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After scattering a whole field of Spikes, the black ape quickly fled, disappearing from Liam and Arcanine's line of sight. However, instead of being angry at the black ape's escape, Liam actually wore a slightly strange smile.
"Arcanine, you've already memorized that guy's scent, right? Let's avoid this area first and track him slowly. I want to see exactly where these annoying guys are hiding," Liam said softly, patting Arcanine's back.
"Ruff!"
Arcanine quickly nodded, then lowered its nose close to the ground, carefully sniffing the trail left behind by the black ape. After a moment, it made a small sound of discovery, lifted its head, and skirted around the area littered with Spikes, rapidly giving chase in the direction the black ape had fled.
With Liam on its back, Arcanine gave chase while deliberately slowing its pace to avoid being noticed midway. Eventually, Arcanine arrived at the entrance of a cave. At the entrance, there was still plenty of snow, and the footprints on the snow were clear and distinct.
"Ruff!"
Arcanine carried Liam behind a large tree to hide, then turned its head to glance at Liam and let out a low growl toward the cave.
"Hmm, this is it? Judging from the tracks on the ground, it's not just one person. Looks like this really is their base. Let's first see where exactly this place is."
Liam jumped down from Arcanine's back, hugged its big head and gave it a good rub, then opened the navigation map to confirm their current location.
"Oh! So this is Silver Cave? These guys really found a good spot. I don't know what the situation inside is like, so it looks like I'll need some reinforcements this time."
Muttering to himself as he looked at the dark cave entrance ahead, Liam pulled out his Black Vortex Mask and put it on his face, then contacted Takeshi via communicator.
Zzzzzzt
"Hey! Liam! Ahem.... Vortex? Why haven't you come back yet? Did you run into trouble?!"
The moment the line connected, Takeshi's anxious voice blared out.
Hearing this, Liam smiled slightly and replied, "I'm fine, but yeah, a bit of trouble. I ran into members of the Hunters Group—the ones who retreated last time—and I found their base too. Gather some people and hurry over. It's time for some real payback."
"What?! You found those bastards' nest? Vortex, don't rush in alone! Where exactly are you? Stay safe! We'll be there immediately!"
Hearing that Liam had located the Hunter Groups' base, Takeshi quickly warned him not to act impulsively.
"Heh, you'd better hurry. I'm not waiting too long. I'm right at the entrance to Silver Cave. If you take too long, I might just charge in on my own."
Liam said with a teasing tone.
"No! Absolutely not! If you get hurt, the boss will kill me! Liam, just wait for us at the entrance to Silver Cave! Promise me!"
Takeshi, sweating profusely after hearing Liam's words, hurriedly wiped his forehead and responded. Then, without waiting for Liam to say anything more, he hung up the communicator.
Zzzzzzt...
"...Alright, guess I'll reluctantly wait for you guys this time."
With an exasperated smile, Liam said, then reopened the navigation map to familiarize himself with the cave layout in advance.
Not even ten minutes later, Liam heard rustling footsteps from behind. He quickly concealed himself and soon spotted a group of very familiar figures rapidly approaching Silver Cave. At the same time, his communicator inside the Black Vortex Mask beeped again.
Beep beep beep...
Liam ignored it and hung up immediately. Then he stepped out of his hiding spot and waved to the approaching group.
"Vortex! How's the situation? Anything happen?"
Naturally, it was Takeshi leading the team. This time, Takeshi had mobilized everyone he could—27 Rocket Team members including himself, leaving not a single soul back at the base. Truly an all-out operation.
"No new developments. After the one I tracked entered, everything went silent."
Liam shook his head, indicating nothing had gone wrong.
Takeshi frowned at the dark entrance to Silver Cave, lowered his head in thought, then turned to Liam.
"Vortex, you stay here with one team to guard the entrance. I'll lead another team inside to check it out."
"No."
Liam immediately rejected the idea without hesitation.
"I fought with one of the Hunter Group members—he's strong. If you go alone, it's too dangerous. Here's what we'll do: leave six people to guard the entrance, and you and I will each take ten and head inside together. That way, we can back each other up if something happens."
Liam smiled and patted Takeshi's shoulder.
Liam knew Takeshi was worried about his safety, but how could he let his friend take the risk alone? Besides, Liam understood that Takeshi wouldn't let him go in by himself either. Rather than waste time arguing, it was better to move together.
"This... Fine! You take Team One. Remember, our main goal is just to scout. If anything seems wrong, we retreat immediately, got it?"
Takeshi frowned, thought for a moment, then sighed and reluctantly agreed.
"Heh, look at you. A guy who only knows how to charge headfirst actually knows how to advise retreat now? I'm impressed."
Liam looked at Takeshi with a mock-surprised expression.
"Hey! I'm doing this for your own good! Don't joke around! Everything I said—stick to it! If anything happens, don't blame me for cutting ties!"
Takeshi's face turned slightly red from embarrassment but he shouted back, pretending to be angry.
"Yeah, yeah, got it. Man, why are you so naggy? Relax. I'll be fine. I'm more worried about you. Oh, right—come out, Nidoking, Weavile!"
Shrugging in annoyance, Liam glanced at Takeshi with a tinge of concern. After all, they were going into enemy territory, and it wasn't going to be safe. Takeshi's Pokémon—mainly flying types—might not be enough for protection. So, Liam released Nidoking and Weavile, then crouched to speak to them.
"Nidoking, Weavile, we're heading into the cave now. It's dangerous inside. Stay close to Takeshi and protect him, understood?"
"Nido!"
"Weavile!"
Nidoking and Weavile nodded firmly, then moved to Takeshi's sides, obviously beginning their protection duty.
"Hey! Vortex! I don't need their protection! I have my own Pokémon! If you send them to protect me, what about yourself?! I don't want to—"
Seeing Nidoking and Weavile on either side, Takeshi hurriedly tried to refuse.
"My safety isn't your concern. I have my other partners with me. Don't worry, I'll be fine. It's already getting late; we need to hurry inside before something changes. Since the guy I tracked went in, there's been no movement at all—that worries me. With Nidoking and Weavile by your side, I'm reassured. Don't argue anymore. I'm going in first. You follow."
Liam cut Takeshi off, waved, and led his team swiftly into Silver Cave.
Takeshi opened his mouth to argue but could only sigh helplessly in the end, then quickly led Nidoking, Weavile, and the remaining members into the cave, chasing after Liam.