Chapter 415: Spinel, is this... a war with Shoushou?

"This person, alias Lei Yi, real name Huo La... what on earth does he mean?" Fried stared at the detailed entry in the Pokédex, murmuring softly, utterly baffled.

"When he slipped the item to me, he specifically instructed us to go to the Pokemon League and find Professor Oak."

"Professor Oak!?" Fried was startled, his tone full of disbelief.

In the same field of Pokemon research, he could not be clearer about the stature of this academic titan.

Even though he is a combat doctor focused on practical research, he sincerely respects Professor Oak's reputation and knowledge.

Fried's gaze flickered between the Pokédex in his hand and the Master Ball held by Dian Dian, his expression growing more solemn as he turned and asked, "Did he say anything else?"

"Yes, there is." Luo Yi said, his eyes slowly shifting to the Liko beside him.

Liko's face showed confusion, and she reflexively asked, "Me? What does this have to do with me?"

Luo Yi nodded gravely, "He told you to keep the pendant around your neck safe; that pendant is the true key to opening the Ancient Spirit Ball."

"What!?" The words were earth‑shattering.

Not only Liko shivered, but everyone on the deck turned pale, shocked beyond measure.

Luo Yi scratched the back of his head, equally baffled, "When he mentioned this, I was startled too. The Ancient Spirit Ball has been with me all along, and Liko has worn that pendant for years; it seemed ordinary and never showed any sign of peculiarity."

Fried stared solemnly at the unremarkable pendant around Liko's neck, then after a long pause took a deep breath to steady his thoughts and decided quickly, "Set aside the doubts. Aolie, immediately check the ship for damage, and once navigation is confirmed safe, we will change course to the Johto region to find Professor Oak!"

"Got it!" Aolie slapped his arm, responding with full vigor.

"Johto borders Kanto; I grew up in Kanto, so I'm intimately familiar with the routes between the two. Leave it to me, no problem!"

Elsewhere, inside a room of the Explorer Team's spaceship.

Huo La and Paipa sat opposite each other across a table, and in the center of the tabletop lay quietly that primitively patterned Ancient Spirit Ball.

Huo La leaned back in his chair, exhaled softly, furrowed his brows, and said, "I truly can't understand why Spinel would leave this thing to me."

Recalling how he had just layered strategies within a Smokescreen, deliberately staged a battle, and after exhausting effort seized the Ancient Spirit Ball only to have the opponent casually toss it back into his hands, he felt absurd, with an indescribable awkwardness and helplessness.

Paipa looked at Huo La's despondent demeanor, gently prodded the Ancient Spirit Ball on the table with a fingertip, and asked curiously, "Inside, does it really contain the Black Rayquaza?"

Huo La nodded slowly, "As expected, it should be correct."

"So that means we already hold one of the keys to unlocking Paradise, doesn't it?"

Paipa's tone could barely conceal his excitement, but as the thrill faded, doubt rose, "Then where do we go next? What should we do?"

"I don't know," Huo La said evenly, his voice tinged with deep helplessness, "And... do you really think that opening Paradise would be a good thing?"

Paipa fell silent at the words, and after a moment whispered, "Once Paradise manifests and the barriers crumble, I'm afraid even the Explorer Team, which has always kept to a quiet corner, won't remain complacent."

Inside the Explorer Team ship's control room, the lights were dim, the atmosphere oppressive and weighty.

"Spinel, you just handed that Ancient Spirit Ball to Lei Yi?" Yindi's previously cynical expression vanished, his tone full of disbelief as he pressed, "That's the key to unlocking Paradise, and you gave it to someone who just joined the team, whose background we haven't even uncovered—too risky, right?"

Spinel leaned against the pilot's seat, his expression indifferent, and replied lightly, "Hmm."

Yindi leaned forward half a step in haste, yet restrained by Spinel's aura, his tone urgent yet cautious, "Spinel, think again how critical that item is—if Lei Yi harbors ulterior motives, would all our prior groundwork be wasted?"

Spinel slowly lifted his eyes; a cold flash crossed his narrow pupils as he stared solemnly at Yindi, his voice devoid of warmth, "What, you're dissatisfied with my decision?"

That glance sent a chill through Yindi, his hair standing on end; he quickly composed himself, plastered a flattering smile on his face, and waved repeatedly, "No, no, absolutely not! Shoushou, your decision must have been thoroughly considered and carries deep meaning; how could I possibly be dissatisfied?"

Spinel withdrew his gaze, refocusing on the screen, his tone returning to its previous indifference, "Any news on Hanbeier's whereabouts?"

Upon hearing the name Hanbeier, Yindi's expression instantly grew solemn, his smile fading as he slowly shook his head, "We just received word from Agate, but still haven't located Hanbeier. We only know he's been operating around Kanto and Johto; the exact location remains uncertain."

"Kanto... Johto..." Spinel whispered the two names, a cold sneer curling his lips, "Sakaki's Rocket Team territory, and the Pokemon League's sphere of influence... Heh, that old Jibeiweng really has sensed something after all."

Yindi stood nearby, listening to Spinel's muttering; despite his lingering doubts, he dared not ask another question.

After a moment, Spinel spoke slowly, his tone flat yet issuing an unquestionable command, "When the ship docks at the next stop, you will go down, rendezvous with Lubeila, and take control of Aimeijiao."

Yindi felt a jolt in his chest and instinctively asked, "Spinel, is this... a war against Shoushou?"

Spinel's gaze passed through the control room's porthole to the endless sea of clouds outside, his expression inscrutable, "Not yet, but the preparations that need to be made must be done in advance."

"Yes! Understood!" Yindi straightened instantly, replying respectfully, daring not to show any slack.