Chapter 9
"You take them out; it's only a few more steps."
"Huh? You're going back?"
"Yes."
"I also—"
"Don't waste time. Once you're out, you can't come back in. If you don't go, who's going to carry them? Hold on."
"...I'm sorry, Kashiwagi. Really, I'm so sorry. We were the ones who dragged you down. Ah, take this with you!"
"Alright, go."
Recalling his parting with Naruhiko, Kashiwagi could still see the unwillingness and guilt on his face. He gripped the hammer he had picked up near the exit, turned on his headlamp, and took a steady breath.
He knew that Aron might not necessarily lose against that Rhyhorn. He also knew that even if Aron lost, the Rhyhorn might not go so far as to kill it.
Logically speaking, there was no reason for him to turn back. There was no need to take such a risk.
But he still came back.
To be honest, he had always thought of himself as selfish. Every act of kindness towards others was just a façade, done to fit in, stay in a group, and gain benefits.
So, naturally.
He came back to win Aron's favor, to uphold his principle of repaying kindness...
Kashiwagi kept reinforcing these thoughts in his mind, convincing himself as if through hypnosis.
Otherwise, facing that red-eyed Rhyhorn, he might not have been able to stop himself from running away.
"Crush him!"
Shibata's shout rang out suddenly, and the Rhyhorn charged forward.
Rumble—
The ground trembled with its footsteps, countless small rocks shaking loose and flying through the air.
Right now, the Rhyhorn just wanted to complete its task as soon as possible. Following Shibata's intent, it aimed to smash the man in front of it to silence his endless orders.
Inside this mine, filled with falling rocks, the space to dodge was limited. Avoiding Rhyhorn's charge was nearly impossible.
But he only needed to dodge once.
Just once.
Kashiwagi took two steps back, positioning himself behind a pile of rubble on the far left. These rocks wouldn't stop Rhyhorn's charge, but they could partially obscure its vision.
Even a Ground-type Pokémon couldn't see through stone and sand.
Come on.
He took a deep breath, staring straight at the frenzied Shibata and the Rhyhorn lowering its horn for a deadly charge.
There was no room for failure, only success.
Boom!
The moment the pile of rubble was shattered by the charging beast, Kashiwagi suddenly turned on his headlamp, which he had adjusted to the highest brightness in advance. Without checking if it blinded Rhyhorn, he rolled to the right!
"Urgh!"
A sharp pain shot through his left arm and ribs, like he had been hit by a bullet.
But Kashiwagi knew he had dodged it. The pain came from the flying debris caused by Rhyhorn's impact, a testament to the sheer force of its charge.
As he got up, the scraped elbow and shoulder burned with pain.
Endure it!
Press the attack!
Turning around, Kashiwagi saw Rhyhorn had crashed into the wall behind him. Shibata, still on its back, was shouting for it to turn around and charge again.
"Eat this, bastard!"
Kashiwagi roared and hurled the hammer in his hand. Shibata had no time to react before it struck him, sending him tumbling to the ground, screaming in pain.
His headlamp had been on the entire time—an obvious target!
"Rhyoo!"
With its back suddenly empty, Rhyhorn became disoriented. As it took a step back, it accidentally crushed Shibata's leg.
"Aaaagh! My leg!!"
Another scream.
Rhyhorn hesitated, its already clumsy movements becoming even more uncertain.
Mission accomplished!
Without hesitation, Kashiwagi sprinted toward Aron's location.
Pokémon were still creatures of nature, and he never mythologized them. With enough understanding, one could find ways to "battle" them effectively.
Take out the leader first.
Since Rhyhorn was Shibata's partner, it wouldn't just abandon him.
"We're leaving!"
Kashiwagi quickly scooped up the half-conscious Aron, surprised by how light it was.
He turned and ran, passing by Rhyhorn, who was hesitating whether to help its trainer. When the Pokémon noticed Kashiwagi fleeing, it instinctively wanted to chase.
"Rhyooo—"
"Shut up!"
Kashiwagi pulled a small sphere from his pocket and slammed it onto the ground.
Boom!
A blinding flash consumed the entire cave!
"Rhy!?"
Rhyhorn's eyes burned from the intense light, turning white with blindness. Panicked, it rampaged through the mine, crashing wildly. Shibata's screams echoed once more.
"No—Don't leave me—Ah! Help...!"
"Huff... huff..."
Kashiwagi ran at full speed, covering thirty meters in just a few breaths. He glanced back, seeing Rhyhorn smashing into walls in confusion, while Shibata's cries gradually faded.
Thankfully, he hadn't wasted that flash grenade Naruhiko had given him. It was ridiculously effective, causing complete chaos.
Maybe that's why Naruhiko hadn't used it before?
Shaking his head to dismiss unnecessary thoughts, Kashiwagi focused on running.
At this moment, escape was the priority. Even if Aron was unwilling, keeping it inside a Pokéball would have been the most efficient choice.
Given its semi-conscious state, it likely wouldn't struggle free.
But...
He hesitated.
What if his earlier assumptions were wrong? What if Aron had been planted here by Team Quicksand?
What if Aron would rather die than be forced into a Pokéball? Pokémon were known for their unyielding determination—once they made up their mind, they rarely wavered.
No point overthinking. Running faster was the best option!
Kashiwagi tore off his mask, trying to take in more oxygen to boost his speed.
Running uphill was exhausting.
Finally, the glow of the exit appeared ahead. No more sounds of pursuit came from behind. The moment he burst out of the mine, fresh air rushed to greet him.
The dusty wind outside felt cool against his skin.
"Ha... ha..."
Kashiwagi panted heavily, the bright sunlight forcing him to squint. He barely managed to stay on his feet.
Ignoring the shocked stares and shouting around him, he pulled out a jade token and tossed it to the middle-aged examiner. "Proof!"
The examiner caught it, giving it a brief glance before frowning at the wounded Aron. "You brought a Pokémon out of the mine?"
"No, it should be wild..." Kashiwagi shook his head.
"That's impossib—"
The examiner's words cut off as a Galarian Yamask floated out of the cave, shaking its head at him.
He immediately changed his tone. "—Someone, get them to a hospital! Hurry!"
Two medics rushed forward, carefully placing both Kashiwagi and Aron onto stretchers and carrying them away.
Kashiwagi glanced at the Yamask before whispering to Aron, "We're safe now. You can relax."
Saying that, he finally allowed himself to unwind.
The mine ordeal had been brief but terrifying, especially going back for Aron. Thinking back, he almost couldn't believe he'd risked his life like that.
"Sigh..."