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Returning to the territory of the Iron Cats Gang.
If before, the looks the cats gave Incineroar and the others were filled with recognition and gratitude, now, their gazes had transformed into outright worship.
After all, the Houndoom pack wasn't a bunch of pushovers or ordinary underlings. Even the young leader, Absol, had said those guys were extraordinarily formidable and shouldn't be provoked unless absolutely necessary.
Later, on the outdoor fighting ring, they had personally witnessed the pack's strength firsthand.
Ordinary group members were no match for them; even many of the senior members had fallen to them.
Some veteran cats said their power was almost on par with the group's four highest-ranking officers.
Yet, these very opponents had fought Incineroar and the others to a standstill, and there was even a rumor that one of them had taken on two at once!
"Brother Incineroar! Brother Incineroar!"
"Brother Incineroar is super strong!"
The ones cheering the loudest were undoubtedly the two little Meowth. They circled around the group of big cats, welcoming the heroes' return.
Seeing this scene, Greninja inexplicably felt a bit flustered and immediately activated its camouflage, vanishing from sight.
It never really adapted well to such lively scenes. Accustomed to solitude, it could only accept companions like Incineroar and the others.
Any more than that was too much.
Greninja's disappearance startled quite a few cats, but no one was overly concerned. Everyone's focus was on Incineroar and Riolu.
The former was the undisputed powerhouse. Besides the two little Meowth, many cats were still intimidated by its aura.
The latter, seemingly delicate, had matched that life-or-death-battling Arcanine in combat. Plus, as the Iron Cats Gang's first canine friend, it also received a warm welcome from many cats.
Amidst the enthusiastic welcome, the two returned to the core area of the Iron Cats Gang.
Once again, they were blocked by an abundance of various foods.
However, compared to yesterday, Incineroar was undoubtedly more popular today. Two Glameow and a Purugly were rubbing against it.
These two feline Pokémon were the undisputed most beautiful among cats,deeply loved by the many admirers.
Unfortunately, 'Brother Incineroar' wasn't interested and completely ignored them.
Seeing this, Luxray shooed them away.
Pyroar lay down in front of Incineroar, a sign of trust.
"Three... friends, I can tell you're all straightforward Pokémon. I'm also a cat who doesn't like to overthink things, so I'll speak directly."
The big lion glanced around, didn't see Greninja, and wasn't sure if it was present, so he temporarily ignored it. "I hope the three of you can join our Iron Cats Gang."
This was something the Iron Cats Gang had discussed yesterday and had received Absol's approval.
Currently, the Savage Hounds Gang was ambitious. Even if their leader was temporarily confined, they definitely wouldn't give up on swallowing up the Iron Cats Gang and were surely plotting something.
To ensure the Iron Cats Gang remained intact until the leader emerged, they unanimously agreed to gather all available strength.
All cats under heaven are one family. They needed the help of Pokémon like Incineroar.
"Join?" Riolu heard this word and slightly furrowed its cute brows.
"Yes. Although very reluctant to admit it, the Iron Cats Gang's top-tier strength is indeed inferior to the Savage Hounds."
Pyroar let out a long sigh and, amidst the mournful expressions of the surrounding cats, said, "In the Savage Hounds Gang, the number of officers above level 60, even excluding Houndoom and its pack, is thirteen..."
Luxray, seeing Pyroar's gloomy expression, continued, "But in our Iron Cats Gang, including me, there are only seven."
'Seven against thirteen? Why is it like this?'
Incineroar and Riolu exchanged glances, quite puzzled.
As if able to read the confusion on their faces, Luxray explained, "Because of a sudden incident five years ago, many of our veteran members had to retire prematurely..."
Under its narration, the cat and dog gradually understood the member structure of the Iron Cats Gang.
In the Iron Cats Gang, the highest status and strength undoubtedly belonged to the leader.
Below them were the highest-ranking officers, the strongest aside from the leader.
On equal footing with them were the elder group formed by retired leaders or officers.
These members, due to their advanced age, were unsuitable for combat and had entered a retirement stage, basically not involved in external affairs anymore.
These marvelous creatures called Pokémon, as they approached the end of their lives, would also age like humans.
There were rarely Ninetales that lived for hundreds or thousands of years like in the anime.
Most Pokémon had lifespans no more than fifty or sixty years, or seventy or eighty years, etc.
Below the highest-ranking officers were ordinary officers, and below them were the general members.
Where the Iron Cats Gang lacked combat strength was precisely at the highest-ranking officer level.
The previous highest-ranking officers had all retired prematurely due to an incident no one wanted to talk about and could no longer continue fighting.
Among the officers, there weren't enough cats who had grown to the level of taking on their responsibilities.
Thus, a strength gap appeared.
"The Iron Cats Gang has no shortage of talented members. But they cannot grow up before the Savage Hounds Gang unleashes its ambitions. This is also the reason why our Iron Cats Gang was once at a disadvantage in the previous war."
Luxray sighed. "Having only the middle tier being strong is useless."
If, when Grandpa Warden retires, the new Ranger managing them wants them to unite as one, forming one large organization,
then the current Iron Cats Gang would definitely be unable to compete with the Savage Hounds Gang, which attempts to gain leadership. Their position in the new organization would inevitably plummet, even facing bullying from the Savage Hounds Gang.
Friction between species and species was all too obvious.
"The Savage Hounds Gang is powerful, and our grudges with them have accumulated over time. This is something we cannot avoid."
Luxray looked sincerely at Incineroar and the others. "Therefore, the Iron Cats Gang sincerely invites you both to join us."
"But we don't have too much time—"
"You don't need too much time. Just come here at night."
Luxray stood up and nudged the food on the ground with its nose. "The Colosseum is the main battlefield, and it's also our rule. We cannot fight elsewhere."
Strictly speaking, they were all working Pokémon, responsible daily for managing wild Pokémon inside and outside the city, preventing situations where humans persecuted Pokémon or Pokémon attacked humans.
So, if they wanted to stir up trouble, it could only be at night.
But from another perspective, these guys were dedicated good employees.
Unfortunately, there was also conflict between employees.
Incineroar and Riolu then turned around, summoned the vanished Greninja, and the three pillars held a impromptu meeting.
Incineroar, as a cat, was leaning towards agreeing. After all, it had Li Xiang's "permission," and it was inherently very interested in the matter.
After pondering, the usually steady Riolu also chose to agree.
It actually recalled the past back then.
At that time, it was also a fight between a group of cats and dogs. They divided territories within the nursery, fighting each other.
And Riolu, who didn't fit in, got caught in the crossfire and was bullied.
This emotional knot had been untied by Li Xiang, and it no longer rejected cats, but completely forgetting the past was impossible.
It long since didn't care about past events, but it detested this boring and pointless conflict.
The Savage Hounds Gang's provocative behavior was even more beneath its contempt.
All Pokémon being able to live peacefully and stably, disregarding species prejudices, this was the justice Riolu yearned for.
Perhaps one day, the Pokémon groups of Mist City would become one large organization, but it must never allow oppression based on different species.
Whether cats, dogs, or any other Pokémon species.
Under limited circumstances, standing on the Iron Cats Gang's side and temporarily observing the situation.
That was Riolu's plan.
Greninja had purely come along out of boredom. Faced with the question of whether to join such a gang, it wasn't very willing.
"I won't join. I'll just be a guest," Greninja said. "My presence isn't that noticeable anyway. I can fight; if Incineroar calls me, I'll step up. But as for the rest, forget it."
If one day Li Xiang found out, it could always say it was just a follower dragged along by Incineroar, who was the mastermind.
'Heh.'
The cat and dog glanced at it but didn't try to persuade it. Such matters required willingness from both sides. If Greninja didn't agree, so be it.
Having an external fighter was fine too.
The three pillars thus decided and relayed their decision back to Pyroar and the others.
"In that case, welcome, you two!"
Pyroar enthusiastically stepped forward and hugged the cat and dog. "From today on, we are good brothers!"
At the same time, it didn't forget to look at Greninja. "Of course, we will always welcome and thank our friend's help! If we can't be brothers, we can still be good friends!"
With that, Pyroar turned and roared loudly, "Brothers and sisters! Today we have gained two more powerful brothers! Let us give them the most enthusiastic welcome!"
Roars like thunder erupted, as if carrying flowers, cheers, and applause.
...
In the distance.
Savage Hounds Gang territory.
Houndoom heard the roars from over there and contemptuously snorted.
'So what if they joined? The Savage Hounds Gang is destined to devour the other groups and become the leading organization of the new group!'
'This is the trend of the times! No one can stop it!'
"Owooo—"
It stood up and let out a long, chilling howl.
A pack of big and small dogs nearby joined in the howling, like an assembly call before an army's march.
In the following days, as new members, Incineroar and Riolu, with the encouragement of the other cats, stepped onto the official ring.
They consecutively challenged several members and officers from other factions, achieving instant fame.
They smoothly became official officers of the Iron Cats Gang and rapidly progressed towards the path of becoming highest-ranking officers.
They only needed to wait for the Iron Cats Gang's boss, that level 70-plus Pokemon, to emerge, and under its review, they could become highest-ranking officers.
During this time, they also met the young leader, Absol.
She was a stunningly beautiful female, with a strong boss lady presence, and also very powerful. After seeing her, Incineroar felt the first stirrings of adolescent restlessness in its heart.
Unfortunately, they didn't meet the Iron Cats Gang's elders.
Those elders remained in the nursery. Having aged greatly, they had walked most of their life's journey and were no longer suited to appear on this young ones' battlefield.
But it wasn't too big a deal.
Time moved forward.
To the day when Li Xiang's reputation was successfully established, after the Spring Tournament was decided.
The cat and dog, under the cover of night, came to the Colosseum, followed by the sneaking Greninja.