The moment Hoshino saw the iconic skull emblem, he immediately recognized it—this guy was from Team Skull!
Back during the Braixen incident, one of the main people involved was Gladion, who had tried to pass Team Skull's entrance test to get his hands on the Pokémon.
After that, Hoshino had looked into Team Skull a little and found out that they were nothing more than a group of school dropouts, jobless slackers, or people who had just given up on life altogether.
They were so weak that no one even considered them a real threat. They couldn't accomplish anything significant and had already been labeled harmless.
In all the years since their formation, their biggest achievement was vandalizing Hau'oli City with graffiti and tearing down advertisements in an attempt to cause trouble. But before the police could even respond, they got chased down and beaten up by other Trainers…
"So, why would a harmless gang like this be somewhere like this? Why would Gladion—a rich kid—want to join them? And most importantly…"
Hoshino glanced at the little mouse, who had once again taken on his defensive stance. That meant he recognized them. Team Skull was the one that had captured them—or rather, they had been assigned to guard them after someone else captured them.
There was no way Team Skull had the skills for cross-regional operations like Team Rocket. They were most likely just the caretakers.
As for why this guy was here, he was probably checking if the police had found any clues. It was common for suspects to return to crime scenes after the fact.
"That makes things easy…"
Hoshino quickly marked the guy's location on his map and started sneaking up from behind.
Completely oblivious to the danger creeping up on him, the Team Skull grunt continued watching the police, muttering to himself…
"Why aren't these cops leaving yet? I'm starving…"
"If you're hungry, just go home and eat."
"I wish I could. The stuff should've been moved after the explosion, but I'm still worried they'll find some clues."
"What clues?"
"Well… Huh?"
Mid-conversation, the grunt finally realized something was off and spun around—
But Hoshino was faster. He shoved him against the wall in an instant.
"Who the hell are you?! Let me go!"
"You don't want to yell too loud and bring the cops over, do you?" Hoshino said calmly. "Now, tell me—what's Team Skull up to?"
The little mouse on his shoulder glared fiercely, looking like he was ready to bite. Gengar floated beside him, prepared to throw hands.
Hoshino had expected the grunt to be a bit tougher, maybe resist a little before talking.
But to his surprise, the guy folded immediately.
"I'll talk, I'll talk! Just don't hit me!"
"..."
"I don't know who gave us the job. We were just paid to watch over the Pokémon in the cages for a few days. The pay was really good, but we weren't allowed to be seen or leave any evidence behind."
Hoshino was momentarily stunned.
That was… way too fast. He hadn't even started the real questioning yet. Could this guy be any more pathetic?
"..."
Regaining his composure, Hoshino asked, "So where are the Pokémon now?"
"They were moved near the orchard outside the city."
"Take us there."
"Y-yes! Right away!"
"..."
Hoshino frowned, watching how obediently the grunt followed orders.
Then, he smirked and left with him.
The orchard was located in the northern outskirts of Hau'oli City, near the town by Big Wave Beach. It was the largest berry plantation on Melemele Island.
It was owned by an old man called the Delibird Elder, and the orchard was open to the public. Many wild Pokémon lived there and naturally protected the area.
After a long journey, the grunt led them to a secluded warehouse on the far edge of the orchard. The place had been abandoned—it was once used to store berries, but now it was where the stolen Pokémon were hidden.
"You guys really know how to pick a spot," Hoshino muttered.
This place was truly out of the way, positioned right at the orchard's edge.
Meanwhile, the little mouse on his shoulder was getting more and more excited. His partner was nearby.
The grunt led them inside and pulled open the warehouse door. The inside was dark, but faint Pokémon cries could be heard.
Hoshino, keeping his expression neutral, followed him inside.
Then—BANG!
The iron doors slammed shut behind them, plunging the warehouse into complete darkness.
"Gengar?!"
Gengar jumped in surprise, while the little mouse clutched his ears.
Hoshino, however, remained unfazed.
He had seen this coming.
It was the most predictable trick ever—luring someone in by making them think they were cooperating. That's why the grunt had been so "helpful" earlier.
His opponent had no brains. He had a little bit.
So he had followed along, expecting this ambush.
After calming the two Pokémon and making some preparations, he spoke up.
"Can you at least turn on the lights first? It's pitch black. Even if you're ambushing me, I can't see you."
"Heh… Since you've figured it out, there's no need to pretend anymore! This is what happens when you mess with Team Skull!"
A blast of heavy music suddenly started playing—a really old song.
The warehouse lights flicked on, revealing over a dozen Team Skull grunts jumping down from above.
They immediately broke into synchronized dance moves to the music.
"Team Skull! Skull-skull-skull-Skull! You know what's up? Do it, do it, take them down!"
They rapped and danced, slowly closing in on Hoshino, circling him like some kind of ritual.
Gengar clapped along with the beat, apparently enjoying the Team Skull anthem. She gradually sank into the ground, disappearing from sight.
The little mouse, however, stayed in his defensive pose.
"..."
Hoshino sighed, then casually walked up and turned off one of the speakers.
Instant silence.
"So noisy. If you guys don't start fighting, I'm gonna start hitting you instead."
Without waiting for a response, he released Cyclizar from his Poké Ball—his partner had been waiting to stretch his legs.
Cyclizar immediately lashed his tail at the surrounding grunts.
But before the attack could land, something suddenly dropped from above.
A helmeted Pokémon slammed down on Cyclizar's head with a powerful Crush Claw.
BOOM!
A cloud of dust erupted as Cyclizar was pinned to the ground.
"…Huh?"
Hoshino squinted through the dust, then froze.
"Type: Null?! Where the hell did you come from?"
The Pokémon holding Cyclizar down was none other than the masked, synthetic Pokémon—Type: Null.
Hoshino hadn't noticed it before during the beach battle against Ceruledge.
"Not you again… Are you trying to—"
"Hm?"
Hoshino turned toward the voice.
A figure in Team Skull attire stepped forward.
Gladion.
His face was as stiff as ever, and in a cold voice, he said, "Since you walked right into our trap, as a Team Skull admin, I won't let you leave."
"…Admin?!"
Hoshino was stunned.
Wasn't this guy still trying to pass the Team Skull entrance test last time? How did he already get promoted? Did their ranks work on fast-track promotions?!
But now wasn't the time to question that.
Gladion had unexpectedly shown up again. Was he doing this on purpose? Did he have a grudge or something?!
"I don't remember offending you…"
Hoshino didn't get it, but he didn't really care either.
With Gladion here, the other grunts immediately took out their Poké Balls, grinning smugly.
Cyclizar was still pinned under Type: Null.
This was bad. He was completely surrounded.
For a moment, Hoshino remained silent. Then, with a serious expression, he spoke.
"You're a Trainer, right? How about settling this with a proper battle?"
Gladion frowned, turned slightly, and struck his usual edgy pose.
"Victory isn't determined by a Pokémon's strength or a Trainer's strategy. The result itself is the only truth!"
Hoshino nodded, his face calm.
"Yeah, you're right. That's why I'm choosing to attack you directly."
"Huh?"
Before Gladion could react—
BAM!
A tiny pink fist slammed into his face.
He was sent flying back over ten meters, crashing into something with a loud thud.
----
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