Chapter 232:
"Champion..."
Before the figure even landed, Hayashi Kaede already knew who it was.
Thinking about it, it made sense. Rayquaza had descended so close to the ground—it was no wonder Aogiri City had issued such an urgent notice.
"Where's Rayquaza?"
When Kazephyr looked down from the sky at the peacefully thriving plantation, he froze.
Wasn't this supposed to be Rayquaza's last known location?
Just then, the Rotom on his belt broadcasted another announcement:
"It's gone, it's gone! Just now, Rayquaza left the Eastova Region and returned to outer space!"
Although the announcement was one of relief, Kazephyr couldn't help feeling frustrated.
He glanced down at the plantation. It was late autumn, nearly winter, yet the land was still bursting with life—branches heavy with clusters of ripe fruit.
After thinking for a moment, he descended, landing beside Hayashi Kaede.
Seeing Hayashi Kaede's calm expression, Kazephyr said, "It seems you already know what happened."
Although he had expected as much, hearing that Rayquaza had appeared at this plantation still left him shaken.
Why here?
First Mewtwo, now Rayquaza.
What kind of power did this place hold?
"Well…" Hayashi Kaede didn't try to hide it and explained everything truthfully.
It turned out Mew had wanted to entertain everyone, so it had transformed into Rayquaza—and the real Rayquaza had sensed it, coming down to investigate.
"Phew…"
Hearing this, the tension in Kazephyr's heart finally eased.
If that was the case, then Groudon and Kyogre likely wouldn't be showing up next.
He'd been genuinely afraid those two might decide to have a showdown here.
Still, he asked, "Where's Mew now?"
Hayashi Kaede replied, "It went out to play. It should be back by mealtime."
Kazephyr took a deep breath and stared at the young man in front of him.
"'Went out to play, back by mealtime?'" That sounded like something a parent would say about their child!
It was hard to believe that a Mythical Pokémon like Mew could be so close to a human.
Then again, according to research, Mew did possess the ability to transform into any Pokémon.
He just hadn't expected it could even take the form of a Legendary Pokémon like Rayquaza.
Looking at Hayashi Kaede—his face still youthful compared to his own—Kazephyr finally said, "Since it has that kind of ability, you should keep a close eye on it. Don't let it randomly transform into Legendary Pokémon. It will cause too much trouble for the League."
If Legendary Pokémon started casually visiting the Eastova Region, he as Champion would never get any rest.
"Alright. I didn't know it had that ability before. It definitely won't happen again."
Hayashi Kaede's tone was deeply apologetic.
After all, whether intentional or not, Mew's transformation into Rayquaza had drawn the real one in—and the city had gone into evacuation because of it.
He could only imagine how many departments were scrambling behind the scenes.
"Hmm."
Kazephyr nodded.
At that moment, he suddenly remembered his blind date and sighed—surely ruined again.
He waved to the Moltres circling above, thinking he might still make it in time if he hurried back.
He was about to take off when Hayashi Kaede called out, "Champion!"
"Hm?"
"It's just… could we exchange contact info? In case something like this happens again, it'd be easier to inform you directly."
He couldn't promise this would be the last incident, so having the Champion's contact seemed prudent.
"That's fine." Kazephyr nodded. Given the unique nature of this plantation, it made sense.
After exchanging contact details, Kazephyr finally departed.
"Phew… What a commotion. Looks like I'll have to make sure Mew doesn't transform into other Legendaries so carelessly next time—or at least learns to suppress its aura…"
Watching the departing Moltres, Hayashi Kaede let out a long sigh of relief.
Before he could even straighten up, a hurried figure came running from the direction of the Breeding House.
Seeing Hayashi Kaede still in the plantation, Takagi Megumi grew anxious.
"Big Brother Kaede, why haven't you left yet? Hurry and take your Pokémon! Didn't they issue a notice to evacuate?"
Aogiri Town was located in the southern part of Aogiri City, far from the north.
After receiving the city's evacuation notice, the townspeople had already gathered along the new roads, boarding the vehicles dispatched by the League in an orderly evacuation.
Takagi Megumi had done the same, but upon reaching the road with her parents, she hadn't seen Hayashi Kaede anywhere.
Worried he hadn't left yet, she'd run back to find him.
"Well…"
Hayashi Kaede finally realized the full impact of Mew's transformation. Everyone in town must have evacuated by now.
He stopped the flustered girl. "It's fine, it's fine. The Champion just came by and handled everything. The situation was resolved. A new notice should be coming soon."
As soon as he said that, the Rotom butler hovering beside him began to speak:
"Attention, residents of Aogiri City. The situation has been resolved following the arrival of Champion Kazephyr. This evacuation drill is now over. Please return to the city in an orderly manner… The League will provide compensation to industries affected by the incident. Champion Kazephyr will make a public statement later…"
"Attention, residents of Aogiri City…"
The Rotom repeated the message twice.
Takagi Megumi froze, her tense expression easing into disbelief. "It's really over?"
Hayashi Kaede looked up at the Pidgeot circling above. "Alright, it's a bit complicated to explain. Head to the Mayor's place first—tell everyone to come back."
"Okay, okay."
Still dazed, Takagi Megumi glanced around the plantation but didn't see who she was looking for. "Big Brother Kaede, where's Jirachi?"
"It went out to play with Mew" Hayashi Kaede replied, signaling Pidgeot to land. "Let it take you. It'll be faster."
"Huh?"
Takagi Megumi's eyes lit up. Now that the crisis was over, she looked at the majestic Pidgeot, and her inner trainer's instinct flared up again.
A Flying-type Pokémon like Pidgeot…
Big Brother Kaede really did raise them well.
Decision made: her next Pokémon would definitely be a Flying-type!
Once she climbed onto Pidgeot's back, her panic faded and excitement returned. "Let's go, Pidgeot!"
But when the great bird actually lifted off, the girl—riding a Flying-type for the first time couldn't help but scream, gripping its feathers tightly. "Ahhh—!"
Watching her disappear into the sky, Hayashi Kaede couldn't help but smile and shake his head.
The path of a Trainer…
She still had a long way to go.