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In a house in Shiyin Town, several people sat with solemn expressions on their faces, each carrying a black suitcase in their handss.
On the computer screen on the table, Evergreen, wearing a white lab coat, looked back at the group sitting stiffly upright. She slowly removed her gloves.
"I've already explained everything. You're all experienced people. If you get caught by the Pokémon League or the International Police, I don't need to tell you how to handle it, do I?"
"The enhancement devices I provided are the latest research results. They have a few minor flaws and can't be used for long periods, but they're more than enough for ordinary situations."
After taking a sip of lemonade, Evergreen propped his chin on his hand and looked at them before speaking. "After tonight, aside from necessary communication, there will be no further contact. The operation is on Sunday. Now, if you have any questions, please ask."
The group exchanged hesitant glances. The man who seemed to be the leader finally spoke up.
"I want to know if this operation is truly necessary."
Evergreen's smile didn't change. His fingers tapped the table rhythmically as he spoke. "You think it's unnecessary?"
The leader swallowed hard and decided to go all in.
"Sunyshore City is Cynthia's turf. She's operating locally. It's the most crowded place in Sinnoh region, with an International Police station and League security everywhere. Their Pokémon are well-trained. If things go as the others predict and we're targeted the moment we enter..."
"I'm not questioning the organization's decision. I'm just curious... do we really need this kind of team lineup to rescue two people who are useless to the organization?"
"They're not researchers with key data or high-ranking members with confidential information. They're just two peripheral nobodies. Forgive me, but I don't understand the purpose of this operation."
After he finished speaking, Evergreen applauded, causing everyone to look at each other in confusion.
"I heard from Mira that you are all the elite she personally trained. I've always thought of 'elite' as people who can fight but can't think for themselves. But you seem...not bad."
"It's true... they're just two peripheral members. They're useless to the organization. They don't even know any secrets. You could even say they're two disposable pawns the organization brought in on purpose."
The leader clenched his fist, as if about to speak, but then calmed down. He wanted to hear Evergreen's true intentions.
"We all know they're pawns. But tell me...do you think the Pokémon League and the International Police know that?"
The leader froze. "But you personally called that guy and told him to stall Cynthia."
Evergreen let out a cold snort. "You all think that last incident put me at a disadvantage, don't you?"
"No, sir."
"You're not the only one in the organization who thinks that. Don't bother hiding it." Evergreen didn't seem to care as he continued to speak. "A bunch of scary stories, a half-dead man sent back... I admit, I really can't figure out what kind of person he is. I even instinctively fear him."
"But that doesn't matter. All I need to know is that he isn't an idiot. He's smart. He knows his greatest value comes from his close connection to the Champion. He offered me a little 'sweetener' back then, and I admit, I was tempted by it."
Evergreen finished her lemonade and twirled the empty cup.
"When did you all develop the delusion that I can't get rid of Luther?"
The cup hit the floor with a crisp clang, making everyone flinch.
"A madman has no value to me. If I wanted to eliminate him, the only question would be how much effort it would take. The only reason he can jump around and negotiate with me is because he can distract the Champion."
"A corpse and a bunch of spooky stories might be scary, but that's it. Without any value, what's the point of all that?"
"He wants revenge on me? Hahahahahaha! Where exactly is he going to find me?" Evergreen laughed wildly. "Oleander hates me to the bone. Has she found me?"
Cold sweat trickled down the leader's forehead. He asked with a confused expression on his face, "Luther is… one of ours?"
Evergreen glared at him in annoyance. "I just praised you for having a brain, and you lost it again?"
"He understands better than any of you. Everything he shows us is meant to convince us that he can work with us, whether it's the madness he displays or that little 'gift.' It all sends a single message: we're on the same side."
In the end, all he wants is to survive. Once you grasp that, you'll understand the essence of everything he did that day. His swagger was just a means to deliver that final message: 'I can help you keep the Champion busy.'"
The leader felt like he was beginning to understand, at least a little. After hesitating, he decided to ask, " "But...you're still testing him?"
Evergreen gave him a side glance. "Do you think I'm an encyclopedia?"
The leader shook his head in fear.
"I've already explained what you need to know. Stop spreading those stories about him within the organization. It's stupid."
"Prepare your equipment. I'll explain your mission one more time. Make the Pokémon League believe that we truly need those two people."
Evergreen abruptly cut the communication.
Under the dim light, he let out a helpless sigh.
Twenty years of infiltration, operations smooth, funds steady, penetration successful... all for the sake of one decisive strike.
But what on earth was happening now?
The new members of the team had no idea why the Hodgepodge organization was founded. They only sought power and were never drawn by the organization's ideology.
The elders were already on the verge of death. The original strategists could no longer keep up with the times. Ultimately, only Mira could keep up with Evergreen.
Even though the people Mira trained were already elites, they still needed Evergreen to repeatedly explain a simple operational intention.
Was creating a smokescreen for the Pokémon League really so difficult to understand?
Was this some kind of high-level strategy?
Even such a simple decision required two rounds of leadership meetings. Only when all the leaders gathered together could a decision be made.
Gathering them took a full week. Because of the week-long delay, Evergreen's plan almost fell apart. But the old leaders only had one thing to say:
"This is the rule."
When will these primitive, stubborn mindsets finally change?
With communication so advanced nowadays, why cling to this ancient, round-table, offline decision-making ritual?
Aside from looking cool, what use does it have?
Evergreen grabbed the book on the table, slammed it onto the floor, and stomped on it hard.
"Trash! Brutes! Pedantic fools! Brain-dead idiots! A bunch of old geezers who think they still control the era! Your starting point isn't high; you don't even qualify to infiltrate the Pokémon League!"
With each stomp, Evergreen felt like he was stepping on the faces of those old leaders.
After venting with all his strength, emptiness washed over him. He slowly sat down on the stool and looked up at the faintly glowing wall lamp.
"The Pokémon League has Cynthia, Lance, Alder, and Diantha."
"Hahahahahahaha! And I only have enhancement devices, Mira, and a bunch of fossilized old men!"
Heavy breathing echoed through the secret room, and a mad thought surged into his mind.
It had appeared before, but never as strongly as this time.
The persistent idea made Evergreen certain: this was what he desperately needed.
"Hodgepodge… It's time for someone better to lead it."
(End of this chapter)