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"Terrifying… If I had rushed in recklessly, I probably would've ended up the same way."
Sato looked at the six fairly strong poachers who had only just begun crossing the underground lake before their voices abruptly vanished. His expression darkened, and he silently pondered the situation.
At this moment, it wasn't only Sato whose face looked grim. Everyone else on-site, upon witnessing that scene, also turned pale. Some who had originally intended to volunteer to scout ahead broke out in cold sweat from fear.
"The wild Pokémon living in this lake are the Tynamo line. They're extremely aggressive. Since Altaria placed them here, it's obviously for the purpose of stopping intruders."
"You all saw what just happened — brute force won't get us across. We'll have to rely on clever methods. I have a way to cross, but I'll need everyone's cooperation."
"My friends, heed this old man's words: we should stop fighting among ourselves for the moment. If anyone tries to stir up trouble right now, none of us will make it through."
While the group fell silent for a moment, the sickly-looking old man from the Malevolent Ghost Poaching Group suddenly stepped forward with a smile and addressed everyone.
"Hmph. You damned old fraud, what scheme are you plotting now? Earlier, you used your Mismagius to influence those guys into attacking us. Don't think I didn't notice. I don't believe a single word you say."
Right after the old man finished speaking, the burly leader of the Crag Poaching Group slammed his massive hammer into the ground, glaring at the old man with deep distrust.
Hearing the burly man's accusation, the other two group leaders also gave the old man hostile looks. The three poaching groups were already subtly surrounding the Malevolent Ghost group.
"Young man, you misunderstand. I never made a move during the last battle. I'm sure the other two leaders who also refrained from acting can confirm this."
The old man's face darkened, but he quickly switched to a fake smile, putting on an innocent expression as he hurried to explain.
Naturally, the burly man and the others didn't believe a single word. Right now, the Malevolent Ghost Poaching Group had the largest numbers among the four groups — making them the greatest threat and everyone's top concern.
As for Sato, Shadow, and Hook — three lone wanderers — the poachers didn't even take them seriously. In their eyes, the three were insignificant, hardly worth worrying about.
Seeing no cooperation, the old man could only swallow his schemes and retreat awkwardly back to his group.
"Let's each rely on our own methods to cross. But to prevent certain people from taking advantage of the chaos, I suggest we all cross at the same time. If anyone turns back or tries to cause trouble, the rest of us will attack together. How about it?"
After a moment, the whip-wielding woman stepped forward, speaking coldly.
"This proposal is good. Let's do that."
"Agreed."
"Hehe, since the three of you have decided, this old man naturally won't object."
A few seconds later, the burly man, the hook-nosed man, and the old man all made their stance clear.
Immediately afterward, all four group leaders turned their attention to Sato, Shadow, and Hook — the last remaining variables.
The three lone wanderers understood that refusing would mean being attacked by all four poaching groups, so each of them nodded in agreement.
The four major poaching groups had thoroughly prepared for this mission to steal the Pokémon egg. Although the Tynamo line in the lake was troublesome, each group had their own countermeasures.
First, they all quickly changed into highly insulated rubber suits before using their respective methods to cross the underground lake.
The Black Cloud Poaching Group's method was simple and direct: after putting on their rubber suits, five of them climbed onto a massive Magnezone and flew across the lake at speed.
With Magnezone's Electric/Steel typing, its resistance to electricity was unquestionable. No matter how strong the Tynamo line's electrical attacks were, Magnezone seemed completely unaffected.
And since the members wore rubber suits, they avoided electrical damage entirely.
The Gale Poaching Group also flew across — but using jet-powered flight equipment. Combined with the rubber suits, they crossed safely.
The Crag Poaching Group chose to sail. They quickly assembled a sturdy inflatable boat from parts stored in their storage gear and sprinkled special powder into the water as they crossed.
No one knew what the powder was, but the Tynamo line in the lake refused to approach the boat after it was scattered.
The Malevolent Ghost Poaching Group's method was the strangest.
At some point, they had already taken control of several Eelektross living in the lake. With these powerful Pokémon towing their rubber boat, they crossed easily.
Shadow and Hook also wore rubber suits. Imitating the Black Cloud group, each released a Magnezone and slowly flew across.
Sato's method was similarly direct. He donned one rubber suit taken from a fallen poacher — and then put on a second one for extra safety.
Then he quietly released Pikachu.
Next, he had Kecleon use Role Play and Skill Swap to transfer Pikachu's Lightning Rod ability onto Crobat.
With that, no matter how wildly the Tynamo line attacked with Electric-type moves, neither Sato nor Crobat suffered even the slightest harm.
And because his ride was Crobat — the fastest Pokémon among everyone present — Sato reached the far shore first.
When the four poaching groups and the two lone poachers saw that the last person to leave, Sato, was using Crobat — a Pokémon weak to Electric-type attacks — to cross the lake, they all wore mocking expressions.
But when they saw Sato and Crobat arrive completely unharmed first, the mockery instantly vanished and was replaced by shock.
For a moment, no one could figure out how Sato had made Crobat ignore the Tynamo line's Electric-type barrage.
At the same time, expressions of worry spread across their faces. Everyone watched Sato warily as he stood on the opposite shore.
Sato noticed their guarded stares. Of course he understood — they were afraid he might attack now that he'd reached safety first. In fact, he was considering attacking.
After all, the four poaching groups had far too many members, and that was extremely unfavorable for the upcoming fight over resources.
"These scheming bastards are the most dangerous. Can't let them remain. Nidoking — Flamethrower."
Sato released Nidoking in an instant. After glancing toward the largest group — the Malevolent Ghost Poaching Group — his expression turned icy cold. He immediately issued the attack order to the eager Nidoking beside him.
In the next second, under the furious gazes of the Malevolent Ghost members, a massive pillar of fire roared toward them.