Ever since becoming members of the Sand Unit, Naruhisa and the others had been forced into a month-long "orientation."
What did this orientation consist of? The general syllabus was: How to be a qualified Snagem member, how to possess unyielding willpower, how to accurately obey superior orders...
In short, it was a month of military-style training. Only after finishing could they choose a "Big Brother" to follow.
As a newcomer, Kashiwagi was supposed to attend as well, but he had been exempted due to the upcoming match against Team Snarl next week. Lately, his life revolved around five points:
Home, the restaurant, the Pokémon Center, the Underdome battle zone, and the literacy class.
As his appearances in the battle zone became more frequent, the unfriendly glares gradually vanished. Aside from his "favorite victim" Otsuka, he had made a few other acquaintances and maintained a reasonably friendly rapport with them. Their backgrounds were similar to Otsuka's: their parents were official members who had retired due to injury, forcing the kids to become the primary breadwinners.
After a particular battle ended.
Otsuka looked at the lightly panting, weary-looking Aron and frowned. "You plan on going into the match with just one Pokémon?"
"I don't exactly want to, but I did just become a Trainer. What choice do I have?" Kashiwagi patted Aron helplessly.
Both Soshiro and Ayana had ordered him to participate, yet neither had explained the rules. It wasn't until the second day that he finally understood what the match against Team Snarl actually was.
A series of one-on-one battles in a standard arena to see who wins more?
No chance things were that orderly.
This match involved taking thirty boys and girls under the age of eighteen from both teams and shoving them all into a designated wilderness arena. Upon entry, everyone would receive a bracelet to initiate challenges. A challenge could not be refused, was limited to a one-on-one format, and prohibited teaming up with others. Surrendering was not allowed.
Participants could flee during a battle; if the distance between them exceeded thirty meters and was maintained for ten seconds, the challenge would be interrupted. Each person was limited to a maximum of three Pokémon. A loss occurred if all of one's Pokémon were unable to battle, or if the Trainer themselves was incapacitated. Whether one used Single, Double, or Triple battle formats during the duel was not strictly enforced.
The time limit was six hours. The team with the most members remaining would be declared the winner.
Why such a complicated setup?
The reason was that the match would be broadcast live to the wealthy residents of Pyrite Town and Gateon Port. To them, this was a thrilling reality show.
After hearing this, Kashiwagi didn't even know how to describe his disgusted state of mind. Truly the product of a twisted culture!
Undoubtedly, this broadcast would bring Team Snagem a significant profit, with even more going to the victors. Thus, they couldn't refuse. For the participants, this match was also vital. Setting aside the rewards for winning a duel, simply surviving until the end offered benefits that would satisfy them.
This meant Kashiwagi's previous threats had accidentally struck their Achilles' heel.
However, the higher-ups' attitude—leaving them to train on their own—was a bit strange. Shouldn't they send someone to coach them? Weren't they afraid of losing?
Well, this wasn't a school or some martial arts sect. "Education" was a foreign concept here.
Three Pokémon... where could he possibly scrounge up three Pokémon in a few days? The money in his pocket wasn't nearly enough, not to mention the time needed to build a bond and develop chemistry. Should he just get two random ones to make up the numbers? Whether that would be a help or a hindrance was a big question mark.
"I'm broke. Can't afford Pokémon," Kashiwagi sighed, stretching. He wondered if he could borrow money from someone—perhaps the guide who brought him in or Ryuka, who seemed to admire him. Colleagues like Naruhisa were even worse off; a whole crowd of them probably couldn't pool together 50,000 yen.
As he was lost in thought, Otsuka's voice drifted over.
"I... I can lend you the money! No interest!" He seemed to have reached a major resolution, his voice halting as he gritted his teeth.
"Huh?" Kashiwagi was stunned. "You're lending me money? You have that much? And no interest? Are you trying to scam me?"
Even in his previous life, siblings might charge interest on a loan. He'd only known Otsuka for a few days, and they had started as enemies. Was he really this kind-hearted? A sudden show of kindness usually hides a hidden agenda!
"It's not like that!" Otsuka's face turned bright red, his voice dropping. "I've been saving up! And I wanted to thank you for the info on trade evolution..."
After looking into it, Otsuka discovered that Team Snagem did have trade machines, but they were monopolized by a relative of the leader. Anyone who wanted to use them had to pay that person. There were machines outside, too, but the price wasn't much cheaper, and if that relative found out you evolved elsewhere, you'd risk making an enemy. Otsuka had eventually paid the fee to evolve his Graveler into Golem.
Kashiwagi knew this, but he was surprised by the boy's sudden change in character. A few days ago, he had the classic face of a school bully; now he was pulling a "Coach, I want to play basketball" moment like Mitsui from Slam Dunk?
Kashiwagi looked at Otsuka skeptically. Otsuka continued, "After I went home that day, my sister told me about you."
"About me?"
"Yeah. Saving those four comrades from the mine, and then going back in for your Pokémon. My sister said someone like you would never just betray someone." Otsuka's hand rubbed back and forth across his Donphan's back. Donphan, thinking its Trainer was giving it a scratch, let out a satisfied grunt.
"She also said Lord Ryuka admires you, so you must have a bright future. She told me to make friends with you if I could..."
Otsuka's words were remarkably grounded in reality. His change of heart wasn't because Kashiwagi was a "good person" or because his words were profound; it was largely due to the admiration from the higher-ups.
Though Kashiwagi was curious how his sister knew these things and how the rumors had been twisted, he believed about seventy to eighty percent of what the boy was saying. Acting? Having that kind of acting skill at this age would be terrifying. That specific adolescent awkwardness—being embarrassed yet forced to explain, his skin thickening and thinning by the second—felt genuine.
It seemed the attitude shift of the other peers was likely for the same reason.
"How much can you lend me?" Kashiwagi didn't waste any more breath. He really did need the money.
"Uh, what kind of Pokémon are you planning to buy? Just pick them out and I'll pay for them directly." Otsuka seemed unwilling to reveal exactly how much wealth he had.
"...Fine." Kashiwagi nodded. "I'll go after my literacy class is over."
Hearing this, Otsuka said urgently, "No! If you're buying, go now! The neighboring Underdome! Right now is the perfect time!"
"Why?"
"Pyrite Town gets new Pokémon delivered every month, and the old ones that won't sell are shipped out. Today is the exchange day! If you wait until the afternoon, all the good ones will be picked over!"
"Alright, then. But you carry that much cash on you? Was that why you approached me just now?"
"...Hehehe." Otsuka's goofy laugh left Kashiwagi speechless.
The two recalled their Pokémon and headed out together. Because they had spoken softly, the others didn't know what they were up to. If anyone asked, they just said they were leaving early to get food.
The Sand Unit's Underdome was connected to others through various tunnels. Without exception, these tunnels were guarded by Snagem members leaning against motorcycles, accompanied by various Pokémon.
To go to the neighboring neutral Underdome, the two had to file a report with the guards. There were strict return times, and fines for being late.
Just as they finished filling out the forms, they looked up to see a motorcycle speeding toward them.
Screech—
"Which one is Kashiwagi?" a man wearing goggles and a helmet shouted, his face obscured.
"Me."
Kashiwagi raised his hand, only to see the man toss a Great Ball at him. "The Big Brother said you can borrow this one. Give it back after the match. That's one less you have to buy."
"...Lord Ryuka?"
"Call him 'Big Brother'! I can't tell if you're smart or stupid!" The biker didn't waste a second, turning his bike around and roaring off.
Kashiwagi looked at the Great Ball in his hand, genuinely surprised. This was undoubtedly a helping hand from Ryuka. The man had noticed his intent to buy Pokémon and sent one over to save him some money...
"What a great Big Brother!"
Kashiwagi only thought it, but the words were spoken aloud by a wide-eyed, envious Otsuka.