Agatha had come from far away to bring this old man's grandson back, yet he did not even greet her first.
Abbott glanced at her when she called out his name, then started complaining, "Agatha, what are you Elite Four even doing? A Pokémon scholar of unknown origin killed the pirates and helped Tobias. I already said before, if Tobias lost even a single hair—"
"And what are you gonna do about it, hmm?"
She suddenly slammed her cane against the ground, her voice filled with anger.
Abbott wanted to say something, but stopped himself. With a cold snort, he ignored her and pulled Tobias toward the long table at the back.
After sitting down, his expression instantly softened into a kind smile. "Tobias, tell me if you have any problems. Did those pirates hurt you? I'll have the Kanto Elite Four wipe out the remaining pirates right now..."
"Cut the crap!" Agatha walked over slowly, her face full of disdain. "I just got off the ship, and the Sinnoh League already sent a message that not a single person is allowed to die. What use are the Kanto Elite Four in Sinnoh's waters?"
Abbot's face darkened, but he said nothing.
At most, he could forcibly mobilize the Elite Four. After all, Kanto did not even have a Champion right now. But that was only the surface strength. If needed, he could still send some underground forces into Sinnoh to deal with things. Even if the Sinnoh League knew, they could not do much.
At this moment, Tobias spoke softly. "Grandpa, I'm fine..."
"Fine? How is that possible..."
Abbott did not believe it at all, and seeing the boy like this made him feel a bit distressed. His grandson had always been lively and active. How did a simple cruise turn him into this?
"Good boy, you're not hurt, right? Let me see..."
Abbott quickly rolled up Tobias's sleeve. After confirming there were no bruises, he carefully examined his grandson's face, then noticed something missing.
"Your neck... where is the pendant I gave you before?"
His voice changed slightly.
Hearing the word pendant, the boy's eyes regained a bit of clarity.
"I gave it away."
"You... gave it away!"
Abbott's mouth opened as if to scold him, but he could not bear to. The frustration built up in his chest with nowhere to go, and he could only let out a bitter sigh.
"Good. Very good!"
That was a Key Stone. It felt like his heart was bleeding. He had begged that person for a long time just to get that one Key Stone. As long as he gathered more Mega Stones and some Pokémon, he could complete the Mega Evolution.
After taking a couple of breaths, he still asked, "Tobias, who did you give it to? Was it that Pokémon scholar?"
"Mm." The boy nodded.
"Ah..."
Abbott pressed his clenched fist against his chin and sighed again. There was nothing he could do. After all, that researcher was the only one who had helped Tobias. If it was given, then it was given. Still... that was a Key Stone.
He hit his head lightly, not knowing what to say. But at his age, he had seen everything. He quickly let it go and turned to ask about the details of being captured.
Just then, Agatha struck the floor hard with her cane and cut in, "Vice Chairman, I still have business here!"
"You?" He frowned deeply.
A moment later.
"What did you say?! The pirates demanded one billion Pokédollars, and you paid the ransom?!"
Abbott's voice nearly pierced the ceiling, his face full of disbelief.
"Yes..." Agatha pretended to be frail, her voice hoarse. "For your grandson, I even used up my coffin savings. Tell me, the League should reimburse this, right?"
"This..." Abbott hesitated.
As Vice Chairman, the order to mobilize the Elite Four this time had been made with the Chairman's silent approval. There was a budget, but only five hundred million. Where would the one billion come from?
And would a few small pirates really dare to ask for that much? There was likely a ransom, but the number was clearly exaggerated. The old woman had probably inflated it on purpose. Wasn't this going too far?
Noticing his doubt, Agatha guided him patiently. "I know what Goodshow is thinking. We can use this chance to ask Sinnoh to pay half. If they give five hundred million, the money is covered."
"Ask Sinnoh?" Abbott had not expected that. It sounded like a good idea, yet he still shook his head. "But what reason do we have..."
"There were many Sinnoh passengers on that ship. And this incident happened in the southern waters of Sinnoh. They should take responsibility."
Agatha revealed a sinister smile. "This is a perfect reason to openly target the higher-ups of the Sinnoh League. They must pay this money. Goodshow will definitely agree."
"Alright..."
Following a few seconds of hesitation, Abbott agreed.
Reassured, Agatha added, "The sooner the better. Once the incident passes, there will be no chance. Draft the document today and send it over. I'll wait for your news."
He nodded, and she left at once.
Bang!
The door closed. Abbott comforted the boy for a while longer, then, without hiding anything, began drafting the document. After finishing, he picked up the phone and made a call. It connected fast.
"Hello, Chairman Goodshow? I have an important matter to report..."
* * *
Two hours later.
In the northern part of the Sinnoh region, at the end of Mt. Coronet, inside the Sinnoh League.
At the top floor of the tall League building, several middle-aged figures sat silently around a large conference table.
After some time, the long-haired man with a small mustache sitting at the head picked up the ringing phone beside him, then angrily hung up.
"This is too much!" he roared.
The others all looked over.
A heavily made-up, fat woman spoke first. "Chariman George, what does Kanto want this time?"
George let out a heavy breath and barked, "Kanto... Goodshow is asking us for two billion Pokédollars as ransom!"
"T-two billion?" The woman half-covered her mouth with her thick fingers, clearly shocked. "Has the main League gone mad?"
They only made about ten billion a year in Sinnoh. This would take away a fifth in one go. Expenses were already so high. Who could afford this?
The others did not react to the amount. One man with a flat head and square face asked, "Ransom? What ransom are they asking from us?"
"It's about the pirates kidnapping the passengers on the S.S. Veil!" George slammed the table and bellowed. "The money they used to redeem those passengers!"
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