Saffron City was the largest city in the Kanto Region. I liked the izakaya on the north side of the city and often stopped by on my way home from work. Today, as usual, I sat alone at a table in the back, drinking.
"Excuse me, Mr. Kaito."
"Hmm?"
As I enjoyed my drink alone, an employee of the izakaya called out to me with an uneasy look, as he often did.
"We have so many customers right now. Would you mind sharing your table?"
"Oh, that's fine."
"Thank you. Please have a seat."
I wondered whether he had already brought the guest over, then turned toward the person sitting beside me with a smile. I had hoped it might be a woman, but instead, it was an old man with a rather reluctant expression.
"Sorry. It seems I've thrown cold water on your fun."
Watching the old man bow politely, I thought he didn't seem like a bad person.
"No, I'm sorry for you too, old man. You didn't get a seat beside a cute girl."
"Oh, I don't mind. I'm not starved for women."
"Wow, how cool is that?"
"Heh-heh. And you?"
"Heh, if a girl were coming, why would I be drinking alone?"
"Ha-ha, I hear that's no good."
He was a talkative man. After that, we traded nonsense, and the alcohol led him to say some strange things.
"I tried to conquer the world."
"Huh? Rule the world?"
"Yes, but a boy ruined me."
According to the old man, his organization had operated behind the scenes in various industries, using vast funds and scientific power to steal Pokémon. Apparently, they had intended to conquer the world with the Pokémon they collected. However, a boy of only ten had destroyed it.
"No, man, you can't run an