On the day the main force returned.
Kashiwagi rushed to greet them, finding Frobo to inquire about the specifics of the stalemate at Mine No. 2.
Though the broker remained silent with a shake of his head, his weary eyes—tinged with a hint of regret—made it clear that the Sand Unit had paid a heavy price for this victory.
Fortunately, the squad leaders under Ryuka remained intact. As for the regular members, Kashiwagi couldn't recognize all their faces, and as he tried to cross-reference his memory, he found many missing.
However, Frobo's silence didn't stop the news from spreading. The well-informed Otsuka soon informed Kashiwagi of the casualty count.
Hearing the details, Kashiwagi fell into a somber silence.
In terms of injuries alone, over a hundred members of the Sand Unit were forced into retirement due to severe wounds, including several squad leaders and one High Executive. While the death toll wasn't massive, each number represented a life extinguished.
For two mines, the Sand Unit had been severely drained of its vitality.
If the Crystal Unit chose this moment to stir up trouble, would the Sand Unit be able to maintain its dominant position? Kashiwagi didn't know; he only sensed things were moving in a peculiar direction.
The miners from Team Snarl returned to their original posts to continue working. The elderly and children—deemed insufficient labor by Team Snagem—were decisively removed and temporarily settled in shacks near the mines.
The captured Team Snarl members and their high-ranking Executives were placed under house arrest. The fact that they weren't immediately thrown into the mines hinted at a possibility Kashiwagi had considered: a method for Team Snagem to expand its forces at maximum speed.
----
The following morning.
Kashiwagi received a summons from Soshiro. He was surprised—the Boss should have a mountain of work to deal with; why find time for him?
Upon arriving at the designated location, Kashiwagi understood why.
Soshiro was injured, and quite severely. A thick layer of bandages was visible around his waist and abdomen. Judging by the blood seeping through both the front and back of the dressings as he stood up, it appeared to be a piercing wound.
Clearly, this was a souvenir from his clash with Roki of Team Snarl. However, Roki likely fared no better; otherwise, he wouldn't have given up the offensive so easily.
"You surprised me."
Soshiro's face was pale, and he smelled strongly of medicine, yet his voice still carried a heavy, authoritative weight.
"To be honest, clashing with an Executive wasn't my intention. I was forced into it. But fortunately, I survived." Kashiwagi knew this man didn't care for pleasantries; he wanted "heart-to-heart" honesty.
So, he gave him exactly that.
Sure enough, Soshiro didn't take offense. Instead, he nodded with satisfaction. "You defeated an Executive, which means you technically possess the strength of one. However, you lack seniority and prestige within the team. Promoting you directly to High Executive would only hurt you."
"For now, you are an Executive Candidate. Accumulate prestige within the ranks, make friends, and increase your support base. When the time is right, the title will be yours. Of course, until then, I am granting you some of the perks of a High Executive."
"Executive perks?"
"Ask at the Headquarters building for the details. I've already sent word. Go." Soshiro was brief. Having handed over the promised reward, he immediately dismissed him.
Kashiwagi had no choice but to leave.
What were the perks of an Executive? As the tier just below the Top Executives, they were the upper crust of Team Snagem. The jump in status was likely several floors high.
At the HQ building, administrative staff detailed the benefits Soshiro had arranged.
First, his base salary jumped from 5 million a year to 30 million. Second, his territory was greatly expanded—mostly taken from the Executive who had just been forced into retirement.
Because Kashiwagi was only a "Candidate," he didn't have enough squad leaders to manage the territory. Therefore, the existing Snagem members would continue to manage it while he simply collected the revenue.
Essentially, he got the money without the administrative burden of a full Executive-level organization.
The most critical perk was access to Team Snagem's resources and connections. For example, he could acquire the latest high-tech combat suits or advanced gadgets from parent companies at a fraction of the cost. He now held VIP status at major Underdome shops, enjoyed deep discounts at Pokémon massage parlors, and could commission professional Pokémon breeders to formulate custom diets for his team. He could even put out internal requests to find specific items or Pokémon.
These were just the official benefits. If Kashiwagi chose to be "creative" with his position—buying, selling, and leveraging his influence—he could easily reach a net worth of over 100 million.
Other material benefits included:
- The latest model Hovercycle.
- A Hover SUV.
- A set of newly developed high-intensity combat gear.
- A super-luxury penthouse in the heart of the Sand Unit's territory.
- A standalone office building in the Underdome.
- Certificates for various business ventures.
- Finally, a budget of up to 10 million for a new Pokémon. The team wouldn't provide it directly, but he could buy one elsewhere and get the invoice reimbursed.
In short, Kashiwagi had everything a High Executive had, minus the actual political power. Of course, for most, the power was the intoxicating part. An Executive commanded a hundred-man division and half a district; thousands relied on them for their livelihoods. In Pyrite Town, they were the undisputed upper class.
After collecting his benefits, Kashiwagi received his mission bonus: a full year's salary—another 30 million.
The sheer scale of the reward made him realize that while Pyrite Town was a hellhole, it was a place where risking your life could make you rich overnight.
----
Kashiwagi spent half a day moving into his new home.
The most time-consuming part was moving Aggron's bushes and two trees. Replanting them was a chore, and finding the right spot was equally difficult because the new house already had professional landscaping.
The Sand Unit's upper management understood the benefits of greenery. His new luxury penthouse didn't just offer vast interior space; it featured a lush front garden and a massive backyard battlefield spanning several hundred square meters.
The interior design was top-tier even by the standards of Kashiwagi's previous life. His quality of life had jumped several levels. The house even came with maids, but Kashiwagi—disliking strangers in his private space—dismissed them, only allowing them back for occasional cleaning.
Aggron was the most excited about the move.
Since the penthouse was a single-story unit with effectively uncapped ceilings, the height of the doors and rooms satisfied it immensely. The vast backyard allowed it to move freely without feeling cramped.
But the biggest draw was the greenery in the front yard. Seeing the emerald lawn and vibrant bushes, Aggron was moved to a state of pure joy.
Aggron's reaction made Kashiwagi feel a twinge of guilt. He had always wanted the best for his Pokémon, but due to their circumstances, he had often asked them to compromise. It felt like he was "feeding them a pie" (making empty promises) worse than Soshiro.
A new sense of urgency gripped him—he had to find a way to make even more money. Otherwise, even if he escaped this region, he wouldn't be able to fulfill Aggron's dream of owning its own mountain.
According to the internet, land in other regions was developed to the extreme. Occupying a mountain as an "outsider" might lead to serious trouble with the local authorities.