During his temporary stay at Cynthia's house, Luther confirmed many things.
For example, Cynthia really would throw out people from the Pokémon League.
The personnel assigned to liaise with Cynthia often rotated for various reasons. Every newcomer would be warned by their seniors about things to be careful of. But some people apparently took those warnings as jokes. One person even knocked on Cynthia's door after 8 p.m. just to deliver a document that wasn't important at all.
He was greeted by Garchomp. Luther watched from a distance, Cynthia literally meant "throw them out." And Garchomp executed the order thoroughly.
He also learned that Cynthia really hardly ever went outside.
The Pokémon League always allocated Cynthia a generous budget for public appearances. They hoped their Champion would show up more often to make the most of her influence.
Even if Cynthia wasted the money, it would still be better than her not spending anything at all.
Yet when the Sinnoh Pokémon League staff checked her exclusive account, they found she hadn't touched a single coin. They didn't think she was being frugal; they could only sigh. It just meant that during this entire period, Cynthia hadn't taken any action at all.
Criticism accusing Cynthia of irresponsibility never stopped circulating within the Pokémon League. But their feelings toward her were contradictory.
You could say she never did anything but whenever something important was handed to her, she always completed it beautifully.
You could say she did do things but when it came to tasks she was officially responsible for, she couldn't be bothered to show up.
And then, Luther also confirmed that Cynthia truly meant it when she said she couldn't cook at all.
To Luther, who could tell the quality of food just by sight and smell, if the heat control was wrong, it would obviously show. But when Cynthia served two lumps of charcoal-blackened… things… she didn't even realize they were inedible.
Luther and Mai looked at each other, then simultaneously extended their hands in a "after you" gesture toward Cynthia.
Their reactions made Cynthia give up. She really wanted to say, "It may not look great, but maybe it tastes okay."
But when the guinea pig in question would be herself, it was wiser to withdraw.
Not giving up yet, Cynthia presented the plate to Marill. In her mind, Luther's Marill wasn't picky about food.
But when the plate arrived in front of Marill, its previously delighted expression froze. Its entire face drooped, and it stepped back twice, staring at Cynthia with disgust.
Cynthia had been judged. Luther understood Marill's message perfectly: "Is this seriously edible?"
Marill might be gluttonous, but everything it ate still had to fall under the category of food. These two charcoal lumps did not qualify.
Cynthia then stubbornly presented them to Garchomp.
Garchomp was straightforward, he swung his hand and flipped the plate immediately.
He knew Cynthia had no talent for cooking. It was better to crush that idea quickly so everyone could have a proper meal.
Gastrodon ended up with both charcoal balls splattered across its face. It sniffed them once, then fired a 'Muddy Water' that sent them flying straight into a trash can not far away.
After dinner, Luther and Cynthia didn't immediately start gaming; they left the room so Mai could enjoy her solo gaming spree.
Tomorrow was Sunday, and Cynthia still hadn't gotten any useful information from the Pokémon League.
The League did confirm that after the Shiran incident, they strengthened identity checks across all cities. But all they had managed was to record suspicious individuals, no real progress had been made.
Sun Heart City was a major metropolis. The screening there was even more meticulous. Countless people were checked daily, making it impossible to determine who the Hodgepodge organization would actually mobilize resources to rescue.
"You've met Evergreen. Even though you only escaped thanks to your acting skills, you should still understand him somewhat. So… this time, Evergreen's movements, do you think they're real or fake?"
Strolling through the courtyard, Cynthia looked up at the distant starry sky, a hint of confusion in her gaze.
Luther let out a sigh. "I can't judge it. When I spoke with him that day, I couldn't hear any change in his tone. We'll only be able to tell once things actually happen tomorrow."
Milotic poked its head out of the pool and bit the hem of Cynthia's pants as she walked by.
Cynthia laughed, crouched down, and rubbed Milotic's head.
"Oleander took leave."
Luther froze for a moment.
"Took leave? Is she sick?"
"No one knows. She applied for leave three days ago, for an entire month at once. She didn't say where she was going, only that she wanted to rest for a while."
"She never used her vacation days, so taking a month off at once is technically within the rules. The International Police approved it. But ever since the day it was approved, we haven't been able to reach her."
"Calls, messages, everything failed. Diantha personally went to her place. Not a single Pokémon was left behind in her house. Through the window, she could see bowls still on the table and half-eaten Pokémon food on the floor."
"It looks like Oleander left in a hurry."
Something felt off to Luther. Ever since Oleander started interacting with their group, she wasn't as paranoid as before.
She had started to relearn how to enjoy life. She would banter with Luther and the others. At the very least, she acknowledged their group—otherwise she wouldn't have said what she did after cracking Cynthia's password that day.
So…
Who gave Oleander that file?
What had she traced using that file?
Why didn't she want to share it? Was it really because of her International Police secrecy instincts?
"What are you trying to do…?" Luther sighed deeply as he looked up at the star-filled night sky.
…
Under that same sky, deep within the veins of Mt. Coronet.
Oleander, with a hood over her head, walked with her hands in her pockets, following a thin fluorescent line on the ground. This special coating could only be seen with custom-made glasses; it was a commonly used tool within the International Police.
Thick forest blocked out the sky, leaving not even a sliver of moonlight. Oleander carefully made her way through the darkness.
In the shadows not far ahead, the silhouette of a muscular Pokémon with four arms appeared.
Ninetales leapt out from behind Oleander and pressed itself against the Machamp, checking it carefully before nodding back at Oleander.
Led by the Machamp, Oleander quickly traversed Mt. Coronet's dense forest. At a small stream where a bit of the night sky peeked through, a massive, broad-shouldered figure leaned against a stone by the bank, eyes closed.
"I thought you wouldn't come."
That deep, booming voice sent a shiver through the air. Oleander pushed back her hood and casually tossed the file she had been holding onto the ground in front of her.
"You made sure I saw that on purpose, didn't you? Just to guarantee I would come here."
Oleander leaned against Ninetales, occasionally glancing around.
"I've been hunted by your people like a stray dog, yet you're the one worried I might have set up an ambush here? That's not like you."
"Do you think I'm the kind of person who easily trusts others?"
Those words made the man pause for a moment.
"Cyrus, don't forget… you're still the primary suspect. Arresting you and bringing you in is my duty."
Cyrus stepped out of the darkness and faced Oleander.
"We should talk. For the sake of that file, we shouldn't be enemies right now."
Seeing Oleander remain silent, Cyrus continued, "Everything I'm about to tell you, you can judge for yourself. Since you love doubting everything so much, why not put that talent to use?"
(End of chapter)
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Hey Guys I have picked up 2 new Fanfiction
New Novels- 1. One Piece- Maxed Out Conqueror's Haki!
2. One Piece- Master Of Devil Fruits