The festive atmosphere within Team Snagem—resembling a grand New Year celebration—had left every other faction in Pyrite Town green with envy.
As the results of the initial skirmishes came in, with winning organizations ballooning in size by swallowing the losers, it acted as the opening crescendo for those who could no longer suppress their greed.
More and more factions declared war on each other. Everyone was trying to kill their neighbor to fill their own belly.
Pyrite Town became more chaotic than ever before!
At this point, even the two primary powers could no longer keep the lid on. Duking called Silva into his office and gave him a savage dressing down, yet he could only watch helplessly as the conflict in Pyrite spiraled out of control.
Numerous trainers were sucked into the vortex, and the civilians, naturally, could not escape the crossfire.
"Is this what you wanted? Is this what you wanted to see?! Silva, you're becoming a bigger disappointment to me every day!"
"Brother, of course this isn't what I wanted to see. Who would want this if there was an alternative? But a facade is just a facade. Sooner or later, the gang leaders who are dissatisfied with the status quo would have ignited this chaos anyway. Better for it to explode now, so the new era can arrive sooner."
"Who do you think you are? You think you can make decisions for them? Why don't you go ask 'them' if they're willing to go through this?"
"I am nobody. I am just a sinner, and I know exactly what I am doing."
This dialogue took place in Duking's office.
That same afternoon, the Underdome officially declared war on the Pyrite Colosseum and the Pyrite Town Hall. The "them" Duking believed were voiceless and undecided stood firmly behind Silva.
Furthermore, more and more people joined Silva's camp, coalescing into a massive force that even Duking dared not ignore. Even those Duking had originally sent to "assist" Silva had now become part of Silva's strength.
The chaos in Pyrite Town was pushed to its absolute peak!
So, had Ryuka and his associates activated their hidden arrangements?
Naturally.
However, within Team Snagem itself, there was a sudden, deathly silence. It was so quiet that the bustling, celebratory scenes of a few days ago seemed like they had never happened. Everything returned to a state of eerie stability.
Everyone was going about their business, living their lives.
Yet, a certain piece of news caused the mid-to-high levels of the organization to explode internally—while simultaneously forcing them to keep the lid tight on the secret.
-----
Kashiwagi found out through Frobo.
"The Boss of Team Snagem is finished."
"Huh?"
The abrupt statement nearly caused Kashiwagi's hand to shake, almost splashing hot tea on himself.
"Exactly as I said. The Boss won't be coming back."
Frobo had a faint smile on his face. "A few days ago, the 'remnants' of the Jackal Gang filed a formal complaint against him. They submitted evidence to Es Gan regarding the Boss's orders to annex the Jackal Gang. Es Gan was very displeased and ordered the Team Snagem Boss to be placed under house arrest."
"Why? Logically, the deed is done. There's no need for this. It doesn't fit their usual way of handling things."
Kashiwagi was confused. He remembered that the company behind Team Snagem reportedly didn't care as long as the ore production was stable.
"Normally, that would be true," Frobo said calmly. "But do you know the real reason the Boss hasn't been able to return to Pyrite Town all these months?"
"Why?"
"Because Es Gan is applying to establish an Orre League. He wants to hold an Orre League Conference and set up positions for a Chairman, a Champion, and an Elite Four—trying to bring Orre in line with the mainstream regions. But establishing a League requires the approval and audit of other regional Leagues. You can't just declare one, or it won't be recognized, much like the Gyms in mainstream regions."
"And then...?"
"And then, over the past few months, many League Inspectors have arrived. They want to investigate Es Gan's cash flow and other matters. This includes the ore exports. As the heads of the biggest production units in Pyrite Town, the Bosses of Team Snagem and the Jackal Gang were summoned and have been under investigation ever since."
"He dared to hold that Charity Tournament while League Inspectors were around?"
"That was one of the few opportunities for Es Gan to line his own pockets. He is terrifyingly greedy; he would never pass that up. The Jackal Gang 'remnants' didn't just tell Es Gan about the takeover—they told the League Inspectors."
"Oof. So the Boss of Team Snagem became the sacrificial lamb?"
"Exactly. Not only that, but the Inspectors are determined to come to Pyrite Town to see for themselves. But you know the state of Pyrite right now; if they see this, Es Gan's ambitions are dead. So, while he's stalling the Inspectors, he's secretly sending specialized personnel to suppress the people here."
"So the chaos in Pyrite Town won't last much longer?"
"Correct. We cannot withstand the power Phenac City currently holds. Pyrite Town will inevitably return to its 'normal' state," Frobo nodded. "But more than that, you should be concerned about the Boss's arrest. It is directly related to you."
Kashiwagi was puzzled, but Frobo simply told him he would find out soon enough.
A moment later, Kashiwagi received a message from Soshiro asking for a meeting. He couldn't help but glance at Frobo.
"Go on," Frobo said.
"Yeah."
-----
The Underdome Boxing Ring.
Because of Soshiro's severe injuries a few days ago, this place had been unused for some time.
But today, Kashiwagi was invited back, where he found Soshiro—his upper body still half-wrapped in bandages—hitting the punching bag.
"Get up here! Go a round with me!"
"...Alright."
Kashiwagi figured Soshiro had heard about the Boss being detained and wanted to blow off some steam.
However, after only a few exchanges, Soshiro was already gasping for air. He failed to dodge Kashiwagi's heavy blow to the ribs and a follow-up kick, collapsing to the side.
"B-Boss!"
Kashiwagi panicked, realizing Soshiro's injuries were nowhere near healed. That punch could have sent him into a seizure. He rushed forward to help him up.
"Heh... heh..."
Soshiro squinted up at him. "You've gotten stronger again."
"I'm just growing. I'm only sixteen," Kashiwagi said helplessly.
His growth trajectory was different from typical Pyrite residents. He was far from his physical peak, and over the past few months, the nutrition from Chansey's eggs had accelerated his development. From muscle density to dynamic vision, he had improved across the board.
"Growing is getting stronger."
Soshiro drank the water Kashiwagi handed him, his expression suddenly falling silent. After a full ten seconds, the hulking man spoke.
"Once we're gone, this place is yours."
"Huh?"
"Don't tell me you don't know about the Boss being under house arrest," Soshiro scoffed. "Let me ask you—now that you know, what do you plan to do?"
"Um... go rescue him?" Kashiwagi thought for a second and answered seriously.
Seeing that the expression didn't look fake, the coldness on Soshiro's face quickly melted. "...People like you are becoming a rarity in Team Snagem."
"Uh..."
"Everyone knows the Boss has been taken, but how many are thinking about saving him?" Soshiro looked at him, his voice full of regret. "Very few. It's as if these people have truly forgotten why Team Snagem has survived until now and the importance of a leader."
Kashiwagi's eyes widened as realization struck. "Are you going to Phenac City to rescue the Boss?"
"Yes."
Soshiro didn't seem surprised that he guessed it. "Not just me. Yugo too, and Chester. And two-thirds of Team Snagem's total strength."
"Hiss!"
Kashiwagi felt a chill run down his spine. Soshiro surely knew the power of Phenac City better than he did, yet he was still going—and taking that many people with him.
"Are you coming?" Soshiro asked suddenly.
"...I don't want to go."
Kashiwagi shook his head honestly. "Marching an army on Phenac City is all courage and no strategy. It's no different from suicide. Such extreme measures shouldn't be taken."
"You're right."
Soshiro nodded calmly. "But we don't have the time for a complex plan. Once the charges against the Boss are finalized, the International Police will take him, and we'll never find him again."
But this was just too...
"We aren't completely without a chance, and we have to try. Personal feelings for the Boss aside, you saw what happened to the Jackal Gang without a supreme power guarding them."
Soshiro continued, "As long as the Boss is around, we can win back any territory we lose. But if we lose the Boss, we will truly become a 'scattered pile of sand.' You should know exactly what Chester is thinking."
At that moment, Kashiwagi almost blurted out the news that Phenac City's secret units were on their way, but he swallowed the words. Instead, he asked, "What are the odds?"
"Whatever they are, they are. And out of the people going... you aren't one of them."
Soshiro stood up slowly, casually deciding Kashiwagi's fate. "You're young and have a bright future. Staying in Pyrite Town is better than coming with us. They won't miss the strength of a single Executive over there."
Kashiwagi remained silent.
Soshiro hopped down from the ring, picked up a Luxury Ball sitting nearby, and suddenly held it out. "This is for you."
"For me?" Kashiwagi was startled.
"You still haven't used the ten million from your promotion. Haven't found a good Pokémon yet? I happen to have one here. I was planning to train it myself, but with these injuries, I won't have the chance."
Soshiro pressed the Poké Ball into Kashiwagi's hand. "This guy isn't easy to deal with. Its size, strength, temper... it won't be easy to tame. You need to be mentally prepared."
"But if you do succeed in taming it, you'll have the power to protect yourself in Pyrite Town even after we're gone."
"...What is it?"
"Steelix."