What storms awaited him when he returned to Hoenn, how fiercely Elite Four member Drake's anger would burn, and what plans would come next for the Alola Region?
None of that was something Yong needed to consider right now.
At that moment, he was riding on Aerodactyl's back, flying toward the Kanto Region...
Their return journey had been unusually smooth. No fools had come looking for trouble, nor had any strange incidents occurred, leaving Yong lamenting the lack of excitement.
After escorting Cynthia back to Celestic Town in Sinnoh, Yong wilted under Professor Carolina's peculiar gaze and made a hasty retreat as Elite Four member Bertha rolled her eyes at him.
Rather than returning directly to Hoenn, he traveled through Johto, crossed the Orange Islands, and flew straight toward the Kanto Region.
According to Kofu, who was still at Mount Michaya, Qingcao had successfully cleared the Pewter Gym and Cerulean Gym and had just arrived in Celadon City.
As for why he had taken the longer route and bypassed Viridian City, that was naturally because of Yong's instructions: do not attempt to challenge the Viridian Gym until he had earned four badges.
Meanwhile, the Rock Solid Research Institute had been keeping track of Qingcao's whereabouts all along.
With the institute completed, and Yong having already incorporated Mount Michaya into it to create an Ecological Park, the Rock Solid Research Institute had gained approval from the Pokémon League to take in Pokémon and help Trainers raise the partners they left in its care!
Qingcao, who came from the Kalos Region, had naturally entrusted his Pokémon to the institute. Since he regularly sent updates about himself, Kofu, now a member of the institute, knew the route Qingcao had been taking.
Although this was his first year traveling, and he was in the