Chapter 144

The audience came to their senses and saw that the pointless battle between Zhongli and Kunjun had ended hastily.

Takumi stroked his chin.

If asked to summarize the battle between old friends, perhaps it could be called a shield fight?

Zhongli set up a rock shield for Kubfu. Kunjun also shielded Carracosta and Omastar. However, in terms of base stats, there was a gap between Kunjun's two final evolution Pokémon and Kubfu.

But Fighting-type has an inherent advantage over Rock-type.

Kubfu set up a shield and moved fiercely, with every punch and palm hitting the weak points of Carracosta and Omastar. Moreover, Kubfu's punches seemed to have the effect of bursting with vitality.

Zhongli and Kunjun finally looked at each other and smiled. Among old friends, they didn't need to go all out, nor would there be an elemental explosion.

This move—it was like a long-press shield duel using the E skill!

"That's not right, Zhongli! Where is your Heavenly Movement? I want to see you deal over 100 million damage!"

Do you underestimate the damage I, Zhongli, can do?

The six-constellation Zhongli nuclear bomb—ask yourself if you are afraid.

Thus, the battle on the second day of the Champion Tournament began with Zhongli and Kunjun, and ended with Ningguang and her Metang, who finally appeared in the evening. Today's competition also came to an end.

In the evening, Raiden Shogun's tone was very sincere, her purple eyes showing expectation as she stared at Takumi and issued an invitation:

"I want to go back to Inazuma. Can I ask you to come with me? I want you to establish the Pokémon House store in Inazuma as soon as possible."

Takumi readily agreed. He had personally opened the stores in Liyue and Mondstadt and managed them for a period of time. Inazuma also deserved this treatment.

In the Champion Tournament, according to the system schedule, in about a week, it would be time for the competition for the top fifty—the real battle for ranking. That would be a fierce fight between group members and famous characters, and at that time, it would be better to sit in the venue every day as a guest commentator.

Now, there was some time to spare, so why not go to Inazuma to open a business?

"Inazuma?" Zhongli, who had just returned to the stands, showed a certain expression of emotion. He was retired and free, so it was only natural for the elderly to retire and travel the world, right?

Venti: "Hey, it's been too long since I went to Inazuma. With the wind, I'll head over to Inazuma and have a look."

Zhongli: "I'll go too."

Takumi smiled and patted Zhongli on the shoulder: "I want to buy sweet-scented osmanthus wine and drink it with you... It's a pity, old friend. When will we meet again?"

Zhongli: ???

This line feels very familiar. Hmm... it should be my line.

Zhongli's mouth twitched slightly: "Meeting an old friend today was very good."

Takumi: "What will happen if I bring both Kunjun and Azhdaha into the group chat?"

Zhongli was silent, his temples twitching.

Takumi laughed out loud: "This is Azhdaha's highlight scene, right?"

"Azhdaha..."

This name made Zhongli's mouth twitch once more.

At the same time, the three Adepti from Jueyun Karst also stared at Zhongli intensely, hesitating to speak.

Xiao and Madam Ping were relatively calm.

Among the Liyue Qixing, the elderly Tian Shu Star Uncle Tian said with a smile:

"As we get older, we grow tired of many things. That person probably has the same thoughts as me. I hope he can live an easier life after he's relieved of his burden."

Takumi acted as soon as he thought of it. It wasn't difficult to locate illustrations of Kunjun and Azhdaha.

*Welcome Kunjun (Liyue/Mineral Scholar/Azhdaha) to join the group chat!*

*Welcome Azhdaha (Liyue/Under the Fulong Tree/Azhdaha) to join the group chat!*

Two system messages arrived in succession.

The group members who had already left the venue stopped in confusion and looked at the group chat interface.

Klee: "One Ruotuo Dragon King... Two Ruotuo Dragon Kings, huh? How come there are two of the same person?"

Jean: "Klee, it's Azhdaha!"

Xingqiu: "So, why are there two Azhdahas? Moreover, I know the story of Azhdaha—it's often told in Liyue Harbor. The story is called 'Creation of the Dragon and the Finishing Touch.' It was the Geo Archon who carved Azhdaha and put the finishing touch, giving life to the dragon..."

Azhdaha (Dragon King): "Morax... It's time to settle everything!"

Kunjun (Azhdaha): "Hey, is it still worn too much? Has the memory of walking with humans been forgotten?"

Venti: "Azhdaha, Kunjun, you were going to throw the Pokéball on the opening day yesterday, so what exactly was the spirit of that?"

Hu Tao: "Azhdaha, you are defeated, don't shout so loudly~"

Azhdaha (Dragon King): "Hu Tao, mortal, don't overstep your bounds! I won't admit that kind of defeat!!"

Hu Tao: "Azhdaha, so who is your Pokémon?"

Azhdaha (Dragon King): "Humph..."

---

Azhdaha, who was so worn out that he was almost completely crazy, still acted arrogantly.

Takumi was speechless.

At this moment, he was already being carried by Raiden Shogun's thundercloud, speeding over the vast sea.

When Raiden Ei saw that Takumi had agreed to go to Inazuma to open a store, she didn't want to delay for a moment. Instead, the elderly companions Venti and Zhongli, who wanted to retire and travel the world, lagged behind.

Soon, Inazuma's sea area was in sight.

Narukami Island, Inazuma City—above the streets.

When the people of Inazuma saw a purple thundercloud descending from the sky, they all cast their eyes in awe.

"Tsk tsk, is this Tenshukaku?"

The first time Takumi landed, he held up the Pokédex and took a photo as if on a parade. He sent it to the group chat: 

*I am in Inazuma! (The peak of the power of the Shogunate) Tenshukaku.jpg*

Yae Miko: "Mr. Takumi, so fast! I just saw the return of Raiden Shogun!"

Yae Miko: "Raiden Shogun, yes, I support you. Our Narukami-sama finally knows how to abduct someone—and it's even a perfect match with a man! Woohoo, she really... I'm crying to death~"

Crack!

In reality, a bolt of lightning fell out of thin air under the sacred cherry tree of Narukami Shrine.

Yae Miko seemed to be on guard. She smiled and easily avoided it, then waved her hand to dismiss the shrine maidens who had come to investigate.

She took a picture of the charred ground where the lightning had struck:

*Woohoo~ This is the majesty of General Raiden! I won't dare to do it again~*

Kamisato Ayaka: "!!! Master Takumi, have you finally arrived at Inazuma?"

Yoimiya: "I solemnly declare that Inazuma will usher in the era of Pokémon!!"

Kamisato Ayato: "The Yashiro Commission respects this, and the Kamisato family will always be loyal to the Shogun. We will support the Pokémon House store, Manager Takumi, for a long time!"

Sara: "Arataki Itto, prepare to mobilize the members of the Arataki Gang. Everyone must go to the Inazuma branch in time to purchase an initial Pokémon!"

Arataki Itto: "Huh? Does our Arataki Gang have that much money and budget?"

Sara: "I'll figure something out."

Takumi: "The Inazuma branch will open tomorrow. In addition, the Mondstadt/Liyue/Inazuma branches have launched payment installment services.

"Buy any goods at the Pokémon House, any services, all support the installment method. The installment contract is jointly notarized by the official Pokémon Alliance of each region, the Pokémon House Store, and the Adventurers' Guild! For detailed installment plans, please inquire at the store."

---

An hour later, at the Komore Teahouse, Yoimiya, Yae Miko, and the Kamisato siblings all arrived.

Raiden Ei nodded to them.

Takumi spoke, pointing to a map of Inazuma City spread out before them:

"Where do you think the store should be located?"

"To explain in advance, it's not just a Pokémon House store—both Mondstadt and Liyue later established huge Pokémon Centers, and Inazuma should have one too."

Takumi patiently explained the function of the Pokémon Center.

Inazuma City was built on the mountain. There wasn't much open space in the city, and the area was small.

Everyone unanimously agreed with Yoimiya's proposal—in Hanamizaka, there was a large-scale construction plan near the Naganohara Fireworks Shop. There were also vacant shops in Hanamizaka, which Takumi could use to set up a branch first.

It was a matter of one-click setup.

But in the eyes of Inazuma residents, it was like a miracle.

---

That evening, Takumi checked into the Inazuma branch that he had just set up with one click. When seeing off Raiden Shogun and Yae Miko, Takumi said meaningfully:

"Now that Inazuma has ushered in the age of Pokémon, there is no need for the Vision Hunt Decree or the Sakoku Decree to exist, right? I feel it is necessary to bring order to the chaos. After all, I don't want Inazuma to be hindered or even destroyed by unknown forces when she popularizes Pokémon."

After a pause, he said to Yae Miko in a particularly mischievous manner:

"Yae Guuji, this is enough theater. It's up to you to explain the next thing to your Shogun."

"Oh, right! Ei... actually, the eternity you are pursuing, in the world of Pokémon, is more concrete than your philosophical concept—a way to reverse the cycle of life and death."

Raiden Shogun's expression was shocked.

Facing Takumi's eyes, which seemed to understand her emotions and obsessions, she looked slightly evasive. The reason she had actively embraced the era of Pokémon was because she saw another possibility of eternity...

Was it really possible? Could a legendary Pokémon spirit reverse life and death? Could it reverse the timeline of the past and the future?

The answer was... yes!

After returning from a trip to the Hisui region, Lumine had the answer in her heart.

Now, hearing these clear words from the founder of the era, Takumi, Lumine's heart couldn't remain calm!

But Lumine knew that this "intelligence" or "news" came at a cost. She understood the meaning of Takumi's last revelation.

It was almost tactful—he put forward conditions to her, to Inazuma, in exchange for progress.

Let the flowers of the Pokémon era bloom everywhere in the Inazuma Sea.

Don't make any mistakes!

---

Inazuma's night was very restless.

After Raiden Shogun returned to Tenshukaku, she sat on the general's seat with a solemn face.

After Yae Miko reported the source of Inazuma's chaos, she yawned:

"That's probably what happened."