It really was Hoshino Long Yi!
The black-robed figure opposite them no longer bothered to hide. He pulled back his large hood, revealing an aged face.
Lance might have found that face somewhat unfamiliar.
But Cynthia was fairly familiar with it.
After all, he was one of her region's Elite Four.
She simply never could have imagined it.
A dignified Pokémon League Elite Four member—
Would actually be involved with Team Galactic.
But his appearance also cleared up some of their earlier doubts.
Team Galactic had captured the Lake Guardians of the Sinnoh Region, yet it had not drawn any attention from the Pokémon League.
That was absolutely impossible.
Unless someone high up in the Pokémon League had been covering for them.
And that person had to hold considerable status within the Sinnoh League.
Clearly.
As one of the Elite Four, Hoshino Long Yi absolutely possessed that kind of authority.
"Why?"
Cynthia murmured almost instinctively.
When Lance had raised his suspicions earlier, she had not paid much attention to them.
But upon truly seeing Hoshino Long Yi's face, she too fell into deep confusion and uncertainty.
If even the Sinnoh League's Elite Four could do something like this, then how many people in the Sinnoh League could still be trusted?
And how many others were like Hoshino Long Yi, engaged in shady dealings?
"Why?"
Hoshino Long Yi stood with his cane, his hair combed into sharp, neat spikes. His face was filled with contempt and mockery.
His gaze swept over Cynthia and Lance as he shook his head.
"You're still too young."
Yes.
In his eyes, Lance and Cynthia were simply too young.
The two of them had grown up beneath the Pokémon League's protection, sheltered by their respective families and elders. Their way of seeing things was far too