Luke immediately recognized the seasoned Interpol officer.
Known by the codename 'Looker,' he was, in fact, a middle-aged man with a weathered face and a strong commitment to his work. This police officer had a remarkable track record spanning generations, from dealing with the remnants of the Team Galactic to apprehending the Seven Sages of the Team Plasma. However, due to his preference for solitary operations and a disregard for climbing the ranks, he remained unpromoted. For the Looker, it wasn't about climbing the career ladder but genuinely fighting crime. In the words of Saitama, he was a 'hero as a hobby.'
In general, Teacher Luke held a favorable opinion of this man, given his seriousness and strong sense of justice. However, the current circumstances weren't suitable for a friendly chat.
Subconsciously, Luke glanced at Silver behind him. At this point, he was at risk of being seen as an associate of the suspect. The unexpected presence of a youngster familiar with the target took the Looker by surprise. He decided to break the silence by saying, "Sir, I mean no harm... I just wish to inquire with the young man behind you."
Silver, with an air of cold authority, retorted, "Before you question my hostage, shouldn't you question me first?"
"Hostage?" The Looker frowned.
Silver leaned in closer to Luke, speaking in a hushed tone, "Play with me."
He didn't want Teacher Luke to get involved; it was the safest option. Although it carried a risk of injury, Silver was more unwilling to harm the innocent. Taking advantage of the post-battle commotion, he was confident in his ability to escape. But Teacher Luke had yet to make a move, and the situation hung in the balance.
Suddenly, Luke's cough broke the alley's silence.
"Mr. Looker, let's give each other some leeway," Luke suggested. "We can sit down and have a conversation."
Both Silver and the Looker stood dumbfounded.
The Luke's ability to correctly identify his code name on their first meeting surprised him. Interpol's code names were usually shared only with the local police stations involved in the investigation. Did this young man still maintain connections with the police?
Meanwhile, Silver maintained his stoic expression, intrigued by Teacher Luke's connections and background. The tension that had existed between the two groups eased as they withdrew their Poké Balls.
In an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, the Looker chuckled and scratched his head. "I know a nice café nearby... how about we sit down for a chat?"
"Or, I'll treat you," he added with a friendly smile.
Silver glanced at Teacher Luke and nodded silently.
Luke had faith in the Looker's character, given his prior collaboration with the Team Rocket Trio in capturing the Team Galactic Executive. If one could cooperate with those three, it suggested a decent personality.
Under the Looker's guidance, the three of them arrived at a café in Goldenrod City.
Inside the café's pavilion, the Looker fixed his gaze on Luke, a curious expression revealing his interest. "May I ask, sir, how do you know my code name?"
Silver also turned to Luke, maintaining his stern demeanor. He had been deeply impressed by this man since their first encounter, and now, Teacher Luke's background appeared even more mysterious.
Luke responded with a slight smile, "Oh, I heard it from Officer Jenny."
He continued, "Men active in various regions who wear brown trench coats... You have many admirers in the police stations."
His explanation wasn't unfounded; in the game, NPCs often mentioned personal details about the Looker. For Officer Jenny, knowing the code name was a simple matter.
The Looker's face reddened slightly, and he scratched his cheek with a smirk. While reputation was just a burden for a seasoned officer, positive mentions among Officer Jenny were always welcome. However, he couldn't help but wonder how Luke knew so much about Officer Jenny.
Curiously, the Looker looked at Luke and asked, "May I know your name, sir?"
Offering his hand to the Looker, Luke smiled and shook hands, saying, "Just call me Luke."
The Looker bore no ill intent, and Silver's actions were limited to theft. Moreover, they were in the company of big names like Red and Dragon Tamer Lance.
In truth, Interpol had proactively sought to befriend Silver and investigate Team Rocket. This made Luke wonder if he should be the one panicking, being a Team Rocket Executive himself.
After some thought, the middle-aged uncle appeared a bit surprised. He rested his chin in his hands, lost in contemplation. The name "Luke" seemed oddly familiar.
He retrieved his phone, checked his notes, and soon realized what struck him. He had heard of the reorganization of regional police stations a while back, and a young man's name had cropped up. This young man had developed a set of siege tactics and was recommended for promotion under Lance's recommendation.
The Looker asked tentatively, "Are you... Luke, Teacher Luke?"
Silver, meanwhile, observed the detective with mild surprise. He couldn't believe that Teacher Luke's reputation had spread so widely.
Luke coughed lightly, a sign of acquiescence, and said, "It's just a name."
The Looker showed a glimmer of respect. Developing tactics that could promote various Alliances at a young age indicated an incredibly promising future for a trainer. Tactical trainers, unlike those focused solely on combat, grew more formidable with age. It became clear why he knew the Looker's code name.
With a hint of embarrassment, the Looker said, "Teacher Luke, I apologize for my earlier behavior. Please don't take it to heart."
He then got back to the matter at hand and asked, "Mr. Looker, kindly share the purpose of your visit."
The middle-aged uncle nodded and said, "Of course. I would like to know the current whereabouts of your father. Naturally, I'm requesting this information voluntarily, as an informant."
His eyes betrayed a touch of hope, and his demeanor was genuinely sincere.
Luke had an inkling that the investigation had led the Looker to this line of questioning.
Silver's expression grew complex. The mention of his father was a touchy subject for him. After considering his options, he spoke slowly, "I last saw him in Johto's Ilex Forest."
Although Silver omitted certain details, Luke instantly recognized the reference. At that time, Giovanni had used Celebi's assistance to recover his health.
"He said that if you can't accept failure, you can't become stronger," Silver added. "To grow stronger, he needed more time and more elite allies. That's why he chose the path of operating independently. It's been two years since I last saw him."
The Looker, a good listener, paid close attention to Silver's words. "And what is your personal opinion?" he inquired.
Silver looked down at the Poké Ball in his hand and clenched it tightly. "I aim to dismantle Team Rocket and prompt him to reform. However, before that, I need to become stronger."
Luke couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking that if Silver wanted to bring about Team Rocket's honorable retirement, Giovanni should be convinced.
Naturally, he couldn't express this sentiment directly. As an Executive of Team Rocket, Luke also intended to recruit a team of three for long-term collaboration in his company.
The middle-aged uncle nodded in understanding and gave Silver a nod of respect. "Thank you for your honesty," he said.
The exchange left a thoughtful Silver contemplating the gentleman detective.
The Looker stated, "With that, my investigation is complete." He stretched and smiled. "I prefer not to pester a child. To apprehend Giovanni, I'll rely on my own abilities and those of my partner."
The police badge on his hat glimmered as he let out a laugh.
Silver rose and announced, "Then, I'll take my leave. Interpol's investigation is finished."
Luke intended to leave with Silver, but the Looker suddenly called out, "Teacher Luke, can I ask you to stay for a moment?"
Waving Silver off as he hurriedly exited, Luke returned to the sofa. "What's the matter, Mr. Looker?"
The Looker explained, "Interpol is currently recruiting talent from all Alliances. We've compiled a whitelist based on information from various sources. Among the candidates are the founder of siege tactics and a leader in medical reform."
Upon hearing this, Luke felt a mixture of emotions. The Looker looked at him with an intense gaze and asked, "Teacher Luke, have you considered joining Interpol?"