As Diantha's manager, Minami couldn't help but glance sideways at Harold.
Watching both Winona and Minami fall silent in thought, Harold clicked his tongue in mild irritation and shot Winona a look, silently urging her to figure things out herself.
Winona blinked, realization dawning. What a blunder… She had completely misunderstood Harold's strategy, he'd been casting a wide net to probe, not pointing fingers directly.
Well, too late now. Since the coordinated approach fell apart, she might as well act solo from here on.
"Is Ruiyan currently in a region with communication access?" One of the inspectors asked the audience.
"He made routine contact with headquarters about ten minutes ago," Someone replied.
"Patch him through."
The line was connected quickly, and Ruiyan's voice echoed through the speakers in the conference room.
"Ruiyan, this is a formal session with the Nine Inspectors. Representatives from the Sinnoh and Kalos Pokémon Leagues have accused you of monitoring regional Champions. I need a direct answer, is this true?"
"I wasn't tracking Champions Cynthia and Diantha. There's been a misunderstanding," Ruiyan answered calmly.
Harold gave a polite, skeptical smile. "So you're saying Cynthia and Diantha are fabricating accusations against the International Police for no reason?"
"The operation was assigned to me by Deputy Director Oleander of the Safety Department. My mission was to keep an eye on a Pokémon Trainer named Luther. The confusion arose because he happened to be near the two Champions at the time."
All eyes turned to Oleander as she stood to respond. "That task was indeed issued by me. Luther has had contact with Cyrus, who is currently missing. As part of our investigation, I assigned a skilled agent to gather information discreetly. The operation was properly logged."
"Luther is a Trainer from my home region, Sinnoh," Harold said, stepping in. "I've brought a printed dossier on him. I'll distribute copies for the inspectors' review."
He neatly placed three sets of documents on the table.
The inspectors read through them in silence. After a few moments, they nodded slightly, permission to proceed.
"Luther and Cyrus have interacted only once, with no deep or ongoing connection," Harold continued. "Luther is a recognized Pokédex holder affiliated with Professor Rowan's lab. His reputation is strong. I would like to ask, please raise your hand if you believe that this single interaction justifies surveillance by the International Police."
The room was quiet. After some hesitation, only a few hands were raised.
"Now, for those who believe that using Luther as a pretext to justify increased surveillance of two regional Champions is more likely, please raise your hand."
Without hesitation, both Winona and Minami raised their hands. No one else followed.
Harold scanned the room. The lack of response didn't disappoint him; in fact, it pleased him.
The Inspectors' expressions were heavy. Their aging faces betrayed discomfort, even disbelief.
Even not raising a hand was an answer.
"Deputy Director Oleander," One of the Inspectors said, lifting the document slightly, "Can you explain this?"
"Inspector, we acted on a reasonable suspicion," Oleander replied firmly. "When investigating threats, we have to remain alert, even if the odds seem low."
"If you have evidence," The Inspector said, correcting her flatly.
Winona stepped forward. "Then, please present evidence proving that Luther and Cyrus are working together."
Oleander opened her mouth to respond, but Winona gently cut in. "Allow me to remind you, Luther is a Pokédex holder. Any accusations aimed at him must be supported by solid proof. We all remember what happened the last time a Pokédex holder was wrongly accused. It was the other Pokédex holders who stepped in and cleared their name."
The audience stirred. Everyone here knew what Pokédex holders represented.
They weren't just Trainers. They were trusted extensions of the research community, tasked with exploring the world and sending back data vital to scientific progress.
While skill and strength varied among them, the integrity of a Pokédex holder was considered paramount. The devices weren't handed out lightly. That there had only been a single major incident involving a Pokédex holder over the years spoke volumes.
Oleander's lips trembled. She stood in silence for several seconds before biting down on her words and admitting, "I have no conclusive evidence. Only suspicion."
"This meeting was supposed to address the matter of Ruiyan surveilling two regional Champions," She said, trying to regain composure. "Yet somehow, the focus has drifted."
Director Yew coughed again, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. He understood Winona's move clearly and knew this wasn't over yet.
As if a light had suddenly clicked on, Winona covered her mouth and said with a soft smile, "You're right. Thank you for the reminder, Director of Safety."
The three inspectors let out tired sighs, while the six young aides beside them discreetly activated their communication devices, sending six synchronized messages to the inspectors.
"The International Police will provide an appropriate explanation to Diantha and Cynthia regarding this matter."
"Before I came, Cynthia told me you'd understand exactly what she meant."
"Diantha said she was just a neighbor tending her own garden. But when she saw the saplings in yours growing crooked, she couldn't help but offer a little pruning advice."
Once Harold and Winona had delivered their parting words, they bowed slightly to the inspectors and left the conference room with a dazed Minami trailing behind them.
As they stepped out of the International Police headquarters, Harold reached into his coat for his car keys, only for Winona to approach him with a frown.
"Do you realize your statement might've stirred up internal hostility within the International Police? Regardless of what she's done, Oleander is still one of their own."
Harold raised an eyebrow. "Miss Winona, are you trying to pin this on me? Accusing me of not sticking to your carefully written script?"
"I wouldn't dare," She replied dryly. "You've never been one to follow a script. But next time, maybe give me a little heads-up so I can at least prepare my role. I'll back your play, just let me in on it. So, tell me: why did you say it?"
Leaning against the hood of the car, Harold lit a cigarette, letting the smoke drift lazily into the air. "How much do you actually know about Oleander?"
"You mean her past, or her present?"
"The present."
"Paranoid. Overbearing need for control. No real sense of trust. Ever since that betrayal, she's been… fixated. Convinced that being right gives her the right to override anyone else's opinion."
"Exactly," Harold said, blowing a smoke ring. "That kind of personality doesn't just make enemies outside, it makes enemies inside. Do you really think the International Police still consider her one of their own? You're underestimating how much resentment can build up under constant pressure."
He narrowed his eyes. "Kicking someone while they're down… such an elegant phrase, isn't it?" Half his face was hidden behind a curl of smoke, making Winona involuntarily shiver.
"We need a stable and united International Police. As a transregional law enforcement force, they're effective, but they're also fragile. If they haven't realized how much public trust they've lost thanks to Oleander, then someone needs to wake them up."
"Was that Cynthia's decision… or the will of the Sinnoh Pokémon League?"
Harold chuckled softly. "Didn't you already figure it out? It's not just Cynthia. This is something everyone wants. Otherwise, how could the Kalos and Sinnoh Leagues reach an agreement so fast? Sure, Champions have privileges, but this kind of speed? That's not just authority. That's alignment at the highest level."
As Harold's car sped away, a warm gust of air swept over Winona and Minami.
"Winona… what did he mean by all that?" Minami asked quietly.
Winona watched the red glow of the taillights vanish into the distance. She was silent for a moment before replying, "Both the Sinnoh and Kalos Pokémon Leagues want the International Police to stabilize. Oleander's internal purges have weakened their operational capacity. In an environment like that, even a powerful organization can start to fracture."
"So Harold made it clear from the beginning that he was targeting the whole International Police… Once they realize that the regional Leagues are losing faith in them, Oleander will be blamed for the toxic shift in their culture. Harold didn't expect today's inspector meeting to directly strip her of power, but he made sure to set the stage."
Minami shivered slightly, never imagining that what seemed like a short exchange of words would become the setup for Oleander's eventual removal.
"But... I thought this meeting had nothing to do with what we initially came for?"
"Oh, it was entirely related," Winona said with a half-smile. "Officially, this was about getting a response for Diantha and Cynthia. Unofficially, it was a warning to the International Police, our stance is loud and clear. Everyone in the room got it. They just pretended not to. And you think the inspectors let us leave early for no reason?"
Winona gave Minami a gentle pat on the head. "The tricks that work in the entertainment world won't fly here. But it's okay if you don't fully understand; what matters is that Diantha's objective was achieved. Just make sure to tell her I played a big part in it."
"I still think Harold's more reliable than you," Minami said bluntly.
"Well, in that case, feel free to give your dresses and makeup to Harold. I promise not to complain."
As Winona and Minami's car disappeared into the distance, Yew drew the curtains shut, then returned to his chair and let out a long, weary sigh.
"Enough. Things are going well. You've done your part to mend the gaps within the International Police. The inspectors are right, everything has its limits."
Oleander said nothing, her piercing gaze fixed on Yew.
"You're not starting to suspect me now too, are you?" He asked with a tired smile. "Or do you think the inspectors are plotting something as well?"
"There are still others," Oleander said quietly, her hands gripping the armrests of her chair. "I can feel it, there are still infiltrators within the International Police."
Yew leaned back, watching her intently. "Do you think Cynthia and Diantha were dissatisfied with your recent purges? That's why they pushed the Pokémon Leagues to call an oversight meeting? You've already made more than enough enemies, Oleander. The regional Pokémon Leagues want a functioning International Police force, one that can battle major threats. Right now, things are stable enough."
"There are still others!" Oleander snapped, her voice rising in frustration.
Yew looked away, unable to meet her eyes.
"Then show me the evidence."
"Just give me time," She pleaded. "I only need a little more time."
Using his cane, Yew slowly made his way to the office door.
"There are times I wish you'd never taken this position. Have you ever stopped to think about where this path is leading you?"
"The backlash from the regional Pokémon Leagues? The resentment from my own team?" Oleander replied coolly. "Being arrested by my former comrades? Or collapsing from exhaustion, never to wake up again? I've considered all the outcomes."
"There were better paths you could've chosen," Yew said softly, standing still at the doorway.
"I made my choice. And I'll see it through."
Yew remained silent for a long moment.
"I can give you two more months, until the Lily of the Valley Conference. That's the best I can negotiate with the inspectors. After that, your authority over League affairs will be reassigned to another department. This is the middle ground."
Oleander gave him a deep bow, her posture respectful and unwavering.
Just as Yew opened the door, he paused, hesitating before asking, "Even though I think I know the answer... I still want to ask. Did you ever trust me? Or the inspectors?"
There was no reply.
She poisoned her enemies. She poisoned her own allies.
And maybe, one day, she'd end up poisoning herself.
(End of Chapter)
You can read ahead up to 15 chapters on my Patreon, and I've also activated a (date-to-date) subscription model on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395