Ryuuske walked through pitch-black shadows, approaching the League's temporary command post.
When still some distance from the command post, Ryuuske's footsteps paused. On the collapsed building rubble ahead, a young woman in a kimono stood elegantly as if waiting for some time.
She stood quietly in the moonlight like a fairy from the Moon Palace, surrounded by gorgeous flowers and fragrance. Those moist beautiful eyes looked over, hiding much gentleness and joy.
"Erika!"
Ryuuske revealed a smile and greeted her softly, as if afraid his voice would disturb this beautiful moonlit scene.
Erika's smile became even more radiant. She jumped down from the high rock and ran over. When still a meter from Ryuuske, she forcefully threw herself forward, tightly embracing him.
"Phew... Thank goodness you're not hurt, Ryuuske?"
Erika hugged Ryuuske's waist, her pretty face buried in his chest as she asked emotionally and excitedly.
"Just some superficial injuries. The worst is one broken rib. I already took medicine earlier—with a little rest, I'll be fine."
Ryuuske embraced Erika's soft, delicate body, lightly inhaling the fragrance from her hair.
"Compared to me, I'm more worried about you, Erika. Was there no problem in the battle against Team Rocket?"
After embracing for a while, they separated. Hand in hand, they came to a high point in the ruins. The view here was excellent, without fear of enemy ambush.
On this unfinished battlefield, even while being romantic, they wouldn't forget danger.
"What problems could I have? As commander, most of the time I just directed battles. Only when encountering troublesome enemies did I personally engage... But you—you were fighting Team Rocket's leader Giovanni. Even from so far away, I felt the powerful energy fluctuations from that battle. I was truly afraid something would happen to you and wanted to rush directly into Saffron City to help."
Erika pressed Ryuuske's hand against her heart, as if letting him feel her worry.
"The situation was indeed dangerous. Giovanni's strength was unimaginably powerful... But it's all passed now. I'm fine, aren't I?"
"Yes, as long as you're fine, as long as you're fine..."
Erika murmured twice. Her frightened, worried heart finally calmed down.
"Your body... why is it so wet?"
Erika asked puzzled.
When they embraced earlier, she'd noticed Ryuuske's body was damp, but because she'd been worried about his injuries, she hadn't asked.
"Before coming, I had Vaporeon use water to rinse me off. Thinking I'd be seeing you, Erika, how could I come all dirty?"
Ryuuske said without changing expression.
Actually, having Vaporeon help him shower was true—but the purpose was to wash away Sabrina's scent. Erika's nose was really too sensitive. She could even distinguish hundreds of different fragrances with her nose. Sabrina's scent on Ryuuske was strong—if he'd done nothing before coming, Erika would definitely suspect.
Now, however, Erika didn't doubt him. Pursing her lips reproachfully: "...I wouldn't care if you were dirty. Trainer battles are just like that. To tell the truth, I haven't showered either—I'm dirty too."
"Where are you dirty, Erika? You smell so fragrant."
Ryuuske's head leaned against Erika's fragrant shoulder, lightly biting her pearl-like earlobe, making the girl cry out sweetly, her face unnaturally flushing.
"Stop fooling around. I still need to discuss the final Team Rocket siege strategy with other Gym Leaders."
Erika said coquettishly. Originally a gentle woman like a Yamato Nadeshiko, her eyes at this moment were unexpectedly charming and alluring.
She was somewhat aroused.
Suppressing the strange feeling in her heart, Erika tried to maintain a serious expression: "...Did you catch up to Team Rocket's three executives?"
"I didn't see Koga or Lt. Surge. I only caught up to Sabrina, but I couldn't keep her either. I just told her about those League measures you told me about. If Sabrina is willing to accept the League's terms, she should return to Saffron City after this ends."
Ryuuske discovered that lies sometimes truly needed more lies to support them. And as lies accumulated, flaws also increased.
"Sabrina... She's the Kanto region's most famous Psychic specialist. She should be very skilled at escaping. Not catching her doesn't matter. I hope she can reform. You should know her parents are still in Saffron City."
Erika sighed lightly.
Though age-wise she and Sabrina were about the same, the feeling Erika gave was like a mature older sister, making people very reassured.
But when scheming, she was also quite terrifying.
"Let's not discuss this. Come with me to the League's temporary command post. Ash and Gary are there now too."
Erika took Ryuuske's hand and walked shoulder to shoulder with him toward a relatively intact six-story building in the distance.
"By the way, Ryuuske, what are your plans next?"
"Plans? I'm planning to rest well. There's less than two months until the Indigo League. I need to make final preparations and training, then participate in the Indigo League."
Ryuuske said without thinking.
"Work hard. This year, the Kanto League's Indigo Conference is being reformed. The Champion will be a true Champion, not just a Conference Champion. If you can win this tournament, for the next three years you'll bear the title 'Kanto Champion.' However, after three years it gets troublesome—you'll face challenges from many former 'Champions.' Only by achieving complete victory can you continue inheriting the Champion title."
Erika gripped Ryuuske's hand tightly.
The Indigo Conference was held once every three years. By now it was already the fifteenth session—meaning fourteen past Champions had been produced. Each generation's Champion could be called that era's outstanding talent. However, past Champions were merely symbolic existences called "Conference Champions."
Starting this year, the Champion would become a challenge tournament. Using this year's "Kanto Champion" as the baseline, every three years all "Conference Champions" would battle. Only the final victor would be the true Champion for the next three years.
"I'm quite confident in myself. As for the challenge tournament three years later, I care even less. How strong I'll be three years from now, even I don't know."
Ryuuske shrugged, speaking rather arrogantly.
Erika covered her mouth and laughed softly: "...This year's Indigo League should be the strongest batch in the past twenty years. Actually, even three years later, the 'Champion Challenge Tournament' won't have many participants. The oldest winners from previous Indigo Conferences are already sixty years old—impossible for them to still compete."
As they chatted and laughed, they arrived at the League's temporary command post. Before entering, Erika instinctively separated their clasped hands. She didn't dare let people see her too intimate with Ryuuske, especially didn't want a certain person inside the command post to see.
Entering the command post, Ryuuske saw a group of familiar faces. He smiled and greeted them: "...Brock, Misty, and Blaine—we meet again."
Brock and Blaine happily came over to greet Ryuuske, exchanging pleasantries. Only Misty stood in place with a complex expression, flustered as she said: "...Hi, we meet again, Ryuuske!"
Erika stood to the side quietly smiling like a maiden in a painting—elegant and enchanting.
To be continued…
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