Chapter 208: The Empty Gym
Sakaki lowered the teapot, his knuckles white where he gripped the handle. The façade finally cracked, revealing a glimpse of the proud, weary man beneath. "It seems," he said, his voice tight with resignation, "I have little choice in the matter."
"Life rarely offers us the choices we prefer, Gym Leader," Xiu replied smoothly, offering a platitude that felt strangely hollow. "Sometimes, circumstances compel us to act." He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening. "Speaking of circumstances… the sudden, unfortunate passing of your wife some years ago… were there any signs of foul play?"
The effect was instantaneous. Sakaki's carefully controlled composure shattered. A wave of raw, palpable pressure emanated from him – the powerful aura of a truly skilled and experienced Trainer pushed to his emotional limit. The air in the small study grew heavy, charged with unspoken grief and suppressed fury.
So, I hit a nerve. Keita was pathetic, but this man… he has real strength.
Xiu remained unfazed by the pressure, meeting Sakaki's intense gaze calmly. He slowly reached into his pack and retrieved the unique, aged Poké Ball belonging to Beedrill, placing it deliberately on the table between them.
Sakaki's eyes snapped to the Poké Ball as recognition flared instantly – the insignia, the worn casing – he knew exactly what it represented. His gaze shifted slowly back to Xiu, no longer just wary, but filled with profound confusion and dawning suspicion.
"That's right," Xiu confirmed softly, answering the unspoken question. "I am the legitimate heir to the previous legacy."
Sakaki stared at him, processing this revelation. "But… why reveal yourself now? And why approach me like this?"
Xiu anticipated the question. "I cannot openly reclaim what's mine," he explained, his voice dropping to a confidential whisper. "Not yet. Doing so would alert certain… interested parties.
The same parties, I suspect, who benefited from the chaos that destroyed the old Gym." He leaned closer. "I need to remain in the shadows, investigate the truth behind the old Gym Leader's death… and," he added pointedly, "the inexplicable circumstances surrounding your own wife's passing.
The timing of those two events… it seems too coincidental, wouldn't you agree?"
He had gleaned details of Mrs. Sakaki's sudden death from Nurse Joy's background briefing. Officially, it was attributed to a sudden illness, but occurring shortly after the Bug-Type Gym's collapse, it felt suspicious.
And with Sakaki's subsequent withdrawal, the Grass-Type Gym becoming even more insular… it fit a pattern of someone reacting to a threat, pulling back to protect what remained. Xiu's question, combined with Sakaki's reaction, confirmed his hunch.
Someone targeted both Gyms. Weakened one, and intimidated the other.
"During my investigation," Xiu solemnly continued, weaving a narrative that was part truth, part lie, "I've uncovered traces of a hidden force operating within Viridian City, distinct from the squabbling factions that Head Nurse Joy is currently dismantling.
I am certain that there is someone orchestrating events from the shadows. The fall of the Grass-Type Gym, the disappearance of Giovanni and his people… were likely their handiwork. Even this recent crisis… the merchants and local thugs were just pawns.
There are deeper currents at play here."
Sakaki listened intently, his expression grim and thoughtful. The pieces seemed to be falling into place for him, connecting dots he perhaps hadn't dared connect before. A deep sadness settled over him, hardening into cold resolve. "Who?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Who is behind it?"
"Patience, Gym Leader," Xiu cautioned, tapping the table lightly. "Revenge is a dish best served cold. And don't forget," he added softly, "you have a son to protect."
The mention of his very own child seemed to anchor Sakaki, pulling him back from the point of no return. He took a slow, deep breath, regaining control.
"The enemy is powerful," Xiu stated frankly. "Beyond our individual abilities to confront directly. That's why I've facilitated this... understanding with Nurse Joy. With the Pokémon Center securing the city, you gain protection. No one would easily move against you while you stand with her."
He met Sakaki's gaze. "As for the investigation into the true culprits… I will handle that. My purpose in telling you this is twofold: first, so you understand the real stakes at play, and second… should something happen to me, I need someone else who knows at least part of the truth."
Sakaki looked at Xiu, a complex mix of emotions swirling in his eyes –of suspicion and gratitude. Who was this young man, seemingly appearing from nowhere, carrying the legacy of one fallen Gym while brokering the survival of another, all while pursuing his own hidden agenda?
"Just ensure," Xiu concluded, his voice dropping again, "that no one learns of this conversation."
When Xiu finally emerged from the Viridian Gym mansion, escorted outside by Sakaki himself, the atmosphere was markedly different. They exchanged polite farewells, looking for all the world like old acquaintances who had resolved a minor misunderstanding.
"Do visit again," Sakaki offered formally.
"I will." Xiu replied with a smile.
He rejoined the waiting security team, and they departed the tranquil grounds, leaving Sakaki and his son standing at the entrance.
Instead of heading back to the Pokémon Center, however, Xiu directed the vehicles towards another location – towards the address of Giovanni's former Ground-Type Gym. As they arrived, they found another team already present, led by Sachiko.
Interesting, Xiu noted. Did Nurse Joy send her here? Is it a coincidence? Or is she keeping tabs on me? He dismissed the thought for now and approached her.
"Anything?" he asked brusquely.
"Just got here ourselves," Sachiko replied, though her tone held a hint of impatience. "Took you long enough clearing things up."
"It's handled," Xiu stated curtly, offering no details. He gestured towards the rather plain, unremarkable building that housed the former Gym. "Status report?"
"Searched top to bottom," Sachiko shrugged. "It's completely empty. No staff, no Pokémon, no hidden compartments, no useful documents. Like they just vanished into thin air." As Nurse Joy's assistant, she was privy to some of Xiu's arrangements with Nurse Joy, hence her presence here.
Nurse Joy wants to confirm our suspicions... and maybe she wants Sachiko to observe my reaction.
"Alright. Your team can continue their sweep elsewhere," Xiu instructed. "I'll take a quick look inside myself." Since it had already been cleared, there was little risk.
"I'll accompany you," Sachiko offered immediately. "I am familiar with the layout, after all."
She's definitely keeping an eye on me. Xiu nodded with acceptance. Leaving the teams on standby outside as he and Sachiko entered the abandoned Gym.
Sachiko provided a running commentary as they walked. "This Gym was established over ten years ago. League certified. Leader listed as Giovanni. Specialized in Ground-types…"
Xiu listened absently, his attention focused on the environment. The place felt… cold and empty. The main battle hall was stark gray and black concrete, devoid of any decoration or personality, and the living quarters behind it were equally minimalist, functional to the point of being oppressive.
Hard to imagine anyone actually living here by choice.
After a quick walkthrough, Xiu voiced his primary suspicion. "Are you certain that there are no hidden passages? Secret basements? Sub-levels?"
"Positive," Sachiko confirmed. "We scanned everything – structural, electrical, plumbing. It's exactly what it looks like: a very basic, very empty building."
Xiu nodded slowly, looking around one last time. "Not stupid enough to leave anything incriminating behind… or perhaps this place was never truly important to him. Just a public front." He turned to Sachiko. "Alright. Nothing here. Let's not waste any more time."
Sachiko seemed relieved, clearly having other tasks demanding her attention. She took her teams and departed. Xiu, however, lingered for a moment, then began a leisurely walk back towards the city center, observing the streets.
Prices for essential goods had indeed plummeted, yet traffic in shops remained lighter than usual. People were still hesitant, cautious. The fear hasn't fully subsided.
It will take time for Viridian to truly recover from this. He sighed inwardly. His goals were achieved, but the scars on the city remained.