Pokémon: Rise of Evil

Chapter 315: Open Dispute

Shota slowly sat on the sofa, his eyes calm and deep. His eyes fell on the man in front of him who was pouring half a glass of red wine for him - Daigo, but his face did not show any gratitude.

Shota stared at Daigo quietly, as if he wanted to see the true intention behind his seemingly friendly face. As time passed, a subtle atmosphere filled the air between the two of them. No one spoke, only the slight aroma of wine and a subtle smell of alcohol floated in the air.

But soon this tense atmosphere was broken by Daigo. He smiled and pushed the red wine glass in his hand to Shota, then sat opposite Shota and said with a smile on his face:

"Don't be so nervous, just think of me as a friend you haven't met in years."

After hearing Daigo's words, Shota turned to him and said:

"Um, Mr. Daigo, is it okay for me to call you that?"

Daigo heaved a sigh of relief when he heard Shota finally say his first words since entering the room. As long as he could speak, it would be fine. Otherwise, it would be very troublesome to bribe him.

Thinking of this, Daigo continued with a smile on his face:

"Okay, but you can just call me Daigo. There's no need to be so distant."

"Okay, then Daigo, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Hearing Shota's question, Daigo's eyes lit up, and without trying to hide it, he spoke directly:

"To be honest, I've seen your battle records. You're quite good at commanding Pokémons, and their reaction abilities are also quite outstanding. This shows that you're a very qualified trainer."

At this point, Daigo paused, and with a puzzled look on his face, he said to Shota:

"However, what confuses me is why your two Pokémon have undergone changes in form. And from what I can tell, the strength of these two Pokémon seems to have increased by more than one level after their evolution, especially the Harlequin Beedrill."

At this point, Daigo seemed to feel that he was being too rude, and quickly waved his hand and said:

"I'm sorry, that was a bit rude. It's not a good idea to pry into other people's secrets."

Looking at Daigo who was directing and acting in his own drama, Shota wondered if this guy was treating him like a three-year-old child.

However, Shota did not want to give too much of an answer to Daigo's question, but instead said:

"Daigo, you are indeed right. It is not a good thing to pry into other people's secrets."

Hearing Shota's unexpected answer, Daigo's apologetic expression froze on his face, but he quickly suppressed it again.

The air in the conference room was silent for a moment, and then there was a sound of air vibration:

"Shota, I won't try to hide it any more. If possible, please name a price and sell this secret to me. I really need it."

Seeing that Daigo finally revealed his purpose, Shota was too lazy to play the role of an ignorant young man with him. After all, being able to get to this point had already proved to Daigo that he was not a simple person.

So, based on the information given by Dujuan, Shota asked directly:

"Daigo, are you having a hard time in the alliance?"

Hearing Shota's question without answering, Daigo's face froze and his expression became serious. After staring at Shota for a few seconds, he still did not forget to maintain the vivid hypocrisy of a king looking at his subjects, and said:

"What did you say? I'm the champion of the Hoenn regional league. How could I have a hard time in the league?"

Listening to Daigo's explanation, Shota became more convinced that Daigo's position in the alliance was not as glamorous as it seemed.

So, Shota just stared into Daigo's eyes and said nothing.

Looking at Shota who was staring at him, Daigo was about to speak when he was interrupted by Shota.

"Daigo, I think our conversation ends here, because someone invited me over."

As he said that, Shota stood up from the soft sofa and walked towards the door.

Just as Shota walked to the door, there was a knock on the door.

As the door opened again, Daigo saw another old man besides his old butler.

And this old man was the one his father would often mention with a gnashing-teeth expression.

Looking at Shota, the old man put on a kind smile and said to Shota:

"Shota, I'm the chief of the Alliance Cabinet Meeting. My name is Zhe Shui. Calling me by my name might be too unfamiliar, so you can just call me Old Man Zhe."

At this point, Zheshui seemed to have thought of something. A smile appeared on his wrinkled mouth, and he said to Shota:

"You and my grandson Tetsuya's match was very exciting, but it's a pity that the boy suddenly fell ill. Otherwise, the two of you might have fought more fiercely and the match would have been more exciting. Don't you think so?"

Looking at this kind-looking old man, Shota's face showed excitement, but his heart was as clear as a mirror.

He nodded vigorously and spoke to Zheshui in the language of a hot-blooded idiot:

"Indeed, if Tetsuya hadn't suddenly fallen ill, I might not have won the championship."

Hearing Shota's words, Tetsu laughed dryly twice, then put his old hand on Shota's shoulder and said:

"Don't be so self-deprecating. I have watched Tetsuya grow up. He is no match for you."

Hearing Zheshui's praise, Shota showed a happy expression on his face, but in Zheshui's eyes, he slowly concealed it. Shota touched the back of his head embarrassedly and said:

"Actually, I'm not that strong."

Looking at the two people talking to each other as they did in previous years, a sense of crisis appeared in Daigo's eyes, but at the same time he was doubtful about Shota's performance, or perhaps amazed.

Just as he was about to step forward to interrupt the conversation between the two, Zheshui seemed to have just noticed him and said to Daigo:

"Daigo, long time no see, how is your father? To be honest, I haven't visited him for a long time."

Hearing Zheshui's question, Daigo felt uneasy, but he still answered politely:

"My father is fine. Thank you for thinking of him despite your busy schedule."

Hearing Daigo's answer, Zhesui laughed dryly twice, and Shota heard the sarcasm in it, but it was none of his business now.

After laughing dryly twice, Zheshui put his hand on the crutch and said to Daigo:

"Daigo, I'll take Shota with me first. After all, he is the champion of the first Saiyou Tournament, and there are some things that need to be carried out by him personally. And an old man like me who has done nothing but mediocre things can just be a guide."