The elderly man who arrived here first is currently the Rock-type Elite Four in the Sinnoh Region, Hoshino Ryuzi!
For Agatha, who naturally doesn't have a good temper and is eccentric, there was no intention of showing any respect to Hoshino Ryuzi.
A person who clings to the position of the Elite Four and refuses to step down, made Agatha feel contemptuous.
This contrasted sharply with Uncle Liu, one of the few people she acknowledged, who had just stepped down, and she felt a great difference.
So for someone like him, she had no fondness at all.
Hoshino Ryuzi was slightly taken aback, then immediately laughed and said, "Elite Four Agatha is joking."
Facing others' undisguised rudeness, Hoshino Ryuzi could still smile, showing how deep his scheming was.
Agatha looked deeply at him.
Ignoring him, she walked over to the magma.
Although Baird was dead, as the person in charge, she still had to confirm the situation.
As Agatha walked past him, Hoshino Ryuzi's smile gradually disappeared.
He then saw a dark head emerging from Agatha's shadow, making a grimace at him.
It was Gengar!
Agatha held a Pokeball in her hand.
Inside was the Magmortar handed over by Natsuhiko and Lance.
"It seems the rumor is true... Magmortar has an evolutionary form, so the person who proposed this theory also mentioned a possibility of..."
Agatha's eyes sparkled.
"Electivire."
...
...
Mission accomplished.
Submitting the mission report and such was left to Lance to handle, while Natsuhiko returned to Suiyi Town.
Entering the back of the dojo, which belonged to his private residence.
A spacious study.
In front of a row of still-empty bookshelves, Natsuhiko leaned on the back of his chair, his eyes unfocused, fingers lightly tapping on the edge of the table.
Tap, tap, tap.....
At his feet, eight Eevees shuttled back and forth, looking very happy playing.
The sound of "Eevee-Eevee" was endless.
Suddenly.
A gray furred Eevee jumped onto Natsuhiko's lap, affectionately rubbing against him.
"Eevee~~"
Natsuhiko came to his senses, smiled, and gently petted the extremely smooth fur of the Eevee.
This brought a contented sigh.
Seeing this scene, the other Eevees immediately became unhappy.
Each jumped onto him.
Before long.
Natsuhiko was covered with Eevees.
He was quite helpless about this.
The clinginess of Eevee is the most exaggerated among the Pokémon he had seen.
No wonder so many wealthy ladies like to keep an Eevee.
After a while, Natsuhiko finally "got rid" of these little ones.
But after their commotion, Natsuhiko, who had been unable to grasp a loophole in his thoughts, suddenly realized.
"Magmortar evolved through normal means, the prototype of 'Lava Amplifier' should exist, and if Baird mentioned 'her', it's presumably Tom Rokicki, then as 'Electric Power Amplifier' should appear alongside 'Lava Amplifier'."
Thinking of this, Natsuhiko slowly sat up straight.
Tap, tap, tap...
His fingers continued to tap on the table.
"The 'Electric Power Amplifier' can allow Electabuzz to evolve into Electivire, which is an excellent choice to cover shortfalls, being among ordinary Electric-type Pokémon with the best physical attack abilities...."
Most Electric-type Pokémon are actually more adept at special attacks, with relatively few excelling at physical attacks.
Of course, there are exceptions, like Luxray, which excels in physical attack.
But Luxray's speed is its Achilles' heel.
"Rocket Team obtained genetic material, Tom Rokicki acquired the 'Electric Power Amplifier', though Baird was the one being manipulated, he also bought enough time."
Natsuhiko didn't know if his conjecture was correct.
But he felt this explanation was very logical.
After a long time.
He let out a long breath.
"Everyone's thinking of ways to get stronger."
"What way?"
Suddenly.
Natsuhiko heard a familiar voice abruptly sounding in his study.
Hearing the voice, Natsuhiko slowly stood up, showing a slight hint of helplessness.
"Teacher... there's a door..."
Looking at Agatha, who suddenly appeared on the sofa in front of the desk, Natsuhiko said with a wry smile.
Agatha lifted her eyelids, indicating she knew.
"Why are you here, teacher?" Natsuhiko asked.
"To confirm something with you." Agatha casually picked up a pastry from the coffee table.
"Something?"
"Does Hoshino Ryuzi's grandson have anything to do with you?"
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko froze.
Why did this suddenly come up?
But quickly.
Natsuhiko realized.
Was he responsible for the Severe Mountain incident?
But Natsuhiko remembered very well that before he left, he cleared the scene thoroughly and didn't leave any traces.
Agatha glanced at him, leisurely saying, "What? Did you think that after clearing the scene of traces, an experienced Elite would find nothing?"
Natsuhiko grimaced slightly.
"Teacher, you say that, how could it be, what connection can Elite Four Ryuzi's grandson have with me, clearing traces was just to avoid exposing some hunter identity information."
This kind of thing is hard to break openly, at least Natsuhiko couldn't voluntarily reveal it; even if he had the reason, what's the value of reason?
"Ha—" Agatha lightly chuckled, "Not bad."
"Hmm?"
Agatha slowly stood up, leaning on her cane, "In the future, no matter who asks you this kind of question, just use this explanation."
"Uh..." Natsuhiko opened his mouth.
So teacher, you also think I did it?
Natsuhiko didn't say this sentence but felt this was likely.
"He's already suspicious of you," Agatha said.
Natsuhiko was quite calm about this.
Nodded his head.
Suspicion?
Hadn't he already cast suspicion on many people?
The fact that he showed up uninvited to watch the Lily Youth Competition was the best proof.
Only, he hadn't locked onto anyone.
But this time at Severe Mountain, with Natsuhiko and Lance surviving, it had drawn his attention.
It's not about recognizing Natsuhiko.
At least Natsuhiko's weight in his mind already exceeded others, calling him the prime suspect wouldn't be excessive.
As for Lance?
Haha—
"But don't worry, he doesn't dare handle you personally; if he dares to come after you, I dare to go after him." Agatha reassured him with a comforting pat on the arm.
This was probably support from a mentor.
Natsuhiko felt a bit moved.
"But if he sends someone to test you, that's up to you." Agatha added.
Natsuhiko: "..."
He withdrew the earlier sentiment of being moved.
Although Agatha looked down on Hoshino Ryuzi, it couldn't be denied that he had accumulated considerable underlying strength sitting in the Elite Four position for so long, which most other Elite Fours lacked.
Just in terms of connections, it's likely no one in the entire Sinnoh Region could match him.
"But don't be overly concerned, I've admonished him today, he won't dare do anything to you for some time, focus on improving yourself.
In any case, you're a Sinnoh Dojo Leader. If he doesn't have solid evidence and tries anything, you just report it to the Alliance and see their handling."
Natsuhiko was a Dojo Leader.
If an Elite Four acted against a dojo leader without evidence, how would other leaders in Sinnoh Region perceive this?
Therefore.
On the surface, he need not worry.
At least in the dojo, he's safe.
After speaking.
Agatha gradually walked toward the door.
"By the way, I have news for you. Over at the Hunter Guild, many have started investigating your identity, but they've found nothing. That's good news, meaning you've attracted considerable attention."
As Agatha's figure slowly vanished into the dark corridor.
Natsuhiko sat back in the chair.
Since Agatha said Hoshino Ryuzi wouldn't dare trouble him personally, Natsuhiko wasn't very concerned.
Gym Leader level individuals couldn't probe him.
Elite Candidate level individuals came....
Natsuhiko glanced at the empty space beside him.
A fierce look flashed in his eyes.
Then come one.
Die one!
"But just as well, the Hunter Guild's competition for seats should be starting soon, might as well take this opportunity to lie low."
After all, just being suspected, such an old fox wouldn't blatantly act based on mere suspicion.
The identity of an Elite Four is very important to him, otherwise, he wouldn't be clinging to the position so fiercely.
It's also a restraint.
Anyhow, he definitely couldn't find solid evidence.
——————
Thanks to Meows for the five ten-thousand rewards~~