Chapter Seventy-One: Those Who Delight in Stirring Up Trouble

Chen Ou walked slowly along the road, then used his Rotom to dial Green’s number.

Soon, Green’s voice came through on the other end. “What is it?” He sounded tired, likely from another sleepless night spent crafting training plans and development strategies.

Chen Ou grinned mischievously. “Do me a favor.”

In the Oak Research Laboratory in Pallet Town, Green had been slumped over his desk all morning, scribbling out plans. Now he cradled his phone in one hand and stretched his back with a massive yawn. A hint of relaxation softened his face, and he looked a bit more refreshed. He took a sip of the coffee Nanami had prepared for him, only to frown at its excessive sweetness. Then he spoke into the phone, “What kind of favor? You never need my help making training plans, do you?”

As his close friend, Green had long since offered to help Chen Ou with his Pokémon development plans. As a breeder, Green’s skills were beyond reproach—his own Pokémon could run a gym by themselves. But Chen Ou had refused; he believed he should raise his own Pokémon in his own style. Besides, when it came to making Pokéblocks or devising training methods, he wasn’t much worse than Green. Their real difference was in training speed—Green could raise his B-team to the level of others’ A-teams in just a year. In the world of Pokémon, this speed was virtually unmatched.

Yet now, even though Chen Ou wasn’t sure if there was a limit to the power boost from the Burn-Burn Fruit, he knew that his current growth rate was even faster than Green’s had been back in the day. A true “cheater.”

“No, it’s not that. I’ve got something fun planned,” Chen Ou replied, laughter in his voice.

Hearing that tone, Green felt a headache coming on. He’d learned the phrase “something fun” from Chen Ou, and every time Chen Ou got up to something, it sent shockwaves through both Red and Green, usually leaving Chen Ou himself with serious bruises afterward.

Like the time he arranged a “chance encounter” between Professor Oak and Granny Kikuko.

Or the time he swapped the labels and places of Nanami’s sugar and salt.

Or the time he jumped out to startle the Nidoking and Nidoqueen while they were courting in the garden.

Red and Green were amazed at Chen Ou’s audacity. Chen Ou, in turn, often ended up getting thoroughly beaten…

Now, he was up to something again, and Green felt his head start to throb.

“So what kind of mess have you made that you want me to clean up this time?” Green asked, weariness in his voice.

At this, Chen Ou immediately protested, “Green! Do you really see me as the type to cause trouble and then just walk away?”

Green rolled his eyes. “Of course not.” But before Chen Ou could be pleased, he added, “You’re the type who never learns from your mistakes. Cause trouble, get beaten, cause more trouble, get beaten again…”

Chen Ou was momentarily speechless, wanting to argue but realizing he didn’t really have a leg to stand on.

“All right, what’s up? Hurry and spit it out. I’ll fix it for you, but I need to get back to my training plans,” Green said, rubbing his temples. He listened to the chirping of Pidgeys outside, and the calls of other Pokémon, trying to keep his mood steady. He looked out at the bright spring sunlight and the group of Tauros basking lazily on the lawn, a gentle smile crossing his face. Right now, Green felt that no matter what trouble Chen Ou stirred up, he could handle it.

“I talked Misty into going up Silver Mountain. Don’t forget to record it for me!”

Exhausted—let the world end, for all he cared…

Green felt a pounding in his temples. He had underestimated Chen Ou’s ability to make trouble.

“How did you even manage that?” Green was truly baffled. They all knew Misty liked Red, and that Yellow was close to Red as well—even Blue, the troublemaker, wouldn’t dare stir things up between Red and the others over this. Was Chen Ou just nostalgic for the feeling of Red’s fists, since it had been so long since he last got beaten up?

There was one thing to be said for Chen Ou—when it came to playing around with friends, he never used his powers to avoid a beating. In his words, having such abilities and not courting disaster was disrespectful to those powers. But if you messed up, you took responsibility—that was his principle. That’s why, despite all his antics, no one really disliked him. Most of the time, his troublemaking was harmless fun, and when it wasn’t, it was usually well-intentioned.

“You’re not trying to force Red to make a choice, are you?” Green asked suddenly.

“Wha—of course not! I just want to see Red caught in a love triangle, that’s all,” Chen Ou replied, feigning innocence.

“Keep telling yourself that,” Green thought, but didn’t say it aloud. After a moment, he asked, “So, I’ll help you with this. Anything else? If not, I’m getting back to work. I’ve still got plenty to do.”

“There is something else!” Chen Ou responded immediately.

Hearing the urgency in his voice, Green sensed something was off. He asked slowly, “Oh? What else? Do tell.”

“Well, I remember all Pokédex holders have a title, right? I wanted to ask the Professor what mine is.”

Green curled his lip—what an obvious attempt to delay the conversation.

“How about ‘Never Misses a Chance for Drama’?” Green replied with a chuckle.

“Wow, Green, that’s so mean!” Chen Ou put on a mock-wounded tone.

“Grandpa says if you refuse the title ‘Researcher,’ it’s hard to sum up your other qualities. But don’t worry, you’ll get your title after the Indigo League is over.”

“Emmm, fine, whatever. I have to go now, something’s come up.”

And with that, he hung up.

Green’s relaxed demeanor immediately faded. He furrowed his brow, pondering Chen Ou’s words. Sending Misty to Red was for everyone’s good, so Red would have to make a choice, and neither Yellow nor Misty would be left hanging. But what was the purpose of that last, obviously stalling question?

Green thought for a bit, then stood up and went to the window, gazing out at the peaceful daily life in the garden.

He saw Professor Oak helping a Squirtle record its body data. He saw Nanami surrounded by Pokémon of all colors, all waiting for the cookies in her hand.

He recalled the big events that had happened recently. He thought back over his own journeys in his youth.

Then, with a wry smile, he shook his head.

“Chen Ou… you really are a legend…”

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“Bad news, Dr. Chen Ou! Snow! Snow’s been rescued!”

PS: Thanks to ‘Hello, You!’ for the 100 Qidian coins! Much appreciated, and may your luck with romance be ever prosperous!