The League's reaction was remarkably swift.
Ever since the incident, they dispatched people immediately.
So the head of the League's Special Task Force already stationed here had been waiting a good while.
He saluted everyone—especially Lorelei and Bruno.
Silas and the others respectfully returned the salute, as was proper—not just because of his rank, but because of his strength.
As the captain of the Special Task Force, this man was a very powerful Quasi-Elite-Rank Trainer (i.e. just below Elite level).
Of course he was not yet an Elite member—that level is rare.
Even in Kanto, recognized Elite trainers are only just over a few dozen.
By population, that ratio is perhaps one in 600,000 or so.
Even per city, only maybe one or two Trainers of that caliber are stationed.
Moreover, one Quasi Elite-Rank Trainer isn't the same as another.
A trainer with six "Quasi Elite-level" Pokémon is much stronger than one who has five such and one that's lesser.
Though in terms of classification both are "Quasi-Elite rank," their real strength differs substantially.
Silas thought of it like how in his previous life, one doesn't distinguish "a hundred million" and "nine hundred ninety-nine million" in casual talk—both are just "hundreds of millions."
"Captain of Special Task Force Team 6, Shiraki Maya, reporting."
Captain Shiraki's voice was loud and firm—quite at odds with his somewhat delicate facial appearance.
"Are all personnel here?"
The moment Lorelei stepped from the ship, she switched into work mode, her aura giving off a cold humidity.
"Two are still en route from Johto and will need an hour. The rest are already here."
Shiraki fell one step behind Lorelei and Bruno, reporting the current status.
"Given that the subterranean caverns of Seafoam Island are extremely cold and not suited for human long-term presence, we deployed special probe drones sponsored by the Silph Corporation for exploration.
However, due to prior Rocket activity, the Ice- and Water-type Pokémon in those caves have become extremely alert. They immediately destroyed any robotic probe they encountered."
From start to finish, Captain Shiraki explained the work his squad had done in recent days, their findings, and his conjectures.
Soon, the group arrived at their small base camp.
Again, built by Silph Corporation.
From the outside, it looked like a super-scaled tent—but it was constructed of reinforced steel.
Various vehicles circled around it, forming an artificial windbreak against the nearby terrain.
When they entered inside, the temperature felt normal again.
"Lorelei, Bruno,"
The people inside—some working, some resting—instinctively stood and bowed respectfully when the two Elite Four entered.
Lorelei bowed back. The workers quickly resumed their tasks.
They were deeply moved: it was rare to see two Elite Four members both deployed.
Many believed now more strongly that Articuno truly was living beneath Seafoam Island.
"Please follow me."
Captain Shiraki led them deeper into the structure.
Though it looked like a tent from outside, inside it held many rooms, equipment, and people—a hidden facility.
"Move up."
Lorelei and Bruno led the way, calling to ten younger Trainers who stood in a corner, looking uncertain.
They immediately followed.
"Jenny Airi. Joy Saisai. Silph Hirokuni. Sasaki Seiichiro. Yūdō Shun.
Murasame Yumeko. Riko Llamé. Drake. Yamashiro Kimiya."
Four girls and six boys, ten total, introduced themselves in sequence.
The other four (outside the ten) also introduced themselves.
Silas inwardly sighed—this was the new generation of League talent, indeed. The surnames were familiar.
The Jenny and Joy families were well known.
As a policing family, Jenny had presence in many departments of the League and in city security—not limited to cities.
The Joy family wasn't solely about medical work—many of its members also had strong battling ability.
With Cleffa (a healing Pokémon) under their control, they excelled at adventure support and medical logistics, making them popular teammates.
The Silph, Sasaki, and Yūdō families were more commercially oriented, each having stakes in various industries.
Much of Kanto's economy could be traced to businesses tied to them.
The Murasame and Llamé families were known for Pokémon breeding.
Murasame, with its botanical heritage, had unique capacity in Grass-type breeding.
Only descendants who excelled in Grass-type Pokémon could inherit the family's botanical estate.
Even the Rainbow Gym, itself aligned with Grass specialization, was slightly inferior in that respect.
But comparison was unfair—they had different traditions: Murasame lineage passed in a single line, always loyal to the League.
Llamé's domain lay near Pokémon conservation zones, with extensive pastures.
Their bred Pokémon often had stronger physique and appearance than average.
They served as a kind of internal breeder for League-affiliated Pokémon.
The Yūdō family was staunchly pro-Orange Archipelago in League politics.
As for Drake, Silas was "familiar" with him.
He was the one who would, in the future, become the Chief Trainer of the Orange Islands.
Right now, he lacked the aura of invincibility he would one day wield.
At least, he didn't yet carry a Dragonite Poké Ball at his waist—legend had it that challengers struggled to even defeat his initial Ditto, let alone face his ultimate team.
That wasn't surprising.
Since they never got past Ditto, they never even got to see Dragonite in battle.
So naturally, there was no need for him to keep that Poké Ball ready at his waist.
That wasn't surprising.
In truth, the Orange Archipelago was one of the most remote and least significant regions in the entire Pokémon world.
Even its so-called Orange League Champion Cup wasn't something that drew many serious contenders.
Few powerful Trainers bothered going there.
If it weren't for how far away it was, the Kanto League might have already absorbed the Orange League as a regional branch.
So while Drake was technically called the Chief Trainer of the Orange League, his actual strength wasn't all that remarkable.
Before long, the five girls had clustered together and started chatting cheerfully.
The boys, however, were quieter, less expressive by nature.
If it hadn't been for Silas's familiarity with Yezo, and Yezo's own friendship with Aya, the three of them probably wouldn't have gotten along so easily during their voyage.
Soon, the large group entered a meeting room.
The younger Trainers obediently stood against the wall, listening quietly to the conversation among the three veterans.
To be more precise—Lorelei asked questions, Captain Shiraki Maya responded, and Bruno occasionally added a few.
"Although it cost us quite a lot of equipment, we've managed to identify the main nesting zones of the local Pokémon."
Captain Shiraki took several differently colored magnetic markers and attached them to the large map displayed on the board.
"On the outermost perimeter, we've identified groups of Delibird and Jynx.
Their role seems to function like sentries or scouts.
Thanks to their Flying- and Psychic-type abilities, they can quickly relay information to the Pokémon deeper inside.
The next layer in consists of Weavile and Froslass—both extremely aggressive and predatory species.
Most of our reconnaissance drones and probes were destroyed by them.
Deeper in, we've detected Dewgong, Cloyster, and Mamoswine—all primarily defensive species.
We've also found Slowpoke wandering intermittently throughout the area.
Based on their distribution and defensive density, we currently believe Articuno is located here."
As he spoke, Captain Shiraki circled a section on the map and looked up toward Lorelei.
"No young Pokémon?" Bruno asked.
"None sighted yet. We've only breached up to the third defensive ring.
Any deeper, and our instruments can't function properly," Shiraki replied.
"However, based on our observations, it's unlikely that the young Pokémon were captured by Team Rocket.
Otherwise, these guardians—especially those defending Articuno—would have gone berserk.
More likely, the hatchlings are being kept at the central core area alongside Articuno itself, which would also be the safest location."
Bruno nodded silently, glancing toward Lorelei.
She was the only one present who truly knew Articuno's habitat firsthand.
Lorelei furrowed her brow as she studied the spot Shiraki had circled.
"Articuno's usual nesting area isn't there. It's deeper."
"Then that's… not good," she said gravely.
Her tone was full of concern.
That meant Articuno's injuries were likely far worse than Shiraki had estimated.
Normally, the deeper you go underground, the colder it becomes—conditions that greatly enhance Ice-type Pokémon.
That environment should make it nearly impossible for Team Rocket to invade.
If Articuno had chosen not to retreat there, it could only mean its wounds prevented it from flying deeper.
"Prepare two sets of subzero expedition gear and a full supply of rations," Lorelei ordered immediately.
"You're coming with me," she added, turning to Bruno.
"Understood," Shiraki said, hurrying off to make arrangements.
"Are you sure the Pokémon inside won't attack you?" Bruno asked, frowning.
Even with their combined strength, clearing the cave by force was impossible—not because of ability, but because of principle.
They were supposed to aid Articuno, not battle its guardians.
Besides, angering a Legendary Pokémon—especially one as proud as Articuno—was never wise.
It wasn't that Bruno doubted their power;
even injured, Articuno would fall easily if both of them went all-out.
But that wasn't the point.
Knocking it unconscious only to heal it afterward?
Given a Legendary's pride, it would probably wake up and start fighting again.
There would be no end to it.
Lorelei nodded, signaling not to worry.
"As long as nothing unexpected happens, we'll be fine," she said confidently.
Bruno gave her a deep look. Clearly, Lorelei's relationship with Articuno ran far deeper than most in the League imagined.
"And if something does happen?"
It was Aya, Lorelei's niece, who asked timidly.
Lorelei paused for a moment.
"If things turn out truly bad, we might have to… 'persuade' the ones in between."
To avoid further questions, she offered a rare explanation:
"Of my main team, aside from Lapras, my Dewgong, Cloyster, Slowbro, Jynx, and Mamoswine were all caught here."
Everyone inhaled sharply. The air itself felt colder.
No wonder.
The underground ice layers of Seafoam Islands contained only about eight main Ice-type species and Lorelei's main team included five of them.
If she didn't have a deep connection with Articuno, no one would believe it.
Judging by her team's exceptional strength and quality, those Pokémon were likely descendants of the strongest individuals within each local clan.
Normally, you wouldn't find so many high-potential Pokémon in a single habitat.
But this place was different—it was home to Articuno.
Legendary Pokémon weren't called Legendaries for nothing.
Most possessed the power to alter the natural environment itself.
Ice-types living in proximity to Articuno naturally grew stronger.
After generations of adaptation, it was only natural for powerful offspring to appear.
That explained why the Seafoam Islands' underground Pokémon were far stronger than usual.
Under normal circumstances, you'd expect to find Snorunt and Shellder colonies—
not Froslass or Cloyster clans.
"Then that's good," Bruno said after a moment, though he was clearly impressed.
Lorelei crossed her arms, staring at the map deep in thought.
"Lorelei, Bruno—the equipment's ready," Shiraki soon returned, reporting.
"Hmm. They're hiding on Seven Island, aren't they?"
Lorelei turned sharply, her glasses reflecting the light as she spoke in an icy tone.
She didn't need to say who they were—everyone understood.
"Yes. The League presence there is minimal, and the island's very remote.
If Team Rocket needed a place to hide, Seven Island is the only plausible option," Shiraki admitted.
He winced inwardly; he knew Lorelei would ask.
Even if she hadn't, he'd have had to report it sooner or later.
Everyone in the League knew how fiercely Lorelei protected her homeland.
But Seven Island's harsh climate made it almost uninhabitable there was little anyone could do to develop it.
"However, we've already evacuated all civilians to a secure zone.
So far, there are no reported casualties," he added carefully.
That was good news, and not unexpected.
Given Seven Island's sparse population, Team Rocket could easily hide there undetected.
There was no reason for them to attack locals—they knew angering Lorelei would be suicide.
No one wanted to deal with an enraged Ice-type specialist.
Shiraki also suspected some Rocket members might disguise themselves among the evacuees, so he assigned League staff to "care for" them while quietly monitoring.
"And the Pokémon?" Lorelei pressed.
Shiraki grimaced even more.
"We discovered several Pokémon corpses on Chrono Island (Five Island).
There were also signs of large-scale equipment transport nearby.
We traced it to a Team Rocket storage facility—but they'd already cleared out."
Lorelei's expression turned glacial.
....
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