"Do you two know each other?" Handsome Guy asked in surprise, glancing between them.

"H-he..." Flint swallowed hard, "Isn't that Teacher Lu? Why is he here!"

Handsome Guy suddenly understood and explained: "Mr. Lu Ye is an Inspector from Interpol's Countermeasures Division. He's been assigned command authority for this operation."

Flint still hadn't processed this, scratching his fiery red afro with a thoroughly confused expression.

"Let me... take a moment." Flint looked at Handsome Guy. "You brought me here to meet your superior."

The middle-aged man nodded.

Flint then turned to Lu Ye: "Teacher Lu, you're an Interpol Inspector."

Lu Ye gave a slight nod.

Flint froze momentarily, his expression turning strange.

So the high-ranking official Interpol headquarters sent—was one of their own?!

The bigger shock was that Teacher Lu actually had this additional identity as an Inspector.

He'd never mentioned it before!

Among all the Elite Four and Champions... only Johto Champion Lance held a similar position.

"Teacher Lu, you and Lance..." Flint ventured, "Are colleagues?"

Lu Ye pondered before answering: "I'm technically on the roster, but I don't actually have a team."

Flint exhaled in relief: "I see."

"Though my rank is technically one level higher than Lance's," Lu Ye added with a smile.

Flint: "..."

This man keeps getting more terrifying!

"For operations in the Sinnoh region, it's best my identity remains concealed."

Lu Ye clasped his hands together, adopting a classic commander's pose as he said solemnly: "This is due to multiple considerations..."

Handsome Guy nodded understandingly, murmuring: "Understood."

Flint nodded vigorously, especially when Teacher Lu's gaze carried an unusually authoritative air.

Suddenly, he understood why Teacher Lu had been so involved in Sinnoh's major incidents—apprehending poachers, pacifying Regigigas.

Flint had assumed Teacher Lu did it all just for Cynthia.

But now it seemed... as an Interpol agent, he also carried convictions of justice.

Perhaps this was why Lance joined Interpol... and Teacher Lu was no exception.

Flint and Volkner were old friends who had fought poachers together in their youth. Because of this, Flint naturally held Interpol in high regard.

Moreover, his respect for Teacher Lu grew another level.

"What would you like to drink?" Lu Ye asked.

Flint grinned, all previous restraint vanishing.

He casually took a seat, arm draped over the chair back as he scratched his head:

"Are you treating, Teacher Lu?"

"There's operational funding," Lu Ye said offhandedly.

The two exchanged glances, reaching silent agreement before turning to the serious-looking middle-aged man.

Handsome Guy cleared his throat: "I'll have a coffee... thank you."

......

"We're moving tonight?" Flint chewed on his watermelon juice straw, eyes widening. "That's way too sudden!"

"Given the volcano could erupt at any moment," Handsome Guy frowned, "acting quickly eliminates future risks."

"What's the battle plan?" Flint looked to Teacher Lu. "What if we encounter some crazy strong wild Pokémon?"

Lu Ye considered before saying: "Considering your expertise with Fire-types... you'll take point."

Flint nodded readily: "Mhm, and then?"

"Then Blastoise and I will handle cleanup," Lu Ye said. "But I'm confident someone of your skill can resolve things quickly!"

Flint paused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

It sounded like a sales pitch... but the strategy seemed legit.

Send in Flash Fire Houndoom to scout... with Blastoise backing them up for safety.

"Our destination is Stark Mountain at the end of Route 227."

Handsome Guy took over explaining: "I've brought specialized equipment to monitor volcanic activity intensity and frequency."

With that, Handsome Guy solemnly produced a small box-shaped device from his brown trench coat, announcing loudly:

"International Police Gadget No.8, Frequency Wave Detector!"

Flint: "Pfft!"

Lu Ye: "...No need to shout, Handsome."

"Apologies." Handsome Guy scratched his cheek, coughing awkwardly. "Occupational habit, ahem... Regardless, we should depart soon!"

Lu Ye and Flint exchanged glances before nodding.

......

Sinnoh Region, Stark Mountain.

The sky hung heavy overhead.

Teacher Lu's group rented a jeep, driving toward Stark Mountain—a charcoal-black massif blanketed in thick volcanic ash, its rugged paths strewn with rubble and nearly devoid of vegetation.

After parking at the base and hiking for ten minutes, Flint clicked his tongue: "Whoa! The ground's steaming here... Are we sure it's safe to go in?"

Handsome Guy checked his detector: "The frequency waves show no imminent eruption. We just need to inspect the volcanic seal stones."

Lu Ye frowned slightly.

In the Pokémon world, mystical elements existed—like the stone sealing the King of Pokélantis, or the keystone containing Spiritomb.

His instincts warned that a Heatran likely lurked within. But with his current team, they stood a fighting chance.

'Because of the Temporal Tower incident... all of Sinnoh has become unstable.'

Lu Ye's eyes flashed as they continued ascending.

The rising altitude brought them to a fault line where magma flowed, radiating heat that grew more intense. Sparks stood out starkly against the night.

The group's breathing grew heavier.

"Magmortar, Houndoom." Flint wiped sweat from his brow, saying gravely: "Stay alert."

Red light flashed as two Fire-types raised the ambient temperature further.

Handsome Guy remained silent, accompanied by his partner Croagunk wearing a police cap.

Lu Ye quietly had Haunter slip into his shadow. Thanks to Haunter's ability to lower surrounding temperatures by 5°C, it became unexpectedly comfortable.

"Speaking of which, my little brother Mike always wanted to explore Stark Mountain for treasure."

Flint licked dry lips, forcing a laugh: "Didn't expect I'd beat him to it."

"He'd probably prefer you return alive," Lu Ye remarked casually.

"Whoa, no need for that ominous tone!"

The cave exuded intense heat that warped the air, its narrow path leading deeper inside.

Flint stared at the smoking ground, gulped, then declared through gritted teeth: "This badass is going first!"

"Wait." Handsome Guy looked troubled. "The detector's readings are spiking wildly here!"

Crack—

From the depths came the sound of falling rocks as the entire mountain trembled slightly.

"No way, eruption? Earthquake?" Flint gasped.

"Better than Groudon awakening."

Lu Ye tossed a Dive Ball, commanding firmly: "Blastoise, use Water Pulse if magma floods in—secure our retreat."

Compared to the explosive Hydro Pump, the more controlled Water Pulse was the better choice now.

"Blas! (⌐■_■)" Blastoise aimed its cannons, blocking the entrance before turning back with a thumbs-up.

A true one-turtle blockade against impossible odds.

"We must hurry!" Handsome Guy shouted. "Elite Flint, with me!"

"No choice then!" Flint clicked his tongue, dashing toward the inner glow with Handsome Guy. "Teacher Lu, back us up when needed!"

"Don't worry."

Lu Ye gazed upward at the crumbling ceiling, murmuring:

"Wonder if an Escape Rope would work in this situation..."

......