"It's over?"
Jenny opened her eyes. The storm had ceased.
She looked at the scene before her—disbelief.
Unlike Mayu, watching from a television, the cool, alluring officer on the front lines was far more shocked.
She and Growlithe—exhausted, despairing, unable to stop the beast horde.
Then—a Pokémon, holy as frost, descended.
One Blizzard . The forest fire—annihilated. The rampaging wild Pokémon—annihilated.
It was...
"Brother Wade! You were so cool—boo hoo~!"
"Pochama Pochama~!"
Unlike Jenny's quiet awe, the pretty blue-haired girl threw herself at Wade. Her face flushed.
"It's not just me." He caught her, smiling. "Your efforts defending against the beast horde were also very cool."
Not arrogant. Not taking all the credit.
Everyone's abilities are different. Exerting one's strength within one's capabilities—that's also heroic.
"Oh~"
Her arm wrapped around his neck. Her azure eyes misted.
The sudden embrace—Wade's large hands cupped her plump, upturned buttocks. Separated by the pink cherry blossom dress, but the warm, soft, delicate sensation was clear.
She let out a soft whimper—only for them.
In her excitement, she'd given him a huge 'benefit.'
But she snuggled closer. Quite liking the feeling.
"Chirp~"
"Well done, Articuno."
Wade gently set down the still-blushing Dawn. He turned to the ice-blue figure on the ground.
Even without entering its feminized state, Articuno possessed graceful beauty.
"Chirp~"
Articuno nuzzled his head—enjoying their battle.
Wade stroked her frosty, sacred feathers, savoring the memory.
The Icicle Plate. 200% power boost.
Articuno—already legendary—unleashed an unprecedented aura of pressure. The beast horde—annihilated.
But he looked at the plate. Dimmed again.
When he'd first encountered Articuno, absorbing the Ice-type energy had driven her berserk.
Today—with him as medium—she returned to herself. No loss of composure.
Inherent ability of his golden finger?
Or the favor of the creator god Arceus?
A low dragon's roar echoed.
Wade looked up.
Dragonite—flapping small wings—flew toward them. Incredibly fast. Strong gust of wind.
Lance.
The Dragon Master. Kanto's Dragon-type Elite. Johto's Champion.
Like Senior Sister Cynthia—among the top Trainers in the world.
Another nickname came to mind.
Dodo Bird.
Dragon-type Elite. Team of six: Charizard, Gyarados, Aerodactyl—Flying-types. The remaining Dragonite already had Flying attribute.
Flying-type Elite.
"Investigator Lance." Jenny reported crisply. "Poaching syndicate—captured. Rioting beast horde—dealt with."
"Good. You all worked hard."
Lance nodded. Turned to Hunter J and her accomplices—tightly bound.
Stationed in Kanto. League headquarters notified. He'd been on official duty in Sinnoh—rushed over as the League's top investigator.
"Awoo~"
Dragonite—simple, honest—approached the bound group. Tilted its head.
The small-time thugs in gray and black hunter uniforms lay scattered. Faces ashen.
The previously arrogant leader of the poaching syndicate was in even worse shape—unconscious, face bruised and swollen.
For Pokémon hunters who stole others' partners, capture meant severe imprisonment. Their lives were effectively over.
After confirming the count, Lance nodded. He took out his communicator—reported the operation to the League.
"Hello. I'm Lance." He walked toward the black-haired youth. "You're farm owner Wade, correct?"
"Yes, Mr. Lance."
Wade nodded.
Second Champion encounter. After Cynthia.
"Awoo~"
Dragonite extended a small paw—gently nudged its Trainer's shoulder.
"Old partner. You noticed too?"
Lance's face was serious.
Champion's intuition.
Gardevoir—standing guard—was stronger than his Dragonite. A quick glance at Milotic and Mienshao? Equally impressive.
And Articuno—who had quelled the beast horde with a single Blizzard .
This young man was extraordinary.
"I've heard you were instrumental in apprehending the poaching syndicate." Lance's tone was warm, respectful. "On behalf of the League—my sincere gratitude."
He studied the youth before him.
Talent. Composure. Strength.
"Wade. Are you interested in learning about work at the League Headquarters?"
"League Headquarters?"
Wade murmured. Familiar.
Officer Jenny interjected.
"The League Headquarters brings together powerful Trainers from various regions. Includes League Investigators, Gym Inspectors, and Logistics Commanders."
"Exactly." Lance nodded. "I'm the League's First Investigator. My duties: investigate unusual phenomena across regions, assist local Jennys in apprehending dangerous criminals, track and combat evil organizations."
Recruitment mode.
He continued.
"Gym Inspectors monitor regional Gym status in real-time. Assess Gym Leaders every two years—ensure smooth operations."
"Logistics Commanders oversee major League events. The Lily of the Valley Conference in Sinnoh, for example."
"So." Lance's anticipation was barely hidden. "What do you think? Interested in joining?"
With my abilities and connections, I can guarantee you skip all assessments. Become a League Investigator. Or the other positions—whatever suits you.
To Lance and Jenny's surprise—Wade shook his head.
"No."
He paused.
"I inherited my grandfather's farm. I really don't have the time."