Contrary to what Flint expected, Sato and the other two didn't impulsively rush off to confront Cyrus. Instead, they made their way to Elite Four Bertha's office. The four of them closed the door and spoke for over ten minutes before it finally opened again.
Flint and Volkner, who had been waiting outside, quickly approached. But before they could ask anything, Bertha assigned them a new task.
"Mobilize all stationed Trainers in the building to seal off the premises. From this moment forward, no one is allowed to leave, only enter!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Flint responded seriously. When executing a mission, he didn't dare act as casually as he usually did.
But in that moment, he already had a strong hunch: this sudden "operation" was clearly targeting Cyrus.
'Still… what exactly happened between Sato and Cyrus that made things escalate to this level of hostility?'
----
Bang!
Back to the moment the conference room doors burst open, Bertha entered dramatically with a large group in tow. She casually waved off the League officials who had been negotiating prices, and finally turned her gaze toward the calm and curious-looking Cyrus.
'Good mental composure… just walked the wrong path,' Bertha thought to herself with a silent sigh as she saw that Cyrus's calmness didn't seem fake.
"To what do I owe the visit from Sinnoh's top Elite Four, Miss Bertha? Is there a pricing issue with the product? No problem, we can continue negotiations-"
"That's not important. I came here to ask you to explain something."
Bertha lightly shook her head, but her eyes never left Cyrus. At that moment, her secretary stepped forward, holding a tablet in hand.
"Begin."
After Bertha spoke, the secretary tapped play. Immediately, footage appeared on the tablet, showing Cyrus in various conversations, complete with audio.
--------------
["…President, the Prince of the Sea, Manaphy's Pokémon egg has been re-located. It's currently at-]
[Contact the Hunters Guild. Hire them to retrieve the egg. If they can't, then have Sato and his group vanish into the ocean.]
[Understood!]
- - -
[Report, President. The president of xx Corp in Veilstone City has been confirmed dead. The Hunters Guild is pressing for payment.]
- - -
[Report, President. The Lake Verity operation was exposed early. Mesprit never showed. The Hunters Guild is demanding compensation-]
- - -
[Report, President. Excavation in the northern section of Mt. Coronet continues. Most wild Ground and Rock-type Pokémon have already been driven out.]
--------------
"…"
The footage had clearly been edited for efficiency, no wasted dialogue. One illegal activity after another, each more damning than the last.
Even with the best composure in the world, Cyrus couldn't help but break into a cold sweat as he watched.
His most secure office had been bugged with hidden cameras… and for several months at that!
'WHO DID IT!?'
Cyrus felt his throat go dry. He tried to swallow but found his mouth parched.
Just then, his eyes caught sight of someone who hadn't shown their face yet, standing quietly behind Bertha.
'SATO!'
Cyrus raised his hand to point at Sato, but was instantly swarmed by the alert League Trainers surrounding him.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!"
"Hands down!"
"Surrender, you, FILTHY SCUMBAG!"
"…"
Cyrus was restrained on the spot. Even all the subordinates he brought along this time were arrested without exception.
"I am the CEO of Galactic Technology Holdings! I came here with the utmost sincerity to seek cooperation!
And this is how the Sinnoh League treats its guests…?
And that footage is clearly fabricated! How can it count as evidence?
THIS IS OUTRIGHT SLANDER!
SATO, WAS IT YOU? ARE YOU STILL BITTER OVER THE CHALLENGE THIS MORNING? IS THAT WHY YOU PULLED THIS?
Elite Four Bertha, I'm an old friend of Elite Four Hilbert. I REQUEST TO SPEAK WITH HIM-"
Finally, the rambling Cyrus stopped… only to realize that from beginning to end, he was the only one in the room shouting.
Sato remained expressionless, as if Cyrus hadn't even mentioned him.
Mark, on the other hand, couldn't hide his grin. He thought, 'Boss really is the boss~ He actually infiltrated their side and planted surveillance. And it went undetected for months!'
But now that Mark had started using his brain, something didn't add up… the three of them were always together: eating, sleeping, traveling. When would Sato have had time to plant cameras?
"It doesn't matter if the footage was edited. We have the originals. So… are you still clinging to hope?"
Bertha shattered Cyrus's fantasy with a sharp question.
In truth, when Bertha first saw the footage that Sato sent her, her initial reaction was to avoid alerting the enemy. Since they had evidence, it would be better to move slowly and arrest everyone in one sweep.
…But Sato only said two words that changed her mind.
Undercover agent!
Galactic Technology had visited the League building for cooperation talks more than once. Given everything they had done, it was obvious someone on the inside was shielding them.
And for someone to cover up such large-scale operations, their position within the League had to be quite high.
If any part of their raid plans were leaked, the entire operation might end up yielding nothing.
Bertha didn't reach her position by being naive. Her hesitation had only come from wanting maximum return.
But now… Cyrus was inside the League building. This was the best chance to arrest him.
Instead of fearing they'd tip him off, why not catch him completely off guard?
As for Cyrus mentioning Elite Four Hilbert just now… that might be the clue needed to flush out the mole!
With that thought, Bertha felt even more determined.
As Agatha's younger sister, she rarely used her Ghost-type Pokémon in front of others, but that didn't mean she didn't have them.
And Hypnosis just so happened to be a move that many Ghost-types were exceptionally skilled at…
Cyrus -the future kingpin of Sinnoh's underground world and the eventual Leader of Team Galactic- was now sent straight to prison, all thanks to Sato.
As Cyrus was dragged away, still dazed and in disbelief, Sato suddenly felt a bit of emotion stir inside him.
He realized that he had already sent all three future underground final bosses to prison.
Archie, Maxie… and now Cyrus.
"…Guess it's your own fault. I never planned to mess with any of you, but you all insisted on coming after me."
"BOSS! What are you muttering about over there?" Mark suddenly smacked Sato on the shoulder and yelled loudly.
Sato gave Mark a glance but couldn't be bothered to respond. He just turned and walked toward the exit of the building.
Cyrus's fate didn't concern him. Even if the man had connections powerful enough to escape from Bertha's grip, he'd still be left completely alone.
Without resources or influence, Cyrus still dreamed of creating a whole new world like in Sato's previous life?
Just to fulfill his chūnibyō fantasy?
Nearly impossible.
'Create a new world…?'
Was it because he'd been beaten down too hard by society?
.
.
250 PS - Chap