Chapter 206: Enjoy The Tea
While Xiu enjoyed a rare moment of peace beneath the ancient tree, the rest of Viridian City remained in turmoil.
Nurse Joy, armed with the damning evidence Xiu provided and fueled by anger over the recent attacks had unleashed the full weight of her authority. One by one, prominent figures – merchants, minor officials, local power brokers, and anyone suspected of involvement in the recent chaos – were 'invited' to the Pokémon Center for questioning.
They went in, however, they didn't come out. Panic then began to ripple through the city's upper echelons, replacing arrogance with fear. Below, the common folk watched the unfolding drama with a mixture of apprehension and grim relief.
Xiu, sensing the shift in the city's atmosphere even from his secluded sanctuary, stretched languidly beneath the tree. He glanced up at the sky, now a clear mid-morning blue. "Alright," he murmured to himself, "Time to check on the other players."
He recalled his Pokémon – Abra resumed its passive meditation, while Scizor and Happiny returned to their respective Poké Balls. Only the Beedrill remained secured in its unique ball, resting.
Xiu stood, dusted himself off, and left the quiet solitude of the Inner Courtyard.
Emerging back onto the city streets, he noted a distinct change from the tense atmosphere of the past few days. More people were out and about. Tourists, previously scarce, cautiously ventured out from their hotels as shops were reopening, delivery vehicles navigating the streets.
The oppressive air of fear and conflict had lessened considerably. Stabilizing. By directing the public's anger and Nurse Joy's investigation towards the higher-ups responsible for the civil unrest, the immediate source of friction between locals and outsiders had been diffused.
Ordinary people were too busy gossiping about the arrests and enjoying the return of affordable goods to cause trouble. With the narrative shifted and Nurse Joy cracking their operations down, anyone still thinking of stirring unrest will think twice. A small, satisfied smile touched Xiu's lips.
He navigated the familiar streets, heading towards a location he had visited once before, shortly after arriving in Viridian – the sprawling estate housing the city's Grass-Type Gym.
As he approached the secluded forested path leading to the Gym building, he heard raised voices, sharp and confrontational. Trouble? He quickened his pace, curiosity piqued.
Rounding a bend in the path, he saw them. A squad of uniformed personnel – likely Nurse Joy's security detail or deputized officers – stood formally on the manicured lawn before the imposing Gym mansion. Their Pokémon stood alert beside them.
Facing them was Sakaki, the tall, imposing Gym Leader, his face a mask of controlled neutrality, though Xiu detected a flicker of tension in his eyes. Standing slightly in front of Sakaki was a young boy yelling defiantly at the officers.[1]
"Hey, hey! What's going on here?" Xiu called out, raising a hand amiably as he walked forward, positioning himself neutrally between the two groups. He addressed the squad leader first, offering a polite, disarming smile. "Captain, good morning! Didn't expect to see you here." Then, turning to Sakaki, he inclined his head respectfully. "Gym Leader Sakaki. An unexpected encounter."
"Sir," the captain replied stiffly, maintaining official decorum. "We're acting under orders from Head Nurse Joy. We're here to request Gym Leader Sakaki to accompany us back to the Pokémon Center for questioning regarding the recent disturbances."
Sakaki's expression remained impassive, but his lips thinned slightly. The boy, however, reacted immediately. "I remember you!" he exclaimed, pointing at Xiu. "You were here before!" He then turned back to the officers, his face flushed with anger. "You can't take my father! He didn't do anything wrong!"
Sakaki placed a restraining hand on his son's shoulder, a silent command for quiet, while also subtly shielding him.
The captain ignored the outburst, focusing on Sakaki. "Please cooperate, Gym Leader. If, as you say, you have no involvement, the investigation will clear your name quickly."
"You're bad guys!" the boy shouted again, tears welling in his eyes. "Leave my dad alone!"
Xiu chuckled softly, deliberately breaking the tension. He crouched down slightly, addressing the boy directly with a gentle smile. "Hey now. If your father truly has nothing to hide, then there's nothing to fear from a simple investigation, right?"
"We didn't do anything bad! We—" the boy started, but Sakaki pulled him firmly behind him.
"I will accompany you," Sakaki stated calmly, his voice resonant and controlled, addressing the captain. "This matter does not concern my son."
The captain nodded curtly, ready to escort Sakaki away.
"Hold on a moment," Xiu interjected smoothly, stepping forward again, subtly positioning himself between Sakaki and the officers. He addressed the captain, his tone friendly but firm.
"Captain, personally, I find it hard to believe Gym Leader Sakaki would be involved in such affairs. The Viridian Grass-Type Gym has always maintained an impeccable reputation." He smiled warmly. "There's no need to rush back immediately, is there? You and your men look like you've had a long morning. Why not come inside, have some tea, and rest for a bit while I have a brief, private word with the Gym Leader first? Just to clear the air."
He turned his gaze to Sakaki, the smile remaining pleasant, almost deferential, yet holding an undercurrent that made the Gym Leader's eyes narrow almost imperceptibly.
Sakaki considered him for a long moment, then gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod, a mask of weary resignation settling over his features. "Please," he said, gesturing towards the mansion entrance. "Come in."
The boy looked mutinously unhappy but remained silent, trailing behind his father with a sullen expression.
Last time, I didn't even get past the gate, Xiu mused wryly as he walked confidently into the mansion alongside the Gym Leader. He took a moment to observe his surroundings. The interior was spacious and elegantly furnished, reflecting wealth and established power.
Despite the summer heat and the turmoil gripping the city outside, the atmosphere within the mansion felt cool and tranquil, almost detached from the world, thanks to the lush greenery surrounding it. "A truly remarkable place," Xiu commented sincerely, admiring the well-preserved architecture and serene ambiance.
In the main lobby, Sakaki paused. Xiu turned to the security team. "Gentlemen, please make yourselves comfortable here. I assure you, the Gym Leader and I won't be long."
"Understood, sir," the captain replied, directing his men to take seats along the periphery of the lobby. They remained alert but followed the instruction, recognizing the subtle shift in authority.
Sakaki gently patted his son's shoulder. "Child, please go prepare some tea for our guests." He then looked at Xiu, gesturing towards a side room. "If you would follow me?"
Xiu nodded agreeably and followed Sakaki into a sparsely furnished but elegant private study. A low table with a traditional tea set occupied the center of the room.
"Please, sit," Sakaki invited, taking a seat himself and beginning the meticulous process of preparing tea.
Xiu sat opposite him, maintaining a relaxed posture. "Gym Leader Sakaki," he began, his tone respectful, "I've long admired the Viridian Gym. Of the three major gyms that were in this city, yours always held the highest reputation for integrity and discipline. You never exploited locals, never scorned aspiring trainers. That's why I personally doubt your involvement in these recent troubles."
He paused, allowing Sakaki to absorb the compliment, before continuing smoothly. "However, with the issues that have surfaced, Head Nurse Joy feels compelled to be thorough. Her request for you to answer questions is merely procedural, a way to formally clear your name and reassure the public. No ill intent, I assure you." He leaned back slightly, observing Sakaki's reaction over the rim of the teacup the Gym Leader silently offered him.
Sakaki's hands remained perfectly steady as he poured the tea, his expression unreadable. He met Xiu's gaze, a calculating depth hidden behind the polite facade.
"Please," he murmured, indicating the steaming cup. "Enjoy the tea."
[1] remember that young boy with the bulbasaur? yes, that's him