Chapter Seventy: Preventing Theft

“Huh? Why is there a Gyarados being exhibited here as well?” Sonoko asked in confusion.

In the artificial pool, a Gyarados lay coiled, appearing unusually large. Of course, not to the extent of being fundamentally different—just bigger. Moreover... Am sensed an aged aura emanating from it.

“The original owner of the 'Rage of Gyarados' was Lady Mina, a Water-type Champion and Coordinator. She passed away ten years ago. This Gyarados was her signature Pokémon. After her death, it has guarded the 'Rage of Gyarados' ever since... Look, the Key Stone pendant beside it was Lady Mina’s while she lived.

Three years ago, Daiwu acquired the 'Rage of Gyarados'... I only learned later that he was Lady Mina’s son—Kyuji, the one you saw earlier. After an expedition he hired was ambushed and lost everything, to pay his debts, he pawned the 'Rage of Gyarados' to Daiwu,” Jiroji explained.

So-called expedition teams are usually small groups venturing into deep forests and mountains, conducting ecological surveys, studying historical ruins, or exploring valuable resources. The harmony of this world, in some sense, is thanks to its abundance of resources—especially Pokémon resources. For instance, a power plant only needs a group of Pikachu or Voltorb to operate, cleanly and efficiently.

Expedition teams are in effect exploring new resources, particularly in the wild ecologies beyond the major regional leagues, where their presence is common.

Kyuji, being adventurous, invested in organizing an expedition team, hoping to strike it rich... but ended up losing everything!

“So what about this Gyarados...” Sonoko still felt something was off.

Jiroji, frustrated, added, “Originally, I thought Gyarados simply refused to leave the symbol of its bond with its late master, so I specially built this exhibition hall. But... it seems Daiwu may have played tricks with the contract when accepting the pawn. I haven’t seen their agreement myself.”

After Lady Mina died, this Gyarados would not leave the 'Rage of Gyarados', and no one could capture it. Thus, it was pawned to Daiwu along with Kyuji’s claim...

But from what Daiwu said earlier, even if Kyuji brought the money, he could only redeem the Gyarados?

No wonder Jiroji realized the pawn contract might be problematic!

“What about Ran and Conan? Next time, let’s bring them to meet Daiwu...” Am suggested righteously. This fellow might need a bit of Conan’s “little help.”

“Why would Ran want to see him?” Sonoko hadn’t caught on, then complained to Jiroji, “Uncle! Why did you borrow Daiwu’s 'Rage of Gyarados' for the exhibition? I bet that guy... is hoping Master Kid will steal the 'Rage of Gyarados' so we’ll be forced to compensate him!”

Mentioning Kid immediately energized Jiroji: “Impossible! That thief... This time, I will never let him succeed! Aside from special arrangements, this Gyarados is the strongest guard! It’s Champion-level, and unlike ordinary security... No matter who the thief disguises as, Gyarados won’t let him near!”

Am understood—apparently, Kid here is also a master of disguise. But... could even canine Pokémon not see through him? Am sensed it might not just be “disguise.”

“Any human guard can be fooled, but... this Gyarados cannot!” Jiroji declared, energetically jumping up to grab the top of the glass wall, as if about to climb over.

The Gyarados, previously resting with eyes closed, instantly opened them and glared at Jiroji, rising upright from the water, ready to attack.

“Consultant Jiroji...” Curator Childe hurried forward to help him down.

Jiroji withdrew accordingly—he was demonstrating that even he would be attacked by Gyarados without proper calming and signals.

In a sense, this truly is a guard “immune to disguise,” because... whether Daiwu, the nominal owner, or Kyuji, its heir, Gyarados won’t let them approach easily.

Daiwu often complains the creature is “quite a nuisance.”

“But... doesn’t he also have a strong Pokémon that can use 'Sleep Powder'?” Sonoko pointed out.

“Haha, that thief’s Pokémon strong? It’s just some tricks... But this Gyarados is Champion-level. From the thief’s previous performances, there’s no way he could put it to sleep,” Jiroji laughed.

Whether it’s 'Hypnosis', 'Sleep Powder', 'Grass Whistle', 'Yawn', or any other negative status move, accuracy isn’t just a matter of skill, but also ability.

If a legendary beast is lounging around, a bunch of tournament-level Pokémon couldn’t possibly put it to sleep.

If not for Daiwu’s issues, Jiroji would actually like this exhibit—a built-in “bodyguard”!

Just then, footsteps echoed from the exhibition entrance: “But if that’s the case, our own people can’t get close either!”

A mustachioed Officer Jenny strode in, looking displeased.

“Inspector Ginzo, how many times now has the thief disguised as one of your people and stolen the exhibit?” Jiroji immediately mocked.

Ginzo Nakamori had nearly become a specialist in “Kid the Phantom Thief” cases.

When Kid acts, he definitely uses Pokémon, so the Jenny clan has tried as well...

But since he’s not a violent criminal and their resistance is weak, they cannot stop Kid’s Pokémon, and to this day, don’t even know what Pokémon Kid has. So the Jenny clan doesn’t monitor Kid closely.

After all, it’s only a gem, not a stolen Pokémon...

Beside Ginzo was another police inspector Am knew well.

“Oh! You’re in Pewter City already... why didn’t you come see me first?” Yumi greeted them.

“We’ve been preparing for a battle, only just had some free time,” Am explained hurriedly.

“You’re quite busy... But even if you’d come looking for me earlier, you wouldn’t have found me. I cracked two major cases just recently!” Yumi said, puffing out her chest.

Am always felt she needed a big Pidgeot... no, a Mega Stone for her Pidgeot, but replied, “Of course you’re busier, Sister Yumi...”

From the corner of his eye, Am noticed Sonoko sneer, and could pretty much guess how Yumi’s “two major cases” were solved.

“So this is the 'Rage of Gyarados'...” Yumi approached, gazing curiously at the display above the pool.

Ginzo specializes in Kid-related cases, while Yumi is the police inspector responsible for the area around the Fossil Museum.

“But... placed there, it’s too inconvenient for visitors to admire,” Sonoko said, looking up at the high platform in the pool.

The gem locked in the vault would surely be safest—why exhibit it when Kid has already sent a warning?

Of course, it’s for show!

If the exhibition isn’t impressive, it’s pointless.

“No, when the official exhibition starts...” Jiroji said, smiling confidently as he produced a remote and pressed the switch.

The platform above the pool sank into the water, and the glass wall rose higher, transforming into a view where visitors could admire the 'Rage of Gyarados' through the glass wall, submerged in water.

“I wonder if the thief will dare dive in wearing his white tuxedo... hahaha!” The image of Kid floundering underwater made Jiroji burst out in laughter.