⚠️ Spoiler Status (Chapter 201 - 400): Find more details on my Patreon here:
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Out at sea, a submarine suddenly surfaced silently next to the S.S. Anne. A group of dark figures emerged from the submarine and, with the help of their Pokémon, boarded the S.S. Anne.
In the sailors' room on the lowest level of the S.S. Anne, the sailors quickly removed their uniforms and put on blue and white clothing, with a blue bandana on their heads. Then, they lined up neatly in the room, awaiting their commander's arrival.
Suddenly, the S.S. Anne came to a complete stop, and many passengers woke up immediately.
What happened? Why did the ship stop?
At that moment, Cain was sitting calmly on the sofa, sensing the commotion caused by the ship's stop.
"Have they arrived?" Cain murmured quietly.
He quickly changed clothes and put on a black coat. In truth, it would be wisest to leave immediately, but Cain had left a psychic marker with his Slowpoke at the prize platform.
Originally, there was always someone watching over it, but with the movement of this mysterious group, Cain wasn't sure if Yamamoto's men would still be concerned about those prizes, which were insignificant to them.
If there was still surveillance, Cain wouldn't waste time and would leave immediately with his Slowpoke. But if security was relaxed, he wouldn't mind claiming the prizes that were rightfully his.
However, Cain wasn't foolish and didn't rush out immediately. Going now would draw too much attention.
Cain smashed the room's fire alarm with his fist. Immediately, alarms started sounding throughout the S.S. Anne in the hallways and rooms. Passengers, already puzzled by the ship's stop, quickly left their rooms, and those still deeply asleep were awakened by the noise.
Realizing it was a fire alarm, they quickly got dressed and ran out of their rooms. The S.S. Anne became chaotic.
On the upper deck, Yamamoto's face was grim. He knew perfectly well that the group he had allied with had begun boarding the ship, and once they were all in position, they would be able to take control of the situation smoothly.
But the fire alarm ruined his plans.
Crack!
He threw his glass to the ground forcefully and took four Pokéballs from the drawer, attaching them to his belt. With an angry shout over the wireless phone he was holding, he ordered, "Attack! Leave no one alive; capture everyone."
Then, accompanied by two bodyguards and the woman who always followed him, he left his room.
However, upon exiting, he found someone blocking his way. If Cain had been there, he would have recognized him as the elder Matsuda, with whom he had been conversing over the past few days.
But now, the elder Matsuda no longer wore his usual friendly expression; he was frowning at him.
Coldly, he said, "So, you've finally allied with Team Aqua."
Yamamoto was shocked to see the elder Matsuda. He had seen him several times on the ship's surveillance cameras, but due to his ordinary appearance and humble behavior, he hadn't paid much attention to him.
...
Cain left his room along with his Slowpoke. Now, both the hallways and decks were in complete chaos.
Cain wasn't the only one who had noticed the strange situation on the S.S. Anne. Some passengers had also sensed the unusual atmosphere, and when the alarm sounded, they ran straight to the ship's security room.
A ship as large as the S.S. Anne has League staff responsible for security. They are the ship's safety guarantee.
But, to their surprise, Yamamoto had taken control of the security room from the start, replacing all staff with his own men.
Others, like Cain, attempted to take advantage of the chaos to seize the tournament prizes.
Money and prizes spark people's greed!
There was no shortage of those who decided to take the risk.
When Cain made his way around the crowd and reached the battle room, he saw that many people were already there. However, many lay on the ground clutching their stomachs, clearly injured by attacks. Their Pokémon lay beside them, unable to keep fighting.
Some were still frantically fleeing, only to be immediately met by members of Team Aqua, dressed in blue and white uniforms.
Despite being mentally prepared, Cain was surprised to see them.
Team Aqua!
In the future, one of the two major dark powers in the Hoenn region. The other, an equally notorious group, is Team Magma.
Both teams, as their names suggest, have a fierce rivalry. Otherwise, they would have already unified Hoenn's underworld.
This demonstrates Team Aqua's power.
But why did Team Aqua appear here? It shouldn't yet be time for their appearance. Don't they fear being relentlessly pursued by the League for openly attacking the S.S. Anne?
Yamamoto had likely allied with Team Aqua, but then, how did he expect to continue operating in the League as the head of a major family?
Cain didn't understand, but seeing that Team Aqua had already taken over the battle room, he knew he wouldn't be able to obtain the prizes.
If the situation wasn't favorable, Cain wouldn't insist. He turned around and started to head back.
Boom!
Suddenly, a loud explosion was heard from the upper level of the S.S. Anne. The entire ship shook slightly from the impact.
Matsuda was on his Aerodactyl, looking down coldly at Yamamoto and his two Pokémon.
The previous explosion had been caused by Aerodactyl's Hyper Beam, which had knocked back Houndoom and Crawdaunt, Yamamoto's Pokémon.
Yamamoto had recently reached Elite Four level with the help of Team Aqua. But in front of a veteran like Matsuda, who was also an expert breeder, the power difference was immense. Even with a type advantage, Yamamoto's Pokémon couldn't withstand Aerodactyl's power.
"So you reached Elite Four and already think you're invincible," Matsuda murmured coldly. He had no respect for an Elite Four-level trainer like Yamamoto.
But just as Matsuda commanded Aerodactyl to attack again, a purple shadow suddenly rose from below, aiming its attack at him. Matsuda had no choice but to order Aerodactyl to dodge.
A Crobat had been the attacker, and it was clear it possessed the strength of an Elite Four-level Pokémon, much stronger than Yamamoto's Pokémon.
Matsuda narrowed his eyes, watching as a figure slowly ascended the stairs. A Mightyena walked beside him.
With Matsuda's experience as an expert breeder, he could immediately tell that Mightyena was also at the Elite Four level.
This meant that Aerodactyl now had to face four Elite Four-level Pokémon.
"Boss," Yamamoto murmured, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
The newcomer cast a glance at Yamamoto, and a flash of murderous intent crossed his eyes. "This man has become too arrogant with his new power," he thought.
(End of chapter)