"Senior Drake, it's been nearly two days since they entered the secret realm."
"Shouldn't you go in as well?"
"If something really happens to those young trainers… it'll be hard for us to answer to the forces behind them."
Outside, Sidney spoke to Drake.
Sidney knew the truth.
He understood just how dangerous this secret realm really was.
Yes—
The resources inside were abundant.
But so were Elite Four-level Pokémon.
This wasn't just training.
It was a true trial of life and death.
Only those who survived—
Would truly enter the League's list of key talents.
The risk was high.
But so were the rewards.
When Sidney saw the resources the League had prepared—
Even he couldn't help but feel tempted.
…
He also understood the League's intentions.
The previous generation hadn't lived up to expectations.
So the League had no choice—
But to take extreme measures.
They needed the next generation to grow quickly.
To become pillars of the League.
But—
Too many deaths would be unacceptable.
So—
A safeguard was placed.
And that safeguard—
Was Hoenn's Dragon-type Elite Four.
Drake.
…
Drake nodded calmly.
"Then I'll take a team inside."
"You stay outside and guard the entrance."
"Make sure no one interferes."
"Understood."
Sidney agreed immediately.
With that—
Drake led five people—
And jumped into the secret realm.
Sidney remained behind.
After giving a few instructions—
He returned to the cabin.
Most of the external matters were handled by staff.
His job—
Was simply to ensure no disturbances occurred.
…
After Sidney left—
One of the staff members' eyes flickered.
"Xiao Yu, I'm heading to the restroom. Cover for me."
"Sure, go ahead. It's not busy anyway."
"Thanks."
"Hey, we're colleagues. No need to be polite."
…
Far out at sea—
On a red warship—
Maxie stood with his hands behind his back.
His eyes burned with fanaticism.
"Soon…"
"Very soon…"
"As long as that old man Drake leaves—"
"I can enter the secret realm."
"And use the Red Orb… to control Groudon."
"And realize my ideal world."
He had waited far too long for this day.
Ever since discovering Groudon's legend in ancient ruins—
He had been planning this.
Team Magma—
Was merely a tool.
…
Originally—
He could have entered long ago.
But the League had been hunting him relentlessly.
He had been forced into hiding.
Then—
Opportunity came.
The League decided to use the secret realm as a training ground.
And their surveillance weakened significantly.
To Maxie—
This was a golden chance.
The only problem—
Was Drake guarding the entrance.
Maxie knew—
He wasn't Drake's match.
So he waited.
Patiently.
…
At that moment—
A Team Magma executive rushed over.
"Boss!"
"Our insider sent word—Drake has entered the secret realm!"
"Only Sidney remains outside!"
"This is our chance!"
Maxie's eyes lit up.
He burst into laughter.
Then waved his hand.
"Full speed ahead!"
"This time—no one will stop us!"
"Yes, Boss!"
Orders were issued immediately.
The red warship surged forward—
Toward the entrance.
…
At the same time—
Deep beneath the ocean—
A submarine began moving.
Archie—
Having received the same intel—
Was heading for the entrance as well.
…
On the League ship—
Sidney was still training his Pokémon.
As a newly appointed Elite Four—
He knew his strength still lagged behind the veterans.
So he trained relentlessly.
Trying to catch up.
…
Then—
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion tore through the air.
Flames shot skyward.
Screams echoed across the sea.
Sidney hadn't even processed what was happening—
When a Greninja appeared instantly—
Grabbed him—
And leapt out of the training room.
…
On the deck—
The scene was chaos.
Of the three ships—
Only two remained.
The third—
Had already sunk.
The culprit?
A Camerupt—
Standing on a red warship in the distance.
Sidney's eyes burned with rage.
"Maxie!!!"
He practically spat the name through clenched teeth.
"Are you trying to declare war on the League?!"
Maxie laughed coldly.
"Declare war?"
"That's quite an accusation."
"I wouldn't dare."
"Then what is this?!" Sidney roared.
He wanted nothing more than to tear Maxie apart.
But—
He knew better.
He had seen Maxie's strength.
He wasn't confident he could win.
Otherwise—
He wouldn't be talking.
…
Maxie smiled calmly.
He adjusted his glasses.
"No choice."
"I was just passing by."
"But your ships were blocking my path."
"So I had to… clear the obstacle."
"Bullshit!"
"What do you really want?!"
Veins bulged on Sidney's forehead.
Maxie's smile didn't change.
"Our Team Magma is rather poor."
"I heard the League discovered a resource-rich secret realm."
"So…"
"We'd like to go in and collect some resources too."
"You don't mind, do you?"
At the end—
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
…
Sidney's expression turned ugly.
Maxie had mobilized almost his entire force—
And it was all for this secret realm.
And the timing…
Too perfect.
Less than three hours after Drake entered—
Maxie arrived.
There was no way this was coincidence.
There was a traitor—
Inside the League.
But now wasn't the time to deal with that.
The real problem—
Was Maxie.
Sidney narrowed his eyes.
"The League already knows what's happening here."
"Even if you get in—do you think you can get out?"
"Aren't you afraid they'll be waiting to wipe you out?"
Maxie remained unfazed.
"That won't be your concern."
…
Before Sidney could reply—
Another voice rang out.
"Well, this is lively…"
"Mind if I join in?"
Everyone turned.
Archie had arrived.
…
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