Elf: Rewriting the script, starting with Black Stocking Hanako

That phone call.

The mayor answered the call for a full five minutes.

The cold sweat he had just wiped from his forehead broke out again, even more so than before.

When the communicator is disconnected.

The back of the mayor's shirt was soaked through.

He took a deep breath, turned around, and the respect and obsequiousness on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a cold, decisive demeanor befitting a person in a superior position.

"Someone come here!"

The mayor said in a deep voice.

Several police officers immediately stepped forward.

"Arrest Sato!"

The mayor pointed directly at Sato, who was still wearing a smile and trying to curry favor with Egawa.

"what?"

Sato's smile froze instantly.

Before he could react, two police officers had already grabbed his arms from both sides.

"Mayor! Mayor! This is a misunderstanding! I...I didn't do anything!"

Sato screamed in panic.

"Misunderstand?"

The mayor sneered, his eyes sharp as knives.

"The unauthorized capture and imprisonment of wild Pokémon triggered a massive Pokémon riot, nearly causing the city's destruction!"

"They colluded with unscrupulous businesswoman Granny Jin to illegally advance environmentally damaging engineering projects!"

"Sato, this is a serious matter!"

Every word was like a heavy hammer blow to Sato's heart.

His face turned deathly pale instantly, and his legs went weak. He could only stand up by being dragged by the police officers.

"No...no...Grandma Jin seduced me! I've been framed!"

Sato cried out, trying to shift the blame.

But the mayor completely ignored him.

When her gaze turned to Jiang Chuan, her expression returned to a complex mix of gratitude and slight awe.

"Mr. Jiang Chuan, please excuse my poor appearance."

"Our municipal government will conduct a thorough investigation to provide you and all citizens with an explanation!"

Jiang Chuan nodded without saying anything more.

He probably guessed it.

Previously, he had contacted Officer Jenny in Konoha City using a communicator to report that Granny Kim and Sato might be imprisoning the agate jellyfish, as well as the illegal construction project.

Later, Officer Jenny told Joey that the two families had joined forces.

The influence of these two families within the alliance is something that a mere city like Lampurch cannot withstand.

In Kuroba City, they've probably already taken swift action and brought Granny Jin under control.

The pressure naturally reached this side.

………………

Things developed faster than expected.

Less than half an hour.

The piercing sound of sirens came from the air.

Several exclusive aircraft bearing the Alliance logo rapidly landed on the open ground of the dock.

The hatch opened.

The first to emerge were several investigators in dark blue uniforms with serious expressions.

Their shoulder insignia indicate direct authorization from the Alliance headquarters.

The mayor, along with all his officials, practically jogged to greet them, their attitude extremely humble.

The alliance investigators didn't waste any words and immediately showed their credentials and documents.

"Mayor of Lampshire City, in accordance with the League's 'City Safety and Ecological Protection Law' and 'Pokémon Rights Protection Regulations,' the League Headquarters has dispatched us to conduct a full investigation into the 'Telkuppet Riot Incident'!"

Please cooperate with all our work!

The mayor nodded repeatedly: "I'll cooperate! I'll absolutely cooperate!"

The investigator's gaze swept over the messy dock and sea, finally settling on Jiang Chuan.

His eyes held a scrutinizing gaze, along with a hint of barely perceptible amazement.

They had clearly learned from Officer Jenny and Joey about the boy's crucial role in the incident.

An official stepped forward and saluted Jiang Chuan.

"Trainer, thank you for your outstanding efforts in calming the situation and protecting the city and Pokémon. We may need your assistance in taking a detailed statement later."

Jiang Chuan calmly replied, "Of course."

The entire municipal government system instantly sprang into action at high speed.

No, it should be said that the arrival of the Alliance Commissioner forced them to tighten the spring.

Sato was immediately put onto the aircraft and taken away for interrogation.

The basement of Paradise Park was quickly opened, and more than thirty imprisoned agate jellyfish were freed and safely returned to the sea under Miss Joey's personal care.

All project documents related to Granny Kim and Sato were seized.

One by one, officials suspected of violating regulations were temporarily suspended from their duties and placed under investigation.

A sweeping crackdown ensued throughout the city of Lampurch.

………………

a few days later.

The city's cleanup work is basically complete.

The damaged streets are being repaired, and the terrified hearts are being calmed.

The mayor demonstrated remarkable efficiency and political acumen this time.

He personally supervised and mobilized large-scale engineering equipment to begin demolishing the "Paradise Paradise" resort that had caused all the trouble.

As the massive robotic arm crashed down on those luxurious yet ugly buildings, countless citizens watched from a distance, clapping and cheering.

Simultaneously.

The proposal to establish a "Giant Tentacle Jellyfish and Agate Jellyfish Ecological Reserve" was passed unanimously by the city council in the fastest manner in history.

Not only did the mayor approve it, but he also personally designated a larger area of ​​the sea than the original habitat as a protected area and promulgated extremely strict protection laws.

No vessel may enter without permission, and all forms of fishing and development are permanently prohibited.

Why so fast?

On the one hand, the bloody lessons are right before our eyes, and no one dares to joke about city safety again.

on the other hand……

In the mayor's office, he was speaking eloquently to his trusted officials, spewing his "brilliant insights."

"Fool! This is both a crisis and an opportunity!"

"Such a huge stinging jellyfish! Has anyone ever seen one like it before? You probably couldn't find more than a handful in the whole world!"

"This is what makes our city of Lampurchi so unique! A living advertisement!"

He pointed to the sea map on the wall, his eyes shining.

"Our city has no dojos, no local specialties, so we used to just focus on developing our beaches, working ourselves to the bone, but it didn't amount to much!"

"And now? A 'rare habitat for giant tentacle jellyfish'! A 'super-large aquatic Pokémon ecological reserve'!"

"What a gimmick! What a huge crowd! Tourists will be scrambling to come! Even if they can't get up close, just catching a glimpse from afar in the safe zone and taking a picture will be enough for them to brag about for a lifetime!"

"Related souvenirs, observation stations, science museums... doesn't that create an entire industry chain?"

The trusted officials suddenly realized what was happening, and flattery poured in.

"Mayor's insight is brilliant!"

"Turning crisis into opportunity—that was absolutely brilliant!"

As a result, all documents, funding, and supporting measures related to the protected area were given the green light and implemented at lightning speed.

The mayor has even started thinking about how to invite the alliance's television station to do a special report.

………………

In a villa by the sea.

Jiang Chuan stood by the window, looking calmly at the huge dorsal fins of giant stinging jellyfish occasionally surfacing to breathe on the distant sea.

The system notification sounded in my mind right on time.

【Ding! 】

[Mission: Stop the giant stinging jellyfish from harming Lampshire City and perfectly resolve the marine ecological problem caused by the stinging jellyfish.]

Status: Completed.

[Dragon Scale 1, already added to system inventory.]

[Intermediate Magical Candy 3, already added to system inventory.]

Jiang Chuan had a sudden thought and checked his system inventory.

A thick scale, shimmering with a deep blue hue and adorned with mysterious dragon patterns, lay quietly in the grid.

"Good stuff," Jiang Chuan thought to himself.

Evolution items of this caliber are incredibly expensive anywhere.

Let's check the candy reserves: 3 Beginner Magic Candies, 6 Intermediate Magic Candies, and 3 Advanced Magic Candies.

"I have six intermediate-level candies now..." Jiang Chuan pondered, "I can start the gym-level training program now."

The dojo level is a significant dividing line.

This means that the Pokémon's energy, skill control, and battle awareness have reached a new level, making them capable of serving as the main force in an ordinary gym.

With these 6 intermediate candies, the overall strength of his core team will experience a leap forward.

………………

Two more days passed.

Everything has settled down.

The mayor personally approached Jiang Chuan, who was about to leave, and was extremely enthusiastic.

In the reception room, he rubbed his hands together, his face full of smiles.

"Mr. Jiang Chuan, we really owe you a lot this time! Look, the city was saved, and we even turned misfortune into a blessing, finding new characteristics for development."

"After much thought, I realize that a trainer as young, talented, and responsible as you is truly a once-in-a-century find!"

He leaned forward, lowered his voice, and revealed his true intentions.

"Our city of Lampurch has never had its own city-representative gym."

"On behalf of the city government, I would like to sincerely invite you to open a dojo here!"

"If you agree, we'll provide the best location for free! The municipal government can provide a special loan with extremely low interest rates and long terms for construction costs!"

"We could even jointly develop a 'jellyfish sanctuary' tourism project with you, offering incredibly generous profit sharing!"

The terms were extremely tempting.

He instantly became a dojo owner, owning his own territory and businesses, his social status soared, and his wealth grew immensely...

This is something most trainers would never even dare to dream of.

Jiang Chuan held his teacup, gently blew on the steam, and then shook his head.

"Thank you for the mayor's kindness, but I still want to continue my travels and spiritual practice."

The mayor was taken aback, not expecting to be rejected so decisively.

"Mr. Jiangchuan, please reconsider? This is the position of gym leader! So many trainers strive their whole lives for it..."

Jiang Chuan interrupted with a smile: "Mayor, it is precisely because I have considered it that I declined."

Jiang Chuan had already given it serious thought.

Although it seems like a wonderful thing that transcends social classes, in reality, it's full of pitfalls.

First, even low-interest loans are still debt. The construction, maintenance, and staffing of the dojo are all huge expenses. Right now, we don't have that much money, and we don't want to take on that much debt.

Secondly, Lampshire's infrastructure is weak. Even if it manages to pass the League's assessment and become a representative gym, its appeal will be far less than that of famous gyms in major cities. With fewer challengers, League funding and reputation will accumulate more slowly.

Third, my partners have enormous potential, and each of them could indeed become a war god in the future.

But at this stage, what is needed more is the tempering of various battles during the journey and the experience of the wider world, rather than staying in one place and repeatedly accepting the challenges of newcomers.

Fourth, the internal relations within Lampur have just undergone restructuring, and their future is uncertain. I don't want to prematurely tie myself to this situation or become entangled with any political interests.

When the mayor saw that Jiang Chuan insisted on refusing, he finally realized that the young man in front of him was not only exceptionally capable, but also far more meticulous and far-sighted than his peers.

What the so-called "enticement of the owner" may, in the eyes of the other party, really just be a seemingly glamorous but actually troublesome burden.

"Alas...what a pity, what a pity." The mayor sighed, knowing that it was hopeless.

But he quickly adjusted his expression, took out a pre-prepared check from the drawer, and handed it over with both hands.

"Since Mr. Jiang Chuan aspires to travel far and wide, I will not force him to comply."

"This is a small token of our appreciation from the municipal government and all citizens—100 million Alliance Coins—as a reward for this 'City Hero' award. Please accept it!"

"I wish you great success and victory at the future Quartz Conference!"

"The city of Lampurchi always welcomes you! You'll always be our most honored guest whenever you return!"

This time, Jiang Chuan did not refuse.

He took the check, glanced at the number, and nodded.

"Mayor, you're too kind. I'll accept this reward."

He put in a tremendous amount of effort and took a great risk to resolve the crisis that threatened the city's destruction, so it's only fair that he takes a million.

Seeing the check go into Jiang Chuan's pocket, the mayor felt a little more at ease.

If you can get paid, it means there's no enmity between you, and you might have the opportunity to do business with them in the future.

………………

Leave the city government building.

Jiang Chuan checked his Union Bank account.

Having already earned a considerable amount in Kuye City, and with this newly earned million, his total assets are now approaching two million Alliance Coins.

In this world, this is already a considerable fortune.

It was enough to support his high-quality spiritual practice and travel for a considerable period of time, without him having to worry about money.

"Others spend money like water on spiritual practice."

"Here, resolving incidents brings generous rewards, and the more you cultivate, the richer you become."

Jiang Chuan's lips curled into a pleased smile.

"This feeling is truly wonderful."

………………

Rampurch City Pier.

The sun was shining brightly, and the sea breeze was gentle.

The shadow cast by the giant stinging jellyfish incident has long since dissipated, and the beach has returned to its former liveliness, even attracting more tourists than before thanks to the "protected area" gimmick.

Jiang Chuan packed his bags.

Xiaoxia and Huazi were already waiting on the side.

After a few days of rest, both girls regained their radiance.

Xiaoxia changed into a new sleeveless dress, which accentuated her youthful and slender figure;

Hanako was still wearing that simple white dress, looking gentle and graceful.

"Is everything taken care of?" Xiaoxia asked, her eyes still showing a lingering fear, but mostly a sense of reliance.

"Mm." Jiang Chuan nodded, and naturally reached out to ruffle her short hair. "We've been delayed for a few days, it's time to get back on the road."

Xiaoxia blushed slightly, but instead of dodging, she softly hummed in agreement.

Hanako watched tenderly from the side, her gaze fixed on Jiang Chuan, her eyes filled with deep affection.

The worries and shared experiences of the past few days have made a certain emotion increasingly clear and intense.

The mayor, accompanied by a group of officials, personally came to see him off; the scene was quite grand.

Many citizens also rushed over upon hearing the news, waving towards Jiangchuan and shouting, "Hero Big Bird, have a safe journey!"

Jiang Chuan waved to the crowd and quickly left the lively farewell procession with Hanako and Xiaoxia, embarking once again on his journey of cultivation.