Two days later.
On an island in the southern part of the Hoenn region.
Located east of Dewford Town.
There lay a vast archipelago — some of its islands were large and home to small settlements, while others were so tiny that they were nothing more than patches of vegetation inhabited by wild Pokémon.
Cain and Drake appeared on one of the relatively larger islands of the group.
This place was also under the jurisdiction of the Hoenn League. Although the village wasn't big, it had all the basic facilities: a Pokémon Center, a League police station, and other small establishments.
There was no Gym, but the locals deeply admired Pokémon, and many dreamed of becoming trainers.
Surrounded by the sea, most of them raised Water-type Pokémon, which also helped them fish or gather resources along the coast.
Since Cain and Drake had come on a mission, the local police station — Officer Jenny and her squad — were already prepared.
"Master, is it possible that man is hiding here?" Cain asked, his expression serious.
Drake had said he would take him along on several missions so he could get used to this kind of work, and that's why he had brought him here.
"In fact, we have two purposes for this trip," Drake explained with a smile. "One is for you to gain familiarity with these kinds of assignments — and the other... is for your Shelgon."
The missions assigned to Cain by Juan and Drake involved hunting down dangerous criminals. The targets were powerful; the idea was to give someone of Cain's current level genuine combat experience.
These were individuals who could be remnants of underground organizations dismantled by the League, deserters who had escaped control, skilled Pokémon poachers adept at hiding, or simply cruel, bloodthirsty criminals who were difficult to track down.
Among them were even high-ranking members of organizations like Team Rocket, Team Magma, or Team Aqua — though missions targeting those types were rarely undertaken. They were too strong, and a single misstep could cause disastrous consequences.
Thus, those figures were always left for last; unless confrontation was unavoidable or they were encountered by chance, no one actively hunted them.
And while they were terrifying, they at least maintained a kind of order — organized enough not to destroy entire towns in reckless massacres. It was an unspoken truce between the League and those great factions.
"Officer Jenny, please brief us on the situation," Drake requested.
At that moment, a tanned Officer Jenny with a wild, energetic aura stepped forward and saluted both men.
"Mr. Drake, Mr. Cain. A month ago, a man arrived on a nearby island. He seemed harmless at first, but after some investigation, we discovered that he's likely the infamous Pokémon thief, Sakata Kintoki," she explained while displaying data on a small portable computer.
"Sakata Kintoki..." Cain repeated, recalling the file. "Pokémon thief. Suspected Elite-level strength. Accepts special capture contracts through the underground network — uses any means necessary, brutal and ruthless. After catching a Pokémon, he usually exterminates the entire pack."
"Exactly, Mr. Cain," Jenny confirmed, her expression tense. "Recently, we've found many dead wild Pokémon across the surrounding islands. After tracking the evidence, we identified him. It's very likely that monster, Sakata Kintoki."
The fury in her eyes was unmistakable. If she had the power, she would have arrested him herself long ago.
"Understood, Officer Jenny. Please take us there," Drake nodded.
They boarded a League patrol jeep and drove down the muddy paths leading toward the settlement.
Inside the vehicle, Cain closed his eyes and extended his psychic perception.
Drake, meanwhile, quietly gazed out the window at the scenery.
To him, a mere thief like this wasn't worth his time. Were it not for the convenience of passing through this area, such a task would have soon been assigned to a senior investigator or the captain of a regular enforcement unit.
Just as the vehicle was about to enter the village, Cain suddenly opened his eyes.
"Stop the car! The target already knows we're coming — he fled ahead of time. Stay here, I'll go after him."
Before the car even halted, Cain leapt out, propelling himself into the nearby forest, vanishing in an instant.
"Mr. Cain...!" Jenny called out, but he was already gone.
Drake calmly waved his hand and smiled.
"Don't worry. He is now... an Elite Four."
Watching in the direction Cain had disappeared, Drake couldn't help but nod in approval.
Psychic abilities truly are convenient. At this rate, these missions will become much easier...
At that moment, deep within the forest, Cain took out a Poké Ball and hurled it forward.
"Blaaazk!"
From a swirl of flames emerged a mighty Blaziken.
Without hesitation, it advanced alongside Cain, racing swiftly through the forest — Cain flying through the air with psychic power, while Blaziken leapt effortlessly from branch to branch.
"I really need a flying Pokémon I can ride soon... relying only on psychic flight is too cumbersome," Cain thought.
Before long, he located the fugitive.
Perhaps the man had also sensed him, for he stopped and hid among dense bushes, camouflaging himself.
For most people, finding him would have been nearly impossible without combing through every patch of foliage — that was the trick that had allowed him to escape capture so many times before.
Unfortunately for him, his pursuer this time was Cain. His concealment skills were far superior, and he had already locked onto the man's presence the moment he extended his psychic sense.
Cain and Blaziken descended into a clearing before the bush.
The young man's lips curved slightly.
"Blaziken, Flamethrower!"
The Pokémon unleashed a blazing stream of fire, engulfing the underbrush.
Boom!
A man rolled out from the flames, scorched and enraged, glaring with hatred at Cain and his Blaziken.
"Brat! I gave you a chance to stay out of danger... but don't blame me for what happens next!"
"Mightyena!"
At his shout, three Mightyena burst from their Poké Balls, lunging fiercely at Cain and his partner.
Cain's eyes glowed — and in that instant, he had already grasped every detail about his opponent.
(End of chapter)