"You two know each other?"
Handsome looked between them in surprise.
"H-he…" Flint swallowed hard. "Isn't that Natsume-sensei? Why is he here?!"
Handsome suddenly understood and explained, "Mr. Natsume is a police consultant for the International Police's Countermeasures Division. He's been assigned command authority for this operation."
Flint still couldn't process it, scratching his red afro with a puzzled expression.
"Let me… wrap my head around this." Flint turned to Handsome. "You were bringing me to meet your superior."
The middle aged man nodded.
Flint then looked at Natsume. "Natsume-sensei, you're a police consultant for the International Police."
Natsume gave a slight nod.
Flint froze for a moment, his expression turning strange.
So the high-ranking official sent by International Police Headquarters—was one of their own?!
More importantly, Natsume-sensei actually had this hidden identity as a police consultant.
He'd never mentioned it before!
Among all the Elite Four and Champions… only Johto Champion Lance had a similar role, right?
"Natsume-sensei, you and Lance…" Flint asked, "are colleagues?"
Natsume pondered for a moment. "I'm technically on the roster, but I don't actually lead any teams."
Flint sighed in relief. "I see."
"Though my police rank is one level higher than Lance's," Natsume added with a smile.
Flint: "…"
This man just kept getting more terrifying!
"For this operation in the Sinnoh Region, my identity must remain confidential."
Natsume clasped his hands together, striking a classic commander's pose as he said solemnly, "This is a necessary precaution due to various considerations…"
Handsome nodded in understanding, lowering his voice. "Understood."
Flint nodded eagerly, especially when Natsume's gaze swept over him—there was an unusual intensity to it now.
Suddenly, he understood why Natsume-sensei had been so involved in Sinnoh's major incidents—apprehending poachers, quelling Regigigas' rampage.
Flint had assumed Natsume-sensei did it all just for Cynthia.
But now it seemed… as an International Police officer, he carried his own convictions and sense of justice.
Maybe that was why Lance joined the International Police too… Natsume-sensei was no exception.
Flint and Volkner were close friends, and in their younger days, they'd fought poachers together. Because of that, Flint naturally held the International Police in high regard.
Now, he felt a new layer of respect for Natsume-sensei.
"What would you like to drink?" Natsume asked.
Flint grinned, all his earlier tension vanishing.
He plopped down casually, draping an arm over the chair as he scratched his head.
"You're treating, Natsume-sensei?"
"We have operational funding," Natsume said offhandedly.
The two exchanged a glance, instantly reaching a silent agreement. Then they turned to the stern-faced middle-aged man.
'Handsome' cleared his throat. "I'll have a coffee, please… Thank you."
...
"We're moving tonight?"
Flint bit down on his watermelon juice straw, eyes widening. "That's way too sudden."
"Given the volcano could erupt at any moment," Handsome said with a frown, "acting quickly is the best way to prevent disaster."
"What's the plan, then?" Flint looked at Natsume-sensei. "What if we run into poachers or some crazy-strong wild Pokémon?"
Natsume considered for a moment. "Since you specialize in Fire-types… you'll take point."
Flint nodded eagerly. "Mhm, and then?"
"Then Blastoise and I will handle cleanup," Natsume said. "But I have full confidence you'll wrap things up before we even need to step in!"
Flint blinked, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
It kinda sounded like he was being tricked into doing the heavy lifting… but the logic made sense.
Having his Flash Fire Houndoom scout ahead… with Blastoise backing him up, it was a solid plan.
"Our destination is Stark Mountain, at the end of Route 227."
Handsome took over, saying, "I've also brought specialized equipment to monitor the volcano's activity levels and frequency."
With that, Handsome solemnly pulled out a small, box-like device from his brown trench coat pocket and announced loudly:
"International Police Gadget No. 8—Frequency Wave Detector!"
Flint: "Pfft!"
Natsume: "…No need to shout, Sir Handsome."
"Apologies." Handsome scratched his cheek awkwardly, coughing. "Occupational habit, ahem… Anyway, we should get moving soon!"
Natsume and Flint exchanged a glance, then nodded in unison.
...
The Sinnoh Region, Stark Mountain.
The sky hung oppressively low.
Natsume's group had rented a jeep, driving toward the foreboding silhouette of Stark Mountain.
The mountain was a mass of pitch-black rock, blanketed in thick volcanic ash. The rugged path was littered with jagged stones, with almost no vegetation in sight.
After parking the jeep at the base, they trekked uphill for another ten minutes on foot.
Flint clicked his tongue. "Whoa! The ground's literally smoking here… Are we sure it's safe to go in?"
Handsome adjusted the detector in his hands. "According to the frequency waves, an eruption isn't imminent. We just need to inspect the volcanic sealstone."
Natsume frowned slightly.
In the world of Pokémon, realms of mysticism had always existed. Like the Stone Orb that imprisoned the King of Pokélantis, or the Odd Keystone that sealed Spiritomb away.
His instincts told him there was definitely a Heatran hidden here. But with his current team, it wasn't like he stood no chance.
'Because of the incident in Alamos Town… the whole Sinnoh region has been thrown into chaos.'
Natsume's eyes gleamed as he continued up the mountain path.
The altitude kept rising. A fracture in the earth oozed molten lava, radiating heat, and the temperature climbed steadily. Sparks flickered conspicuously in the night.
Natsume and the others' breathing grew heavier.
"Magmortar, Houndoom." Flint wiped his sweat and spoke gravely. "Stay alert."
Red light flickered—the two Fire-type Pokémon raised the surrounding temperature even further.
Handsome remained silent, his partner Croagunk—wearing a police cap—at his side.
Natsume quietly let Gengar slip into his shadow. Thanks to Gengar's special ability to lower the temperature by 5°C, it was unexpectedly cool around him.
"Y'know, my little bro Matt always wanted to come treasure hunting at Stark Mountain."
Flint licked his dry lips and forced a laugh. "Didn't think I'd beat him to it."
"He'd want you to make it back alive," Natsume remarked offhandedly.
"Whoa, no need to make it so tense!"
The cavern exhaled scorching steam, warping the air. A narrow path led deeper into Stark Mountain.
Flint stared at the smoldering ground, gulped, then gritted his teeth. "This old man's going first!"
"Hold on." Handsome looked uneasy. "Ever since we got here, the detector's frequency has been going wild!"
Crack—
From the depths came the faint sound of crumbling rock. The entire Stark Mountain trembled faintly.
"No way… A volcanic eruption? Or an Earthquake?" Flint clicked his tongue.
"Still better than Groudon awakening."
Natsume tossed a Dive Ball and said firmly, "Blastoise, if lava floods in, use Water Pulse to secure our retreat."
Compared to Hydro Pump—which risked causing explosions—the more controlled Water Pulse was the better choice right now.
"Blastoise ヾ(■_■)" Blastoise raised its cannons, blocking the cave entrance, then turned and gave a thumbs-up.
A true one-turtle army, holding the pass against ten thousand.
"Hurry." Handsome raised his voice. "Elite Four Flint, move with me!"
"No choice!" Flint clicked his tongue and sprinted toward the distant glow. "Natsume-sensei, back us up when it's time!"
"Don't worry."
Natsume looked up at the crumbling cave ceiling and muttered:
"Wonder if an Escape Rope would even work in this situation…"
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