Eusine looked at Erika curiously, asking, "Miss Erika, why did you decide to come to Johto? Is your work at the Celadon Gym not important?"
"There's nothing I can do about it," Erika replied, shaking her head gently at Eusine's confusion. "The Celadon Gym caught fire a while ago and is currently undergoing repairs and reconstruction. So I'm taking this opportunity to come here and catch some Grass-type Pokémon."
"I see."
Eusine nodded understandingly, then turned his gaze to Natsui.
However, he didn't recognize Natsui, simply taking him for an ordinary male companion of Erika's.
There was nothing strange about this; after all, he wasn't a full-time Pokémon trainer and spent most of his time tracking Suicune. He rarely watched Pokémon-related events. Although TV news occasionally broadcasted a battle or two during the Indigo League, and he had indeed heard Natsui's name, he couldn't connect it to the man in front of him.
Moreover, Natsui was still just a champion, far from reaching the fame of an Elite Four member, so his face wouldn't naturally be known to everyone.
Upon hearing Eusine reveal Erika's identity, Kenta and Marina realized that not only was Natsui no ordinary person, but the beautiful lady traveling with him was also keeping a low profile, actually a Gym Leader!
Both were immediately filled with respect!
Compared to them, two novice trainers just starting out, these three undoubtedly held a certain social standing!
Erika then asked the question that concerned them all most: "Mr. Eusine, how did you know Raikou was here?"
"I happened to be nearby, and last night I met a trainer who had left this place. It was from him that I learned about it. To be honest, when I found out Raikou was being held here, I was stunned. After all, a Legendary Pokémon of its caliber is almost impossible to find. Oh, by the way, did you catch it?"
"Well..."
Marina was about to answer, but before she could speak, the door at the other end of the hallway suddenly opened, and Officer Jenny along with a short-haired man with blue hair emerged.
The short-haired man with blue hair came up to them and answered for them proactively, "You're mistaken. Raikou wasn't captured by them. They just rescued it from Team Rocket and brought it here for emergency treatment."
Natsui and the others were puzzled, wondering who this man was.
And why was he coming out of the inner room with Officer Jenny?
Eusine, however, recognized the man.
"Isn't that Professor Kodama!? I can't believe you're here too!" Eusine's tone held a hint of pleasant surprise; he was clearly quite shocked to see the man there.
"Long time no see, Eusine."
The man called Professor Kodama extended his right hand to Eusine. As they shook hands, it was clear their relationship was quite familiar.
Professor Kodama?
But Natsui had no recollection of that name. He carefully observed the man, who looked ordinary, nothing out of the usual. However, he wore an archaeologist's vest, so he appeared to be a scholar.
And this man emerging from the room completely confused Kenta and Marina. They couldn't help but ask, "Officer Jenny, who exactly is this Professor Kodama?"
Officer Jenny smiled, "This is Researcher Kodama. He's here at Professor Elm's request to assist Raikou with its recovery and also to collect some data on Raikou!"
"Professor Elm's request?" Natsui frowned. "How did he know we encountered Raikou?"
"I contacted the Professor last night!" Marina raised her hand at this point and stuck out her tongue. "It was such a big deal, I thought it was only right to tell the Professor! I just didn't expect the Professor to actually send someone specifically to handle this!"
It was only then that Natsui realized Marina had contacted Professor Elm after they had parted ways last night!
But thinking about it, it was actually understandable. After all, she had no intention of capturing Raikou, and sharing her experiences from her journey with a Pokémon Professor was a common practice.
If Ash had discovered something on his journey, he would also have informed Professor Oak.
However...
Bringing so many people here for no reason, I just hope there aren't any unexpected complications in the end!
Hearing that Professor Kodama was there to deal with the matter, Eusine nodded in approval.
"It's best to be cautious. After all, this is Raikou, a Legendary Pokémon of our Johto region. It absolutely cannot fall into the hands of bad guys! And I think those Team Rocket guys definitely won't give up on Raikou after one failure. They'll definitely make a comeback!"
"Don't worry about that," Officer Jenny took over the conversation, then looked at Natsui. "We've already received notification from the International Police. They'll be sending people here to deal with Team Rocket."
Natsui's heart stirred, and he asked, "Officer Jenny, do you know who the International Police will be sending...?"
Natsui was only halfway through his sentence when the hallway door behind him opened, and a woman in a black suit with gray hair tied into a long ponytail walked in.
"Eh? Anabel!?"
The person before them was Anabel, the International Police officer Natsui had worked with in a previous operation!
Besides her identity as an International Police officer, she was also a trainer, the Salon Maiden of the Battle Tower, and a Frontier Brain of the Battle Frontier in the Hoenn region!
With so many identities rolled into one, it was unexpected that such a high-ranking individual would come here to rendezvous with Natsui!
"Long time no see, Mr. Natsui. You've really helped us out a great deal again this time. We are very grateful for your assistance to the International Police all this while!"
Anabel first greeted Natsui and Officer Jenny, then turned her gaze to Erika.
"Miss Erika? I never expected to see you here."
Their names were quite similar, and they had cooperated in the Kanto region, so they weren't strangers to each other.
"Good morning, Miss Anabel," Erika placed her hand on her abdomen and bowed slightly. "I also didn't expect it would be you coming to handle this matter. You look very well!"
To be honest, Natsui had no idea Looker would send Anabel. This was actually good news, as he had worked with her before and was very willing to cooperate with her.
After a few pleasantries, Natsui got straight to the point.
"May I ask how many people Miss Anabel has brought with her this time?"
Anabel smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I've come fully prepared this time. I'm absolutely confident we can take down that research facility in one swift move!"