Chapter 259: Rayquaza Capture Plan
Toga was completely dumbfounded.
This was their first meeting, right?
Then how did Asahi immediately confirm his identity—and even know about his past work at New Mauville?
Didn't the job listing say this place was a public welfare organization?!
Something wasn't right. Very not right.
Toga grew increasingly wary.
Seeing this, Asahi chuckled and gave Gary a look.
Gary understood.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a badge and slapped it onto the table in front of Toga.
"Allow me to introduce ourselves—we're with the International Police. I'm Gary Oak, and this is our division chief, Asahi."
———
After a moment of stunned silence and a thorough explanation, Toga finally understood the situation.
"So… you're an International Police unit targeting Team Magma and Team Aqua, and you're recruiting former New Mauville employees to serve as field agents familiar with Hoenn?"
Finally, the pieces clicked into place.
Now, it made sense why they had his records. If they were the International Police, then of course they would have that information.
He had actually interacted with them before, back when New Mauville collaborated with the Pokémon Association.
And now that this secretive organization had revealed itself to him…
"…So, what do you need from me?"
He didn't take Asahi's earlier remark about being "talented" seriously.
He didn't think he was anything special.
"Mr. Toga, I assume you're aware that President Zinnia was attacked by Team Aqua and that the Abyssal One's core component was stolen?"
Toga nodded.
"If Team Aqua went through all that trouble, they won't stop at just stealing an incomplete core. They will come for the Abyssal One itself."
"We anticipated that, so we've already strengthened security—" Toga began.
Asahi cut him off. "Can your security stop Team Magma? Or Team Aqua? What if they join forces?"
Toga fell silent.
Even at his most optimistic, he couldn't say their defenses could withstand both teams together.
"…So you're saying—?"
"Well, I was planning to visit Kusunoki Shipyards in person…" Asahi mused. "But since I ran into you here, it saves me the trip."
Asahi summoned Gengar, who reached into its belly and pulled out a small box, placing it in front of Toga.
At Asahi's signal, Toga opened it, revealing a peculiar-looking device.
"This is a specialized International Police tracker, capable of maintaining signal strength even in deep-sea environments," Asahi explained. "As the chief engineer of the Abyssal One, I'd like you to install it somewhere Team Magma and Team Aqua won't notice."
Toga: "..."
So Asahi was already assuming that Team Magma and Team Aqua would steal the Abyssal One?
Toga didn't say anything.
He didn't understand why Asahi, knowing this would happen, wasn't trying to prevent it.
But considering Asahi's International Police status, he likely had a bigger plan in mind.
Toga was making guesses in his mind.
"Is there anything else..."
His mood wasn't particularly good.
That was understandable—who wouldn't be upset at the thought of their newly built submarine possibly being stolen?
"There is indeed one more thing..." Asahi asked, "Mr. Toga, how much do you know about the former Pokémon Association's 'Rayquaza Capture Plan'?"
Hearing this term, Toga's expression tensed up.
...
After sending off the visibly burdened Toga, Gary, who had been holding back his curiosity, finally couldn't help but ask, "Asahi, was that 'Rayquaza Capture Plan' you mentioned real?"
Growing up beside his grandfather, deeply influenced by Professor Oak, Gary had always been taught to live in harmony with Pokémon. He never expected that the Pokémon Association in the Hoenn region had been so reckless.
They had actually planned to capture Rayquaza for research.
"Of course it was real... and they even succeeded once. Although there's not much information available, the International Police archives have it on record."
Hearing this, Gary immediately took out his phone and logged into the International Police database.
Then...
Seeing the words 'Insufficient Permission' on his screen, Gary was utterly baffled.
"Now do you see why I keep pushing you to improve?" Asahi said. "If you'd worked harder, would this even be a problem?"
With that, Asahi used his own permissions to unlock the restriction for Gary.
As Gary read through the classified documents, he was utterly shocked.
The actions of the Hoenn Pokémon Association were beyond reckless.
With the Pokémon Association leading the charge, they had joined forces with two major Hoenn-based corporations, Devon Corporation and Greater Mauville Holdings, along with the prestigious Berlitz Family from the Sinnoh region, using unconventional methods to forcibly capture Rayquaza for research.
Although Rayquaza eventually escaped due to an accident, their initial plan was already outrageous.
To be honest, Asahi had always been curious about one thing—why was Rayquaza so lenient? After escaping, it didn't even seek revenge on the Hoenn Pokémon Association.
"So, Asahi, why did you ask Toga about this...?"
"I was hoping to learn more about the internal details from him, which might help me when I attempt to capture Rayquaza. Unfortunately..."
Although Toga had worked in Greater Mauville Holdings' business intelligence division, the Rayquaza Capture Plan was so highly classified that even he knew very little about it.
Gary was stunned by Asahi's words.
"...Capture Rayquaza?"
"You're planning to follow in the footsteps of Greater Mauville Holdings, Devon Corporation, and the Pokémon Association to restart the Rayquaza Capture Plan?"
Asahi gave Gary a look. "What are you thinking? Do I seem like that kind of person?"
"I, Asahi, believe in capturing Pokémon the proper way!"
Slowpoke: Ah, yes, of course...
"Proper way... You mean you're going to capture Rayquaza by yourself?" Gary thought Asahi had lost his mind.
He could admit that Mewtwo was strong... but this was Rayquaza!
A legendary ancient Pokémon that lived in the ozone layer and fed on meteors...
"Not exactly," Asahi replied.
"I thought so..."
"And you'll be coming with me. How could I forget to bring you along for something this exciting?" Asahi patted Gary on the shoulder, giving him a 'See how much I care about you?' look.
Gary: "....."
I want to go home!