Officer Jenny's voice was clear and solemn.
Her gaze locked on Ash, carrying a trace of barely perceptible curiosity and anticipation.
"Mister Ash, the following information concerns a top-secret matter for the League, as well as a personal commission from the Sinnoh Champion, Miss Cynthia."
"If you're interested, I'll need you to sign this confidentiality agreement."
Ash glanced at the document being slid toward him, then at Jenny's mysterious expression.
Something from Cynthia?
Two encounters with female Champions in one day—his "luck" seemed to be coming in waves.
Without much hesitation, he quickly scrawled his name.
"Mister Ash~ you really are decisive~"
Jenny's eyes glimmered with approval as she carefully put the agreement away, a faint smile blooming across her face like a peony in the night.
She didn't say more. Instead, she walked straight to the Pokémon Center's service counter, flashed her special credentials, and whispered a few words.
Soon, a Nurse Joy arrived to respectfully lead them down a quiet corridor, stopping before a door engraved with the insignia reserved for Gym-level trainers.
Jenny swiped her ID across the lock, and the heavy door slid open without a sound.
"Please, come in."
Jenny motioned for Ash to follow.
Out in the lobby, Leaf and Yumi were practically sprouting question marks over their heads.
What was going on??
Signing an agreement, then heading to a private high-end room like that?
What exactly was Officer Jenny planning?!
Inside the room, Ash followed Jenny in.
This was a suite that only Gym-level trainers were allowed to book.
The decor was warm, understated, yet luxurious—soft Pokémon-fur carpets, the air scented with calming incense.
At the center, a round wooden table held a platter of fresh, glossy Berries and even a ribbon-wrapped gift box.
Every detail silently reflected the League's respect and courtesy toward the strong.
"All right~ now what we say here is completely private."
Jenny closed the heavy door behind them, shutting out all sound from the outside world.
She leaned lazily against the arm of the sofa, crossing her long, shapely legs, and spoke softly:
"Mister Ash, before we begin… have you ever heard of Legendary Pokémon and Mythical Pokémon?"
She went straight to the point, her bright eyes locking onto him.
"Of course."
Ash nodded.
As a Pokémon Trainer, who wouldn't know?
These were beings that stood at the very top of the Pokémon ecosystem—capable of rewriting the laws of nature itself.
For most, just glimpsing one would be a blessing beyond measure.
"What I'm about to tell you concerns one particular Legendary Pokémon."
Jenny's eyes lit up when she saw him nod.
"Miss Cynthia recently discovered an ancient ruin deep within Mt. Coronet in Sinnoh."
"Its scale is unprecedented, and it may date back thousands of years."
"And yet… in all that time, no trainer or explorer has ever found the slightest trace of it!"
"It's as if it has always been slumbering… hidden within the gaps of time and space!"
As she spoke, Jenny unconsciously straightened her posture, her earlier languid air replaced by unconcealed excitement.
"Mister Ash, do you know what that means?"
Looking at this mature yet spirited officer, Ash casually took a Berry from the table and bit into it.
"It means… the ruins weren't found—they recently revealed themselves?"
He wasn't stupid.
If something had gone unseen for millennia but suddenly appeared, it had to be due to some mysterious force.
"Exactly!"
Jenny was delighted at his sharp thinking.
"From the initial surveys, the murals and residual energies inside match Sinnoh's creation myths almost perfectly."
"If our guess is correct, these ruins are closely tied to Sinnoh's two first-tier Legendary Pokémon…"
"Miss Cynthia is assembling an exploration team to investigate the site."
She shifted her tone, her eyes full of expectation.
"Would you be willing to join us?"
This, after all, was her true purpose today.
Jenny wasn't just the youngest Gym-level trainer in Kanto's police force—she was also one of its most talented.
She had received a direct invitation from Cynthia.
Not only for her strength… but also for a certain special ability she possessed.
"You want me to join?"
Ash was a little surprised. He spread his hands.
"With a Champion already on the case, why bring along a rookie who just graduated?"
Jenny's smile didn't waver.
"Both we and Miss Cynthia have seen your battle with Paul today."
"You're no ordinary rookie."
"Of course~ you can keep your abilities a secret if you wish. We won't push."
"But we do sincerely hope you'll join our team."
"According to our preliminary findings… these ruins seem to be welcoming trainers with talent."
"As for payment, you needn't worry. Miss Cynthia has prepared five million in cash for each participant, along with the choice of one rare item from her personal collection."
"So~ what do you say, Mister Ash?"
[End of Chapter]