Chapter 160: The Psychic Investigators
Hikaru's expression remained stern as he focused on the levitating Raticate.
Even though this Raticate wasn't the same one that had chased him during his childhood, it didn't change his dislike for the species.
His entire presence weighed heavily on the trembling Raticate as he interrogated it.
"Speak. Why did you invade human territory?"
The Raticate's throat bobbed nervously, its voice shaky as it responded.
"R-Raticate…" (Our… our living areas were taken over… there's no food… so… we had no choice…)
Though its words were stammered, Hikaru, using Aura, clearly understood its meaning.
The gist was simple: the Raticates' territory had been seized, leaving them with no food, which had forced them to encroach on human land.
Hikaru narrowed his eyes. "Why was your territory taken?"
This time, the Raticate responded more smoothly, likely gaining confidence.
"Raticate, Raticate…" (The fruit trees in our area… their fruit is smaller and weaker this year… and there's no energy in them…)
Hikaru's frown deepened. "So you ran out of food, and that's why you were driven out?"
The Raticate's explanation shed light on a potentially larger problem.
Wild Pokémon typically relied on specific areas for food, especially fruit-bearing trees in forests or plains.
If the trees in their territory were failing to produce, the Raticates' situation wasn't unique—it could be part of a much broader issue.
'Could this be connected to the World Tree?' Hikaru wondered, glancing in the direction where the World Tree supposedly lay.
It was just a guess, but it lingered in his mind.
The enforcement officers around him stood in stunned silence, watching Hikaru converse with the Raticate.
It was their first time witnessing the power of Aura so directly.
"How does it look, Hikaru?"
The enforcement captain, noticing Hikaru deep in thought, cautiously asked.
Hikaru directed Gardevoir to maintain its psychic hold on the Raticate and shook his head. "Hard to say for sure."
He recounted his exchange with the Raticate, including its claim about the fruit trees and his suspicion of a larger problem. However, he deliberately left out any mention of the World Tree.
The captain's face darkened after hearing Hikaru's explanation.
If it was merely a localized issue, the impact would be limited.
But if the same problem affected the broader Qinling region…
The implications were dire.
As they discussed the situation, a piercing cry echoed from above.
"Pidgeot!"
Two elegant Pidgeots descended from the sky, their wings gleaming under the sunlight.
Hikaru immediately sensed their approach, his Aura alerting him to the two figures standing on the Pidgeots' backs.
The moment the Pidgeots landed, their riders stepped off and began to levitate down to the ground, their descent slow and deliberate.
Hikaru narrowed his eyes in recognition.
'Psychic energy.'
Latias and Gardevoir, both highly attuned to such forces, turned their attention to the newcomers.
The two figures appeared to be in their twenties, wearing white uniforms adorned with subtle stripes. Their presence was commanding, with an air of indifference etched into their expressions.
The man had clean-cut features and an upright posture. The woman, however, stood out with her striking violet hair and matching violet eyes. Her long hair shimmered under the light, cascading down to her waist, lending her an air of elegance tinged with coldness.
Investigators from the League.
And not just any investigators—psychic ones.
The male investigator took a quick glance at the surroundings, his brows furrowing slightly. He pulled out a black badge, flashing it briefly to the enforcement captain.
"League Investigators," he announced tersely. "We were informed of a Raticate swarm threatening this area. Where are they?"
The enforcement captain straightened, his tone now markedly more respectful.
"The investigators have arrived. Thank you for coming. The Raticate swarm has already been dealt with."
His demeanor wasn't simply polite—it bordered on reverence.
League investigators, especially those with psychic abilities, held significant authority. Even the lowest-ranked investigator wielded power comparable to a city-level enforcement captain.
And these two, wearing cream-colored uniforms, were mid-level investigators.
The male investigator, whose badge read Leo Damnson, glanced at the scattered Raticates and then noticed Latias floating nearby. His eyes widened in disbelief, and he began to approach Hikaru.
However, the violet-haired woman, Henry Damnson, raised a hand to stop him.
Her sharp gaze fixed on Hikaru and Latias, and a flicker of recognition crossed her face.
"You're Hikaru, aren't you? The champion of the National High School League?"
Hikaru nodded, unfazed.
Given his recent rise to fame, it wasn't surprising that people recognized him.
What caught his attention, however, was the investigators' identity. Psychic users were rare, and for two of them to show up together indicated this was no routine visit.
Before Henry Damnson could continue, Leo Damnson couldn't contain his excitement any longer.
"Latias! It's a Latias!" he exclaimed, pointing in awe. "Henry Damnson, are you seeing this? That's a real Latias!"
Hikaru's expression darkened immediately.
Discussing a Trainer's Pokémon right in front of them? It was outright disrespectful.
And to treat Latias like some rare spectacle? It rubbed him the wrong way entirely.
Henry Damnson noticed the shift in Hikaru's mood. She quickly grabbed Leo Damnson's arm, pulling him back.
"Apologies, Hikaru," she said, her tone calm but sincere. "He's been out of the loop, training in seclusion. He's not fully caught up on recent events."
Hikaru's demeanor softened slightly. "No harm done."
Still, his thoughts lingered on the two psychics.
Their matching surnames suggested they might be related—possibly from a family specializing in psychic abilities.
The name "Damnson" sounded faintly familiar. Hadn't someone from the Damnson family been mentioned in passing before?
As Henry Damnson studied him with a calculating gaze, she finally asked, "What brings someone like you—champion of the National High School League—to a place like Aura Town? Surely, you're not just here by chance?"
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