Aoki stood silently as Drake allowed the two investigators to arrest Gordon. There was still so level of trust in Aoki, given that when Wattson had escaped back to the League, he had ntioned the presence of a traitor within their ranks. Now, Aoki had brought out his Tyranitar and struck with devastating force, decisively crushing Gordon in battle.
With Drake's keen perception, it was obvious that while Gordon held the rank of a mid-level investigator, the strength of his Pokémon had reached the cusp of Champion-level. Becoming a senior investigator would have been a re formality for him. Furthermore, given the opportunity to get close to Wattson—a Trainer of near-Champion strength—Gordon could have easily launched a surprise attack. Drake recalled that in Celebi's dinsion, this man had not been among the League's forces.
"He's the one who attacked Wattson of the Elite Four," Aoki said coldly, his expression unreadable.
Hearing this, both Drake and the chief turned grim. Nearby bystanders who had overheard Aoki's accusation also regarded Gordon with hostility.
Gordon had always presented himself as a model investigator, well-liked by his peers. No one would have guessed he was a mole planted by an opposing faction.
Now restrained by the two officers, Gordon thrashed wildly.
"You're lying! You have no proof! I'm innocent! Drake, you have to believe !" Gordon scread, his face flushing with panic.
Drake frowned. The desperation in Gordon's voice was telling—anyone could see the guilt written across his features. But without concrete evidence, arresting him publicly could incite unrest.
Aoki smirked. He had anticipated Gordon's last-ditch resistance.
Reaching into his pocket, he produced a communicator.
"This," he declared, holding it up for all to see, "belongs to the Hunter Guild's point of contact. Care to guess how many incriminating ssages are stored here? And why I happen to have it?"
As the League's lead investigator, acting on direct orders from Champion Adams, I am placing you under arrest. If you have complaints, take them up with him—though I doubt he'll be pleased to see you."
Gordon's face drained of color.
The mont Aoki had confronted him, he'd known his fate was sealed. His attempt to take Aoki hostage had failed spectacularly, crushed by Tyranitar's overwhelming power. Now, he was just buying ti.
Seeing the communicator, Drake motioned for the officers to remove Gordon from the scene. Even without it, he wouldn't have let the man walk free.
As the crowd dispersed, Drake eyed the device in Aoki's hand.
"Does it actually contain anything?" he asked.
Aoki pocketed it with a shrug. "Of course not. It's mine. I was bluffing."
Drake burst into laughter. Behind him, Steven and Phoebe stared in shock. They had been completely convinced by Aoki's performance.
"Well played, kid," Drake chuckled.
The Jenny family chief—an older woman with sharp eyes—also laughed.
"Aoki," she said, "you uncovered this traitor faster than even our best operatives. Impressive. Ever considered joining the League Police? Serve as deputy chief for a year, and I'll promote you to full chief after."
Phoebe spat out her drink. Steven's eyebrows shot up.
The position of League Police Chief was no small matter—it carried authority on par with the Elite Four. And the Verdanturf Clan had held that power since the League's founding. Never before had an outsider been offered the role.
Drake studied his old friend with amusent. "You're serious?"
The chief's smile didn't waver. She kept her gaze locked on Aoki.
"Well?" she pressed.
Aoki hesitated. Shock, calculation, and intrigue flickered across his face before settling into an awkward grin.
"Chief, I'm seventeen. You can't possibly an to make deputy director."
An eighteen-year-old police chief would be unprecedented. Even an eighteen-year-old Elite Four mber would be more believable.
The chief's grin widened. She pulled out a business card and handed it to him.
"Think it over. My door's always open."
With that, she left, still smiling.
Drake watched her go before turning back to Aoki with a knowing look.
"Outsiders don't beco police chiefs," he said slowly. "You catch my drift?"
Steven and Phoebe exchanged glances.
"Son-in-law?" they said in unison.
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