"Cain, did you discover something?" asked Drake, not stopping the two League Investigators from arresting Gordon.
He had enough confidence in Cain.
After all, when Wattson escaped back to the League, he had mentioned there was a traitor in their midst.
Now, with Cain returning alongside his Tyranitar and delivering a crushing blow that ruthlessly defeated the man, Drake—with his sharp eyes—could tell that although Gordon was only a mid-level researcher, all his Pokémon were quasi-elite level. Becoming an Advanced-level researcher wouldn't have been a problem for him.
And if he managed to get close to Wattson, being a quasi-elite trainer, he could have carried out a surprise attack.
Drake clearly remembered that in Celebi's space, that man had not been present at the League's camp.
"He's the one who attacked Mr. Wattson," Cain said darkly.
Upon hearing that, both Drake and the Head of the Jenny family frowned.
And since Cain hadn't exactly said it quietly, the nearby people who heard him began to look at Gordon with hostility.
In daily life, Gordon always acted like a kind guy.
People had a good impression of him. No one would've guessed he was a traitor sent by another organization.
Gordon, who had finally snapped out of it, had already been restrained by the two League Investigators.
The same ones who had previously hesitated were now completely determined.
After all, if Cain said it, they couldn't let Gordon escape. The consequences would be unthinkable.
"You're insane! You're lying! Do you have any proof? You're accusing me unfairly! Mr. Drake, I'm innocent—do something!" Gordon screamed, out of his mind.
His face, pale at first, started to flush slightly.
Clearly, he had entered a hysterical state.
Drake frowned.
Anyone who looked at Gordon's expression could tell he was probably guilty. Drake had seen enough to be sure.
But standing before so many people, arresting him without clear proof could cause panic and instability.
Cain let out a cold laugh. He had already anticipated that Gordon would make this last desperate attempt to wriggle out.
He pulled a communicator from his pocket.
He showed it to everyone. "This is the communicator of the Hunters Guild leader who contacted you. Think there might be messages between you two on here? And guess why this communicator is in my hands now?"
"As a Chief-level Investigator of the Hoenn League, I've received orders from President Juan. I'm now officially representing the Hoenn League and placing you under arrest. If you have any objections, you can discuss them directly with President Juan."
I'm sure you'll get the chance to meet him.
Of course you will.
Knowing there was a traitor, Juan would undoubtedly want to see him in person—whether to get more information or for other reasons.
After all, the League's investigator corps reports directly to him.
If there's an infiltrator, it would be a grave failure on his part as Champion.
Seeing the communicator in Cain's hand, the faint blush on Gordon's face completely vanished.
From the moment Cain appeared before him and revealed his identity, Gordon had already known how this would end.
That's why he had tried to take Cain hostage, hoping to secure his life. But he was brutally defeated by Cain's Tyranitar.
What he was doing now was nothing more than a pathetic final struggle.
Seeing the communicator, Drake gestured for them to take him away. Even without that device, Drake had no intention of letting him go.
As Gordon was escorted out and the crowd gradually dispersed, Drake turned to Cain.
"Does that communicator really have contact information for the enemy?"
Cain smiled openly and put the communicator away.
"What do you mean, Mr. Drake? This communicator is mine. I was bluffing."
"..."
Behind him, Steven and Phoebe stood with their mouths agape in astonishment.
With how confidently Cain had spoken earlier, they really thought everything he said was true.
"Bwahahaha! Brilliant, how clever!" Drake burst into hearty laughter.
Beside him, the Head of the Jenny family laughed as well.
Though still a typical Officer Jenny, she was older, and her wrinkles were visible.
After all, time is the natural enemy of all women.
Even so, the Head of the Jenny family smiled with satisfaction.
"Young Cain, I didn't expect you to identify the traitor so quickly. Your investigative skills are impressive. What do you think about joining us in the League Police? One year as Deputy Director, and the next, I'll hand you the Director's position."
"PFFF—!"
Phoebe, who had just taken a sip of water, spat it out instantly.
She stared wide-eyed at the Head of the Jenny family, as if she had just seen an extinct species.
Even Steven was shocked.
Both of them held some status within the League, so they clearly understood what it meant to be Director of Police.
It was a position on par with the Elite Four!
The current Director was this very same Head of the Jenny family, wielding authority equal to Drake's.
In fact, thanks to the powerful Jenny family backing her, her word could sometimes carry even more weight than Drake's.
The League Police had always been under the Jenny family's control. It was a power granted to them since the League's founding, in recognition of their contributions.
And it had remained that way ever since.
There had never been a case of a Police Director in any region who wasn't from the Jenny family.
Drake, watching his old colleague—the Head of the Jenny family—had a baffled expression.
"Did this woman go crazy today?" Drake seemed to be thinking.
But the Jenny family head's face showed no change. She maintained the same smile, staring directly at Cain, waiting for his response.
Cain's expression was also complicated.
Five parts surprise, three parts reflection, one part doubt... and one final part temptation.
Then, he gave a shy, though not awkward, smile.
"Leader Jenny... you must be joking. I'm only seventeen. How could I be Deputy Director?"
A Deputy Director at seventeen... which would mean Director at eighteen.
That would truly be unprecedented!
Whether someone else will manage it in the future is unknown, but it has never happened until now.
Even the idea of an eighteen-year-old Elite Four seems far more acceptable.
The Head of the Jenny family looked Cain over again for a few seconds. Then she smiled.
"I'm not joking. Anything can become reality if you want it. Think about it. If you decide to accept, contact me. Here's my card."
She handed him a card with her personal number.
Cain instinctively accepted it.
Then, the Jenny family leader walked away, her smile impossible to hide.
Drake, who had watched the whole scene, finally understood what was going on.
He looked at Cain with a strange expression.
He patted him on the shoulder and said with a laugh, "The Director of the League Police can't be an outsider. You know what that means, right?"
Beside them, Steven's eyes widened, and Phoebe covered her mouth.
The two of them looked at each other and exclaimed in unison: "Marriage?"
(End of Chapter)