Chapter 176: The Depth of Trial Island

In fact, Sabrina isn't much older than Cain; she's only a few years ahead. However, due to her immense talent and rapid advancement in strength, many people tend to overlook her age.

Moreover, Sabrina has possessed very powerful psychic abilities since she was young, which led her to develop a peculiar and capricious personality, as few people could go against her wishes.

However, as she's grown, she has begun to understand the nuances of interpersonal relationships. Otherwise, with only her strength, she wouldn't have become one of Team Rocket's top three Executives.

Her relationship with Umbra is good because he doesn't flatter her for her power. Instead, he helps her make more mature decisions, shaping her character to some extent.

For this reason, Sabrina sees Umbra as a mentor, friend, and brother.

This is why Sabrina cares about Umbra's matters. However, this time, she has no interest in the mission on Trial Island, as it's rather complicated, and she feels no need to get involved.

Umbra gestures with his hand, indicating it's fine. This mission on Trial Island is like a whirlpool of trouble, and if Sabrina chooses not to participate, it's for the best. If he could, he'd also avoid getting involved.

Then, Umbra looks at Cain seriously and says, "As I told you on Trial Island, this time the trial will not be easy."

Cain listens carefully, without interrupting, waiting for Umbra to continue.

"This time, Team Rocket has invested more resources than ever in the trial, and it has been more selective with the participants, because this trial is directly related to the team's expansion into other regions."

Cain can't help but wonder, expansion into other regions?

Umbra continues, "As you already know, Team Rocket is the largest underground group in the Kanto and Johto regions, but these are only two of the seven regions recognized by the League. Our Leader has bigger ambitions; he won't settle for being just the king of the underworld in these two regions."

"Expansion is inevitable."

"But in other regions, even the League doesn't have full control, much less us."

"Each region has its own underground organizations that are very protective of their territory. We can't just enter with force; they'd kick us out immediately."

"That's why some of the team's higher-ups have proposed infiltrating new recruits who pass the trial into other regions. The idea is for them to infiltrate gradually, take root, and when they are firmly established, Team Rocket can strike from inside and out to take control of the region."

"We may not dominate all underground organizations, but at least we want to have some influence."

This is the first time Umbra has spoken so much to Cain. After taking a sip of tea, he continues.

"Among you, those participating in this trial, there are many who have been placed here by orders from their superiors. Surely, you've noticed that some of them have considerable strength, and several Officers in Team Rocket are using this opportunity to build their own power in other regions."

Hearing this, Cain finally understands why some people on Trial Island seemed strange to him. Xander is just one of those who don't hide their true identity; others are probably doing the same, hiding both their identity and true power.

"You've stood out as a surprise in this trial, but if you don't align with a faction, you might not leave Trial Island alive."

"So... are the Executives just standing by?" Cain finally dares to ask, raising the question that intrigues him the most.

Umbra laughs coldly and responds, "How could they just stand by? Some Executives are eager to send their men to expand their influence. But our Leader has decided that the top three in the trial and the best five subordinates from the Executives will compete to decide who will be sent to other regions."

"The top three from the trial against the best five from the Executives? That's a big disadvantage from the start," Cain comments.

"The difference is obvious, but do you think the Officers aren't investing resources? The Leader is allowing them to face the Executives because he wants the Officers to challenge them; some have become too arrogant lately."

"The exact battle rules haven't been defined yet, but it's clear that each one will have more than one Pokémon. Although Trial Island encourages training a single Pokémon, those with power behind them have already been training other Pokémon in secret."

"You're not bad; your Pokémon have good potential, though they lack some strength. If you work hard, you might have a chance."

Umbra's words make Cain reflect deeply.

It turns out this trial is much more complicated than he had imagined, with at least five Executives involved and implications for Team Rocket's direction over the next few years.

Even Giovanni might be paying attention, which means that those who perform well could gain his favor.

Giovanni is the type who, if you have skills, will give you a chance, even if you have your own ambitions. He trusts his ability to control others.

That's his charisma.

However, Cain suspects that Team Rocket's plans aren't as simple as they seem. They wouldn't send someone with so many resources without taking precautions.

What if that person developed their own ambitions?

After all, resources are so valuable they can sustain a faction. Even the most loyal could be tempted to disobey.

Cain doubts the simplicity of all this, even when it comes from Umbra.

But perhaps this is also an opportunity for him: could it be feasible to take advantage of the situation to establish his own faction?

He doesn't know what Umbra is thinking, but Umbra probably senses Cain's thoughts too.

"Alright, I've told you enough about the mission. Now let's talk about the reward for helping me complete the task."

Umbra stops Cain before he can refuse and continues, "Don't be so quick to turn it down; this reward might not necessarily be a bad thing for you."

Saying this, Umbra slowly stands up and, with great solemnity, takes out a black badge from his clothing.

This badge is very similar to the black cloud badge that Cain received before, but it has one difference: an additional line that Cain's reserve member badge did not have.

(End of chapter)