After sitting down, Ishida said, "Sir, we can accept the price you mentioned."
Ishida was quite direct, immediately accepting Cain's offer.
As someone familiar with the market, he knew that the price was a bit high, but it still left a considerable margin for profit. After all, they weren't pressed for time.
He then instructed the appraiser, who also acted as a seller, to handle the necessary paperwork.
Upon hearing Ishida, Cain began to frown.
So willing?
"Hehe, we have no other intentions; we just wanted to ask if you have more of this geocentric cleansing milk. We'd be willing to buy more at a higher price," Ishida asked with a smile.
Cain did not relax; on the contrary, he became more cautious. With a slightly sarcastic tone, he replied, "Do you think geocentric cleansing milk is as common as cabbage? That you can have it in whatever quantity you want? This is all I have."
Ishida maintained his smile, showing no sign of annoyance at Cain's sarcastic response. It was impossible for someone like Ishida, who had risen to be a Team Rocket Officer and managed such a prominent store, to lack cunning.
"Haha, no problem, no problem. It was just personal curiosity. If you wish to sell anything else in the future, don't hesitate to come to us," he said as he took out a silver card with the Team Rocket logo. "This is a VIP membership card for our store. With it, you can get a 5% discount on any purchase."
Upon hearing this, Cain raised an eyebrow. These tangible benefits were what he liked most; empty words held no value.
He took the card and put it in his pocket.
Although it was only a 5% discount, if the purchases were large enough, it could save a considerable sum. Buying something for a million could save fifty thousand. That was something.
Of course, this small discount was nothing compared to Team Rocket's earnings. If it weren't, Ishida wouldn't have given out a VIP membership card so easily.
At that moment, the appraiser, who had been handling the paperwork efficiently, returned quickly, carrying a black card that he respectfully handed to Ishida.
"Sir, this is an anonymous Alliance bank card. It contains a total of three million six hundred thousand. It's the full payment for the geocentric cleansing milk," Ishida said with a smile as he handed the card to Cain.
Cain took the card and felt a slight sense of relief. The geocentric cleansing milk was truly worth a fortune, and with this money, he could cover all his recent expenses for himself and his Pokémon.
"By the way, I want to buy a complete set of tools for pokéblock crafting. An intermediate setup will suffice. Deduct the cost from this card," Cain said, suddenly remembering his main purpose for coming here.
Upon hearing Cain's request, Ishida showed slight astonishment on his chubby face but quickly recovered. "Very well, very well. Prepare an intermediate-level pokéblock crafting set. Ensure it's of good quality," Ishida ordered the appraiser, emphasizing the importance of quality.
Ishida was a bit surprised, realizing that the mysterious man under the black cloak was likely a Pokémon breeder. Looking at the well-cared-for Murkrow perched on Cain's shoulder, it all began to make sense.
The appraiser, equally surprised, understood well what being a Pokémon breeder meant. And if Cain planned to use an intermediate-level setup, it at least meant he could make mid-level pokéblocks, which meant he could earn money at a pace comparable to printing bills.
Nodding with a brief response, the appraiser hurried out to prepare the tools Cain had requested.
"Hehe, I wonder if those tools are for personal use or a gift," Ishida asked.
Cain gave a cold look to the middle-aged man whose outward appearance did not match his real power. After a moment of silence, a raspy voice came from under the black cloak. "What if they're for me? What if they're for someone else?"
"Don't misunderstand me, sir. I was merely suggesting that if you wish to sell pokéblocks in the future, you can do so through our store. The service fees will be more favorable," Ishida chuckled.
"Uh-huh," was Cain's only response, who was clearly not someone who enjoyed talking much.
Ishida noticed that Cain wasn't very talkative, whether by nature or strategy, so he stopped talking in time and waited for the tools to arrive.
It wasn't long before the appraiser returned, accompanied by a guard carrying a large tray. On the tray were several small, delicate items, which were clearly the pokéblock crafting tools.
Both came running, aware that Cain and Ishida were waiting, and quickened their pace.
Ishida signaled for the guard to set down the tray and leave.
"Sir, this is the best intermediate-level pokéblock crafting set we have. Its value is one million two hundred thousand Pokédollars."
"With the 5% discount from your VIP card applied, the total is one million one hundred fourteen thousand. Here is your card; you now have two million four hundred sixty thousand left. Please keep it," Ishida said as he pushed the tray and the card toward Cain.
Cain, who in his past life had also been involved in pokéblock crafting, was familiar with the tools. Seeing this set, he knew immediately that Ishida was not lying. The quality was indeed good, and among intermediate-level setups, it was one of the best.
Ishida's sincerity in business, even in the black market, was noteworthy, explaining why he had been appointed as the store's manager.
With a swift motion, Cain stored the tools in his storage belt without being seen, then stood up and left the VIP room without looking back.
Watching Cain's figure disappear, the smile on Ishida's chubby face slowly faded, and his eyebrows furrowed.
"Sir, do you want us to send someone to follow him?" The appraiser, who had remained in the room, approached cautiously and asked.
Although they appeared to be a legitimate store, they were in the black market, and they were also members of Team Rocket. It wasn't unusual for them to conduct such operations.
However, they knew very well not to mess with dangerous individuals or those they couldn't face.
Ishida's frown deepened, but after a moment of hesitation, he shook his head. "No, we don't know this man's limits. If we send someone to follow him, we could expose ourselves, and then we'd lose a client who is at least an intermediate-level breeder."
The appraiser nodded respectfully.
"However, keep your eyes open. If geocentric cleansing milk appears again on the black market...," Ishida's gaze turned cold and sharp, "no matter who it is, capture them!"
"Yes!"
Two hundred drops of geocentric cleansing milk weren't enough to risk angering an intermediate-level Pokémon breeder, but if there were more, the situation would be different.
Cain had calculated perfectly the amount that would make Ishida hesitate.
Ishida, as the store manager, had his own sense of balance. If he was sure he could do it, he wouldn't hesitate to commit an act of theft. But if he wasn't sure or if the risk outweighed the reward, he preferred not to act.
After leaving the largest tool store in the black market, Cain did not show his money, but many had seen him being taken to the VIP room, so when he left, several people followed him.
However, Cain was already prepared for this. In the complex maze of the black market, he turned through several alleys and soon lost all those following him.
(End of Chapter)