Chapter 284: Taking Sides

Umbra slowly walked to the edge of the ship, looking down at Cain and the sailor who had been pinned down by Haunter.

The Senior Officer who had first attempted to stop Cain gave a respectful bow upon Umbra's arrival and stepped aside, though a deadly threat toward Cain gleamed in his eyes.

Umbra observed that, although Haunter had stopped attacking, Cain hadn't ordered Haunter to withdraw his move. A smile formed on his face.

He shook his head slightly and said, "That's enough."

Cain looked up at Umbra and, seeing the smile on his lips, immediately understood what had happened.

The man who had tried to stop him didn't belong to Umbra, nor was it Umbra who had sent the sailor to test Cain.

Although he didn't know the exact identity of this man, the fact that he could be in the same room as Umbra indicated he held a high rank.

Noticing Umbra's smile, Cain felt reassured and slowly approached the immobilized man.

The sailor, still held by Haunter, didn't dare to move, but the fury and hatred in his eyes were undeniable.

Cain gave a slight smile as he looked at him, then crouched down slowly and patted his face without saying a word.

Even on the ground, he remained arrogant!

The man's flushed face showed his rage, and if it weren't for Haunter, he probably would have stood up to confront Cain.

After Umbra intervened, the man seemed convinced that Cain wouldn't dare kill him. The hand he'd stopped halfway toward his belt began to move slowly again.

Seeing the fury on his face, Cain's smile widened.

In an instant, a cold gleam crossed Cain's eyes, and in his right hand, a knife reappeared, striking down in one swift move.

"Ah!"

With a single slash, Cain severed the man's right hand, which had tried to reach for his Poké Ball.

"You!"

The Senior Officer behind Umbra reacted immediately, but before he could say anything, a look from Umbra silenced him instantly.

Umbra turned to him with a cold gaze and said, "Regardless of what your superior told you, this one here is one of mine from the shadow unit. I don't need your interference. Go back and tell your superior that if there's a next time, I'll personally go speak with him."

The man paled but dared not respond. He lowered his head respectfully and, after murmuring a "yes," left the ship, abandoning the Officer lying on the ground screaming in pain.

A total waste, an Officer incapable of defeating a mere boy, and now even lost a hand.

What was the point of keeping a useless person like him?

The Senior Officer knew well that he had managed to get an Officer to attack Cain, an important member to Umbra, for two reasons.

First, his superior, whom Umbra held some caution toward, and second, more importantly, was that Umbra also wanted to see how Cain was progressing.

If Cain couldn't handle this situation, there was no point in him continuing on the trial island; better he die here and avoid the embarrassment.

That's why, when the Senior Officer organized the attack in front of Umbra, he didn't intervene.

However, now that the test was over, no one else could attempt to harm Cain until the final trial was completed. The opportunity had passed.

Cain hadn't disappointed Umbra, who watched him as he slowly headed toward the ship under his gaze.

Cain stopped where the Senior Officer had been standing, respectfully bowed, and said, "Sir Umbra."

Umbra watched Cain's every move and, with a playful smile, said, "Seems like you've made an enemy out of a Senior Officer. Are you scared?"

Umbra's tone was filled with mockery as he waited to see how Cain would react.

Cain smiled and replied, "It's only a Senior Officer? Anyway, even if I hadn't provoked him, wouldn't he have come after me eventually?"

"Hahaha!"

Umbra was initially surprised, but then burst into laughter.

"You're quite a smart kid. Aren't you afraid that that Senior Officer's superior will come after you? He's one of the Elite Officers."

"Aren't I under your protection? I clearly heard what you just said." Cain responded, looking at Umbra, one of the great leaders of Team Rocket.

Umbra paused for a moment before his smile faded, adopting a more serious expression as he observed Cain.

"You should know that protecting you from an Elite Officer entails... considerable pressure. You know what you have to do, don't you?"

"Yes." Cain's expression also turned serious.

To become an Elite Officer in Team Rocket, there was only one requirement: to be an Elite-level Trainer. Cain had provoked one of them.

But this was something Cain could not avoid doing.

If he didn't take a firm stance on Umbra's side, why should Umbra protect him?

Just because he had good potential?

That's wishful thinking.

There are many people with potential, but how many manage to realize it?

Only those who realize it gain power.

At this moment, Cain was like a small boat amidst the stormy internal struggles of Team Rocket. Aligning with a stable faction was the best option.

If Cain tried to maintain good relations with everyone, Umbra would not show him the slightest consideration.

It was that simple, that real.

Why should he protect someone who would eventually go with another?

Impossible!

If Cain wanted Umbra's protection, he needed to clearly align with his faction.

Furthermore, in Team Rocket, Umbra was the only option for Cain.

According to the information Cain had, Umbra and Sabrina were on the same side. So, at least this group had two Elite-level Trainers. Not a bad option.

Umbra's laughter was because he knew Cain had understood everything. Cutting off the Officer's hand had merely been a demonstration for him.

This young man was sharper than he had imagined.

As long as Cain had some value, Umbra would have no problem protecting him.

Anyway, the superior of that Senior Officer was not someone Umbra considered important.

As the injured Officer continued groaning on the ground, Cain frowned and said, "Haunter, use Hypnosis to calm him down."

"Kekeke~!" Hearing the order, Haunter used Hypnosis on the man, making him quiet.

Cain followed Umbra into the cabin.

As for the Officer, having gained no advantage from either side, he no longer held any value.

(End of Chapter)