Elf: Rewriting the script, starting with Black Stocking Hanako

Bridge.

The captain, a burly middle-aged man with a thick beard named Russell, was leisurely looking at the nautical chart while smoking a pipe.

He seemed somewhat surprised by the sudden visit of Jiang Chuan and his two companions.

"Oh? A VIP gift from the city government of Vermilion City? Welcome, welcome." Captain Russell took the ticket and Pokédex from Jiang Chuan, glanced at them to confirm they were correct, and his attitude was fairly polite.

"Is there something you need? Are you dissatisfied with the room, or would you like to book some special event?"

"Neither." Jiang Chuan stepped forward, lowered his voice, and spoke with utmost seriousness. "Captain, I have received definite intelligence that multiple bombs have been planted on the Saint Anne, and they are scheduled to detonate within two hours."

"What?!" Captain Russell nearly dropped his pipe, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Young man, you can't joke like that! The St. Anne's security checks are the strictest in the Kanto region!"

"I'm not joking." Jiang Chuan's eyes were burning as he handed over his encyclopedia.

"Based on my status as a registered trainer in the league and the commendation and guarantee from the Vermilion City government."

"Please grant me immediate permission, or send someone with me, to conduct an emergency inspection of several key areas."

Jiang Chuan's imposing manner and resolute tone froze Captain Russell's angry and questioning expression.

Especially upon hearing the "commendation from the Kuye City Government"... this young man in front of me is probably no ordinary person.

It's better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't!

just in case……

Captain Russell broke out in a cold sweat, slamming his pipe down on the table. "Fine! I'll trust you this once! I'll personally take a few men with you to investigate!"

Captain Russell was a decisive man. He immediately called over two of his most trusted and best-skilled crew members as security guards, and followed Jiang Chuan as they quickly left the bridge.

Although Hanako and Kasumi didn't understand how Jiang Chuan knew, they trusted him completely and followed closely behind, their hearts pounding.

Jiang Chuan, combining his rapid analysis of the cruise ship's structure, went straight to several key points—the vicinity of the engine room, the fuel storage area, and the load-bearing structure of the central banquet hall…

The first target is the maintenance access road outside the engine compartment.

This place is deserted, with only the low hum of machines.

"Here?" Captain Russell asked, puzzled.

Jiang Chuan didn't answer, his gaze sharp as he swept over the tangled pipes and cables. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and he crouched down, pushing aside a pile of disguised debris.

A cube-shaped object, gleaming with a cold metallic luster and equipped with a rudimentary timer screen, suddenly appeared before everyone's eyes!

The red numbers on the screen are relentlessly ticking: 01:21:33...

"Bomb...bomb!" a security guard cried out, his face turning ashen.

Captain Russell gasped, his back instantly soaked with cold sweat!

He had a sliver of hope just now, but now he was filled with lingering fear and anger!

Someone actually dared to tamper with his ship!

Hanako and Kasumi covered their mouths, their eyes filled with shock and fear. Only then did they understand why Jiang Chuan had been so serious and urgent just now.

"The ship... Captain... what do we do?" another security guard asked, his voice trembling.

Captain Russell was also in a state of panic, and his first reaction was to sound the alarm and evacuate the entire ship.

"Don't sound the alarm!" Jiang Chuan shouted, stopping them. "There are thousands of people on board. If there's panic and a stampede, the casualties will be far greater than with a bomb! It might also alert the person who planted the bomb, causing them to detonate it remotely before it's ready!"

Captain Russell jolted awake, suddenly realizing, "Yes...yes! You're right!"

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and his gaze towards Jiang Chuan was completely different now, filled with trust and reliance.

"Mr. Jiangchuan, what do you suggest we do now? We'll listen to you!"

"Immediately find the most reliable person on your ship who knows a bit about mechanics or electronics, take their tools, and quietly follow me," Jiang Chuan said rapidly. "Defuse the bombs! All the bombs must be defused silently!"

"In addition, strengthen monitoring at entrances and exits, and pay attention to suspicious individuals, especially those attempting to disembark prematurely!"

"Good! Good!" Captain Russell nodded repeatedly and immediately gave instructions to the two security guards beside him. He himself contacted several trusted crew members.

Jiang Chuan then carefully examined the structure of the bomb.

It wasn't particularly complicated, but it was enough to blow the surrounding area to smithereens.

He did not act rashly, but waited for the two old engineers that Captain Russell had called to arrive.

The engineer carefully and precisely cut the crucial wire.

The timer stopped instantly.

Everyone breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Quick, next location!" Jiang Chuan said without pausing.

With their first successful experience, Captain Russell and his crew gained even more confidence and admired Jiang Chuan immensely, quickly following suit.