Chapter 544: Fated Convergence
"So that's how it is..."
Forrest's voice took on the tone of someone who had seen through everything.
If Arthur were present, he would have shouted, "Stop! Stop the delusions! You're messing up my DNA!"
But the abyss of human imagination, once opened, could never be closed.
Although Dayna was a bit disappointed that she hadn't gotten much intel on the mastermind despite the risk of infiltrating the crowd, it wasn't a total loss.
"So that desert Phantom, Tyranitar, was also a Pokémon of that wartime Kubfu Champion?" she confirmed again with Forrest.
"That's right."
Forrest didn't withhold this information. After all, Arthur had just walked into Tyranitar's palace in front of everyone. There was nothing to hide.
Dayna's eyes lit up with fervor.
"I see. So the attack on Linda by Tyranitar and the other Pokémon was indeed orchestrated by someone," she whispered to herself, ensuring no one else could hear.
Another delusion "confirmed"!
In this moment, she felt closer than ever to hunting down the target she had dreamed of eliminating!
Meanwhile, in the basement of the same area, Arthur and Mismagius had more or less analyzed the Stitched Shadow Army's psychology.
"They probably mistakenly think I secretly controlled the entire organization back then and are afraid I'll return to seize power, so their new leader has been gathering intelligence to eliminate me."
Both sides' guesses were slightly off.
But coincidentally, despite the layers of delusions and spiraling logic, Arthur and Dayna had locked onto each other simultaneously, arriving at the same destination through different paths!
At the same time, in two different locations, on a split screen of fate, two people whispered in unison—
"He (She) must be in this desert right now, nearby!"
Same time, mirrored scenes, like a fated convergence. A clash was inevitable!
Dayna slipped away, not lingering in the crowd.
Not long after, Arthur left Old Tyranitar's palace and returned to the cluster of tents on the rocky plain.
This area had become the de facto embassy of the human world in the Phantom's territory. Most trainers passing through chose to set up camp on this flat ground right next to Old Tyranitar's dwelling.
With a nearby water source, large rocks blocking the wind and sand, and convenient access to challenge Old Tyranitar's palace, it was the prime camping spot.
Where there are people, there are circles and chatter.
When Arthur emerged, he was instantly surrounded.
Many people excitedly asked him if he had gained any benefits from the Phantom's dwelling.
And thanks to Forrest's unintentional explanation earlier, most people here now knew Arthur was a descendant of a Champion and had an unbreakable bond with the Phantom of the West.
"Young friend from Kubfu, did you get any unexpected harvest inside?"
"Arthur, I'm your fan! Can I take a photo with you?"
"Whatever you got inside, I, Leon Gattuso, will buy it! Name your price!"
Questions, requests for familiarity, lavish offers—it was chaos.
Arthur helplessly realized he had become a celebrity overnight, and his fame seemed to have spread beyond the Kubfu Alliance to the world.
For others, this might be a lifetime achievement. But unfortunately, for now, he had to decline them all.
"No harvest, don't overthink it. Photos later."
After finally escaping the overly enthusiastic crowd, Arthur found Forrest again, only to discover that Forrest was looking at him like a stranger.
"What's wrong?" Arthur asked.
"Arthur, is there something you've been hiding from me?"
"???"
"You knew all along that you had a powerful and secret family behind you, didn't you? Although they accidentally lost you once, the Champion's legacy has never been broken in your family."
For a moment, Arthur thought the desert wind had damaged Forrest's brain...
He squinted at Forrest. "Did you hit your head just now?"
But Forrest seemed convinced.
"No need to say more, I understand. I'll be discreet when I write the biography later. I won't expose too much of your family affairs, don't worry."
"..."
For a moment, Arthur really wanted to know what had happened outside in the few dozen minutes he was inside meeting Old Tyranitar.
In the past, his impression of Forrest on the stage was of a mysterious, inscrutable man with squinty eyes.
But after this journey together, he increasingly felt this guy was more like a novelist with a wild imagination!
Stop it! You're writing a biography, not a novel! Don't add random settings to people!
However, Arthur soon realized wearily that communication with Forrest seemed impossible for the time being...
Facepalm. Heartache.
Giving up on explaining the misunderstanding for now, Arthur set up the tent with Forrest.
He planned to stay in Old Tyranitar's territory for a while. Firstly, they could look out for each other. Secondly, he wanted to solve the threat of the Stitched Shadow Army once and for all.
But what Arthur never expected was that the enemy had similar thoughts, and acted even earlier than him!
Dayna's disguised infiltration hadn't yielded the critical intelligence she wanted most, but it made her realize one thing: the Phantom of the West also had a Kubfu Alliance background!
Upon returning, they immediately adjusted their tactics, listing Old Tyranitar as a threat target as well.
So, on the very next day—
A trainer challenged Old Tyranitar in full view of the public. Midway through, he suddenly ripped open his shirt, revealing his body strapped with various human-made explosives. Shouting obscure slogans, he launched a suicidal charge at Old Tyranitar with desperate resolve!
BOOM!!
At the same time, he detonated not only himself but also a Golem and two Electrodes he had captured. These Pokémon used Explosion simultaneously, joining their completely brainwashed master in releasing the most brilliant art of their lives.
Then, they returned to nothingness together...
The moment the explosion occurred, the surrounding trainers from all over the world were stunned.
"Holy crap, isn't that a bit extreme?"
"Is that guy crazy?!"
Amidst the exclamations and screams, Arthur was the first to rush into the smoke after the explosion, confirming that Old Tyranitar was at least not in life-threatening danger.
It happened too fast for her to Dynamax in time, so she was heavily injured by the explosion.
But with the Legendary's blessing, these injuries would heal quickly on their own.
However, this scene taught Arthur a harsh lesson.
The enemy's attack was far more sudden, resolute, and cruel than his!
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