As Klein continued his investigation, his mood grew increasingly heavy. The victims of these recent murders were all influential Johto businessmen, and every one of them had been involved in bloodstained, illicit dealings.
Everywhere Klein went, he exposed these dark secrets, leaving Johto's political elite deeply embarrassed. Many of them contacted the Johto League, complaining about his relentless interference.
Yet, the Johto League's leadership responded sluggishly, as if these events had nothing to do with them. Even though Elite Four Will had assisted in Olivine City, once the League summoned him back, they didn't send anyone else to aid Klein.
In truth, the Johto League was deeply displeased—having an Elite Four from Kanto running around, poking into their affairs, was nothing short of an insult to their authority.
But Wakaba didn't care. She had full authorization from the World League to investigate the Pikachu-masked assassin, and if that meant turning Johto upside down, then so be it.
In reality, Klein's efforts had been highly effective. The Kamiyama Foundation's operations had been severely disrupted due to the assassin's actions, and Lorelei—Kanto's Ice-type Elite Four—was using her influence to ensure these atrocities were exposed to the public.
Horrifying images of poaching, illegal experiments, and Pokémon cruelty flooded the internet, sparking outrage among trainers. Many called for a boycott of Johto products, including the popular Apricorn Poké Balls. The sales of Johto's once-beloved specialty items plummeted.
One of the most vocal online figures, a user named Abuse Victim No. 23, furiously wrote:
"I never imagined that in our so-called civilized world, such barbaric practices still existed. Maybe Johto's leaders should ask themselves why Kanto is always ahead of them in technology and culture."
Even Johto's own trainers felt ashamed of what was being revealed. A well-known Johto cultural influencer, Little Suna, went completely silent, unable to defend their homeland.
Meanwhile, Klein's reputation skyrocketed. Unlike those Elite Four who spent more time appearing in magazines than battling, he was actually doing something meaningful. His fanbase expanded beyond young girls—more and more people, from all backgrounds, began to admire him.
—
"I knew it! Klein would never let me down!"
A twin-tailed girl, Nicole, grinned as she scrolled through the latest updates. Beside her, her older brother—a red-clad young man—stared at the gruesome images on his screen.
"...Johto League is even filthier than I expected."
—
In the Johto League Headquarters, the higher-ups wore grim expressions.
The growing public outrage and the displeasure from the World League had put them in a tight spot.
"Is there any way to get that Sandstorm Elite to stop stirring up trouble?"
"Not a chance. He's Wakaba's right-hand man. He won't stop until he's unearthed every skeleton in our closet."
Wakaba had proven far more cunning than they anticipated. Using the assassin case as a pretext, she had placed Johto's leadership in a highly passive position.
Although the Johto League wasn't directly involved with the Kamiyama Foundation, Klein's investigations were publicly humiliating them.
"What if we host an Elite Exhibition Tournament to distract him?"
"Silver Conference hasn't even started yet. Forcing a tournament now wouldn't work."
"The only real solution is to capture the assassin. If we get rid of him, Klein will have no reason to stay."
Aside from Klein's Kanto-backed investigation, the Johto League officially deployed Will, Erika, and dozens of League trainers to track down the Pikachu-masked assassin.
—
Ilex Forest
After an entire day of tracking, Blue and his Arcanine finally found Celebi's location.
But just as he prepared to advance, a Pidgeot swooped down in front of him. Brooke, striking a dramatic pose, blocked his path.
"You guys have been following me?"
Blue frowned. Brooke, still seated on Pidgeot's back, smirked confidently.
"Celebi is too important. We couldn't just leave it to you alone."
"So... you still haven't contacted Officer Jenny?"
Blue's voice grew sharper, but Brooke didn't flinch. "Not until I know exactly what your intentions are."
Unable to continue the conversation, Blue exhaled and made a decision.
"Fine. I'll go call Officer Jenny. You investigate Celebi."
His words caught Brooke off guard. He had expected Blue to fight him on this—but instead, Blue was walking away from the situation entirely.
"...Hmph. That's more like it," Brooke muttered. "Alright, let's go find Celebi."
But just before they left, Blue turned back and warned them.
"If these people aren't just poachers, don't start a fight. The Red Lotus and Seafoam Island incidents should've taught you by now—there are people out there far more dangerous than you realize."
Having witnessed the chaos caused by masked criminals and secret organizations, Blue knew there were threats beyond the understanding of ordinary trainers.
Brooke and the others, however, barely acknowledged his warning.
"Relax. I know what I'm doing," Brooke replied casually.
But in truth, he wasn't taking it seriously at all.
—
The Other Side of Ilex Forest
The air shimmered with silver lightning, spreading in a web-like formation across the darkened canopy. Each pulse of electricity crackled through the air, creating an eerie stillness.
Floating in the sky was a cold, expressionless figure.
With a wave of his hand, he commanded three Steel-type Pokémon to rise into the air—Magnemite, Magneton, and Magnezone.
Bisharp, a natural battlefield tactician, stood beside them, its bladed arms gleaming in the electric glow.
Magnemite and its evolutions released synchronized electromagnetic pulses, converting the entire Ilex Forest into a massive sensor array, scanning for all movement.
—
Deep within the forest, a cloaked figure wearing a half-mask observed the shifting energy. His dark eyes gleamed with cold calculation, his coat adorned with a symbol of darkness—the unmistakable insignia of the Almia Region.
His name was Heath, an instructor at a Pokémon conservation school in Almia.
But in reality, he was a butcher.
A ruthless hunter, Heath had slaughtered countless Wailord, selling their remains to underground seafood markets across the world.
—
"Still no sign of Celebi, Heath?"
Behind him, a blue-haired youth in a light blue cloak yawned lazily. Like Heath, he was from Almia, but his true identity was far darker—he was the leader of the Team Dim Sun's Sinis Trio.
In the distant Almia Region, Heath and Ice were infamous leaders of the Team Dim Sun. In Hoenn and Sinnoh, they operated under the guise of Elite Hunters, feared by Pokémon across the regions.
Further behind them stood a middle-aged man—Blake Hall, the third president of Angel Energy Company, Almia's largest energy conglomerate.
Hawk held immense influence, conducting frequent high-value dealings with the Kamiyama Foundation.
But his true identity?
He was the Supreme Leader of the Team Dim Sun.
Having received an invitation from the Kamiyama Foundation, he had personally led his men into Kanto to open the gateway to the Distortion World.
Surveying the endless expanse of Ilex Forest, Hall smirked.
"...Compared to Almia, this land is vast."
—
(Chapter End)