"I didn't expect him to show up in Slateport City. Looks like we're in for a windfall this time."
Grym ran his fingers through his Mightyena's fur, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.
Initially, Ron's bounty hadn't concerned him much—after all, the Hoenn region was vast, and tracking someone down was no easy feat.
But this morning, the news had reported Ron's victory in the Ocean Battle Tournament.
A golden opportunity had practically fallen into his lap. There was no way Grym was going to pass it up.
With his Mid Elite-ranked Mightyena leading the way, Grym made his way toward Slateport City at an astonishing speed.
By his calculations, he'd reach the city's outskirts in just a few hours. Once there, gathering intel on Ron's whereabouts would be effortless.
Suddenly, Mightyena tensed, ears pricked in alarm. At the same time, a faint voice drifted into Grym's ears.
"Osaki, Mid Elite Pokémon Hunter. Known for ambushing and killing multiple Rangers and two Forest Hunters. Has even completed a mission involving the capture of an Elite Four-ranked Pokémon. Your crimes warrant execution!"
As the voice grew clearer, an uncontrollable shiver ran down Grym's spine. Even his Mightyena trembled beside him.
"Is that so? Then there's no need to bring you in. Execution on the spot will do just fine."
A casual voice rang out—the very source of Grym's fear.
Before he could react, a white blur flashed before his eyes. The overwhelming presence it exuded froze Mightyena in place, stealing its chance to respond.
In the next instant, the single horn of an Absol pierced through Mightyena's chest—a clean, fatal strike.
And its Trainer? None other than Sidney, one of Hoenn's Elite Four.
"Looks like Drake's strategy is working well. Keep the Rangers and Hunters on high alert. The moment they detect a target, they should engage immediately—neutralize threats swiftly while minimizing casualties!"
"Understood!"
With a slight nod, Sidney reverted to her usual cheerful demeanor, walking off with her Absol to patrol another area.
...
"The bounty on Ron had barely been up for long, and now his whereabouts have conveniently been leaked? Can it really be just a coincidence?"
Staring at the news broadcast, Nome muttered to himself.
After some hesitation, he decided to make his way toward Slateport.
If an opportunity presented itself, he wouldn't hesitate to act. If it was a trap or if troublesome opponents were involved, the Pokémon hunters would serve as convenient scouts. Either way, he wouldn't lose out.
Unfortunately, sharp thinkers like Nome were rare. Most Pokémon hunters, blinded by greed, had only one thought upon seeing Ron's location—head straight for Slateport.
From their perspective, why would the Hoenn League invest significant resources into protecting some Kanto Trainer?
It wasn't reckless overconfidence on their part. They simply lacked the crucial information to see the bigger picture.
And so, with Slateport City as the center, the surrounding area became a hunting ground—where Ron was the supposed prey, radiating an enticing presence. And the hunters? They swarmed in like sharks drawn to blood.
Little did they know, lurking beside the "prey" were well-prepared hunting vessels, waiting patiently for them.
Within just a day, waves of Pokémon hunters had arrived—many traveling by sea, docking at Slateport, then swiftly pursuing Ron's trail.
The repetition of this scene puzzled the city's residents. Why had the previous two champions never drawn this much attention? Did this outsider from Kanto have some kind of special appeal?
Leaning lazily against a tree trunk, Ron showed no signs of concern about being targeted. Instead, he was leisurely enjoying his time.
Truthfully, it had already been nearly a full day since he left Slateport, yet he hadn't encountered a single Pokémon hunter.
Should I be mocking the Hoenn League for their overly thorough protection, or these hunters for their utter incompetence?
He chuckled to himself.
"Gardevoir, do you think I should go back to our usual training—fighting battles to grow stronger?"
He glanced at his Gardevoir, contemplating his next move.
Admittedly, it wasn't exactly fair, but given the current circumstances…
These Pokémon hunters weren't just facing an ambush by well-prepared Rangers and Forest Hunters. Forget breaking through their defenses—many of them were struggling just to survive.
Moreover, with one of the Elite Four, Sidney, leading the operation this time, there was no way these so-called "Elite Four-level" Pokémon Hunters could put up any real resistance.
After some consideration, Ron decided to search for some High Elite Pokémon, using battles to help Gardevoir and the others grow stronger.
Even if any Pokémon Hunters approached, Gardevoir and Lucario would be able to sense them immediately—and, in the process, mislead any who managed to slip past the defensive line.
Still, to be safe, Ron chose to first contact Elite Four members Sidney and Drake.
"Is that so? Understood. As long as you're confident, there's nothing to worry about. Given the current situation, it's unlikely these Pokémon Hunters will break through our defenses. You can rest assured."
Holding his phone in one hand, Sidney used the other to wipe away the bloodstains on Absol's fur with a damp cloth.
"Then I'll begin my operation. I really appreciate your help this time."
Ron's voice came through the phone as Sidney put away the cloth—the blood on Absol had been completely cleaned off.
"No need to be so polite. We dragged you into this in the first place, and besides, we've taken down quite a few infamous Pokémon Hunters and poaching syndicates this time."
"Alright, I won't keep you. I'm heading to my next target. Stay alert."
"I will."
Once he got Ron's reply, Sidney ended the call and set off for her next destination.
Having informed both Sidney and Drake of his plan and receiving their approval, Ron wasted no time and immediately started searching for wild Pokémon.
As the day progressed, one Pokémon Hunter after another was either eliminated or captured, allowing Ron to get through the first day unscathed.
Among them, even Nome and several others began to realize that Ron's presence was merely bait—intended to lure Pokémon Hunters into the open.
By the second day, far fewer hunters were attempting to track him.
By the third day, with nearly all the remaining hunters convinced that it was a trap, almost no one dared to pursue Ron anymore.
However, some clever individuals had devised another approach—waiting until the Hoenn League and Ron let their guard down before launching a sudden attack to eliminate him.
"Looks like we've had quite the haul this time. The only troublesome factor is Ron. From the looks of it, even these Pokémon Hunters are getting smarter."
Perched idly on the treetop, Sidney sighed after listening to her subordinates' reports.
Beneath the tree, a researcher-like figure leaned against the trunk, fingers rapidly tapping across a laptop keyboard.
Who would have thought that Sidney, with her carefree, even delinquent-like demeanor, would have someone so scholarly and bookish as her most trusted aide?
"Sieg, any good suggestions?"
Looking down from the treetop, Sidney asked Sieg with the curiosity of a child.
"There's one method, but it requires Ron to take a risk."
Sieg spoke in the same rigid, methodical manner that matched his appearance.
"I see. Well, I doubt Ron would mind—after all, that kid has never been one to sit still."
Gazing up at the sky, Sidney responded with a grin.
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