Snowpoint Gym.
Looking at Candice, who was almost sticking to him like a frantic fan chasing a star, Hakuya froze for a moment.
Because of this posture, he could clearly see the curvaceous body of this twin-braided girl.
Bound under the thin white shirt, two smooth, tender, voluptuous snow globes trembled slightly, shaking out layers of flesh waves.
A warm, soft, faint fragrance wafting from the honey-fragrant snowy cleavage slowly drilled into his nose, making it hard to extricate himself.
And if he lowered his head to breathe, that scorching breath would climb onto her proudly erect snowy peaks, causing this dashing girl to leak bursts of soft, charming moans from her lips, just like when she was held in his arms earlier.
Struggling to move his gaze away from that round, voluptuous softness, Hakuya couldn't help but ponder.
He seemed to have slightly underestimated the influence brought by his capture of Hunter J's poaching gang and commanding Articuno to annihilate the beast tide.
Although he wasn't currently collecting Badges, following the conventional path of participating in the League Conference and challenging the Elite Four and Champion...
It was indeed as Cynthia said before—after the Hiyori Forest incident, whether in the image promoted by the League or in the eyes of many Trainers who watched the live broadcast at that time, he had become synonymous with powerful Trainers.
In other words, by defeating Hunter J, who possessed Elite Four strength, head-on, possessing the Legendary Pokémon Articuno, and easily annihilating the beast tide, Hakuya had already gained considerable fame in the Sinnoh region and even other regions.
"Miss Candice, what does 'Legendary Trainer who commands Articuno' mean?"
Miss Hilda raised her hand weakly to ask; she still didn't quite understand the situation.
These days she had been training Pignite, busy preparing to challenge the Snowpoint Gym, and seemed to have missed something.
On the side, realizing the voluptuous snow mass wrapped in her shirt was about to press against Hakuya, the girl with twin braids also blushed and moved back a few steps.
Candice coughed a few times and began to answer Miss Hilda's question in detail.
"It's the big news from a few days ago! That notorious Hunter J in the Sinnoh region, to capture Celebi, didn't hesitate to use explosives to blow up the forest, causing a forest fire and a riot of wild Pokémon..."
"Eh? That's too hateful!" As a righteous Trainer, Hilda couldn't help but frown.
"But at this critical moment, Mr. Hakuya stepped forward calmly, shielding the Trainers in the forest behind him, commanding that Legendary-level Articuno, and easily defeated the menacing wild Pokémon..."
"Of course, there's also a rumor. It's heard that Investigator Lance, who arrived late, greatly appreciated this. He offered various conditions and even threatened in the end, insisting Mr. Hakuya join the League Investigators, but unfortunately was rejected in the end."
Hearing this, Hilda pursed her petal-like delicate lips lightly, whispering.
"Beast tide... Articuno... Investigator Lance..."
Just imagining it slightly, she could envision the shocking scene described by Candice.
With the strength of one person, defeating the fierce poaching group leader and the menacing beast tide head-on.
Finally, facing the coercion and inducement of the Johto Champion, he remained unmoved and righteously rejected his invitation to be an investigator.
Truly... a bit too cool—
Hilda's beautiful eyes swirled, unable to stop stealing a few more glances at Hakuya beside her.
For a girl in the prime of her youth, having him help retrieve her stolen Badge Case and then hearing such legendary and shocking deeds, her favorability towards Hakuya, which was already quite high, skyrocketed instantly.
"..."
Looking at Candice and Hilda acting like a double act before him, Hakuya held his forehead helplessly.
Although they portrayed his image very nobly, who spread this wild history version?
It could only be said that after being honored as the "Flying-type Elite Four," the Dragon Master suffered another day of reputational damage.
After a few more months of word of mouth, it might evolve into "Lance is the final big villain."
"Commanding Articuno to repel the rioting wild Pokémon is true, although the scene probably wasn't as magnificent as you imagine... and..."
Thinking he might need to ask Lance for help later, Hakuya felt amused but still chose to clear his name.
"At the end of the story, Lance didn't use coercion and inducement to make me join the League Investigators. It was just because I happened to need to run the farm. After consideration, I politely declined his invitation."
"Hehe..." Ruthlessly exposed by Hakuya, the pure and beautiful Candice stuck out her tongue playfully, then finally returned to the main topic. "By the way, I didn't expect Mr. Hakuya to be the President of that company."
"I've looked into it before. The quality of the Hinata Brand MooMoo Milk produced and processed by your family is indeed many times better than what's on the market. I also intend to cooperate with you." Candice nodded, her face full of satisfaction.
"And this cooperation isn't personal, but in the name of the entire Snowpoint City. However, I have a condition..."
Pausing for a moment, the twin-braided girl changed the subject. Her slender hand pointed lightly at Hakuya standing in front of her, a thin blush appearing on her pure, pretty face at some point.
"Before signing the cooperation form, you must have a battle with me first!"
Looking at Candice burning with surging fighting spirit, Hakuya thought to himself.
Unlike in his previous life where signing business deals required drinking with clients, in the Pokémon world, the best way to get closer to clients turned out to be a passionate Pokémon battle.
Mmm... thinking about it carefully, it indeed fits the characteristics of the Pokémon world and the personality of this Gym Leader.
"No problem, let's do as you say~"
Thinking this, Hakuya nodded, readily agreeing to the twin-braided girl's request.
Although Snowpoint City's market share was indeed inferior to some super-large cities in the Sinnoh region due to its remote geographical location, since his Hiyori Industry Company was still in its infancy, such cooperation opportunities needed to be strived for.
"Miss Hilda, do you mind if I have a duel with Mr. Hakuya first?"
Amidst her joy, as the Gym Leader, Candice didn't forget the real challenger on the side, asking softly.
"It doesn't matter; I'll watch from the stands first."
Hilda shook her head lightly, smiling盈盈.
She came with Hakuya anyway, so the order naturally didn't matter.
Moreover, watching the duel between Candice and Hakuya in advance would also help her understand the Gym Leader's battle style.
Once the challenge order was determined, both sides stood on opposite sides of the field.
Looking at the misty Ice Field full of condensed ice before him, Hakuya thought to himself.
This probably counts as my first Gym challenge after coming to the Pokémon world—
Only, after winning, instead of getting a Gym Badge, I'll get a big business order and lots of League Coins.
At this moment, the professional referee who hurried over also stood in the center of the Ice Field, raising a small colored flag.
"Now begins the duel between Gym Leader Candice and Challenger Hakuya. The match rules are 2v2. The challenge ends when all Pokémon of either side are unable to battle."
"Abomasnow, let's have a battle full of spirit next!"
Accompanied by the white light of the Poké Ball, the giant mountain-like Frost Tree Pokémon landed with a boom.
Bathed in the suddenly falling blizzard, a pair of scarlet eyes opened slowly.
[Ability: Snow Warning (The Pokémon summons a hailstorm when it enters a battle.)]
"Obama!!!"
Like the roaring Abomasnow, the twin-braided girl also burned with raging fighting spirit in her heart.
Whether it was Pokémon battles, love, or fashion, one must go all out—that was her motto!
At this moment, Candice cast her gaze at the black-haired youth directly in front, her breathing quickening slightly.
For every Trainer specializing in Ice-type, capturing a Legendary-level Pokémon like Articuno was undoubtedly a dream come true, and something that required extremely high strength to achieve.
And this was actually the fundamental reason she wanted to duel with Hakuya—only by battling such a powerful Trainer who had captured Articuno could she better hone her and her Pokémon's strength!
While Candice held her breath and concentrated, Hakuya finally threw the Poké Ball.
"Lopunny, prepare for battle."