Pokémon Hunters might sound impressive, but in truth, they were nothing more than a pack of unscrupulous thugs who would do anything for money.
Strip away their façade, and what you'd find beneath was filth and greed.
At least organizations like Team Rocket, Team Aqua, Team Magma, or Team Plasma all had some semblance of a dream.
But these hunters? From beginning to end, their only dream was profit.
The prosecutor who had spoken earlier blushed as his colleagues' contempt filled the room. He wished he could bury his head in the ground from embarrassment.
Before long, though, everyone's attention was drawn back to Lance.
"Elite Four member Agatha is right," Lance said calmly. "After discussing with Chairman Goodshow, we've concluded that our recent operations may have provoked them—causing these Pokémon Hunters to act earlier than expected."
He paused for a moment, letting his words settle. "So, the first thing I want to say in this meeting is: there's no need to panic. Yes, our preparations were incomplete—but theirs are rushed as well. They're unlikely to be any more ready than we are."
His composed confidence steadied the room.
The tension in the air eased. While everyone remained cautious, the frantic sense of fear had faded.
"Next," Lance continued, "each team leader will brief their members on their assigned missions."
The four leaders stepped up one by one.
Just as Lance had explained to Nozomi earlier, the assignments were as follows:
The first team, led by Lorelei, would act alongside the prosecutors. Their battleground was Vermilion City, where intelligence suggested the Hoenn-based hunters would approach from the sea.
The second team consisted of Lance himself and Granny Agatha. Their operation would take place at the harbor near Fuchsia City, where they would intercept hunters from the Sinnoh region.
The third team was led by Nozomi, joined by Koga, Sabrina, and several Gym Leaders. Their battleground: Cinnabar Island.
According to intelligence, the group of hunters backed by Team Plasma planned to use Cinnabar Island as a base of operations—occupying it first before advancing toward the mainland.
But Nozomi couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
If they merely wanted a foothold, there were far better islands—places like Lampulchi and countless other resort isles scattered across Kanto. They were easier to occupy, more accessible, and far more strategically advantageous than Cinnabar Island.
Something about this plan didn't add up.
"Let's move," Nozomi said after Lance's briefing ended. "Since we're heading to Cinnabar Island, we might as well ask Blaine for assistance."
Though Blaine was old, his strength remained formidable—and Cinnabar was his home turf. If trouble was brewing there, it only made sense to seek his help.
Nozomi decided not to waste time. The sooner they departed, the better.
This mission was too important to risk delay.
Koga, Sabrina, and the others nodded in agreement and followed Nozomi toward the exit.
Just as Nozomi reached the doors, the communicator on his belt began to buzz again.
He answered swiftly. "Hello, this is Nozomi speaking."
"Mr. Nozomi! It's me—the prosecutor you asked to investigate your friend," came a gruff voice on the other end.
"I remember you. What is it? Have you found Gary?"
"Not exactly. I haven't located him yet, but I've uncovered some leads. From what I've heard… your friend's situation isn't looking too good," the voice said hesitantly. "I can't explain clearly over the phone—you should come see for yourself."
"…"
Nozomi fell silent for several seconds before ending the call.
"What kind of trouble has Gary gotten himself into this time?" he muttered, frowning.
He turned to Koga, Sabrina, and the others. "You all head to Cinnabar first. Blaine runs a small hot spring inn there—its exact location is… here." He quickly described it. "Once I've settled this matter, I'll meet you there."
They nodded without protest. From Nozomi's brief exchange, they had already pieced together the situation: Professor Oak's grandson, Gary, had run into some kind of accident.
Given Professor Oak's reputation across Kanto, it was natural that Nozomi would handle the matter personally.
"Then we'll see you on Cinnabar Island."
"Right. Cinnabar Island."
With a sharp whoosh, Nozomi vaulted onto Dragonite's back. The massive orange dragon flapped its wings, summoning a roaring gust that carried them skyward in a streak of golden light.
Their destination: a small town near Dark City.
That was where Nozomi found the Pokémon League prosecutor who had contacted him.
But something felt… off.
The man wore the standard League prosecutor uniform, but there was an unnatural stiffness in his posture—an oddness that set off Nozomi's instincts immediately.
He frowned, his guard rising.
"Where's Gary? What happened to him?"
"Mr. Nozomi, please come with me," the so-called prosecutor said softly.
The tone, the mannerisms—it was all wrong. He looked more like a Rocket grunt than a law officer.
Nozomi's eyes narrowed. Now he was sure something was wrong.
Normally, one might choose to play along, pretending ignorance to uncover the truth and catch the culprit off guard.
But Nozomi had never been the patient type—and this man's false pretense irritated him.
Without hesitation, Nozomi's eyes flashed a sharp blue light. He unleashed Hypnosis directly at the imposter.
The "prosecutor" had no time to react—he slumped almost instantly, eyes glazing over in a trance.
And in that moment, his face began to… melt.
The flesh sagged and dripped away like wax, revealing a pink, gelatinous form beneath—then detached entirely, plopping to the ground as a Ditto, also caught under the effects of Hypnosis.
"Ditto?"
Before Nozomi now stood a complete stranger—the real figure behind the disguise.
Nozomi's expression hardened. "What the hell has Gary gotten into…?"
He had only asked a prosecutor to track Gary's whereabouts, yet somehow even an official League investigator had been compromised and replaced.
And this impostor had the gall to call him, pretending to be an ally, to lure him into a trap?
Nozomi's patience snapped.
"Mewtwo—restrain him. I'll ask, he'll answer."
With that command, Nozomi released Mewtwo.