Hustling for the Work Certificate

At noon on a summer day, the sun was scorching, and the earth seemed to be melting.

Cain didn't mind the heat, he hopped on his bicycle, and he was very familiar with the path to the current Ecruteak Gym. With one push of his foot, he sped away.

The gym, which specialized in Ghost-type Pokémon, was currently run by Morty's father, Yan. Morty was the same age as Cain, but with exceptional talent, he took over the Ecruteak Gym about five years later, and his strength was formidable.

In his previous life, after Cain obtained the qualification to open a gym, he established another Ecruteak Gym, known as the Poison-type Northern Ecruteak Gym, and competed with Morty.

Morty advocated living in harmony with Pokémon and dreamt of touching Ho-Oh's heart, and convice it to return to the Bell Tower.

Due to their different political views, Cain and Morty disliked each other in the past.

Until later, when something happened, Morty's son was expelled from the Ecruteak Gym for violating some taboo. From then on, Morty never recovered, and the gym gradually declined due to the loss of an heir.

While riding his bicycle, Cain recalled the events of his past life, hoping it could help him.

Afterward, Morty's son joined forces with Cain.

"No, something's off."

At this point, Cain couldn't help but stop his bicycle, pushing it slowly forward as he walked. He felt a sudden inspiration, as if he was about to grasp something.

There must be some connection. Although Morty mainly focused on Ghost-type Pokémon, he was a man of integrity with strong moral values. His son must have crossed a line.

The Morty family had been in charge of negotiating with Ho-Oh for hundreds of years and had always been a major family specializing in Ghost-type Pokémon. So the taboo his son violated must also be related to Ghost-type Pokémon, and it couldn't be something good that made Morty so angry.

At this moment, a hypothesis took shape in Cain's mind.

Back then, Bert tipped off Koga about Cain's breeding of Ariados and Drapion, leaving Koga at a loss. At that time, Morty's son Koga had shared interests, and so they quickly joined together.

Thinking of this, Cain suddenly remembered that a month before the Champion Challenge, Koga went to the Kalos region and reportedly bought a Mega Evolution Stone at a sky-high price.

Mega Gengar!

This may be the root cause of Morty's downfall.

Perhaps it directly caused himself to be defeated miserably by that Mega Gengar.

If this hypothesis is correct, then the Ecruteak Gym must have recorded the cultivation method of Gengar.

Regardless of whether his speculation is correct or not, he must find a way to get close to the Ecruteak Gym.

Unconsciously, he had already arrived at the door of the Ecruteak Gym.

"May I ask who you are?" The disciple on duty at the door asked.

"I am from Ecruteak City and have come to see Mr. Yan."

After Cain finished speaking, he handed him a hundred Pokedollars note, showing a flattering smile and said, "Thank you."

Under the eaves, one had to bow their head. Sixty years of life experience had shaped Cain's multiple personalities, which was simply speaking the language of the person or ghost they encountered. Otherwise, how could someone with the strength of a Champion bow their head to a small duty disciple?

"Alright, alright, you're quite sensible, little guy. Wait for me here."

The duty disciple finished speaking and went in to report.

Cain paced back and forth in front of the gate, occasionally glancing inside.

Before long, the duty disciple came out of the hall and waved to Cain.

Cain understood and quickly ran inside.

He saw a middle-aged man sitting at the top of the hall, with a seven- or eight-year-old boy standing next to him.

The duty disciple introduced, "This is our Master, Mr. Yan."

Cain hurriedly bowed in salute.

"Young man, what brings you to the Ecruteak Gym?"

Yan was quite amiable, which added to Cain's confidence.

"Mr. Yan, I would like to seek a job at the Ecruteak Gym. I don't care about the salary; I just need a work permit."

Cain was very respectful, though he felt disgusted with himself at the moment. However, to achieve his goal, what was the point of giving up a little dignity? Moreover, with his current identity, facing a Gym trainer, this could only be considered the minimum respect.

Yan had seen such situations many times. There were too many orphans in this world, most of them left behind by parents who had gone out seeking adventure, unwilling to settle for mediocrity. Almost all had suffered the same fate as Cain's parents. These orphans had now become a burden on society, with many being recruited by the largest underground organization in the Kanto city region, Team Rocket.

Although Yan had already guessed Cain's situation, he still asked, "Why do you want to work at such a young age?"

"I don't want to go to an orphanage."

Cain was straightforward.

Yan sighed and said, "So, you're not even ten years old yet."

"Yes," Cain nodded.

"I cannot agree to your request."

Cain was mentally prepared for Yan's answer.

"Is there really no way?" Cain was somewhat unwilling.

Yan said helplessly, "The fact that you can answer like that means you know the League's regulations. Children under ten are considered child labor, and no employer is allowed to hire them. I cannot knowingly break the law."

Cain pretended to be pitiful, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Seeing Cain looking so pitiful, the little boy, Morty, felt compassion, a natural trait of children. "Dad, please just agree to him."

Yan patted Morty's head, knowing that the League's management of orphanages had always been too lax. Abuse and mistreatment of children were common, leading many children to become psychologically twisted.