Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

"Cain, your lifestyle out here is truly enviable. Having good cooking skills is so convenient; even when you're out in the field, you can eat well. Not like us, looking like savages whenever we're away," Regi remarked, taking a sip of water as he observed Cain's camp setup. Pots, plates, and utensils of all kinds were neatly arranged, and Regi sighed in admiration.

"What do you need? Just get to the point—we're not close," Cain said, frowning.

"Ugh," Regi clutched his chest as if deeply wounded. "You talk in such a hurtful way. If I were the hot-tempered type, I'd get mad. Maybe there'd even be a fight," he said with an ambiguous smile.

"Fine, whatever," Cain rubbed his temples, feeling a faint headache coming on.

"Did you take care of Vexor?"

"Yes," Cain replied, finally sensing that Regi was getting to the main topic.

"Do you want to take first place in this trial?"

"Yes."

"Are you planning to head to another region?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I get it. In that case, I'll let you have first place. Everyone thinks it's such a big deal, but I just don't see it that way," Regi said, waving dismissively.

"What do you mean?"

"It's understandable that you wouldn't know. Let me ask you this: do you think this trial is just about picking the best to expand Team Rocket into other regions? Only Vexor, that idiot, completely bought into that and desperately wanted to take first place."

"In the end, didn't you defeat him? There are things Boss Giovanni doesn't mention, but that doesn't mean others don't understand. Some, driven by their own interests, have already begun damaging Team Rocket's interests."

"People always talk about infiltrators in the League, but do you really think there aren't any infiltrators in Team Rocket after all these years? Some believe they have enough power to go solo without realizing how ridiculous they are," Regi explained, though Cain didn't fully grasp what he was saying.

Seeing Cain's confusion, Regi sighed. "You haven't had much exposure to the upper ranks of Team Rocket, but you've surely heard about the internal struggles."

"Have you ever wondered why the previous leader of Team Rocket was Boss Giovanni's mother and not his father?"

"Or why you've heard of the Shadow Unit but never its leader? Team Rocket is full of intrigue. Sometimes even a high-ranking officer is just a pawn in someone else's game."

"If it weren't for Lieutenant Surge not being interested in competing, I wouldn't be here just to fill his place. Otherwise, do you think Vexor, crafty as he is, would've dared to fight for first place?"

"If someone wants to be first, they'd have to ask me if I'm okay with it first," Regi said with a mocking smile.

"Are you saying that even Lucius is just a pawn? That the true purpose of this trial isn't to select the best but to expose those pulling the strings behind Team Rocket? Or maybe it's just a power play between factions, and Lucius is the scapegoat?" Cain asked, shocked by the complexity of the situation.

"Something like that. Team Rocket is under Giovanni's control, and no one can take that from him. But as the saying goes: before conquering the outside, you must clean your own house."

"If the infiltrators aren't eliminated, how can they continue expanding? Don't fool yourself about the support you'll receive; it's just an investment in a talented trainer like you, someone without a tangled background," Regi said.

"The moment you're taken off this trial island, part of your information will already be on the desks of those paying attention. A lot of eyes are watching this place," Regi continued with a cold smile, perhaps directed at both those observers and Cain's ambitions for first place.

"But there are benefits. If you take first place, you'll be under Giovanni's protection, and anyone who wants to harm you will think twice. That idiot Vexor only wanted that protection, which is why he risked everything," Regi concluded.

"In short, you don't need to worry. Those who know what's going on won't compete with you, and those who don't know don't have the strength to beat you. So, you're basically already in first place," Regi said confidently.

Cain remained silent, processing all the information. In his previous life, he hadn't had access to the upper echelons of power and didn't know about Team Rocket's internal struggles.

By the time he learned, he had already been killed. But now, in this life, the situation seemed far more complicated than he had imagined. And though the trial was nearing its end, he felt he hadn't escaped the swamp just yet.

"So, did Aurelia not compete with me because Ariana was injured, or because she knew what Regi just told me?" Cain wondered.

"Why are you telling me all this?" he asked after some thought.

"Well, it's no big deal. I just think you're interesting—a trainer with no backing who's made it this far. I have to say, you're as talented as a trainer as you are intelligent," Regi said.

"That's why I think you've reached the level necessary to join our circle. On behalf of the founder of our group, I'm inviting you to join," Regi said, revealing his true intention.

"Join your... circle?"

"Yes, our circle. Right now, it's Glacius, Aurelia, and me. We originally considered inviting Vexor, but neither his skills nor his background were sufficient."

"And since you eliminated him, the three of us—who, in one way or another, know you—thought you were suitable, so they tasked me with inviting you," Regi explained.

"A circle formed by the three of you?" Cain was perplexed. Had this circle formed during the trial, or had it existed even before they knew they'd participate?

"Stop overthinking. The reason is exactly what you're imagining," Regi said, watching Cain's serious expression.

There was a long silence. Regi wasn't in a hurry, waiting patiently for Cain's response, knowing that this decision could determine his future in Team Rocket.

"Alright, I'll join," Cain finally said, resolutely.

"What do I have to do?"

(End of Chapter)