A peaceful life always has its limits—especially for the syndicate. As long as there is a chance to expand their influence, they cannot let it slip away.
On this day, Kashiwagi arrived at Ryuka's office upon being summoned. He was surprised to find that all the sub-captains under Ryuka's command were already there. When he opened the door, they all turned their heads in unison to look at him.
He quickly apologized for being late.
"Take a seat!" Ryuka gestured for him to sit, his face grim. "Two days ago, we received undeniable intelligence: the boss of the Snarl Gang has been captured."
The room reacted immediately with varying expressions of shock and intrigue.
Kashiwagi paused. He remembered that the bosses of the Snarl Gang and Team Snagem had been summoned to Pyrite City for a meeting months ago. That meeting had dragged on for so long that the underlings had become restless.
The Sand Unit was doing okay because Soshiro had high prestige and could keep them in check. The Crystal and Stone Units were a different story—one was rapidly rotting from within, embezzling funds left and right, while the other was morphing into a bunch of traitors ready to split the assets and declare themselves kings of their own hills.
The Snarl Gang likely wasn't much better. It was just a competition of who was more "rotten."
But if the Snarl Gang's boss was caught, what about their own?
"Our Boss is fine. The Snarl Gang's leader was first placed under house arrest in Pyrite City. He escaped, tried to flee the Orre region via a passenger ship, and was intercepted by the International Police," Ryuka explained. "The news reached the Snarl Gang recently, and they are currently in a state of absolute chaos."
The International Police. In Kashiwagi's past life, this organization was often portrayed as a bit of a decorative background element, but in the actual Pokémon world, their power and scale were terrifying. They were the definitive crime-fighting organization. Unlike Officer Jenny, who protected a single city, they had their fingers in almost every region.
Does the International Police catching the Snarl leader mean they're finally moving against Pyrite Town, or even all of Orre?
Kashiwagi felt a momentary surge of hope, but it was quickly replaced by a sigh. The issues in Orre wouldn't end just by arresting syndicate members. The entire social fabric was different here. If you arrested one batch, another identical batch would simply rise to take their place.
How many batches could the International Police catch? Orre didn't just need a decapitation strike against evil leaders; it needed a bottom-up social purging. It needed someone to stand up and tell the people what was right and what was wrong. Only then could it truly integrate with the mainstream regions.
He massaged his temples and focused on the core of the meeting.
"Boss Soshiro, Hugo, and Chester had a remote meeting with our big Boss yesterday. They decided to seize this opportunity to launch a probing raid against the Snarl Gang." Ryuka snapped his fingers, and a screen flickered to life on the wall. "The targets for the Stone and Crystal Units don't concern us. We won't discuss them.
"The Snarl Gang operates five mines outside Pyrite Town. Two of them are adjacent to our territory—both are large-scale operations. Our goal for this mission is to seize those two mines and turn them into our own turf."
The big one is finally here.
Kashiwagi knew Team Snagem intended to rip a huge chunk of flesh out of the leaderless Snarl Gang. However, even without a boss, the Snarls weren't pushovers. This mission was dangerous. No wonder Soshiro had mentioned putting him on the "Provisional Executive" track; they had been planning this move for a long time.
Frobo stood up and distributed a stack of papers to all the sub-captains.
"Our unit will cooperate with Ayana's and Sanghe's units to secure one of the mines. This paper contains your assigned sectors and the specific execution plan. The mission is heavy; destroy these papers once you've memorized them."
Ryuka added, "Because this is urgent, do not tell your men too much to avoid leaks. Just tell them they're heading out for a mission."
"Understood!"
"1:00 PM is when their guard is most relaxed. Gather your members as quickly as possible. We assemble at noon sharp!"
"Yes, sir!"
The group saluted and scattered like birds. Kashiwagi was about to leave when Ryuka called him back.
"This is your first major mission. You won't be used to it. Keep your squad close to Frobo's. I've already instructed him."
"Okay. Thank you, Big Brother."
"Don't leave yet. Let me ask you—when you run into mine guards or the miners, what will you do? Will you kill?"
"...What do you mean, Big Brother?"
"Remember: don't kill if you don't have to. Focus on taking prisoners. For one, people are a precious resource in Pyrite Town; we need hands to work the mines, and machines can't replace everyone. Secondly, you're still too young. Taking too many lives so suddenly will make you lose yourself. Suppress the 'beast' in your heart."
Ryuka patted Kashiwagi's shoulder earnestly. Taking too many lives causes a psychological shift that benefits no young person's future. He didn't want a talented boy's mind to be twisted. Theoretically, he didn't even want Kashiwagi on this mission, but Soshiro had personally named him. The boss probably thought he was giving a young man an "opportunity," knowing how vital "breaks" were from his own experience.
Ryuka just didn't see it that way.
"I understand, Big Brother." Kashiwagi nodded, his tone much more sincere this time. He wasn't ungrateful; for Ryuka to give him such a warning and arrange for protection before a battle was an act of genuine favoritism.
It was only right to express his gratitude. Ryuka was truly his benefactor. Under any other boss, Kashiwagi wouldn't have had the chance to fill his pockets without paying back a massive "tribute" first.
Back on the surface.
Kashiwagi gathered his men as fast as possible—the eight from Blue Iridium Street led by Naruniro, plus Otsuka. A total of nine members. He explained the situation as briefly as possible and immediately doused their excitement with a bucket of cold water.
"This mission is dangerous. Don't worry about making a name for yourself; focus on self-preservation. Stay alive."
Kashiwagi spoke sternly. "Don't forget that your strength is still green. Except for Otsuka, who is barely adequate, your Pokémon are weak. If your Pokémon are knocked out, what will you do? Tank hits with your own bodies?"
Naruhisa and the others exchanged glances, their passion instantly deflating.
"So, I will restate our objective for this mission: Survive. Other than that, nothing else matters. Do you hear me?"
"WE HEAR YOU!" everyone roared.
"Good. Let's move!" Kashiwagi nodded with satisfaction.