Chapter 26: The Villain Finally Has a Name

“You’re planning to visit the Well of Slowpoke?”
Mr. Steel looked at him with some surprise. “Are you thinking about catching a Slowpoke?”
“No, I’m just curious about the place, that’s all. I’ll treat it like a tourist spot.”
“All right, a tourist spot.”
Steel smiled. “Well, the thing is, I’m the manager of the Well of Slowpoke. Normally, it’s semi-open to the public. Visitors can only observe from outside, and they might not even see any Slowpoke.”
“After all, it’s less of a tourist attraction and more of a historical site. The Well has quite a long history.”
Bamboo nodded. “Yes, I’ll go over tonight.”
Steel frowned. “Are you worried about that group’s main force?”
Bamboo nodded. “Our identities are civilian. There are certain things Officer Jenny and Abi certainly won’t tell us.”
“Just coming here openly to mine rare minerals because they detected something? That’s a pretty stupid excuse.”
“Or rather, there are two possibilities: either those three are actually idiots, or they’re scouts paving the way.”
Bamboo said, “All waters under heaven are connected. Before heading to the Well, I plan to check the mine to see if there’s a water vein linking it to the Well.”
Steel mused, “All waters under heaven are connected—is that a proverb from your era? It does make sense.”
Of course it did, provided the big-headed fish and Groudon didn’t start fighting. Normally, nature did show clear patterns.
“Be careful.”
Steel had every confidence in Bamboo’s strength—or rather, his character. He’d sensed it ever since the last time at the Gym.
A single kick could send someone to intensive care—Bamboo was certainly not a soft-hearted person.
In terms of ruthlessness, those so-called “lawless” villains might not even be his match.
“We’re heading out for a stroll—though I’ll never admit I just want to see if I can find something good in that mine.”
On the way, Bamboo tossed the Heavy Ball in his hand, then hurled it hard at a rock ahead. With a boom, the ball embedded itself deep in the stone.
Very deep.
“Pretty powerful. I really hope those three are just idiots; otherwise, their companions are in for a rough time.”
If a real fight broke out, Bamboo doubted he’d hold back.
If this were truly the middle of nowhere, once he’d knocked them out, he’d seriously consider searching their belongings—just to treat the loot as his spoils of victory.
This time, he didn’t trouble the Pokémon in the woods. Bamboo just grabbed a metal pickaxe and slung it over his shoulder.
After all, Lapras wasn’t the type to help with mining; if he came across any precious minerals, he’d have to dig them up himself.
“I was thinking of bringing a mask, but it seems unnecessary.”
His hair color was striking enough—just covering his face wouldn’t accomplish much.
Bamboo entered the mine. The lighting was dim, but he could make out scattered Zubat roosting inside.
“No wonder they use Crobat.”
With the familiar energy cubes to clear the way, and a certain strange affinity he carried, Bamboo passed through the Zubat’s domain without trouble, then swung the pickaxe at a nearby wall.
With a click, he picked up a chunk of ore that rolled across the ground, dusted it off, and examined it.
Yes, a standard byproduct ore, rich from both Ground and Rock energies.
High quality—he could easily sell it to Steven.
“Lapras, check which direction you can sense a distinct water vein.”
Bamboo bit down on his flashlight and circled an area on the map near the Well of Slowpoke for Lapras.
“Mmm…”
Lapras closed its eyes to concentrate, while Bamboo swept the flashlight deeper into the mine.
There were signs of violent mining by Pokémon—likely the work of Rhyhorn and Onix. Some of the traces were even fresher.

The slow-moving air currents inside the cave were a great help—outside, it wouldn’t have been so easy.
“The footprints are a mess. Did Officer Jenny and Abi investigate carefully?”
Lapras pointed the way. Bamboo checked the emergency supplies in his censer and, reassured, continued deeper.
The sound of trickling water echoed; Bamboo shone his light and saw tiny streams running down the rock walls, gathering to form a narrow channel that stretched away.
He even spotted half a gnawed berry pit.
“These Zubat really have pretty good living conditions.”
Large space, clean running water, and usually quiet—ideal for Zubat.
For modern people, it’d be like a gamer with a massive, high-end gaming room, a giant HD screen for consoles, two cabinets for figures and comics, and a fridge in the corner stocked with snacks and drinks.
Plus, with great takeout restaurants nearby and air conditioning, you could just order food at home.
“Mmm.”
Lapras called to Bamboo, gazing toward where the water was falling.
“There’s really a passage?”
Bamboo placed his hand against the wall—there were no signs of artificial mining, so this was the result of geological movement.
Of course, if a top-tier boss like Giovanni showed up and had Ground-type Pokémon manipulate things, they could produce the same effect.
But for someone at that level, the Well of Slowpoke just wasn’t valuable enough.
“So it’s safe here.”
Bamboo said, “Lapras, starting here, does the water vein’s pulse get stronger the deeper we go?”
Lapras nodded, nudging Bamboo’s chin to make him look up.
“The water vein is above me?”
Azalea Town wasn’t a major region; its only notable features were the Oak Forest, the Slowpoke Tails, and Time-Onion.
Could this really connect all the way to the Well of Slowpoke?
“Excellent. So those three aren’t idiots—I’ll have some fun.”
With the Heavy Ball in hand, Bamboo’s smile grew more unrestrained. Lapras didn’t return to its Poké Ball, instead following quietly behind its trainer.
Once Bamboo confirmed there were no enemies ahead, Lapras would catch up—after all, from a target’s viewpoint, Bamboo was much smaller.
As Bamboo pressed deeper, the sound of water grew faintly louder—the water vein was clearly just next door.
Judging by the sound, even if Bamboo had Lapras break through the rock wall, the water flow wouldn’t be enough to sweep anyone away like in the movies.
Even if the idiots’ companions were up ahead causing trouble, he needn’t worry about being undone by the natural environment.
“Hassan?”
Turning a corner, Bamboo found himself face to face with three massive heads. He fell silent, and the voice of the Pokédex echoed in his mind.
Scizor: when threatened, it raises its powerful pincers to intimidate foes.
So, the question was—why was there a Scizor here?
“Lapras!”
Lapras quickly moved to the front, staring intently at the Scizor, who had lowered its pincers and whose gaze was growing sharp.
Bamboo gripped the Heavy Ball, ready to throw at any moment.
“Scizor, don’t be afraid—I’m here!”
That voice…
“Abi?”
“Huh?!”
Bamboo turned to see Abi rushing over with Heracross and Pinsir, and they locked eyes, both startled.

“What are you doing here!” x2
“Let’s put that aside for now. Scizor, don’t worry—Bamboo isn’t an enemy.”
Abi looked at the Heavy Ball in Bamboo’s hand, her expression growing odd.
“You haven’t had enough, and want to try your skills on a couple more people?”
“You really are a clever one.”
Bamboo put away the Heavy Ball. “Interesting—don’t Gym Leaders ever rest? No wonder you always look so exhausted.”
“That time was an accident, and you’re definitely the reason my nap didn’t work out.”
Abi rolled her eyes. “Never mind, since you’re here, come with me and say hello. We’ll make a report before leaving.”
Bamboo raised an eyebrow. “A report? Did you come with Officer Jenny? Any findings?”
“Heh, today’s catch is you.”
Abi’s last remark was clearly a joke, but when they entered a large open space, Officer Jenny’s squad and Nurse Joy were both surprised.
Nurse Joy, with Chansey, teased, “Still claiming you’re not a trainer? You’re always running around.”
“It’s fun.”
Bamboo glanced at the thugs, all tied up and unconscious.
“Lying in wait—you’re pretty good at this. Thanks for your hard work.”
Out at night fighting crime—if the timing were better, he’d want to go to Smoky City and feed Lance some toxic chicken soup.
Oh, youth—a whole league’s worth of evil waits for you to crush. Go and live out the Dragon King Descends on the City storyline!
“Mr. Bamboo, is it?”
Officer Jenny saluted him. “Thank you very much for supporting our work. Faced with such evil, we have to strike hard.”
Abi added, “That Onix’s trainer woke up and even wants to sue you for assault.”
“He still has human rights?”
Bamboo laughed. “Maybe I should have a chat with him sometime?”
Abi quickly stopped him. “Never mind. Just tell us what you’re doing here.”
“I came to test whether they’re really idiots. Looks like they’re not. But I didn’t expect you to act even faster than me.”
Officer Jenny crouched down, stroking Growlithe on the head.
“Fighting evil is our duty. Otherwise, we’d be letting the people of Azalea Town down.”
Bamboo glanced at the thugs. “Which organization are they from?”
Officer Jenny was direct. “Team Dark.”
Well, the villains of the Johto region have finally made their appearance—no easy feat. At last, a glimpse of the world’s darker side.
But that name…
Bamboo had a bad feeling. “Can you tell me who runs this organization?”
Abi shook her head. “No idea. The League only knows Team Dark has developed a strange Poké Ball technology that can forcibly make wild Pokémon obey orders.”
“That kind of Poké Ball is called a Dark Ball by their insiders.”
Excellent.
Bamboo now had a pretty good idea who the boss of this villainous team was.
Bishas!