"ANIKI, IT'S POKÉMON!"
Sato leaned toward the tank with a look of excitement. His exaggerated movements didn't provoke any reaction from the four Pokémon inside.
"Hah! Aren't they great? I went through hell and back to catch these four, each one was a close call!
Don't be fooled by how quiet they are now. I've kept them starving. If they weren't so hungry, no way could this tank hold them!"
The vendor started boasting again, praising the four Pokémon as much as he could.
But with who Sato and Lance were, they could immediately tell the state of the four Pokémon with just one glance.
Aside from truly being starved, all four showed signs of physical abuse, clear bruises and wounds. It was obvious that the "taming" process had been faaar from peaceful.
"Boss, are… are these the only Pokémon you have?"
Lance finally spoke, his tone filled with hesitation, clearly unimpressed by what he saw.
"Don't think I don't know. Goldeen is only slightly better than Magikarp, but it's still common. That Staryu's five appendages are uneven. Clearly underdeveloped. And that Shellder, with its dumb look… what, am I supposed to let my brother use it as a brick?"
The vendor stared in shock at Lance, seeing the disgust and pickiness on his face and realizing it wasn't an act. He couldn't help but get angry!
'Didn't you say anything but Magikarp was fine!?'
"You just said…"
"Boss, I'm really trying to find a good Starter Pokémon for my foolish brother. I know a capable man like you must have better Pokémon than this batch…
Here, take this money. Just so you know we're serious. PLEASE, boss!"
As he spoke, Lance opened the pouch from his coat and deliberately let the vendor catch a glimpse of the thick stacks of high-value Pokédollars and Pokécoins inside.
Then he sneakily pulled out one stack and shoved it into the vendor's hand, quickly zipping up the pouch again under the vendor's greedy stare.
Looking at the ten thousand Pokédollars in his hand, then back at the bulging pouch in Lance's coat, the vendor had only one thought left…
'Money…
So much money…
So… SO MUCH MONEY!'
The vendor's eyes flickered with greed. After a long pause, he finally said, "Actually… I think that Staryu-"
"YOU'RE BEING UNFAIR! GIVE THE MONEY BACK! My brother and I are leaving right now!" Lance exploded in mock anger and reached out to snatch the ten thousand back.
The vendor instinctively dodged!
He went out to sea before sunrise every day and busted his back just to make a few hundred Pokédollars.
Now Lance had handed over ten thousand in one go… How could he not be tempted?
No, the vendor had just been testing the waters. He already made up his mind!
He'd take them to see the "Boss Fu". Whether or not they actually got a Pokémon would be up to him, but he'd definitely get a cut of the money!
Even if all he did was tag along behind Boss Fu and sip the leftovers, that'd be enough to live comfortably for a while.
Besides, the ten thousand Pokédollars were already his…
Totally worth it!
Of course, he had briefly considered keeping the money for himself; but even though Lance and Sato looked dopey after disguising themselves, their physiques were solid.
He didn't have the guts or strength to rob them.
"Sigh… you really are a good brother."
The vendor began his act, patting Lance on the shoulder in mock emotion, then gave him a firm nod.
"When it comes to fishing ordinary sea animals, I consider myself pretty good. But when it comes to Pokémon… there's someone even more skilled here. I'll take you to him. He should have something more suitable."
"Really? THAT'S GREAT! I knew you weren't just some ordinary vendor. So it makes sense your connections aren't ordinary either. Let's go now!"
Lance grabbed the vendor's hand with enthusiasm, looking so friendly it was as if they were about to swear brotherhood on the spot.
"About those ten thousand Pokédollars…"
Lance hesitated on purpose before reluctantly pushing the money back toward him. "Here, boss. You keep it… Let's call it a referral fee."
Seeing this, the vendor chuckled and stuffed the money into his pocket without a second thought.
No way was he going to pretend to be polite anymore. That pained look on Lance's face had been very real and very satisfying!
Lance just smiled. 'Tahaha! We'll see who's really being played. Everything you eat now, you'll cough back up later.'
"Wait five minutes. I'll go change clothes, then I'll take you over."
"Take your time!"
As the vendor went to change -really just to hide the money- Lance smugly raised his eyebrows at Sato.
"How's your aniki me, the Dragon Master Lance, acting~?"
"Hmm… Let's not talk about your acting. Explain when exactly I became your foolish younger brother?"
"Ah… mission requirements? Tahahahaha…"
Lance casually patted Sato's shoulder~
Then turned away to avoid his stare…
Soon, the vendor came out in a clean set of clothes. He seemed eager and impatient.
"Let's go!"
Sato and Lance exchanged a look, then immediately followed with excited expressions on their faces; just the right amount of eagerness and nervousness.
The harbor's shanty buildings were unevenly placed, making the route a twisted maze.
Without the vendor leading the way, it would've been hard for Sato and Lance to find the poacher base, let alone avoid tipping them off.
"You two, the guy we're going to meet isn't just anybody. Everyone around here calls him Boss Fu, so you'd better do the same."
"Of course! We're asking a favor, so respect is due." Lance replied smoothly.
"Mhm, let's hurry. He's just up ahead!" The vendor nodded, feeling quite pleased with himself from Lance's nonstop flattery.
Finally, the three arrived at a building that stood taller, larger, and newer than the others nearby. There were even two guards stationed at the entrance.
"Miron, old buddy! Long time no see. How've you been lately?"
The vendor greeted one of the guards warmly; it was clear this wasn't his first visit.
"Kojirō, shouldn't you be at home catching up on sleep and prepping for tomorrow's fishing trip? What brings you here?"
"Hehe, someone asked me for a favor. I couldn't help, so I came to see if Boss could handle it."
The vendor Kojirō grinned as he spoke, secretly giving the "guard" a look Sato and Lance couldn't see.
"I see… I'll go check. Wait here." The guard, Miron, understood instantly. Another pair of suckers had walked right in. He immediately started playing along.
Throughout the entire exchange, both Sato and Lance kept up their eager, slightly nervous smiles, like their dreams were finally coming true.
The other guard said nothing, standing silently on the left side of the door. His eyes occasionally flickered with a hint of pity.
"Come on in. Boss happens to be free!" A moment later, Miron returned and waved them through.
Naturally, Sato and the others quickly entered through the small gate.
After passing through the entrance hall, Sato and Lance finally laid eyes on the infamous "Boss Fu", the key target of Lance's mission.
The head of the Vermilion City marine Pokémon poaching ring…
Furuta Renji!