When Cain got off the bus, it was exactly 12 noon. After three hours of travel, his body was a bit stiff.
He wore a typical trainer's outfit, and as soon as he stepped off the bus, he blended seamlessly into the city.
He immediately released Slowpoke from its Poké Ball. Although being a shiny Pokémon drew some attention, Saffron City, as the most prosperous city, was not overly affected.
The presence of Slowpoke only slightly increased curious glances, without causing major issues or unnecessary commotion.
Saffron City was just a stop on Cain's journey, but since he was in the largest and most prosperous city in Kanto, he decided to take the opportunity to buy some necessary supplies and tools.
What he needed was a specialized tool set for making Pokéblocks. So far, he had been using rudimentary tools he made himself, which allowed him to create mid-level Pokéblocks at best.
However, with a high-quality tool set, he could make advanced Pokéblocks with much better effects for his Pokémon.
Although the difference between mid-level and advanced Pokéblocks is only one level, the effects are vastly different.
Mid-level Pokéblocks can only improve the growth and recovery rate of Pokémon, but advanced Pokéblocks not only double that speed but can also slightly enhance the quality of Pokémon with regular use.
Therefore, advanced Pokéblocks have always been highly valued, and advanced breeders registered with the League are treated almost like rare species, receiving special protection and numerous benefits. The advanced Pokéblocks they produce are coveted by all trainers.
To have an advanced breeder create suitable Pokéblocks for their Pokémon, some trainers are even willing to become their bodyguards, even if only temporarily.
Even if it's just once, that's already extremely valuable, considering how many powerful trainers need advanced Pokéblocks.
This is why being an advanced breeder, whether in the League or a clandestine organization like Team Rocket, guarantees considerable respect, comparable to that of the most renowned Pokémon researchers.
However, becoming an advanced breeder is extremely difficult. Being able to make advanced Pokéblocks is just one of the prerequisites.
Currently, the League has fewer than a hundred registered advanced breeders, and all are treated with the utmost respect.
But if you can make advanced Pokéblocks, money will flow to you like a river.
Of course, only as long as you have the strength to protect that money or, at the very least, a group to do so.
So Cain needed to find a large store to buy a specialized tool set.
Saffron City is full of shopping centers and Pokémon stores. Where there is light, there are also shadows, and the city's black market is very prosperous.
Cain was quite familiar with Saffron City's black market, not for any reason other than that its biggest controller is Team Rocket. In fact, it can't even be said that they operate in the shadows, as Team Rocket is the main manager of the black market.
Saffron City, being the most developed city in Kanto, has the largest underground trading network in the region.
This black market generates about one-fifth of Team Rocket's total annual income.
So, one can imagine how great the profits and benefits are, and the person who truly controls this black market is Sabrina, the Psychic Queen of Team Rocket, whose strength and unpredictable temperament have kept everyone under her authority without anyone daring to challenge her.
The black market of Saffron City, as the largest underground market in Kanto, has everything: valuable items for Pokémon, rare high-quality Pokémon, and even pseudo-legendary Pokémon from various regions. As long as you have money, you can buy whatever you want.
This place is a consumer's paradise, as long as you have the power needed to get out alive, because being just wealthy but not strong could mean you don't make it out.
Now Cain was going to head to the black market of Saffron City, that place said to have everything except Legendary Pokémon. There, he would surely find the tools he needed to make Pokéblocks.
Why not buy directly from a large shopping center? On one hand, items in shopping centers are safe, but the prices are generally high.
Also, Cain was practically out of money, with only 1,000 Pokédollars left (after spending 500 on the bus ticket). He was beyond broke, so he needed to sell some things that couldn't be exposed, to get more money.
However, the first thing he had to do was take care of lunch. After three hours of travel, he was hungry, and his Pokémon surely were too.
He found an inn that seemed decent and used his League ID to rent a room for a few hours. He then ordered some food for himself and his Pokémon, spending almost all his money until he was left with only 200 League coins.
Being a well-established inn of decent size, the service was excellent, and the food arrived quickly.
After Gastly checked the room for surveillance devices, a waiter pushed a cart with the food to the door. After wishing Cain a good meal, the waiter left without looking back.
Since he still had important tasks for the afternoon, Cain didn't spend too much time on lunch. His Pokémon also understood the situation, and after enjoying a meal they had never tasted before, they obediently returned to their Poké Balls. Gastly also hid back in Cain's shadow.
Cain requested a taxi at the inn's reception, and after a quick ride with an experienced driver, he arrived at the entrance to the black market in half an hour.
Of course, that meant his last 200 League coins were also gone.
Fortunately, he had already reached the black market entrance, so he wouldn't have to worry about money in the short term.
Although Saffron City's black market is well known, not just anyone can enter.
Cain found a relatively discreet spot and changed into a Team Rocket uniform. He then put on a black cloak he had prepared in advance and covered his head with a wide hood that concealed his face.
He entered a Pokémon store that looked quite ordinary from the outside. Inside, there were only a few people, and the shelves were full of items, though all were of common value.
An employee approached Cain with a professional smile and politely asked, "How can I help you, esteemed customer? Everything in our store is of excellent quality and reasonably priced; I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for."
(End of chapter)