Chapter 172: Target

In the heart of the forest, a man with piercing violet eyes, Ron, strode quickly through the dense woods.

Thanks to Shadow's intelligence network, Ron had locked onto a poaching group called the Granite Poachers.

This poaching group had an interesting story. Ever since its formation, it had been under the constant surveillance of the forest rangers, who worked tirelessly to suppress and dismantle it.

At first, the Granite Poachers were a small, insignificant operation. Their leader, Jack, had a Pokémon team led by his strongest member, which was only at level 48.

Despite the rangers' relentless efforts to crush them, the Granite Poachers not only survived but also grew stronger over time. Jack eventually became a high-ranking elite trainer, significantly bolstering the group's strength and reputation.

Later, Jack officially renamed his group the Granite Poachers, symbolizing their unyielding resilience—like granite, no matter how hard they were struck, they would never crumble.

In a way, the Granite Poachers seemed to possess a protagonist-like aura.

However, Ron dismissed that thought quickly. With a name as common as Jack's, which often appeared in countless novels and movies, there was no way he could have any true protagonist's luck—especially with Ron planning to eliminate them soon.

According to Shadow's reports, the Granite Poachers were currently operating in this forest.

Their covert actions had so far avoided detection by the rangers, making them an ideal target for Ron.

Taking them down would not only ensure the Granite Poachers' destruction but also allow Ron to claim all the credit, boosting his standing within the League and covering his own covert activities.

As Jack commanded his subordinates to capture the defeated wild Beedrill swarm, he suddenly felt an ominous premonition, as if something bad was about to happen.

The feeling faded quickly, and Jack brushed it off.

Since forming the poaching group, he had survived countless ranger ambushes, always managing to pull through. His trusted Rhydon had even reached level 53.

Jack already had grand plans for the group's future—to amass enough power to break through to the Elite Four level.

Once he achieved that, he would take revenge on all the trainers and rangers who had ever hunted him down.

A fleeting sense of unease was not enough to sway Jack's confidence.

With Kirlia and Persian by his side, Ron closed in on the Granite Poachers at an increasingly rapid pace.

Even though Jack had ordered his team to cover their tracks carefully, faint traces of their scent still lingered, providing Ron with clues to follow.

It took over a day, but Ron finally tracked down the Granite Poachers' location.

According to Shadow, Jack's main Pokémon was a high-level elite Rhydon, estimated to be between levels 52 and 55.

This was a power range that Ron's Machamp could still handle—though Jack's numerous subordinates posed a bigger challenge.

Despite having only one high elite-level trainer, the Granite Poachers had grown to a formidable size with thirty members, bolstered by their rising reputation.

If they attacked as a group, even Machamp wouldn't be able to hold them off.

To ensure his plan's success, Ron decided to weaken the Granite Poachers gradually before launching a final assault.

"Quickly capture this swarm of Beedrill. We'll move to another spot afterward; otherwise, those rangers will sniff us out in no time."

With Rhyperior leading the charge, the Beedrill swarm—whose strongest members were only mid-level elites—was quickly defeated.

Although Beedrill didn't fetch high prices, their numbers made up for it, and the honey they produced could sell for a decent profit. It was a good way to secure one last haul before moving on.

"Watch out!"

As the group relaxed slightly after the battle, a panicked shout rang out.

Turning toward the source of the voice, they saw a massive red foot resembling that of a giant elephant crashing toward them.

"Everyone, use Protect to block it!"

Green shields of light appeared in unison, and the combined strength of the group easily deflected Machamp's Evening Elephant.

With only high-level elite strength, Machamp wasn't powerful enough to break through the combined Protects of so many Pokémon.

As the Evening Elephant dissipated, the Granite Poachers failed to notice a shadow emerging behind them.

Using Shave and Finger Pistol, Persian swiftly eliminated two of Jack's subordinates before retreating.

It wasn't until their Pokémon cried out that Jack realized he had lost two men.

"Everyone, stay on high alert!"

After back-to-back ambushes, Jack ordered his team to maintain constant vigilance.

Meanwhile, Ron remained hidden in the treetops, using Fighting Aura to heal Machamp's injuries from the Finger Pistol: Evening Elephant. Persian had already returned to his side, and Kirlia used its psychic abilities to monitor Jack and his crew's movements.

Tension filled the air. Any small disturbance would immediately draw the attention of Jack and his men, leaving them on edge as if the very forest around them was a threat.

After ten minutes of heightened alertness, there was still no further movement.

Had it not been for the two lifeless bodies on the ground, the poachers might have thought the earlier attacks were nothing more than a bad dream.

"Have your Pokémon spread out and keep watch as we move out quickly," Jack instructed.

Not wanting to linger too long and risk a ranger intervention, Jack decided to leave the area immediately.

As if responding to their movement, a powerful shockwave burst forth from the forest like a ferocious tiger, barreling toward the Granite Poachers.

Having learned from the previous attack, Jack split his team—some used Protect to block the incoming Daytime Tiger while the rest kept watch for another ambush.

As the shockwave dissipated, leaving behind only a newly carved path in the forest, the attackers remained elusive.

The feeling of being toyed with gnawed at Jack and his team, their frustration and paranoia growing with each passing moment.

"Maintain formation, we're retreating!"

Forcing himself to suppress the anger boiling inside, Jack chose to lead his team out of the forest, which offered countless hiding spots.

Perhaps sensing that Jack and his crew's retreat made them easy targets, a series of tiger-like shockwaves continuously surged toward the Granite Poachers from all directions.

After roughly gauging the power of the Daytime Tiger's attacks, some members began commanding their Pokémon to counter when the attacks came. Their responses gradually showed signs of proficiency, as if they were adapting to the relentless assaults.

Suddenly, a thunderous shockwave, as forceful as the stomp of a crimson elephant, barreled toward them, plunging the Granite Piachers into further chaos.

And so, enduring Machamp's repeated assaults, the Granite Poachers slowly withdrew from the area where they had previously attacked the Beedrill swarm. Throughout their retreat, they maintained a high level of vigilance, which was precisely the result Ron had hoped for.

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