Sakaki looked just like an ordinary middle-aged man as he chatted with Ryuuske about the recent changes in Mt. Moon. The way he spoke, so full of detail and confidence, made Ryuuske genuinely wonder—was this truly information discovered by the League, or just something Team Rocket uncovered?
Ryuuske would never believe Team Rocket didn't have spies planted within the League's upper echelons. It was exactly because of these insiders that Team Rocket had been able to operate so brazenly.
As for why the Machop and other Pokémon had disappeared from Mt. Moon? Ryuuske honestly couldn't care less. As long as it wasn't the end of the world and everyone wasn't being forced to pitch in to save it, then he'd leave it to the tall ones to hold up the sky. At his height right now, it wasn't his turn to carry the world.
[Mewtwo, this guy is the boss of Team Rocket!]
Keeping a safe distance from Sakaki, Ryuuske communicated with Mewtwo via telepathy.
[Do you need me to do anything, Ryuuske?]
Mewtwo didn't harbor any personal hatred toward Sakaki. From the moment it became self-aware, it had met Ryuuske, and since then, it had lived with him and traveled the world. It had never gone through those third-rate melodramatic arcs about "Who am I?" or "Where am I?", nor had it ever been controlled or tortured by Team Rocket. If anything, Mewtwo was kind of grateful to them. Without being created, it wouldn't have gained this life—or its bond with Ryuuske.
[Nothing for now. Just keep your full attention on this man. If he so much as thinks about attacking me, tell me immediately!]
[Leave it to me!]
Only after Mewtwo gave its assurance did Ryuuske feel at ease. He had considered suddenly releasing Mewtwo to ambush Sakaki and take him out in one move, but the fact that the strongest Gym Leader dared approach him knowing he had Mewtwo meant Sakaki had to be well prepared. Ryuuske wasn't about to gamble with his own safety.
His plan now was to stall Sakaki for two days, wear him down with patience, and then decide what to do next.
That night, deep in a mountain hollow, Ryuuske lit a campfire. Whether it would attract wild Pokémon or not, he didn't care. In fact, if it drew out a group of strong ones, that would be ideal—he could then use the excuse of being outmatched to force Sakaki to reveal his true colors. No matter how good his acting was, he wouldn't just stand by and let Ryuuske get hurt.
He took out some prepped food from his high-tech puch. It wasn't gourmet city fare, but it was enough to satisfy his taste buds. Ryuuske looked over at Sakaki, who was sitting not far away, his face flickering with firelight. After a moment's thought, he asked, "...Uncle Sakaki, don't you have any Pokémon? Even if you're not a Trainer, coming alone into Mt. Moon seems way too bold."
Sakaki smiled gently and reached into the pocket of his suit jacket, pulling out a Poké Ball. "...This is my Beedrill. It's not particularly strong, but if real danger shows up, it can at least carry me away. I didn't release it earlier since we were inside the cave."
Not particularly strong? Ryuuske didn't believe that for a second. If that Beedrill was one of Sakaki's main Pokémon, it wasn't about escaping—it could probably wipe out any danger altogether.
"Ryuuske-kun, do you have some kind of misunderstanding about me? Why are you being so guarded?"
Sakaki asked slowly. Ryuuske's behavior was far too obvious—every time Sakaki got close, he'd immediately move away. Anyone normal would find it suspicious.
"It's not really something I mind sharing..."
Ryuuske poked at the fire with a stick and said, "...Uncle Sakaki, have you heard of Team Rocket?"
"Of course. They're a notorious criminal organization in Kanto."
Ryuuske glanced at Sakaki. Even when he mentioned Team Rocket, this boss of all bosses still smiled as if nothing was wrong.
"Before I became a Trainer, I was captured by Team Rocket. They did some really cruel experiments on me. Ever since then, I've subconsciously been wary of everyone. It's not personal, Uncle Sakaki, so don't take it the wrong way."
"Cruel experiments?! Those Team Rocket bastards have gone too far. I had no idea you'd gone through something like that, Ryuuske-kun. When I return to the League, I'll report this to the higher-ups. The League should really increase its crackdown on Team Rocket…"
Sakaki looked like he was full of righteous fury. If someone didn't know better, they'd think he was some kind of justice-loving hero, with a deep hatred for Team Rocket.
"Thank you, Uncle. Even though I know it probably won't change anything, if the League ramps up its efforts, maybe there'll be fewer people like me out there… Team Rocket's been around for so many years and still hasn't been wiped out. No one even knows who their boss is. I'm honestly really disappointed in the League."
Ryuuske let out a long sigh. Then his face twisted in anger as he growled, "...If I ever find out who the boss of Team Rocket is, that son of a b*h born without an ahole is dead meat!"
The sudden burst of cursing stunned Sakaki for a moment. But then rage instantly surged up inside him, his face twisting just like Ryuuske's. A wave of killing intent leaked out. Ryuuske's insult had struck the softest part of his heart.
But Sakaki quickly regained his composure. He suppressed the fury in his heart and, with the grace of a man trained in self-control, gave an awkward smile and said, "...Sorry. Just thinking about the stuff Team Rocket has done makes me angry too."
That little brat… What a vicious mouth!
Originally planning to test Ryuuske for a couple of days, Sakaki now couldn't stand another second. If he stayed near this kid any longer, he'd probably hear even more words that would make his blood boil. He quietly made up his mind: tomorrow, he'd find the right opportunity to kill this brat and teach him what it meant to suffer the consequences of running his mouth!
Ryuuske was momentarily stunned by the killing intent Sakaki released. Wait… Did I say something wrong? Could Sakaki actually have a son? Did that little remark mess up his whole act?
Before transmigrating, Ryuuske had played the games, but he'd long since forgotten the plot of the anime he watched back in elementary school. He had no clue about Sakaki's family background.
"It's getting late, Uncle. Let's rest for today. I'll go with you tomorrow to investigate the Mt. Moon issue."
"Much appreciated, Ryuuske-kun."
Sakaki scratched his head and smiled.
[Mewtwo, you're on night watch duty. If this guy makes even the slightest move, wake me up immediately. I'll let you out and hit him with an 'Illusion Blast' right in the face before he even knows what's happening!]
Ryuuske warned Mewtwo—when it came to Sakaki, he couldn't afford to let his guard down even a little.
To be continued…