Chapter 205: Ethan, the One Who "Got Tricked"
"Maybe... I shouldn't?"
Ethan looked at Asahi nervously, hesitating.
Asahi responded, "Come on, I'm an official League member. You think I'd harm you?"
"...Not necessarily."
"Hm?" Asahi raised an eyebrow.
Ethan shuddered and quickly corrected himself, "I mean, of course not!"
"Alright then, just fill this out."
Asahi pulled out a document.
Ethan took it hesitantly. It seemed to be just some basic information forms.
Realizing that Asahi wasn't actually trying to mess with him, Ethan finally relaxed a little. As he filled out the form, he curiously asked, "Is this for claiming my prize?"
He had heard that for official organizations like this, claiming rewards often required filling out paperwork.
Seeing that Ethan had completed the form and even signed his name, Asahi smiled. "You could say that... it's an application to become an auxiliary member of the International Police."
"...Huh?!"
Ethan, who had just handed the form back to Asahi, was utterly dumbfounded.
Green, who was watching this unfold, suddenly had a wave of painful memories resurface.
Meanwhile, Sabrina looked at Ethan with nothing but sympathy.
Yet another poor soul who had been tricked.
Though, to be honest, she didn't see any particular talent in him.
---
Elm Pokémon Research Lab
By the time Asahi returned to the lab, Silver was just about to leave.
Silver froze when he saw Asahi.
Weren't they supposed to split up and act separately?
Why was he back already… and who was that miserable-looking guy following him?
Professor Elm was just as curious. "Asahi, what's all this...?"
"The Rocket Team members around the lab have been arrested," Asahi said casually.
"They've already... been arrested?"
Professor Elm was stunned and glanced at the time.
It hadn't even been half an hour. Was the International Police always this efficient?
"Well, I just got lucky," Asahi admitted. "I ran into them while leaving. Turns out, they were chasing after him."
He gestured toward the dejected-looking Ethan behind him.
"I also have something I need your help with, Professor Elm."
Though he was puzzled by why the boy behind Asahi looked so crestfallen, Professor Elm was in a great mood upon hearing that Team Rocket had been taken down.
"What do you need? Just say the word."
"It's like this..."
Asahi explained his request—to give Ethan one of the starter Pokémon as a reward.
"Don't worry, Professor. Ethan may seem a bit reckless, but he's a capable trainer," Asahi assured him. "And as for the missing spot in the starter Pokémon records, I'll have Lance make arrangements to replenish it through the League."
Since Asahi had already vouched for him, Professor Elm had no objections.
He brought out the remaining two starters. "Ethan, right? Which one do you want?"
Seeing that there was actually a reward, Ethan immediately perked up. He carefully examined both Cyndaquil and Chikorita.
Then, without hesitation, he grabbed the Poké Ball containing Cyndaquil.
"It's you!"
With a pop, a burst of white light flashed, and Cyndaquil appeared in the lab.
"You look full of energy... What should I call you?" Ethan rubbed his chin. His Aipom also leaned in to inspect Cyndaquil.
Boom!
A fierce burst of fire erupted from Cyndaquil's back.
Ethan was startled for a moment but then grinned. "That flame... it kinda looks like my hair! I'll call you Explosion Taro!"
---
After leaving Professor Elm's lab, Asahi took everyone to a café.
By this time, Silver had already heard from his sister that Ethan had also been recruited as a new member of the International Police.
As he sized up Ethan, Ethan was also sizing him up.
While feeding Eevee an energy cube, Asahi turned to Ethan. "I was just joking earlier. You don't have to join if you don't want to. Our department only takes volunteers—no coercion."
Ethan's eyes lit up at those words. Just as he was about to say something—
Sabrina chuckled softly, "Heh."
Ethan froze.
The words he was about to say were swallowed back down.
Asahi sighed. "Don't listen to her... I'm serious."
Had he ever forced anyone to join?
No!
From Green to Sabrina, Gary, Blaine, Mewtwo, and even Silver—weren't they all volunteers?
"Of course, if you quit, you won't get to enjoy our department's benefits."
Ethan, who had just mustered up the courage to refuse, hesitated. "...What benefits?"
Asahi started counting on his fingers. "High salary, paid leave, major reimbursements for food and accommodation, one-on-one battle training with senior members… Oh, and on our upcoming mission in Johto, you'll have a chance to meet the Goldenrod Radio Tower broadcaster, DJ Mary."
That last one was Asahi's finishing move for Ethan.
Sure enough, the moment he heard "DJ Mary," Ethan's eyes gleamed. "Wait... we can actually meet DJ Mary?!"
As a die-hard fan of hers, this was an irresistible temptation for Ethan.
"Of course. I never lie. If you don't believe me, ask them." Asahi turned to Green, Sabrina, and Silver.
Silver nodded earnestly.
Meanwhile, Green and Sabrina, after reluctantly nodding, both felt like they had just lost a bit of their integrity.
Seeing their reaction, Ethan was completely convinced.
And at last, he made his decision.
"I'm in!"
"Excellent," Asahi said with satisfaction.
After all, sincerity is always the best strategy.
Calling out Gengar, Asahi retrieved a communication device, some energy cubes, a few gadgets made by Bill, and a full set of Apricorn Balls custom-made. He handed everything to Ethan.
"These are some small perks for our department members. If you run out, you can always request more from HQ."
"I'll file your paperwork when we get back. Your first paycheck should be coming in next month."
Ethan stared at the pile of goodies in front of him, completely dazzled.
It seemed joining was definitely the right choice.
"Asahi-boss! What's our first mission?" Ethan was already getting into the spirit.
From today onward, he was a part of the League!
"Mission? The ones I'm working on are too dangerous for you right now… Your priority should be getting stronger. You'll be partnered with Silver for now."
Asahi turned to Silver. "Silver, take care of him."
Now that the team was growing, Asahi figured it was time to implement a two-person squad system. That way, members could look out for each other.
Gary and Blaine would be one team.
Ethan and Silver would be another.
Green and Sabrina had been getting along lately, so they could team up too.
And finally, Asahi himself would be paired with Mewtwo.
...
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