Jacob pondered Zade's words thoughtfully, carefully considering their implications.
Although Zade, as their team leader, seemed honest and unassuming on the surface, he was definitely not lacking in perceptiveness and awareness.
Jacob carefully considered Zade's warning, his brows furrowing slightly in concentration. Based on his tone and manner of speaking, it seemed this investigation would very likely involve Finnian directly at some point.
After a moment of deep thought, Jacob continued flipping through the dense files. He discovered that the sections introducing the Duan Family's extensive network of relatives and friends alone spanned dozens of pages.
The Duan Family was undoubtedly a towering tree in Black Dragon City, its roots deeply embedded in the city's foundation, draining its resources to nourish and sustain the entire Duan Family empire.
As long as someone was born into the Duan Family, they could live a life of comfort and privilege, even if they accomplished absolutely nothing of their own merit.
Jacob couldn't help but sigh quietly to himself, realizing that one's birth circumstances were truly a key factor in determining a person's ultimate destiny in life.
...…
Just reviewing and analyzing these extensive files took nearly an entire day. Following that intensive study, the three of them spent another full day finalizing a detailed action plan with contingencies. Then they boarded a plane and headed directly to Black Dragon City.
The September sun blazed intensely overhead, and the temperature in Black Dragon City was extremely high. As soon as they stepped off the plane, an oppressive wave of heat immediately washed over them.
The three had just exited the aircraft when they immediately spotted the welcoming party that had been sent by the Black Dragon City Pokémon Association to receive them.
"Welcome, welcome to Black Dragon City!" A man dressed in a professional suit approached the three visitors with a hearty, enthusiastic smile plastered on his face.
"I am Lachlan, Vice President of the Black Dragon City Pokémon Association. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"I am Zade, and this is June, and Jacob," Zade responded with a professional smile, greeting Lachlan politely while introducing June and Jacob, who stood behind him, one by one.
"Thank you all for your hard work in traveling all the way here. We've pretty much handled and contained the Grass-type Secret Realm incident on our end. Honestly, a written report would have been entirely sufficient—there was really no need for you to trouble yourselves with making a personal trip all the way out here," Lachlan said with what appeared to be genuine friendliness.
This time, Jacob and his team's trip to Black Dragon City naturally couldn't be framed as a high-profile investigation of the Duan Family, as that approach would only alert them to the investigation prematurely.
Their official, public-facing reason for the visit was to investigate the recent Grass-type Secret Realm explosion incident in Black Dragon City, while their true, covert mission remained investigating Finnian and his family's potential involvement.
Moreover, they had also received multiple reports suggesting that the Grass-type Secret Realm explosion was highly unusual and very likely connected to the Duan Family in some capacity.
The evidence was compelling: after the explosion occurred, a large number of extremely precious and rare Grass-type Pokémon had gone mysteriously missing from the Grass-type Secret Realm, and an entire batch of newly hatched Grass-type Pokémon had died under suspicious circumstances.
Jacob absolutely refused to believe there wasn't foul play involved in such convenient timing.
...…
"The higher-ups at headquarters have specifically requested this on-site inspection, so we must take a proper look at everything," Zade responded with a diplomatic smile, deliberately not addressing Lachlan's suggestion directly.
"I understand completely. It's good for you to take a thorough look, and it can also help silence all the persistent rumors circulating lately. I know there have been many unfounded rumors about this incident recently spreading around, and your official inspection will help us clear our name properly," Lachlan said, maintaining his broad smile. "Let's go then, we can talk more comfortably in the car. I'll treat you all to a proper welcome dinner today, and we won't leave until we're completely satisfied!"
"No alcohol, please. We have strict regulations against drinking while on duty. We'll just eat in your association's cafeteria instead," Zade replied firmly but politely.
"Alright then, no problem at all. I'll have the kitchen staff prepare a few simple but delicious dishes for you."
...…
After their brief exchange, the group boarded a nearby commercial vehicle that had been arranged for them and drove directly to the Black Dragon City Pokémon Association headquarters.
By the time the group finally arrived at the Black Dragon City Pokémon Association building, it was already well past noon. After eating a simple but filling meal in the cafeteria, Zade led Jacob and June to officially begin their investigative work.
Lachlan also personally escorted the three investigators to a conference room located on the fifth floor. "This space has been specially cleared out and prepared for your use as your temporary office. Your accommodation arrangements will be at the Black Dragon City Pokémon Association guesthouse, which should be quite comfortable."
"Thank you very much, Vice President Lachlan. I've already sent you the complete list of required materials and documents we'll need. Please have them delivered as soon as they're available."
"Don't worry about it, no problem at all. Consider it done."
...…
"Click."
As the conference room door closed firmly behind Lachlan's departing figure, Zade quickly shifted into business mode, speaking seriously to his two younger teammates.
"We most likely won't find anything incriminating or useful in the official documents they provide us. Since they're willing to send the documents over so readily, they must have already thoroughly cleaned them up and removed anything problematic. We still need to start our real investigation with that explosion incident itself," Zade explained methodically. "We'll proceed according to our established plan, splitting into two separate groups for efficiency."
"One person will conduct a secret investigation of the Duan Family and their operations."
"The other person will accompany me to investigate the Grass-type Secret Realm explosion site and gather evidence there."
"You two decide between yourselves who does what," Zade finished speaking and looked expectantly at Jacob and June.
"My strength is somewhat greater than Jacob's, so I should be the one to act alone," June said, looking directly at Jacob with confidence.
She was the Champion of the previous High School Cup and had been training for a full year longer than Jacob had. In her assessment, her overall strength was definitely superior to Jacob's, and since she was also his senior at the university, she volunteered to take on the solo mission.
"I'll act alone instead," Jacob countered immediately. Compared to working alongside Zade on the official investigation, Jacob genuinely preferred to operate independently. "It's not really convenient or appropriate for you, as a young woman, to act alone in this kind of investigation."
Seeing the clear disagreement developing between Jacob and June, Zade quickly interjected to settle the matter. "It's probably better for Jacob to act alone on this one. After all, investigating the Duan Family might involve going to places like hotels, nightclubs, and other entertainment venues, which can be quite inconvenient and potentially unsafe for a woman to visit alone sometimes."
Hearing Zade express his decision so clearly, June no longer insisted on her position and could only nod in acceptance. "Alright, I understand."
"Then it's settled and decided. Oh, and Jacob, no matter what situation you encounter, remember to stay in constant contact with us at all times. If you encounter anything particularly tricky or dangerous, call me immediately without hesitation. Don't let yourself get too impulsive or take unnecessary risks. Always remember to prioritize your own personal safety above everything else. June, you'll come with me to investigate the Grass-type Secret Realm site."
"Understood."
...…
After the team split up according to plan, Jacob walked out of the Black Dragon City Pokémon Association building and into the bright afternoon sunlight.
This was his very first official mission, and a solo one at that, which made Jacob feel a subtle but distinct mix of excitement and nervous anticipation coursing through him.
He pondered carefully where he should begin his investigation of the Duan Family and their operations.
Jacob thought deeply, his brows furrowing slightly in concentration. He felt somewhat lost for a moment, genuinely unsure where exactly to start his investigation.
However, he knew with certainty that the very first thing he needed to accomplish was shaking off the surveillance that was undoubtedly following him.
Before leaving the conference room, Zade had specifically reminded him that to have any real success in his covert actions, the absolute first priority was to lose any potential pursuers or surveillance.
Therefore, Jacob unhesitatingly released his Alakazam from its Poké Ball. By now, Jacob's Alakazam had been publicly revealed through multiple high-profile battles, so there was no point in hiding it. "Alakazam, use Teleport immediately."
With a powerful surge of concentrated Psychic energy, Jacob's figure vanished completely from the spot where he'd been standing.
...…
In a dark, shadowy alley far from the association building, Jacob's figure suddenly materialized deep within the narrow passage.
Shaking off his pursuers was merely the first step in his plan—now it was finally time to get down to the real business at hand.
Should he directly investigate the Duan Family's nightclubs, bars, entertainment venues, or construction sites right away?
Or would it be smarter to start his investigation directly with a few of the Duan Family's younger members and work his way up?
Jacob thought carefully for several moments, weighing his options, then finally picked up his phone and dialed Raya's number.
"Hello, Raya."
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Raya's voice came through clearly on the other end.
"There's something important I need your help with," Jacob said carefully. "Do you know anything about the Duan Family in Black Dragon City?"
"Never heard of them before. Why, is something the matter?" Raya asked with mild curiosity.
"You should know that I recently joined Charizard's Team Zero unit. I'm on an official mission here in Black Dragon City right now, and I need you to help me investigate and gather information about the Duan Family," Jacob explained, his voice serious and purposeful.
"The Duan Family? Alright, I'll look into it for you and call you back later once I have something," Raya responded efficiently.
"Okay, and please remember to keep this completely confidential. It's important," Jacob emphasized at this critical point.
"Mm, understood."
After hanging up the phone, Jacob felt a subtle but profound sense of gratitude and relief.
Personal connections and access to resources were sometimes truly invaluable and important in this line of work. If he hadn't known Raya and had access to her extensive network, he honestly didn't know how long it would have taken him to find any useful information about the Duan Family.
Now, a single phone call could potentially resolve what might have taken days or weeks of fruitless investigation.