NOVEL NEXT Chapter 120: Chapter 120: A Misunderstanding?
"We've confirmed it—you were falsely accused this time. You're free to go."
Looking at Ron, Ryan repeated himself once more.
If he had the choice, Ryan wouldn't let him leave so easily. But the circumstances now were different.
Initially, Ryan thought Ron was just a capable trainer, someone he could easily control.
Even after seeing the ranger's promotions praising Ron, Ryan still dismissed him, convinced he could handle the situation.
It wasn't until Ryan took action that he realized Ron was far more difficult to deal with than he had imagined.
From the very beginning, Ron had disrupted his plans, and now Ryan was forced to let him go.
If Lugo arrived before this was resolved, the situation would spiral out of control.
Ron glanced at Ryan but remained seated, unfazed.
"What are you trying to do? I've already said you're free to leave. Why are you still here? Or do you have something to hide?"
When being polite failed, Ryan decided to take a harder stance. If Ron slipped up even slightly, Ryan could find an excuse to turn the tables on him.
Pointing at the Pokédex on his chest, Ron refused to answer Ryan's question.
The current situation was clear: if Ryan dared to act against Ron, he'd be guilty of abuse of power. If Ron made this public, Ryan could very well lose his position.
Facing Ron's defiance, Ryan felt a strong urge to throw him out and be done with it.
Ron had been held for over two hours now, and Lugo could arrive at any moment. Ryan's impatience grew.
Unfortunately for Ryan, Ron remained unyielding. No matter what was said, he refused to engage, leaving Ryan unable to resort to force.
"Ryan, what's going on here?"
As she spoke, Officer Jenny walked in with Lugo beside her.
Just as Nurse Joy is synonymous with Pokémon Centers, Officer Jenny is the name that comes to mind when you think of law enforcement.
There's even a saying: marrying into the Jenny or Joy families can save you thirty years of hard work.
"Officer Jenny, here's the situation—"
Before Ron could say anything, Ryan rushed to explain, trying to appear innocent.
Without interrupting, Ron silently observed. He was curious to see how Officer Jenny would handle this situation.
"I see. This was our mistake. I apologize on Ryan's behalf. Let's end this matter here."
"Thank you for coming, Captain Lugo. You're free to leave now."
After listening to Ryan's explanation, Officer Jenny casually dismissed the issue, clearly not taking it seriously. This response determined Ron's next move.
"Officer Jenny, you're mistaken. Your Deputy Chief Ryuuji didn't just make an error in arresting me."
"As a League Trainer, I was detained without cause, had my Pokémon nearly confiscated, and was even accused of being a murderer. Is that a misunderstanding too?"
"Two hours of detention with no evidence to show for it—telling me I can leave now, is that a misunderstanding?"
"And as someone representing the rangers in the public eye, have you considered the damage this could do to our reputation if word got out?"
Staring directly at Officer Jenny, Ron didn't back down as he questioned her.
"Exactly. We rangers already lack recognition, despite risking our lives on the front lines. How many of our comrades have died to secure the League's peace?"
"Officer Jenny, you know as well as I do that rangers face the highest mortality rates each year, and recruitment is a constant struggle."
"Now, with Ron as a positive example, we've seen an improvement in recruitment numbers. But if this incident tarnishes his reputation, it'll be a devastating blow to us. That's why I won't let this slide!"
Lugo's words echoed Ron's sentiments. The dangerous and demanding nature of a ranger's work deterred many trainers from joining.
Thanks to Ron, their image had improved.
However, any negative press surrounding him now would undo all their progress, fueling Lugo's anger.
Another source of his anger was aimed at police officers who shirked their duties.
Instead of protecting the League, they harmed their own people. To Lugo, such individuals deserved no mercy.
"I understand. We were in the wrong. But Ron, don't you think accusing Ryan of intentionally targeting you is a bit much?"
"Ryan is an outstanding officer. You can't make such claims without evidence."
Faced with Ron and Lugo's scolding, Officer Jenny seized on Ron's statement, attempting to downplay the issue. If this escalated, it could impact her own career.
"I had a conflict with Ryan's brother, and my investigation showed that others who clashed with Simon met unexplained deaths. So, this isn't baseless speculation."
"Besides, it's easy to confirm the truth. A Psychic Pokémon could uncover the facts."
"If you don't have one, my Kirlia can assist."
Before leaving the Yoyoyo District, Ron had specifically investigated Simon and Ryan to prepare for any retaliation. Now, it was coming in handy.
"Exactly. I also brought a Psychic Pokémon for this purpose. We can resolve this right now," Lugo added, supporting Ron and leaving Officer Jenny with no way out.
"That's unacceptable. Ryan is a deputy chief. Using such methods for interrogation is inappropriate," Officer Jenny objected without hesitation.
Glancing at Ryan's expression, Officer Jenny felt Ron might actually be onto something.
Regardless, how Ryan was handled later could be discussed. For now, the police department's reputation had to be preserved.
"If you refuse, I'll upload the video to the web. I'm sure the residents of Celadon City would love to see how their police enforce the law!"
Pulling out his Pokédex, Ron emphasized the words "enforce the law," cornering Officer Jenny.
If they interrogated Ryan, the department's reputation might take a hit. But if Ron uploaded the video, the damage would be far worse.
Citizens wouldn't analyze the situation deeply. They'd only see the police's faults. In the end, Officer Jenny's career would suffer.
"Understood. Contact the League and request a Psychic Pokémon for assistance," Officer Jenny finally relented, taking a gamble on Ryan's innocence.
Quietly standing by Ryan, Lugo cut off any chance of him seeking help.
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