Chapter 279: Arising Chaos
Daisy seemed hesitant but approached, her expression guarded.
"Have a seat," Xiu invited, gesturing to the spot beside him. His casual demeanor betrayed none of the tension he felt.
She sat without protest, her gaze lingering on the distant silhouette of Pallet Town. Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken questions. Finally, Xiu broke it.
"You think I lied to you," he said lightly, though his eyes studied her carefully. "Why?"
Daisy didn't look at him but frowned. "Your behavior's been strange. Ever since Grandpa left, you've been… different. And now, all these outsiders showing up—"
"Did I lie to you?" Xiu interrupted, his smile sharp.
Caught off guard, Daisy turned to him, her eyes narrowing. "What are you hiding from me?"
Xiu chuckled. "Haven't I explained it to you earlier? Summer excites the forest Pokémon. They wander into human settlements; it's not unusual. I've hidden nothing."
Her confusion was evident. "Then what about all those outsiders? They're here because of something serious, aren't they?"
Xiu's expression darkened slightly as he gazed at the bustling outskirts of Pallet Town. "Those people? Just pawns in someone else's game."
His cryptic response only deepened Daisy's unease. She pressed him, her curiosity overriding her caution. "What do you mean?"
He sighed, leaning back on his palms. "It started in Viridian City. A conflict between the League and Team Rocket. Every summer, the Pokémon in Viridian Forest become restless—it's normal. The rangers handle it.
But Team Rocket thrives on chaos. They've spread rumors, stoking fear— and the city's elite, the ones with connections and resources, fled to places like Pallet Town. The real victims? Those left behind with no way to escape."
Daisy's face hardened. "But why? What does Team Rocket gain from this?"
Xiu smirked, his tone dripping with disdain. "Disruption. Weakening the League. For Team Rocket, that's victory enough."
She fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. After a moment, she asked quietly, "Where did Grandpa go?"
Xiu waved off her concern. "Worry about lunch, not the professor. He'll be fine."
His offhand comment didn't reassure her, but before she could respond, Xiu dismissed her with a vague excuse. Once she was gone, he turned his attention to the Noctowl perched nearby.
"Can you please," he said, pointing. "keep an eye on the area and report back to me every half hour?"
The Noctowl hooted in acknowledgment, spreading its wings and taking off.
The peace didn't last. A middle-aged man, slightly overweight and visibly anxious, appeared at the institute's entrance. Xiu recognized him immediately—the mayor of Pallet Town.
"Mayor," Xiu greeted, masking his irritation with a polite smile. "What brings you here?"
The mayor hesitated, clearly uneasy. "I need to speak with the professor. Is he here?"
"He's away for a few days," Xiu replied. "What's the problem?"
The mayor sighed heavily. "There's been a conflict… between the townspeople and the newcomers."
Xiu groaned inwardly but kept his expression neutral. "I'll come with you," he said, gesturing to his Scizor to follow.
The scene in town was chaotic. Locals had formed a barricade at the main road, shouting at a line of vehicles trying to force their way through.
"Get out of Pallet Town!"
"You're destroying our fields!"
"We won't let you ruin our lives!"
The shouts clashed with the blaring of car horns and angry retorts from the drivers.
"Move your barricade!"
"We'll pay for the damage!"
"If you don't get out of the way, we'll make you!"
Xiu scanned the crowd, his jaw tightening. The tension was palpable, ready to explode. He glanced at the mayor, who looked overwhelmed and helpless.
"You should've called me earlier," Xiu muttered before stepping forward. Raising his voice, he addressed the crowd. "Enough!"
The sharp authority in his tone silenced the clamor. All eyes turned to him—some relieved, others defiant.
"This isn't how we solve problems," Xiu said, his voice calm but firm. "Mayor, organize a town meeting immediately. We'll address the concerns of both sides. But for now, everyone stand down."
The crowd murmured, hesitant but unwilling to escalate further under Xiu's commanding presence. He turned to the mayor. "This won't resolve itself. Get everyone to the meeting hall. I'll mediate if necessary."
The mayor nodded, grateful for Xiu's intervention, and hurried off to make arrangements.
Xiu sighed, watching the dispersing crowd. This isn't the kind of babysitting I signed up for, he thought wryly.
But at least for now, the chaos was contained.