"OK! That settles it!"
After sending the intelligence Shadow required, Gu Yuan immediately deleted the records. During this rest period, he had been doing more than just strolling around. While arranging for Charizard and the others to train in the hotel's training room, he also collected intelligence as requested by Shadow.
As a Psychic with the cover of Ditto, he had already matured into an exceptional secret agent. Furthermore, unlike his time in the Kanto League where he was constantly in the spotlight, being in a different region provided him with numerous opportunities. Now that the mission was complete, it was time for them to depart.
"That is the situation. I am deeply sorry that such an incident has occurred because of us," Bavi said to Dar with a face full of apology inside the room.
"It is fine. We are all members of the League, so we will naturally help with such matters. However, you must ensure your plan is executed perfectly. You should be well aware of the consequences otherwise. Moreover, our ranks are similar. While I do not know what kind of person you truly are, you are undoubtedly acting with an excessive and transparent sense of falsehood," Dar said slowly while staring at Bavi.
"I understand. Then I will trouble you all to set off as soon as possible," Bavi nodded, dropped his facade, and stood up to leave.
"Hey, replay the footage of the Hoenn Regional Battle Tournament again. I want people from other regions to see it, and make sure the online public opinion follows suit. Also, I have another matter here that I want you to leak secretly!"
Dar made a phone call after Bavi left. Although he did not mind helping other Leagues handle certain issues, it had to be on his own terms. Being plotted against like this meant that even if he agreed, he would find every way to cause trouble for the other party.
After giving his orders, he contacted the other accompanying personnel and instructed them on how to proceed. As for Gu Yuan and the others, he planned to inform them at the last moment to avoid making the original plan even more chaotic.
At the port of Slateport City, Gu Yuan's group boarded the same ship they arrived on to depart. Compared to the welcoming ceremony, the scale of their send-off was significantly smaller. This clearly showed just how negative an impact Gu Yuan's previous performance had left on the people of the Hoenn League.
"Sir, the people from the Kanto region have left."
"Good! Keep an eye on them. I want to know their movements at all times. Wait for my command to launch the attack. For this operation, have Matt handle it. Try to capture them alive."
"Yes!"
Following the order, submarines deep in the ocean began to move, locking onto the ship Gu Yuan was on. Archie had also seen the recent tournament. While the people of Hoenn might resent Gu Yuan's performance, Archie felt nothing but excitement.
Only with such existing tension could he shift the blame for the attack on the Kanto representative team onto the Hoenn League, causing them public relations trouble. However, it was not yet the right time to strike. As a qualified hunter, Archie knew very well that the best moment had not arrived. The self-satisfied Archie did not realize that while he considered himself the hunter, he had already become someone else's prey.
On the third day of the voyage, after finishing his morning training, Gu Yuan went directly to see Dar.
"Please tell me the specific plan and how we should handle things when the time comes," Gu Yuan said directly as he entered the captain's quarters where Dar was staying.
"Oh? What plan? How come I don't know about it?" Dar asked with a look of confusion.
"After the last attack, I don't believe you wouldn't notice the submarines in the sea, especially since they have been following us since shortly after we left the Hoenn region. Secondly, there is the state of the others. During my time in the Kanto region, I experienced several major battles. I am very familiar with this feeling, the feeling of being ready to jump into combat at any moment.
Furthermore, there is the issue of food. The Pokémon food consumption is much higher than before. I assume it is because more Pokémon were brought on board. You better not tell me they were just caught, or I'll start suspecting we have Pokémon hunters among us," Gu Yuan listed his observations while looking at Dar.
"Good grief, I didn't expect a kid like you to have such high vigilance. It is exactly as you thought. We are being targeted by Team Aqua. The reason I haven't acted yet is to cooperate with the Hoenn League's plan. We will wait for the right moment to wipe them out in one go. At the same time, the Hoenn League will strike against Team Aqua and potentially Team Magma if they show up."
"Why?" Gu Yuan asked with a hint of curiosity.
"The other party sought our help in the name of the League. If we don't agree, the Hoenn League could claim their intelligence was insufficient to resolve the danger in advance, and we would lose their support."
"So we were set up," Gu Yuan remarked.
"Exactly. However, the grass on the graves of the last people who tried to plot against me is already several meters high. Although they are from the League this time, I won't let them off easily. Their troubles will only truly begin after this matter is resolved, and that will just be the start."
"I understand. Just give the order if you need anything."
"Good."
After speaking, Gu Yuan used Teleport to leave the spot, which served as a subtle reveal of his strength to Dar.
"No wonder Elite Agatha treats you with such care. You truly are a genius. In that case, I will have to make the Hoenn League pay an even higher price," Dar murmured.
Just then, the submarines in the sea seemed unable to restrain themselves any longer, closing in on the ship from all directions.
"Notify everyone to prepare for battle. Tell those Hoenn League people to start moving. If their reinforcements do not arrive within twenty minutes, I will apply for the Kanto League to directly declare war on the Hoenn region!"
Dar's voice rang out, cold and sharp. Anyone who was plotted against to be used as bait would not be in a good mood. Poké Balls were brought out; they contained the assistance provided to Dar by the Hoenn League, since having people follow behind would have been too conspicuous.
As these Water-type Pokémon entered the ocean, Team Aqua found they could no longer destroy the ship. They were forced to create an ice surface to launch a direct assault.
"Since they still want to resist, then let's satisfy them! Everyone, move out! End the battle as quickly as possible!"
Following the command of the burly Matt, the submarines surfaced one after another. Pokémon then froze the sea into ice to create a battlefield, and Team Aqua shifted their strategy from a sneak attack to a full-scale assault.