
Natsuhiko decided to make another trip to Hearthome City.
To turn some of his Pokémon into cash, as he's currently so broke that flipping his pockets only reveals a few copper coins.
Suiyi Town doesn't have a black market yet.
At least, Natsuhiko hasn't encountered a black market yet.
So, to sell some things, Natsuhiko had to make a trip to Hearthome City himself.
Sitting on Noivern's back, Natsuhiko took out his phone, which he hadn't used in a long time.
Opened the chat group that Flint had created back when he was in Goldenrod City.
Before he opened it, the displayed information was already "99+".
Because of the "Lily Youth Competition", Flint had added a lot of people to the group.
Natsuhiko hadn't really greeted the people in the group much.
Casually scrolling through the names in the group, his expression suddenly became strange.
To give a few examples.
"The Handsomest Dragon Master", "The Most Beautiful Dragon Messenger", "Kona Preparing to Graduate", "Burn, Da Ye!"
These are still okay, at least you can tell who they are.
But the name Xiaochun is a bit...
Tsk, tsk.
Sima Zhao's Heart indeed.
Also, names like "Never Overtime", "Never Fall Behind".
If it weren't for recognizing them by their avatars, Natsuhiko wouldn't know who they are.
Scrolling from top to bottom, Natsuhiko found the most normal names belong to him and Hilona.
Because they both simply used their own names.
The rest are just typical of what the internet has done to them.
The most recent message was sent an hour ago, by "Never Overtime".
[Never Overtime]: Gotta work overtime again, so boring. Anyone got book recommendations?
This so-called "Never Overtime".
Is Wusong, who is either working overtime, or on his way to work overtime.
To him, normal working hours are overtime.
But actually, every time he works overtime, he's reading books.
With his reading ability, recommending a few books is useless.
He'd finish them in no time.
Natsuhiko pursed his lips.
Not sure how to start a conversation, he simply sent a few photos to the group.
The first photo.
Shows an adorably round Alola Sandshrew eating an Energy Block.
The second photo.
Shows an Exeggutor over ten meters tall.
[The Handsomest Dragon Master]: ???
Upon seeing Natsuhiko's photos, the first to jump out was Lance.
Seems like he hasn't been too busy lately.
[Kona Preparing to Graduate]: ??? (+1)
[Burn, Da Ye!]: ??? (+1)
[Never Overtime]: Gotcha! Live Natsuhiko.
[Natsuhiko]: ...
He found out.
This crowd is one way in reality, completely different online.
[Never Fall Behind]: Eh? What Pokémon did Natsuhiko Master send? I've never seen it before.
This "Never Fall Behind", if you don't look at his avatar, you really can't tell who he is.
But actually, from his tone, you can recognize it's Aliu.
[The Most Beautiful Dragon Messenger]: Photoshopped.
Xiaochun said this promptly.
[Hilona]: Is this... a Pokémon from the Alola Region?
Hilona actually recognized it, which surprised Natsuhiko a bit.
However, since the Alola Region is opening up and the Alliance has it on their agenda, it shouldn't be hard for her to get some news.
[Natsuhiko]: Yes, the first is the Alola Sandshrew, an Ice and Steel Type Pokémon.
[Stone-Loving Flint]: Steel Type?!
Flint, who hadn't appeared much before, jumped right out upon hearing "Steel Type".
[Kona Preparing to Graduate]: Ice Type?!
Well.
Seeing the Ice Type wasn't very surprising, but the Steel Type was indeed hard to guess.
However, the appearance of this Alola Sandshrew indeed excited the two a bit.
The combination of Ice and Steel Types isn't great, but it can have its uses in certain special situations.
[The Handsomest Dragon Master]: ...
[Burn, Da Ye!]: Why is that Exeggutor's neck so long? Is it also an Alola Pokémon?
[Natsuhiko]: Yes, because in the Alola Region, the land is very fertile, and the sunlight is abundant, so in the natural environment, Exeggutor ended up like this, not just in appearance but its attributes changed as well, becoming Grass and Dragon Type Pokémon.
[The Most Beautiful Dragon Messenger]: Exeggutor is a Dragon Type? (Confused face)
This really goes beyond Xiaochun's understanding.
[Never Overtime]: Grass and Dragon Type, also four times weak to Ice, eh.
[The Handsomest Dragon Master]: ... So why use "also"?
[Natsuhiko]: (Smile face)
[Kona Preparing to Graduate]: (Smile face)
[Burn, Da Ye!]: (Smile face)
[Stone-Loving Flint]: (Smile face)
[The Handsomest Dragon Master]: Natsuhiko, you seem to have some free time recently, wait for me, let's have a match.
[Natsuhiko]: (Hooks finger)
Lance realized that ever since Natsuhiko "accidentally" mentioned some of his "shortcomings", these topics have always been brought up in the group deliberately or not.
Although he doesn't mind...
But...
[The Most Beautiful Dragon Messenger]: Let me spar with you first.
[Natsuhiko]: I concede.
You see, that's the result.
Anyway, friends joking around, Lance genuinely doesn't mind.
If anyone thinks Ice Types can handle him, he'd love for someone to battle him every day.
Except for Kona.
[Hilona]: @Natsuhiko, are you back in Suiyi Town?
Hilona hasn't forgotten about the evolution of Milotic that Natsuhiko mentioned last time.
She was very curious about it.
Before Natsuhiko could answer, someone else spoke up on his behalf.
[Burn, Da Ye!]: I recently heard that Suiyi Town is going to hold some "Little Devon Cup"? The Champion can have a match with Natsuhiko. He's definitely in Suiyi Town.
[Never Fall Behind]: I heard that too.
[Never Overtime]: Although I don't really like overtime, it seems this...
[Natsuhiko]: Ahem! You're welcome to watch the match, but if you're thinking of causing trouble, hmm... (Cracks knuckles)
[Stone-Loving Flint]: He's getting serious! ... I'll go!
[Burn, Da Ye!], [Never Fall Behind], [Never Overtime]: +1
[Natsuhiko]: ...
[Kona Preparing to Graduate]: @The Handsomest Dragon Master, if you want to fight Natsuhiko Senior, let me spar with you first.
Alright.
Kona's spirit is seriously wavering.
But to be fair.
Natsuhiko had to admit.
This group of usually serious people, when they get online, kind of reveal their true selves.
Actually, a lot of people are like this.
The "influence" of the internet is just that "intimidating".
But he believes the Alola Sandshrew and Exeggutor will interest quite a few.
Those interested will come to him.
Although he's not going to sell them.
But among friends, there always needs to be some give and take.
Pure friendship, how can it be tainted by crude words like "sell"?
This is called mutual assistance!
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12,000 words, seeking monthly votes!