The time was 3:00 PM.
Kashiwagi had been tricked into a mountain, fought a bizarre battle with Courtney, and ended up on a Team Magma airship—all without a clear explanation.
Finally, led by Courtney, he came face-to-face with the man behind all this "mystery": Maxie.
Kashiwagi remembered that in the anime, the leader of Team Magma was drawn with tiny eyes and a blocky, square face that made him look a bit comical—lacking the quiet, menacing charisma of someone like Giovanni.
In reality, Maxie's appearance leaned much closer to his look in the Omega Ruby remake.
He wore high-tech, sleek glasses, and his crimson hair was meticulously combed back without a strand out of place. Dressed in a heavy black-and-red overcoat that swathed most of his body, he looked to be in his early forties.
His first impression was that of a man who was intensely serious and strictly disciplined.
The two exchanged looks.
"Meeting you is better than merely hearing of you. Mr. Kashiwagi, thank you for the 'guidance' you gave my clumsy subordinate."
Maxie stood up. His first words were surprisingly polite, and he even extended a hand.
Kashiwagi was caught off guard. He hadn't expected a warm welcome from the man who had sent Courtney to cause trouble. Given their age difference, it would have been normal for Maxie to be a bit condescending.
But since the man was greeting him with a smile, Kashiwagi played along, shaking his hand.
"The honor is mine, Mr. Maxie. Team Magma's contributions to land development in Hoenn are well known to everyone."
"Oh? I didn't realize you were so well-acquainted with our work, Mr. Kashiwagi"
Maxie's eyes flickered with interest.
"I wouldn't say that. I just follow the news. Also, please—just Kashiwagi is fine," he replied humbly, careful not to overplay his hand.
"Hahaha! Since you're so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush either."
Maxie went straight for the kill. "Tell me, would you be interested in joining Team Magma?"
"Join... Team Magma?"
Kashiwagi's brow furrowed. He glanced at Courtney, whose expression had suddenly turned excited, and shook his head without a second's hesitation.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'm already affiliated with an organization."
"Team Aqua?" Maxie smiled, seemingly unfazed.
"No. An organization from my homeland. It's quite remote; you likely haven't heard of it."
Kashiwagi finally realized why he'd been summoned: Poaching.
Team Magma had seen Team Aqua partner with a Trainer who became an overnight sensation in the Contest world without even trying.
Naturally, they couldn't sit still and had sent Courtney to lure him away.
Being tricked into the mountains probably wasn't Maxie's idea; that had Courtney's fingerprints all over it.
She likely wanted a battle to verify if he was the real deal. In her excitement, she'd gotten carried away and pushed the fight to the limit—Kashiwagi figured it was lucky he had a decent temper.
Meanwhile, Maxie was intrigued by this "remote organization".
As soon as Kashiwagi mentioned the Rainbow Organization, Maxie pulled up a search on his computer.
After a brief scan of the data, he lapsed into a short silence.
On the side, Courtney was trying her best to persuade him. "Boss Maxie... is a great man... if you follow him... you will never regret it..."
"I have my own goals," Kashiwagi said.
"I won't trouble Mr. Maxie."
"If you have goals... tell the Boss... he will help you... if you just come with us..."
"I already have plenty of people helping me. I'm good."
"If you join... I can... assist you..."
"Thanks, but no thanks."
Kashiwagi's firm rejections left Courtney visibly distressed.
She genuinely wanted him to join so she could analyze him to her heart's content.
Her interest stemmed from the profound bond of trust he shared with his Pokémon. It was a total, unreserved faith—a sense of certainty that the moment he gave an order, his Pokémon would execute it exactly as he envisioned.
But more importantly, it was his presence.
During that split second when Mega Camerupt used Explosion, she had felt a sharp, cold edge radiate from Kashiwagi. He looked like a man who had faced death so many times that it had become a mundane habit—someone who had walked through hell and come out the other side.
How could she not be interested in someone shrouded in such mystery?
The last time she felt this way was with Maxie himself. Unfortunately, compared to the Boss, Kashiwagi was much more stubborn—practically impenetrable.
Courtney, having never leveled up her "Diplomacy" skill, blamed the failure entirely on him.
At that moment, Maxie spoke up.
"I see. The Rainbow Organization of the Orre Region..." Maxie said slowly.
"A place I know very little about. Natural technological development, Pokémon population being entirely reliant on imports... a true paradise for humanity..."
Wait... why is his tone suddenly sounding so... inspired?
Kashiwagi felt a jolt of alarm. He remembered that Maxie was, at his core, a human-supremacist.
He wanted to expand the land to solve territorial disputes, increase the living space for terrestrial creatures, and believed technology would lead humanity to a brighter future.
A vast land like Orre, which had no native Pokémon of its own, was basically Maxie's dream playground.
Sure enough, Maxie clasped his hands together and smiled.
"Kashiwagi, I find myself very interested in the development of the Orre region. I don't suppose you could introduce me to other members of your organization?"
This guy... is he having another 'vision' already? Kashiwagi wondered.
Does he want to turn Orre into some Pokémon-free utopia?
Absolutely not.
If he let that happen, forget explaining it to N—the kid might actually come over and kill everyone involved. The Pokémon forcibly brought to Orre had suffered enough; if they didn't have a peaceful environment to recover in, N would never stand for it.
The clash between a Pokémon-supremacist and a human-supremacist... it was a headache waiting to happen.
"Is the request too difficult?"
Seeing Kashiwagi's silence, Maxie snapped his fingers. Courtney produced a folder from seemingly nowhere.
"This is a sponsorship contract," Courtney explained.
"The amount is double what Team Aqua is paying. We have no other requirements. Just wear our emblem on your chest like they do... and help me contact the Rainbow Organization. Then, the contract is yours."
The Leader of Team Magma at the side looked entirely confident.
He didn't expect Kashiwagi to look at the contract and reject it even faster than before.
"No. I won't accept this contract. However, if Mr. Maxie wishes to meet the members of the Rainbow Organization, that is perfectly fine."
If money could have corrupted Kashiwagi, he would have fallen back in Orre. He wouldn't have spent his first month of transmigration worrying about funds. Pyrite Town had been literally overflowing with dirty money back then.
He would never accept a contract that turned his allies into a bargaining chip.
However, rather than letting Maxie go poking around Orre on his own, Kashiwagi preferred to hand the matter over to Yamamino.
He believed that Yamamino, with his grand ambitions and sharp mind, could handle Maxie perfectly—regardless of whatever ulterior motives the Magma leader might have.
Hearing such a firm rejection, Maxie froze. His expression was a mix of gravity and confusion.
"Why? You and Team Aqua are only partners, aren't you? Is there some special clause in your contract?"
"Not at all."