N, who hailed from the Unova region, wanted to stay in Orre.
This was something Kashiwagi hadn't expected, but Yamamino supported the decision with every fiber of his being.
"If a region wants to develop, Pokémon are a topic you can't bypass. The difference between having wild Pokémon and not having them is simply too vast," Yamamino stated. "N's understanding of Pokémon exceeds ninety-nine percent of the people in this world. With his help, the Orre region will inevitably flourish."
Kashiwagi's lips twitched. "...You're not actually thinking of completely terraforming the environment in southern Orre, are you?"
"Of course I am! Saving the Orre region and improving the environment is a crucial step! What's the point of only fixing the areas around the cities?"
On the other end of the line, the wealthy young heir made no effort to hide his ambition. "Think back—the first mayor of Phenac City was hailed as a hero by countless people just for building a canal to bring water into the city. If we transform the environment of southern Orre today, shouldn't we go down in history? Besides, this land is ours to work with; we don't have to worry about encroaching on Pokémon territory or affecting other human settlements. It's a blank slate!"
It was true.
The southern part of the Orre region only had two major settlements: Pyrite Town and Phenac City. Beyond them lay endless wilderness and the vast ocean. It was the perfect place for environmental restoration.
But while it was easy to say, doing it was a challenge of monumental proportions.
"Five years. Give me five years, and I can create a green Orre."
Yamamino seemed to know what Kashiwagi was thinking and spoke without hesitation. "In ancient times, terraforming might have been difficult. But in the modern era, you can trust in the power of technology. Plus, we have the support of the Devon Corporation."
"Does Devon know you're using their resources to terraform a region?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it... I believe when they finally see a green Orre, they'll definitely approve. They're currently dedicated to researching clean energy to replace old, polluting sources. I'm also working to protect the environment—our goals are the same."
Hearing Yamamino speak, Kashiwagi suddenly realized that his friend really might be modeling himself after Chairman Rose.
He remembered how Rose used to travel everywhere seeking investment and sponsorship to develop the Galar region, likely swindling a few corporations along the way.
Kashiwagi sighed, feeling like he had boarded a pirate ship. The plans weren't even set in stone yet, and Yamamino was already dreaming of making history by terraforming southern Orre not much different in dreaming than some pirate brat dreaming of some piece and thinking of being Pirate King! It was bordering on the ridiculous.
-----
Magnetic Barium Street
Reconstruction work was in full swing.
Ever since the main force of Team Snagem departed, Ryuka had diverted heavy engineering machinery to assist in the rebuilding efforts. Work at the smelting plant had even been temporarily halted to convert it into a brick kiln.
Kashiwagi had put most of the Jackal Gang members under his command to work. By having them eat, sleep, and live alongside the others, he hoped to dissolve the class divisions between them. It also served as a form of penance for their past misdeeds.
Whether the punishment was severe enough was a question for another day; it could always be adjusted later. The important thing was that progress was being made.
"Did anyone come to cause trouble today?"
Kashiwagi arrived at the street bordering the adjacent territory and questioned the Team Snagem members on guard duty.
"No, sir!"
The two men, originally from Blue Iridium Street, shouted with full-throated energy.
"Good. Carry on."
He nodded.
The departure of Team Snagem's main force had been a massive affair. The surrounding factions couldn't have missed it. So why hadn't they taken the opportunity to invade?
What were they waiting for?
As Kashiwagi pondered this, Ryuka suddenly called.
"The main force has made contact with Es Gan's troops!"
Finally!
Kashiwagi's heart tightened. He realized the neighboring factions hadn't invaded yet because they hadn't figured out why the main force had left; they were too afraid to make a move.
But once news of Team Snagem's defeat reached Pyrite Town... those people would naturally strike.
He hung up the phone and gazed at the eerily quiet street, his mind racing. Various emotions surfaced. Would Soshiro die in this battle? How many would manage to flee back to Pyrite? Would Es Gan's forces capture them and use them as cannon fodder to suppress the town?
Was there even a chance of winning?
The sheer number of possibilities made Kashiwagi's breathing grow shallow.
-----
Half an hour later, Ryuka called again. "It's over. The main force of Team Snagem has been utterly routed. A large number of members have been captured, and the remnants have scattered."
"What about the High Executives?"
"Chester has been captured. Yugo is confirmed dead. Soshiro was carried off the field by his men; his current status is unknown."
"Es Gan's troops couldn't have come out unscathed, right?"
"Naturally, they took losses, but the specifics are unclear. We expect them to remain stationed there for two days. This means we must hold out against foreign invaders for two days while preparing to receive the returning survivors."
"Understood."
Kashiwagi hung up. Soshiro's whereabouts were unknown...
Regarding his old boss, Kashiwagi felt a complex mix of emotions, almost like a successful case of Stockholm Syndrome. If you said he was bad to his subordinates, well, Kashiwagi had risen from a grunt to an executive in just a few months thanks to him. But if you said he was a good man, he was the type who thrived on bullying the weak.
To be honest, the two punches Machamp landed on Kashiwagi at the start—not counting his usual sparring sessions with Soshiro—had been repaid the day he obtained Steelix.
So, hearing that Soshiro had been rescued, he felt a slight sense of relief.
Human emotions were truly complicated.
He only hoped that after this defeat, the man would completely abandon his old ways—either spend the rest of his life in prison or disappear into obscurity. If they met again, it would be difficult to avoid a clash.
"Don't overthink it."
Kashiwagi slapped his cheeks, bracing himself for the coming invasion.
-----
The news that Team Snagem's main force had encountered a group of unidentified individuals and engaged in a fierce battle quickly spread throughout Pyrite Town.
Instantly, every major faction was in an uproar.
After all, having absorbed the Jackal Gang, Team Snagem's size had reached staggering levels. What kind of force could possibly stand against them? Could it be someone from Phenac City?
The heads of the various gangs knew very well that Phenac City wouldn't allow the chaos in Pyrite Town to continue forever. Their only plan was to swallow up the surrounding minor factions as quickly as possible to ensure they had enough leverage to protect their interests once the authorities arrived to restore order.
With such a group suddenly appearing, they couldn't sit still. They dispatched scouts into the wilderness while simultaneously heading toward Team Snagem's territory to figure out the situation.
However, Team Snagem was currently in a state of lockdown, refusing all visitors and driving away the messengers from other factions.
Meanwhile, reports of the brutal conditions on the battlefield reached the town. The major factions of Pyrite realized that Phenac City had truly arrived, and a wave of panic swept through them.
But among them were those bold—or perhaps suicidal—enough to try and find fortune in the midst of danger. They began eyeing the remnants of Team Snagem.
Team Toxic, whose territory bordered the former Jackal Gang's land, was the first to act.
They had long been salivating over the truckloads of supplies being brought in. Hearing that the main force of Team Snagem had been wiped out outside the town, they couldn't wait to rush in and seize the territory.
"Move! Move! Any resistance is to be met with the most brutal warning! Move!"
The executive roared, and the grunts let out vent-like shouts.
Having assembled their forces, they looked at Magnetic Barium Street—now so close—and saw the "terrified" expressions on the faces of those guarding the area. Their shouts became even more frenzied.
The executive took the lead, roaring in on a hovercycle, with the grunts following behind like army ants, accompanied by their Stunky and Skorupi.
However, the moment they crossed the line marking the border of the territory...
BOOM—!!
The level ground suddenly exploded. A brilliant silver light nearly blinded everyone as a terrifying, dragon-like form erupted from the earth like a high-speed train!
Amidst the deafening roar, the leading Team Toxic executive and his grunts were launched into the air like raindrops, soaring upward before crashing back down.
They lay scattered across the ground, groaning in agony, with motorcycle parts strewn everywhere.
The remaining Team Toxic grunts stared up in terror at the colossal entity that had emerged from the ground. It cast a massive shadow that blotted out the sun, causing them to slam on their brakes, paralyzed with fear.
"What is that?" someone stammered, their voice trembling.
"It's a Steelix! That's a Steelix!"
"Since when are Steelix that big?! Boss! Get back here, Boss!"
They screamed, their previous bravado completely vanished.
Suddenly, the super-giant Steelix lowered its head, revealing a single figure standing atop it.
He spoke:
"No passage beyond this point."
"ROOAAARRR—!!!"
The super-giant Steelix's roar manifested as a physical gale, nearly blowing the souls out of the Team Toxic grunts.