It was an image of a woman with silver-gray hair, wearing high-tech glasses, smiling and chatting on a call.
Behind her, a group of Pokémon huddled in an iron cage.
Clearly terrified, the Pokémon's timid gazes contrasted sharply with the woman's cheerful deanor, creating a jarring effect.
Seeing this photo, whether it was Ty, Ry, the usually unrestrained Rika, or the calm-faced Grusha, all their eyes sharpened noticeably.
They were all powerful trainers from Paldea, and Pokémon had been a part of their lives for as long as they could rember. The sight of these captured Pokémon stirred a complex, unspoken emotion in them all.
Looker then pulled up several more photos.
There were Pokémon separated from their young by Hunter J's cruelty, Pokémon confused and taken away from their holands to be sold to unknown places, and Pokémon rescued by police but visibly suffering from psychological trauma and physical abuse.
To make the captured Pokémon more obedient for buyers, Hunter J often trained them before delivery to make them more docile.
All the evidence pointed to Hunter J's utter ruthlessness.
"This is just…" Ty, elderly as she was, now looked at her Pokémon as if they were her children. Seeing such cruelty, she instinctively covered her mouth, gasping softly.
Ry moved closer to comfort her sister, her gaze growing solemn.
Rika uncrossed her long legs and sat up straight, voice cold: "Scum."
Grusha's eyes turned sharp.
Looker said gravely, "This is only the tip of the iceberg. In places we know nothing about, her cruelty is only increasing."
"Now, according to reliable sources, Hunter J and her subordinates are coming to Glaseado Mountain in Paldea to hunt a certain rare Pokémon for a client."
"This is undoubtedly our chance to capture her. But with the vastness of Glaseado Mountain, and uncertainty about her target and location, the International Police is simply stretched too thin."
"You trainers from Paldea are the strongest support we could hope for—especially Miss Rika and Mr. Lucas. As an Elite Four mber and a Champion-level trainer, your participation gives much more confidence in our operation."
Lucas wasn't surprised that Looker knew of his strength—after all, the commission had co from Geeta, who must have briefed Looker in advance.
Lucas asked, "Are the specifics of the operation and division of tasks already set?"
Looker nodded, "Because Glaseado Mountain is so vast, spreading our forces will inevitably leave so gaps, or police may encounter Hunter J's group and be unable to handle them."
He produced a detailed map of Glaseado Mountain and looked at the trainers: "So, as our top combatants, I'd like you each to take responsibility for a region. If any officer in your area finds a clue, go there imdiately to suppress Hunter J."
Rika tapped her fingers on the table, eyes fixed on Looker: "We understand your request, but how much do you know about Hunter J's actual fighting strength?"
Ry and Ty exchanged glances—it was indeed an important question.
Looker replied, "Currently known, her Pokémon include Salance, Ariados, and Drapion. Her strength is at least on par with an elite trainer. Her subordinates also have Pokémon, mostly Poison and Dark-types."
"But their tactics usually aren't standard battles—they use all kinds of tech weapons instead. Please be careful of that."
Looker listed the typical tech weapons used by Hunter J's gang. The one that drew Lucas's attention was the Petrification Beam mounted on Hunter J's arm.
He rembered that this beam had petrified many Pokémon in the ani, even capturing the legendary lake Pokémon Uxie, sprit, and Azelf.
In the Pokémon world, bizarre black-tech sotis wields unimaginable power. Lucas knew he needed to be wary.
The eting ended after Looker divided the regions among the trainers. According to intel, Hunter J could arrive as early as tomorrow, so they all needed to be in position by tonight.
Geeta had originally planned for Grusha to assist Lucas, but considering Lucas's strength, Looker assigned him an exceptionally challenging region.
It was a vast area centered around Glaseado Mountain's highest peak, even including the western side: Glaseado's Grasp, one of the Ten Sights of Paldea.
Looker's exact words were: "No one's Pokémon is as mobile as your Dragonite—those who are able must bear more. I hope you can handle it."
Lucas had already intended to wait at the summit, but being specifically assigned always felt a little off.
After all, if there was any reliable way to search for Hunter J's gang in this massive mountain, it would be the system in his mind.
Usually, it seed useless, but for finding things or solving mysteries, it had its monts.
After tasks were assigned, Lucas was given a temporary subordinate by Looker.
Looking at the capable woman before him, Lucas's fingers trembled as he asked again, "What…what's your na?"
"Anabel. I'm Anabel. How many tis do I have to repeat myself?"
The woman, busy checking her gear, was a bit impatient but replied due to their shared task.
She had long, violet hair tied in a slightly flowing ponytail with a ribbon, and her black suit gave off a strong keep your distance vibe.
Anabel—was this the sa Salon Maiden Anabel, Brain of the Battle Frontier?
Lucas clearly rembered watching a battle at the Battle Tower on his phone just a couple months ago.
No doubt, the Anabel in the video had short hair. Yet the Anabel before him had long hair—how could that be?
Even if hair grew fast, a person's aura wouldn't change this much in two months, right?
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