Chapter 56:

As Skye approached Cain, he was accompanied by two Pokemon, an Ekans and a Koffing, who bore expressions of trepidation. With reverence, Skye bowed and was followed by about 20 men who mimicked his gesture, capturing the attention of nearby spectators who stared in amazement.

Cain's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the scene before him, noting that among the group were a few individuals he recognized as former solitaries, all of whom possessed reasonably strong Pokemon. A quick scan of their Pokemon revealed that, on average, their levels were around 17.

Cain was impressed by Skye's ability to assemble such a force in such a short period of time, and even more so by the fact that he had tamed Soros's Koffing, which now appeared fully subdued and had even increased in level.

"Rise." Cain commanded with indifference, "There is no need for formalities here."

Skye obediently went to stand behind Cain. Whereas the two dozen men who had been bowing behind Skye rose in unison but kept their heads bowed, avoiding direct eye contact with Cain. Some of the more nervous attendees quietly wiped the sweat from their brows, relieved that Cain appeared unperturbed by their presence.

With a smile, Cain declared, "You've done an excellent job, Skye."

"It was only made possible by your reputation and this Koffing," Skye replied. There was a moment of hesitation in his speech as he weighed whether to reveal that some of the methods he employed to gather so many followers were somewhat unethical.

The group consisted of individuals gathered during Soros' reign, solitaries who joined of their own accord due to Cain's reputation and strength, and others who were coerced into joining under duress, having been bullied with tales of Cain's power and brutality.

In addition to coercion, Skye also used inducement, as evidenced by the Koffing he had been awarded by Cain, which instantly elevated him to a level of strength among the top trialists.

But despite his success, Skye was hesitant to speak further, uncertain of Cain's reaction to the less savory aspects of his methods.

As Skye hesitated, Cain locked his gaze onto him, causing Skye to panic. "I said excellent job," Cain said with a hint of annoyance, "I only care about the results, not the process."

With a nod, Skye replied, "Yes, yes," his body sagging as he accepted Cain's reprimand, eager to avoid further correction.

Cain was pleased with the outcome, even if he was unaware of the methods Skye employed to assemble such a formidable group of individuals. As he had previously stated, the process was of little concern to him as long as the result met his expectations. These individuals were mere pawns in his grand scheme, and their actions held little bearing on his current plans.

However, it was important to make the appropriate gestures and show appreciation to those who served him well. "Skye, provide me with your identification card and I will transfer one thousand points to you as a reward for a job well done," Cain declared.

The announcement elicited gasps from the group, as most had never seen such a substantial amount of points. "And you, Fox, you have also performed admirably," Cain continued. "I will transfer two hundred points to you as a token of my appreciation."

Rewards and punishments were the key to effective governance, and the group was enraptured by the potential for further rewards. Fox, who had accumulated a little over one hundred points, was pleasantly surprised to receive twice that amount. Jealousy and envy bubbled among those who felt they were stronger, but their resolve to impress Cain was strengthened.

"If you continue to perform well, all of you will be rewarded," Cain promised, taking in their reactions. "Points, Pokémon, items, the choice is yours when the time comes."

With eyes ablaze with excitement, the group eagerly awaited the opportunity to prove their loyalty and earn the promised rewards.

No one dared to question Cain's generosity when he dispensed 1000 points and a Koffing as if they were insignificant, thus solidifying his faction on the trial island. This was in keeping with the hierarchical structure of Team Rocket, with multiple factions competing and growing under the leadership of Giovanni. The internal competition and the growth it fostered were critical to transforming Team Rocket from a small-time gang into a formidable force capable of challenging the Pokemon Association. Of course, Giovanni's strength, confidence, and charisma also played a crucial role.

Cain issued a command, "Let's head back and await the start of the test."

"Yes, Cain," replied Skye respectfully. "By the way, our brothers in the dormitory have built a hall for us as our gathering place."

Cain's eyes lit up in approval of Skye's efficiency. The group made their way to the dormitory area, with Cain leading the way.

"Why is the square so crowded?" Cain asked curiously.

Before Skye could answer, they were interrupted by Xander, who approached with a large group in tow. He was dressed in a white Team Rocket uniform, with short brown hair and a piercing gaze.

"The rules of the test have changed. The attack test is no longer the sole determining factor. Those who believe they are stronger than their rank may challenge someone up to ten ranks higher. If they win, they switch places, and if they lose, they are demoted ten places. And there's no restriction on killing your opponent." Xander stated.

As he spoke, a malevolent gleam flared in Xander's eyes, revealing his intention to kill Cain. The latter, however, was unfazed, his laughter echoing softly in response to Xander's killing intent.

"So, do you wish to engage me in battle prematurely?" Cain inquired with a hint of mirth.

Skye, who was present, tensed, expecting the two to break into a physical altercation. But Cain, who was more familiar with Xander's character, was aware that the latter was not so foolish as to start a fight that would inevitably result in a widespread brawl, the outcome of which was difficult to predict.

Xander sneered in disdain, "Do not assume that you have already achieved the top rank, you might be the one who will challenge me."

Cain simply smiled, his composure unshaken, "We shall see."

This nonchalant attitude only served to further infuriate Xander. Every time he approached Cain with fervor, he was met with a demeanor that was far too relaxed for his liking.

"Please, stand aside," Cain requested politely, noting that Xander, red-faced and seething, was blocking his path.

Xander's hands were balled into fists, and he appeared as if he might lash out at any moment. His Ekans, a serpentine Pokémon, was coiled beside him, its eyes fixed on Cain with cold determination. Meanwhile, Cain's Murkrow was ready to defend at a moment's notice.

However, Xander, struggling to regain his composure, eventually retreated with a grunt of frustration, taking his Ekans and his followers with him.

As he watched Xander depart with a glum expression and his followers keeping their heads down, Cain couldn't help but laugh. Despite Xander's arrogance and pride, Cain held no ill-will towards him as a person. However, if Xander insisted on making him an enemy, Cain would not hesitate to retaliate.

For the two dozen new recruits who accompanied Cain and Skye, the walk from the square to the dormitory felt like an endless journey, made even more tense by the possibility of a potential conflict with Xander. However, it proved to be a false alarm, and when Cain arrived at the hall as directed by Skye, he was taken aback by the size of the building, despite its simple, wooden exterior.

Xander, on the other hand, was left to ponder his next move. He was determined to prove himself and not rely on his older brother's influence to succeed in the trial. Meanwhile, the recruits who followed him still held onto the hope that Xander would lead them out of the Trial Island and secure them a better position in Team Rocket through his brother's authority. Little did they know, Xander's ambition far exceeded their expectations.