บท 36: Pokemon: I Transmigrated Twice [36]

Credits: YrageJustaGame

"How do I look, Stephen? My new style!"

The next day, just before dusk.

After more than a day of effort, Will had finally completed his phantom thief outfit. It was a flamboyant ensemble resembling a jester's attire, complete with a mask covering the upper half of his face. The outfit exuded a confidence reminiscent of Son Gohan's Great Saiyaman persona.

Stephen was momentarily speechless.

The black mask on Will's face reminded him of someone from a past life. Half-worried, he thought Will might suddenly blurt out, "Deep dark fantasies."

But Will seemed oblivious to the disdain in Stephen's eyes. After strutting flamboyantly around the room, Will stopped as if remembering something.

"Oh, right! Shouldn't I come up with a codename? You already have the nickname 'Joker,' so what about me? Should I use something from playing cards too? Like 'King' or something…?"

"Just call yourself 'Van.' I think it suits you," Stephen said, a sly grin playing on his lips.

"No way! I don't know why, but I feel like you're up to no good," Will replied, rejecting the suggestion outright.

Stephen rolled his eyes and began checking his gear while Will stood before the mirror, agonizing over what codename to choose.

"Stop wasting time. Get ready to head out. If you can't decide, just use a placeholder name. We'll call you 'Black' or 'Little Blue' for now."

"Huh? Those names aren't cool at all."

"Be glad I didn't name you something like Cape Baldy."

Stephen's dismissive tone earned him a glare, but Will eventually gave up the debate.

...

Finally, as they made their way out, Will pounded his fist into his palm as if struck by inspiration.

"I've got it! How about 'Magic'? My outfit was inspired by a magician's costume. Sounds good, right?"

Stephen considered it for a moment before smirking.

"Might as well call yourself Jackass."

...

Dusk had settled.

In the heart of Cianwood's high society, dressed-up elites streamed into Ritsuki's lavish mansion.

At the entrance, security guards glanced skeptically at Stephen and Will, both unaccompanied by adults. But their doubts evaporated when Stephen presented the invitation, and the two were quickly allowed inside.

"Wow, look at that! So many famous faces," Will whispered excitedly, scanning the crowd.

Before long, he spotted several familiar figures on TV.

"Thinking about what we're about to do under the noses of these big shots… Wow, cool, wow, cool!"

"Calm down. And stop using that cringe-worthy tone," Stephen replied, unimpressed.

Even Stephen couldn't help but notice several familiar faces. Among them were gym leaders, including Chuck from Cianwood City and Falkner's father from Violet City. But the one who caught Stephen's attention the most was…

Standing beside Ritsuki was a short, elderly man wearing armor reminiscent of Madara Uchiha's, topped with a Rayquaza-themed helmet. Behind him were two attendants, one of whom Stephen recognized: Lance's cousin, Clair. Beside her stood a Dragonair.

"That's the patriarch of the Blackthorn City Dragon Clan, Master. The The two behind him are the current Blackthorn Gym Leader, and her daughter Claire," Will whispered.

"Top-tier figures in the Johto region. Even Chairman Goodshow of the League would treat them with respect."

Before Will could continue, another elderly figure arrived.

Unlike the white-haired, bearded Elder of Dragons, this newcomer was stout and balding, with a shiny forehead, black-framed glasses, and a perpetually kind smile. He was accompanied by none other than Aldus, one of the Indigo League's Elite Four. Beside Aldus stood a middle-aged man with similar features, though his hair was red and parted, unlike Aldus's blue.

"Ha-ha! Apologies for being late, Master. It's been a long time!"

The bald elder extended a hand toward the Master with a hearty laugh.

"Your presence graces us all," Ritsuki chimed in, beaming with joy.

With two of Cianwood's most powerful figures gathered, Ritsuki was elated.

"That man is Caishen, nicknamed 'Death Gold.' He's Aldus's father and Cianwood's wealthiest individual, as well as a renowned philanthropist," Will whispered.

"And that red-haired guy? That's his second son, Aldus's younger brother. I think his name is… Altair. Yeah, that's it. He's the gym leader of Olivine City, supposedly the strongest gym leader in Johto. Gotta admit, that bald old man sure knows how to raise sons—one's an Elite Four, and the other's gym leader-level."

Beside Aldus and Altair stood two Pokémon: an Alakazam and a Marowak.

Stephen's gaze shifted slightly. In his memory, the Olivine City Gym Leader should've been Jasmine, a young Steel-type trainer with a gentle demeanor.

But the timeline was still far from Ash's journey. Even the Goldenrod City Gym Leader was still Whitney's grandfather.

It made sense that Jasmine hadn't taken over yet. She was probably still younger than Will.

"By the way, a lot of people here have their Pokémon out with them," Will noted. Many guests had their Pokémon by their sides as companions or bodyguards.

The guards at the door were flanked by intimidating Pokémon, and the Elite Four and Dragon Clan members also had smaller Pokémon acting as protectors.

And then it clicked for Will—to guard against Joker's poke ball disruptor!

"You've changed the world, huh?"

Will said with a hint of admiration.

Clearly, the guests had taken precautions against potential attacks from Team Rocket, though Will knew Joker wasn't part of them.

The League, however, had no idea.

Stephen glanced at Caishen for a moment before quietly withdrawing from the banquet's center.

"Let's get to work."

The two began their operation, unaware of the gray-haired girl nearby, who seemed lost in thought.

"Father, I'd like to rest in my room…"

The girl tugged at Ritsuki's pant leg.

"All right, all right, go on then," Ritsuki replied, waving her off while preoccupied with entertaining the VIPs.

The gray-haired girl, Rihua, daughter of real estate tycoon Ritsuki, breathed a sigh of relief upon leaving the hall.

"This kind of atmosphere is just too much…"

Rihua sighed deeply, her face full of weariness. Unlike most wealthy heiresses, Rihua's natural talent as a trainer had granted her considerable freedom, sparing her from being used as a political pawn.

Still, she detested the suffocating atmosphere of her family. If given the chance, she longed to leave.

Reaching the third floor, Rihua paused near a storage room. She recalled the feral Pokémon her father had recently brought into the house.

According to him, they'd be gifted to Caishen after the banquet. Supposedly, they'd be well cared for.

After a moment of hesitation, Rihua opened the storage room door.