"Eevee!" The honey steak is truly amazing!
"Mom! My brother makes the best meals!"
"Hmm, top-quality fresh beef paired with your sauce. Ash, it seems your cooking skills have improved again."
Mr. Sasaki was in good spirits, enjoying the rich and tender beef. After taking a bite, Mrs. Sasaki sipped her red wine and said, "This is a great combination. If possible, I truly wish I could buy your sauce."
"Sorry, but my sauce isn't for sale. However, are you sure it's fine for James to be treated like this?"
As Ash spoke, he glanced to the side, where a woman who looked almost identical to Jessie was whipping James continuously, treating him like a beast being tamed.
"Don't worry; Jessabelle knows her limits. In fact, James is the surprising one — who would have thought the frail and sickly boy could run around like this now?"
Watching James flee for his life, Mr. Sasaki revealed a satisfied smile, while Ash could only look on speechlessly and said, "I'm starting to understand why James wanted to run away from home... but this is something he has to go through being born into the Sasaki family."
While Ash sympathized with James, he wouldn't intervene in family matters, and Mr. Sasaki appreciated Ash's handling of the situation. After all, nobody really likes others meddling in their family affairs.
"Although it might not be the right time to bring this up, I wonder if you could help us with something?"
"Hmm? What do you need my help with?"
Ash was a bit surprised to hear Mr. Sasaki's words, considering that a noble family like the Sasakis should have their own connections and wouldn't need help unless...
"Actually, for some reason, a lot of Pokémon hunters have been targeting our family lately. You know we have good connections, but we still have to be careful with organizations like the Pokémon hunters. After all, according to the Pokémon League's information, there seems to be a big player behind them."
"So you don't plan to take action until you figure out who that is?"
"Hahaha, you're joking. We're just a noble family, after all."
While Mr. Sasaki said that, Ash, who had worked with him multiple times, quickly understood the subtext.
'Exactly, we can't take direct action until we know more.'
After taking a bite of steak, Ash pondered and asked, "What exactly are the Pokémon hunters after?"
"I can't say for sure; it's a mirror. According to the old-timers, this mirror allows people to enter other worlds, but that's just a legend…"
"Is it really that amazing? Although old-timer's tales sound far-fetched, there might be some truth to them. Mr. Sasaki, you should be cautious."
"Rest assured, I'm not an idiot. Since the old-timers said it, I won't do anything reckless. But, Ash, would you be willing to help us? I won't let you work for free; once we figure out the person behind this, the Sasaki family will use all our connections to assist you in dealing with him."
At this point, Mr. Sasaki was quite serious, and after a moment of thought, Ash replied, "Sure, I have a grudge against the person behind the Pokémon hunter organization. If you can help me, that would be a great benefit. I'll help with this."
"Then it's a deal."
"Deal."
—— Divider Line ——
The Pokémon hunter organization is a notorious group active in various regions, particularly in Sinnoh. The Pokémon League has repeatedly attempted to eradicate this organization, but their operations have been thwarted every time, seemingly due to internal spies. Previously, Ash managed to capture the leader of Team Galactic, which could have significantly boosted morale. However, the actions of a certain misguided League member led Ash to let the Team return their Pokémon, resulting in another shameful escape for the Pokémon League's Sinnoh division.
This organization, which consistently overcomes the Sinnoh Pokémon League, has met its match in the Kanto region, which is none other than Ash.
Not to mention that Ash has caught two A-list hunters and completely wiped out Hunter A, forcing the Pokémon hunter organization's puppet master to search for a new A.
For the puppet master, A's significance is beyond what he can bear.
Hunter A is essentially the right-hand man of the puppet master behind the Pokémon hunter organization, requiring not only strength but also absolute loyalty. Moreover, cultivating a new Hunter A is a daunting task for the individual behind the scenes. It's not just a matter of training powerful Pokémon; the near-brainwashing training methods take time. Even though the process of cultivating top-tier Pokémon became simpler with the collaboration with Bishas, it's still risky if entrusted to someone unworthy.
Furthermore, A's training must ensure he is willing to eliminate anyone who poses a threat to the puppet master, much like Ash ensuring that the trainers protect their Pokémon.
In a mysterious room, a person sat in a chair, examining documents in his hands.
"Hmm... how did the kidnappers fare with their targets?"
"We only found their mutilated corpses…"
"All of them?"
"No... some were just left with their bodies, but we can be sure it's them... some... have completely disappeared..."
"..."
Hearing his subordinate's report, the figure in the chair fell silent. After a moment, he lit a cigarette and said, "Forget it... let it be for now... it seems that our current strength is not enough to deal with him."
"Yes, but sir..."
"What is it?"
"Some of the men are very scared because they received anonymous letters containing photos of their family members..."
"... I once thought I was ruthless enough, but it seems there are others who are even more ruthless. I suddenly understand why my father didn't want me to provoke that Ash Ketchum."
"So?"
"Let's leave it at that for now, don't provoke that guy anymore. I don't want my subordinates to end up being dismembered and sent to the base."
"Understood!"
"And the collaboration with Bishas doesn't stop. His Dark Balls are quite impressive, and we can also begin the project with the Flare Team. It's time to let those ignorant fools learn about the Fairy type."
"Understood! Sir!"
"One last thing about that mirror from the Sasaki family—if we can get it, we will, but if not, it's fine. Sasaki is no ordinary person either."
After that, a peculiar silence enveloped the room.
"Ash... if I had the power of the legendary Pokémon, dealing with this Ash Ketchum wouldn't be a problem... just wait..."