Scheming Thunderstorm

They arrived at the Pokémon Center with Ditto, who was in worse shape than the day before.

Nurse Joy didn't say anything, just expressing silent condolences for Ditto.

Cain sat down at the Pokémon Center's cafeteria, ordering five cups of the best Miltank milk, sourced from the pure natural ranches of Goldenrod City.

The Hida family, who managed the Goldenrod Gym, had a thriving business in Miltank milk produced on their ranches. It was globally recognized as the most nutritious milk available. The Hida family owned almost all the ranches in Goldenrod City, and their dairy products were sold worldwide.

The Hida family's Miltank management was very strict, with each Miltank registered and numbered. In his previous life, Cain had poached two Miltanks from the Hida family to fill the role of healer in his team, which forced him to leave the city. However, as a result, back then, none of his Pokémon ever suffered from malnutrition.

Nurse Joy brought Ditto to Cain.

"You did well today, now eat."

Ditto hopped onto the table to enjoy its dinner, while Cain continued eating his noodle combo meal. The cost of Ditto's meal was five times that of Cain's.

Seeing Cain like this, Nurse Joy seemed to understand his values a little better.

As they left the Pokémon Center and were about to head to the black market, Cain's keen senses detected someone following him.

It must be him, Cain thought.

Although he had threatened the sullen boy with a sword to his chest during the day, it was just a scare tactic. The sullen boy had only been intimidated for a moment, his mind going blank. In the end, he was just a ten-year-old child.

Once he calmed down, he would have realized what happened and might even feel humiliated. After all, he was the one in control at the time, yet he somehow ended up being controlled by someone else. The sullen boy's indignation and anger would surely drive him to seek trouble with Cain again.

Cain stood in place and said, "Since you're here, come out."

At that moment, the sullen boy stepped in front of Cain.

Cain sneered, "What, you want to take revenge on me?"

The sullen boy stared at Cain's arrogant expression, growing angrier.

He had been carrying the hope of his family's revival since childhood and had undergone rigorous training since he could remember. Just when he felt he could stand on his own and fulfill his mission,

Cain, a boy younger than him, had intimidated him while at a disadvantage, making him feel more and more pathetic.

However, he carried the burden of his family's mission, full of resentment but helpless. All he could do was endure.

The sullen boy, having come to his senses, naturally noticed Cain's unusual demeanor, a level of calmness and ruthlessness beyond his peers.

He immediately investigated Cain's background and recent activities.

"You, you're also participating in the Ecruteak Gym's apprentice exam?"

In the unlit alley, the sullen boy's face was completely hidden in darkness, but his tone didn't sound friendly.

Cain smiled knowingly, the kid really spilled the beans without being asked. Being so concerned about the evaluation of the Ecruteak Gym's apprentice, it might not be just about getting close to the powerful Yan family.

Now, he must be worried that Cain would affect his entrance into the Ecruteak Gym.

Perhaps he could use him, and his own plans in the Ecruteak Gym might go more smoothly.

With this in mind, Cain started another round of blackmail.

"Your goal is indeed the Ecruteak Gym. Maybe I can talk to Mr. Yan about it."

Cain smirked, looking like he knew everything.

The gloomy kid was more shocked than being threatened with a dagger during the day. He was a distant relative of the Yan family and had fallen on hard times. His parents had raised him for years in the hopes of infiltrating the Ecruteak Gym one day and learning the secrets of their ancestors' ghost-type Pokémon training techniques.

The revitalization of the family, his parents' expectations, how could he fail here? The first thought that came to the gloomy kid's mind was, "Kill him."

Seeing the gloomy kid standing still, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Cain sneered again, placing one hand on his shoulder, and whispered, "Unless you can kill me right now."

His tone was dark, each word felt like a needle stabbing into the gloomy kid's heart.

At this moment, the gloomy kid's heart was on the verge of collapse. With so many people around, he couldn't possibly kill Cain.

Cain's sinister smile sent chills down his spine, and the gloomy boy couldn't help but step back.

"What do you want?"

By now, the kid's tone had softened, and he had completely lost his previous arrogance.

"My name is Cain from Ecruteak City, perhaps we can become friends, and I hope we can have a pleasant time at the Ecruteak Gym."

At this moment, Cain reached out his hand, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and an air of superiority enveloped the gloomy kid.

This was not a friendly gesture but a threat!

"Why should I trust you?"

Seeing Cain like this, the gloomy kid felt a chill run down his spine. If he wasn't being controlled, he would have wanted to keep his distance.

Hearing the gloomy kid's question, Cain couldn't help but sneer and said, "You have no other choice."

The gloomy kid clenched his teeth. This feeling of being threatened was even more unbearable than being killed.

Helpless!

With a heavy heart, he suppressed his unwillingness and anger. The mission he carried forced him to reach out and pat Cain's palm.

"Raikou."

After saying that, he left with a long stride, disappearing into the night.

Only then did Cain let out a long sigh of relief. To be honest, every word he had just said was a bluff. With his current strength, he couldn't do anything to Raikou. However, Cain was certain that "worry causes chaos." Raikou cared so much about the apprentice position at the Ecruteak Gym that he couldn't afford any mistakes.

So, he had to compromise. However, when he had the power to silently kill Cain, he wouldn't hesitate to do so.

Although he didn't know Raikou's purpose for going to the Ecruteak Gym, he was sure that he wouldn't stand on the same side as Yan. That was his value.

Thus, if used correctly, Raikou was a sharp blade; if used poorly, he was a ticking time bomb buried by his side.

In the black market, Cain continued searching for his prey.

A Venipede appeared at the largest vendor's stall.

Cain hadn't expected to see a Venipede so soon, and it immediately caught his attention.

He glanced at the price tag: "40,000."

Cain was dumbfounded. 40,000?

The vendor noticed Cain looking at the Venipede and said, "Young man, have you taken a liking to this Pokémon? Let me tell you, this is a rare Pokémon from the Unova region. It evolves into a powerful Scolipede. Go and ask your parents to buy it for you. There's only one left."

"Boss, 40,000? Are you joking? Scolipede is a common Pokémon in Unova. The price at a Unova breeding center wouldn't exceed 5,000. You're selling it here for 40,000. Are you treating everyone like fools?"

Cain's words struck a nerve with the vendor.

"Go away, kid. If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense here. You can't be as knowledgeable as the boss of Thunder Town, Dazao. He's already had someone buy a male Scolipede from me just now. If you're not buying, don't disturb my business."

What? Dazao? He bought one for 40,000?

Cain was speechless. Money really makes people foolish.

However, upon further thought, Dazao's dedication to him wasn't a bad thing. At least he could trust Dazao with that part of the training.

Dazao had already bought a Venipede, so Cain just needed to wait for a Skorupi. As for the Tentacruel, there was no need to buy one; he could easily fish one up in any ocean area of the city.

He strolled around some more and found some Pokémon with either poor potential or overpriced. In fact, browsing the black market was more of a habit, a habit left over from his past life.