Out of politeness, Natsui took off his hat and sunglasses and extended a friendly hand to Lorelei.
"That's right, I'm Natsui. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lorelei."
Lorelei's gaze shifted between the two of them. "I never thought the two of you, with such different styles, would end up together," she said half-jokingly. "Hmm... although it's quite a surprise, looking at you now, you two really do seem to be a good match."
As she spoke, she shook Natsui's hand and then asked curiously, "So, what wind has blown the two of you to this remote little island?"
Although Sabrina, as the Saffron Gym Leader, had met Lorelei several times before, her personality made her not only reserved with words but also disinclined to converse with people. Therefore, despite knowing each other, they were merely acquaintances.
However, at this moment, after hearing Lorelei's words, Sabrina suddenly found the woman to be much more agreeable.
Natsui smiled. "We didn't come to this island on purpose. Our original destination was the Orange Archipelago. We were just passing by and got a little tired, so we decided to come down and rest."
"Oh, is that so~" Lorelei gave him a meaningful look. Seeing the owner go into the back kitchen, she lowered her voice and said in a playful tone, "I thought you two were here for the Moltres on the Sevii Islands!"
There's a Moltres here!?
Hearing this stunning news, Sabrina looked surprised and turned to Natsui. Seeing that his expression hadn't changed much, she knew that what Lorelei said must be true, and that Natsui must have already known about it!
He kept that secret well hidden!
Thinking back now, the "thing he was interested in" that he had mentioned earlier must have been Moltres!
Seeing that Lorelei had let the cat out of the bag, Natsui didn't try to hide it either and nodded. "I did have that in mind. I must say, Miss Lorelei, your information is also excellent. To think you also know that Moltres exists on the Sevii Islands!"
"Please," Lorelei rolled her eyes. "I was born and raised on the Sevii Islands. I've been hearing the legend of Moltres since I was a child. My ears are tired of hearing it!"
Natsui was surprised. "Oh? I never knew your home was here, this is the first I've heard of it. But do you also think that Moltres is just a legend?"
"Of course not!" Lorelei said seriously. "Actually, it's not just me. Many of the elders here have seen traces of what appeared to be Moltres's activity with their own eyes. It's just that its movements are too unpredictable, so many trainers who come here looking for it end up leaving empty-handed. Over time, people really started to believe it was just a story made up by the islanders."
At that moment, the owner brought over two large plates of seafood fried rice and placed them in front of them. Seeing this, Natsui fell silent, no longer discussing the previous topic.
As the food was placed before him, Natsui was hit by a fragrant aroma. He looked down and saw that the rice, glistening with a reddish hue and having absorbed all the juices, was full and plump, complemented by squid, crab, and large shrimp. Just one look was enough to whet one's appetite!
This looks delicious!
He eagerly picked up his spoon, scooped up a mouthful, and put it in his mouth. The next second, however, he was overwhelmed by a strong chili flavor and started coughing uncontrollably!
Cough, cough, cough!
His face turned bright red. He quickly took a sip of ice water, and the spicy sensation finally subsided a little.
"Why is it so spicy!?"
Lorelei was shaking with laughter, and Sabrina, after taking a small bite, also frowned.
It really was too spicy!
Seeing that these two were acquainted with Lorelei, the owner offered a rare explanation.
"Because we are a small fishing island, most of the residents are fishermen. They spend years out at sea in the sea breeze and can easily get chilled to the bone, so they like to eat these hot and spicy foods that warm the body."
"That's right," Lorelei nodded in agreement. "This is our local specialty. Although it's a bit spicy, after a few tries, you'll really be able to appreciate its endless deliciousness!"
Hearing her say this, Natsui took a few more bites.
Indeed, once his taste buds had adapted to the spiciness, he could savor the flavors more carefully, and it was truly delicious!
Only Sabrina refused to take another bite. Helpless, Natsui had to ask the owner to make her a new dish.
Seeing the owner go back into the kitchen, Lorelei seemed to remember something and said to Natsui, "I know it was you two who helped the International Police take down the Team Rocket base. As it happens, I have a difficult matter right now that I'd like your help with."
Lorelei was, of course, referring to the secret base beneath the Celadon Game Corner. At the time of their raid, she and another Elite Four member, Bruno, had gone to Viridian City to arrest Giovanni, but unfortunately, Giovanni was at the secret base, and they had come up empty.
Natsui said, "Is it about Team Rocket?"
Lorelei nodded again. "Although Team Rocket has been rounded up all over the Kanto mainland by the International Police and seems to have been completely eradicated, their influence is far greater than we thought. I've recently heard that a group of strangers in uniform have been active on the Sevii Islands. I suspect Team Rocket is planning some secret operation!"
"In that case, why don't you report it to the International Police?"
Lorelei waved her hand. "I am an Elite Four member, after all. Maintaining peace in the region is my top priority. How could I take the initiative to ask those guys for help? But you two are different. One is a Gym Leader of the Pokémon League, and the other is the Pokémon League's new champion. We're all part of the League, all in the same system, so there's no need to be strangers!"
Part of the same system?
That label...
Natsui smiled helplessly. When did I become a part of the Pokémon League?
However, since eliminating Team Rocket was also a matter of his own safety, he was very interested as well.
"Of course, no problem. But I can only stay here for a few days. If it takes too long, you'd better ask someone else."
"Don't worry," Lorelei said, patting her chest in assurance. "I've already got a rough idea of their trail. It won't take more than a few days to find their exact location! Oh, right, if we succeed in capturing these Team Rocket members, as a thank you, I can take you to find that Moltres!"
"Eh!?" Natsui was taken aback. "Do you know where it is?"
Lorelei smiled confidently. "Does that even need to be said? Of course, it's on Mt. Ember. But as for its exact location, we'll have to try our luck."
Mt. Ember?
Natsui pondered for a moment.
Back on Earth, he knew from the games that there was indeed a Moltres on the Sevii Islands, but because his memory was hazy, he wasn't very clear on the exact location.
But with the help of a local like Lorelei, it would surely make things much easier!
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