"It's no surprise that you or they know I exist."
Malkin collected the tears from his face.
It wasn't so much the pain that was hard to bear after he had been burned by Rope with Heartitis earlier, but the replayed images of his death.
That was the regret of his life, and he would never forgive himself for his transgressions.
So he cried out in pain.
Rope wasn't strictly a nice guy. When interrogating for information, he wouldn't hesitate to open the scars of others, making them face the cruelty of the world in the midst of pain over and over again.
If he doesn't give up what he wants, Rope will only allow the super-powered Pokémon to weave an even more horrific nightmare.
Physical torture is adaptable. But mental torture...if you adapt, then you inevitably lose something.
"But there are many more of Servants of God's surrogates who shouldn't be known at all to be right."
Malkin couldn't help but show a puzzled expression even as he said that.
"Like Poloson, who was previously just a director who disguised himself extremely well against the law. You Leagues didn't even find out about his strength, so how would Servants of God know about his strength?"
"But Poloson and I mentioned that his invitation, like mine, appeared on his pillow out of nowhere."
"More to the point, we found out that all of us received the invitation sometime five years ago. Every single one of the Agents, without exception."
Rope's face grew hard as he listened to what Malkin said.
Was there anything big in League five years ago?
No...
There was only one event from five years ago that really stuck in Rope's head.
It was when he first came into the world...
"They're a lot like you, Professor Rope..."
Malkin rolled his eyes and looked at Rope.
"None of you have a past do you? Though the past the Oak's made up for you seems very much like the real thing. Even to the point of being able to get all the details out if you really probe."
"They say you came from Pallet Town, and Pallet Town is where the Oak's come from, and they say one thing or another."
"But those of us who are there can see it. You just appeared out of nowhere... do you think no one has checked you out? No, every one of us who can has checked you out."
"Your resume is too clean. Ask someone who can rise to fame and become a Pokémon Professor in just five years is it really possible that he was unknown when he was a kid?"
"That's the biggest suspicion of all, though it's not really evidence. But after connecting you to them, I don't believe any of the things written in that file of yours."
Malkin's eyes had blood blooming in them.
"You and them came together, didn't you Professor Rope?!!! What kind of thing are you?!"
Rope looked at the seemingly insane Malkin and shook his head, "You're acting like it, but you can't act your way out of something like insanity. Seriously, your acting skills aren't even close to a certain girl."
The girl was naturally Snow, at least Snow's sickly acting was really decent.
"Also, I'm a person, not a thing. what the hell are those three guys from Servants of God I want to know. If you still want what I promised you then cut the crap."
Rope glanced at the watch on his wrist.
"I have limited time and not that much free time to spend with you, either confess or go to jail."
"Emm, it's not a bad idea to execute them on the spot. When I took over this mission, I had already asked those people for full authority to handle the matter."
"Malkin," Rope's face cooled, like he wasn't interested in the intel at all anymore, "you need to understand something. I can do without the intel, big deal, I'm just going to find another guy."
"If you're willing to sacrifice yourself for Servants of God, then I don't care if you live or die. But I can guarantee that because of the lack of your confession and leniency, your family will be treated with some 'fairness' that you don't want."
The frantic look on Malkin's face instantly dissipated as he grimaced, "That's your 'justice'?"
"If I give you justice, then what kind of justice should I use to help those Pokémon you killed, those who died directly or indirectly because of you?"
"Kumas will be the Tao of procedural justice. That's because I need to make an example of them, and also at this time, to keep the remnants of certain evil organizations from thinking about messing things up."
"To achieve such an effect, Kumas will be enough, and in your case, bringing back the head will be the same."
A smile appeared on Rope's face.
"Entei's claws are quick, just bear with them."
Malkin looked at the man in front of him for a moment, unsure of what to say back.
After a moment, he hung his head and said, "Meadow Plate is said to be deep in this forest. It is supposed to be next to a certain tree. But where exactly the tree is, I don't know."
"And the information on the others... there is a notebook in my backpack. On it was information that I had written down in secret language. And after writing down the information, I had Malamar use Hypnosis to help me erase that memory. I won't help you translate these things without honoring what I was promised."
Malkin naturally took on a threatening tone again when he said the end.
Rope, on the other hand, said without a care in the world, "Do you Agents really think you're important?"
Rope laughed softly. Malkin's brow foot jumped.
"The second part of the plan about Servants of God only doesn't even have a place for you guys, so what kind of self-confidence do you guys have that you think your existence is really important!"
This kind of person who could be beaten by Leon who hasn't even used Dynamax one by two even if he was serious was already a strong one among the Agents...
The so-called Agents were nothing more than clowns, and what Rope needed was their impression of those three, and to piece together the basic conditions of those three.
He had a premonition that he feared he wouldn't be coming into contact with the three powers that be of Servants of God for some time.
This also meant that every piece of information related to them was very precious.
Malkin's face was as dark as ash on the bottom of a pot, but he didn't reply.
Rope shook his head and said, "But since you've already told me about Plate's location, I'll just take you into custody for now... After that, I hope you can give me information that satisfies me."
With that said, Rope got up, glanced over at the battle that had ended over there, and clapped his hands, "Alright all come over here."
So Arcanine and Monferno looked across the room together at Pyroar, who was still looking proud, but didn't look like he had any desire to attack again.
So Arcanine and Monferno hurried over in Rope's direction.
Leon met Rope's gaze and nodded, glancing at Ursaring, who had been beaten unconscious, and silently shaking his head again.
It was too weak, and even though there were three Champion-level Pokémon present, the only one that could really barely get a look in was that Pyroar.
Koko looked at the man who had saved his life from the gods, and watched as he looked at him as well, before pointing to the tip of his nose.
Rope watched Koko's movements and nodded with a smile.
Then Rope turned towards the two Zarude, "The two of you shouldn't be in a hurry to leave, please come over here for a moment and sit down to discuss, after all... this matter has something to do with your Zarude clan as well."
Rope wasn't joking either, as soon as he heard Malkin mention that tree, he immediately thought of the large tree in the Forest of Okoya that had a healing spring welling up inside.
There was the source of the healing spring there, and Meadow Plate's words were, unsurprisingly, there as well.
"Zarude..."
The two Zarude glanced at each other, then leaned towards this side as well. They knew they had little room to refuse, I'm afraid. Moreover, if they were talking about trees, if Rope could think of their divine tree, how could Zarude himself not think of it?
If it had anything to do with the divine tree, they certainly couldn't just play deaf and dumb.
Soon everyone was gathered.
Rope looked at the people and Pokémon and said, "The situation is clear. The purpose of our visit is for the Plate, and the Plate is, if I'm not mistaken, in the area where your pack resides, Zarude."
Rope looked at Zarude and said, "I need you to lead us to wherever it is as soon as possible. As for our threat, this you need not worry about. Because you guys can't stop us at all if we have evil intentions. Even if you guys don't lead the way, it's just a matter of me searching a little longer."
The two Zarudes looked at each other once again, both very helpless in their hearts. After a moment, the second Zarude nodded, agreeing to the request.
After all, like Rope said, they didn't have many options.
Dwelling on options was always something for the strong, and the weak tended to agonize over things like too few, or even no, options.
Rope looked again individually at papa Zarude with his purple square scarf. a solemn look came over his face.
"You are a very responsible father."
Rope said very seriously.
And Zarude, who heard the words, was instantly moved.
It was the first time he had ever received such recognition.
"But Koko was always a human."
Not waiting for Zarude to start getting happy, Rope was the one who threw cold water directly down.
That's right, Koko was always a human.
"I wish to bring Koko back to human society. You can also follow me back if you want to follow Koko."
Before Rope's words fell, Koko on the other side instantly became anxious.
"Za! (I don't want it!)"
Even without Rotom's translation, Rope could see the expression on that kid's face and what he was trying to express.
Malkin felt a little amused as he looked at Rope with a touch of mockery.
Leon, on the other hand, had a complicated look on his face. Of course he knew that Rope was doing this for Koko's benefit. But if Koko didn't have any value to utilize, I'm only afraid that Rope wouldn't have made such a decision.
This was the answer Leon got based on his time spent with Rope, and it had to be said that it was fairly accurate.
"You acquire very comfortable in the forest. But Koko... don't you want to know who your real parents are?"
"Do you really want to carry this forest with you for the rest of your life?"
Rope's tone remained the same, calm to the point of being somewhat cold.
"Za...(I don't...)"
Before Koko could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by papa.
Papa covered Koko's mouth, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Rope knew at the sight of it that the boy didn't need to worry himself too much. Children would always confront other people for some righteous indignation. But parents don't. They may be very impulsive and reckless themselves. But will always weigh the pros and cons for the sake of the child.
Rope looked at Leon again, "We still have to be together. You need to meet Arceus' Plate doppelganger so you can be cognizant."
Leon nodded seriously, Rope certainly didn't have the authority to order a champion around. But when a professional like that gave advice everyone took it seriously.
Especially since this wasn't the old days, when everyone hadn't seen much of the gods at all. Much less had they ever faced the greatness of the gods head on.
But now, most of the champions in the League had already dealt with various gods. They also knew how powerful and dangerous the gods were. Therefore, they would no longer be hesitant in some matters like Diantha in the past.
Rope nodded back and then looked at Rotom.
"I've called the police loto! It's not that far from the police station, so I'm guessing we'll be able to get there soon according to Officer Jenny's efficiency! Loto!"
Rotom made the ∠(°^°) gesture.
Rope nodded, he was still relieved that Rotom was doing his job.
He finally turned his head to Malkin.
"I don't want to delay, Malkin, will you run away?"
Malkin snorted at such an innocent question.
"No!"
Rope nodded with satisfaction at hearing that then said, "Then stay here and wait for Officer Jenny to come and get you."
After saying that, he didn't care about anything else but just said to papa Zarude, "I'll wait for your news." After that, he turned towards the second Zarude, signaling him to lead the way ahead.
The second Zarude glanced back at Koko and papa Zarude, who were having a friendly exchange between father and son, and after helplessly shaking his head, he went forward to lead the way.
———————————————
"Rope, what exactly have you guys got on Malkin?"
Leon was a little puzzled as to what kind of handle it would have to be to make this Malkin guy even dare to run away.
"We caught Kumas, Malkin's grandfather."
Rope didn't hide anything and spoke dryly.
"It shouldn't be, even if the relationship between these two people is no matter how close they are, they wouldn't sacrifice for each other. Not to mention you said before that Kumas must die. Did you lie to Malkin?"
Leon thought for a moment, then guessed.
Rope sniffed and shook his head, "I didn't lie to him. Kumas' hidden identity is 'Berry Master' of the Sinnoh region."
Leon raised an eyebrow, "That very famous old man who sells berries well?"
"You know that too?"
Rope asked only a little puzzled. One must know that there was no such thing as a Berry Master in the Galar region.
Because there was a large area of wilderness, Galar did not have a berry farming industry. Wanted as long as to go to the wilderness area free picking on the line, but also save their own planting berries time and energy costs.
So the berry business can't be done in Galar...
"Pretty famous, and I traveled around the Sinnoh region back in the day, ok."
Every champion almost always traveled the rest of the region. After all, there were some things you still had to see for yourself no matter what.
Speaking of which Leon suddenly reflected.
"You guys got those Berry Master families under control too?"
Rope nodded.
Leon was silent for a moment and said, "Yeah, well, there's no way that granny didn't know who the Kumas were, at least."
Rope patted Leon's shoulder and said, "I'll send you a copy of the information back, and then you'll know why I targeted his family."
"There's no such thing as enjoying a favor and not paying for it."
Leon nodded again, then digressed.
"You were talking to Malkin earlier about where Servants of God came from."
Rope nodded and said, "The real three people in power of Servants of God are mysterious. Though those surrogates are mysterious enough in our eyes. But being able to control all of those people to death. It only means that those three are even more terrifying."
"I understand the reasoning, but that doesn't seem like particularly useful information. Didn't we already know that?"
Leon nodded in response, but also asked a rhetorical question.
Rope was silent for a moment, then said, "I've at least corroborated a guess."
"What guess?"
Leon immediately followed and asked.
"Those three guys, most likely, are not from this world."
When saying this, Rope had no intention of hiding it.
Telling the truth, telling the truth that could be told.
"Outsiders like Poipole? Also Ultra Space as you call it?"
Leon naturally associated it with that Ultra Space that Rope and the others had talked about before.
And the Oak family had also published some of that information in the League, so there were some people in the League who had a basic understanding of this world.
At the very least, they were aware of the existence of such an alien world.
Rope didn't answer positively just shook his head and said, "Other worlds also exist in this universe."
And then said no more.
Leon also didn't ask more questions after getting what he wanted to know, he could see that even if he asked again, he was afraid that Rope wouldn't answer anymore.
Zarude was also baffled as he listened to the two. It was hard for him to understand the words of these two humans in the air. But he could also guess that it was only because he knew things that would not benefit him.
So it was just as well to just pretend that he couldn't hear it.
After a while, Rope and the others could already see the giant tree from afar.
And in the forest, those gathered breaths, naturally, were getting more and more.
Rope sensed the extra vital signs in the surroundings, and gave Leon a wink. Leon understood, and his walking steps began to slow down.
Although he was not afraid of these wild Pokémon, he should be careful, after all, there are many people who fall into the ditch every year.
Rope is scanning around, as if looking at the scenery like quite interested in the scenery in front of the eyes.
By the way, he also memorized the location of these Zarude.
"Zarude!"
Without waiting for Rope to make a move, Zarude, who was leading the way ahead, was the first to speak up and shout.
Both Rope and Leon's nerves tightened for a moment, with Leon having a Pokéball appearing in his hand at some point and his eyes becoming alert and wary. Rope, on the other hand, was even more direct, and the world of flames on his body jumped a bit, with sparks spewing out.
But what that Zarude was sending out wasn't supposed to be a call for help either. Having seen the strength of these two behind him, he naturally wouldn't do anything that would put his people in a tiger's mouth.
"Za! Zarude! (Come out, you guys! Don't hide! They don't mean any harm!)"
Roaring like this, he glanced back at the two great gods who were somewhat wary, then gestured towards the Rope duo as if to signal them to help explain.
"Ahem! Gentlemen Zarude!!! we mean no harm, we came here to look for Arceus' Plate doppelganger, according to our intelligence. He should be right here."
The Zarude's in the forest looked at each other in disbelief, they looked at the youth in front of them and didn't know how to react for a moment.
"Zarude! (I assure you that they don't mean any harm, if they did, you would have been long gone...)"
These words came out...
Rope knew that just talking like that would probably keep everyone at a standstill.
Then he glanced at Leon, who took the hint and released Charizard straight away.
Charizard's appearance startled the Zarude's, then they subconsciously were about to start attacking, but before the attack was launched, they felt a strong pressure towards them.
That was the mighty pressure of a strong person.
And the source of that pressure was in that Charizard's body.
This level of mighty pressure...they had never even heard of it, let alone seen it.
The Forest God's Celebi was certainly very powerful, but it wasn't a crush of strength, but a crush of authority, or the so-called "official big level".
And Charizard was the kind of guy who had to shout 'Good man spare your life!'
There was a fundamental difference between the two.
In this way they really didn't dare to make a move.
Looking at each other, they descended the tree together and stood on the ground to look at these two alien humans.
Very few humans would come this deep into the forest.
Because there weren't any Pokémon too powerful in this forest. and the forest itself was just too big. Not to mention there was something left behind by Celebi that made it so that a human would basically never walk to this location without Zarude or someone who knew about this place to show them the way.
So while they had seen humans, they hadn't had much dealings with them.
Rope and Leon also bleated lightly, in the end they were here to find the Plate doppelganger, not to start a conflict with a Pokémon race.
It didn't take long for a pale Zarude on crutches to appear.
"Zarude!"
He called out as he looked at the duo of Rope.
Rotom duly got out of the backpack behind Rope.
"This Zarude asks, 'Where did you two come from and what do you intend to do here?' loto!"
Rope gave Rotom a nod for simultaneous translation.
"We're here to look for Arceus' Plate doppelganger. Our intel indicates he is here."
Old Zarude stroked his beard, then nodded.
"Zarude!"
"Lord Arceus's plate is indeed in this place. Rope! We've found the right place! Loto!"