Chapter 414: Chapter 414

Lu-sensei was still a little puzzled.

Why did every profession in the Pokémon World… look exactly the same?

Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny were understandable. But even renovation crews were now a family business!?

Lu Ye looked up at the sky.

"Now that I think about it… every generation’s protagonist starts off moving from another town, and the renovation crew always shows up in the intro cutscene..."

Like in Ruby & Sapphire, Sun & Moon, Sword & Shield...

Lu-sensei felt complicated emotions as he patted his own shoulder, comforting himself:

"It’s fine. There’s no way this kind of thing… has New Game+!"

Suddenly, the doorbell rang again.

Renovation Team Leader: Sinnoh Form earnestly thanked Lu Ye.

And offered a Sinnoh VIP membership card, hoping for future cooperation—

"It’s nothing, really."

The team leader scratched his head and said with a smile, "Just wanted to say thanks… My cousin in Kanto really appreciated your help!"

Lu Ye felt mixed emotions and gave a dry cough. "If I ever need you, I’ll reach out…"

He said he wouldn’t take the VIP card… but in the end, he accepted it.

The money he saved could go toward paying Rotom’s electricity bill...

He had just paid a full year’s electric bill in Kanto—

And now he’d moved to a new house in Sinnoh. He might have to go through a whole new overnight billing cycle…

"This is a total blood loss!" Lu Ye smacked his thigh in frustration.

Rotom Pokédex was leisurely watching a detective show.

When the culprit was revealed, Rotom got all hyped and buzzed into the washing machine:

Rotom played back a recording from Professor Oak’s science program.

"Chagi Dooyi~ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ"

Togepi passed by holding a game console, mashing buttons as he walked past the washing machine.

Rotom loudly declared:

"There’s only one truth! I am… the front-load washer—"

Lu Ye interrupted the monologue and shouted:

"Rotom, get to work. We’re testing a new batch of Pokéblocks today!"

Since he’d just wrecked the house, Rotom obediently floated over. "Roger that, Roto!"

Seeing that no one had stolen the household chores today, Gengar crossed his stubby arms with satisfaction and grinned.

February 23, Monday, sunny.

The sun was bright, and a beautiful woman wiped the sweat from her brow, speaking softly:

"That boy Ash overslept again, didn’t he… Could you go check on him, Mr. Mime?"

"Mimee!" Mr. Mime marched upstairs in exaggerated sync, knocked on the door, and then opened it with surprise.

The room was empty, and even the bed was neatly made.

"Mimee! (;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)" Mr. Mime was so moved, he practically burst into performance-mode tears.

"My, looks like Ash already left."

Hanako, holding a broom, appeared behind Mr. Mime and smiled gently:

"Seems he’s made some truly great mentors and friends!"

Green, dressed as a scholar, strolled slowly down the street.

Suddenly, he looked up at the hillside, where a young voice rang out loud and clear:

"Sinnoh, here I come!!"

The corners of Green’s mouth curled up as he walked into the lab.

"Oh, is Ash heading out today?" Professor Oak asked with a smile.

Green gave a slight nod and muttered, "That reckless kid."

"Professor Sakuragi in Sinnoh is my senior. I recommended Ash to him."

Professor Oak stroked his chin and said thoughtfully:

"When he arrives in True Sand Town, Professor Sakuragi will handle his League registration for the Lily of the Valley Conference."

To participate in a regional League Tournament, you had to first obtain an entry qualification.

These could come from trainer academy assessments, Pokémon professor recommendations, champion invitations, and so on.

Only after registering did the journey officially begin.

That’s why every time a trainer entered a new region, they always visited the local professor first.

Green picked up on that word instantly and asked, "Who else did you recommend?"

"Not really a recommendation… Sakuragi met Lu Ye before I did."

Professor Oak smiled.

"Given how highly he thinks of Lu Ye, I doubt he’ll even need me to bring it up."

Green gave a subtle nod, eyes flickering.

With Lu-sensei’s temperament, this journey to Sinnoh…

Was clearly for the Baby Cup—no, the League Conference.

"Even I’ve started calling it that now?" Green muttered to himself.

Ash: "Pikachu and I are planning to take a ship to Sinnoh!"

Lt. Surge crossed his arms and chuckled: "Wanna ride my Aqua Cruiser, Ashie-boy? I’ll give you a 30% discount!"

"Huh?" Ash scratched his head. "But I already made plans with Old Man Hach."

"Then forget it." Lt. Surge nodded seriously. "He’s a famous sailor. Used to work with Elite Four member Genji!"

"Send him my regards!" Ruby said.

Auntie Lorelei, clutching a cutesy Clefairy plush, removed her glasses and massaged her brow.

D*mn it… those couple profile pics are blinding!

"Ash, where do you plan to stay?" Lu Ye asked.

"Haven’t figured that out yet..."

Ash laughed cheerfully:

"But as long as I’m with Pikachu, I don’t care where we stay!"

Red: 【Pikachu dancing .jpg】

Daisy: 【Pikachu rolling .jpg】

Gold: 【Pichu playing cards .jpg】

Lu-sensei: "Isn’t there something weird in there?"

Kris shouted: "Stop teaching Pichu bad habits, Gold!"

"What’s the big deal."

Gold laid back with his hands behind his head and grinned: "Lu-sensei made the card game in the first place. His Togepi loves it too!"

"Bock!" Togetaro poked Gold with his wing, looking very displeased.

Heard you got beef with my little sister?!

Lu Ye looked up at the sky.

Pikachu is undeniably cute… but I still prefer Gengar a bit more.

Sylveon’s great too~ Ah, all my Pokémon are just too adorable!

Lu Ye nodded in satisfaction.

He then reached out toward Sylveon, who was strolling by.

"Bui?" Sylveon tilted her head slightly, then snorted and turned away.

So Lu Ye stepped forward and grabbed her by the scruff...

Using both hands, though his strength was surprisingly solid.

Sitting on the couch, Lu Ye poked Sylveon’s soft little paw pads with a content smile.

He casually infused her with a bit of Aura Power.

She immediately calmed down.

Lying on Lu Ye’s lap, her pink ears swayed gently, her blue eyes peeking up.

That afternoon’s plan: visit Professor Sakuragi.

After absorbing some Sylveon vibes, Lu Ye was refreshed and ready to head out.

Why not snuggle the others instead?

Well, snuggling Gengar… might get you poisoned.

Togepi was always bouncing around—raising kids was sometimes a sweet burden.

Duck Duck and the pupper were okay, but they were kind of dopey. Still, the tsundere ones were more fun to tease.

"Gengar, we’re heading out!"

Lu Ye slipped on his red-and-black fingerless gloves, slung a shoulder bag, and glanced back.

"Holy sh*t, what the heck is that? Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"

Lu Ye stared at the wobbling ‘washing machine’ approaching.

"Who am I?" Rotom played a sound bite from a TV show.

"R-Rotom?" Lu Ye asked cautiously.

"It’s Gengar—" Rotom realized and panicked.

"NO! I’m Rotom! Don’t steal my lines, Roto!"

"You’re so childish!"

Lu Ye snapped. "If you’ve got guts, come up with a new quiz!"

"Dooyi~" Togepi shook his head and sighed.

Life’s tough… even Togepi sighs~

The sun was warm and comfortable.

Lu Ye was playing in the yard with his little ones.

A freight truck with a shipping container pulled up to the courtyard gate.

"Mr. Lu Ye, you’ve got a delivery. Please sign here!"

A delivery guy in Team Rocket’s black uniform stuck his head out the window and called loudly.

Lu Ye looked toward the gate, puzzled.

Since moving into the new house, I haven’t ordered anything online…

"Tell me, Rotom—did you hack into my phone?!"

"Unjust accusation, Roto! o(TヘTo)"

Lu Ye glanced down at his unread messages.

【Cabbage Ice Cream: The delivery should’ve arrived by now, right?】

"It did. What did you order?" Lu Ye asked curiously.

Cynthia replied. "I bought you a car."