Of course, considering the time needed, they might have to wait another month or two.
Shiro had already applied to the League for funding under the identity of Hunter W, and the funds had been successfully approved. Now, all he needed to do was confirm the construction site and find someone to build the first Hunters Guild building in the city.
This trip was the perfect opportunity to take care of everything at once.
In Littleroot Town, Shiro said goodbye to Mrs. Soyln and Sapphire before riding Corviknight toward Rustboro City.
* * *
Rustboro City.
Known as a city that pursued the integration of nature and science, Rustboro City was a major city in western Hoenn. Many important buildings and figures from the Devon Corporation had been stationed here for a long time, making it one of the cities where Devon had the strongest control.
Because of Devon's strict management, Team Aqua and Team Magma had almost no businesses here. The Hunters Guild's previous base had only been allowed to operate after paying a considerable amount in regular fees.
However, the League's new policy had now been announced, and the Hoenn League had also lifted its restrictions on the Hunters Guild. The Hunters Guild had become a legal organization, so there was naturally no need to keep paying those fees. After learning about the new policy, the Hunters Guild in Rustboro City stopped paying Pokédollars to the company.
At the same time, Shiro had also contacted the Devon Corporation and given them a warning to not take any action against the Hunters Guild in Rustboro City.
In the outskirts of Rustboro City, Shiro slowly descended on Corviknight into an empty area. He then put on a black cloak as a disguise and recalled Corviknight.
"Geeengar!"
With a low shout, Gengar emerged from the shadows with a grin. It wrapped Shiro's body in ghostly energy and carried him toward the city at high speed.
The midday sun shone brightly over the city. At the base of the towering buildings, it stretched into long, dark-gray lines of shadow. From a distance, anyone standing in the sunlight would have a hard time seeing what was happening within them.
The office workers walking along the sidewalks hurried along with briefcases in hand. They had no time to pay attention to the shadows beside them. Cars sped down the streets while the shadows along the buildings shifted even faster.
After passing through Rustboro City's main street, the central fountain came into view. To the north was the famous Rustboro City Pokémon Trainer's School, which was funded by the Devon Corporation.
It was said that Roxanne, the daughter of Rustboro City's Gym Leader, was studying there. She had excellent grades and, just like her father, specialized in Rock-type Pokémon.
From the northwest corner of the central fountain, one could cross Rustboro City's Second Avenue and Devon Street. Entering the first alley on the left would lead directly to the entrance of the Hunters Guild.
Deep inside the alley stood a reddish-brown sign with the words "Hunters Guild" written across it. Beneath the sign was an ordinary-looking little shop that seemed to have once sold daily necessities.
After Hoenn lifted its restrictions on the guild and several new seated hunters arrived to support them, the Hunters Guild in Rustboro City had gradually changed from its previous hidden state into a more normal operation. However, they were still cautious and did not dare put up any Hunters Guild advertisements outside the alley.
Regardless, the people who were supposed to come here would still come, while those who were not supposed to be here rarely came anywhere near the place.
The alley was extremely dim, and several nearby shops had already closed down for various reasons. Although it looked like a small street selling miscellaneous goods, it was actually just the corridor leading to the Hunters Guild.
Beside the wooden counter at the entrance of the Hunters Guild, the slightly overweight Hunter Y leaned against it and anxiously lit a cigarette.
He was about to meet the new leader again, and he felt extremely uneasy. He was not sure what kind of attitude Hunter W would have. Would he continue to be like Hunter A and leave almost the entire Hunters Guild in their hands while only collecting some regular fees?
More than a month ago, the negotiations with the League in Sinnoh had produced very noticeable results. In Rustboro City, the Devon Corporation had surprisingly not caused the Hunters Guild any trouble.
Hunter Y had heard that some important figure from the League had spoken to Devon on their behalf, allowing the Hunters Guild to avoid disaster. Otherwise, regardless of what kind of organization it was or whether it was legal, openly expanding beside the Devon Corporation in Hoenn would still result in a harsh lesson.
He could guess that this was probably Hunter W's doing.
Yesterday, he had sent a message to Hunter W, and they had arranged to meet today. It was obvious that Hunter W had arrived in Rustboro City in such a short time because he had already been in Hoenn. After leaving Sinnoh, he had come directly to Hoenn.
He might even have been active around Rustboro City.
What a terrifying thought!
Every move they had made over the past month might have happened right under the eyes of their new leader, Hunter W.
If Hunter W had only said they would contact each other online or that it would take some time before he could come to Hoenn, Hunter Y could have relaxed and made proper preparations.
But now...
Hunter Y looked back at the sign above his head. No matter how he looked at it, the place seemed run-down. Perhaps they should find a Psychic-type Pokémon to hold up the sign and add some glowing lights to it?
While he was lost in thought, he failed to notice the black shadow at the entrance of the alley behind him quietly ripple once before stopping directly behind him.
"Y..."
Shiro deliberately lowered his voice into a deep and hoarse tone. In the quiet surroundings, it sounded especially loud.
Hunter Y's body visibly trembled. The half-smoked cigarette between his fingers slipped to the ground, its glowing red tip still burning.
"L-Leader!"
Without even bothering to stamp out the cigarette, he quickly turned around and bowed ninety degrees. His hands and feet felt numb from nervousness.
"Are the other two here?" Shiro asked.
"They're all here! They're inside waiting for you, Leader!" Hunter Y replied at lightning speed.
"Then let's go inside and sit for a while."
With that, Shiro stepped into the little shop.
Behind him, Hunter Y quietly stamped out the cigarette before hurrying after him. He ran into the shop first and felt around in the darkness until he found a switch.
Click.
A door along the wall opened, revealing a brightly lit corridor behind it.
"Please."
Hunter Y quickly moved aside and gestured for him to enter.
Shiro paused. He first used his psychic power to scan the corridor before stepping inside.
Although these people probably did not have the courage to ambush him, he still could not afford to let his guard down. Trainers were the most fragile beings in the Pokémon world, and he had no intention of becoming some unlucky fool who died from a sneak attack.
One side of the corridor was lined with large glass windows that offered a clear view of the black market below. The other side had a row of neat little rooms.
The two of them walked all the way to the end and entered the innermost waiting room, which was decorated with beautiful patterns.
Hum.
As soon as the door was pushed open, the six people inside immediately straightened their posture and called out in unison.
"Leader!"
Shiro stopped at the doorway. His gaze and psychic power swept over everyone in the room.
The people inside felt a sudden chill run through their bodies as if a cold wind had blown past them. Their skin prickled, and when they looked at "Hunter W" again, the fear in their eyes had grown even stronger.
**
**
**
Thank you for reading! If you'd like access to extra chapters and want to support my work, you can visit my P@treon:
P@treon/SilverShark769
Vote with Power Stones for Bonus Chapters!
Your support means a lot, thank you!