Tarroco Island, Kainalu's Inn.
While waiting for Nanala to finish her food, Hisoka suddenly noticed that the other customers in the inn were talking in hushed tones while sneaking a peek at him.
Four young men in sailor's clothes were sitting on a table next to them. All of them had tanned skin and were of heavy build.
When his eyes crossed one
He took out his phone and acted as if he didn't see anything while trying to listen to their conversation secretly.
"Psst. Have you ever seen that Pokemon?"
A man asked his friend while pointing to the Buneary sitting next to Hisoka.
"No. Do you want to..."
His friend trailed off.
The man understood what his friend wanted to say as he shook his head.
"No, we can't do it here. Let's wait until they leave."
After they changed to a different topic, Hisoka finally stopped paying attention to them.
"Do you know anything about those guys?"
He asked Nanala while motioning his head toward them.
"I don't know much about them, but I heard they are a part of a gang called Blue Ocean. Why?"
Nanala replied in a curious tone.
"Nothing."
He shook his head.
After paying for their food, they left the inn. Just as they were about to step into the town, someone suddenly stopped them.
"Oi, where are you going, mate?"
When they turned around, they saw four people they had met at the inn walking toward them with playful grins.
"What's the matter?"
Nanala asked with a frown.
A blue-haired man stepped forward and said.
"This has nothing to do with you, little girl. We are only interested in that guy's Pokemon."
"Really? Are you trying to steal someone else Pokemon in broad day-"
"It's fine, Nanala."
Hisoka cut her off and stood in front of her.
"Haha! See! This guy also knows that it is useless to fight us. Well, give us your Pokemon, then."
The men jeered at him.
"Go easy on them, Gardevoir."
Instead of being angry, he stepped aside in a nonchalant manner.
Suddenly, Gardevoir's graceful figure appeared in front of everyone's eyes. In just a few seconds, all of them were lying on the ground with nasty bumps on their head.
"Woah, so strong!"
Nanala's mouth hung open in surprise.
"Good job, Gardevoir."
Hisoka praised Gardevoir and went toward them.
"What's your name?"
He asked the man who threatened them just now.
"I'm sorry! Please let me go."
The man tried to back away but was stopped by him.
"This is the last chance. Now, answer me! What is your name."
He looked straight at the man with piercing eyes.
"K-Ken."
The man replied with a slight tremble in his voice.
"You're from Blue Ocean gang, right? Are you a poacher?"
He asked.
"Yes."
Ken replied in hesitation.
"Good. Can I join your gang?"
"Huh?"
Ken stared at him in disbelief.
"Why do you want to join us?"
"Is there any problem?"
He said, slightly annoyed.
"No problem. You can join our gang. Our Blue Ocean group is in need of talent like you. With your strength, you should be able to become high ranking member of the group soon."
Ken hurriedly replied.
"Great. Gardevoir, heal them."
He helped Ken up and told Gardevoir to heal them. While Gardevoir was using Heal Pulse on them, he told Nanala to leave after handing some money to her. After repeatedly telling her that he would be fine, she finally agreed to leave.
A few minutes later, Gardevoir finished healing them, and he took her back to her Pokeball. Soon, they were on their way to the Blue Ocean base.
As a gang, Blue Ocean naturally has its own secret base. It was not located in Tarroco Town but in a remote area in the northern part of Tarroco Island.
They had to walk through a forest and climb up a hill before they reached a cave. A few people were hanging out in front of the cave. They were all wearing the same clothes that Ken wore.
"Let's go in. Our boss is inside."
Ken invited Hisoka before he stepped into the cave.
As they headed deeper into the cave, he saw a couple of people walking past them, but none of them stopped them. It seemed Ken's status in the gang was quite high.
After a long walk, they finally reached a chamber. There was a large table in the middle, and on the far side of the table was a middle-aged man in his forties with a curly mustache.
He knew this man was the leader of the group, Leo.
Ken then told them to wait here while he went to the man and whispered something to his ear. The man nodded while glancing at him a few times.
"Where are you from, Hisoka?"
Leo then focused his attention on him after dismissing Ken with a wave of his hand.
"I'm from Viridian City, Kanto."
He replied briefly.
"Nice place. I went there once a few years ago. So, why do you want to join us?"
Leo asked in a half curious, half wary tone.
"I want to join the Blue Ocean gang because I have a grudge against the Stinger Pirates."
His reply drew a blank stare from Leo.
"So you only want to join because you want to take revenge on Stinger Pirates. Do you think of us as your puppets?"
Leo glared at him.
He shook his head at that.
"No, I didn't mean that. This should benefit both of us. Ken told me that Stinger Pirates have been expanding their territory recently. I heard they had destroyed many gangs. How long are you going to wait before they take action against you?"
"Do you think you can solve them alone?"
Leo laughed mockingly.
"Yes."
He nodded confidently.
"I'm sure you have heard of my strength from Ken. With my help, it will be much easy for us to destroy them. After I take my revenge, I will leave this island immediately. I won't meddle in your affairs. What do you say?"
Leo pondered for a moment before he finally made a decision.
"Very well then. I'll give you a chance. But before you join us, you have to prove yourself first."
"No problem. Bring it on. I'm ready for anything."
He replied loudly.
'Yes!'
Meanwhile, Ken was secretly overjoyed. If Hisoka successfully joined the gang, he would be able to have a powerful helper.
Leo then beckoned Ken to come over.
"Ken, take this guy to his room. Give him the uniform of our gang."
"Got it, boss."
Leo then turned to Hisoka.
"You can go take a rest first. Later, I'll assign five people to you. Your mission will start at two o'clock in the afternoon. You may leave now."
"I will do my best."
He replied before he followed Ken out of the room.