Chapter 371: The Scheme

In just a matter of days, the Dark King's actions had utterly enraged the Five Great Families. Information on him was rapidly compiled and delivered straight into the hands of each family head.

Appearance: Unknown

Name: Garus, also known as the Dark King.

Pokémon: Gengar, Lucario, Greninja

Primary Crimes: …

Thanks to deliberate efforts from Ron to spread the news, the Kanto League had soon gathered a relatively detailed intelligence dossier.

"Alright, speak freely—what are your thoughts on this Garus, the so-called Dark King?"

Klaus placed the file onto the conference table, turning to Hirasawa and the others.

"In my opinion," Mathias began, "our top priority should be identifying what he looks like. Only then can we accurately track his movements and eliminate him before he causes further damage."

"Secondly," he added, "we need to find out if someone's backing him. I find it highly suspicious that a mere Pokémon poacher would target us so precisely—either our family members or our affiliated enterprises—every single time."

As soon as Klaus finished speaking, Preus, who had clearly come prepared, gave his take.

"Exactly! One Ron is more than enough trouble for us—we can't afford another Dark King challenging our authority!"

Perhaps because of Ron's increasingly troublesome presence, the past rivalry between Preus and Mathias had cooled. They now echoed each other's views more often than not.

With both Preus and Mathias voicing agreement, George and Viktor naturally saw no reason to voice dissent.

"You all make valid points. However, I've come across another piece of intelligence that might be worth hearing."

Klaus picked up a separate document and began to read aloud.

"Half a year ago, shortly after Ron arrived in the Hoenn region, a poacher calling himself the Dark King appeared there. His targets? Other Pokémon poachers. But in the end, he became a wanted criminal himself after assaulting a Ranger."

"Later, once Ron returned from Hoenn, the Dark King also vanished from the region."

"What's more intriguing is this: when Ron came back to Kanto, the Dark King resurfaced here too. Both times, he only appeared during periods when Ron was inactive."

"In fact, in Hoenn, just like here in Kanto, Ron and the Dark King were never seen together—not even once."

"And finally, regardless of whether it's the Hoenn or Kanto version, the Dark King's Gengar always uses some bizarre method that alters the environment itself."

By the time Klaus finished, everyone in the room understood the implication.

Everyone except Mathias, who found Klaus's knowledge unsettling. While the rest of them were still fixated on happenings within Kanto, Klaus had already acquired such detailed information about events in distant Hoenn. Did that mean even within their own trusted circles, Klaus had planted his own informants?

Though Mathias was rattled inside, he kept his usual composed expression.

"You're saying… Ron and the Dark King might actually be the same person?" Preus asked in a low voice.

"I'm not saying that for certain," Klaus replied calmly, "but we could have Ron pursue the Dark King himself. After all, that is part of his responsibilities within the Internal Affairs team."

He offered no clear answer, but his suggestion was enough to make everyone understand what he really meant.

If Ron was the Dark King, then each time he "investigated" and the Dark King vanished, even if no one was initially suspicious, they could easily manipulate public opinion to raise doubts.

And if Ron and the Dark King were not the same person? Then whichever one died—it would still be a win for them.

"I'll leave the rest in your capable hands. I trust you'll manage it well."

Satisfied that Preus had grasped his intent, Klaus turned and exited the conference room without another word.

...

Unaware that he was once again the subject of a Five Great Families war council, Ron was currently shadowing a group of Trainers with his team.

After several consecutive raids, the Five Great Families had drastically heightened their security. Opportunities like this—a promising group ripe for ambush—had become increasingly rare. There was no way Ron would let it slip by.

"Move in."

The order was sharp and direct. Not only Amon, but even Elric and the others sprang into action like well-trained soldiers, charging in behind Ron without hesitation.

Leading the assault, Ron's Gengar unleashed a pitch-black darkness that shrouded the field. The Netherworld emerged, swallowing their targets whole.

"It's the Dark King—run!"

The moment they saw that darkness, the team—whose strongest member was only at quasi-Elite Four level—scattered immediately. Not even a second of hesitation.

Because those who did hesitate… were already nothing more than lost spirits adrift within the Netherworld.

"Gengar, Ghost Chains!"

Ron, hanging back slightly from the front line, didn't order Gengar to finish the battle immediately. Instead, he gave the spotlight to Elric and the others.

With Gengar obscuring the field, Gardevoir could freely cast Hypnosis to influence their minds—a tactic Ron had been perfecting for days now.

In one-sided battles like this, adrenaline and excitement surged in the attackers—especially when the victims were League-affiliated Trainers. The thrill of slaughter only amplified that high.

Combined with Gardevoir's psychic suggestions, the results were devastatingly effective. Ron could see it clearly in their fluid, efficient movements.

Minutes later, the battlefield fell silent, littered with corpses.

"You've done well. Take some time to rest and lay low—but remember, don't let the League's hounds catch your scent."

After choosing a well-concealed hideout, Ron gave a few simple instructions to Elric and the others.

As for Amon, Ron wasn't the least bit concerned. Having spent enough time observing and understanding Amon, he trusted him completely.

More importantly, during the last few hypnosis sessions, Ron had planted a deep-seated suggestion in his team's minds: if necessary, sacrifice yourselves to ensure Amon escapes safely.

"Yes, sir!"

Elric and the others responded respectfully. Thanks to Ron's tireless conditioning, their loyalty to him had grown exponentially.

"And I'll say it again," Ron added quietly to Amon. "No matter what happens, you must protect yourself. Even if all of them die, I won't care. But you—you must survive."

He gave Amon's shoulder a light pat, then vanished into the night.

Switching back to his original identity, Ron regrouped with Beno and the others, ready to begin the next phase of his operation.

The Dark King had already brought plenty of chaos to the Five Great Families. Now it was time for Ron to step up—and bring them even more pain.

Meanwhile, Lance and his team had also received word of the Dark King's latest actions.

As satisfying as it was to watch him tear apart the Five Great Families' businesses and hunt down their Trainers, they were still part of the League. And as League officials, Lance and the others could not sit idly by and allow chaos to run unchecked in Kanto.

Just like Klaus and his associates, Lance and the others also intended to entrust the mission of eliminating the Dark King to Ron.

The difference was, Klaus and his group saw it as a way to rid themselves of a troublesome burden—whereas Lance and his allies hoped it would elevate Ron's standing.

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