Chapter 403: Chapter 403

No matter how hard she tried, Sabrina couldn’t understand how Mr. Lu came up with his ideas. But the title of “genius game developer” was indeed circulating in the market.

It’s just that his other accolades shone so brightly, his commercial talents were completely overshadowed.

“As for the license, I have no objections.” Sabrina collected herself, then added, “Just make sure the character art looks good…”

“Long hair or short?”

“Long. And the skin should be flawless. At least better than that brat Blue’s…” Sabrina left it at that.

In the first generation of Pokémon, there were only a few major characters outside the roadside NPCs.

Just Professor Oak, the eight Gym Leaders, and the Elite Four.

Add in Boss Giovanni, and Mr. Lu had a way to get permission from all of them.

As for Nurse Joy from the Pokémon Center… well, let’s not forget he does carry the title of “OB-GYN genius” (not really) and “pioneer of medical reform.”

This is it. This is like remaking the Pokémon game inside the Pokémon world!

Lu Ye subconsciously gave his own shoulder a pat: “Well done, Mr. Lu!”

Of course, whether it was character licensing or game development, none of it could be done overnight.

If all went well, the official release might have to wait until the second half of this year.

By then, physical merch and the game would both take off—perfect!

As Lu Ye was thinking, Rotom reported in:

“Today’s training plan has been overfulfilled, Roto!”

Sabrina asked, “Mr. Lu, do your Pokémon all train themselves?”

Mr. Lu replied, “Don’t yours?”

Well, at least today’s training didn’t wreck the Saffron Gym. If it had… the renovation cost would’ve been no joke.

After saying goodbye to Mr. Lu and Gengar, Sabrina suddenly felt a twinge of regret.

But just like how the Spoon of Destiny guides fate… it would always bring Trainers and Pokémon together at just the right moment.

Watching Mr. Lu’s figure disappear, Sabrina allowed herself a rare, soft smile.

Destiny tells me, Teacher…

You might be the one to lead Team Rainbow Rocket to a whole new height.

The sun dipped into the horizon. Pidgey flew home.

Lu Ye flopped onto the living room sofa and glanced at the chat group.

“It’s just one loss. No big deal,” Green was comforting Ash after his defeat to Jindai.

“A true strong Trainer must accept failure—and grow stronger because of it.”

After all… Green never thought he was weaker than Red. Losing was just bad luck. He was still the strongest Trainer in the world.

Ash nodded vigorously. “I’m going to recall my old partners from Professor Oak’s ranch and challenge Mr. Jindai again!”

Mr. Lu felt a sudden pang.

So your partners… don’t include Pidgeot, huh?

Accept failure and become stronger… Silver’s eyes flickered.

That man… seemed to have said the same thing once…

Brock chimed in, “I transferred the money for those Revival Herbs to your account!”

Lu Ye hadn’t expected Brock to remember that.

Taking the opportunity while they were chatting privately, he brought up the Pokémon game plan.

“Does Red know about this?” Brock asked.

“Something this important—of course I’ll talk to him in person.”

Lu Ye said, “If Red says no… I can just use Ash and make a Let’s Go Pikachu version. Works just as well.”

“Well… I’ve got no problem with it.”

Brock agreed without hesitation. “I’ve got an exhibition match with Misty tomorrow. I’ll extend the invite for you—make it formal.”

Lu Ye hadn’t expected Brock to start recruiting partners this naturally.

Now that’s a rock-solid teammate!

Feeling touched, Lu Ye nodded. He and Brock truly understood each other.

Before setting off to Sinnoh, he really did need to say goodbye to the group members.

Even though Mr. Lu had marked off Gym Leaders in his little grudge notebook with a dozen ‘正’ symbols…

He still felt nostalgic, setting off to a new region.

“No rush. A day or two won’t hurt.”

Lu Ye muttered, “Let’s get the license stuff settled this week. Then we can officially start developing Pokémon!”

The market response to PTCG had been phenomenal.

With the startup capital from that, and a strong story-driven game, Pokémon could definitely go toe-to-toe with Devon Corp’s battle-centric Pokémon: Battle series.

Not to mention… Devon’s upper management had Mr. Lu’s spy planted among them...

“Devon’s core focus is new energy, after all.”

Lu Ye cleared his throat. “Breaking the gaming monopoly is my sacred duty!”

At home, the little ones were reviewing the day’s training.

“Gengaa?” Suddenly, Gengar scratched his head.

Was it just him, or had the energy in the house suddenly spiked?

Tracing it back to the source, Gengar’s eyes landed on the glowing Rainbow Wing in the potted plant.

He grinned wide: “Gengaa! (*≧▽≦)”

The boss must’ve been too shy to admit it.

Going through so much effort to create a perfect training environment for everyone…

I won’t let him down!

In a great mood, Gengar even wanted to burst into song—but Sylveon’s face turned dark:

Gengar looked at the mic now snatched away by Sylveon’s ribbon, lips pouting.

“Gengaa…” But he quickly perked up again, hands on hips.

Next time I’ll use Rotom as a mic and sing to it instead!

It even recorded last time—no need to prep, I’m ready to go live anytime!

“Can’t compute, Roto! o(TヘTo)”

February 18, Thursday.

Rotom’s electricity bill from yesterday had just come in.

Lu Ye stared at the smartphone screen. The bill was so long, he couldn’t even scroll to the bottom.

“Now I have to pay renovation costs and electricity bills?!”

But on the bright side… no need to carry a power bank when going out anymore?

Lu Ye: “Still a ripoff though! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻”

Compared to its Ghost-type secondary typing, Rotom clearly specialized more in Electric-type moves.

But since it joined the team late… Rotom was more useful on the home front than in battle.

Lu Ye still remembered the feel of throwing the Rotom Pokédex at the King of Portlandis…

“Maybe I could ambush someone in a wild battle like that?” Lu Ye mused.

“Beep beep, Roto! (⊙x⊙;)” Rotom shivered and stayed silent.

Clear skies. Not a cloud in sight.

Gengar had snatched away “Washing Machine Rotom’s” chores and was now hanging laundry in the yard.

Before heading out, Lu Ye gave the Rainbow Wing a boost of Aura and called to Gengar:

“I’ll be back later. Don’t wait for me to eat!”

“Gengaa! (￣▽￣)／” (I’ll go mooch food at the Gym!)

No one knew where Sylveon had gone to grind dungeons;

Blastoise, as usual, stayed home to guard the house;

Togepi was still online gaming with Mew.

Lu Ye had just made a batch of fresh Star Peach Pokéblocks—legendary quality. In Mr. Lu’s house, they were eaten like jelly beans, all thanks to the system’s berry trading function.

Mr. Lu took Psyduck, hopped on Arcanine, and made his way to the long-missed Yuhong University.

In the principal’s office—

“You’re… submitting your resignation?”

Principal Origin tried to persuade him, “Stay one more year, Mr. Lu. I’ll recommend you as a full-time faculty member!”

Yuhong Academy was only an affiliate of Yuhong University.

A full professorship at the main campus was a dream for countless scholars.

Lu Ye shook his head. “I’m heading to Sinnoh for a journey. I came to say goodbye.”

Seeing his mind was made up, Principal Origin sighed.

Over in Alola, a new Trainer School was being planned…

With Lu Ye’s credentials, it was possible he could be offered a precious teaching slot there too...

When students heard that Mr. Lu was leaving, they all came to see him off.

Lijia stood up and asked Mr. Lu to step outside for a moment. Lu Ye chased off the nosy students and followed her into the hallway.

“Next time we meet might be a long while from now, Mr. Lu,” Lijia said.

Lu Ye nodded with a hint of nostalgia. The trip to Sinnoh would last at least half a year.

“If you come to Sinnoh, I can still be your tour guide,”

Lijia tilted her head slightly, eyes gleaming with gossip. “I heard you’re planning to join the Sinnoh League?”

“The Junior Cup, right?” Lijia’s eyes sparkled even more. She seemed delighted.

“Cough…” Lu Ye cleared his throat. What’s with this weird sadistic vibe!?

Could the Yuhong heiress actually be a closet black-bellied sadist!?

Lijia composed herself, lifted her kimono sleeve, and chuckled softly behind it.

“Do your best, Mr. Lu! I’m really looking forward to it!”

Lu Ye added, “I have something to ask of you…”

He explained the licensing matter, and Lijia readily agreed.

“Just make sure the artwork looks great!”

She blinked and said, “Preferably in kimono, with flower arrangement and archery themes!”

Lu Ye froze for a second.

Shouldn’t they be asking about character stats?

Why is everyone only worried about whether their portraits look good!?

“Quack!” A flash of white light shot out from Lu Ye’s commemorative Poké Ball.

Sirfetch’d raised his shield and leek with solemn dignity and bowed like a knight.

“Looks like the Miracle Seed’s working nicely.”

Lijia’s eyes twinkled. She swallowed slightly and smiled:

“...Its move power has improved again!”

Lu Ye & Sirfetch’d: Σ(°△°|||)︴

Move power aside—why did you just gulp!?

Are you drooling over Psyduck’s body!? You perv!

But Lu Ye still continued, “I plan to feed it another Miracle Seed—as a reward for the League.”

Lijia: “Sounds good. I’m sure it’ll love that.”

“Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ” Psyduck cried tears of joy.

You fatten me up just to serve me as dinner!?

I’ll train hard, just don’t come near me!!

Brock had also gotten Misty’s approval.

In just two days, half the licenses were secured.

Lu Ye stroked his chin. “So my influence… has grown this much?”

Or maybe… Team Rocket’s infiltration of the Kanto League has gotten seriously out of hand…

Lu Ye browsed his notes.

Red and Green didn’t need to be rushed—once one agreed, the other would follow.

He did feel a little bad for Green though… His black history would probably be dragged out and mercilessly roasted.

But only by confronting failure can one become stronger— Those were Green’s own words!

Lu Ye planned to use that line to convince him.

“Now, for the real challenge…”

Lu Ye thought for a moment, then made a firm decision and called Proton.

“You there? Patch me through to Boss Giovanni?”

“So I’m just your switchboard operator now?!” Proton snapped. Then quietly transferred the call.

After a long silence, a hoarse, commanding voice came through on the other end.

Lu Ye cleared his throat and said solemnly:

“Would you be interested… in making your debut as an idol?”