"I don't know what you're talking about, Professor. Hurry up and eat; the food is getting cold."
Rope didn't respond directly, but instead silently employed his most frequently used "encouraging eating" tactic. While speaking, Rope picked up Professor Oak's favorite dish with his chopsticks and placed it in his bowl.
However, it was clear that Professor Oak had no intention of letting him off the hook this time.
"I'm taking this matter very seriously, Rope. I'm being serious."
Professor Oak ignored Rope's attempt to change the subject and said solemnly, "I'll say it again: either explain it clearly and convince me, or give up this idea and follow the original plan we set."
Rope sighed helplessly, placed the food in Professor Oak's bowl, and then sat silently in his chair. This was a tactic he had used before—as long as he remained silent for a long time, Professor Oak wouldn't press the issue.
However, Rope knew deep down that Professor Oak wouldn't let him off so easily this time.
And as it turned out, Rope's hunch was correct.
This time, Professor Oak didn't have the intention of letting things slide. Instead, he sat in his chair with his arms crossed, his face filled with anger, waiting for Rope's response.
At that moment, Daisy poked Hoopa, who was carefully stuffing Poké Puffs into his mouth to satisfy his hunger.
Hoopa, who was stealing food, was startled by Daisy. If it weren't for Blue quickly grabbing his tail, he would have jumped up in fright.
Hoopa glared angrily at Blue, who remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
Then he looked at Daisy with a look of grievance and inquiry.
However, Daisy had no intention of comforting or compensating him. After all, the current situation absolutely did not allow her to take the lead.
If she dared to comfort the two of them now, she would be immediately reprimanded by Professor Oak. It would only serve to further anger Professor Oak.
After all, Grandpa's authority was simply too terrifying.
Blue was no exception. They all knew how kind and gentle Professor Oak was in everyday life, how understanding and compassionate. But they also knew that the old man who had once firmly rejected his childhood sweetheart and was willing to sever all ties with her was equally stubborn and obstinate in certain aspects.
And this time, Rope had undoubtedly crossed his red line.
Daisy turned her phone screen toward Hoopa.
Hoopa saw the photo of the person on the screen, quietly gave Daisy an "okay" gesture, then silently sank down until he was below the table, opened a small portal, and crawled inside. The light circle then disappeared.
After a moment, the light reappeared. Hoopa emerged from inside, giving Daisy another "okay" gesture from beneath the table.
Daisy handed the Poké Puff in her hand to Hoopa. Hoopa swallowed it without hesitation, then floated back up, looking serious, occasionally chewing with his mouth.
Before long, there was a knock on the door. Before Professor Oak could speak, Blue immediately stood up.
"I'll get it!"
Sennogi and Whitley on the other side could only silently curse themselves for being a moment too slow to stand up.
Professor Oak glared fiercely at Daisy and Hoopa.
But the two pretended not to notice. So Professor Oak fixed his gaze on Blue's retreating figure.
As one might expect, Hoopa, though a member of the family, has always been as pure-hearted as a mischievous child. Though highly destructive, he has never acted out of control thanks to Rope's guidance. When Professor Oak needs divine assistance for his research, he typically turns to Hoopa.
And Hoopa has indeed been quite deserving of recognition for his efforts during this period. He's been delivering messages, transporting people, and providing aid. Though he's usually by Rope's side when Rope is around, he doesn't make a big deal out of it when Rope isn't there. When people ask for his help, he's always quick to oblige.
He's been traveling to various disaster zones and helping countless people. It's said that many places have already replaced their previously worshipped deities with Hoopa. This super deity hasn't done anything "demonic" lately.
Moreover, such matters were clearly beyond Hoopa's own imagination. Therefore, Professor Oak would not blame him.
As for Daisy, she was his own granddaughter. Even if he were angry, Professor Oak rarely vented his anger on his granddaughter.
So... Blue, some people participate in such matters because they are certain they won't be punished.
But others simply can't see the bigger picture...
That's right, Blue, get ready to endure your grandfather's love!
Thinking this, Professor Oak glared fiercely at Rope, who was behaving meekly over there.
He also knew that this criticism of Rope was likely to come to nothing. However, Rope would definitely give him an explanation.
Daisy isn't stupid; of course, she wouldn't just make things difficult for Professor Oak alone. If it were just about targeting Professor Oak, that would be pure trouble-making. But using one person to break the silence between two others was acceptable.
And this person had to stand on both Rope's side and Professor Oak's side.
It sounded like this person would be hard to find, but in reality, it wasn't that difficult.
"Cynthia, you're here!"
Blue's feigned surprised voice came from the door.
Professor Oak, Daisy, and everyone present rolled their eyes at Blue's poor acting.
Why bother acting like that?
Cynthia just smiled gently and said, "Yes, I heard Rope was back, and I've just finished the work I was doing. So I came to see Professor Oak and Rope."
She said helplessly, " I don't even need to think about it to know that whatever Rope has been up to lately will definitely make Professor Oak angry."
She had indeed anticipated this. Professor Oak's temper had mellowed considerably over the years, but it's important to note that Professor Carolina had also experienced Oak's era back then. If Red was the type to act tough but say little and rarely show his face,
then Oak back then was someone who frequently appeared in public and arrogantly displayed his power. In other words, Oak's personality back then was basically cut from the same cloth as Blue's.
He was incredibly arrogant and proud in front of outsiders, but in front of those he was familiar with, he was nothing but spoiled and gentle.
As he grew older, he became the person he is today. He was exactly like his late wife.
It can only be said that when someone is missing from your life, you become more and more like that person.
When Rope saw Cynthia walk in through the door, he looked helpless.
He tilted his head and glanced at Daisy. Daisy also turned her head away and didn't look at him.
Now Rope didn't have to be scolded. But if he kept hiding it, he would be criticized by Cynthia and Professor Oak today.
It could only be described as super-doubled.
After Cynthia walked in, she first greeted Professor Oak.
"Professor Oak."
Professor Oak finally smiled.
"No need to be so formal. We're all family here. Sit down."
He pointed to the seat next to Rope. From the arrangement around the dining table, it was clear that Professor Oak had already made preparations for an extra person in the family.
Of course, two would be better.
Thinking this, Professor Oak's smile grew even wider.
Rope, however, looked helpless. Seeing the smile on Professor Oak's face, he knew exactly what the old man was thinking.
It's not that simple!
To be honest, Rope wasn't ready to be a father yet.
If he still had aspirations for marriage, then actually becoming a father would probably leave him flustered...
Rope looked at Cynthia sitting next to him and reached out to tuck her stray hair behind her ear. Cynthia, in turn, tidied up Rope's slightly disheveled collar. Cynthia and Rope both looked perfectly natural.
Professor Oak watched with a delighted smile. He was the one who had brought them together, though he hadn't initially intended for it to work out.
The women and girls had various expressions on their faces. But in the end, most of them looked disappointed.
Hoopa looked indifferent. He also had his own lover, although she was currently in dire straits. But Hoopa knew that if something really happened to her, then that Celebi would definitely not continue to sleep. Everyone was anxious, but not that anxious.
But Blue was different…
He was single… The person in front of him was openly showing off their affection. What was even more frustrating was that when they showed off their affection, they didn't seem particularly sweet; they just acted normally and casually, as if these were ordinary things that should happen in daily life.
But to be honest, this kind of affection was the most hurtful.
Blue felt a sour taste in his mouth, like he had eaten a sour fruit, which was quite unusual.
[Could it be that I should really try to find a girlfriend?]
Blue furrowed his brows and thought seriously.
"Alright, just say what's on your mind. If it can make Professor Oak so angry, I'd like to hear it too."
After helping Rope tidy his collar, Cynthia asked naturally.
While asking, she picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and placed it on Professor Oak's plate. Professor Oak gave Cynthia a kind smile this time.
Cynthia then picked up another piece of Rope's favorite dish with her chopsticks and rolled her eyes at him, saying, "Hurry up and say it!"
Rope sighed helplessly.
"It's not really a big deal. The first thing is that I plan to send Whitley to the front lines alone. I don't plan to provide her with any assistance."
After hearing this, Cynthia glanced at Whitley. Whitley immediately sat up straight and said seriously, "This is what I requested."
Cynthia smiled and said, "I guessed as much. Rope wouldn't willingly send you to the front lines."
Whitley felt a bit embarrassed by Cynthia's words and could only scratch her head.
"Where do you plan to go?"
Cynthia asked.
"I stayed in Lumiose City for a while earlier, though it was only a short time, but I really felt something there. So I want to stay on the front lines a bit longer."
Whitley said earnestly.
"Hmm... How about the front lines in Sinnoh? Things won't be too peaceful there for a while, so it doesn't matter where you stay. If you stay by my side, Rope and Professor Oak will feel more at ease."
Cynthia pondered for a moment before speaking seriously to Whitley.
"I have no objections!"
Whitley said decisively. She truly had no objections, as she only wanted to go to the front lines, and it didn't matter where exactly. Plus, if Cynthia was watching over her, she would feel a bit more at ease.
"Don't worry, you'll have plenty of opportunities to gain experience."
Cynthia smiled and promised Whitley. Professor Oak also nodded in agreement, as that had been his initial thought as well. Being by Cynthia's side, everyone would feel at ease.
Then Cynthia turned her head and asked, "What about the second matter?"
Rope sighed lightly and continued, "I plan to formulate a related plan to mobilize the entire alliance while the other side is inactive. Use decisive measures to resolve this contract directly."
"In simple terms, both sides should stop negotiating. Sign the contract directly. Then deal with anyone on either side who doesn't like the contract."
Upon hearing this, everyone finally understood why Professor Oak was angry.
"Rope, isn't this... a bit too harsh?"
Blue cautiously asked.
Rope's expression remained serious.
"In times of chaos, harsh measures are necessary. I don't know when the next major war will begin, but it won't be long. And barring any surprises, this will be the final battle."
"The enemy isn't stupid. I'm not exactly sure what they want, but I know their goal isn't simply to target me."
"Since you are their target, you must first make yourselves invincible."
"Only a clenched fist can fight."
Rope's words left Blue and the others in silence. They all understood what Rope meant. Since the enemy wanted to interfere, it must be a tactic similar to the Pokémon surge in Lumiose City this time.
At this point, if those who were still inciting threats against each other or Pokémon were eliminated, the enemy's plan would become exponentially more difficult to execute.
So, in a sense, Rope's method, though harsh, was indeed a viable solution.
However, everyone could also understand why Professor Oak was so angry.
Professor Oak had dedicated his entire life to finding ways for Pokémon and humans to coexist harmoniously, minimizing conflicts whenever possible, or ensuring that any conflicts that did arise could be resolved in an orderly manner.
But such brutal methods could never achieve that goal. Such harsh tactics would only deepen the hatred between them, rather than eliminate it.
Thus, the entire restaurant fell silent once more.