The next day's purification work proceeded even more efficiently. The Japanese government had made all necessary preparations before Ethan and Suicune arrived at the site. By three in the afternoon, when the final tank of nuclear waste was purified, the crowd erupted in celebration.
"Thank heaven!"
"The people of Japan thank Suicune! We'll build a statue in its honor!"
Some onlookers even knelt before Suicune, treating it as a divine being. The Fukushima Prefecture government announced plans to erect statues of both Ethan and Suicune, declaring that their people would forever remember the man and Pokémon who saved them.
Ethan barely listened to their grand proclamations. The money was already secured – let them build whatever they wanted. Though he couldn't help but think that if there were more nuclear leaks, it meant more business opportunities. An 80-billion-dollar order was nothing to scoff at.
With that kind of capital, Pokémon Biotech's possibilities were endless. That morning, Ethan had already called companies back home, instructing them to start scouting potential locations – plantations, pastures, hilltops, anything suitable for expansion.
By evening, Ethan's group departed for Tarvok City, though Mr. Conrad and his team split off to catch their flight back to China. After brief farewells, Ethan and Annie checked into a five-star hotel.
"Is that... is that Suicune?"
"They're staying at our hotel! Quick, tell the manager!"
The staff's excitement was palpable. Soon, the hotel manager arrived, bowing respectfully.
"Welcome, Mr. Grave. I'm Yuji Ohno, the hotel manager. It's an honor to serve you."
Ohno bowed slightly to Ethan, then even deeper to Suicune.
"Mr. Grave may not know, but my hometown is in Japan. Since the nuclear leak, I haven't been able to return home..."
Their guide translated Ohno's words, then added in English, "Mr. Grave, I've been here many times, but I've never seen him treat anyone with such deference. Your experience here will be quite special!"
"It's all thanks to Suicune," Ethan smiled, gesturing for the guide to translate.
"Mr. Grave mustn't be modest," Ohno responded. "We Japanese know that Suicune is your brilliant creation. Its achievements are your achievements."
"Mr. Grave, please, I've upgraded you to our finest suite..."
Throughout their walk to the room, people stopped to stare at Suicune, their expressions a mix of curiosity and awe. Japanese guests in particular showed profound respect and gratitude. The nuclear crisis had severely damaged Japan's international reputation, and Ethan had saved them from that shame.
"If your nuclear waste hadn't threatened the Alverez Kingdom..." Ethan thought wryly, "I might have helped purely out of humanitarian concern."
The next day allowed for some rest. Ethan visited the Victoria show venue in advance, and without Suicune by his side, he moved through the crowds largely unrecognized.
"Where do I register for the Orange League?" he asked their guide as they left the show venue.
"The Orange League?" The guide looked surprised. "You want to participate, Mr. Grave? Tomorrow's the registration deadline – we can still make it if we hurry."
"Perfect. Take me there."
Ethan had checked the dates online earlier, knowing they'd barely make the cutoff.
"You're entering the Orange League?" Annie's annoyance was evident. "You never tell me anything! I'm getting tired of your secrets."
"Hey, I just thought of it last night."
"Really?"
"Do I look like someone who lies?"
"Yes!"
Their banter continued as they took a taxi to an enormous orange-shaped stadium. The guide explained it was built specifically for the Orange League, though it hosted other competitions throughout the year. Its distinctive shape had given the league its name.
Inside, they glimpsed a massive football field surrounded by seating for tens of thousands. Staff were already preparing the grounds, focusing on basics like anti-slip surfaces.
Ethan made mental notes. If he ever hosted a league, he'd design more dynamic venues – varied terrain, half-land-half-water arenas, diverse environments to make battles more engaging for spectators.
The registration process was straightforward. Competitors could use either their name or a title, with a 10,000-yen fee to discourage troublemakers and cover potential damage from genetic organism battles.
"Mr. Grave, they need your name or title," the guide translated.
"Ah..." Ethan smiled. "Tell them my name is Ash, Master of Wisdom."
The guide looked puzzled but translated.
"Mr. Grave, they say this name has been used in previous years, but you can still use it. Would you like to change it?"
"No, but each name gets a number, right?"
Only Ethan understood the significance of the choice.
Soon, the staff issued him an ID card – a magnetic strip that would display his identity and record when scanned. Ethan tucked it away with a satisfied smile.
Number 15208, codename: Ash.
Perfect.