Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

"Oh, right, you have a Slowking that can use Teleport, which makes you quite reckless. Last time I sent someone to stop you, they couldn't prevent you from teleporting."

"I suppose it's because your Slowking has reached the quasi-elite level, right?" Xenon said, changing his expression from cold to relaxed, as if everything was under control.

Xenon had managed to join Team Rocket as a mere civilian and stand out in an organization full of internal conflicts. This was no coincidence.

Moreover, back then, he had to take care of a younger brother who had not yet grown up.

His ability to switch attitudes and his cunning were undeniable.

Under normal circumstances, Xenon had the potential to become an Elite Officer of Team Rocket in the future. With the support of his older brother, Xander, he would have had a chance to rise to the position of Senior Officer. Over time, he could have even become an Elite Officer.

If the two brothers had stuck together, it wouldn't have been impossible for them to establish their own faction within Team Rocket, becoming a major branch of the group.

However, this timeline had changed due to Cain's intervention. Xander died prematurely, and now Xenon, taking a great risk, was trying to eliminate Cain before it was too late.

He had no other choice. The threat Cain posed was too great. Even the Advanced-level trainers he had previously sent—considered some of the best in their category—had been defeated. Xenon no longer had anyone else to send; he had to step in himself.

Moreover, he could no longer afford to wait. He couldn't allow Cain the time to grow stronger or uncover his plans. Even if Giovanni found out about his actions, Xenon was determined to finish Cain off.

If that meant leaving Team Rocket, Xenon was willing to do it. He could flee to regions like Unova or Sinnoh and join a local criminal organization. Once there, he wouldn't have to worry about Giovanni or Team Rocket.

In fact, those organizations would be thrilled to have someone with inside information on Team Rocket.

Originally, Xenon hadn't wanted to go this far. He had spent a long time building relationships within Team Rocket, and the higher-ups had a good impression of him. If his strength reached the required level, he would soon have been promoted to Elite Officer.

In the worst-case scenario, if someone of lower rank discovered his actions, he would probably only receive a symbolic reprimand.

However, Cain's growth was so rapid that Xenon couldn't afford to wait. If Cain reached his level, it would be Xenon who suffered the consequences.

By then, with Giovanni's backing, no one would dare to go against Cain.

Instead of waiting for a slow death, Xenon preferred to act quickly and bet on which of them was more important to Team Rocket—him, a rising Officer, or Cain.

Both understood a fundamental truth: only those who were alive and could contribute to the group held any value. Team Rocket wouldn't sacrifice a useful member just to avenge a dead one.

Many people hesitated to go after Cain because they feared they wouldn't be able to finish him off completely, complicating things further.

But Xenon had already reached the point where he was willing to risk everything.

Taking out a Luxury Ball, Xenon threw it into the air, releasing an Exeggutor.

Exeggutor was a Grass and Psychic-type Pokémon. Although its resistances weren't particularly outstanding, Xenon had obviously chosen it to counter Cain's Slowking.

Cain activated his system to scan Exeggutor's data:

Pokémon: Exeggutor (Light Blue)

Gender: Female

Level: 58

Types: Grass + Psychic

Ability: Chlorophyll

Held Item: None

Egg Moves: Synthesis, Ancient Power, Ingrain

Basic Moves: Barrage, Uproar, Hypnosis, Reflect, Leech Seed, Bullet Seed, Stun Spore, Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, Confusion, Worry Seed, Stomp, Seed Bomb, Psyshock, Egg Bomb, Wood Hammer, Leaf Storm

Learned Moves: Telekinesis, Giga Drain, Stomping Tantrum, Zen Headbutt

TM Moves: Protect, Hidden Power (Flying), Psychic, Dream Eater, Grass Knot, Trick Room

It was another Pokémon close to the quasi-elite level cap. Seeing Exeggutor's data, Cain understood that Xenon was determined to kill him right then and there.

"What do you think? Are you going to send out your Slowking to see which of our Psychic-types is stronger?" Xenon asked with a seemingly warm smile, though his eyes radiated a chilling coldness.

Cain assessed Xenon in silence. This was a man who had perfectly integrated his facade into his identity.

Even though he wasn't wearing a physical mask, he always wore an emotional mask, hiding his true thoughts.

"Did you follow me all this time just to show me what you had prepared?" Cain asked calmly.

"No, no. I just wanted to see if the right opportunity arose. But it turns out you brought me to this deserted island yourself. Now that there are no witnesses, I can kill you and return to Team Rocket without any trouble, continuing my rise to Senior Officer and then Elite Officer," Xenon replied confidently.

Cain kept a neutral expression and asked:

"How did you know I would be in Slateport City and that I would head out to sea?"

As he said this, a shiver ran through Flygon, the Pokémon standing beside Cain.

Despite the pressure from Exeggutor, Flygon had shown no fear—until Cain asked that question.

Cain was furious, but he managed to hide it.

Very few people knew his itinerary. If Xenon knew so much, it meant that someone within his own organization, Team Heaven, had betrayed him.

"You know how Team Rocket works. What do you think about your Team Heaven?" Xenon asked with a mocking smile.

Though he was trying to provoke Cain, he wasn't able to shake him completely.

Cain thought Xenon was pathetic. Even though he had reached considerable strength, he lacked the dignity of a true strong one.

A true strong one doesn't act like a frightened rat full of schemes and fears.

Without the greatness of a leader, Xenon was nothing but a waste.

(End of Chapter)