Chapter 17: I Understood
"Captain Zhong, please take a look at this surveillance video."
Inside the Shuangyang City Investigation Bureau, an investigator gestured towards his computer screen. The video playing was captured at the entrance of a small café, the very café where Renjiro and Liu Shuyun had agreed to meet.
"Captain Zhong, focus on these two individuals," the investigator said, his finger pointing at the figures of Renjiro and Liu Shuyun. "Once these two left the café, something strange happened. The Salamence that had been rampaging through the area suddenly stopped its destruction. Instead, it flew straight in their direction."
Zhong Ling narrowed his eyes, leaning closer to the screen. Indeed, just as the investigator had said, after the two exited the café, Salamence seemed to lose interest in its rampage. It turned and headed purposefully toward them. The timing wasn't a coincidence.
Still, Zhong Ling was cautious in drawing conclusions. The reports that came in during the chaos described utter panic. The café had been crowded with frightened people. Could this just be coincidence? Was the Salamence reacting to some other unseen trigger?
"Do you have anything else?" Zhong Ling asked, his voice calm but firm.
"Yes, Captain." The investigator nodded and switched to another video file. "This one's clearer. If the previous footage merely raised suspicions, this one might offer proof."
The new video showed Renjiro and Liu Shuyun again, but this time as Salamence closed in on them. They slipped into a nearby alley, trying to escape. But the dragon-type Pokémon wasn't far behind. Moments later, a Beedrill appeared from that very alley and confronted Salamence.
"We spent all day and night screening footage," the investigator explained. "And this is what we found. It's clear now. These two have a direct connection to the Salamence incident. That Beedrill must belong to one of them."
Zhong Ling's expression grew darker. He crossed his arms and studied the footage again. "Do we have their identities?"
"We do," the investigator replied, handing over a pair of files.
"The young man is named Renjiro. He's eighteen and a student at Shuangyang No. 11 Middle School, Class 9, Grade 3. The woman is Liu Shuyun, twenty-eight, president of the Century Metropolis Magic City branch."
Zhong Ling flipped through the files. A high school student and a corporate president? The contrast in their identities puzzled him. What was their relationship? Lovers? Partners in crime?
"After your Arcanine subdued Salamence, both vanished," the investigator added.
Zhong Ling tapped the files against his palm thoughtfully. "Have we identified Salamence's trainer?"
"We haven't," the investigator admitted, frustration in his voice. "We found a broken earpiece on Salamence. It was being controlled remotely. But the surrounding high-rises create surveillance blind spots. Our people have canvassed the nearby buildings, but no luck so far."
Zhong Ling frowned. No leads there. That left Renjiro and Liu Shuyun. "Send me Renjiro's address. I'll check it out myself."
"Yes, Captain."
Moments later, Zhong Ling received the address on his device. His eyes flicked over it—Dawn Street. The name sounded hopeful, but the reality was anything but. Dawn Street was the most rundown part of Shuangyang City, forgotten by progress, neglected by development. That a high school student lived there was no surprise. But that a wealthy president would visit such a place? The mystery deepened.
Without hesitation, Zhong Ling mounted his motorcycle and sped toward Dawn Street.
---
Meanwhile, in Renjiro's modest apartment, Liu Shuyun busied herself tidying up. A rag in hand, she hummed a soft tune as she wiped the small table clean, satisfaction brightening her face.
"He's going to praise me for this when he comes back," she said aloud, smiling at her reflection in the dusty window. Just like a wife awaiting her husband's return, Liu Shuyun found herself enjoying housework—a task she'd once thought beneath her.
She stood back and surveyed the room, hands on her hips, her heart light. Who would have thought? The president of a major company, cleaning up a shabby apartment, and feeling proud of it.
But her moment of peace was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Boom, boom, boom."
"Huh? Did Renjiro forget his keys?" Liu Shuyun called out, puzzled. She quickly smoothed her hair and adjusted her clothes. "I'm coming!" she called, expecting to see Renjiro's familiar face on the other side of the door.
She swung the door open, a playful scolding on her lips. "Why didn't you take your keys when you went out?"
But her smile froze. It wasn't Renjiro standing there.
Instead, she found herself face-to-face with a uniformed investigator—Zhong Ling.
Her heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, she tried to close the door, but Zhong Ling blocked it with his boot.
"Zhong Ling, Shuangyang City Investigation Bureau. I need to ask you a few questions," he said smoothly, his gaze sharp as it flicked past her into the small apartment.
Liu Shuyun's face hardened. "He's not home," she said curtly, pushing against the door again. But Zhong Ling's strength kept it firmly wedged open.
"That's alright. I just need your cooperation," he replied with a polite but firm smile.
He scanned the room—simple, clean, clearly cared for. Strange. Not the setting he'd expect for a corporate president's secret rendezvous. But then again, wasn't the most dangerous place the safest?
"I have nothing to say. Please leave," Liu Shuyun insisted, trying again to close the door.
Zhong Ling wasn't about to back down. "Ma'am, I'm investigating a very serious matter. A Salamence went on a rampage, and evidence suggests you and your companion may know something about it."
"I don't know anything about Salamence or any rampage!" Liu Shuyun's voice rose, a mix of anger and fear in her eyes.
Zhong Ling's tone softened. "Then help us clear things up. Where is Renjiro now?"
"I don't know. Out training, maybe. It's none of your business."
"Everything is my business when people's lives are in danger." Zhong Ling's voice dropped. "If you're hiding him, if you're protecting him from questioning, you'll be obstructing justice."
Liu Shuyun's hands trembled at the doorframe. She hated this—being cornered, accused, suspected. But what could she say? That Renjiro had saved the city from Salamence, that his Beedrill had risked everything? That wasn't a story an investigator would believe without proof.
Zhong Ling took a step back, sensing her growing distress. "Ma'am, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. I'm going to find Renjiro. You can help me, or I can come back with a warrant."
Liu Shuyun swallowed hard. She glanced down the street, hoping to see Renjiro returning. But there was only the fading sun and the long shadows of Dawn Street.
"Fine," she said at last. "He's out training his Pokémon. That's all I know."
Zhong Ling nodded. "Thank you for your honesty. If you hear from him, tell him to come to the bureau. It will look better for him if he comes willingly."
Without another word, Zhong Ling turned and strode to his motorcycle, leaving Liu Shuyun standing in the doorway, heart pounding, mind racing.
---
Renjiro, meanwhile, had no idea what awaited him at home. He had spent the afternoon at the edge of the city, training Beedrill, refining their techniques, and staying clear of prying eyes.
The words of his system echoed in his mind: Create Team Rocket. Recruit ten members. Progress: 1/10.
Zhang Xuewei had joined. That was a start. Now came the hard part—finding others who shared his vision, others who would trust him, follow him.
He knew he couldn't return home just yet. Not with the risk of being tracked, not with the weight of responsibility now on his shoulders. He needed to plan his next move carefully.
For now, Renjiro kept to the shadows, eyes sharp, heart steady. Whatever came next, he was ready.
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