Pokémon: Wings Of Shadow

Just as Woods finished speaking, some of the clueless onlookers tried to pipe up again, but the sharp stares from the police squad locked onto them in an instant.

Seeing a group of burly men looking their way, the people who were about to complain or heckle quickly shut their mouths.

Woods smirked and stepped aside as the rest of the officers began clearing out the crowd of trainers, pushing them away and opening up a large space in front of the Pokémon Center.

Those who had gathered—some just to watch, some trying to stir trouble, and others with their own motives—were now all forced beyond a ten-meter perimeter around the building.

Faced with the intimidating presence of the police squad, the crowd could only grumble quietly, peeking through the gaps between bodies to catch a glimpse of what was going on inside.

"Heh." Woods glanced around, now much more pleased with the scene.

He might not be able to deal with that Gym-level Corviknight, but these small-fry troublemakers? He had no problem handling them.

As long as no one made a fuss, their police team would look disciplined and professional, far more competent than the other departments handling daily affairs.

Now all they had to do was wait for one of the two higher-ups to arrive, and that arrogant guy inside the center could be dragged straight to jail.

* * *

Inside the Pokémon Center.

Shiro was lounging with his eyes closed, bored and feeling a little strange.

Just a moment ago, someone had shouted about the police coming. But now, things outside had gone quiet. Could they have all run off?

He shook his head, stretched his limbs, and stood up. Under the nervous stares of the few trainers huddled along the shop walls, he strolled out of the Pokémon Center.

"There he is..." Woods instantly spotted Shiro, still covered head to toe in his black cloak. He was about to yell out, but Corviknight glared sharply at him, freezing him on the spot.

Walking a few steps forward, Shiro scanned the circle of black-uniformed officers that had sealed off the area with interest. Then he turned his eyes to the Hammerlocke Stadium.

That tall, weathered bronze gate still stood there, exactly as it had when he'd trained in this city before.

He casually picked one of the officers nearby and asked, "Who's your team leader?"

The man didn't dare reply. He just gave a nervous glance toward Woods, who stood opposite the Pokémon Center's front door.

Feeling a jolt in his chest, Woods watched as Shiro walked directly toward him.

"Where's your boss? Is it Raihan or Rylan? Just call them out already, I'm tired of waiting." Shiro waved his hand dismissively, signaling the man to hurry up and fetch someone important.

He hadn't realized until now how inefficient Hammerlocke's administrative system was. After something this public, not a single real decision-maker had shown up yet?

Woods opened his mouth, struggling to form a response, when suddenly the officers on the east side parted in silence and cleared a path for someone.

An elderly man slowly shuffled into view, hunched over with his hands behind his back. Each step looked like he might fall, his sparse white hair fluttering slightly, and his cloudy eyes stared ahead.

The moment Shiro laid eyes on him, his psychic senses fired off like an alarm. His heart skipped, and a wave of unease washed over him.

This old man... was strong.

"I suppose you could call me one of his superiors. I also manage a few things around here... hehe..." The old man's soft chuckle echoed as he stopped five meters from Shiro and lifted his head to meet his eyes.

Standing at attention, Woods called out respectfully, "Lord Gale."

The old man, Gale, was the head of Hammerlocke's administrative affairs and a senior figure from the Dragon Tamer family. Rumor had it that he simply didn't want to retire in the family estate and preferred working among the younger generation, which was why he remained in Hammerlocke to assist the two successors in managing city matters.

Woods immediately felt relieved. He hadn't expected someone of this level to show up. Even if either Raihan or Rylan were delayed, it wouldn't matter now, this old man's presence would be more than enough.

Gale's voice was hoarse and weak as he said, "Young man, why don't you put away your Pokémon? Fighting and making a scene in the city... it's not a good look."

"Heh." Shiro let out a cold chuckle without answering.

If Corviknight hadn't been standing guard here, those mobs would've already stormed the Pokémon Center looking for trouble. These so-called police wouldn't have waited a second, and this old man wouldn't have even needed to show up.

Given how badly Gareth was injured, it was unlikely his condition would stabilize anytime soon. If anything, Shiro would rather release all his Pokémon and have them surround the center until the treatment was complete.

"Hm?" Gale frowned at Shiro's silence, then turned to look at Woods.

Now confident, the man barked, "Trainer! You have thirty seconds to recall your Pokémon. This is Lord Gale, a renowned Dragon-type trainer of Hammerlocke."

He deliberately stressed the words "Dragon-type," hoping Shiro would take the hint and do the smart thing—put away his Pokémon and submit without resistance.

"Recall it?" Shiro eyed the old man in front of him, silently calculating. At this distance, could he take him down in one move and use him as a hostage?

There was no way he would put away his Pokémon. Backing down now would only invite more unreasonable demands. If they caught him and paraded him in front of the media... not only would it be humiliating, but it could also ruin Rose's plan.

He couldn't bow to these people. He had to stand firm until the very end.

Just then, Unown A whispered in his mind.

'That old man only has two Dragon-types. Both are just Gym-level. Nothing to worry about.'

'Oh?' Shiro's confidence returned and he raised his voice. "My Pokémon, I recall when I want and release when I want. What? Did someone get so scared they might die just from seeing it?"

"Wha...?" Woods blinked in disbelief, unable to understand what Shiro was doing.

He was still being this tough? What if the old man released his Pokémon and Corviknight got scared by its pressure? Wouldn't that be a public slap in the face?

This was Hammerlocke! That man was a Gym-level Dragon-type trainer. His strength was real. Why would anyone refuse to back down in a situation like this?

Gale was thinking the same. His old face twisted in confusion.

From what he could tell, this cloaked person was probably a young trainer who had just stepped into the Gym-level, using something like a fast-growing Corviknight. Chances were, that bird was the only high-level Pokémon he had, which was why he kept it out for show.

"Hehehe..." Gale chuckled darkly. "Kid... do you know what happens to bird Pokémon like yours when they see a Dragon-type in front of them?"

"Hahahaha." Shiro burst into laughter and scoffed.

"Old man, why don't you show me then? Huh?"

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