NOTE PLEASE READ:I will give "Skinny" and "Chubbs" proper names. From now on
Skinny = Shun
Chubbs = Bunta
-------------------------
After checking the entire Ditto rack—aside from the ones inside the dome—the highest potential he found was that Ditto at fifty-three.
He picked up the fifty-three and told the salesgirl he'd take it.
[Ditto]
[Type: Normal]
[Gender: Genderless]
[Potential: 53%]
[Level: 3.53%]
[Ability: Limber / 2.38%]
[Moves: (Transform / 2.47%)]
Aside from potential, the panel wasn't much to look at—no Hidden Ability, and only Transform learned. Pretty underwhelming on paper.
But Ditto's strength is after it Transforms—access to the target's whole movepool—then you grind proficiency from there.
No rush. He had plenty of Pokémon to copy later.
"Sir, skilled-transform Dittos are three million each," the salesgirl said, hurrying after Reiji as he turned.
"Fine," Reiji nodded. Three million was fair for fifty-three potential.
He glanced back. "What about the ones that aren't good at Transforming?"
"The unskilled ones still need training—those go for one million," she said, padding it a bit; half a million could also get one if you knew where to look.
"Does this Ditto get the five-percent off too?" Reiji asked, ignoring the little fib.
"It does," she said, swallowing—this mysterious trainer squeezed every discount he could, and her commission thanked him for it.
"Add one million of cubes—Normal-type. Ditto food," Reiji said. Farfetch'd could eat them too—both were Normal-type.
"Right away." She sent staff for stock, then explained, "Normal cubes are mild in typing, so other Pokémon can eat them for satiety and to help with Normal-type move learning…"
"Member price on premium is 3,500 a box. One million gets you 286 boxes—I'll round up to 290 and throw in four. Does that work?"
"Works," Reiji said. Everyone could eat them. Nothing would go to waste.
"Anything else today, sir? We stock nearly everything—and we'll give you the best price," she said, chasing the momentum. With his purchases, the bill would top five million—plenty of commission, but a ten-million ticket would be a dream.
"That's all. Pack it and bring it over—ring me up," Reiji said. He still wanted a Gravity user, but the Magnemite here were too weak; he'd try other Day Cares.
"Here's your invoice, please review it."
Subtotal: 5,060,000.
Member 5%: 4,807,000.
Rounded final: 4,800,000.
Member card included—5% off in-store.
Not bad—over two hundred thousand saved, four boxes comped, and the total rounded down.
"No issues. Here's 4.8 million," Reiji said, returning the invoice with the cash.
She sent it through the checker and hurried staff to finish packing. Soon he had four-hundred-plus boxes of cubes, a member card, and Ditto's ball in hand.
Across the floor, Shun had also finished; a different clerk had helped him, and from the look of it he'd bought a fair bit.
"All set?" Reiji asked.
"All set. I also bought two anti-stab suits," Shun said, pleased.
"Good. Let's move." Reiji waved him along, leaving the Electric-type Day Care for the Grass- and Water-type shops.
"Reiji-nii, we're not heading back yet?" Shun asked as Reiji cut into the next storefront.
"Need a Gravity user to boost training. See if the other shops have one," Reiji said quietly. Plenty of tails behind them. Better to let those cool off first. With disruptors in his pack, he felt ready if they pushed.
"Then I want one too," Shun said at once, already picturing Gravity training.
"Oh—and I just bought a Ditto. You should grab one too for disguise work," Reiji added.
"Got it. I'll take one," Shun said. With Ditto, even a seen face could be faked—perfect for juggling identities.
They slipped into the Water-type Day Care. The tails followed—and multiplied.
"Gentlemen, what can we get you?" the salesgirl asked with a smile.
"Any Pokémon that know Gravity?" Reiji asked bluntly. Time was tight—they still had to set an ambush for the tails.
"Yes. This way, please." She guided them into an aquarium-style hall.
Inside, tanks were full of Water-types. Plenty of Staryu knew Gravity here—unlike the other shop, which had only five Magnemite.
"Our Gravity users: mostly Staryu, a few Exeggcute, and a handful of Magnemite…"
Magnemite clearly wasn't popular—likely a face only an engineer could love. Staryu, with its ruby core, sold itself.
If he had to pick, he'd pick Staryu too. Magnemite poked the hands; Exeggcute's mood swings made things… explosive.
"Bring the Staryu out first. We'll start there," Reiji said, eyeing the yellow five-point star resting on white sand. It looked comfortable—probably soft to the touch.
"Right away." She had the handlers net them out and load them into Poké Balls for selection.
Reiji flipped panels and scanned potential one by one. Only two stood out—forty-eight and forty-seven—both with Gravity.
For training support, he didn't need absolute top potential.
He kept the forty-eight for himself and handed the forty-seven to Shun.
[Staryu]
[Type: Water]
[Gender: Genderless]
[Potential: 48%]
[Level: 5.55%]
[Ability: Natural Cure / 1.66%]
[Moves: (Gravity / 2.47%) (Confusion / 2.24%) (Tackle / 1.41%) (Harden / 0.51%) (Water Gun / 2.54%)]
Natural Cure—nice to have.
But this was a support pick; as long as it had Gravity, the rest was gravy.
They moved on to Dittos—this shop had plenty, too. After only a dozen checks, Reiji found one at fifty-one potential.
He took it and stopped there—picking too many would draw eyes.
He didn't know the salesgirl had already noted his selection pattern and relayed it to the mustached floor manager—"Manager Jin."
"Manager, that mysterious trainer with a Spinarak spent 4.8 million. I issued two member cards. Here's the bill…"
He glanced over the discounts and said nothing. House policy: no discount unless asked.
"Anything else?" he asked.
"When he chose Pokémon, he looked through almost every Ditto before picking one…"
"Happens," the manager said. "Trainers do that. They think resonance means the best match."
Mystical thinking, really. But with balls sealed, there was no way for a Pokémon to signal back anyway.
"That's it. Besides the 4.8-million ticket, there was a smaller one with him—the other mysterious trainer…"
"Got it. You can go." The Manager took the invoices back to his office. He'd barely sat when the desk phone rang.
Ring, ring.
"Moshi-moshi…"
"Fat Jin, don't open tomorrow. Move all stock to the warehouse. Reinforce the door. You'll lead the team and sit on it. I'm sending extra security."
"What's going on, General Manager?" The floor hadn't heard any internal notices.
"Pseudo-legendary Dratini goes under the hammer tomorrow. Just do it—don't ask."
"Yes, sir. I'll eat and sleep in the warehouse."
"And that near-Elite trainer from before—any sightings? Did the gold card or the bearer card we issued last time get used—here or anywhere?"
"Sir, I haven't seen that mysterious trainer since he vanished that day. I've been tracking both cards. The gold card shows just that one purchase—no more."
"The bearer card was used at the casino that very night—several transfers, a few million each. After that, nothing. No more activity."
"Forget it. He changed cards," the GM sighed, disappointed.
"And the stolen Elekid investigation? Anything from the black market?"
"Nothing, sir. Rumor only. No Elekid sold here lately—maybe they're scared of our people poking around."
"Then drop it. After the pseudo-legendary business. The Club League opens tomorrow; I'll be swamped. Be ready. HQ is in position. When 'Electivire' makes its opening statement at the League, that's your cue. Don't fail me."
"I won't. You have my word," Manager Jin said quickly. He knew what failure meant.
"Good. Coordinate carefully with the security I'm sending. No infiltrators in the warehouse."
"Yes, sir. I'll verify every guard."
The call ended on a string of promises.
Manager Jin let out a long breath. The GM's presence felt heavier by the day.
One mistake and you'd be a disposable piece.
Still—there was time to enjoy life. He dialed again, and a curvy salesgirl in uniform pushed into the office…
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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