The League President adjusted his glasses before speaking in a measured tone. "I have already processed your identity credentials prior to this meeting. These documents confirm your new position within the League hierarchy. Remember that you now represent the Pokémon League's authority in official capacities. You must exercise proper judgment in both speech and action."
With great ceremony, Adams presented Aoki with an ornate badge - the distinctive emblem worn only by Lead Investigators, the highest ranking field operatives in the League's security division.
"Regarding field personnel assignments, those will come later. Once you've fully acclimated to your new responsibilities and demonstrated appropriate leadership capabilities, then we'll discuss assembling your tactical team."
The title of Lead Investigator currently carried more prestige than actual authority. Without operational command, it remained largely ceremonial. Still, joining the League's upper echelon felt satisfying.
"As an interim measure, you may request assistance from the other three Lead Investigators' teams when conducting investigations. I doubt they would refuse such requests." Adams added this final concession.
Appointing a new Lead Investigator differed significantly from promoting another Senior Agent. The resource allocation and budgetary considerations grew exponentially when establishing a new command structure. The League needed to evaluate Aoki's capabilities further before granting full operational authority.
Perhaps after proving himself through field operations, additional promotions might follow? What would happen to the vacant senior positions then? These considerations formed the basis of President Adams' negotiations with Matsuda.
"I understand." Aoki accepted the badge without pressing for more immediate authority. The title alone provided sufficient advantage. Even as a Senior Agent, he'd never maintained a permanent field team, yet always found capable assistants when needed.
"Grandpa! Grandpa!" A high-pitched voice interrupted as a young girl bounded out from behind Adams' chair. Phoebe's wide eyes sparkled with excitement as she made her demand: "I want to become an Investigator too!"
The League President mopped his brow nervously. Since learning about Aoki and Steven's investigative work, Phoebe had constantly pestered him about joining their ranks. Now she'd chosen the worst possible moment to renew her campaign.
Investigators have all the exciting adventures!
"Hehe, Phoebe, investigative work isn't recreational. Agents routinely face dangerous situations and hostile criminal elements." Adams desperately wanted to dissuade his ward from such hazardous aspirations.
Having no children of his own, the President had taken in his old friend's granddaughter following a tragedy. The thought of sending her into harm's way chilled him to the bone.
Phoebe's cheerful expression darkened into a pout. Noticing Aoki's poorly concealed amusement, she seized Adams' arm and began shaking it violently. "You're always saying people need challenges to grow! You constantly hold up Aoki and Steven as examples! Now when I want to follow their path, you won't permit it? Unfair!"
With an angry huff, she released Adams' sleeve. The flustered President turned to Matsuda for support, only to find the former Champion engrossed in his newspaper, deliberately avoiding eye contact.
His gaze shifted to Aoki in silent appeal. While Matsuda could ignore the President's distress, Aoki felt compelled to intervene.
"President," he began hesitantly, "perhaps Phoebe could train under my supervision initially? My current team remains understaffed, so the workload should prove manageable."
Adams seized the suggestion like a drowning man grasping a lifeline. "Excellent solution! Phoebe, you'll enter as a Junior Investigator under Lead Investigator Aoki's direct command."
The President settled back into his chair, crisis averted. Aoki blinked in dawning realization - had he just been expertly manipulated?
Matsuda sipped his tea quietly, savoring both the beverage's bitterness and his student's naivete. The veteran trainer shook his head imperceptibly.
Still so inexperienced.
Painfully obvious trap, yet he walked right in.
"YES!" Phoebe celebrated exuberantly. Rank distinctions meant nothing - field assignments represented freedom from stuffy League bureaucracy. She'd already calculated that Aoki would grant her considerable autonomy.
Phoebe possessed competent battling skills, but her sheltered upbringing at Mt. Pyre and later the League Headquarters left her socially inexperienced. Despite Adams' tutoring, some lessons required real-world exposure.
The President had agonized over finding suitable supervision for her field training - candidates were either too rigid, too weak, or simply incompatible. Aoki presented the perfect solution: capable, trustworthy, and someone Phoebe genuinely respected.
A simple administrative notation would ensure only low-risk assignments reached her communicator. Adams felt confident Aoki would keep her safe - their rapport during the Sinnoh Championships had been evident.
Thus Aoki acquired an unexpected protégé. The arrangement didn't trouble him unduly; Phoebe would likely become an Elite Four member someday. Her potential...
The excited girl dashed off to prepare her gear. Once alone with the older men, Adams' demeanor grew solemn. "Phoebe remains... impressionable. I'm counting on you, Aoki."
"You have my word." Aoki affirmed.
"Excellent. Now, as new Lead Investigator, you should meet your peers. The other three are waiting in the adjacent conference room for your orientation. Observe and learn from their experience."
With a dismissive wave, Adams concluded their meeting. Aoki bowed respectfully to Matsuda before taking his leave. Content originally comes from novelFirｅ.net
Once the door closed, Matsuda set down his teacup. "Eaglets must leave the nest eventually. You can't shelter her forever. My hands-off approach with Aoki produced excellent results, wouldn't you agree?"
He sipped his tea with practiced nonchalance, projecting an air of pedagogical wisdom.
Adams scowled at the posturing. "Please. Everyone knows Aoki's accomplishments owe little to your 'guidance.' Some people have all the luck finding gifted students."
Unfazed, Matsuda retorted, "Luck? If it's so simple, go find yourself a prodigy."