"Chairwoman Lusamine."
Stepping into the luxurious car of the Ethereum Foundation.
Natsuhiko once again saw this influential woman in the entire Pokemon Realm.
Lusamine is not known for strength like Hilona and Kona.
But to single-handedly develop the Ethereum Foundation to its current scale shows her strong capability.
You must know.
This competition, said to be a game between the alliance and various local forces of the Alola Region, is more a game against the Alola Region's local forces led by the Ethereum Foundation.
Being able to develop an organization to a point that the alliance must take seriously, regardless of the means used, be it publicity or strength, should not be underestimated.
Natsuhiko is not meeting Lusamine for the first time.
After all, as a Hunter, he has interacted with Lusamine before.
Nowadays, the Hunter Guild in the Alola Region is rapidly developing, partly due to the Ethereum Foundation's covert support.
Of course.
Both sides have their needs; Natsuhiko needs the Hunter Guild to earn resources and gain influence within the Hunter Guild, while Lusamine hopes to use the Hunter Guild for the trading of Pokémon in the Alola Region, to increase influence and force the opening time forward.
She is a deeply scheming woman, something Natsuhiko admits is beyond his capability, thus keeping a calm demeanor outwardly while remaining vigilant internally.
Lusamine smiled and brushed her hair gently, saying softly, "I've heard of you, Mr. Natsuhiko, even back when you were using the 'Dodo' nickname and I was following your papers. Previously, it was inconvenient to go out, but I did try to contact you, Mr. Natsuhiko, today there is finally an opportunity to sit down and chat properly."
Natsuhiko's thoughts stirred.
He similarly smiled back, saying, "Chairwoman, you can just call me Natsuhiko. So the previous sponsorship was actually from Chairwoman Lusamine."
"Then I was presumptuous," Lusamine said with a gentle smile, "Natsuhiko, this invitation is primarily for my two little ones."
"Oh?"
Natsuhiko was slightly surprised.
Soon.
The car stopped in front of a detached villa on Manaro Arena Island.
With a crowd of attendants, Lusamine and Natsuhiko walked into the villa.
"Mother!"
Upon entering, a child's voice resonated clearly.
Soon.
A small boy, dressed in a black jacket, with short golden hair, looking quite stylish, hurriedly ran over.
"Gladio."
Lusamine called out with a smile, showing motherly affection on her face.
Just by looking at Lusamine, it is really hard to imagine she's the mother of two kids.
Whether from her attire or complexion, she looks at most like a young girl around twenty-three or four.
Perhaps it's due to good maintenance.
"Mr. Natsuhiko?!"
Seeing Natsuhiko, Gladio's eyes lit up instantly.
He ran to Lusamine and Natsuhiko, full of excitement.
"Really Mr. Natsuhiko!"
Speaking, he somehow produced a book from somewhere, "Mr. Natsuhiko, I am a fan, may I have your autograph?"
The angular face showed a child's admiration.
Looking at this boy slightly older than Ash Ketchum.
And the notebook in his hand which was similar to the one Little Ju'Er took out before, Natsuhiko's eye twitched almost imperceptibly.
The Rocket Team trio's "infiltration" ability really is strong.
"Of course."
Yet he still smiled and signed for Gladio.
"Gladio, where is Lillie?"
When Lillie was mentioned, Gladio's excitement gradually waned.
"She is in the room reading."
Since the last attack by the Ultimate Beast Nihilego, Lillie has been left with a shadow in her heart.
Though thanks to Natsuhiko's intervention, she did not fear interacting with Pokémon as portrayed in the original story.
Her personality still became timid and shy, preferring to stay alone and quietly read.
This part was a lingering influence from the attack, which can't be completely eradicated in a short time.
The other part was due to Lusamine's busyness with the Foundation's affairs, leaving little time to care for these two children.
Fortunately.
Since Lillie was attacked, as her brother, Gladio vowed to protect his sister well.
And provided the missing care for Lillie, preventing her from completely closing off her heart.
Lusamine patted Gladio's head.
"Go and call her out, her idol is here."
"Hmm-hmm!" Gladio nodded repeatedly.
If Lillie knew Mr. Natsuhiko was here, she would definitely be happy...or so Gladio thought.
Watching Gladio quickly depart, Lusamine said somewhat helplessly, "That is my son, when he was little, he was very attached to me, one 'mother' after another, following closely behind."
Natsuhiko smiled without speaking.
This was Lusamine's family matter, he, as an outsider, especially a "first-time" meeting outsider, was not convenient to say much.
Though aware Lusamine seldom had time with her kids due to the Ethereum Foundation.
But gains and losses are inevitable.
Does Lusamine herself not know?
No, she does know.
And even though she knows, she would do it without hesitation.
Whether claiming it's for providing Gladio and Lillie a better life, or for her own ideal.
Natsuhiko kept silent, making Lusamine somewhat surprised.
But quickly realized, this is the so-called "breeding".
Not casually commenting on other people's family matters.
Do not advise others good without experiencing their suffering.