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As he pursued further in, Liam's expression grew more and more puzzled.
He couldn't understand what the black ape was trying to do—what matter was so urgent that he completely ignored his own companions and subordinates, abandoning them to their fate and trekking such a long distance alone through a mountain passage? Where was he going?
Judging by the destroyed pathway from earlier, the black ape had clearly noticed Liam tailing him. Perhaps even earlier, he had already realized he was being followed. And yet, he didn't do anything—not even warn his subordinates—treating them like nothing more than pawns to be sacrificed.
Whatever his objective was, it had to be something important enough for him to pay such a price.
Liam couldn't make sense of it. Just then, he heard Arcanine's urgent cry from up ahead. Frowning, he quickly rushed forward.
He had barely taken a few steps when he saw the end of the tunnel. Light streamed in through the opening—not artificial light, but the unmistakable rays of the sun.
"Hm? What's going on?"
Seeing sunlight piercing into the passage, Liam grew even more puzzled and sped up, quickly dashing out of the tunnel.
"Raaahh! Rrrahh!"
"ROAR!!"
The moment he emerged, he saw Arcanine locked in a standoff with a particularly vicious-looking Gyarados. The Gyarados hovered in midair, mouth wide in a threatening snarl, looming menacingly at Arcanine. And behind it stood the man Liam had been chasing—Black Ape.
"Oi! What's your problem, kid? I clearly let you off earlier, didn't I? Why are you still chasing me like a ghost that won't leave! You really think I'm that easy to bully?"
Black Ape's face darkened the moment he saw Liam. He wore an expression of disgust and complained bitterly.
Liam ignored his words and instead swiftly scanned the terrain around them.
They appeared to be somewhere halfway up Mt. Silver. The area consisted of a large platform surrounded by steep, snowy cliffs—an environment so harsh even Flying-type Pokémon rarely appeared here. Liam couldn't fathom why Black Ape would run to such a place.
What's more, Black Ape was carrying two aluminum-alloy cases that looked extremely high-end. It was obvious the contents were very important—important enough for him to abandon his entire crew.
"You really are at the end of the road now. I'm genuinely curious—why come all the way here? You must've known I was tailing you, so why not gather your team to defend against us? Why come here alone? Just what is your goal?"
Seeing nothing unusual around them, Liam took a few steps forward, casually pulled out two PokeBalls from his belt, and smiled at Black Ape.
"Hehe! Hey now, no need to get so hot-blooded. Let's talk this out, shall we? There's really no need for us to fight. It's all pointless, isn't it? How about we each go our separate ways, mind our own business, and don't interfere with each other?"
Seeing Liam take out two more PokeBalls, Black Ape's expression changed drastically. He immediately switched to a fawning expression, awkwardly smiling and waving his hands, though inwardly he was cursing up a storm.
'Damn this brat! Even more shameless than me! If I had my main team with me, I'd make sure he regretted being born!'
Liam sensed something was off. He could tell Black Ape didn't want to fight—if he had, Arcanine and the Gyarados would already be locked in battle.
But that only made Liam more suspicious. Just as he was about to question further, a loud whirring sound echoed from above—rotor blades. A powerful gust of wind swept down, forcing Liam to stumble two steps back.
"Huh? A helicopter? Come out now—wait, that emblem!"
The sound of the rotors instantly made Liam think of a helicopter. He realized immediately that Black Ape had been waiting here for an airlift. His eyes narrowed as he looked up at the slowly descending aircraft—just as he was about to throw a PokeBall to attack, he caught sight of a massive "P" emblem on the helicopter's side.
"…You saw it, huh? Yeah, this is a Johto League helicopter. It's here to pick me up. You see, I'm actually with the League—I've been undercover in the Hunter Group this whole time. Now that you know my identity, I suggest you back off. Go ahead and arrest the others in the Hunter Group—better if they stay locked up and never come back. They're just a pain to me anyway. Once I file this mission report, I've got to return and continue my undercover work. No need to say more—till we meet again."
Now exposed, Black Ape sighed and gave Liam a melancholic look. He recalled his Gyarados, then raised a hand in a flamboyant wave, picked up the two alloy cases, and started walking toward the landing helicopter.
"Arcanine, Flamethrower."
"Raaah!"
"AHH! HOT HOT HOT HOT! What the hell! I just told you I'm with the League! Why are you still attacking me?!"
Black Ape frantically shed his now-burning black coat, turning around to yell at Liam in fury.
But Liam just stared at him coldly, his tone flat.
"How am I supposed to know if you're telling the truth? Even if you are, I'm with Team Rocket. Who cares what your identity is? You used dirty tricks to injure my partner. If you don't give me a proper explanation today, you're not going anywhere."
Black Ape froze, his expression twisted as he pointed a finger at Liam and forced out a sentence through clenched teeth.
"I only used two Pokémon! Did you really need to hit me with seven Hyper Beams? My Pokémon are seriously hurt too, y'know!"
"I don't care. Like I said, no explanation, no leaving. I'll gladly bury you here."
Liam crossed his arms, wearing a "blah blah I can't hear you" expression.
Black Ape nearly collapsed in rage, clutching his chest as he struggled to breathe.
"Young man, I can vouch that Black Ape truly is one of ours—from the Johto League. As for your Team Rocket… I've heard of you. Since your formation, there haven't been any reports of evil deeds—in fact, you've helped many Pokémon. I wouldn't call your organization a villainous one. Let's not damage the relationship between the League and Team Rocket over a simple misunderstanding."
Just as Black Ape looked like he was about to keel over, the side door of the helicopter opened. An elderly man with a white beard sat calmly on the sofa inside. Though he wasn't moving, his powerful presence was undeniable. His sharp eyes were steady yet commanding as he addressed Liam.
"Hm? And who are you? Can you really speak for the League? What gives you the right to say something like that?"
Liam turned to face the imposing old man, hearing the faint hint of threat in his tone.
"Watch your mouth! Show some respect! This is the current President of the Johto League—the head of the Dragon Clan, and the man revered as the Dragon Lord—Master Gyokuryu Shigen! Apologize for your insolence immediately!"
Before the old man could reply, Black Ape shouted angrily at Liam. His respect for the elder was clearly genuine.
"Oh… so you're the League President of Johto? Even the League President showed up, huh. Now I'm really curious about what you're doing here. But curiosity aside, I still don't care. Like I said, unless you give me a proper explanation for injuring my partner, none of you are leaving."
Liam raised an eyebrow in slight surprise, then smirked. He casually released another PokeBall, and the towering form of Garchomp appeared behind him. Its sharp eyes glared at the old man in the helicopter, letting out a low, threatening growl.