"Present!" Cain stood up immediately.
"You did very well this time." A faint smile appeared on Juan's face.
Only, what left Cain speechless was... why was Juan looking at him the same way as the head of the Jenny family?
"Ahem ahem..." Drake, standing next to Juan, couldn't help but cough.
Come on, you old guys... get a grip!
Hearing Drake's cough, Juan's face also showed a trace of discomfort, but he quickly composed himself.
"Ahem, ahem... Here's the situation. I believe there are still quite a few infiltrators within the League. You, as a Chief-level researcher, don't yet have a clear post. That's why I'm appointing you as a special investigator in charge of internal cleansing. If you think it's necessary, you may organize your own team," said Juan.
Upon hearing that, Cain's body instinctively trembled.
Do you know what kind of person is the most feared and hated?
The ones who go after their own!
Cain forced a rather awkward smile. "President... can't we assign someone else?"
But Juan shook his head and, in a serious tone, said, "Cain, you don't have to worry about anything! From now on, no one will dare to touch you. As long as every person you catch is truly an infiltrator, no one will think ill of you. Investigate freely. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
That was essentially a public declaration that Cain was under Juan's protection. Anyone who didn't cooperate would have to face the consequences.
"Really?" Cain looked at Juan with a strange expression.
Juan nodded without the slightest hint of backing down.
"Cain, go ahead. We, the Elite Four, support you too!" added Drake.
As one of the few who really knew Cain, Drake considered himself someone who could speak on his behalf. Besides, as the head of the Hoenn Elite Four, he could represent them all.
And let's not forget that Cain's master, Matsuda Takashi, was still an interim Elite Four member. He would also back him up.
"We, the Stone family, support you too!"
"And we, the Joy family, as well!"
"And the Jenny family, too!"
"And the Breeders Guild as well!"
"The Coordinators Guild too!"
"Our family..."
"And we also..."
"..."
Almost all representatives of the major families and organizations spoke up.
Anyone who didn't was basically slighting Juan.
As for Cain, everyone could see his bright future.
He was already one of Hoenn's Chief-level researchers, and he would surely climb even higher. It was a good time to win his favor.
In truth, although on the surface Cain seemed unwilling, inside he was happier than ever.
Perfect.
For Cain, this power couldn't be more fitting.
No identity would protect him better than this one.
A true controlled infiltration.
For a moment, Cain felt like he had become Jason Bourne.
"Are you all sure?" Cain asked again.
Everyone nodded.
"Good." Cain smiled.
Upon seeing that smile, everyone who had cheerfully supported him earlier... instinctively shuddered.
Even the smile on Juan's face became a little stiff.
Everyone had a bad feeling about what was coming.
With his appointment confirmed, Cain smiled, pushed his chair back, and began walking around the conference room.
All the attendees turned their eyes to him, watching as he walked around the room.
Juan's face gradually darkened.
This kid...
Taking advantage of his protection to start messing around in front of everyone!
After three or four laps, Juan could no longer bear it.
He raised his hand to slam the table and remind Cain where they were. This was the League's high council — not a place to fool around!
But just as he was about to slam the table, Cain stopped smiling.
With a serious face, he stopped in front of a man seated to one side. A middle-aged man, somewhat overweight.
Seeing Cain stop in front of him, the man's expression subtly changed.
His round, chubby face showed a look of displeasure.
"Then... I'll go ahead and drop the first bomb," Cain said coldly.
"Cain, don't cause trouble!" shouted his master Matsuda Takashi before he could act.
If he accused a high-ranking League official without evidence, the consequences...
But Cain paid him no attention.
With a firm gaze, he looked at the seated man and said in a heavy tone:
"Vice President Jhon, what did the Hunters Guild offer you in exchange for betraying the League and handing over our internal Pokémon?"
This Vice President Jhon belonged to an association within the League: the Starter Pokémon Association.
They were in charge of assigning starter Pokémon to League-affiliated members.
Of course, there were exceptions.
Professors like Professor Oak could personally give Pokémon to those they deemed worthy.
The Pokémon raised by those professors were more valuable than typical starters. Not just anyone could obtain them.
But the vast majority of members received their starter through that association.
So even though his rank wasn't the highest, his power was considerable.
And the perks... were very juicy.
Upon hearing Cain's accusation, Jhon's face turned serious. "Researcher Cain, even if you were personally appointed by President Juan, you should know that slandering a League executive without proof has consequences."
Cain looked him up and down. He didn't appear nervous, keeping an air of absolute righteousness.
Then Cain laughed.
"Of course I know that, but I still have to remove you. With your position, remaining seated here is a risk to the entire League," he said firmly.
That made several people who previously trusted Jhon without question start to waver.
Juan's raised hand still hadn't gone down.
He looked at the newly appointed Cain, who was going directly against a high-ranking League member.
It was a strange feeling to describe.
Lowering his hand now didn't feel right. What would happen to his dignity as president?
"Clap clap clap clap!"
Without much thought, Juan began to applaud with a blank expression.
Immediately, everyone present turned to him.
No one understood why Juan was clapping at that precise moment.
(End of chapter)