Chapter 139: The Rainbow Badge Secured

Chen Ou opened his eyes slowly. Watching the sunlight spill across the bed through the glass window, he let out a yawn and then rose, stretching his body in a long, languid motion.

After a good night's sleep, Chen Ou felt as though he had finally reset his state of mind. Sleep truly was as useful a problem-solving tool for humans as a reboot was for a computer.

As he mused on the greatness of slumber, he took the clothes handed to him by Charmeleon. Next, he picked up the shoes Growlithe had brought over. Seeing the teeth marks and saliva on them, the corner of Chen Ou's mouth twitched. He gave Growlithe’s head a rough, vigorous rub, leaving the Pokémon dazed and dizzy, before offering a cold huff. He put on the shoes, quietly resolving to buy two new pairs later.

Finally, Chimchar climbed onto his head and settled down like a hat. Chen Ou adjusted the little monkey to make sure it was comfortable. Entei then began nudging the Poké Balls off the table one by one. Charmeleon walked over to its ball, pressed the button in the center with its finger, and was transformed into a beam of red light, returning inside.

Entei placed Charmeleon’s ball back on the table and nudged Growlithe’s over. Growlithe rubbed against Chen Ou’s pant leg, trotted over, tapped the button with its nose, and followed suit, vanishing into a red glow.

Entei shot a glance at Rotom, who nodded in understanding and offered a salute. Entei then turned to Chen Ou and nodded. Chen Ou smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Entei."

Entei gave this lazy young master a heavy eye-roll, returned Growlithe’s ball to the table, and then pressed its own ball with a claw, disappearing into a red flash.

Chen Ou walked to the table, sat down, and attached the four Poké Balls to the belt at his waist. Although Chimchar usually preferred to perch on his or Bianca’s head, he knew that once the little one grew larger or evolved, such casual arrangements would no longer be possible. Regardless of whether he liked it or not, he would have to stay in his ball like the others.

Chen Ou looked at the Poké Balls of Growlithe and Charmeleon with a headache. Both were due for evolution. Growlithe was one thing, but Charmeleon had only evolved recently. He decided to hold off for a while; after all, he wasn't yet desperate for high-end combat power.

The truth was that the powers of the Mera-Mera no Mi were simply monstrous, especially after being enhanced. The boost to the Pokémon’s combat capability was merely a side effect; the real strength lay in the accelerated rate at which they grew. His Pokémon were evolving at an unimaginable pace, even Entei’s power was climbing.

For a Legendary Pokémon like Entei, progress usually came through the slow, grueling grind of eons—it was not something that could be rushed. Yet, under the influence of Chen Ou's ability, Entei’s strength was advancing by leaps and bounds with each passing day. The progress of Growlithe, Charmeleon, and Chimchar was equally absurd.

Rotom finished operating its screen and floated over to Chen Ou. "Boss, your paper is officially published today. I’ve already ordered a copy of the journal; it should be here soon!"

Chen Ou raised an eyebrow, suddenly remembering that the paper he had presented at the research summit was scheduled for publication today. He nodded with satisfaction. "Well done."

Rotom’s screen displayed a "Pikachu blushing" sticker. Chen Ou felt a sense of helplessness. It seemed that Pikachu’s popularity in this world truly wasn't just because of Red or Ash. Cute things were cute everywhere. Perhaps it was precisely because Pikachu was so popular that Ash ended up with one in the end.

Chen Ou took a sip from his water glass and shook his head. Regardless, it probably wouldn’t have mattered what Ash ended up with; if the chemistry was right, he would have become a master with a Frog-God or a Turtle-God just the same. Chen Ou had witnessed firsthand the immense power of the "protagonist’s halo" while watching the rise of Red and Blue. There was simply no reasoning with protagonists.

A moment later, a "knock-knock-knock" sounded at the door. Chen Ou called out, "Come in," and the door opened. It was Bianca, carrying a large tray laden with food and two sets of utensils. They were still staying at the Celadon City Pokémon Center.

Although Erika had invited them to stay at the Celadon Gym, Chen Ou had declined, using the excuse of needing to have his Pokémon treated. While the Pokémon Center room couldn't exactly be called home—and the guest rooms at the Celadon Gym were undoubtedly luxurious—he had grown accustomed to staying at the Centers. To be honest, owing a favor to the Joy and Jenny families felt far more manageable than owing one to other major clans.

Those two families already held sway over their respective fields and wielded great power, but due to their own innate talents and family rules, they rarely involved themselves in the other political machinations of the League. The Joy family had their medical inspectors, but the Jenny family was comprised almost entirely of police officers. Because of their unique roles, they could never reach the absolute pinnacle of the League's leadership—after all, if a Joy or a Jenny took that seat, they would likely be stuck there until the end of time. Fortunately, they possessed a unique survival wisdom, integrating seamlessly into the League’s system until they were practically inseparable from it.

As for the other families, Chen Ou felt it was best to keep his distance. Having a friend or two was fine, but getting too close to any clan other than his own was a necessary rule for survival.

Bianca placed the breakfast on the table, noticed Chen Ou lost in thought, and waved a hand in front of his face. He snapped back to reality and gave her an apologetic smile.

Bianca reached into the corner of the table, picked up a flower-shaped badge with seven-colored petals, and tossed it to him. "Keep this safe. If you lose it, you’ll just have to battle Gym Leader Erika all over again."

Chen Ou shrugged with a smile. If he had to battle, so be it. He wasn't afraid of Erika anymore.