I Can Hear Pokémon’s Thoughts Chapter 26: The Arena of Death: No Mercy, No Regrets

"Well now, what's everyone gathered here for?"

A man in a standard black Team Rocket uniform pushed through the crowd to stand beside Seita. His uniform bore no stripes—he was a low-level lackey, not even a Squad Leader yet.

"Brother Hongsheng, this brat is stopping us from collecting protection fees," Seita complained, looking for backup.

"What? So, you're the one who looks down on official mbers of Team Rocket?" Hongsheng said, raising his voice so the onlookers could hear.

Suddenly, a sharp gust of wind whipped past Feng Che. A sinister-looking Alolan Rattata lunged forward, blocking his path. Its body was obsidian black, with an underbelly the color of muddy earth. It sported tufts of coarse, spindle-like fur beside its nose, above its ears, and on its tail.

"Team Rocket rules forbid fighting in the barracks," Hongsheng said, looking down at Feng Che with thinly veiled malice. "But the rules don't say anything about using a Pokémon to 'invite' soone to the training grounds."

Pokémon: Alolan Rattata Gender: Male Potential: Elite (Green) Ability: Hustle Level: 12 Type: Dark / Normal Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Quick Attack, Focus Energy, Bite, Hyper Fang, Dig Status: Slightly overgrown

"I've never seen that Pokémon before." "It looks like a Rattata, but why is it black?" "Is it a Shiny?!"

The surrounding reserve mbers whispered in confusion.

"See that? This is my big brother's Pokémon," Seita shouted. "Originally, if you just handed over 20 credits, my brother would have used his Alolan Rattata to help you ta your own Pokémon. That's how I got my Zubat and took first place!"

"You could have had his help for 20 credits. Now? Even if you offer 30 or 50, no one's going to help you! You're all being screwed over by this kid right here."

Seita sneered at the recruits who had previously backed away. He was using a classic "kill the chicken to scare the monkeys" tactic, pivoting the crowd's resentnt away from his extortion and toward Feng Che.

"And anyone who disrespects my brother gets an invitation to the Arena for a death match!"

Feng Che saw the recruits' fists clench. Their eyes were filled with a misplaced, bitter hatred.

A few manipulative words and I'm the villain? Feng Che thought, a cold glint appearing in his eyes. People really do love to bla the victim for the bully's provocation.

"Fine. Let's go to the Arena. A death match suits ," Feng Che said calmly.

Hongsheng, who had prepared more threats, felt like his punch had landed on a pile of cotton.

What a coincidence. Feng Che was also planning to "kill a chicken to scare the monkeys." It just so happened that this "chicken" was a bit plump—an official Rocket mber.

The Life-and-Death Arena was easy to find, situated right beside the main training grounds. Instructor Viper noticed the crowd of recruits gathering and asked a nearby subordinate about the commotion.

"Reporting to Instructor Viper, it's the reserve mber Boss Giovanni was watching earlier. He's about to enter a death match against an official mber."

"Nonsense! Absolute nonsense!" Viper snapped. "Does he think just because he tad his Pokémon this morning, he can take on an official mber?"

"Quick, let's go. Since the Arena rules apply to official mbers, we might be able to step in and save the kid if things go south." Viper hurried toward the stage with a group of Rocket guards.

The referee standing by the Arena was a man in his forties. His left arm and leg had been replaced with chanical prosthetics. He looked like a veteran who had given his body to Team Rocket and had been retired to this grim post. A massive Feraligatr lay lazily beside him, dozing off.

The rule of the Arena was simple: life or death, no regrets. No one without overwhelming strength could hold the position of referee here. The man's eyes shot out a cold, piercing light like the edge of a blade, forcing the surrounding crowd to stagger back a few steps.

"I understand," Feng Che said, eting the man's gaze without flinching.

In contrast, Hongsheng, the official mber, had also retreated a few steps and was visibly trembling.

Looking at this... the boy might not be the one at a disadvantage, Viper thought, arriving just in ti to catch the interaction.

"The referee today is Augustus," Viper whispered to the guards behind him. "He's a man who doesn't even give Boss Giovanni face. He only follows the rules of the Arena. Even if we plead that Kongjian is a promising reserve, Augustus won't listen. Once they step up there, only one person is coming down."

"Augustus is a legend in Team Rocket. Ten years ago, he fought three Gym Leaders to a standstill. If not for the 'accident' that cost him his limbs, he would be a high-ranking Executive by now. He left the front lines by choice. They call him the 'Mad Lion.' Do not offend him, or even I won't be able to save you."

Viper looked at Augustus thoughtfully. The man seed almost Zen-like now—had he finally broken through to that realm?

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