"Alright, you may go in."
The guard closed the register, his tone much calmer than before.
Ash smiled and nodded at him.
"Thank you."
As they entered Jubilife Village, many villagers immediately focused their gaze on them.
Some people just watched from afar, while others gathered and whispered.
Their so-called whispering didn't sound quiet at all to Ash.
"Did you see them? Those two are the people from overseas!"
"Yes, I saw them. I heard Leader Cyllene sent them to complete a task in Obsidian Fieldlands, and if they succeed, they can join Team Galactic."
"What? Let unknown foreigners join Team Galactic? Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
"Hmm, I also think Leader Cyllene hasn't considered this thoroughly."
"Although these two look decent, who knows what they're really like beneath the surface? They might have other motives for coming to Jubilife Village!"
"Look at that huge beast... This magnitude of force must be terrifyingly strong! Does Leader Cyllene really want to recruit such people into Team Galactic?"
"Yes, yes, Leader Cyllene must be confused... Do you think they really completed the task?"
"What task are they supposed to complete anyway?"
"Who knows."
"..."
Similar conversations stretched from the village entrance all the way to the vicinity of the Team Galactic Building.
A faint cross appeared on Ash's forehead.
These people spoke as if they were plotting loudly, not quietly at all!
Not to mention his keen hearing; anyone who wasn't deaf could hear what they were saying.
Pikachu, standing on Ash's shoulder, also twitched his ears.
"Pika..."
Ash was just about to turn around and say something, but Cynthia promptly reached out and grabbed his wrist.
Ash turned to look at her.
Cynthia gently shook her head at him.
As newcomers here, regardless of what others whispered behind their backs, they had to endure it for now.
The best way to refute their chatter wasn't to argue in the streets but to present irrefutable results.
Moreover, their main purpose for coming to this era wasn't to live in Jubilife Village long term.
What these people thought of them was actually not the most important thing.
Ash took a deep breath and ultimately swallowed back the words that almost slipped out.
"Understood."
He muttered softly and then followed Cynthia into the Team Galactic Building.
First floor of the Team Galactic Building.
Cyllene sat behind the desk, holding the task sheet they had previously received.
She looked at the task sheet, then raised her head to look at Ash, Cynthia, and the tall Garchomp standing before her.
"...So, you're saying you've defeated Boss Kricketune and restored it to its original state?"
Her voice remained serious.
But a trace of importance flickered in her eyes.
These two left Jubilife Village near noon, and now the sky had just begun to darken.
The total time spent out wasn't even half a day.
Yet they claimed to have resolved a problem that troubled Team Galactic for half a month.
This made Cyllene find it difficult to immediately believe.
"Yes."
Cynthia smiled and nodded.
"As for the specifics, Professor Laventon and Rei should report to you when they return."
Diplomatic tasks like this were usually handled by Cynthia.
Ash, on the other hand, naturally entered a laid-back state beside her.
Cyllene paused for a moment.
This matter was definitely not something that could deceive her.
Professor Laventon and Rei had also gone to Obsidian Fieldlands together.
Once the two returned, the truth could be instantly confirmed.
Thus, Ash and Cynthia likely did solve the issue with Boss Kricketune.
Cyllene placed the task sheet on the table, tapping lightly on the paper with her fingertips.
She didn't immediately make a conclusion but instructed the two to sit aside and wait, while her gaze continuously lingered on Cynthia's Garchomp.
This woman didn't have a Pokemon with her earlier, but now she appeared with one that's considered extraordinarily rare in all of Hisui—Garchomp.
Did she capture it on the way? It didn't seem like it.
The intimate manner of both looked nothing like they'd only just met; they must have known each other for a long time...
So, where was this Garchomp kept before?
In the silent office, brainstorming in Cyllene's head never stopped.
After a while, hurried footsteps finally sounded outside the door.
Professor Laventon and Rei rushed in, drenched in sweat.
The two had walked back entirely.
Compared to Ash and Cynthia returning swiftly on Wyrdeer, their journey was incredibly arduous.
Professor Laventon caught his breath while leaning on the door frame.
"Leader Cyllene, we've returned!"
Rei followed behind, fatigue written all over his face.
Cyllene looked up at them, "You're back just in time. Regarding Boss Kricketune's task, Ash and Cynthia claim they've completed it. Is this true?"
Professor Laventon immediately nodded.
"Absolutely true! Leader Cyllene, I saw it with my own eyes! Boss Kricketune is back to normal, and it even led the Kricketune Clan away from Deertrack Heights."
Rei promptly added, "Yes, the Kricketune situation has been resolved."
"Though the process was somewhat...hard to fathom."
His expression became visibly complicated as he spoke.
Recalling how Garchomp subdued the entire Kricketune Clan with just the force of Dragon Rush, Rei still felt like he was dreaming.
Professor Laventon, however, had already started to share the exciting details.
He first recounted the defeat of Boss Kricketune, then described Ash calming Boss Kricketune with the Power of Viridian.
Finally, he didn't forget to lavish praise on Ash's Pokemon Affinity.
"Leader Cyllene, you wouldn't believe it!"
"Ash can not only communicate with Pokemon but was actively approached by Wyrdeer!"
"That's the Mount Pokemon inherited from the Venerable Sinnoh's power!"
"Even Mai was taken aback!"
"Wyrdeer is normally very proud; common folks find it hard to get close, yet Ash could pat its head directly!"
Professor Laventon's tone carried a hint of lament as he spoke.
After all, not only had he failed to touch Wyrdeer, but he was also once kicked flying by it.
Cyllene, having listened to these accounts, finally set her gaze on Ash.
She had indeed underestimated this young man.
Although Ash and Cynthia are both from overseas, by how they behaved, Cynthia clearly had the authority.
Ash seemed more like a boy tagging along with his sister to broaden his horizons.
But looking at it now, her previous judgment seemed evidently skewed.
Being able to communicate with Pokemon... Restoring Boss Kricketune to normal... Even gaining Wyrdeer's affection, who inherited the Venerable Sinnoh's power...
Any of these matters alone could make Team Galactic pay significant attention.
Especially the ability to communicate with Pokemon, this was a power that Team Galactic dreamed of having!
If someone within Team Galactic acquired this ability, their research and training with Pokemon would proceed much smoother.
The goal of peaceful coexistence between humans and Pokemon would thus advance significantly.
Unfortunately, after Professor Laventon finished his account, he seriously added, "But Leader Cyllene, Ash's ability can't be taught to others."
"He said it's a special power unique to him, not something others can learn. I've asked many times, and it's indeed not possible."
Professor Laventon was a straightforward person.
Despite being young, he dedicated most of his Heart Power to Pokemon research.
Comparatively, his ability to discern people's motives was naturally far inferior to leaders like Cyllene in Team Galactic.
Thus, when he repeatedly emphasized that Ash's power couldn't be taught, Cyllene's immediate thought was a different possibility.
Perhaps Ash wasn't genuinely unable to pass this power to others; it's just that Team Galactic couldn't offer enough to tempt him yet.
Of course, this sort of inquiry was beyond her as a leader.
At least, it needed Captain Kamado himself to meet and speak with these overseas strangers.
Her task now was to fulfill her duties as the leader.