Devon Corporation had planted spies inside both Team Magma and Team Aqua, and both of them had even risen to the rank of executives...
Shiro really could not help but wonder if Devon was actually the mastermind behind everything happening in Hoenn.
If that were really the case, he could immediately head to Rustboro City, capture Mr. Stone and interrogate him.
On the other end of the call, Joseph was also extremely nervous. He took out a handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead before replying, "That's right, Professor Shiro. Team Aqua's Shelly and Team Magma's Tabitha are both people from Devon."
"Of course, they are also your people."
After saying that, Joseph held his breath. He was terrified.
With Devon Corporation's current strength, even an Elite Four member like Drake could deal with them easily. What was more, the person on the other side was an even stronger Champion and a high-ranking member of the League. Even if Shiro went too far and the matter reached Chairman Goodshow, the chairman would probably protect Shiro first.
Besides, he had heard that there was a contribution system within the League. If one's contribution was high enough, even the death penalty for defecting could supposedly be offset.
That was also one of the reasons Drake had been able to act without restraint for so many years without getting into trouble.
Joseph was terrified that Shiro might lose his temper, rush to Rustboro City, arrest him and send him straight to League headquarters.
It was entirely possible. Once Joseph was imprisoned, the Stone family's control over Devon Corporation would probably fall completely into Shiro's hands.
Shiro had both the strength and the motive. That was enough to make Joseph break out in a cold sweat.
Or perhaps this was only a threat?
Shiro asked again, "Mr. Stone, were the people arranged by you?"
Joseph hurriedly replied, "It was my father... but he passed away five years ago before the two spies had the chance to do anything."
Shiro did not beat around the bush. "You also want to revive Groudon and Kyogre and rule the Hoenn region?"
"How could that be possible?" Joseph cried out. He quickly tried to explain, but his words came out in a rush. "The two spies were also placed there under the orders of Elite Drake. They were originally employees of Devon, and both of their families had some problems. Drake wanted to monitor the movements of the two evil organizations, so he asked my father to plant them inside."
After explaining everything, Joseph carefully thought it over again to see if there was anything he had left out.
Then he suddenly remembered the phone call he had just received about Team Magma, so he decided to reveal everything.
"Professor Shiro, I also just received some news... Team Magma may have failed."
"What happened?" Shiro asked in confusion.
Drake must have reached the scene quickly and stopped Team Magma's operation in Littleroot Town.
Birch had probably taken quite a beating, though.
"The Red Orb that was being used to control Groudon was taken by the Sootopolitans!"
Joseph took a deep breath before finally daring to reveal this information.
Compared to Shiro, he was actually more afraid of the Sootopolitans. If the Stone family still had any chance of being saved, that powerful and exceptionally talented Champion on the other end of the phone was undoubtedly their only hope.
Although this was still like making a deal with a tiger, using one enemy to deal with another was not necessarily a bad way to survive.
After explaining everything he knew, Joseph cautiously asked, "Professor Shiro, they may be trying to control the God of the Land. What are you planning to do?"
"Planning?"
Shiro could not help chuckling when he heard this. He asked in return, "Shouldn't I be asking you that, Mr. Stone? What does Devon Corporation, or rather, your Stone family, plan to do?"
In the Special manga, Devon Corporation developed the high-tech ship Submarine Explorer 1 to seal off the underwater cavern. It could withstand the enormous pressure of the deep sea and enter the cavern where Kyogre was sleeping. After being modified, it could even descend into magma and make contact with Groudon.
To prevent accidents, Devon Corporation was even studying ancient stone tablets. They wanted to use the legendary ancient giants to suppress the two gods.
Steven seemed to have died from exhaustion after commanding all three Legendary Titans at the same time.
However, that was a timeline nearly ten years into the future. The world of the Special manga was also different from Shiro's world, so the two could not be treated as exactly the same.
Still, after putting several pieces of information together, Shiro immediately remembered the Hunters Guild's attack on Snowpoint Temple...
It might have been for the Unown, but the treasure capable of summoning Regigigas had also been taken.
Hunter T had been established in Hoenn for many years, and his base was in Rustboro City. He also happened to be one of Devon's shareholders...
Could Hunter T have handed some ancient artifacts, such as stone tablets, over to Devon?
Shiro did not think they had anything directly related to Regigigas. Hunter T could never be generous enough to hand over such a treasure.
Hunter A would also never leave Regigigas in Hunter T's hands.
However, if some stone tablets related to the three Legendary Titans had been given to Devon, and the company had translated the information on them and discovered that they could be used to summon the three Titans, then everything would make sense.
Shiro lowered his head and fell into thought.
On the other side, Joseph had remained silent for a long time, but he could no longer bear the pressure.
He supported himself against the desk with one hand. At every moment, he could feel the pressure coming from the other side of the phone. It became especially overwhelming after Shiro had asked about the Stone family's plans.
Silence itself was a form of pressure brought about by strength.
He tried to keep his voice steady and cautiously asked, "What do you think Devon should do?"
Shiro did not want to waste time exchanging hints with him, so he asked directly, "How is Captain Stern's Submarine Explorer 1 coming along? Can it be used now?"
Captain Stern was a famous figure in Slateport City. He ran both the Oceanic Museum and the Stern's Shipyard. He was also an explorer who specialized in crossing straits, and it was his team that had discovered the underwater cavern.
He had discovered the cavern long before Team Aqua did.
Stern's Shipyard was also one of the industries Devon had invested in.
Judging from the current situation, Devon should already have completed the blueprints for Submarine Explorer 1 and sent them to Stern for construction.
"Professor Shiro!"
Joseph's voice began to tremble.
He was shocked by how much Shiro seemed to know. His understanding of Devon was even deeper than that of Drake and the other Hoenn higher-ups.
The construction of Submarine Explorer 1 had been proposed after Steven discussed it with him. He had then ordered the researchers under him to design it. It was definitely one of the most advanced submarines in the Pokémon world at present.
Apart from a limited number of people inside Devon, the only other person who knew about it was Captain Stern.
But now, Joseph felt more afraid than shocked.
Because...
"Professor Shiro, the blueprints for Submarine Explorer 1 were stolen a month ago when Team Aqua attacked Stern's Oceanic Museum! Although we've already redrawn a copy and sent it over, Team Aqua may already..."
Joseph's voice trailed off, and he could barely speak anymore.
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