Chapter 6: Oh No, My Genius Grandson's Brain is Fried

"Did you spend two years in the Japan region just to let your brain rot?"

Professor Oak stared blankly at the "infant Rayquaza" perched on N’s shoulder. His previously relaxed face turned a shade of bruised purple, his expression one of pure, unadulterated disbelief.

It took a long moment for Samuel Oak to find his voice. He clutched the left side of his chest with one hand, genuinely afraid a myocardial infarction might take him right then and there.

He had initially thought that, with N’s discerning eye, the worst-case scenario would be something like a Weedle. Even a Weedle, in the hands of a capable Trainer, could evolve into a Beedrill and potentially overcome mediocre natural talent to become formidable!

But of all things... a Caterpie?

I would have accepted a Magikarp! At least then I’d know you were trying!

If his most prized grandson had turned into an idiot after two years in the Japan region, that stubborn old man Rowan over in Sinnoh would literally tear him limb from limb!

When N first proposed going to the Japan region to become a Trainer, the loudest voice of opposition hadn't been Oak’s, it had been Professor Rowan's.

This is bad. This is very, very bad.

If Rowan found out that the brightest star in the world of Pokémon research had been sent to the Japan League only to choose a Caterpie as a starter...

"..."

Samuel Oak took a sharp, deep breath. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he stared up at the soft, orange glow of the ceiling light with a complex gaze. Then, he slowly pulled out his phone, ready to dial the Pokémon Center.

It was still early; maybe there was time to get N to a hospital and save whatever was left of his sanity.

"Stop acting."

N couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation. The Zorua in his arms was mischievous and cunning by nature, and combined with an "Illusion" Ability far exceeding its kin, it could transform into any Pokémon it had ever seen.

"Zua."

Zorua let out a playful snicker. In an instant, its body blurred and distorted. The large green caterpillar on N’s shoulder vanished, replaced by a sly-looking black-and-red fox cub.

The old man on the screen froze.

"A Zo... a Zorua?! Where on earth did you find one of those!?"

THUD!

A dull sound reached N’s ears. He could clearly see Professor Oak’s face pressed directly against the camera lens. On the high-definition display, he could practically count the man’s nose hairs.

Across the screen, the old geezer looked like he wanted to use Dragon Rush to shatter the space-time barrier and dive through the monitor to inspect the Pokémon himself.

Others might not understand, but how could Samuel Oak not?

This was the only species in the world with the Illusion Ability. The Zorua line was the definition of "extremely rare." These Pokémon almost never revealed their true forms in the wild. The probability of running into one was about the same as Groudon using Precipice Blades to leap into the sky and slap Rayquaza back down to earth!

Furthermore, N was currently in the Japan region. While it was closest to Kanto and Johto, it was tens of thousands of miles away from the Unova region where Zorua were originally discovered.

Not only had N found a Zorua in the Japan region, but he had successfully caught it as his starter.

Considering N hadn't owned any Pokémon prior to this, Oak couldn't begin to fathom how he had managed to capture such a cunning and agile creature with his bare hands...

"I suppose my luck was just a little bit good."

"?"

Oak watched as N smiled and held up his hand, pinching his thumb and index finger together to leave a tiny gap.

That calm, unruffled expression made Oak want to reach through the screen, grab N’s smooth, forest-green hair, and muss it into a bird's nest.

"It seems I don't need to worry about you after all... With a Zorua as your starter, your starting point has far exceeded my expectations."

"So, what’s the plan? Challenging the Gyms of the Japan League and then entering the Pokémon League Conference?"

Professor Oak cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. He had been a Pokémon Professor his entire life; he’d seen plenty of legendary sights. It was just a Zorua. He hadn't "eaten the Mamoswine," but he’d certainly "seen it trample the field," there was no need to lose his cool!

Though, the creature was tempting. He wondered if it was male or female. He had never personally felt the fur of a Zorua before; even through the screen, it looked incredibly soft. He wondered what the texture was like...

As his mind wandered toward scientific curiosity, Oak’s gaze toward Zorua became a bit intense.

Zorua, possessing incredibly sharp instincts, seemed to sense the creepy, predatory gaze from the screen. Its fur immediately bristled.

"That's the general idea. Challenging Gyms is indeed the fastest way to grow stronger."

N glanced at the black fox on his shoulder. Currently, its strength was only at the Mid Elite level. In his eyes, that was nowhere near enough.

Unless he had "absolute" certainty, N wouldn't move recklessly. He planned to give Zorua sufficient training until its strength was fully developed and victory was guaranteed.

"Well then, I wish you luck. Since this old man can't send you much in the way of physical gifts, I’ll just send a little 'surprise' your way instead~"

"A surprise?"

N repeated the word, a seed of suspicion planting itself in his mind. Knowing Professor Oak, he had a sinking feeling that something was off.

"Anyway, that's all for now! Long-distance calls are expensive! When you have time, remember to come back to Kanto so I can study that Zorua..."

Before N could ask for clarification, Professor Oak, as if anticipating the question, dropped that final line and hung up instantly. His speed was so impressive it was almost suspicious.

"I have a bad feeling about this..."

N stared at the now-black screen. For once, his usually placid expression wavered with a hint of concern.

Knowing Samuel Oak, that old man... was definitely planning something that was going to give N a massive headache.