"This is nothing but slander. You have no evidence."
Shiro clenched his fists as his gaze swept across the faces of the Sinnoh higher-ups before him, yet deep down he remained unusually calm.
Since coming here, he had already prepared to let strength do the talking, and at the same time, he was gambling that they could not possibly obtain any truly decisive evidence.
His information within Galar and inside Macro Cosmos should already be classified at the highest level. Who would risk their life to contact Sinnoh just to testify that he was a wanted criminal?
These Sinnoh higher-ups were likely desperate, bluffing in order to extort money. At best, they had found someone whose identity in Galar could not be verified and planned to put on an act. That might fool ordinary civilians, but it would hold no credibility in the academic community.
"I already told you, we have a witness!" George slammed the table as he emphasized his point.
Including Allen, Fredo, Sherry, and Vince, all of them seemed extremely confident.
"Everyone, it's not that I don't believe you..." Shiro replied in a low, steady voice. "But who exactly could you find as a witness? Some Gym Leader? Or the Galar Champion?"
At that, even Shiro himself could not help but laugh.
Which Gym Leader did he not know? And Leon was probably busy settling into his position as Champion. Even if Leon had the time, with his personality, he would never give false testimony.
"You wouldn't just drag in some nobody and claim he's an 'insider' to testify, would you?" Carolina sneered.
"Hmph!"
Fredo gave a cold snort, while Allen said slowly, "It seems you've misunderstood something. Do you really think we couldn't contact someone from Galar? Heh..."
"Still refusing to face reality..." Sherry added mockingly.
George stroked his mustache and let out a soft chuckle before asking one final time, "You really won't agree to the terms? Boy, don't be too scared to speak later."
Though puzzled, Shiro still shook his head. "Chairman George, stop putting on an act. If you have something, bring it out. Don't try to bluff with empty tricks."
George immediately shot a glance at Fredo. The old man did not waste words. He pressed a button beneath the table, and a low mechanical rumble sounded from the wall behind them.
Shiro watched in surprise as a seam opened along the edge of the ceiling ahead. A large black screen slowly descended and lit up instantly. Fredo quickly pressed another button, and the word "Connecting" appeared on the screen.
Buzzt!
The sound of a call connecting echoed as the specialized long-distance communication device linked to Galar.
The screen flickered briefly, then a familiar middle-aged man with a short beard appeared, his expression calm.
"A witness!" Fredo shouted as he moved aside with Sherry. "The Chairman of the Galar League, Rose!"
Shiro's eyes widened as he froze in place, locking eyes with the man on the screen.
Rose lowered the finger that had been twirling the hair at his temple, folded his hands beneath his chin, and smiled.
Shiro found it unbelievable. How could it be Rose?
No wonder these Sinnoh people were so confident. They had actually contacted him. But had Rose lost his mind? Why would he help these people? With his nature of never acting without profit, what could they possibly offer him?
Beside him, Rowan stared at Shiro in shock, then looked at the triumphant George, his mind filled with doubt.
What on earth had Shiro done to warrant the personal appearance of the Galar League Chairman as a witness? Had he stolen several Legendary Pokémon?
Given the situation, even a random Gym Leader from Galar would have been enough. Did it really require the Chairman himself? Were the Pokémon and items Shiro mentioned before truly that valuable?
'So he really was a wanted criminal…'
Rowan felt as if a bitter weight had been poured into his chest, his world collapsing in an instant.
If the Chairman of Galar personally demanded his return, even Professor Oak would not be able to protect Shiro. At that point, the label of "wanted criminal" would be completely sealed.
Carolina, on the other hand, felt that something was off, though she could not quite put it into words.
Was Shiro truly a wanted criminal? Perhaps. But he was definitely not the kind that would warrant the personal involvement of the all-powerful Chairman of Galar. Otherwise, there was no way Shiro could have escaped Galar.
For things to develop like this, the only explanation was that Shiro held enough value for Rose to take notice.
He must be protected.
Carolina made her decision. Wanted criminal or not, she would explain everything to Chairman Goodshow later. No matter how outrageous Rose's claims might be, she would not believe them.
Behind her, Cynthia felt a growing sense of confusion, as if the mystery surrounding Shiro had only deepened.
"Hehe..." Vince hummed smugly from the side, while Sherry's face twisted into a sinister grin.
Fredo's expression remained grim as he shot a look at George, urging him to take control of the situation. This was not the time to celebrate.
Back when Rose agreed to give false testimony, on one hand, he demanded certain classified information from the Sinnoh League. On the other, he wanted Shiro officially labeled as a fugitive so he could be extradited back to Galar.
But Fredo knew very well that what they truly wanted was not for Shiro to actually be convicted as a criminal. What they wanted was for Rowan to give in under pressure and accept their terms, namely resolving the enormous ransom demanded by Kanto.
George understood the meaning. After clearing his throat, he broke the silence in the room and pressed Rowan, "Things have come to this point. There's no need for me to say more, is there? Professor Rowan, agree to my conditions, and I guarantee everything I promised still stands."
Rowan glanced at Shiro, his eyes filled with anxiety and hesitation, and for a moment he did not know what to do. He had thought Professor Oak could protect them, but now that no longer seemed possible.
It seemed that agreeing to George's terms had become the best option. Only by doing so could Shiro avoid being branded a fugitive and forcibly taken back to Galar. No matter how he looked at it, he had to protect Shiro.
After all, Shiro had come here at his invitation. How could he let a guest travel so far only to be dragged away in disgrace?
Just as Rowan was about to speak, Shiro raised a hand to stop him.
Meanwhile, on the screen, Rose was leisurely observing everyone in the room, showing no intention of speaking.
Suppressing the confusion in his heart, Shiro spoke steadily, "Long time no see, Chairman Rose."
Rose gave a slight nod. "Counting from our first meeting, it has indeed been a long time."
He paused, then curved his lips into a smile.
"Shiro, I must say, I didn't expect this. The great Champion of Galar, playing house here with a bunch of fools?"
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