60. Team Rocket and Poachers
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"Oh! What's there to be angry about? We are all supported by such idiots!" The flat-headed man sneered with a sarcastic look on his face.
"The bald man nodded in agreement, saying, 'Indeed, rich people do make the most money.'"
"Ash, who are these two? What do they mean?" Misty asked, confused. She somewhat understood but didn't see what Pokémon had to do with making money.
"Pokémon poachers!" Ash listened to their conversation and realized it immediately. They catch rare Pokémon and sell them to others.
Having been in this world for many years, Ash understood the various situations here. Besides large-scale evil organizations like Team Rocket, there are also smaller, scattered poaching groups.
These groups are much smaller than Team Rocket. Some consist of a few people, while others act alone. The difference is that poachers capture Pokémon for money, whereas Team Rocket captures Pokémon not for financial gain.
Ash had specifically learned about poachers. At first, he was curious about the difference between poachers and regular Trainers. The biggest difference is that poachers do not use Poké Balls to capture Pokémon and are not obsessed with Pokémon battles. They use battles as just one method among many.
Poachers will use various means to capture the Pokémon they want. According to the Pokémon League's regulations, Trainers must subdue Pokémon themselves or defeat them in battle. Using other weapons and devices is considered poaching, and Pokémon captured by Trainers cannot be traded, except for exchanging Pokémon.
If there is a need to trade Pokémon, it must comply with the Pokémon League's regulations. For example, beginner Trainers or Pokémon Academy students have the League's permission to trade. However, even these Pokémon must be captured through official means.
Ash found it ridiculous to see these poachers. Poké Balls are so convenient; wouldn't it be easier to use them directly? Trading would be more straightforward if they used Poké Balls instead of cages and nets. Were they just hoping the police wouldn't arrive quickly enough?
It's like stealing a car; isn't it better to steal the key than to push it by hand? Maybe they wanted to save on Poké Ball costs, or perhaps even villains had their own rules to follow.
And the Pokémon captured by poachers are not just wild, rare Pokémon. If they see another Trainer's Pokémon that they need, they will grab it without hesitation. This is the most shameful thing about poachers.
As for their operations, as they mentioned, there are employers, and Ash learned that poachers have a dark web dedicated to their activities. Only poachers know about it. They accept jobs through these dark webs, and these transactions are completely confidential, keeping the employer's identity hidden. Usually, there are dedicated personnel during transactions because some of these employers might be prominent figures who do not want their identities revealed.
When not working on commissions, poachers still capture rare Pokémon and list them on the dark web with clear prices.
"Poachers? How did you know?" Misty looked at Ash in surprise, unsure. First, Team Rocket, and now poachers—she was still getting used to it, as she had just started traveling.
"Listening to their conversation, they really seem like poachers," Brock replied. As a Gym Trainer, he had experience with the world.
Gym Trainers don't just accept challenges from others in the Gym. If there are problems in the city, like the appearance of criminals, the Gym Trainer is responsible for taking action if the police can't solve it in time.
"Now what?" Misty asked, suddenly nervous. These two guys seemed fiercer and more difficult to deal with than Team Rocket.
Seymour, hearing the conversation, clenched his fists and gritted his teeth angrily. "These hateful guys treat cute Pokémon as money-making items. I will never forgive them!"
"Hush! Uncle, please be quiet! They will hear you," Misty said, quickly covering Seymour's mouth.
"Huh?? Who!!!" The two poachers suddenly shouted and became alert.
"Too bad, they found out! Uncle, this is your fault," Misty whispered in a panic, her face tense.
These guys were not kind, and she had often heard about poachers attacking Trainers. "What should we do now, Ash?" She looked to Ash and Brock for guidance.
"It seems we can only go out," Brock said calmly. Since they had been discovered, there was no other option. If the poachers were not kind, they would have to fight.
"Wait a minute!" Ash stopped Brock in a low voice, just as Brock was puzzled.
"Who are you asking?"
"We'll tell you with great mercy~~!!!"
Brock and Seymour were confused, as they had never heard these lines before. They were surprised that there were others in the cave they hadn't noticed.
Brock was even more surprised. Ash had stopped him, obviously knowing that there were other people there.
Prepare for trouble!
And make it double!
To protect the world from devastation!
To unite all people within our nation!
To denounce the evils of truth and love!
To extend our reach to the stars above!
Jessie!
James!
Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light! Surrender now, or prepare to fight!
Meowth! That's right!
While Brock and the others were puzzled, the line was ending. On the other side of the cave, three figures emerged: a man and a woman wearing Team Rocket's white uniforms, with a Meowth standing between them.
"Who are these two? Their lines are so cool!" Seymour exclaimed, impressed by their lines.
Misty was even more speechless. It seemed that this uncle also had a flair for the dramatic.
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