Natsuhiko did not expect Lusamine to be waiting for him here.
He thought that being able to have a video call with Lusamine was the best he could hope for.
He underestimated the significance of the Ultimate Beast to her.
Clearly.
Bico welcomed Natsuhiko and asked all those questions as a way to test him along the way.
If Natsuhiko did not match the title of "Intelligence Merchant," then Lusamine had no reason to meet him.
However, if Natsuhiko truly was an "Intelligence Merchant" with abundant information regarding the Ultimate Beast, Lusamine definitely needed to make contact.
Natsuhiko took off the hat on his head with his right hand and placed it on his chest, bowing slightly.
"Alola, it is truly an honor, Chairwoman Lusamine."
Lusamine, resting her hands under her chin, revealed a smile, "Alola, Mr. Natsuka."
Since Natsuhiko was able to come here, it showed that Bico somewhat acknowledged Natsuhiko's intelligence capabilities.
"I wonder, Mr. Natsuka, you mentioned having seen Ultimate Beasts, could you tell me a bit about them?" Lusamine asked directly with a sweet smile.
To be honest.
If Natsuhiko didn't know Lusamine's true situation, seeing her gentle expression, along with her usual appearance on various Alola television stations, he would definitely consider her an outstanding chairwoman.
In fact, Lusamine's management at the Ethereum Foundation was indeed commendable.
But unfortunately.
While Lusamine was indeed capable, her love for Pokémon had already become distorted.
Nonetheless, Natsuhiko spoke unhurriedly, "It's a type of Ultimate Beast, resembling a bell-shaped jellyfish, with a semi-transparent body that can freely float."
He was referring to one of the Ultimate Beasts.
Nihilego!
An Ultimate Beast with ties to Lusamine in the future.
Lusamine's eyes slightly brightened.
She leaned forward slightly, "Specifically?"
"Sorry, I've only seen it, haven't interacted with it," Natsuhiko said.
Lusamine showed a hint of disappointment.
"Where did you see it?"
Natsuhiko hesitated a bit before saying, "Sun Wheel Altar."
Lusamine glanced at Bico.
Bico nodded slightly to her.
She noted it down, something that could be investigated later.
"Now, about the person you mentioned who walked out of the Ultimate Cave...," Lusamine asked about another matter.
Not many people know about this.
But actually, it's not a secret if you are interested in finding out.
Natsuhiko smiled, "Battlefront Territory, the current head of Battle Tower, Lira."
This was what gave him the greatest confidence in coming here today.
Because Lira walked out of the Ultimate Cave years ago, losing all memories except for her name.
People like her later had a unified term, "Fall."
Lira initially worked with the International Criminal Police, later became the head of the Battlefront Territory, and soon will return to the International Criminal Police Organization.
"Battlefront Territory?"
Lusamine slowly furrowed her brows.
As chairwoman of the Ethereum Foundation, she must be familiar with places like Battlefront Territory which have a special status and treatment within the alliance.
The head of the Battlefront Territory, not to mention their abilities, is on par with a normal regional Elite Four just in terms of alliance status.
"I believe that once the Alola Region is fully opened, with the capabilities of the Ethereum Foundation, investigating such information wouldn't be difficult," Natsuhiko added.
Lusamine nodded.
She wouldn't even need the Alola Region to open; she could find a way to investigate Lira's information.
If the matters Natsuhiko spoke about Lira are true, then the matters about Ultimate Beasts are likely true as well.
This made Lusamine somewhat excited.
Afterward, Lusamine asked a few questions about matters outside the Alola Region.
Some of which Natsuhiko could answer, others he responded to rather vaguely.
Overall, they fit his "Intelligence Merchant" identity.
A while later.
Lusamine changed her sitting posture, looking at Natsuhiko with great interest.
"I wonder, Mr. Natsuka, what you wish to gain from our Ethereum Foundation?"
With gains, there must be something given in return, Lusamine firmly believed as the chairwoman.
Natsuhiko responded, "I mentioned this is a meeting gift."
"Oh? A meeting gift?"
Natsuhiko's statement piqued Lusamine's interest in his goals.
After pondering.
Then said, "In that case, I hope Mr. Natsuka could assist me with something, as the beginning of our collaboration."
Natsuhiko's eyes flickered, "Please go ahead."
"Help me investigate a person."
"Who?"
Lusamine glanced at Bico.
Bico understood.
He walked to the desk, gently tapped a few times, and promptly a virtual screen appeared in front of him.
Displayed upon it.
Was a very familiar interface for Natsuhiko.
Honestly, when Natsuhiko first saw this interface, he was stunned.
He saw.
The virtual screen showed the alliance's current official forum, the researcher forum's interface.
Opened was a researcher's personal page.
This page was very simple, no photos, lacking a large amount of basic information, only showing some titles and a name.
For instance: "Eevee Expert."
And in the name section, three extremely familiar words to Natsuhiko... "Dodo."
Natsuhiko: "..."
Damn it!