"This…"
Hearing Nozomi's question, Butch and Cassidy exchanged a glance but said nothing.
They seemed hesitant, as if afraid to answer.
Nozomi raised an eyebrow.
Just from their reactions, he could read a lot into the situation.
These two, being members of Team Rocket, rarely displayed such expressions. Only Giovanni or a few high-ranking executives in Team Rocket could make them look like this.
"So… this conspiracy against Pewter Gym was ordered by Team Rocket's higher-ups."
Nozomi's mind began to formulate a plan. His gaze toward Butch and Cassidy turned strange.
Had it not been for these two chasing him down, he probably wouldn't have realized the connection.
"I wonder… if Giovanni knew that Team Rocket's plan had been leaked like this, would he explode with rage?"
The thought made Nozomi laugh aloud.
Cassidy and Butch, surrounded by Gastly and Leafeon, noticed Nozomi suddenly laughing while looking at them. A chill ran up their spines.
"This guy's laugh… it's terrifying."
"Absolutely terrifying!"
They exchanged a glance, seeing pure fear reflected in each other's eyes.
Nozomi didn't know their thoughts; he only realized the two were even more afraid than before. That was fine by him.
He lifted his head and, in a low voice, said, "I'll ask again. Why is Team Rocket targeting Pewter Gym? This is your last chance."
At his signal, Gastly let out a sinister laugh and floated closer to the duo.
"My Gastly knows Hypnosis. If you don't want to experience the taste of Dream Eater, I suggest you start talking."
Before reincarnating, Nozomi had been a Pokémon prosecutor.
Though he had only interned for a few months, he hadn't missed a single interrogation technique.
Hypnosis combined with Dream Eater was a method often used by league prosecutors against dangerous criminals or enemies with critical intelligence.
It didn't kill, but anyone who had experienced it once would never want to again.
It was the perfect tool for Butch and Cassidy.
"I… I say…!"
Hearing Hypnosis and Dream Eater, Butch and Cassidy could no longer sit still.
As Team Rocket members, they had often clashed with league officials and knew the horrors of Hypnosis combined with Dream Eater.
Unlike some fanatical members, they didn't have the spirit to sacrifice their lives entirely for Team Rocket. Under Nozomi's threat, they spilled everything about Team Rocket's conspiracy in Pewter City.
"Giovanni's secretary, Matori, sent us to Pewter City to spread information about Pewter Gym, attracting many challengers. We don't know the details of the main force's actions."
Cassidy finished speaking, her voice pleading, "That's all I know. Please, let me go."
"Gastly." Nozomi called.
Ignoring Cassidy's pitiful expression, Nozomi signaled Gastly.
"Gastly, teach them a lesson."
"No…!" Cassidy's face turned pale with fear.
Gastly didn't care. It only obeyed Nozomi. Whatever he commanded, it did without question.
The long tongue of Gastly flicked across Cassidy's face.
"Ah… it's… numb…"
Cassidy shivered violently, collapsing in a dazed, helpless heap on the ground.
The contrast with her previously capable self when confronting Nozomi was stark.
Butch shivered at the sight. When Nozomi's gaze turned to her, she quickly blurted:
"I know!"
She feared the same treatment as Cassidy.
"Then speak."
"Matori… Matori sent us to disrupt Pewter Gym, to occupy Brock. The main force had additional tasks at Mt. Moon."
So there were other plans involved.
Though Butch and Cassidy weren't especially strong, they were elite members of Team Rocket. Even if they weren't on the main mission, they would have some knowledge of the objectives and locations.
"What is Team Rocket planning at Mt. Moon?" Nozomi pressed.
"I heard… they discovered a large number of rare fossils at Mt. Moon. Beyond that, I really don't know."
"Really?"
"Really!" Butch looked close to tears.
"Alright then."
Seeing her expression, Nozomi guessed she truly didn't know more.
He casually pulled a rope from his backpack, tied the two up, and hung them from a nearby tree. He called the Pewter City Police Station, reporting Team Rocket's actions at Mt. Moon.
Then, hands in his pockets, he set off toward Mt. Moon.
As he walked, he checked the system's rewards in his mind.
"Congratulations, host! You have successfully challenged Pewter Gym and earned one Silver Lottery draw."
"Drawing… Congratulations, host! You have won a Mountain Multi-Purpose Bicycle ×1."
"A Mountain Multi-Purpose Bicycle?"
Nozomi stared, baffled.
This lottery reward was ridiculously underwhelming. Previously, he had gotten the Breeding Manual and Metal Film, both highly useful. Now he got a multi-purpose bicycle.
"Let's see what's so special about this bicycle… to be considered a Silver reward…"