Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom-Chapter 574 - 573: The Terrifying Reputation

After Cain's first surprise attack failed, he didn't rush to strike again.

This situation was different from the Trial Island. On the Trial Island, Cain didn't know the other Team Rocket members who arrived later.

Thus, in every battle, he needed to act decisively and quickly, no matter how strong the opponents were. Only by taking the initiative could he ensure victory step by step.

But this time, on Mythical Island, thanks to Regi, Cain had information about some of the people who had ascended the island, one of them being Shuichi, his current opponent.

Cain was confident he wouldn't be defeated. Even if he couldn't win, he always had an escape route with Slowking by his side. So, with the option to attack or retreat, he had nothing to fear.

However, something in Shuichi's tone suggested he recognized him.

Even though Cain was also a Team Rocket Officer, he wasn't as well-known as others. His work in the Hoenn region and his direct connection with Umbra and Giovanni kept him separate from ordinary officers, who knew little about him.

Even Regi knew little about Cain, but this Shuichi, upon seeing him, seemed to recognize him immediately.

Cain smiled and said, "What's this? Do you seem to know me? I don't remember seeing you before."

Now that Shuichi knew who had ruined his plan, he wasn't as angry as before. An enemy in the shadows is far scarier than one in plain sight, and now that Cain had emerged from hiding, Shuichi felt more confident.

Without even glancing at his Excadrill lying not far away, Shuichi spoke sarcastically: "The famous first place in Team Rocket's special trial, the young prodigy of Team Rocket, Cain. Who doesn't know you?"

Cain frowned upon hearing this.

First place on the Trial Island?

Did anyone actually care about that within Team Rocket, apart from the officers and captains?

After all, what did performance on the island have to do with Team Rocket Officers? Why would anyone pay attention to a rookie fresh off the island?

The name Xenon crossed Cain's mind. The second name he thought of was Lucius, an Executive of Team Rocket. Cain had killed Vexor, one of Lucius's men, with his own hands.

Although that information shouldn't have leaked, the sharpest minds could have deduced the truth. With Vexor's strength, apart from Cain and Regi, who else could have killed him on the island?

Both individuals, Xenon and Lucius, had the means to know what had happened. Xenon, though an Officer, was considered a Senior Officer, a step above the other Officers.

Cain decided not to respond since either hypothesis was plausible. All he had to do was defeat Shuichi and then get the answers he sought.

As Cain's eyes grew sharper, Shuichi didn't take a single step back.

"Although you may have managed to foil my plan and take those minerals, now I just need to kill you to get them back! Besides... your head is worth more than those minerals."

Before ascending the island, someone had told Shuichi about the bounty on Cain. At the time, Shuichi hadn't paid much attention. After all, the island was vast, and there were only about 30 participants. What were the odds of encountering Cain?

But today, his luck had changed. If he could kill Cain, he wouldn't just recover the minerals but also claim the bounty on his head. Even if he achieved nothing else on the island, it would already be a success.

Both of them smiled. Each thought the other would be the key to their own success.

"I never imagined my head was worth so much. It's surprising," Cain said sarcastically. "What's the matter? Tempted? Why don't you give it a try?"

Cain tapped his forehead mockingly, challenging Shuichi to attack him.

Shuichi, far from getting angry, believed Cain was already in the palm of his hand.

"Sure," Shuichi replied, pulling out a Poké Ball and tossing it to the ground.

A Golem appeared next to Excadrill. Shuichi, specialized in Rock and Ground-type Pokémon, always preferred to attack from the ground with Pokémon like Excadrill, Onix, Golem, Sandslash, and Marowak.

Excadrill and Golem were his star Pokémon.

Seeing Golem, Cain recalled the information about Shuichi. Thanks to Cain's system, he also received a detailed analysis of Shuichi's battle style.

The system, combined with the data provided by Regi, generated fairly accurate predictions, with at least 50% accuracy.

Cain also used the system to scan Shuichi's two Pokémon:

Pokémon: Golem (Light Blue)

Gender: Male

Level: 45

Types: Rock/Ground

Ability: Sturdy

Held Item: None

Egg Moves: Block, Rock Climb, Endure

Basic Moves: Heavy Slam, Tackle, Defense Curl, Mud Sport, Rock Polish, Steamroller, Magnitude, Rock Throw, Smack Down, Bulldoze, Self-Destruct, Stealth Rock, Rock Blast, Earthquake, Explosion

Learned Moves: Fire Punch, Iron Head, Earth Power, Snore

TM Moves: Protect, Hyper Beam, Brick Break, Sandstorm

....

Pokémon: Excadrill (Dark Green)

Gender: Male

Level: 44

Types: Ground/Steel

Ability: Sand Rush

Held Item: None

Egg Moves: Iron Defense, Earth Power, Crush Claw

Basic Moves: Horn Drill, Rototiller, Scratch, Mud Sport, Rapid Spin, Mud-Slap, Fury Swipes, Metal Claw, Dig, Hone Claws, Slash, Rock Slide, Earthquake, Swords Dance

Learned Moves: Iron Head, Stomping Tantrum, Drill Run, Stealth Rock

TM Moves: Protect, Double Team, Aerial Ace, Shadow Claw

Seeing this data, Cain was surprised. Although Regi had described Shuichi, the assumptions about the power and level of his Pokémon were estimates.

Now it was clear that both Pokémon were at mid-advanced levels, while most of Cain's Pokémon had just reached the advanced level.

However, Cain had an advantage: Slowking and its Water type, which completely countered Shuichi's Pokémon, especially Golem, which had a quadruple weakness to Water. A good opportunity for victory lay before him.

(End of Chapter)