"It seems the Hoenn League has already found the two orbs Alden mentioned and is currently conducting related experiments..." Rowan said thoughtfully.
Shiro asked, "The ones connected to Groudon and Kyogre?"
"I believe so."
Rowan's expression also became serious. He knew very well how dangerous Groudon and Kyogre were. They were legendary Pokémon that were almost impossible to communicate with. Whenever they clashed, it would become a massive battle capable of destroying half a region with ease.
If the League intended to control those two legendary Pokémon, it was simply wishful thinking. No one in history had ever truly controlled legendary Pokémon of that level.
"Groudon... Kyogre..."
Shiro was more concerned about Team Magma and Team Aqua. It was one thing if the Hoenn League was merely experimenting with the two orbs. But if those two organizations, which always thrived on chaos, got involved, a major war could easily break out across Hoenn.
Rowan cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Ahem. I'm sure Hoenn has its own plans. There's no need for us to worry too much."
Carolina nodded. "There should be a balance among legendary Pokémon, just like an ecosystem. Even if those two begin fighting, a third legendary Pokémon should step in to deal with it."
As soon as she finished speaking, the communicator in her pocket suddenly rang.
Looking puzzled, she glanced at the device. After hesitating for a moment, she answered and switched it to speaker mode.
"Is this Professor Carolina?" asked a somewhat lazy voice. It belonged to Sinnoh League Chairman George.
"Speaking."
"We have an urgent proposal under discussion. We called Professor Rowan's lab just now, but he wasn't there, so we're informing you first."
"Go ahead."
The room became unusually quiet.
Carolina glanced at Rowan, who looked equally confused, and frowned. What urgent proposal could there possibly be in Sinnoh? Could it be that another trainer had challenged Victory Road?
George spoke at an unhurried pace. "It's a proposal submitted by Elite Bertha. Specifically, while the Hunters Guild is currently leaderless, we should seize the opportunity to launch a full-scale purge."
Shiro's expression changed slightly.
They wanted to eliminate the Hunters Guild? And Bertha had submitted the proposal?
That was probably an order from the main League. But this was Sinnoh, where the Hunters Guild operated legally. Why would Sinnoh's upper officials ever agree to destroy one of their biggest taxpayers?
"Excellent! An inhumane criminal organization like the Hunters Guild must be wiped out!" Carolina declared firmly with a serious expression. "The timing couldn't be better. When are you leaving? I can provide support as well."
Although she was a Pokémon Professor specializing in ancient ruins, many elderly professors had once been a trainer in their younger days. She could easily field a few Gym-level Pokémon.
The Hunters Guild's leader had just suffered an accident, and Sinnoh was home to the guild's headquarters. It had the largest organization and the biggest trading network. Previously, with Hunter A, Hunter B, and the seated hunters under them, very few people dared to covet the guild.
Now, everyone with good information knew Hunter A had met with disaster and Hunter B had disappeared. Not to mention other organizations, even seated hunters from other regions would certainly flood into Sinnoh to compete for control of the guild. Naturally, this was the League's best chance to act.
However, George merely let out a low grunt. "Professor Carolina, we're still discussing it in the meeting. You have to understand that in Sinnoh, a region known for protecting civil liberties, a privately operated trading organization like the Hunters Guild isn't illegal."
Thud!
Carolina angrily slammed her chopsticks onto the table. "So Hunter A attacking a League Champion wasn't illegal either?"
George answered calmly, "That was Hunter A's personal action. The Hunters Guild belongs to all hunters. He doesn't own the organization."
"…." Carolina remained silent for a long time. Deep down, she understood exactly how these senior Sinnoh officials operated.
Her voice turned cold. "Then why did you even call me?"
"It's simply the League's legal procedure." George's tone suddenly softened as he chuckled. "As one of the League's pillars, we naturally have to follow League regulations. Sorry for disturbing you. We'll only take a little of your time."
Carolina snorted. "That's unnecessary."
She immediately hung up, turned off the communicator, and slipped it back into her pocket. Although she sat back down, her tightly furrowed brows and heaving chest still revealed her anger.
She truly hated that group of incompetent officials who occupied their positions while accomplishing nothing.
Sinnoh's normal system had originally relied on its academies to train new trainers. Now, everything revolved around the Hunters Guild instead. Whether someone wanted to capture Pokémon or obtain resources, they went straight to the Hunters Guild. As a result, the academies had gradually declined, and young trainers throughout Sinnoh had begun treating the buying and selling of Pokémon as something completely normal.
With things like this, who would still want to become a righteous League trainer?
Noticing her distress, Rowan spoke up to comfort her. He more or less said that Sinnoh's senior officials weren't worth getting angry over. They were less useful than a Houndour. Chairman Goodshow would surely find a solution eventually.
After hearing that, Carolina quickly calmed down.
The four of them chatted about a few unrelated topics, and before long, the meal came to an end.
"I need to buy a few things in Jubilife City, so I'll head out first," Shiro stood up and said apologetically. "I'm planning to leave for Hoenn tomorrow."
Seeing that he was pressed for time, Rowan nodded. "Then go ahead. Be careful of the Hunters Guild."
"I will."
After saying goodbye to Carolina and Cynthia, Shiro left with a smile.
Rowan and Carolina soon returned to reminiscing about events from more than a decade ago. Only Cynthia continued thinking about the phone call from earlier.
Watching Shiro's departing figure, she fell into thought.
He had just fought the Hunter Guild not long ago, and now a perfect opportunity had presented itself. Surely he wasn't secretly heading off to purge the Hunters Guild himself?
The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. She wanted to get up and follow him, but seeing that her grandmother was still there, she suppressed the urge and obediently remained seated at the table.
* * *
At the Jubilife City Hunters Guild Branch.
Inside a private room on the second underground floor.
"What kind of bullshit is this? Doesn't the Hunters Guild claim anyone can join? I'm a Gym-level trainer, and you're telling me there isn't even a seated hunter spot available for me?"
The speaker was a thin middle-aged man with dark skin, a buzz cut, and a vicious face. His narrow triangular eyes radiated hostility as he casually tossed a Poké Ball up and down in his hand.
"Mr. Morton, it's just that we've received far too many membership applications over the past two days. We have to verify every applicant one by one, so it's taking quite a while. Please bear with us a little longer..."
The hunter who was being scolded could only force a smile. He didn't dare offend the Gym-level trainer standing before him.
**
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