Late night.
The lights in the lab were gradually dimming.
A black shadow flashed swiftly through the interior of the lab, leaving not the slightest trace behind; even the weeds on the ground didn't sway in the least from his movements.
If one looked closely, one could vaguely notice a fine thread shooting out from his sleeve as he moved.
Whether it stuck to a tree branch or to a building, it possessed extremely strong toughness.
That was the main reason his movements could be so fast.
Of course, his own ability and technique were also a part that couldn't be ignored.
The Pokémon Realm's version of Spider-Man?
Hidden in the shadows, Natsuhiko saw this scene and let out two quiet, mocking laughs.
The other party's movements were very agile, and he seemed quite confident in his own ability. His use of shadows and situational awareness were quite outstanding.
If he hadn't been deliberately paying attention, Natsuhiko probably would have found it hard to notice his actions as well.
Most importantly, his clothing seemed to be coated with some kind of special material, so ordinary psychic power couldn't sense his presence.
It was simply as if he'd been born an assassin, a killer.
Or, to be more precise, a Ninja.
As his figure flashed past Natsuhiko's door, a light, fluttering letter only slowly slid in through the gap under the door after he left.
"Ja?"
Aegislash poked its head out from the shadows, watching that rapidly departing silhouette.
Natsuhiko smiled and patted the hilt.
"No need, he's just a courier."
"Ja..." Aegislash nodded thoughtfully.
After confirming that Natsuhiko's safety wasn't in any danger, it once more vanished into the shadows.
"I knew that once my identity was made public I'd definitely receive some invitations, but I didn't expect them to move this fast." Natsuhiko murmured under his breath.
He turned his head to look at Withered Leaf City, not far from the lab, still ablaze with lights at this hour.
"One of Aju's trained Ninjas?"
No wonder they said that among the three Rocket Team executives, the one you least needed to worry about was the hot-tempered Masashi, and the one you most had to be wary of was the Ninja Aju.
Because once you pissed off Aju, you could never know whether the next bite of food you took would be poisoned.
And this was only one of Aju's subordinates.
Who knew how strong Aju's own assassination skills really were.
To use a somewhat inappropriate metaphor.
If Aju wished, then among the current three executives, Masashi and Nancy might very well die without ever knowing how it happened.
Perhaps Nancy as an adult, or Nancy with her psychic power fully unleashed, would be able to handle Aju's assassination.
But for now, he was still the strongest of the three executives.
Both in terms of unconventional assassination skills and conventional Pokémon battles.
With Giovanni's backing, his future promotion to Poison Type Elite Four of the Johto Region was beyond doubt.
"Rocket Team really does move fast."
Leaving behind another comment, Natsuhiko's figure disappeared into the shadows.
When he reappeared, he was already in a forest far from the lab.
With a sound of air being torn apart, a stream of air shot rapidly into the sky.
...
...
Goldenrod City.
The largest and most prosperous metropolis in the Kanto Region.
Even though it was already late at night, this great city was still filled with lights.
A few pedestrians walked along the streets, many of them carrying a heavy stench of alcohol.
Returning once more to the city that had once made him struggle to stay alive, Natsuhiko showed not the slightest hint of nostalgia or sentimentality.
Compared to the few scattered good memories he had left in this city, there were still more painful ones.
He slipped into Goldenrod City's black market with practiced ease.
Night.
Was when the dark side beneath this prosperous city was at its most active, and also when the city's truest face was revealed.
He entered Goldenrod City's Hunter Guild.
Although Hearthome City counted as one of the larger cities in the Sinnoh Region, and Hearthome City's Hunter Guild was built quite well.
Compared to the bustling Goldenrod City, there was still a bit of a gap.
And the Hunter Guild in Goldenrod City's black market was likewise built quite grandly.
This was the center of the Hunter Guild in the entire Kanto Region.
Natsuhiko passed through the main hall and headed straight for the interior of the Hunter Guild.
"Sir, inside is..."
A form of identification bearing the title "Hunter N" appeared in Natsuhiko's hand, and the staff member who had tried to block him immediately had a change of expression.
He called out respectfully, "Mr. N."
Natsuhiko continued walking inward.
The staffer watched Natsuhiko's figure disappear into the depths of the corridor, hesitated slightly, then still pressed the button beside the counter.
Although Goldenrod City's Hunter Guild was more luxurious, its general architectural layout was still roughly the same.
Passing through the corridor, he arrived in the interior of the Hunter Guild.
This was a place only certain key personnel or seat-holders were allowed to approach.
The inner hall.
At the entrance leading to the deepest area.
Two core members—whose rigorous training was obvious at a glance and clearly surpassed those peripheral Hunters outside—stood guard on either side of the entrance.
Seeing the expressionless unfamiliar face of Natsuhiko walking over, the two exchanged a glance.
However, Natsuhiko had no intention of forcing his way in.
He stopped once he reached the entrance.
A slightly hoarse, low voice came from his mouth. "Please pass on a message for me: tell them 'Hunter N' is here to see Mr. Z."
As he spoke, he displayed his identification once more.
Seeing his credentials, their attitude became noticeably more respectful.
One of them hurriedly said, "Please wait a moment."
"No need!"