Chapter 207: An Offer, Not a Choice
Xiu regarded the steaming teacup Sakaki had placed before him. He picked it up with a polite smile, acknowledging the gesture, but set it back down on the low table without drinking. His gaze remained fixed on the Gym Leader.
"We are both intelligent men, Gym Leader Sakaki," Xiu began, his tone shifting from pleasantries to directness. "Let's not waste time. I believe I can help smooth things over with Nurse Joy, perhaps expedite this 'investigation' process. But first, I need an assurance from you— a commitment."
Sakaki's impassive mask didn't crack, but his eyes sharpened, focusing intently on Xiu. He remained silent, waiting.
"Viridian City," Xiu stated, tapping the table lightly with one finger for emphasis, each word delivered with deliberate weight, "needs only one officially sanctioned Pokémon Gym going forward."
A flicker of surprise, quickly masked, crossed Sakaki's face. Then, unexpectedly, his shoulders seemed to relax slightly. He let out a quiet sigh, a sound almost like relief. "Do not worry," he said, his voice low but firm. "I understand. The Viridian Gym will withdraw its League certification."
Xiu paused, taken aback. That wasn't the reaction he'd expected. Withdraw? Why would he jump to that conclusion? "Hold on," Xiu interjected, a frown touching his lips. "Withdraw? Has someone suggested you relinquish your position here in Viridian?"
Sakaki hesitated, then seemed to decide there was no point in doing so now. The situation was clearly beyond his control. "Before the recent events," he admitted evenly, "some representatives approached me and suggested that it would be… beneficial… for us to step aside, to not interfere in certain ventures.
My family," he added, his gaze hardening almost imperceptibly, "does not involve itself with such matters." He met Xiu's eyes. "But I understand the current reality. If withdrawing ensures the safety of my son and avoids further complications… then so be it."
"No, no, no," Xiu said quickly, shaking his head, a thoughtful expression replacing his surprise. "Gym Leader, I believe you've misunderstood my intention entirely."
Sakaki's brow furrowed slightly. A twist? When things seem straightforward, that usually means trouble. He waited, wary.
Xiu leaned forward slightly, his smile returning, though this time it held a sharper edge. "When I say Viridian City needs only one Gym, I don't mean your Gym should close. Quite the contrary, actually. I believe that your gym is poised to be the only officially recognized League Gym left in this city."
Sakaki looked genuinely perplexed now. "Explain."
"The Bug-Type Gym," Xiu elaborated clinically, "effectively ceased to exist when its last true heir died years ago. The man occupying it, Keita, was a usurper who was apprehended for colluding with illicit organizations and awaits sentencing. His claim, and any legitimacy the Gym might have pretended to have under him, is finished."
He continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "As for the other Gym… the Ground-Type Gym run by Giovanni… both him and his entire staff have vanished. Officially, they are considered fugitives since they have fled to evade investigation. Whether they are dead or simply hiding, their League certification is forfeit."
"Which leaves," Xiu concluded, meeting Sakaki's widening eyes, "only you. The sole Viridian Gym. The sole pillar of sanctioned League activity remaining in this city."
A shadow crossed Sakaki's face – perhaps shock or perhaps something else entirely. Two League Gyms had been dismantled in days. If he had agreed to cooperate with whoever approached him before… perhaps there wouldn't have been any gym left at Viridian City/
"Originally," Xiu continued smoothly, pressing his advantage, "procedure would still demand that you undergo a thorough investigation, given the circumstances. However," he adopted a confidential tone,
"I've reviewed your Gym's history. Your reputation is spotless. While you didn't actively intervene to assist the authorities during the crisis, you also didn't participate in any wrongdoings whatsoever. You remained neutral, abiding by the law, even if passively."
Basically a fence-sitter, benefiting from stability without contributing to it. "Recognizing your long-standing integrity, I persuaded Nurse Joy to offer… an alternative— a chance for you to solidify your position."
Sakaki's gaze sharpened again, cutting through the pleasantries. "What do you want me to do?"
"Stand up," Xiu stated simply, tapping the table again. "Assume the responsibility that comes with being the sole remaining Gym Leader, align yourself with the official authorities, and issue a statement condemning the recent activities.
Offer your Gym's resources to help maintain peace and order in Viridian City moving forward." He pushed the untouched teacup slightly towards Sakaki, a symbolic gesture.
Sakaki's eyes followed the cup, his expression thoughtful and hesitant. He picked up the teapot, fussing with the leaves in contemplation. He understands. Xiu's offer wasn't just a suggestion; it was a demand wrapped in diplomatic language.
Stand with the official authorities, publicly denounce the perpetrators, and acknowledge the new power structure. In return, his past neutrality and his 'failure' to act as a Gym Leader of Viridian City would be overlooked. Refuse? And the 'investigation' would proceed finding something however minor to justify stripping him of his title anyway. Neutrality is no longer an option.
But aligning himself so publicly carried risks. It painted a target on his back for whatever shadowy forces remained, the ones who had likely orchestrated the fall of the other Gyms. His son's safety… his family's legacy…
Xiu noted the man's hesitation and internal conflict. He's weighing the costs against the benefits. "Don't misunderstand, Gym Leader," Xiu added reassuringly. "We aren't asking you to lead raids or engage in battles. Just simply fulfill the traditional role of a Gym: be a symbol of stability, support the community, and cooperate with the authorities.
Maintain peace within your sphere of influence." We value your reputation and your integrity. You're a symbol we can use. Stability was key now, and the Viridian Grass-Type Gym, unlike the fallen Bug-Type Gym or the vanished Ground-Type Gym, represented that.
But Sakaki remained silent, unconvinced by Xiu's reassurances. He knew aligning with Nurse Joy meant becoming entangled, however passively, in the ongoing power struggle.
Xiu's patience began to wear thin. He dropped the polite pretense. "Gym Leader," he said, his voice hardening slightly, "the choice is yours, of course. Agree, and you solidify your position as the preeminent Gym in Viridian, with Nurse Joy's backing.
Refuse…" He stood up abruptly. "…and I will leave now. My men will withdraw. I have other matters to attend to." He paused at the door. "And you can remain here, in your peaceful isolation… waiting for the inevitable. The whispers will surely follow when everyone notices that the other Gym Leaders are gone, but you remain untouched."
He let the veiled threat hang in the air. Whether you agree or not is of no concern to me. The narrative is already set, after all.