Knowing that Drake was on Aoki's side, Celebi did not target Drake. Seeing this situation, Drake remained calm on the surface but felt a little relieved internally. No one could remain completely composed when facing so many Celebi at once.
After Mitchell vanished, there was no real reason for anyone to remain in that place any longer. Himura and Izumi had co as representatives to assist Mitchell, and their subordinates were present for the sa purpose. As for Drake, Aoki, and the others, their primary objective had been to rescue those in danger. Once they uncovered the Hunter's Guild's true intentions, they had resolved to stop them. Now that Mitchell, the mastermind behind everything, had disappeared, their respective missions were effectively complete.
However, Celebi's cheerful expression hadn't faded yet. The recent events had clearly amused it greatly—particularly the abrupt shift in Mitchell's expression at the very end. To Celebi, it was nothing short of a cody!
Only Aoki is the clever one here!
That was Celebi's current train of thought.
After fluttering around for a while, Celebi finally ca to a stop mid-air, as if growing tired. It placed a tiny hand over its mouth and let out a yawn, a single tear forming in its large blue eyes. It was clearly getting sleepy.
Aoki's heart sank at the sight. They were still deep beneath the Tree of Life with no clear exit in sight. If Celebi fell asleep now, there was no telling how long they'd be trapped down here—if they ever found a way out at all.
Acting quickly, Aoki stepped forward. "Celebi, you must be exhausted and need rest. But before you sleep, could you send us back outside first?"
Celebi's drooping eyelids paused for a brief mont. Though reluctant, it waved a small hand, and a spatial rift opened beneath the group's feet. Before anyone could react, they all tumbled through.
As he fell, Aoki hastily called out, "Celebi! The others in the forest too!"
But Celebi had already taken care of it. Everyone—whether from the League, Team Magma, or Team Aqua—had been ejected from the Tree of Life's space, scattered across the island's surface.
With its task complete, Celebi could no longer stay awake. The rift sealed shut, and its eyes fluttered closed as its body slowly rged into the ancient tree's bark. How long it would slumber this ti, no one could say.
Aoki and the others found themselves back on the small island in the middle of the ocean. They hadn't erged from the cave one by one—instead, every single person had been deposited onto the island simultaneously.
For Aoki and his allies, this was fortunate. For the other three factions, however, it was a disaster.
The incident had been unfolding for days, and the League had already established a tight periter around the area. Aoki had suspected this would happen—which was why he'd found Mitchell's plan so baffling. It was an all-or-nothing gamble. If they failed to capture Celebi, they'd be walking straight into the League's encirclent upon returning.
And that was exactly what happened now.
Among those who reappeared were Maxie and Archie, the leaders of Team Magma and Team Aqua. The mont they materialized, they abandoned their subordinates without hesitation, summoning their Pokémon and diving into the sea.
Few present could stop them.
Drake might have been capable, but with so many people around, forcing a confrontation would have risked heavy casualties for the League.
The officer overseeing the operation wasn't one of the Elite Four—but the head of the Jenny Family, a figure whose strength rivaled theirs. Alongside him were several high-ranking investigators, including Steven's cousin, the Chief Investigator who had always held Aoki in high regard.
With Maxie and Archie gone, the remaining mbers of Team Magma, Team Aqua, and the Hunter's Guild—including their sole surviving Champion-level fighter—were swiftly apprehended.
If Himura and Izumi had chosen to fight desperately, even Drake might not have been able to stop them. But these lower-tier Champion-level opponents? They stood no chance.
The League had mobilized heavily for this operation. At this mont, aside from Drake, Aoki, and his companions, there were five other Champion-level trainers present—among them the Jenny Family head, whose power matched the Elite Four's.
Within half an hour, everyone except Maxie and Archie had been captured.
But a few still slipped through the cracks.
So were disguised in League uniforms.
Like the man Aoki now blocked—dressed in a full Investigator's outfit, complete with a mid-level Investigator's badge. He had been inching toward the island's edge, head lowered, when Aoki materialized before him.
The man's eyes flickered with surprise, but he quickly masked it with an awkward grin.
"Chief Investigator Aoki! Is there sothing you need?" he asked, adopting the tone of a dutiful subordinate.
Aoki remained expressionless, simply watching him.
The man's smile grew strained.
"Na," Aoki said flatly.
The man exhaled slightly. "Gordon. Mid-level Investigator under—"
"Why did you do it?" Aoki cut in.
Gordon froze. "D-do what?"
"Why attack Wattson of the Elite Four?"
Aoki already knew this man's identity—Yangdou had inford him. Wattson's severe injuries hadn't just been from the enemy's assault; this man's betrayal had been the critical blow.
Back in Celebi's dinsion, Aoki had wanted to confront him, but Gordon hadn't been among the League's forces. Aoki had assud he'd perished in the collapse—until Celebi teleported everyone out, and he spotted Gordon among the crowd.
The man had likely been hiding in the forest or within the Hunter's Guild's base.
Now, sweating profusely, Gordon stamred, "I—I would never! You've mistaken for soone else! I'm loyal to the League!"
Aoki smirked.
Who understands another the best?
We are the sa kind of people.
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