Shiro did not believe the two pirates' sudden sob stories. Claims like only wanting their Pokémon released or only wanting their boss spared were very likely said just to gain sympathy.
After all, his identity was that of a League trainer, and theirs was pirates.
To pirates, betrayal and lies were like salt in seawater. It would be abnormal without them.
The reason Shiro did not kill them was not only because of the hostages. Team Rocket, the secret behind the giant Octillery, and the need for guides in these waters were all worth keeping them alive.
"Get up. Use your Octillery to tie Walt up and hang him on that pole."
As Shiro spoke, he turned toward the direction of the cabins.
He extended an arm. Under Mesprit's psychic power, all the crew members and pirates who had been controlled inside instantly vanished from their positions, then reappeared together on the deck the next moment.
Red Devil and Arne swallowed hard and moved quickly.
The two worked efficiently. They used a smaller Octillery to bind Walt, then had the Pokémon cling to the designated pole.
Shiro looked at the people on the deck. Crew members and pirates alike, along with many Octillery, were frozen in awkward positions. Only after confirming that no one was missing, including the dead, did he speak coldly.
"Get lost. All of you."
The moment his words fell, the pirates, eyes filled with terror but unable to speak or move, were lifted one by one and thrown off the deck like garbage, splashing into the sea below.
Arne stood rigid, his expression tense.
Red Devil rushed to the edge of the deck and leaned over the railing to look down. When he saw the pirates regain movement after hitting the water, he yelled.
"All of you! Get back on the ship and go home!"
In the pitch black water, coughing and choking sounds rang out. The chaos quickly became orderly, followed by a few shouted responses.
Meanwhile, Arne remained tense and stared at Shiro, afraid something else might happen.
Shiro did not care about the pirates. He walked toward the crew members who had just regained movement and asked loudly, "Does anyone know how to sail the ship?!"
The crew exchanged glances. Most of them looked at the captain hanging from the pole and did not dare speak.
Their captain had been strung up.
The earlier paralysis had been far too terrifying. They had even forgotten about the pirates. All that remained in their hearts toward Shiro was fear.
Who knew whether this black cloaked Pokémon researcher was actually a good person?
Noticing their gazes, Shiro gave them a general explanation of what had happened.
With Walt's own confession under hypnosis and the sight of Red Devil and Arne standing obediently behind him, the crew believed Shiro's words for the most part.
The only thing they still doubted was whether Shiro was truly a Pokémon researcher.
"I'm the first mate!" A muscular man immediately raised his hand. "I can take over as captain!"
Several others followed. "The ship is easy to operate. We can sail even without the captain."
"Good!" Shiro raised his voice. "I need to retrieve the hostages according to League orders. Any objections?"
The crew all shook their heads.
They were heading to retrieve the hostages anyway. And even if they wanted to object, who would dare?
"Then the first mate will act as captain for now and arrange personnel. Everyone else, get back to work or rest as needed. Dismissed."
With a wave of his hand, Shiro dispersed the crew.
Only the first mate jogged over eagerly. "Dr. Shiro, my name is Tyler. Do you need anything else?"
While speaking, he glanced at Red Devil and Arne not far away.
"Those two pirates… should I help deal with them?"
Tyler made a throat cutting gesture.
Shiro glanced at him and ordered, "Prepare rooms for those two. They will stay on the ship with us."
After that, he vanished from the spot.
On the deck, the cool sea breeze left the remaining three feeling chilled. Lights had been restored inside the ship, and warm yellow light spilled from the cabins, mixing with the pale overhead glow and falling on Tyler and the two pirates.
In the silence, the giant Octillery that had just regained movement trembled in fear.
"Octi... Octi... Octi..."
The massive Octillery shook violently. More than ten thick tentacles pressed tightly against the deck, suction cups scraping against the surface.
It had felt Mesprit's psychic power more clearly than anyone. A Mythical Pokémon. That pressure from the origin of the world felt like an insurmountable mountain. Even looking at it inspired terror.
"Come back, Octillery." A red light flashed as Red Devil recalled his Pokémon.
Tyler, acting captain, darkened his gaze and led the two pirates into a room.
"Stay if you want. Leave if you don't."
He then left.
Inside the room, the two pirates stared at each other.
* * *
The S.S. Anne sailed through the Triangle Sea for a full day and night.
Now, only a few nautical miles remained before Red Devil Island. From the deck, the island's outline was visible. It looked like a massive Octillery lying prone.
"It looks kind of abstract, this island," Shiro said casually while standing at the bow.
Red Devil immediately said, "This is the habitat of an Octillery clan in nearby waters. Legend says it formed from the corpse of an extremely large Octillery."
"Oh." Shiro nodded slightly and inquired, "How many hostages are there, and who are they?"
"Twelve people," Red Devil replied without hesitation, then added with some uncertainty. "I don't know the others. One of them seems to be the grandson of some chairman or president. That kid was how I contacted the League."
Chairman?
Shiro was puzzled and continued, "What about Team Rocket?"
Red Devil's expression grew heavy. "It was a Team Rocket executive. Very strong. He brought a group of Team Rocket members to trade with us."
"Trade?" Shiro asked.
Red Devil hurried to explain, "It's a special Pokémon resource produced in our area, called Sea Shard Rock. If Water-type Pokémon consume it regularly, their bodies grow larger and their physical strength improves."
Bigger bodies and better physical ability.
That alone could attract a Team Rocket executive to come all this way?
Shiro was not convinced.
"Who was that Team Rocket executive?"
"He wears dark, tight clothing every day and a mask. I couldn't see his face," Red Devil said, then quickly added, "But I've seen his Pokémon. All Poison-types. He should be a Team Rocket executive who specializes in Poison."
"I see."
Shiro had already confirmed who it was.
Koga, the ninja.
**
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