High risk always came with high rewards. Eddie could imagine that after completing this task, the reward would be extraordinarily valuable.
He thought about the long-term hidden task that Mew had given him. Back then, he had faced a Rival who was 10 levels stronger than him. After completing that challenge, he had earned an Exp. Share and a Gold Bottle Cap.
The value was immeasurable. Even if the reward this time didn't include something as rare as an Exp. Share, it would still be something substantial.
Eddie carefully weighed the pros and cons before accepting this hidden task.
It wasn't because he was blinded by potential rewards. After analyzing the combat capabilities of both sides and considering his own trump cards, he realized his chances of winning weren't low, which helped him make his decision.
"Ash has the ability to battle opponents of higher levels. If the situation becomes critical, what's wrong with revealing the Power of Viridian?" Eddie reasoned to himself.
"Besides, the enemy probably won't use their main team. If they did, Ash and I wouldn't stand a chance. This mission isn't just risky for nothing."
"Even if the opponent uses their strongest Pokémon, once I activate the Power of Viridian, my Pokémon will reach Gym Leader level. Winning wouldn't be a problem, though it would expose my trump card."
"I'll take it! Damn it, I can win this!"
Eddie made up his mind and resolutely accepted the mission.
"It just so happens that I also have an S.S. Ticket. Let's check it out. If there are any problems, we can solve them together. If not, we can just relax and enjoy the cruise," Eddie explained, coming up with an excuse instantly while making his intentions clear.
Ash's face lit up with excitement when he heard this.
The more time he spent with Eddie, the more he liked him. As his rival, Eddie was also someone who would help others (supposedly). This kind of character perfectly matched Ash's standards for choosing friends.
"Ding! Because of your behavior and words, Ash's favorability towards you has greatly increased, and now you are a 'confidant'!"
Who wants to be a confidant with you?
Eddie heard the system prompt and complained silently.
To be honest, although he knew Ash very well, Eddie's own character was obviously profit-oriented. Most of his interests were related to the mission, and after completing these missions, he inevitably increased the favorability of the original residents.
Of course, the hostile Team Rocket would definitely not feel the same way.
"Still, being friends with these Pokédex owners isn't bad. They might be a bit hot-blooded, but they're all people who would go through fire and water for their friends," Eddie thought.
Although Eddie had always been a loner, it didn't mean he was someone who didn't need friends. Ash, Gary, Misty, and Yellow—they were all suitable to be friends. Of course, it was hard to say whether the latter two would be just friends.
Vermilion Port was the most important harbor in the Kanto region. It served the crucial function of facilitating the transport of goods from various regions and was always bustling with activity.
In this deep-water port, an unparalleled luxury cruise ship was docked on the shore. The cruise ship "S.S. Anne" was the world's largest cruise ship. Based on this world's purchasing power, it cost as much as 150 billion Pokédollars.
The "S.S. Anne" had a total of 18 decks, measuring about 380 meters long and 72 meters wide, with 2,800 rooms, a passenger capacity of more than 6,000 people, and weighing 227,000 tons.
The "S.S. Anne" boasted recreational facilities such as casinos, restaurants from all over the world, swimming pools, Rock Climbing, small golf courses, and even battlefields specifically prepared for Trainers. It was truly a gathering place for the genuinely wealthy.
Here, one might encounter unimaginably rich people from around the world, senior figures of the Alliance, and daughters of nobles. Of course, in this Pokémon world, such a place would definitely not lack Trainers.
Although the Tickets for the "S.S. Anne" were expensive, powerful individuals naturally had money, and there were many wealthy second-generation trainers who could afford the tickets.
Today was the day when the S.S. Anne was set to sail from Vermilion Port, embarking on another world cruise. The harbor was lined with a variety of luxury cars, and men and women dressed in bright, beautiful attire gathered here.
They were either heading to the Johto region, or to Hoenn or Sinnoh. As long as they weren't in a hurry, these affluent individuals preferred such luxurious transportation.
Among the luxury cars at the harbor, in front of the deck where the S.S. Anne was docked, several handsome sailors politely checked the Tickets of the distinguished guests.
At this moment, two young trainers appeared.
They were very young trainers. People with insight knew they were Rookie Trainers who had just set out on their adventure.
In theory, such young people couldn't afford an Ticket for the "S.S. Anne," unless they were wealthy heirs just setting out to explore the world.
Rich people and businessmen who weren't familiar with Trainers thought so, but those with some knowledge and Trainers themselves didn't share this view.
Not only were these two not wearing the clothes that wealthy second-generation Trainers typically wore, but the subtle aura surrounding them indicated that they weren't just ordinary Rookie Trainers.
In this world, strength represented everything. People with some strength were never short of money. Naturally, knowledgeable individuals and Trainers assumed these two young people had likely reached a certain level of strength, which was why they didn't lack for external things like money.
However, they were only half right. These two young people were indeed very strong, but their S.S. Tickets had been given to them by others, and they were just using them for free.
"Ash, calm down. Aren't you aiming to be the strongest Trainer? Are you scared by this little scene?" Eddie asked.
Eddie had been one of the masters in his previous life, so he was accustomed to grand spectacles that attracted everyone's attention. Being watched by hundreds of people was a minor scene for him.
But Ash was different. This future champion-level trainer, who had already stepped into the master level, was still just a young man. He felt somewhat uncomfortable facing this situation.
"...It's just the first time I'm being stared at by so many people, and I'm a little uncomfortable," Ash admitted. "I heard there's a battle platform for trainers on the ship. I'll go over and have a few matches to ease my mood."
Ash was very uncomfortable experiencing this scene for the first time, so he decided to deal with trainers instead, which was easier for him.
As for investigating, there was no rush—it would be better at night. Since they had come to the 'S.S. Anne,' it would be a waste not to enjoy themselves. Eddie suspected that Ash had accepted this task partly for this reason.
Ash was a passionate young man, but he wasn't a fool. On the contrary, he was quite intelligent. After all, a fool could never become a strong trainer.