49. Erika

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Kai's Pokémon attacked the Gyarados relentlessly. With Jolteon's final Thunderbolt, a move that dealt quadruple damage due to Gyarados's Water and Flying types.

The mighty Pokémon couldn't endure anymore. It collapsed heavily onto the ground.

"You should calm down now," Kai remarked.

It is said that the reason Gyarados becomes so aggressive lies in its evolution process; the restructuring of its brain cells during transformation drastically alters its personality.

However, a Gyarados will only truly settle down after building trust with or recognizing its Trainer.

Recalling advice he'd heard before that touching a Gyarados's horns can help calm it Kai approached cautiously.

With his right hand, he stroked its rigid horns. Sure enough, Gyarados's eyes gradually softened, shifting from resistance to acceptance.

After taking a brief rest to recover his strength, Kai reorganized his backpack and set off toward Celadon City once more.

However, unbeknownst to him, a conspiracy was already unfolding in a hidden chamber beneath the Viridian City Gym.

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In the dimly lit room, Giovanni sat on a plush leather sofa. A Persian with gleaming ruby-like eyes rested elegantly at his feet.

There was a knock at the door, and a woman with a bob haircut and glasses stepped inside.

Giovanni glanced at her indifferently. "Matori, have you completed the investigation?"

Matori handed him a dossier. A blurred photo of Kai was visible in the top-right corner.

"The investigation is complete," she replied, her tone professional. "This Trainer's name is Kai. He's 20 years old and arrived in Kanto from the Kalos region about two weeks ago."

"During this time, he's been challenging Gyms across the region. According to Lambda's confirmation, he interfered with our plans during the S.S. Anne incident and again during the Silph Co. operation. He has already hindered us twice."

Giovanni flipped through the document, scanning the information about Kai's Pokémon team, which included Jolteon and Gastly.

"Where is he now?" Giovanni asked.

"Based on his recent movements, his next destination appears to be the Celadon Gym," Matori responded while adjusting her glasses.

"Celadon City?" Giovanni frowned slightly. "Isn't Interpol investigating our operations there?"

Matori nodded. "Yes, he's been lingering in Celadon for several days. Though we've managed to avoid direct confrontations, it seems he hasn't given up his search."

"We can't allow him to interfere any longer. Send someone to eliminate him." Giovanni's tone was cold and dismissive as if he were ordering the swatting of a fly. "Which agents are stationed near Celadon City?"

Matori hesitated. "Aside from the base's security forces, many of our top operatives have been dispatched to Johto, and the rest are spread thin across other regions. Only Jessie and James remain in the vicinity."

"Then send them," Giovanni decided. But noticing Matori's hesitation, he raised an eyebrow. "What is it? Is there a problem?"

"Well..." Matori hesitated briefly before speaking. "With all due respect, their competence isn't exactly reliable. Perhaps my elite team, the Matori Matrix, would be better suited for this task."

"It's fine," Giovanni said dismissively, lighting a cigar. "Even if they fail to eliminate him, they can at least buy us some time. Use this opportunity to clear out Interpol's presence in Celadon City."

Celadon City, the second-largest metropolis in Kanto after Saffron City, sparkled like a dream in the hues of a rainbow.

Known for its prestigious university and sprawling shopping malls, the city also boasted the famous Celadon Game Corner.

As Kai walked down the street leading to the Celadon Gym, a peculiar fragrance caught his attention.

It was a blend of various perfumes, carried gently on the breeze, saturating the entire street.

Looking ahead, Kai noticed a large perfume shop nestled between several buildings. Intrigued, he decided to check it out.

"Welcome," chimed several stylishly dressed shop assistants near the counter. They were chatting casually but turned their attention to him with warm smiles.

"Are you here to buy perfume?" one of them asked.

Kai nodded, scanning the array of bottles but feeling a bit overwhelmed. He wasn't sure where to begin.

A younger assistant approached him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Is it for your girlfriend?"

Kai shook his head. "No, I don't have a girlfriend. I'm just looking for a few bottles to gift to some friends."

"Friends?" the assistant teased, clearly amused. "Sounds suspicious! Are you sure you're not juggling multiple girlfriends?"

Kai became annoyed. "I—"

"Enough joking around," came a soft yet authoritative voice from behind.

The assistants immediately straightened up as a young woman in a kimono with shoulder-length hair and a red headband approached gracefully.

"Manager Erika!" one of the assistants exclaimed in surprise.

Erika smiled politely. "Please sort the new perfume deliveries in the back. I'll handle this customer."

With a respectful bow to Kai, Erika said, "I apologize for their behaviour. They're used to teasing customers playfully. I hope you weren't offended."

"Not at all," Kai replied, shaking his head. He had already recognized Erika as the Celadon Gym Leader.

"What kind of perfume are you looking for?" Erika asked.

Kai hesitated before describing the personalities of his friends: a cheerful and outgoing friend, a quiet and reserved one, and a refined yet commanding individual.

Finally, he mentioned Professor Cerise's daughter, Chloe, who had helped him greatly and requested a recommendation for her as well.

"I see," Erika said with a nod. She walked to a specific section of the shelf. "Our shop carries a variety of excellent perfumes. Based on your descriptions, I recommend these."

She pointed to four perfumes at the centre of the display. "These floral scents are our signature blends. The two on the left one is perfect for lively personalities, and the other for quieter ones. The two on the right have a subtler but longer-lasting fragrance, suitable for refined tastes."

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