Chapter 286: Reputation Damage and Returning to Kanto
According to Mew, it had found Latias near the base.
It had originally been following Zinnia to mess with her, but by chance, it encountered Latias, who was searching for the one who saved Hoenn.
Asahi raised an eyebrow. "How did you know it was me?"
[My brother and I were nearby in Sootopolis City.]
Asahi recalled the battle back then. His full focus had been on Groudon and Kyogre. He hadn't paid attention to whether other Pokémon were present.
[And you also protected our home.]
Latias explained that she and her brother lived on Southern Island, which was close to where Kyogre had appeared.
During the disaster, they had tried their best to shield their island and the Pokémon living there.
Just as the island was about to be engulfed by a tsunami, Kyogre suddenly held back its power.
They had followed Kyogre to Sootopolis City and saw Asahi battling both Legendaries.
Clearly, it was his actions that had made Kyogre stop.
Asahi chuckled. "You don't have to thank me. Anyone who saw Groudon and Kyogre wreaking havoc would have stepped in. I just happened to have the power to do something about it."
Hearing that, Latias's eyes sparkled.
As someone who had lived on Southern Island with little contact with humans, she suddenly felt that Asahi was… glowing.
Asahi smiled and gently stroked her glass-like feathers.
"Well, we were just about to have lunch. Want to join us?"
Latias hesitated for a moment, thinking about her brother.
But looking at Asahi, who exuded such a comforting presence…
[He'll probably come looking for me anyway…]
With that thought, she nodded.
Seeing everything unfold, Green and the others couldn't help but have the same thought:
[This is bad… Another Legendary Pokémon has fallen into Asahi's clutches…]
—
Lunch was quite the feast.
Among the Pokémon, only Salamence was focused on eating. The others were all curious about the newly arrived Latias.
Togepi stared enviously at Latias' wings, while Eevee came closer, fascinated by her gem-like feathers.
Milotic, in contrast, was much more reserved.
Gardevoir gazed at Latias.
She could feel an overwhelming threat emanating from Latias—something she had never sensed before, not even from Mew or the newly joined Milotic.
Latias, however, remained oblivious. Seeing Gardevoir looking at her, she happily flew over to greet her.
By the time lunch ended, Latias and Gardevoir had already become friends.
To Latias, Asahi was kind, the Pokémon here were friendly, and the berry salad was delicious…
—
As lunch ended, Sabrina looked at Asahi, who still hadn't made a move on Latias, and spoke telepathically:
[This isn't like you…]
Asahi was displeased.
[…What kind of image do you even have of me?]
Was his reputation really that bad?
Sabrina just smiled.
You should know very well what you've done in the past.
Asahi: "….."
Since there were guests, he decided to let it slide for now.
After lunch, Latias followed Asahi to his office.
The moment Asahi sat down, Latias suddenly got up.
[My brother is here…]
Latios?
Asahi wasn't surprised—this sibling pair always stuck together.
Since Latias had been here for a while, it was only natural for Latios to show up.
Closing his eyes, Asahi sensed an Aura similar to Latias' hovering outside the base.
Out of courtesy, he decided to bring Gardevoir along to personally welcome the visitor.
"Mew, keep Latias company for a while."
With that, only Mew and Latias remained in the office.
"Mew~!"
Mew skillfully turned on a screen, switched to a drama series, and then pulled Latias onto the sofa to watch.
Latias curiously observed the images on the screen.
For someone who had lived on a secluded southern island with little human contact, all of this was fascinating.
However, Mew felt like something was still missing…
"Mew…"
After thinking for a moment, Mew suddenly had an idea. She flew over to Asahi's desk, opened a drawer, rummaged around, and pulled out a box.
Latias watched Mew fly back with the box, curious.
"Mew~!"
Mew opened it, revealing neatly arranged Pokéblocks that emitted a tantalizing aroma.
Latias was instantly intrigued.
But…
[Isn't it bad if we sneak some of Asahi's food?] Latias hesitated.
"Mew~!" Mew waved her hand dismissively.
She explained that she often took Pokéblocks from Asahi, and he had already given his permission.
Hearing this, Latias relaxed.
Her gaze locked onto the Pokéblocks in the box.
After a brief hesitation, she carefully picked one up and placed it in her mouth.
Just as the Pokéblock entered her mouth, the door swung open.
Asahi saw the box in Mew's hands and the Pokéblock in Latias' mouth. A sense of impending doom washed over him.
Latias was a Dragon/Psychic-type. And… she was female…
"Wait—"
Asahi tried to stop her.
But it was too late—Latias had already swallowed the Pokéblock.
She looked at Asahi and her brother standing at the door, confused by Asahi's reaction.
Then, all of a sudden, a strange sensation spread throughout her body.
[Eh?]
An unfamiliar heat surged through her. She lost control over her illusionary human form and reverted to her original shape, her white cheeks turning red…
Latios: (＃￣—￣)
What did you do to my sister?
Asahi: (°—°〃)
He admitted that he had been responsible a few times in the past, but this time, it really wasn't his fault!
—
After a long explanation, Asahi finally convinced the furious Latios that this had nothing to do with him.
He then shot a glare at Mew, who was hiding behind him like a guilty child.
Eventually, Latias returned to normal.
Still blushing slightly, she shook her head at Latios.
[This wasn't Asahi's fault… And those Pokéblocks were really delicious.]
She spoke honestly. In fact, after eating that Pokéblock, she felt like her psychic powers had slightly strengthened.
Latios looked at his sister, who was still speaking up for Asahi, feeling both frustrated and helpless.
In terms of strength, he wasn't Asahi's match. Now his own sister was defending Asahi too…
But considering Asahi was the one who had saved Hoenn and the Southern Islands, Latios, despite his annoyance, ultimately took out a flute.
"This is the Eon Flute. If you play it, I'll come to fight alongside you."
With that, he grabbed his reluctant sister and left.
Asahi sighed.
He really didn't deserve this bad reputation…
Just then, Gardevoir walked in with a freshly brewed cup of tea. Looking around the now-empty room, she was puzzled.
Where were Latios and Latias?
—
The following days were rather peaceful.
Hoenn's reconstruction proceeded smoothly. Under Steven's leadership, the League's trainers conducted several raids on Team Magma and Team Aqua's bases, yielding impressive results.
Many remnants of the two teams were arrested, and soon, their presence in Hoenn was almost completely wiped out.
Zinnia, who held a grudge against Devon Corporation, had wanted to cause trouble for them multiple times.
But each time she saw them helping the Hoenn citizens rebuild their homes, she hesitated.
Grumbling things like "I'll let you off for now" and "I'll get back at you later", she always left empty-handed.
Asahi, after testing the Eon Flute a few times and only ever summoning an annoyed-looking Latios, decided to stop using it for now.
It seemed there was no way he'd be able to summon Latias anytime soon.
With his work in Hoenn wrapped up, Asahi told Steven about his plans to return to Kanto.
Steven had already expected this.
"This past while has been a huge help… On behalf of Hoenn, I thank you. You're always welcome here."
"Cut the formalities," Asahi replied.
As for Hoenn always welcoming him…
He just hoped that the next time he came back, it wouldn't be because of some meteor crisis.
After hanging up, Asahi handed the sleeping Eevee in his arms to Gardevoir and stepped out of his office.
Just a few steps away, he spotted Zinnia secretly making a phone call in a corner.
Even from a distance, Asahi could hear her voice.
"Don't worry, Elder! I will definitely take back the Dragon God's blessing from that guy!"
"What? You think he might be the prophesied successor? You want me to serve him? No way! Absolutely not! That guy—there's no way it's him!"
"I'm hanging up!"
Zinnia hastily ended the call, unwilling to accept the possibility.
"That guy… there's no way he's…"
"No way he's what?"
A familiar voice suddenly spoke from behind her.
Zinnia jumped, turning to see Asahi looking at her with a half-smile.
"How much did you hear?" she asked nervously.
Asahi: "Not much…"
Before she could relax, he continued:
"Just something about a prophecy, a successor… oh, and something about serving?"
Zinnia's heart skipped a beat. "You must have misheard…"
Then she bolted, afraid Asahi would press further.
Asahi chuckled.
After sending a message to Norman, saying the International Police's Kanto division would always welcome his son if he was interested, he turned to Gary.
"Let's go, Gary!" Asahi clapped his shoulder. "Time to head home!"
It had been a while since he'd been back in Kanto.
Rocket Team was probably missing him by now.
—
At the Indigo Plateau in Kanto…
Inside the Pokémon League headquarters, Lance listened to Asahi's firsthand account, despite already knowing the details from reports and news.
"…I never expected Team Magma and Team Aqua to cause this much destruction to Hoenn."
Lance had once envied Steven, thinking those two organizations were much easier to deal with than Team Rocket.
Now?
He'd rather take on Team Rocket any day.
At least Maxie and Archie weren't in Kanto…
Speaking of which—
"Lance, any news on Team Rocket while I was gone?"
Considering Giovanni left for Kanto sometimes ago, Asahi guessed Sird was not having a good time.
"About Team Rocket... There is indeed some information on them."
Lance pulled a document from his desk drawer and handed it to Asahi.
Asahi took it and gave it a quick glance—then froze.
[Team Rocket Internal Conflict: Former Executive Sird Defects, Whereabouts Unknown.]
Team Rocket falling into chaos was exactly what Asahi had expected, but something about the way it happened seemed off.
"This doesn't make sense… No way Giovanni would let someone like Sird slip away," Asahi muttered as he pulled out his phone.
Lance glanced at him. "What are you doing?"
"Asking Giovanni." As Asahi spoke, he pressed send.
[Asahi: Seriously? I gave you the intel, and you still let Sird escape? Are you even trying?]
[Asahi: Embarrassing. Maybe you should just step down and let me take over as Team Rocket's leader.]
Barely ten seconds later—
[System Notification: You have been blocked.]
Asahi clicked his tongue in annoyance, then looked up at Lance, who was watching curiously.
"He's panicking," Asahi declared. "Giovanni totally panicked."
Lance didn't know exactly what Asahi had texted, but anything that could make Giovanni lose his cool must have been vicious.
After spending enough time with Asahi, Lance had also developed a bit of a troublemaker's mindset. He couldn't help but smile.
Asahi waved a hand dismissively. "We can talk about Team Rocket later. I actually came to tell you something important."
Lance raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"Well… I brought Maxie and Archie back with me!"
Lance: "…?"
Just moments ago, he had been relieved that those two weren't in Kanto—now Asahi had dropped this bombshell.
For a moment, Lance felt like he was about to have a breakdown.
—
Lance's reaction was understandable.
However, after hearing that Team Magma and Team Aqua had been almost completely wiped out, leaving only a few remnants, he calmed down.
No wonder he had been so on edge before.
Kanto had only just gotten a brief respite after dealing with Team Rocket's recent blows. If Team Magma and Team Aqua had also shown up, the region would have descended into utter chaos.
But—
"Even if they did try to stir up trouble, I'm still here," Asahi said confidently.
With him around, even if Team Magma and Team Aqua were resurrected, they wouldn't be able to cause much trouble.
Because in Kanto, there was only ever one real threat—
Team Rocket.
---