Old Matsuda advanced through the crowd with his bodyguard, Samael, and arrived at the front, standing before Cain.
Looking at this proud disciple of his, old Matsuda's expression was still quite complicated.
Quite a while passed before old Matsuda finally spoke, breaking the silence and the awkward atmosphere of the place.
To be honest, if they truly wanted this group of people to launch an attack against Cain, fight him to the death, and capture him to bring him back to the League, those present perhaps would not necessarily be able to do it.
Leaving aside whether they could achieve it or not, just whether they would dare to act was already a considerable problem.
"You did well."
Old Matsuda's voice was not low, and moreover, it sounded full of energy.
Even everyone present could hear that in his words there was a firm voice, together with a bit of pride and a bit of satisfaction.
Lance and the others, standing at the back, exchanged glances, not understanding why old Matsuda was saying, at that moment, words loaded with so many emotions.
Although Cain had truly saved the Pokémon world, right now they were on opposite sides.
As overall president of the League, he also should not use that kind of tone.
Cain opened his mouth in a smile and nodded.
"Master, you can rest assured. All matters have already been arranged. Before the sun sets today, everything will be completely resolved."
Hearing this, a satisfied smile also appeared on old Matsuda's face, and he nodded to indicate that he knew.
Up to now, the young Champions standing at the back also began to notice that the situation seemed somewhat strange. Why did it seem a little different from what they had imagined?
Wasn't President Matsuda supposed to be extremely conflicted, and also have an expression of hating that he could not turn iron into steel?
Why now did it seem that none of that could be seen?
"But, Master, you couldn't keep up the act for long. Why did you stop pretending so quickly? I still wanted to play with them a little longer," Cain said in a somewhat helpless tone, although when he looked at everyone, his eyes were full of mockery.
Everyone was completely confused.
They did not know what was going on.
Cain once again looked at the white-robed man behind old Matsuda. His smile lessened a little, he nodded toward him and said, "During this year, you have worked hard. I also thank you for helping me protect my master."
Hearing Cain's words, that man named Samael shook his head slightly.
"Forget it, it doesn't matter. In any case, originally, I already had guilt. Take it as a form of atonement."
As he spoke, an arm without a palm emerged from the wide white robe. In the blink of an eye, a hand formed by psychic power appeared in the place of the amputated arm. Then, with the help of that hand of psychic power, Samael slowly lowered his white hood.
For the first time, he revealed his appearance.
This was the first time Samael, the bodyguard of the overall president of the League, showed his face.
"Kael!!!"
Seeing this person, Lance exclaimed in surprise.
He knew this man too well. As his eldest uncle, as a former bishop of the Sacred Church, as the person who caused the Drako family's reputation to plummet and forced Lance to return to the Johto region to barely manage to stabilize the situation, this existence, who for the Drako family was a stain, had appeared here!
It turned out that the person who had protected old Matsuda for more than a year was actually this man who had once been at the same level as Giovanni and was considered by the League to be an unforgivable existence.
Samael was precisely Kael!
And this bodyguard was also the person of greatest strength and worthy of trust that the previous overall president of the League, the Elder, had found for his grandson-in-law.
Matsuda Takashi!
Kael!
Cain!
The presidents and Champions of the different regions of the League present seemed to finally discover that something was not right.
Why had these three people gathered? Moreover, it seemed that they were planning something.
Old Matsuda waved his hand.
"Samael did very well. During this year, in fact, thanks to his protection, I was able to sleep a few more peaceful nights."
"Only you, brat, I was waiting all this time for the signal you had to give me, and that wait lasted a year. Don't you know that this old man is already advanced in age and does not have that much energy to manage such a large League?"
"I am not the Elder, who signed a contract with Arceus..."
"In reality, Master, you can also sign a contract. As overall president of the League, you completely have the right and qualification to sign a contract with Arceus," Cain said, stepping forward to extend his hand and support old Matsuda.
Old Matsuda repeatedly waved his hand.
"Forget it. I would not endure such long years. People, when they live to a certain age, have already lived enough. When the time comes, I still have to leave together with your mistress. I also do not want to be an old man with white hair sending off youths with black hair, watching as all of you leave one by one. This old man could not endure those things..."
"Cough, cough. Sorry to interrupt you for a moment. Then, what is the situation now? I think I am not the only one present who does not understand anything, right?" the president of the Kanto League said, taking a step forward and interrupting the family-like chat between Cain and old Matsuda.
What the hell was going on?
Had Cain joined the League, or was it the overall president of the League who had joined Team Rainbow Rocket?
For a moment, everyone was completely disoriented.
Hearing him, old Matsuda looked reluctantly at Cain, pointed at him, and said, "All these matters were discussed by him and the Elder. Including everything that is happening now, everything you have seen. As for me... you are not mistaken. In reality, this old man is nothing more than an ornament, a 'chess piece' of those two, and moreover, I had to cooperate by acting."
"Do you not know that when one is old, one cannot cry lightly? The body may not be able to endure it."
"If you have questions, ask him directly."
Old Matsuda threw all the matters onto Cain with total decisiveness.
(End of chapter)