"So he planned to scam one more Pokémon before leaving, huh…" Shiro also looked out at the sea and spoke with a hint of emotion.
Koga's face was pale as he sat on the ground. He raised his head and stared at the strange man in the black cloak without saying a word.
Shiro found it odd.
"You don't hate it? Want me to grab that subordinate of yours and keep you company?"
Koga snorted coldly. "I knew long ago they were useless. Trying to grab one more Pokémon before running means he's improved a little. What's there to hate? The Pokémon on me were going to end up in your hands anyway. If they go back to the organization, that's even better. I only regret that he didn't dare take them all."
"Tch. That actually makes sense."
Shiro accepted the logic and added, "You're really loyal to Team Rocket."
"I would rather die than betray the organization!" Koga closed his eyes. "I know what you're thinking. You let me go once, then use those trash betraying again to gain my trust, and squeeze information out of me. Impossible!"
Shiro pinched his chin and thought for a moment. 'Did I really think like that? Do I operate like this?'
Yes. That's exactly it.
Although at first he had only knocked Koga out casually, then happened to discover Sea Shard Rock in the cave and came out to take a look. He just happened to catch Koga before he escaped.
Of course, none of that mattered.
"I know why Team Rocket moved the Sea Shard Rock," Shiro said quietly.
"Hmph." Koga snorted. "No need for such clumsy probing."
Shiro continued, "When you were unconscious, I used psychic power to read the information in your head."
"That's impossible!" Koga rejected it outright.
He trusted Sabrina's psychic power completely. If she said it would destroy his brain the moment foreign psychic power intruded, then it would. There could be no mistake.
Seeing his reaction, Shiro lowered his voice. "I can't read everything in detail. But I can grasp the general idea. For example…"
He paused. After confirming Koga's nerves were stretched to the limit, he spoke.
"The Mewtwo Project."
Koga's eyes snapped open. He stared at Shiro's calm smile in disbelief. Then he quickly lowered his gaze. His chest rose and fell violently.
Only the secret research institute in the sea, Boss Giovanni, and the three executives knew that name.
The sea institute could not have been exposed. Boss Giovanni would never leak it.
The other two executives, Sabrina and Lt. Surge, were still in Kanto.
That left only him.
It was his mind that had leaked the information. Everything this man said was true?
Looking at Koga's state, Shiro confirmed his guess and did not press further. He sighed softly and turned to leave.
Koga suddenly lifted his head. Confused and unwilling, he shouted, "You're not Hunter A! Who are you really?"
Hunter A had fought Sabrina before. She personally confirmed that Hunter A's psychic power did not exceed hers and could never extract information through her defenses.
And Hunter A would never be this gentle. Not a single Team Rocket member had been killed. Even he was still alive.
Most importantly, how could a bloodthirsty madman like Hunter A just leave like this?
Without even torturing him.
Koga was ready for it.
This made no sense.
A short distance ahead, Shiro stopped and replied calmly, "I already told you. I'm just a League trainer who happened to pass by."
"..."
Koga stood there in a daze as Shiro vanished from the spot.
A League trainer… who just happened to pass by?
Why did he act like he knew him so well?
After a long moment, Koga noticed Team Rocket grunts gathering again nearby. The warship on the sea was also close to reaching Octopus Island.
After hesitating, he took out his communicator and dialed a number.
The call connected shortly after.
A deep and steady voice came through. "Koga. What happened?"
"Boss…" Koga's tone was stiff. "The Octillery Island base…"
After briefly explaining what had happened, he said, "This man in the black cloak claims to be a League trainer. His behavior doesn't match Hunter A."
"He claims to be… a League trainer?" Giovanni chuckled softly. "He only took your Pokémon and didn't try to capture you?"
Koga paused, then answered, "Yes. That's also a major point of suspicion."
After a moment of thought, Giovanni ordered, "The C3 ship has arrived. Board it immediately and return. Give the liaison a detailed description of his appearance and have a sketch made."
"Yes!"
As soon as Koga replied, Giovanni ended the call.
* * *
Inside an office with a massive floor-to-ceiling window, Giovanni slowly stroked Persian beside him as it licked its paw. He gave an order to the black-suited subordinate standing nearby.
"Retrieve records of all ships entering and leaving the Triangle Sea area over the past few days. Focus especially on those near Octillery Island."
"Yes!"
The subordinate bowed and left at once.
* * *
A medium-sized cruise ship was rapidly approaching the S.S. Anne.
At the bow stood a short woman wearing an old-fashioned purple dress. She leaned on a cane, her expression cold.
She gave off a clear aura of hostility. There was also an eerie chill around her, its source unknown.
"Grandma Agatha…"
A red-haired girl stepped out of the cabin and called softly.
She looked about eighteen or nineteen and wore glasses. With a simple short-sleeved shirt and long pants, she resembled a recent graduate.
Which she was.
"Lorelei, we're almost there. Keep your hand on a Poké Ball and be ready to release a Pokémon at any time."
Agatha slowly turned around. Her voice was quick and steady.
Lorelei gave a nod, but when she saw the sea, she hurried to the railing to look out. The wind lifted her red hair. At the same time, something fell on the deck behind her.
"Ah…"
She quickly reacted and picked up the notebook from the ground.
She had tucked it under her arm earlier. In her rush, she had forgotten about it.
Agatha sighed inwardly at the sight. Worry crept into her heart. She clasped the top of her cane and muttered, "It's a pity the Sinnoh authorities don't allow casualties…"
"Isn't that a good thing?" Lorelei carefully put away the notebook and asked in confusion. "No one will get hurt or die."
"Heh…"
Agatha let out a cold laugh. Wrinkles folded into a smile on her face.
"Yes. But this is a pirate den. To rescue hostages, we can only negotiate. And the ones paying the bulk won't be the Sinnoh League… who knows, maybe they're using the pirates to launder Pokédollars."
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