"So what if she's married?" Ryan scoffed. "She's a few years older, knows how to care for someone, has charm and flavor. You, a virgin, wouldn't understand even if I explained it."
Noah frowned. "She might even have children."
"…That's even better," Ryan paused, then grinned. "Buy one, get one free. Huge profit."
"You're unbelievable…" Noah sighed. "At the very least, she has a husband. Don't you feel that's twisted? Immoral?"
Ryan waved it off."Kid, you're still young. If she were loyal and well-behaved, I wouldn't touch her. But if she's not? Why worry so much? Overthinking everything like you do—what's the point?"
"If I really like her," he continued, growing more animated, "the fact that she has a husband actually makes it better."
Leon and Noah both stared at him in disbelief.
"Because then there's only one competitor," Ryan said confidently. "Beat that one guy, and boom—beauty in your arms."
"That logic is wild," Leon laughed, raising a hand. "Absolutely wild. Respectfully—six out of six."
Ryan beamed. "See? Even the boss says I've got a point."
"…I wish you happiness," Noah said flatly.
Ryan burst into laughter.
Then he suddenly grew serious."As for figuring out what kind of woman she is—that comes from experience. Same as any profession. Do it long enough, and you just know."
"How can you tell?" Noah asked, unexpectedly interested. "Explain in detail."
Ryan leaned closer, lowering his voice."No secret. Just practice. Hang out with me at bars and banquets often enough, and you'll understand."
"…I'll pass."
"Why pass? Don't you want skills like mine?"
Before he could continue, Leon's phone rang.
It was Aoyan.
"Leon."
"Come to me. There's a mission."
"Understood."
Leon stood up immediately.
"What's going on?" Ryan asked.
"Probably a task. I'm heading to the captain now."
Ryan and Noah walked him to the door and watched him leave.
"Hope it's nothing big," Ryan yawned. "I've been slacking off so long, I've gotten lazy."
"Prepare anyway," Noah said calmly. "Just in case. You did subdue the Pokémon Leon gave you, right?"
"Yeah. All done."
"Good."
Leon arrived at the city center's Game Corner. The crowds were as lively as ever. He moved through them with familiarity, entered a hidden passage, navigated several checkpoints, and descended underground.
Ding—
The elevator doors opened.
Several familiar faces were already there—squad leaders under Aoyan. They exchanged brief nods and walked together toward the office.
"This many squad leaders… this is serious," Leon thought.
Inside the office, it was already crowded.
Aoyan sat at the head seat.
Beside him were three other Battalion Captains.
Leon quietly took a seat.
"With all four captains present… this really is a major operation."
Soon, more people arrived.
Twenty-one in total.
Four Battalion Captains.Seventeen Squad Commanders.
Some recognized each other. Some only knew faces from files.
This gathering wasn't just for the mission—it was to ensure they wouldn't mistake allies for enemies in the field.
"Alright," Aoyan said, scanning the room. "Everyone's here."
All eyes turned to him.
"I've obtained critical intelligence. This will be today's mission. The details will remain classified until arrival."
He paused.
"All you need to know for now is this: mission difficulty—four stars."
A murmur spread through the room.
"From this moment onward, all of you are officially on mission status. Any current tasks are suspended. You are to arrive at the designated location I'll send you by 1:00 PM."
"I've already reported to the higher authority. Authorization has been granted."
"Do you understand?"
"Yes!"Seventeen voices answered in unison—including Leon's.
"Good. You have two hours. Gather your people and prepare."
"Yes, sir."
As the squad leaders left—
"Captain Aoyan," one of the other Battalion Captains spoke, "is this intelligence reliable? If something goes wrong, the Celadon Branch will suffer heavy losses."
"It's solid," Aoyan replied calmly. "I've already made arrangements. You can rest assured."
"Very well. We'll fully cooperate."
The three captains exchanged looks and nodded.
They trusted Aoyan—not because of luck, but because he'd proven himself time and again.
This level of secrecy was deliberate.
Only the four Battalion Captains knew the full mission details.
Everyone else would learn them on site.
"To avenge Captain Murakami," Aoyan said coldly, "this operation must be flawless."
Elsewhere, Ryan and Noah arrived at the base after receiving Leon's message.
"What's going on, boss?" Ryan asked. "This sounds serious."
"We don't know yet," Leon replied grimly. "But it's a four-star mission. Don't expect it to be easy."
"Damn… that big?" Ryan swallowed.
"Let's eat first," Leon said. "We deploy this afternoon."
"Got it."