Three days later, the two flying at full speed successfully arrived at the headquarters of the Hoenn League.
The Flygon and the Skarmory were exhausted enough, and the Team Magma operative, Jiaya, who was suspended beneath them, was even more miserable.
She had suspected more than once that Aoki and Steven were torturing her, and she didn't have any hope of surviving. Yet, she hadn't expected to endure three days of tornt like this.
Now, she desperately hoped that Aoki and Steven would quickly hand her over to the League Investigator Headquarters. After confessing everything, damn it, anything would be better than hanging mid-air like this—unable to go up or down, exposed to the scorching sun, strangled by the rope, and suffering unbearable discomfort.
After displaying their Senior Investigator badges, the two continued riding their Pokémon toward the Investigator Headquarters under the envious gazes of the surrounding guards.
The Hoenn League Headquarters consisted of five main buildings. The largest was the central League Headquarters, flanked by the Hoenn Pokémon Center and the Hoenn Police Station. On either side stood the Contest Hall and the Investigator Headquarters.
Aoki and Steven imdiately proceeded to the second floor of the Investigator Headquarters, where they saw nurous Trainers of varying strengths.
An important note: to emphasize that ti was valuable, flying was not prohibited within the Hoenn League Headquarters. Thus, Trainers soared through the skies on their Flying-type Pokémon.
This rule varied by region. So places, like the Silver Conference Headquarters, enforced strict no-flying zones.
Here, one could see all kinds of Flying mounts—weaker ones like Pelipper and Swellow, while stronger individuals even rode Aerodactyl and Salance.
However, these Trainers wore high-ranking League dals or Chief Investigator badges.
The Senior Investigator badges worn by Aoki and Steven already marked them as exceptional, drawing sideways glances as they flew past. After all, Senior Investigators their age were rare.
After recalling their Pokémon and entering the Investigator Headquarters, they were greeted by a receptionist. Normally, Senior Investigators wouldn't need an escort, but Aoki and Steven were still newcors to the rank.
With polite smiles, the receptionist guided them through the mission debriefing procedures.
When they finally stepped out of the League Investigator Headquarters, both exhaled deeply.
Though the Investigator position seed glamorous—offering great rewards for completed missions—most only saw the surface, unaware of the dangers lurking behind the title.
While submitting their report, Aoki and Steven repeatedly witnessed groups rushing in with gravely injured mbers, desperately seeking treatnt at the nearby Pokémon Center.
They risked their lives for resources.
Of course, so Investigators treated it as a lifelong calling, dedicating themselves to maintaining harmony in the Pokémon world.
In short, it was a profession that appeared glorious but concealed hidden hardships.
After leaving the Investigator Headquarters, Aoki received a substantial amount of League Points on his ID, exchangeable for valuable resources.
Just as the two were about to enter the League Headquarters building, they spotted two familiar figures conversing in the lobby.
Matsuda and Joseph had clearly known each other for a long ti, chatting casually while waiting for Aoki and Steven.
Now, seeing them return, the two elders gestured for them to join.
"Brat, you've really made it now—a League Senior Investigator! Quite the achievent, huh?" Matsuda said, his tone teasing yet proud.
After a brief exchange, Matsuda inquired about the recent mission.
Aoki recounted the events in detail.
By the end, Matsuda's expression was complex.
As a veteran champion-level Trainer, he understood better than Aoki just how much effort, sacrifice, and hardship it took to reach Champion-tier strength.
A Champion-level Volcarona had been imprisoned underground for so long, undiscovered.
Had it been freed sooner, perhaps it might have survived.
Yet, Matsuda nodded approvingly, clapping Aoki's shoulder. "You did well. A Pokémon of that caliber shouldn't have died forgotten beneath the earth. At least in its final monts, it shone brightly enough for all of Hoenn to witness its power."
Matsuda didn't disapprove of Aoki's actions—in fact, he agreed wholeheartedly.
anwhile, Steven's conversation with his father, Joseph, followed a similar tone. Joseph's expression showed admiration for Aoki's handling of the situation, as well as sorrow for Volcarona's fate.
Both elders, being of the older generation, processed the emotions quickly.
"This incident will likely spur the League into action once more. You two should brace yourselves," Joseph remarked with a knowing smile.
Aoki and Steven exchanged glances, recognizing the unspoken implication.
Here we go again.
Another round of publicity. Every ti, the League's exaggerated praise made even Aoki blush.
Overhype was dangerous.
If this kept up, would he be set up for failure before he could even prove himself?
No jinxing, please.
That was Aoki's biggest concern.
"Master, you didn't summon us just for this, did you? With both of you rushing here, there must be sothing else," Aoki ventured.
Both Matsuda and Joseph nodded.
Indeed, this wasn't the only reason. Otherwise, Joseph—as the current head of the Stone family—wouldn't have personally co. Even Hoenn League Chairman Adams would greet Joseph with utmost respect.
Given the Stone family's influence, Joseph's re presence could shake the Hoenn region's political landscape.
As for Matsuda, though his status wasn't as lofty as Joseph's, he served as a crucial liaison between the Hoenn League and the Breeder's Guild.
If the Hoenn League wished to formally establish the Breeder's Guild, Matsuda's role was indispensable. Currently, he held a high-ranking advisory position under Chairman Adams—similar to Aoki's honorary affiliation with Devon Corp.
Even the title sounded prestigious:
Personal Advisor to Adams, Chairman of the Hoenn League!
Just hearing it sounded impressive.
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