The Roki Division of the Snarl Gang controlled three surface districts, each varying in scale and layout. As Team Snagem mobilized, the various units fanned out according to their specific objectives.
The bulk of the members headed toward the core underground sectors. Their mission was to blockade the Roki Division's Underdome from both the surface entrances and the underground tunnels, preventing personnel from escaping and ensuring no assets were smuggled out.
Another detachment was responsible for sweeping the surface. They were to infiltrate and suppress key facilities across the three major districts from multiple directions.
Aside from an elite squad led by Frobo and the man himself, Ryuka's entire company was deployed for surface operations. Honestly, with tens of thousands of civilians living in those three districts, the few hundred official members remaining on the surface weren't going to be enough. Just like their last operation, they had brought a massive number of peripheral members to assist.
Because Kashiwagi was considered to have strength on par with a High Executive, he was assigned to the most prosperous and likely most dangerous sector. He was also tasked with responding to support requests from other squad leaders. On paper, he was only responsible for one part of the district, but in reality, his operational range extended across the entire area.
Street fighting, even in Kashiwagi's previous life, was regarded as an exceptionally brutal and high-risk form of warfare. Narrow alleys, complex environments, unseen enemies, and sudden ambushes...all these elements ensured that the upcoming urban conflict would be filled with unpredictable variables.
Of course, no matter how dangerous the surface was, it couldn't compare to the Underdome. Most organizations used the underground as their nerve center, where wealth and military power were concentrated, and where most High Executive-level trainers remained stationed.
If Kashiwagi's luck held out, he wouldn't typically encounter a High Executive on the surface. They usually dispatched squad leaders to guard important facilities. For Kashiwagi, handling such opponents was easy, the real threat was the sheer numerical advantage of a mob and their Pokémon.
"I'm reminding you one more time. Once we arrive, you'll be in charge of the peripheral members. Remember: do not harm civilians unless absolutely necessary. If the leaders are willing to surrender, don't launch unnecessary attacks. It is strictly forbidden to loot property or endanger civilians for personal gain. Is that clear?"
He turned his head, restating the orders he'd given before they set out.
While he knew that strictly forbidding looting was almost impossible to enforce, he had to say it. He needed to prevent these guys from getting carried away and losing their heads. In this world, very few organizations followed a strict code of ethics, let alone a syndicate like Team Snagem that lacked any real ideology. It was already a win if they didn't resort to arson and senseless slaughter.
Naruhisa and the others nodded. "Understood!"
"Keep my words in mind," Kashiwagi said, his voice calm but dead serious. "If anyone refuses to listen or tries to act behind your back, write their names down and bring them to me. Keep a tight leash on your men. This is going to be a major test for all of you."
The group looked at one another. Seeing the expression on Kashiwagi's face, their initial excitement cooled instantly.
"Understood!"
Power was certainly something to celebrate, but it seemed this power wouldn't be so easy to wield. They immediately began adjusting their headset channels to coordinate with the peripheral members following behind.
Otsuka had a look of hesitation on his face because he hadn't been assigned to manage the peripheral recruits.
"What are you looking at me for? You're one of the only two real combatants in this unit. You expect me to do all the fighting by myself?" Kashiwagi asked, slightly surprised by the stare.
Otsuka nodded vigorously, unable to hide his joy. "Oh! Right! I get it now!"
In his mind, while he didn't get a command role, being recognized by Kashiwagi as essential combat power was enough. If you have strength, why worry about status? Once Kashiwagi was promoted to High Executive, he'd surely find a way to make Otsuka a squad leader. After all, he was Kashiwagi's right-hand man!
Otsuka felt pretty good about himself.
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With Team Snagem moving such a massive number of personnel, the rival Jackal(Snarl) Gang was hardly oblivious. The Roki Division had long sensed Team Snagem's ambition, knowing those two mines would never be enough to satisfy them.
As soon as the unrest began in Pyrite Town, Roki—who was still confined to a hospital bed knew, Team Snagem was making their move. He immediately ordered the transfer of assets. Under normal circumstances, a day or two would have been enough to move the bulk of their wealth and give people a chance to flee.
Unfortunately, a traitor had emerged among the Snarl Gang's three Top Executives. This mole had secretly coordinated with Team Snagem and incited many lower division members of the Roki Division, causing the asset transfer to grind to a halt.
Escaping was out of the question as well. Gemat's division had pinned them and their families down under the pretext of "discussing the situation."
When Team Snagem's grand invasion began, Gemat's group dropped the act entirely. They tore off their masks and began actively sabotaging the Roki Division's movements. Roki's people suddenly realized they were surrounded on all sides. To make matters worse, one Top Executive was playing the role of a guide for the invaders, while the third Top Executive chose to sit on the sidelines and watch the fire burn.
"If they take me down, you're next! Don't you see that?! Even if you surrender now, your treatment won't be better than Gemat's! If we join forces now, the Snarl Gang won't fall! Cough, cough, cough..."
Roki was on the phone with the third Top Executive, his emotions so intense he was coughing up blood. However, there was no response from the other end—only the sound of the line going dead.
"Fool! Cough!"
Roki's blood boiled with rage. He looked at his confidant beside him. "We can't count on that man! Tell everyone to prepare for battle! We hold out as long as we can! I'll find a way to contact other reinforcements!"
"Yes, sir!" the confidant replied before sprinting out.
In reality, whispers of surrender were already spreading within the Roki Division. Their big boss had been captured, their leader Roki was bedridden, and their fellow divisions refused to help. Facing a dead end, the subordinates had no confidence left.
Team Snagem had deployed nearly half their total strength across three divisions. The Roki Division was only one group, and they had to worry about the traitorous Gemat Division simultaneously. There was no way to win. Unless, of course, a powerful outside force intervened.
An outside force did arrive.
But they weren't there to save Roki. The third Top Executive had secretly negotiated a price with other factions. To prevent Team Snagem from swallowing the Roki Division and then turning on him, he had called in "security" from another group.
As this news spread through the Roki Division, the will to fight reached an all-time low. Nobody wanted to die in a meaningless battle with no hope of victory.
By now, Team Snagem's surface units had arrived on the scene. To successfully blockade the three districts, the Snagem members started at the main entrances and launched raids on key facilities like signal towers, power stations, and sewage treatment plants.
The Snarl Gang's ambushers had been waiting. As the Snagem members approached, the Roki Division's men sent out their Pokémon to attack. Embers, Thundershocks, and Water Guns were hurled like they were free.
However, the arriving Snagem members didn't rush to counterattack with their own Pokémon.
Instead, they utilized flying Pokémon to seize aerial superiority. They rained down paralysis and sleep powder over the enemy positions, focusing their firepower on any Pokémon attempting to blow the gas away.
This display of disciplined, professional combat caught the Snarl Gang completely off guard. They were forced to abandon their incapacitated comrades and flee deeper into the district in a panic.
It was clear the Snarl Gang members didn't understand the strategic importance of transportation hubs. By abandoning the roads, they had already lost half the battle.
Having secured the first win, Team Snagem immediately deployed personnel to install magnetic interference devices at every entrance, rendering hovercycles and hovercars useless for anyone trying to break the blockade.