A water-type trainer who specializes in dragon-type water.

East China Alliance Headquarters, Supreme Operations Command Center

Located in the heart of Shanghai, the East China Alliance headquarters building resembles a sharp sword piercing the sky, symbolizing the supreme power and order of this place.

The highest command center, located in the heart of the building, is under unprecedented levels of security.

In the long corridor leading to the command room, a fully armed Alliance soldier stood ramrod straight every ten steps.

They have resolute faces and sharp eyes like eagles, accompanied by various official Pokémon of different forms.

The majestic Growlithe had a low, fiery purr rolling down its throat.

The X-cat, with its piercing gaze, can see through any hidden threat.

Like the most loyal knight, Aegislash stands guard beside its trainer in its shield form, radiating a chilling aura that keeps strangers at bay.

An invisible pressure permeated the air, and the echo of each step on the gleaming alloy floor further strained the already tense nerves of the visitors.

All of this unusual atmosphere clearly indicates that East China is in a turbulent period of power transition and undercurrents.

The command center is less of a conference room and more of a small wartime command hub.

At the center of the circular layout is a huge holographic sand table, which is currently displaying a map of the East China region in silent mode.

The wall is made up of a single, seamless LCD screen, on which massive amounts of data and monitoring footage flow.

However, the atmosphere in this solemn command room was far more severe than during wartime.

Two groups of people stood clearly separated, their invisible stances and murderous intent clashing in the air, almost sparking fire.

On one side were the relatively young newly appointed members of the East China Champions Office.

Most of them were young and promising individuals who were promoted after Zhang Leiyuan took office because of their abilities, ideas, or potential.

Their average age is just over thirty, and their faces still retain the sharp edges and vigor that have not been completely worn down by officialdom.

Despite the immense pressure, they maintained their upright posture, their eyes revealing tension, but even more so, an unyielding stubbornness.

They are the builders of the new order and the supporters of Zhang Leiyuan's ideals. At this moment, they are doing their best to protect the power vacuum left by the champion's departure.

On the other side was the police force led by Liao Chunfeng.

Liao Chunfeng, the director of the East China Garrison, was about fifty years old, tall, and wore a well-fitting high-ranking uniform of the Garrison Command, the general's stars on his shoulder insignia cold and glaring. (A character appearing in chapters 318-320.)

He had a square face, thick eyebrows like knives, and deep-set eyes that shone brightly with every blink. The imposing aura he had cultivated over his long tenure pressed down on the entire space without any attempt to conceal it.

Behind him stood several trusted confidants, all dressed in the same security uniform, their faces cold and their aura heavy, clearly having come prepared.

"Fellow committee members, youthful vigor is a good thing, but you must also know how to assess the situation."

Liao Chunfeng's voice was loud and clear, carrying an unquestionable authority, echoing in the empty command room.

"Zhang Guanjun's sacrifice for the country is a tremendous loss to East China and even the entire nation, and we are deeply saddened by it. However, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and an army cannot be without a commander for a day!"

"The East China Champion Office oversees the defense and resource allocation of the entire region. Its affairs are extremely heavy and important. How can it be allowed to stagnate for a long time because of one person?"

His gaze was piercing as he swept over the young faces opposite him, his words like whips soaked in icy water, lashing at their psychological defenses.

"At present, it is the most reasonable and responsible choice for our Security Bureau to temporarily take over the affairs of the Champions Office, stabilize the situation, and wait for the League Headquarters to send a new champion."

"This is for the stability of East China and the safety of hundreds of millions of people! We hope that all committee members will prioritize the overall situation, actively cooperate with the handover, and avoid unnecessary...conflicts."

The threat in his words was obvious.

A young female committee member couldn't help but retort, her voice slightly shrill with emotion.

"Director Liao! Zhang Guanjun is merely missing; the league headquarters hasn't issued an official obituary yet! Aren't you being a bit too hasty in taking over power now? We have a responsibility to maintain the normal operation of Guanjun's office until final confirmation..."

"Confirm?" Liao Chunfeng interrupted her, a cold sneer curling at the corner of his lips.

"Didn't you all see the final video footage transmitted from the East China Sea battlefield? The siege of the Temple of Creation, that earth-shattering explosion... what kind of 'confirmation' do we need? Do we have to wait until foreign forces take advantage of the situation and cause chaos in East China before you're willing to face reality?"

He paused, then his tone suddenly took on a seemingly sincere "temptation".

“I understand your loyalty and feelings for Zhang Guanjun. But people always have to look forward. You are all rare young talents in East China. As long as you are willing to cooperate in the handover and demonstrate sufficient ability.”

"I, Liao Chunfeng, can guarantee that you will have a place in the Security Bureau and even in the future new champion system. Why ruin your promising future by clinging to the empty name of a dead man?"

He was skilled and ruthless in his use of coercion, bribery, and rhetoric.

However, these young committee members, though perhaps inexperienced or lacking in influence, all possessed an unyielding spirit that prevented them from being chosen by Zhang Leiyuan.

They exchanged a glance, both seeing in each other's eyes an unwavering resolve. No one spoke, but the silence itself was the most resolute answer.

Liao Chunfeng's patience finally ran out. Looking at these young people, who were like newborn calves, showing no fear of his authority whatsoever, his gaze turned completely cold.

The last shred of feigned harmony was torn away, leaving only naked lust for power.

"good very good."

Liao Chunfeng nodded slowly, his face covered with a layer of frost.

"It seems that the members of the East China Champions Office are determined to resist the league's legitimate takeover, and even have the suspicion of setting up their own independent entity and wielding their own power! In that case, don't blame me, Liao Chunfeng, for enforcing the law!"

He took a sudden step forward, his aura surging, and shouted sternly, "In the name of the Director of the East China Garrison Command, I hereby formally arrest you on suspicion of dereliction of duty, obstruction of official business, and attempted rebellion! Those who resist will be killed without exception!"

"Bam—!"

A muffled thud, accompanied by a blinding flash of white light, and a violent, primal dragon's might instantly filled the entire command room!

A huge, ferocious-looking Pokémon appeared in front of Liao Chunfeng.

Its entire body is covered with rough, dark red skin, like a cracked lava field.

Its head was particularly terrifying, a huge, crimson face taking up most of its body, with protruding fangs and an extremely ferocious appearance. A thick tail dragged behind it, and its limbs were short but muscular, exuding explosive power.

It was Liao Chunfeng's absolute main force, the Dragon-type Pokémon—Redface Dragon!

Its small eyes gleamed with a cruel and bloodthirsty light, and a threatening growl emanated from its throat. Dragon energy stirred restlessly around it, as if it were ready to tear everything in its path to shreds at any moment.

The situation spiraled out of control in an instant!

The young committee members turned pale. Most of them were skilled in administration or technology, and the pressure of facing a Champion-level Pokémon made it almost impossible for them to breathe.

Several trusted officers from the security bureau also stepped forward, placing their hands on the Poké Balls at their waists, forming an encirclement.

Just as Liao Chunfeng's lips curled into a smug, confident smile, and he was about to issue the attack order to the Crimson-Faced Dragon to suppress him with overwhelming force—

"whee…"

A chilling, ethereal laugh, tinged with static, suddenly came from under the conference table.

The laughter was so eerie that it sent a chill down everyone's spine, including Liao Chunfeng and his men.