Chapter 181: Title Unlocked — 'Giovanni, Your Son Is In My Hands'
On the way to Azalea Town, Asahi reverted to the same disguised appearance he used when visiting Kurt.
He was also reviewing a system notification in his mind.
[Although your attempt to PUA Silver into joining the International Police failed, you successfully recruited him with Green's help. Title unlocked: "Giovanni, Your Son Is In My Hands!"]
Asahi: "..."
He liked the title — it had a certain flair — but couldn't the system at least acknowledge the facts?
It was clearly Green who messed up his PUA strategy…
Wait, no — since when did he even try to PUA Silver?!
Shaking off his complaints, Asahi focused on the reward options that popped up.
[Please select your reward:]
1. Rainbow Wing
2. Crimson Orb
3. Indigo Orb
Asahi stared blankly at the choices.
"System, if you're out of ideas for rewards, just say so. There's no need to be this lazy."
The Crimson and Indigo Orbs — this was the third time they'd shown up.
Did the system desperately want him to meddle in Hoenn's legendary battle between Groudon and Kyogre?
Sighing, Asahi pondered his options.
The Rainbow Wing was clearly the most useful — with it, Kurt could forge a complete GS Ball.
But… after getting so many feathers from his molting Lugia recently, Asahi found himself a little underwhelmed by a "mere" Rainbow Wing.
His thoughts were interrupted by Silver's sudden voice. "We're only going to Azalea Town — why the disguise?"
Silver, now sporting a black wig to cover his natural red hair, frowned.
Surprised by the question, Asahi paused his internal debate. "Didn't think you'd be curious about that."
The first time Asahi asked Silver to disguise himself, the latter didn't ask anything at all.
Silver simply stared at Asahi, waiting for an explanation.
Feeling a bit deflated by Silver's bland reaction, Asahi suddenly missed Gary's more dramatic responses.
Still, he answered, "It's for secrecy. You know Team Rocket and the Masked Army have been fighting in Johto lately. As the head of the Kanto branch, I'm a big target — if I get spotted, it's trouble."
He paused, then added mysteriously, "Besides… there's a more complicated reason. But you probably wouldn't believe me if I told you now. Let's wait until we get back to Saffron City — Green can explain it."
Silver frowned at Asahi's cryptic answer, clearly irritated.
But Asahi was his superior, and since Silver wasn't confident in beating him yet, he had no choice but to drop the subject.
Just then, the path opened up before them.
"We're here — Azalea Town!"
---
Inside Kurt's workshop, the old craftsman was still busy handcrafting GS Balls with his trusty Shuckle assisting him.
Kurt looked up, surprised to see Asahi back so soon — with a new face in tow.
"You're early. It's not seven days yet," Kurt said, his hands still working on the last two GS Balls.
Only six and a half days had passed since Asahi's last visit — two more GS Balls needed finishing.
"I've got two more to go. If you're in a rush, take the ones that are done."
Kurt pushed forward a box neatly filled with thirty-one half-finished GS Balls.
He also thoughtfully included a manual, explaining how to weave Ho-Oh's feathers into capture nets — the final step to completing the GS Balls.
But Asahi didn't touch the box. "No rush — I'll wait. Also… where's Chie? I brought her a gift."
Hearing that, Kurt turned toward the back room. "Chie! Asahi's here — says he has a present for you."
"Coming, Grandpa!"
Chie bounced into the workshop with a bright smile. "Hi, Asahi!"
Asahi returned her smile, handing her a Poké Ball.
"I heard you've always wanted a Pokémon companion. I caught this one just outside Azalea Town — thought it would suit you."
The moment Chie saw the Poké Ball, her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Thank you, Asahi!"
She eagerly opened the Poké Ball.
Pop!
A flash of white light — and a Furret appeared before her, its cream and brown-striped body curling happily.
Asahi had caught this Furret on his way to find Silver — the poor thing had fainted after running headfirst into a tree, startled by Arcanine's Intimidate.
Since no one else seemed to want the unconscious Furret, Asahi figured he'd catch it and gift it to Chie.
The Furret circled Chie energetically, recognizing her as its new trainer.
Watching the scene, Silver couldn't help but glance at Asahi.
Who knew Asahi actually had a soft side?
Kurt, meanwhile, looked at Chie. "Chie, take good care of your Pokémon."
He then rummaged through a nearby box and pulled out a green Friend Ball. "Here — use this."
Chie, already familiar with Poké Ball crafting, smoothly transferred Furret into the Friend Ball.
Seeing the Furret grow even more attached to Chie, Asahi couldn't help but wonder how the Friend Ball actually worked.
But he didn't ask — not until Kurt finished crafting the last two GS Balls and packed all thirty-three into a box.
Only then did Asahi speak again:
"Kurt, would you be interested in becoming the official Poké Ball supplier for the International Police's Kanto branch?"
Kurt was momentarily stunned by Asahi's proposal.
Seeing his hesitation, Asahi added, "I know you only make Poké Balls for trainers whose strength you acknowledge — don't worry about that."
He patted Silver on the shoulder. "He's already the weakest trainer in our Kanto branch. Silver, show Kurt what you've got!"
Silver: "??"
For the first time, Silver's usually stoic expression cracked.
Kurt quickly waved his hand. "No need — I was just surprised you'd actually buy the pricey Apricorn Balls. I trust the strength of the International Police."
In recent years, there had been two main schools of thought about Poké Balls.
One side praised the handcrafted Apricorn Balls for their unique abilities, believing that only strong trainers deserved such tools. However, their high cost, reliance on craftsmanship, and inconsistent quality made them easy targets for criticism.
On the other hand, supporters of mass-produced industrial Poké Balls argued that affordable, factory-made balls had allowed more people to become trainers. They dismissed Apricorn Balls as overpriced and impractical — if you wanted a high-quality ball, why not just use Ultra Balls or Great Balls instead?
The debate had raged ever since the first Poké Ball production line launched, though industrial balls now dominated the market.
As a result, even a master craftsman like Kurt had shifted to custom orders.
He never expected Asahi to show interest in Apricorn Balls.
For Asahi, though, it wasn't that deep — he simply had too much funding from HQ.
With the year-end budget review approaching, he needed to spend the excess or risk getting less funding next year.
So why not stock up on Apricorn Balls? Kurt's craftsmanship ensured they were top-tier, and their special effects might come in handy someday.
The two quickly struck a deal: Asahi bought Kurt's entire stock at half the market price and promised to place more orders in the future.
With his goals for this trip achieved, Asahi prepared to leave.
Before heading out, he took one of the half-finished GS Balls and handed it to Kurt.
Under Kurt's puzzled gaze, Asahi said, "If someone comes asking for a GS Ball in the future and you have no other choice, just give them this."
Asahi was preparing for the possibility that if Pryce ever came looking for a GS Ball, Kurt could hand over the half-finished one to protect himself.
After all, Kurt had helped Asahi craft so many GS Balls — the last thing Asahi wanted was to see him in trouble.
Though he didn't fully understand Asahi's reasoning, Kurt still put the half-finished GS Ball away. Truthfully, he had always wanted one for his collection but hadn't dared to ask since the materials were so rare.
"Well then, farewell, Mr. Kurt!"
With a final goodbye and under Chie's reluctant gaze, Asahi left Kurt's house, with Silver following behind.
---
Walking along the streets of Azalea Town, Silver spoke up, "So... are we heading back to Kanto now?"
"That's right. But first, we need to return Arcanine." Asahi shook the Poké Ball in his hand.
They made their way to the Slowpoke Well.
Asahi searched for Lance's subordinate — the one he'd borrowed Arcanine from.
According to their agreement, the man would wait here until Asahi found Silver and returned the Poké Ball.
But after searching the area, Asahi found no sign of him.
Even the Slowpoke who usually lazed around the well were nowhere to be seen.
Asahi frowned — something wasn't right.
---